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