BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – January 14, 2016 – Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc (ADX). announces the Fund’s investment returns for 2015. The Fund will be holding a conference call on January 28, 2016 at 10:00 am EST to discuss our 2015 performance. The dial in number is 1-888-389-5988 and the conference ID code is 6601404.
The total return on the Fund’s net asset value for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 1.8%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. The comparable figures for the Lipper Large-Cap Core Mutual Funds Average and the S&P 500 Index were -0.6% and 1.4%, respectively. The total return on the Fund’s market price for the same period was 0.7%.
The Fund paid $0.93 per share in income dividends and realized capital gain distributions to shareholders in 2015, producing an annual distribution rate of 6.8%, 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 2015 Annual Report is expected to be released on or about February 23, 2016.
Annualized One, Three and Five-Year Comparative Returns (12/31/15)
| 1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Diversified Equity Fund (NAV) | 1.8% | 14.7% | 11.0% |
| Adams Diversified Equity Fund (market) | 0.7% | 14.7% | 11.1% |
| Lipper Large-Cap Core Mutual Funds Average | -0.6% | 13.4% | 10.9% |
| S&P 500 | 1.4% | 15.1% | 12.6% |
Net Asset Value Announced
The Fund’s net asset value at the end of 2015, compared with the year earlier, was:
| 12/31/15 | 12/31/14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Net assets | $1,472,144,157 | $1,527,772,661 |
| Shares outstanding | 97,913,946 | 96,286,656 |
| Net asset value per share | $15.04 | $15.87 |
Ten Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings (12/31/15)
| % of Net Assets | |
|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 4.2% |
| Alphabet Inc. (Class A & Class C) | 3.7% |
| Microsoft Corp. | 3.2% |
| Wells Fargo & Co. | 2.7% |
| Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.* | 2.6% |
| PepsiCo, Inc. | 2.3% |
| Amazon.com, Inc. | 2.3% |
| Allergan plc | 2.3% |
| Facebook, Inc. (Class A) | 2.2% |
| Comcast Corp. (Class A) | 2.1% |
| Total | 27.6% |
* Non-controlled affiliated closed-end fund
Sector Weightings (12/31/15)
| % of Net Assets | |
|---|---|
| Information Technology | 21.3% |
| Financials | 17.4% |
| Health Care | 15.0% |
| Consumer Discretionary | 12.4% |
| Consumer Staples | 9.6% |
| Industrials | 9.3% |
| Energy | 7.0% |
| Utilities | 2.6% |
| Materials | 2.2% |
| Telecommunication Services | 1.9% |
For further information, please contact:
Nancy J. Floyd Prue, CFA
Director of Shareholder Communications
410.752.5900 or 800.638.2479
email