PHILADELPHIA, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE AMEX: IAF), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of March 31, 2012.
The Fund's total returns for various periods through March 31, 2012 are provided below. (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):
Period | NAV Total Return % | Market Price Total Return % | ||
Cumulative | Annualized | Cumulative | Annualized | |
Since inception (December 1985) | 733.1 | 8.4 | 806.4 | 8.8 |
10-years | 268.0 | 13.9 | 353.1 | 16.3 |
5-years | 17.5 | 3.3 | 25.7 | 4.7 |
3-years | 81.8 | 22.0 | 108.5 | 27.7 |
1-year | -7.6 | -3.7 | ||
The Fund's returns, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are affected by the performance of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar.
On March 31, 2012, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$222.9 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $9.88.
As of March 31, 2012, the portfolio was invested as follows:
Portfolio Composition | Percent of |
Financials | 30.8 |
Materials | 23.4 |
Consumer Staples | 11.3 |
Utilities | 7.5 |
Property Trusts | 5.4 |
Consumer Discretionary | 4.1 |
Telecommunications | 3.6 |
Information Technology | 3.4 |
Biotechnology | 3.2 |
Energy | 2.3 |
Health Care | 1.9 |
Industrials | 1.8 |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 1.3 |
The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of March 31, 2012, representing 59.2% of total assets, were:
Stock | Percent of Total Assets |
BHP Billiton PLC | 10.1 |
Woolworths Ltd. | 7.3 |
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. | 6.8 |
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. | 6.4 |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 6.3 |
Rio Tinto PLC | 6.1 |
Westfield Group | 4.3 |
AGL Energy Ltd. | 4.1 |
Westpac Banking Corporation | 4.1 |
ASX Ltd. | 3.7 |
Important Information
Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., the Fund's Administrator, has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, the Administrator, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the Investment Manager), Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (the Investment Adviser), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy. Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S. registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC.
Closed-end funds have a one-time initial public offering and then are subsequently traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Total return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower. Holdings are subject to change and are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities shown. Inception date December 12, 1985.
If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com
SOURCE Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc.
