N-Q 1 a16-9868_3nq.htm N-Q

 

UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

 

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number:

811-06094

 

 

Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 

 

Address of principal executive offices:

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

Name and address of agent for service:

Ms. Andrea Melia

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

1-800-522-5465

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

March 31, 2016

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 

The schedule of investments for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 is filed herewith.

 



 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

 

As of March 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

Shares

 

Description

 

(US$)

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS—97.4%

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS—80.5%

 

 

 

ARGENTINA—2.5%

 

 

 

ENERGY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES—2.5%

 

 

 

155,000

 

Tenaris SA, ADR

 

$

3,837,800

 

 

 

 

 

BRAZIL—41.3%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES—4.2%

 

 

 

1,232,441

 

AMBEV SA

 

6,450,722

 

 

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES—1.0%

 

 

 

179,848

 

Valid Solucoes e Servicos de Seguranca em Meios de Pagamento e Identificacao SA

 

1,502,547

 

 

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICES—2.4%

 

 

 

876,563

 

BM&F Bovespa SA

 

3,749,402

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS—3.4%

 

 

 

365,368

 

BRF SA

 

5,213,809

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES—1.6%

 

 

 

750,000

 

OdontoPrev SA

 

2,377,873

 

 

 

 

 

MACHINERY—1.6%

 

 

 

622,694

 

WEG SA

 

2,426,249

 

 

 

 

 

METALS & MINING—2.2%

 

 

 

817,759

 

Vale SA, ADR

 

3,442,765

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL—4.8%

 

 

 

1,263,830

 

Lojas Renner SA

 

7,307,448

 

 

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS—3.9%

 

 

 

311,000

 

Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR

 

5,996,080

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS—1.8%

 

 

 

375,000

 

Natura Cosmeticos SA

 

2,767,928

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT—6.0%

 

 

 

255,000

 

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers SA

 

1,751,700

 

496,534

 

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

 

7,415,593

 

 

 

 

 

9,167,293

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL—1.7%

 

 

 

317,850

 

Localiza Rent a Car SA

 

2,627,203

 

 

 

 

 

SOFTWARE—1.3%

 

 

 

254,900

 

Totvs SA

 

1,928,241

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL—0.9%

 

 

 

319,750

 

Cia Hering

 

1,308,115

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS—2.8%

 

 

 

661,954

 

Arezzo Industria e Comercio SA

 

4,298,702

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE—1.7%

 

 

 

289,400

 

Wilson Sons Ltd., BDR

 

2,615,800

 

 

 

 

 

63,180,177

 

 

 

 

 

CHILE—7.5%

 

 

 

BANKS—2.8%

 

 

 

12,191,519

 

Banco de Chile

 

1,313,969

 

25,113,969

 

Banco Santander Chile

 

1,218,772

 

 

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 



 

94,000

 

Banco Santander Chile, ADR

 

$

1,818,900

 

 

 

 

 

4,351,641

 

 

 

 

 

BEVERAGES—0.6%

 

 

 

500

 

Embotelladora Andina SA

 

8,480

 

540,000

 

Vina Concha y Toro SA

 

938,289

 

 

 

 

 

946,769

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRIC UTILITIES—0.7%

 

 

 

3,780,000

 

Enersis Americas SA

 

1,046,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES—0.1%

 

 

 

18,518

 

Antarchile SA

 

187,419

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES—0.8%

 

 

 

592,000

 

Sonda SA

 

1,145,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL—0.6%

 

 

 

133,000

 

S.A.C.I. Falabella

 

926,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OIL, GAS & CONSUMABLE FUELS—0.6%

 

 

 

98,000

 

Empresas COPEC SA

 

939,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS—0.5%

 

 

 

298,570

 

Empresas CMPC SA

 

698,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT—0.8%

 

 

 

692,000

 

Parque Arauco SA

 

1,270,371

 

 

 

 

 

11,513,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLOMBIA—2.7%

 

 

 

BANKS—1.6%

 

 

 

290,000

 

Bancolombia SA

 

2,387,261

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING—1.1%

 

 

 

326,901

 

Almacenes Exito SA

 

1,708,312

 

 

 

 

 

4,095,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEXICO—24.4%

 

 

 

BANKS—5.5%

 

 

 

1,190,597

 

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV

 

6,747,140

 

937,000

 

Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico SAB de CV

 

1,699,135

 

 

 

 

 

8,446,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEVERAGES—7.0%

 

 

 

418,800

 

Arca Continental SAB de CV

 

2,907,116

 

80,502

 

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, ADR

 

7,753,148

 

 

 

 

 

10,660,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING—4.2%

 

 

 

567,600

 

Organizacion Soriana SAB de CV(a)

 

1,344,330

 

2,153,200

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

 

5,097,246

 

 

 

 

 

6,441,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS—1.2%

 

 

 

686,095

 

Grupo Lala SAB de CV

 

1,864,834

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS—1.2%

 

 

 

768,900

 

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV

 

1,857,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE—5.3%

 

 

 

89,150

 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR(a)

 

4,064,348

 

27,034

 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR, B Shares

 

4,059,696

 

 

 

 

 

8,124,044

 

 

 

 

 

37,394,585

 

 

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

 



 

PERU—2.1%

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING—1.0%

 

 

 

377,011

 

Grana y Montero SA, ADR

 

$

1,526,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS—1.1%

 

 

 

1,076,657

 

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA

 

1,686,381

 

 

 

 

 

3,213,275

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

 

123,234,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCKS—16.9%

 

 

 

BRAZIL—16.0%

 

 

 

BANKS—14.9%

 

 

 

1,663,500

 

Banco Bradesco SA, Preferred Shares

 

12,523,729

 

1,190,677

 

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, ADR, Preferred Shares

 

10,227,915

 

 

 

 

 

22,751,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METALS & MINING—1.1%

 

 

 

391,800

 

Bradespar SA, Preferred Shares

 

666,866

 

335,117

 

Vale SA, ADR, Preferred Shares

 

1,045,565

 

 

 

 

 

1,712,431

 

 

 

 

 

24,464,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHILE—0.9%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES—0.7%

 

 

 

318,000

 

Embotelladora Andina SA, Class B, Preferred Shares

 

1,029,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEMICALS—0.2%

 

 

 

18,800

 

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, Class B, Preferred Shares

 

388,124

 

 

 

 

 

1,417,791

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks

 

25,881,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRIVATE EQUITY—0.0%

 

 

 

GLOBAL—0.0%

 

 

 

2,237,292

(b)

Emerging Markets Ventures I, L.P.(a)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)

 

51,547

 

Total Private Equity—(cost $762,816)

 

51,547

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments—97.4% (cost $165,189,502)

 

149,168,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT—2.3%

 

 

 

$

3,517,000

 

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., 0.03% dated 03/31/2016, due 04/01/2016 repurchase price $3,517,003, collateralized by U.S. Treasury Note, maturing 01/31/2023; total market value of $3,588,675

 

3,517,000

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment—2.3% (cost $3,517,000)

 

3,517,000

 

 

 

Total Investments—99.7% (cost $168,706,502) (h)

 

152,685,250

 

 

 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities—0.3%

 

456,491

 

 

 

Net Assets—100.0%

 

$

153,141,741

 

 


(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Represents contributed capital.

(c)

Fair Valued Security. Fair Values are determined pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. See Note (a) of the accompanying Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

(d)

Illiquid security.

(e)

Restricted security, not readily marketable. See Note (c) of the accompanying Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

(f)

As of March 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of open commitments for the Fund is $262,708.

(g)

In liquidation.

(h)

See accompanying Notes to Portfolio of Investments for tax unrealized appreciation/depreciation of securities.

 

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

 



 

BDR

Brazilian Depositary Receipt

 

See Notes to Portfolio of Investments.

 



 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

 

March 31, 2016

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

a. Security Valuation:

 

The Fund values its securities at current market value or fair value, consistent with regulatory requirements. “Fair value” is defined in the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants without a compulsion to contract at the measurement date.

 

Equity securities that are traded on an exchange are valued at the last quoted sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded at the “Valuation Time” subject to application, when appropriate, of the valuation factors described in the paragraph below. The Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). In the absence of a sale price, the security is valued at the mean of the bid/ask price quoted at the close on the principal exchange on which the security is traded. Securities traded on NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time. A security using any of these pricing methodologies is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

 

Foreign equity securities that are traded on foreign exchanges that close prior to the Valuation Time are valued by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. Valuation factors are provided by an independent pricing service provider approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). These valuation factors are used when pricing the Fund’s portfolio holdings to estimate market movements between the time foreign markets close and the time the Fund values such foreign securities. These valuation factors are based on inputs such as depositary receipts, indices, futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and local exchange opening and closing prices of each security. When prices with the application of valuation factors are utilized, the value assigned to the foreign securities may not be the same as quoted or published prices of the securities on their primary markets. A security that applies a valuation factor is determined to be a Level 2 investment because the exchange-traded price has been adjusted. Valuation factors are not utilized if the independent pricing service provider is unable to provide a valuation factor or if the valuation factor falls below a predetermined threshold; in such case, the security is determined to be a Level 1 investment.

 

In the event that a security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Fund’s Pricing Committee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved and established by the Board. A security that has been fair valued by the Pricing Committee may be classified as Level 2 or 3 depending on the nature of the inputs.

 

The Fund also invests in a private equity private placement security, which represented 0.03% of the net assets of the Fund as of March 31, 2016. The private equity private placement security is deemed to be a restricted security. In the absence of a readily ascertainable market value, this security is valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of the Board, pursuant to valuation policies and procedures established by the Board. The Fund’s estimate of fair value assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller neither of whom are acting under the compulsion to buy or sell. Although this security may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized on such sale could differ from the price originally paid by the Fund or the current carrying values, and the difference could be material. This security is categorized as Level 3 investment. Level 3 investments have significant unobservable inputs, as they trade infrequently. In determining the fair value of this investment, management uses the market approach which includes as the primary input the capital balance reported; however, adjustments to the reported capital balance may be made based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the attributes of the interest held, including the rights and obligations, and any restrictions or illiquidity of such interests, and the fair value of these private equity investments.

 

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three-level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1 measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, and Level 3 measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are

 



 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

 

March 31, 2016

 

significant to the valuation. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk); or

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of March 31, 2016 in valuing the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments at fair value. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:

 

Investments, at Value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Long-Term Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

$

149,116,703

 

$

 

$

 

$

149,116,703

 

Private Equity

 

 

 

51,547

 

51,547

 

Short-Term Investment

 

 

3,517,000

 

 

3,517,000

 

Total

 

$

149,116,703

 

$

3,517,000

 

$

51,547

 

$

152,685,250

 

 

Amounts listed as “-” are $0 or round to $0.

 

For movements between the Levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing transfers at the end of each period. For the period ended March 31, 2016, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3. For the period ended March 31, 2016, there were no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s private equity holdings are audited financial statements, interim financial statements, capital calls and distributions. These unobservable inputs are used by taking the most recent quarterly valuation statements and adjusting the value using the unobservable inputs mentioned above. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

 

 

 

Fair Value
at 3/31/16

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable
Inputs

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Equity

 

$

51,547

 

Partner Capital Value/Net Asset Value

 

Distributions

 

$

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

 

Investments, at value

 

Balance as of
12/31/2015

 

Accrued
Discounts
(Premiums)

 

Realized Gain
(Loss)

 

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Capital
Contributed

 

Distributions /
Sales

 

Net Transfers in
to Level 3

 

Net Transfers out
of Level 3

 

Balance as of
3/31/2016

 

Private Equity

 

$

56,850

 

$

 

$

 

$

(5,303

)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

51,547

 

Total

 

$

56,850

 

$

 

$

 

$

(5,303

)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

51,547

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation relating to investments still held at March 31, 2016 is ($5,303).

 

b. Repurchase Agreements:

 

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement. It is the Fund’s policy that its custodian/counterparty segregate the underlying collateral securities, the value of which exceeds the

 



 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (concluded)

 

March 31, 2016

 

principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. The repurchase price generally equals the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the collateral is valued on a daily basis to determine its adequacy. Under the Master Repurchase Agreement, if the counterparty defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the counterparty of the repurchase agreement, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. Repurchase agreements are subject to contractual netting arrangements with the counterparty, Fixed Income Clearing Corp. For additional information on the Fund’s repurchase agreement, see the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund held a repurchase agreement of $3,517,000 as of March 31, 2016. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreement at March 31, 2016.

 

c. Private Equity Investments:

 

Certain of the Fund’s investments, listed in the chart below, are restricted as to resale and are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board under procedures established by the Board in the absence of readily ascertainable market values.

 

Security (1)

 

Acquisition Date(s)

 

Cost

 

Fair Value
At 3/31/16

 

Percent
of
Net
Assets

 

Cumulative
Distributions
Received

 

Open
Commitments
(2)

 

Emerging Markets Ventures I, L.P.

 

01/22/98 – 01/10/06

 

$

762,816

 

$

51,547

 

0.03

 

$

2,581,622

 

$

262,708

 

Total

 

 

 

$

762,816

 

$

51,547

 

0.03

 

$

2,581,622

 

$

262,708

 

 


(1) Emerging Markets Ventures I, L.P. is in liquidation.

(2) The open committments are unlikely to be called.

 

d. Federal Income Taxes:

 

The U.S. federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized depreciation as of March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

Cost

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Net
Unrealized
Depreciation

 

$

168,706,502

 

$

28,594,615

 

$

(44,615,867

)

$

(16,021,252

)

 



 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)         The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)         There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 3. Exhibits

 

(a)         Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.302CERT.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 

 

By:

/s/ Christian Pittard

 

 

Christian Pittard,

 

 

Principal Executive Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 26, 2016

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christian Pittard

 

 

Christian Pittard,

 

 

Principal Executive Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 26, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrea Melia

 

 

Andrea Melia,

 

 

Principal Financial Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 26, 2016