BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – January 18, 2018 – Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE:ADX) announces the Fund’s investment returns for 2017. “We are pleased to report our 2017 results which significantly exceeded the returns of our benchmark and our peer group,” said Mark Stoeckle, CEO of Adams Funds.

The total return on the Fund’s net asset value for 2017 was 26.2%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. The comparable figures for the Lipper Large-Cap Core Funds Average and the S&P 500 Index were 20.7% and 21.8%, respectively. The total return on the Fund’s market price for the period was 29.4%.

The Fund paid $1.38 per share in income dividends and realized capital gain distributions to shareholders in 2017, producing an annual distribution rate of 9.8%, exceeding the Fund’s annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment. Details regarding the annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment can be found at www.adamsfunds.com.

The Fund will be holding a conference call on January 31, 2018 at 2:00 pm EST to discuss our 2017 performance. The call may be accessed at www.adamsfunds.com or by calling 1-877-270-2148 and requesting the Adams Funds conference call. A replay of the call is available through February 21, 2018 by dialing 1-877-344-7529. The access code is 10112238.

The 2017 Annual Report is expected to be released on or about February 26, 2018.

Annualized One, Three and Five-Year Comparative Returns (12/31/17)

1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
Adams Diversified Equity Fund  (NAV) 26.2% 11.9% 15.8%
Adams Diversified Equity Fund (market price) 29.4% 11.7% 15.9%
Lipper Large-Cap Core Mutual Funds Average 20.7% 9.8% 14.3%
S&P 500 21.8% 11.4% 15.8%

Net Asset Value Announced

The Fund’s net asset value at the end of 2017, compared with the year earlier, was:

12/31/17 12/31/16
Net assets $1,785,771,890 $1,513,497,727
Shares outstanding 101,735,657 99,436,824
Net asset value per share $17.55 $15.22

Ten Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings (12/31/17)

% of Net Assets
Apple Inc. 4.5%
Microsoft Corporation 4.0%
Alphabet Inc. Class A & Class C 3.5%
Amazon.com, Inc. 2.9%
Facebook, Inc. Class A 2.7%
Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.* 2.4%
Bank of America Corporation 2.3%
Comcast Corporation Class A 2.3%
Wells Fargo & Company 2.1%
American Express Company 2.1%
Total 28.8%
* Non-controlled affiliated closed-end fund

Sector Weightings (12/31/17)

% of Net Assets
Information Technology 24.1%
Financials 15.0%
Health Care 13.5%
Consumer Discretionary 12.3%
Industrials 10.0%
Consumer Staples 8.2%
Energy 6.4%
Real Estate 2.9%
Utilities 2.7%
Materials 2.0%
Telecommunication Services 1.1%

During the fourth quarter, we initiated new positions in Carnival, Celgene, Colgate-Palmolive, TJX Companies, and UnitedHealth Group.


Since 1929, Adams Funds have consistently helped generations of investors reach their investment goals. Adams Funds is comprised of two closed-end funds, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE:ADX) and Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE:PEO). The Funds are actively managed by an experienced team with a disciplined approach and have paid dividends for more than 80 years across many market cycles. The Funds are committed to paying an annual distribution rate of 6% or more, providing reliable income to long-term investors. Shares can be purchased through our transfer agent or through a broker. For more information about Adams Funds, please visit: www.adamsfunds.com.

For further information, please contact:

Lyn Walther
Director of Shareholder Communications
410.752.5900 or 800.638.2479
email