BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, January 16, 2020 - Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO) announces the Fund’s investment returns for 2019. “Our Fund benefited from exposure to both the Energy and Materials sectors in 2019. Our investments in Materials rose 25.0% for the year,” said Mark Stoeckle, CEO of Adams Funds.

The total return on the Fund’s net asset value for the year was 13.7%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. The comparable figures for the Lipper Global Natural Resources Funds Average, the S&P 500 Energy Sector, and the S&P 500 Materials Sector were 15.4%, 11.8%, and 24.6%, respectively.  The total return on the Fund’s market price for the same period was 21.1%.

The Fund paid $1.10 per share in income dividends and realized capital gain distributions to shareholders in 2019, producing an annual distribution rate of 6.9%, exceeding the Fund’s annual 6.0% minimum distribution rate commitment. Details regarding the annual 6.0% minimum distribution rate commitment can be found at adamsfunds.com.

The 2019 Annual Report is expected to be released on or about February 24, 2020.

 

ANNUALIZED ONE, THREE, AND FIVE-YEAR COMPARATIVE RETURNS (12/31/19)

 

1 Year 3 Year 5 Year
Adams Natural Resources Fund (NAV) 13.7% -1.5% -1.1%
Adams Natural Resources Fund (market price) 21.1% -0.2% -0.9%
Lipper Global Natural Resources Funds Average 15.4% -0.3% -1.1%
S&P 500 Energy Sector 11.8% -3.2% -1.9%
S&P 500 Materials Sector 24.6% 9.6%  7.1%

NET ASSET VALUE ANNOUNCED

The Fund’s net asset value at the end of 2019, compared with the year earlier, was:

12/31/19 12/31/18
Net assets $561,468,757 $522,997,331
Shares outstanding 29,874,578 29,534,111
Net asset value per share $18.79 $17.71

TEN LARGEST EQUITY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS (12/31/19)

% of Net Assets
Exxon Mobil Corporation 18.4%
Chevron Corporation 16.1%
ConocoPhillips 6.2%
Schlumberger NV 4.2%
Linde plc 4.0%
Phillips 66 3.8%
EOG Resources, Inc. 3.4%
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 3.1%
Valero Energy Corporation 3.1%
Kinder Morgan Inc. 3.0%
     Total 65.3%

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (12/31/19)

% of Net Assets
Energy
Integrated Oil & Gas 34.4%
Exploration & Production 19.4%
Refining & Marketing 10.7%
Equipment & Services 7.8%
Storage & Transportation 7.0%
Materials
Chemicals 13.1%
Construction Materials 3.2%
Containers & Packaging 2.2%
Metals & Mining 1.6%

Since 1929, Adams Funds has 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: adamsfunds.com.

For further information please contact:

Lyn Walther
Director of Shareholder Communications
800.638.2479
email