First Quarter Report 03/31/2006

 

PETROLEUM & RESOURCES CORPORATION


Board of Directors

 

 

Enrique R. Arzac 1,3

 

Thomas H. Lenagh 1,4

Phyllis O. Bonanno 1,4

 

Kathleen T. McGahran 2,4

Daniel E. Emerson 2,3

  Douglas G. Ober 1

Frederic A. Escherich 2,3

  John J. Roberts 1,3

Roger W. Gale 1,3

  Craig R. Smith 2,4
1.   Member of Executive Committee
2.   Member of Audit Committee
3.   Member of Compensation Committee
4.   Member of Retirement Benefits Committee

 

Officers

 

Douglas G. Ober

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Joseph M. Truta

 

Executive Vice President

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.

 

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Maureen A. Jones

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Nancy J.F. Prue

 

Vice President

Robert E. Sullivan

 

Vice President — Research

Christine M. Sloan

 

Assistant Treasurer

Geraldine H. Paré

 

Assistant Secretary

 


Stock Data


 

Market Price (3/31/06)

   $33.20

Net Asset Value (3/31/06)

   $37.09

Discount:

   10.5%

 

New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange ticker symbol: PEO

 

NASDAQ Mutual Fund Quotation Symbol: XPEOX

 

Newspaper stock listings are generally under the abbreviation: PetRs

 


Distributions in 2006


 

From Investment Income (paid or declared)

   $ 0.16 

From Net Realized Gains

     0.10 
    

Total

   $ 0.26 
    

 


2006 Dividend Payment Dates


 

March 1, 2006

June 1, 2006

September 1, 2006*

December 27, 2006*

 

*Anticipated

 

 

LOGO


LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS

 


 

We submit herewith the financial statements of the Corporation for the three months ended March 31, 2006. In addition, there is a schedule of investments, along with other financial information.

 

Net assets of the Corporation at March 31, 2006 were $37.09 per share on 21,398,080 shares outstanding, compared with $35.24 per share at December 31, 2005 on 21,621,072 shares outstanding. On March 1, 2006, a distribution of $0.13 per share was paid, consisting of $0.07 from 2005 long-term capital gain, $0.03 from 2005 short-term capital gain and $0.03 from 2005 investment income, all taxable in 2006. On April 13, 2006, an investment income dividend of $0.13 per share was declared to shareholders of record May 18, 2006, payable June 1, 2006.

 

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2006 amounted to $2,015,304, compared with $2,144,746 for the same period in 2005. These earnings are equal to $0.09 and $0.10 per share on the average number of shares outstanding during each period.

 

Net capital gain realized on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2006 amounted to $19,616,857, the equivalent of $0.92 per share.

 

The Annual Meeting, held on March 28, 2006, in Orlando, Florida, was well attended. The results of the voting at the Annual Meeting are shown on page 14.

 

Current and potential shareholders can find information about the Corporation, including the daily net asset value (NAV) per share, the market price, and the discount/premium to the NAV, at its website (www.peteres.com). Also available at the website are a brief history of the Corporation, historical financial information, and other useful content. Further information regarding shareholder services is located on page 15 of this report.

 


 

After serving 30 years on the Corporation’s Board of Directors, Mr. Robert J.M. Wilson retired in March 2006. Mr. Wilson started his career with the Corporation as the President and a Director in 1975. He retired from the Corporation in 1986 and continued serving on the Board until this year. Over the years, his insight in the financial markets and strong analytical discipline were invaluable to the Corporation, and all of our shareholders gained from the wisdom and judgment that he provided. We wish him well in his retirement and thank him for all his years of commitment to the Corporation.

 

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Frederic A. Escherich to the Board of Directors of the Corporation, effective February 9, 2006. Mr. Escherich, a 25-year veteran of J.P. Morgan, is now a private investor. He retired from J.P. Morgan in 2002 as the head of Mergers and Acquisitions Research. Prior to that he was head of J.P. Morgan’s Financial Advisory Department; he managed industry analyst teams in transportation and technology and in the consumer and health care sectors. With his broad knowledge and experience in the equities markets, he is a valuable addition to the Board of Directors.

 

Effective March 28, 2006, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Robert E. Sullivan to Vice President—Research. Mr. Sullivan, a CFA, joined the Corporation in 2004 as a senior analyst covering the energy sectors. Previously, he was a senior equity analyst with UBS focusing on the natural gas, electric and coal sectors.

 


 

The Corporation is an internally-managed equity fund emphasizing petroleum and other natural resource investments. The investment policy of the Corporation is based on the primary objectives of preservation of capital, the attainment of reasonable income from investments, and an opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Douglas G. Ober,

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

April 21, 2006


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 


 

March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

Assets

               

Investments* at value:

               

Common stocks and convertible securities

               

(cost $329,624,727)

   $ 778,986,352         

Short-term investments (cost $13,658,706)

     13,658,706         

Securities lending collateral (cost $13,801,464)

     13,801,464    $ 806,446,522  

Cash

            274,928  

Receivables:

               

Investment securities sold

            4,152,327  

Dividends and interest

            773,282  

Prepaid pension cost

            924,684  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

            494,837  

Total Assets

            813,066,580  

Liabilities

               

Investment securities purchased

            2,687,292  

Open written option contracts at value (proceeds $698,918)

            539,735  

Obligations to return securities lending collateral

            13,801,464  

Accrued expenses

            2,478,727  

Total Liabilities

            19,507,218  

Net Assets

          $ 793,559,362  

Net Assets

               

Common Stock at par value $1.00 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares;
issued and outstanding 21,398,080 shares (includes 15,052 restricted shares, restricted stock units for 7,200 shares and deferred stock units for 295 shares) (Note 6)

          $ 21,398,080  

Additional capital surplus

            302,199,467  

Unearned compensation — restricted stock awards (Note 6)

            (569,910 )

Undistributed net investment income

            1,474,961  

Undistributed net realized gain on investments

            19,535,956  

Unrealized appreciation on investments

            449,520,808  

Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock

          $ 793,559,362  

Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock

            $37.09  

 

* See Schedule of Investments on pages 9 and 10.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

2


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 


 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income

      

Income:

      

Dividends

   $ 2,946,331

Interest and other income

     183,299

Total income

     3,129,630

Expenses:

      

Investment research

     435,791

Administration and operations

     286,205

Directors’ fees

     103,520

Reports and stockholder communications

     71,276

Transfer agent, registrar and custodian expenses

     39,071

Auditing and accounting services

     24,776

Legal services

     15,677

Occupancy and other office expenses

     109,533

Travel, telephone and postage

     16,119

Other

     12,358

Total expenses

     1,114,326

Net Investment Income

     2,015,304

Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments

      

Net realized gain on security transactions

     19,616,857

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     20,709,463

Net Gain on Investments

     40,326,320

Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 42,341,624

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

3


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 


 

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2006


    Year Ended
December 31, 2005


 
     (unaudited)        

From Operations:

                

Net investment income

   $ 2,015,304     $ 11,391,783  

Net realized gain on investments

     19,616,857       26,239,852  

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     20,709,463       153,388,454  

Change in net assets resulting from operations

     42,341,624       191,020,089  

Distributions to Stockholders from:

                

Net investment income

     (646,975 )     (12,030,248 )

Net realized gain from investment transactions

     (2,155,814 )     (25,924,473 )

Decrease in net assets from distributions

     (2,802,789 )     (37,954,721 )

From Capital Share Transactions:

                

Value of shares issued in payment of distributions

     1,375       14,748,314  

Cost of shares purchased (Note 4)

     (7,981,320 )     (24,891,727 )

Deferred compensation (Notes 4,6)

     86,820       104,296  

Change in net assets from capital share transactions

     (7,893,125 )     (10,039,117 )

Total Increase in Net Assets

     31,645,710       143,026,251  

Net Assets:

                

Beginning of period

     761,913,652       618,887,401  

End of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $1,474,961 and $106,632, respectively)

   $ 793,559,362     $ 761,913,652  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

 

 

This report, including the financial statements herein, is transmitted to the stockholders of Petroleum & Resources Corporation for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Corporation or of any securities mentioned in the report. The rates of return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is not indicative of future investment results.

 

 

4


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 


 

 

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Petroleum & Resources Corporation (the Corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified investment company. The Corporation’s investment objectives as well as the nature and risk of its investment transactions are set forth in the Corporation’s registration statement.

 

Security Valuation—Investments in securities traded on national security exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. Over-the-counter and listed securities for which a sale price is not available are valued at the last quoted bid price. Short-term investments (excluding purchased options) are valued at amortized cost. Purchased and written options are valued at the last quoted asked price.

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income—Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gain or loss on sales of securities and options is determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recognized on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recognized on the accrual basis.

 

2.    FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

The Corporation’s policy is to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders in compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. For federal income tax purposes, the identified cost of securities at March 31, 2006 was $357,055,074, and net unrealized appreciation aggregated $449,391,448, of which the related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation were $452,682,645 and $3,291,197, respectively.

 

Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, annual reclassifications are made within the Corporation’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution under income tax regulations.

 

3.    INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

The Corporation’s investment decisions are made by a committee of management, and recommendations to that committee are made by the research staff.

 

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities, other than options and short-term investments, during the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $25,700,736 and $31,938,300 respectively. Options may be written (sold) or purchased by the Corporation. The Corporation, as writer of an option, bears the risks of possible illiquidity of the option markets and from movements in security values. The risk associated with purchasing an option is limited to the premium originally paid. A schedule of outstanding option contracts as of March 31, 2006 can be found on page 12.

 

Transactions in written covered call and collateralized put options during the three months ended March 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

     Covered Calls

    Collateralized Puts

 
     Contracts

    Premiums

    Contracts

    Premiums

 

Options outstanding, December 31, 2005

   1,940     $ 292,777     1,050     $ 129,891  

Options written

   2,909       375,404     2,185       280,071  

Options terminated in closing purchase transactions

   (150 )     (20,549 )   (100 )     (13,199 )

Options expired

   (1,450 )     (175,394 )   (750 )     (85,797 )

Options exercised

   (570 )     (84,286 )   —         —    

Options outstanding, March 31, 2006

   2,679     $ 387,952     2,385     $ 310,966  

 

4.    CAPITAL STOCK

 

The Corporation has 5,000,000 authorized and unissued preferred shares without par value.

 

On December 27, 2005, the Corporation issued 438,416 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $33.64 per share (the average market price on December 12, 2005) to stockholders of record on November 22, 2005 who elected to take stock in payment of the year-end distribution from 2005 capital gain and investment income.

 

During 2006, the Corporation issued 42 shares of its Common Stock at a weighted average price of $32.60 per share as dividend equivalents to holders of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under the 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

The Corporation may purchase shares of its Common Stock from time to time at such prices and amounts as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

 

5


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 


 

 

Transactions in Common Stock for 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

    Shares

    Amount

 
    Three months
ended
March 31,
2006


    Year ended
December 31,
2005


    Three months
ended
March 31,
2006


    Year ended
December 31,
2005


 

Shares issued in
payment of
dividends

  42     438,416     $ 1,375     $ 14,748,314  

Shares purchased
(at a weighted average discount
from net asset value of 8.2% and 8.1%, respectively)

  (237,750 )   (806,050 )     (7,981,320 )     (24,891,727 )

Restricted shares/units granted under the equity incentive compensation plan

  14,716     9,030       86,820       104,296  

Net change

  (222,992 )   (358,604 )   $ (7,893,125 )   $ (10,039,117 )

 

5.    RETIREMENT PLANS

 

The Corporation’s qualified defined benefit pension plan covers all employees with at least one year of service. In addition, the Corporation has a nonqualified defined benefit plan which provides eligible employees with retirement benefits to supplement the qualified plan. Benefits are based on length of service and compensation during the last five years of employment. The Corporation’s policy is to contribute annually to the plans those amounts that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes, plus additional amounts as the Corporation deems appropriate in order to provide assets sufficient to meet benefits to be paid to plan participants. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Corporation contributed $7,802 to the plans. The Corporation anticipates contributing an additional $23,406 to the plans during the remainder of 2006.

 

The following table aggregates the components of the plans’ net periodic pension cost for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

Service Cost

   $ 83,719  

Interest Cost

     81,998  

Expected return on plan assets

     (78,048 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     9,429  

Amortization of net loss

     56,341  

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 153,439  

 

The Corporation also sponsors a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Corporation expensed contributions of $25,497. The Corporation does not provide postretirement medical benefits.

 

6.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Stock Option Plan adopted in 1985 (“1985 Plan”) permits the issuance of stock options and stock appreciation rights for the purchase of up to 895,522 shares of the Corporations’s Common Stock at the fair market value on the date of grant. The exercise price of the options and related stock appreciation rights is reduced by the per share amount of capital gains paid by the Corporation during subsequent years. Options are exercisable beginning not less than one year after the date of grant and stock appreciation rights are exercisable beginning not less than two years after the date of grant. The stock appreciation rights allow the holders to surrender their rights to exercise their options and receive cash or shares in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of surrender. All options terminate 10 years from the date of grant if not exercised. With the adoption of the 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“2005 Plan”) at the 2005 Annual Meeting, no further grants will be made under the 1985 Plan, although unexercised awards granted in 2004 and prior years remain outstanding.

 

A summary of option activity under the 1985 Plan as of March 31, 2006, and changes during the period then ended is presented below:

 

     Options

    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)


Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   103,997     $ 18.24    5.07

Exercised

   (2,500 )     13.49     

Cancelled

   (4,474 )     20.34     

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

   97,023     $ 18.17    4.79

Exercisable at March 31, 2006

   46,986     $ 17.61    4.14

 

The options outstanding as of March 31, 2006 are set forth below:

 

Exercise Price


  Options
Outstanding


  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)


$12.50-$14.99

  14,398   $ 13.11   1.99

$15.00-$17.49

  32,301     16.29   4.17

$17.50-$19.99

  18,583     19.45   5.75

$20.00-$22.49

  31,741     21.63   6.15

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

  97,023   $ 18.17   4.79

 

6


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 


 

 

Compensation cost resulting from stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 1985 Plan is based on the intrinsic value of the award, recognized over the award’s vesting period, and remeasured at each reporting date through the date of settlement. The total compensation cost recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $59,330.

 

The 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“2005 Plan”) permits the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock incentives to key employees and all non-employee directors. The 2005 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 872,639 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, including both performance and nonperformance-based restricted stock. Performance-based restricted stock awards vest at the end of a specified three year period, with the ultimate number of awards earned contingent on achievement of certain performance targets. If performance targets are not achieved, all or a portion of the performance-based awards are forfeited and become available for future grants. Nonperformance-based restricted stock awards vest ratably over a three year period and nonperformance-based restricted stock units (granted to non-employee directors) vest over a one year period. The Plan provides for accelerated vesting in the event of death or retirement. Non-employee directors also may elect to defer a portion of their cash compensation, with such deferred amount to be paid by delivery of deferred stock units. Outstanding awards were granted at fair market value on grant date. The number of shares of Common Stock which remain available for future grants under the Plan at March 31, 2006 is 848,893 shares.

 

The Company pays dividends and dividend equivalents on outstanding awards, which are charged to net assets when paid. Dividends and dividend equivalents paid on restricted awards that are later forfeited are reclassified to compensation expense.

 

A summary of the status of the Corporations’s awards granted as of March 31, 2006, and changes during the period then ended is presented below:

 

Awards


  

Shares/

Units


    Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value


 

Balance at December 31, 2005

   8,630     $ 28.35  

Granted:

              

    Restricted stock

   10,422       34.32  

    Restricted stock units

   4,000       33.21  

    Deferred stock units

   295       33.20  

Vested & issued

   (800 )     (28.06 )

Forfeited

   —          —     

Balance at March 31, 2006 (includes 10,422 performance-based awards and 12,125 nonperformance-based awards)

   22,547     $ 32.04  

 

Compensation costs resulting from awards granted under the 2005 Plan are based on the fair value of the award on grant date (determined by the average of the high and low price on grant date) and recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For those awards with performance conditions, compensation costs are based on the most probable outcome and, if such goals are not met, no compensation cost is recognized and any recognized compensation cost is reversed. The total compensation costs for restricted stock granted to employees for the period ended March 31, 2006 were $40,633. The total compensation costs for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors for the period ended March 31, 2006 were $36,437. As of March 31, 2006, there were total unrecognized compensation costs of $569,910 related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2005 Plan. Those costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.07 years.

 

7.    EXPENSES

 

The aggregate remuneration paid or accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2006 to officers and directors amounted to $751,404, of which $103,520 was paid as fees to directors who were not officers.

 

8.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED

 

The Corporation makes loans of securities to brokers, secured by cash deposits, U.S. Government securities, or bank letters of credit. The Corporation accounts for securities lending transactions as secured financing and receives compensation in the form of fees or retains a portion of interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Corporation also continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The loans are secured at all times by collateral of at least 102% of the fair value of the securities loaned plus accrued interest. Gain or loss in the fair value of securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Corporation. At March 31, 2006, the Corporation had securities on loan of $13,483,638 and held collateral of $13,801,464, consisting of an investment trust fund which may invest in money market instruments, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury Bills, and U.S. agency obligations.

 

7


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 


 

 

    Three Months Ended

                     
    (unaudited)                      
    March 31,
2006


    March 31,
2005


    Year Ended December 31

        2005

  2004

  2003

  2002

  2001

Per Share Operating Performance

                               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $35.24     $28.16     $28.16   $24.06   $20.98   $24.90   $32.69

Net investment income

  0.09     0.10     0.53*   0.41   0.38   0.42   0.49

Net realized gains and increase (decrease) in
unrealized appreciation

  1.86     3.19     8.29   5.05   3.89   (3.20)   (6.81)

Total from investment operations

  1.95     3.29     8.82   5.46   4.27   (2.78)   (6.32)

Less distributions

                               

Dividends from net investment income

  (0.03)     (0.05)     (0.56)   (0.44)   (0.38)   (0.43)   (0.43)

Distributions from net realized gains

  (0.10)     (0.08)     (1.22)   (0.88)   (0.81)   (0.68)   (1.07)

Total distributions

  (0.13)     (0.13)     (1.78)   (1.32)   (1.19)   (1.11)   (1.50)

Capital share repurchases

  0.03     0.01     0.10   0.01   0.02   0.01   0.06

Reinvestment of distributions

      —          (0.06)   (0.05)   (0.02)   (0.04)   (0.03)

Total capital share transactions

  0.03     0.01     0.04   (0.04)   0.00   (0.03)   0.03

Net asset value, end of period

  $37.09     $31.33     $35.24   $28.16   $24.06   $20.98   $24.90

Per share market price, end of period

  $33.20     $28.83     $32.34   $25.78   $23.74   $19.18   $23.46

Total Investment Return

                               

Based on market price

  3.1%     12.3%     32.3%   14.4%   30.8%   (13.7)%   (8.7)%

Based on net asset value

  5.7%     11.7%     32.0%   23.3%   21.2%   (11.1)%   (19.0)%

Ratios/Supplemental Data

                               

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

  $793,559      $683,675      $761,914    $618,887    $522,941    $451,275    $526,492 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

  0.56%   0.64%   0.59%   0.56%   0.74%   0.49%   0.35%

Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets

  1.02%   1.31%   1.61%   1.58%   1.75%   1.84%   1.67%

Portfolio turnover

  13.31%   10.21%   10.15%   13.44%   10.20%   9.69%   6.74%

Number of shares outstanding at
end of period (in 000’s)

  21,394      21,823      21,621    21,980    21,737    21,510    21,148 

Ratios presented on an annualized basis.
* In 2005 the Corporation received dividend income of $3,032,857, or $0.14 per share, as a result of Precision Drilling Corp.’s reorganization.

 

8


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 


 

March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

   

Shares


  Value (A)

Stocks And Convertible Securities — 98.2%

     

Energy — 86.8%

         

Internationals — 22.7%

         

BP plc ADR

  600,000   $ 41,364,000

Chevron Corp.

  635,000     36,810,950

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  1,140,000     69,380,400

Royal Dutch Shell plc ADR

  275,000     17,121,500

Total S.A. ADR

  120,000     15,807,600
       

          180,484,450
       

Domestics — 13.9%

         

Amerada Hess Corp.

  65,000     9,256,000

ConocoPhillips

  510,000     32,206,500

Holly Corp.

  210,000     15,565,200

Kerr-McGee Corp.

  107,647     10,278,136

Marathon Oil Co.

  110,000     8,378,700

Murphy Oil Corp.

  250,000     12,455,000

Valero Energy Corp.

  240,000     14,347,200

Western Refining, Inc.

  350,000     7,567,000
       

          110,053,736
       

Producers — 16.5%

         

Apache Corp.

  165,000     10,809,150

Burlington Resources Inc.

  65,000     5,974,149

Devon Energy Corp.

  340,000     20,797,800

EOG Resources, Inc. (B)

  320,000     23,040,000

Newfield Exploration Co. (C)

  175,000     7,332,500

Noble Energy, Inc.

  430,000     18,885,600

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  200,000     18,530,000

Pioneer Natural
Resources Co.

  175,000     7,743,750

XTO Energy Inc.

  400,000     17,428,000
       

          130,540,949
       

Distributors — 11.4%

         

AGL Resources Inc.

  170,000     6,128,500

Duke Energy Corp.

  217,624     6,343,740

Energen Corp.

  400,000     14,000,000

Equitable Resources Inc.

  450,000     16,429,500

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

  250,000     8,362,500

National Fuel Gas Co.

  200,000     6,544,000

New Jersey Resources Corp.

  200,000     9,050,000

Questar Corp.

  200,000     14,010,000

Williams Companies, Inc.

  450,000     9,625,500
       

          90,493,740
       

    Shares
or Units


  Value (A)

       

Services — 22.3%

         

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  130,000   $ 8,892,000

BJ Services Co.

  740,000     25,604,000

GlobalSantaFe Corp.

  290,000     17,617,500

Grant Prideco Inc. (C)

  308,000     13,194,720

Hercules Offshore, Inc.

  110,000     3,741,100

Nabors Industries Ltd. (C)

  260,000     18,610,800

Noble Corp.

  185,000     15,003,500

Precision Drilling Trust (B)

  300,000     9,702,000

Schlumberger Ltd.

  280,000     35,439,600

TODCO (C)

  175,000     6,896,750

Weatherford International,
Ltd. (C)

  493,560     22,580,370
       

          177,282,340
       

Basic Industries — 11.4%

         

Basic Materials & Other — 10.9%

     

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

  125,000     8,398,750

Aqua America, Inc.

  380,000     10,571,600

Arch Coal Inc.

  200,000     15,188,000

Consol Energy Inc.

  160,000     11,865,600

du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours and Co.

  157,500     6,648,075

Florida Rock Industries Inc.

  75,000     4,216,500

General Electric Co.

  454,800     15,817,944

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

  30,000     3,210,900

Rohm & Haas Co.

  200,000     9,774,000

Tronox Inc. (C)

  21,705     368,768
       

          86,060,137
       

Paper & Forest Products — 0.5%

     

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (C)

  300,000     4,071,000
       

Total Stocks And Convertible Securities
(Cost $329,624,727) (D)

  $ 778,986,352
       

 

9


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)


 

March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

    Prin. Amt.

  Value (A)

Short-Term Investments — 1.7%

     

U.S. Government Obligations — 1.7%

     

U.S. Treasury Bills,
4.40%, due 5/18/06

  $ 13,500,000   $ 13,422,391
         

Time Deposit — 0.0%

     

Citibank, N.A., 4.15%, due 4/3/06

          236,315
         

Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost—$13,658,706)

  $ 13,658,706
         

        Value (A)

 

Securities Lending Collateral — 1.7%

       

Brown Brothers Investment Trust, 4.67%, due 4/3/06

      $ 13,801,464  
       


Total Securities Lending Collateral (Cost—$13,801,464)

        13,801,464  
       


Total Investments — 101.6%
(Cost—$357,084,897)

    806,446,522  

Cash, receivables, prepaid expenses and other assets, less liabilities — (1.6)%

        (12,887,160 )
       


Net Assets — 100.0%

      $ 793,559,362  
       



Notes:

(A) See note 1 to financial statements. Securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or the NASDAQ.
(B) Some or all of these securities are on loan. See note 8 to financial statements.
(C) Presently non-dividend paying.
(D) The aggregate market value of stocks held in escrow at March 31, 2006 covering open call option contracts written was $16,686,831. In addition, the aggregate market value of securities segregated by the Corporation’s custodian required to collateralize open put option contracts written was $12,827,500.

 


 

 

HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS

 


 

December 31


   Value of
Net Assets


   Shares
Outstanding*


   Net
Asset
Value per
Share*


  

Dividends
from

Net Investment
Income
per Share*


   

Distributions
from

Net Realized
Gains
per Share*


 

1996

   $ 484,588,990    19,598,729    $ 24.73    $ .55     $ .88  

1997

     556,452,549    20,134,181      27.64      .51       1.04  

1998

     474,821,118    20,762,063      22.87      .52       1.01  

1999

     565,075,001    21,471,270      26.32      .48       1.07  

2000

     688,172,867    21,053,644      32.69      .39       1.35  

2001

     526,491,798    21,147,563      24.90      .43       1.07  

2002

     451,275,463    21,510,067      20.98      .43       .68  

2003

     522,941,279    21,736,777      24.06      .38       .81  

2004

     618,887,401    21,979,676      28.16      .44       .88  

2005

     761,913,652    21,621,072      35.24      .56       1.22  

March 31, 2006 (unaudited)

     793,559,362    21,398,080      37.09      .16     .10

* Adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split effected in October 2000.
Paid or declared.

 

10


PORTFOLIO SUMMARY


 

 

March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

TEN LARGEST PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

     Market Value      % of Net Assets  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 69,380,400      8.7  

BP plc ADR

     41,364,000      5.2  

Chevron Corp.

     36,810,950      4.6  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     35,439,600      4.5  

ConocoPhillips

     32,206,500      4.1  

BJ Services Co.

     25,604,000      3.2  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     23,040,000      2.9  

Weatherford International, Ltd.

     22,580,370      2.9  

Devon Energy Corp.

     20,797,800      2.6  

Noble Energy, Inc.

     18,885,600      2.4  
    

    

Total

   $ 326,109,220      41.1 %
    

    

 

 

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

 

LOGO

 

11


SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING OPTION CONTRACTS

 


 

March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

Contracts

(100 shares

each)

     Security   

Strike
 Price

    

Contract

Expiration

Date

    

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 
COVERED CALLS           
59     

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

   $   70      Sep   06      $ (6,962 )
100     

Apache Corp.

       75      Apr   06        13,700  
100     

Apache Corp.

       85      Jul   06        9,700  
150     

Aqua America, Inc.

       30      Jun   06        4,959  
100     

Arch Coal Inc.

       90      Jul   06        6,199  
200     

ConocoPhillips

       75      May   06        18,399  
150     

Consol Energy Inc.

       90      Oct   06        (25,700 )
100     

EOG Resources, Inc.

       90      Apr   06        10,699  
50     

Kerr-McGee Corp.

       100      Apr   06        5,599  
100     

Kerr-McGee Corp.

       105      Jul   06        (3,301 )
100     

Murphy Oil Corp.

       50      Apr   06        2,200  
100     

Murphy Oil Corp.

       55      Jul   06        (800 )
100     

Newfield Exploration Co.

       45      Jun   06        (7,800 )
200     

Newfield Exploration Co.

       50      Jun   06        4,975  
200     

Newfield Exploration Co.

       50      Sep   06        (14,134 )
100     

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

       45      Jun   06        (17,800 )
100     

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

       50      Jun   06        (800 )
20     

Total S.A.

       155      May   06        3,840  
250     

Total S.A.

       150      Aug   06        (5,750 )
100     

XTO Energy Inc.

       45      May   06        (3,300 )
100     

XTO Energy Inc.

       45      Aug   06        (10,800 )
100     

XTO Energy Inc.

       50      Aug   06        (3,800 )
100     

XTO Energy Inc.

       55      Aug   06        8,700  

                               


2,679                                   (11,977 )

                               


COLLATERALIZED PUTS           
250     

Arch Coal Inc.

       60      Jul   06        12,999  
100     

Baker Hughes, Inc.

       55      Jul   06        7,699  
75     

Baker Hughes, Inc.

       60      Jul   06        (2,850 )
250     

Exxon Mobil Corp.

       52.50      Apr   06        22,999  
150     

Exxon Mobil Corp.

       50      Jul   06        13,799  
100     

Florida Rock Industries Inc.

       50      Jun   06        1,199  
100     

Florida Rock Industries Inc.

       45      Sep   06        (2,300 )
100     

Grant Prideco Inc.

       40      Apr   06        8,699  
100     

Grant Prideco Inc.

       35      Jul   06        4,199  
100     

Marathon Oil Co.

       65      Apr   06        10,699  
65     

Marathon Oil Co.

       70      May   06        (845 )
200     

Marathon Oil Co.

       60      Jul   06        19,399  
75     

Marathon Oil Co.

       65      Jul   06        10,649  
100     

Marathon Oil Co.

       55      Oct   06        5,699  
100     

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

       65      Apr   06        22,445  
150     

Noble Corp.

       65      Jun   06        13,484  
70     

TODCO

       30      Jun   06        5,039  
150     

Valero Energy Corp.

       45      Jun   06        11,099  
150     

Valero Energy Corp.

       47.50      Jun   06        7,049  

                               


2,385                                   171,160  

                               


                                  $ 159,183  
                                 


 

12


CHANGES IN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 


 

During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006

(unaudited)

 

 

 

     Shares

     Additions

    Reductions

   Held
March 31, 2006


Florida Rock Industries Inc.

   75,000          75,000

Marathon Oil Corp.

   110,000          110,000

TODCO

   175,000          175,000

Tronox Inc.

   21,705 (1)        21,705

Western Refining, Inc.

   400,000     50,000    350,000

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

         6,000   

Apache Corp.

         12,000    165,000

Aqua America, Inc.

         14,799    380,000

Burlington Resources Inc.

         181,800    65,000

Consol Energy Inc.

         18,700    160,000

Devon Energy Corp.

         15,000    340,000

EOG Resources, Inc.

         25,000    320,000

Hercules Offshore, Inc.

         16,000    110,000

Keyspan Corp.

         70,000   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

         10,000    30,000

Murphy Oil Corp.

         6,400    250,000

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

         75,000    175,000

XTO Energy Inc.

         35,000    400,000

(1) Received .20164 shares of Tronox Inc. for each share of Kerr-McGee Corp. held.

 


 

Common Stock

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange

and the Pacific Exchange

 

Petroleum & Resources Corporation

Seven St. Paul Street, Suite 1140, Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 752-5900 or (800) 638-2479

Website: www.peteres.com

E-mail: contact@peteres.com

Counsel: Chadbourne & Parke L.L.P.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Transfer Agent & Registrar: American Stock Transfer & Trust Co.

Custodian of Securities: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

 

 

13


OTHER INFORMATION

 


 

 

 

STATEMENT ON QUARTERLY FILING OF COMPLETE PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE

 

In addition to publishing its complete schedule of portfolio holdings in the First and Third Quarter Reports to shareholders, the Corporation files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Corporation’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Corporation’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Corporation also posts its Forms N-Q on its website at: www.peteres.com under the heading “Financial Reports”.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND RECORD

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Corporation uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities owned by the Corporation and information as to how the Corporation voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30, 2005 are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Corporation’s toll free number at (800) 638-2479; (ii) on the Corporation’s website by clicking on “Corporate Information” heading on the website; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http//www.sec.gov.

 

PRIVACY POLICY

 

In order to conduct its business, Petroleum & Resources Corporation collects and maintains certain nonpublic personal information about our stockholders of record with respect to their transactions in shares of our securities. This information includes the stockholder’s address, tax identification or Social Security number, share balances, and dividend elections. We do not collect or maintain personal information about stockholders whose shares of our securities are held in “street name” by a financial institution such as a bank or broker.

 

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you, our other stockholders or our former stockholders to third parties unless necessary to process a transaction, service an account or as otherwise permitted by law.

 

To protect your personal information internally, we restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our stockholders to those employees who need to know that information to provide services to our stockholders. We also maintain certain other safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 


 

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on March 28, 2006. For those nominated, the following votes were cast for directors:

 

    votes for

  votes withheld

(A) Enrique R. Arzac:

  19,215,185   387,184

(B) Phyllis O. Bonanno:

  19,223,394   378,975

(C) Daniel E. Emerson:

  19,097,496   504,873

(D) Frederic A. Escherich:

  19,194,013   408,356

(E) Roger W. Gale:

  19,206,370   395,999

(F) Thomas H. Lenagh:

  19,070,662   531,707

(G) Kathleen T. McGahran:

  19,243,567   358,802

(H) Douglas G. Ober:

  19,212,485   389,884

(I) John J. Roberts:

  19,089,420   512,949

(J) Craig R. Smith:

  19,196,656   405,713

 

A proposal to approve and ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for 2006 was approved with 19,293,442 votes for, 153,779 votes against, and 155,144 shares abstaining.

 

14


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION AND SERVICES

 


 

 

DIVIDEND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

 

The Corporation presently pays dividends four times a year, as follows: (a) three interim distributions on or about March 1, June 1, and September 1 and (b) a “year-end” distribution, payable in late December, consisting of the estimated balance of the net investment income for the year and the net realized capital gain earned through October 31. Stockholders may elect to receive the year-end distribution in stock or cash. In connection with this distribution, all stockholders of record are sent a dividend announcement notice and an election card in mid-November.

 

Stockholders holding shares in “street” or brokerage accounts may make their elections by notifying their brokerage house representative.

 

INVESTORS CHOICE

 

INVESTORS CHOICE is a direct stock purchase and sale plan, as well as a dividend reinvestment plan, sponsored and administered by our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (AST). The plan provides registered stockholders and interested first time investors an affordable alternative for buying, selling, and reinvesting in Petroleum & Resources shares.

 

The costs to participants in administrative service fees and brokerage commissions for each type of transaction are listed below.

 

Initial Enrollment and Optional Cash Investments

   

Service Fee

  $2.50 per investment

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Reinvestment of Dividends**

   

Service Fee

  2% of amount invested

(maximum of $2.50 per investment)

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Sale of Shares

   

Service Fee

  $10.00

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Deposit of Certificates for safekeeping $7.50

Book to Book Transfers

  Included

To transfer shares to another participant or to a new participant

 

Fees are subject to change at any time.

Minimum and Maximum Cash Investments

Initial minimum investment (non-holders)

  $500.00

Minimum optional investment (existing holders)

  $50.00

Electronic Funds Transfer
(monthly minimum)

  $50.00

Maximum per transaction

  $25,000.00

Maximum per year

  NONE

 

A brochure which further details the benefits and features of INVESTORS CHOICE as well as an enrollment form may be obtained by contacting AST.

 

For Non-Registered Shareholders

 

For shareholders whose stock is held by a broker in “street” name, the AST INVESTORS CHOICE Direct Stock Purchase and Sale Plan remains available through many registered investment security dealers. If your shares are currently held in a “street” name or brokerage account, please contact your broker for details about how you can participate in AST’s Plan or contact AST.

 


 

The Corporation

Petroleum & Resources Corporation

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Seven St. Paul Street, Suite 1140, Baltimore, MD 21202

(800) 638-2479

Website: www.peteres.com

E-mail: contact@peteres.com

 

The Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Address Shareholder Inquiries to:

Shareholder Relations Department

59 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

(866) 723-8330

Website: www.amstock.com

E-mail: info@amstock.com

 

Investors Choice Mailing Address:

Attention: Dividend Reinvestment

P.O. Box 922

Wall Street Station

New York, NY 10269-0560

Website: www.amstock.com

E-mail: info@amstock.com

 

*The year-end dividend and capital gain distribution will usually be made in newly issued shares of common stock. There are no fees or commissions in connection with this dividend and capital gain distribution when made in newly issued shares.

 

15