ADAMS NATURAL RESOURCES FUND, INC. - FORM N-CSRS - JUNE 30, 2016

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-02736
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ADAMS NATURAL RESOURCES FUND, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

500 East Pratt Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
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(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.
Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
500 East Pratt Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

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(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (410) 752-5900
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2016

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

LOGO

ADAMS

NATURAL RESOURCES

FUND

 

 

 

 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

JUNE 30, 2016

LOGO


LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

 

After enduring market turbulence for most of the period, U.S. equity markets finished the first half of 2016 slightly higher. Similar to last year, volatility was driven by elevated economic uncertainty and global macro events.

 

The first half uncertainty was punctuated in the fourth week of June when Britain held its referendum vote and elected to leave the European Union. The vote took markets by surprise, triggering a wave of selling around the world. Global financial markets lost $3 trillion during the trading sessions after the vote, marking the biggest two-day sell-off on record. However, over the following few days, the markets recovered most of the decline as “Brexit” fears abated and the currency market stabilized.

 

Similar volatility was experienced earlier in the year as the S&P 500 declined 9% in the first three weeks of January. Fears of an extended slowdown in China and decelerating economic growth in the U.S. led to the sharp decline. These worries faded and, by the end of March, the S&P 500 returned to its starting point for the year. Equity markets continued to move higher in the second quarter, reacting to the delay of anticipated interest rate hikes by the Fed and to signs of economic stability. But lackluster corporate earnings stalled the market’s advance. While surpassing expectations, reported earnings for the S&P 500 declined 7%, as weak earnings results in the Materials and Energy sectors weighed on total performance.

 

Despite the Energy sector’s earnings decline, stock prices moved up in response to a higher oil price. After dropping to $26 per barrel in February, crude oil prices rebounded, reaching a high of $51 per barrel in June. Markets began to reflect a rebalancing of supply and demand. Reported data indicated that global supply is declining, especially in the United States. Unforeseen events also influenced the market. A massive wildfire in Canada led to the closure of fields and facilities, curtailing production significantly. At the peak, total outages in Canada exceeded one million barrels per day. Geopolitical issues also contributed to moderating supply as continued attacks on pipelines in Nigeria decimated its oil production. While both events are expected to be temporary, they did highlight a tighter supply/demand environment.

 

The Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index advanced 15% in the first six months of the year, exceeding the 4% return of the broader market S&P 500. Within the sector, integrated oil & gas companies returned 18% while exploration & production companies advanced 17%. Equipment & services stocks rose 10%. Although not as strong as the Energy sector, the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index increased 9%.

 

Pump prices for gasoline reflected the move in crude oil but still reside near 10-year lows, supporting continued growth in demand. Within refining, we adjusted our holdings to take advantage of the strong gasoline market. We favor companies with refinery flexibility to maximize gasoline production as needed to accommodate demand. We also prefer companies that operate refineries in locations with access to a variety of crude suppliers, substantial existing infrastructure, and the most options for end-market distribution. To this end, we initiated a position in PBF Energy, a company that through recent acquisitions has emerged as one of the largest independent refiners. PBF’s asset base has the ability to process crudes of different qualities, geographic diversity, and higher-than-average gasoline yield. We also added to our positions in Valero Energy and Marathon Petroleum. Valero is the largest and most diverse refiner in the segment. In addition to attractive geographic diversity and high exposure to the gasoline market, new management has exhibited capital discipline, which has yielded above-average

 

1


LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS (CONTINUED)

 

 

cash returns to shareholders. Recent underperformance of Marathon Petroleum following an acquisition provided an opportunity to increase our position. The company has a strong, strategically located refining system as well as the flexibility to maximize margins through a sophisticated logistics network and its retail business.

 

M&A activity often provides a source of return. This was the case in the Materials sector. Monsanto rose substantially when Bayer made an offer to buy the company. While indicating a willingness to discuss a merger, the company officially rejected a $122 per share bid. While we continue to like Monsanto, we reduced our overweight position in response to the move higher in the stock and uncertainty regarding the outcome of the negotiations.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the total return on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share (with dividends and capital gains reinvested) was 11.1%. This compares to total returns of 15.0% for Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, 8.6% for Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index, and 21.8% for Lipper Global Natural Resources Funds Index over the same time period. The total return on the market price of the Fund’s shares for the period was 14.6%.

 

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, the Fund’s total return on NAV was -6.8%. Comparable returns for Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index, Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index, and Lipper Global Natural Resources Funds Index were -6.6%, -3.6%, and -3.1%. The Fund’s total return on market price was -3.0%.

 

During the first half of this year, the Fund paid distributions to shareholders in the amount of $5.6 million, or $.20 per share, consisting of $.03 net investment income and $.05 long-term capital gain, realized in 2015, and $.12 of net investment income realized in 2016, all taxable in 2016. On July 13, 2016, an additional net investment income dividend of $.10 per share was declared for payment on September 1, 2016. These constitute the first three payments toward our annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

LOGO

 

Mark E. Stoeckle

Chief Executive Officer

July 13, 2016

 

 

 

Disclaimers

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect the Fund’s actual results are the performance of the portfolio of stocks held by the Fund, the conditions in the U.S. and international financial markets, the price at which shares of the Fund will trade in the public markets, and other factors discussed in the Fund’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of the Fund for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund 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 no guarantee of future investment results.

 

2


PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

Ten Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings

 

     Market Value      Percent
of Net Assets
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     $131,679,390         20.6

Chevron Corp.

     61,975,496         9.7   

Schlumberger Ltd.

     44,506,224         7.0   

EOG Resources, Inc.

     26,886,266         4.2   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     24,300,096         3.8   

Halliburton Co.

     22,951,613         3.6   

Dow Chemical Co.

     22,322,574         3.5   

ConocoPhillips

     21,411,960         3.3   

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Class A)

     17,935,220         2.8   

Spectra Energy Corp.

     16,717,932         2.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $390,686,771         61.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Industry Weightings

 

LOGO

 

3


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

 

June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

Assets

     

Investments* at value:

     

Common stocks (cost $496,369,761)

   $ 636,104,501      

Short-term investments (cost $6,491,675)

     6,491,675       $ 642,596,176   

 

    

Cash

        271,798   

Dividends and interest receivable

        829,530   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

        386,045   

 

 

Total Assets

        644,083,549   

 

 

Liabilities

     

Investment securities purchased

        2,624,005   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

        1,242,005   

 

 

Total Liabilities

        3,866,010   

 

 

Net Assets

      $ 640,217,539   

 

 

Net Assets

     

Common Stock at par value $0.001 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 28,092,864 shares (includes 31,462 restricted shares, 9,600 nonvested or deferred restricted stock units, and 13,443 deferred stock units) (note 6)

      $ 28,093   

Additional capital surplus

        486,989,345   

Undistributed net investment income

        1,630,804   

Undistributed net realized gain

        11,834,557   

Unrealized appreciation

        139,734,740   

 

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock

      $ 640,217,539   

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock

        $22.79   

 

 

 

* See Schedule of Investments on page 13.

 

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

 

4


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

Investment Income

  

Income:

  

Dividends

   $ 8,363,870   

Interest and other income

     24,084   

 

 

Total Income

     8,387,954   

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment research compensation and benefits

     1,158,838   

Administration and operations compensation and benefits

     599,027   

Directors’ compensation

     220,042   

Occupancy and other office expenses

     180,431   

Shareholder reports and communications

     119,652   

Investment data services

     78,167   

Transfer agent, custody, and listing fees

     75,349   

Audit and tax services

     38,744   

Accounting, recordkeeping and other professional fees

     37,680   

Insurance

     37,649   

Legal services

     16,401   

 

 

Total Expenses

     2,561,980   

 

 

Net Investment Income

     5,825,974   

 

 

Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation

  

Net realized gain on security transactions

     12,226,741   

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     45,016,119   

 

 

Net Gain on Investments

     57,242,860   

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 63,068,834   

 

 

 

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

 

5


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     (unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 

From Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 5,825,974      $ 10,258,582   

Net realized gain

     12,226,741        27,921,844   

Change in unrealized appreciation

     45,016,119        (186,647,414

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (note 5)

            1,432,315   

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     63,068,834        (147,034,673

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (4,213,753     (10,408,624

Net realized gain

     (1,404,172     (27,390,564

 

 

Decrease in Net Assets from Distributions

     (5,617,925     (37,799,188

 

 

From Capital Share Transactions:

    

Value of shares issued in payment of distributions (note 4)

     2,667        12,630,987   

Deferred compensation (notes 4, 6)

     87,152        373,946   

 

 

Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

     89,819        13,004,933   

 

 

Total Change in Net Assets

     57,540,728        (171,828,928

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of period

     582,676,811        754,505,739   

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,630,804 and $18,583, respectively)

   $ 640,217,539      $ 582,676,811   

 

 

 

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

 

6


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) as a non-diversified investment company. The Fund is an internally-managed closed-end fund specializing in energy and other natural resources stocks. The investment objectives of the Fund are preservation of capital, the attainment of reasonable income from investments, and an opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for investment companies, which require the use of estimates by Fund management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates and the valuations reflected in the financial statements may differ from the value the Fund ultimately realizes.

 

Affiliated Companies—Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX), a diversified, closed-end investment company, owns 8% of the Fund’s outstanding shares and is, therefore, an “affiliated company” as defined by the 1940 Act.

 

Expenses—The Fund shares personnel, systems, and other infrastructure items with ADX and Adams Funds Advisers, LLC (AFA), an ADX-affiliated investment adviser to external parties, and is charged a portion of the shared expenses. To protect the Fund from potential conflicts of interest, policies and procedures are in place covering the sharing of expenses among the entities. Expenses that are not solely attributable to the Fund are allocated in accordance with the Fund’s policy, which dictates that such expenses be attributed to each Fund based on the relative net assets of the Funds, or, in the case of AFA, the net assets under management. Investment research compensation and benefits are attributed to each entity based on the relative market values of the portfolio securities covered in each respective entity. Expense allocations are updated quarterly, except for those related to payroll, which are updated annually.

 

For the period ended June 30, 2016, expenses of $1,093,912 and $2,731 were charged to ADX and AFA, respectively, in accordance with the Fund’s expense sharing policy. There are no amounts due to, or due from, ADX or AFA as of June 30, 2016.

 

Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions—The Fund’s investment decisions are made by the portfolio management team with recommendations from the research staff. Policies and procedures are in place covering the allocation of investment opportunities among the Fund, ADX, and AFA to protect the Fund from potential conflicts of interests. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recorded on the basis of specific identification. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis.

 

Valuation—The Fund’s financial instruments are reported at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fund has a Valuation Committee (“Committee”) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to

 

7


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

oversight by the Board of Directors, the Committee establishes methodologies and procedures to value securities for which market quotations are not readily available.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1—fair value is determined based on market data obtained from independent sources; for example, quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;

   

Level 2—fair value is determined using other assumptions obtained from independent sources; for example, quoted prices for similar investments;

   

Level 3—fair value is determined using the Fund’s own assumptions, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

Investments in securities traded on national security exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price as of the close of regular trading on the primary exchange 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. Money market funds are valued at net asset value. These securities are generally categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

 

Short-term investments (excluding money market funds) are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Total return swap agreements are valued using independent, observable inputs, including underlying security prices, dividends, and interest rates. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

 

At June 30, 2016, the Fund’s financial instruments were classified as follows:

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Common stocks

   $ 636,104,501         $         $         $ 636,104,501   

Short-term investments

     6,491,675                               6,491,675   

 

 

Total investments

   $ 642,596,176         $         $         $ 642,596,176   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no transfers between levels during the period ended June 30, 2016.

 

2.    FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

No federal income tax provision is required since the Fund’s policy is to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and gains to its shareholders. Additionally, management has analyzed and concluded that tax positions included in federal income tax returns from the previous three years that remain subject to examination do not require any provision. Any income tax-related interest or penalties would be recognized as income tax expense. As of June 30, 2016, the identified cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was $502,861,436 and net unrealized appreciation aggregated $139,734,740, consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $208,441,687 and gross unrealized depreciation of $68,706,947.

 

Distributions are determined in accordance with the Fund’s annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment, based on the Fund’s average market price, and income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Such differences are primarily related to the Fund’s retirement plans and equity-based compensation. Differences that are permanent are reclassified in the capital accounts of the Fund’s financial statements and have no impact on net assets.

 

8


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

3.    INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of portfolio investments, other than short-term investments and derivative transactions, during the period ended June 30, 2016 were $56,492,032 and $54,221,702 respectively.

 

4.    CAPITAL STOCK

The Fund has 5,000,000 authorized and unissued preferred shares, $0.001 par value.

 

During the period ended June 30, 2016, the Fund issued 148 shares of its Common Stock at a weighted average price of $18.03 per share as dividend equivalents to holders of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under the 2005 Equity Income Compensation Plan.

 

On December 22, 2015, the Fund issued 702,985 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $17.93 per share (the average market price on December 9, 2015) to shareholders of record on November 25, 2015, who elected to take stock in payment of the year-end distribution from 2015 capital gain and investment income. During 2015, 1,311 shares were issued at a weighted average price of $20.15 per share as dividend equivalents to holders of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under the 2005 Equity Income Compensation Plan.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of its Common Stock from time to time, in accordance with parameters set by the Board of Directors, at such prices and amounts as the portfolio management team may deem appropriate. Transactions in Common Stock for 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Shares      Amount  
     Six months
ended
June 30,
2016
    Year ended
December 31,
2015
     Six months
ended
June 30,
2016
     Year ended
December 31,
2015
 

Shares issued in payment of distributions

     148        704,296       $ 2,667       $ 12,630,987   

Net activity under the 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan

     (3,935     11,435         87,152         373,946   

 

 

Net change

     (3,787     715,731       $ 89,819       $ 13,004,933   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.    RETIREMENT PLANS

Defined Contribution Plans—The Fund sponsors a qualified defined contribution plan for all employees with at least six months of service and a nonqualified defined contribution plan for eligible employees to supplement the qualified plan. The Fund expensed contributions to the plans in the amount of $180,888, a portion thereof based on Fund performance, for the period ended June 30, 2016.

 

Defined Benefit Plans—The Fund completed the termination of its qualified defined benefit plan in 2015 and has no further defined benefit obligations.

 

9


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

Items impacting the Fund’s pension cost and accumulated other comprehensive income were:

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2016
       Year ended
December 31, 2015
 

Components of pension cost

       

Interest cost

   $         $ 76,010   

Expected return on plan assets

               (18,557

Net loss component

               82,336   

Effect of settlement (non-recurring)

               2,762,816   

 

 

Pension cost

   $         $ 2,902,605   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2016
       Year ended
December 31, 2015
 

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income

       

Reclassifications to net periodic pension cost:

       

Amortization of net loss

   $         $ 82,336   

Effect of settlement (non-recurring)

               1,349,979   

 

 

Change during the year

   $         $ 1,432,315   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.    EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

The Fund’s 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, adopted at the 2005 Annual Meeting and reapproved at the 2010 Annual Meeting, expired on April 27, 2015. Restricted stock awards granted prior to the Plan’s expiration remain outstanding as of June 30, 2016 and vest on various dates through September 2, 2018, provided the service condition set forth in the award at grant is satisfied. Also outstanding are restricted stock units granted to nonemployee directors that are 100% vested, but payment of which has been deferred by the election of the director.

 

Outstanding awards were granted at fair market value on grant date (determined by the average of the high and low price on that date). Awards earn an amount equal to the Fund’s per share distribution, payable in either cash (employees) or reinvested shares (non-employee directors). Reinvested shares are fully vested and paid concurrently with the payment of the original share grant. A summary of the activity related to nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units for the period ended June 30, 2016 is as follows:

 

Awards

   Shares/Units        Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
 

Balance at December 31, 2015

     66,162           $27.09   

Reinvested dividend equivalents

     148           19.45   

Vested & issued

     (11,655        25.41   

Forfeited

     (150        24.86   

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2016

     54,505           $26.66   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation cost is based on the fair market value of the award on grant date and recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Any compensation cost recognized related to an award that is subsequently forfeited due to unmet service conditions is reversed. Total compensation cost related to equity-based compensation for the period ended June 30, 2016 was $147,562. As of June 30, 2016, the Fund had

 

10


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

unrecognized compensation cost of $316,408, a component of additional capital surplus, related to nonvested awards that will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.14 years. The total fair value of awards vested and issued during the period ended June 30, 2016 was $185,636.

 

7.    OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The aggregate remuneration paid during the period ended June 30, 2016 to officers and directors amounted to $2,396,896, of which $220,042 was paid to directors who were not officers. These amounts represent the taxable income to the Fund’s officers and directors and, therefore, differ from the amounts reported in the accompanying Statement of Operations that are recorded and expensed in accordance with GAAP.

 

8.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED

The Fund makes loans of securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. It receives as collateral cash deposits valued at 102% of the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is calculated based upon the most recent closing prices and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash deposits are placed in a registered money market fund. The Fund accounts for securities lending transactions as secured financing and retains a portion of the income from lending fees and interest on the investment of cash collateral. The Fund also continues to receive dividends on the securities loaned. Gain or loss in the fair value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Fund. At June 30, 2016, the Fund had no securities on loan and held no cash collateral. The Fund is indemnified by the Custodian, serving as lending agent, for the loss of loaned securities and has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

 

9.    OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

The Fund leases office space and equipment under operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through the year 2026. The Fund recognized rental expense of $93,897 for the period ended June 30, 2016, and its minimum rental commitments are as follows:

 

Remainder of 2016

   $ 18,186   

2017

     138,074   

2018

     141,442   

2019

     114,333   

2020

     113,498   

Thereafter

     708,520   

 

 

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,234,053   

 

 

 

 

 

 

11


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

    (unaudited)
Six Months Ended
                               
   

June 30,
2016

    June 30,
2015
    Year Ended December 31  
        2015    

2014

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

 

 

 

Per Share Operating Performance

  

           

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.74        $27.56        $27.56        $32.26        $27.84        $28.58        $30.73   

 

 

Net investment income

    0.21        0.13        0.37        0.50        0.44        0.48        0.41   

Net realized gains and increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation

    2.04        (1.19)        (5.80)        (3.23)        5.93        0.48        (0.42)   

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (note 5)

           0.05        0.05        (0.01)        0.03               (0.03)   

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.25        (1.01)        (5.38)        (2.74)        6.40        0.96        (0.04)   

 

 

Less distributions

             

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.15)        (0.14)        (0.38)        (0.51)        (0.46)        (0.42)        (0.39)   

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.05)        (0.06)        (1.00)        (1.38)        (1.42)        (1.18)        (1.58)   

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.20)        (0.20)        (1.38)        (1.89)        (1.88)        (1.60)        (1.97)   

 

 

Capital share repurchases (note 4)

                         0.03        0.05                 

Reinvestment of distributions

                  (0.06)        (0.10)        (0.15)        (0.10)        (0.14)   

 

 

Total capital share transactions

                  (0.06)        (0.07)        (0.10)        (0.10)        (0.14)   

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $22.79        $26.35        $20.74        $27.56        $32.26        $27.84        $28.58   
             

 

 

Market price, end of period

    $20.11        $22.33        $17.74        $23.84        $27.38        $23.92        $24.48   

Total Investment Return*

             

Based on market price

    14.6%        (5.6)%        (20.0)%        (6.3)%        22.7%        4.3%        (2.3)%   

Based on net asset value

    11.1%        (3.6)%        (19.1)%        (8.0)%        24.2%        4.0%        0.3%   

Ratios/Supplemental Data**

             

Net assets, end of period (in millions)

    $640        $722        $583        $755        $864        $733        $733   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

    0.85%        1.20%       1.26%       0.63%        0.78%       0.65%       0.56%   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.94%        1.36%       1.49%       1.53%        1.44%       1.67%       1.29%   

Portfolio turnover

    18.2%        12.6%        16.0%        19.6%        18.7%        11.7%        16.4%   

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

    28,093        27,394        28,097        27,381        26,775        26,326        25,641   

 

  * Total investment return assumes reinvestment of all distributions at the price received in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.
  **

Ratios and portfolio turnover presented on an annualized basis.

  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets was 0.83%, excluding the one-time charge of $2,762,816 related to the termination of the defined benefit plans (note 5), and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets was 1.73%.

  

Ratios of expenses to average net assets were 0.86%, 0.70%, and 0.64% in 2015, 2013, and 2012, respectively, after adjusting for non-recurring pension-related settlement charges. The adjusted ratios of net investment income to average net assets were 1.89%, 1.52%, and 1.68% in 2015, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

12


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value (A)  

Common Stocks — 99.4%

   

Energy — 80.9%

   

Exploration & Production — 25.7%

  

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    275,000      $ 14,643,750   

Cimarex Energy Co.

    96,100        11,466,652   

Concho Resources Inc. (B)

    103,400        12,332,518   

ConocoPhillips

    491,100        21,411,960   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    322,300        26,886,266   

EQT Corp.

    133,700        10,352,391   

Marathon Oil Corp.

    742,700        11,147,927   

Noble Energy, Inc.

    302,300        10,843,501   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    321,600        24,300,096   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    89,600        13,548,416   

RSP Permain, Inc. (B)

    147,000        5,128,830   

Whiting Petroleum Corp. (B)

    251,500        2,328,890   
   

 

 

 
      164,391,197   
   

 

 

 

Integrated Oil & Gas — 30.3%

  

 

Chevron Corp.

    591,200        61,975,496   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1,404,730        131,679,390   
   

 

 

 
      193,654,886   
   

 

 

 

Oil Equipment & Services — 13.8%

  

 

Baker Hughes, Inc.

    90,100        4,066,213   

Halliburton Co.

    506,770        22,951,613   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    133,500        4,492,275   

Oil States International Inc. (B)

    170,000        5,589,600   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    562,800        44,506,224   

Weatherford International plc (B)

    1,219,800        6,769,890   
   

 

 

 
      88,375,815   
   

 

 

 

Pipelines — 5.0%

  

 

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    541,000        10,127,520   

Spectra Energy Corp.

    456,400        16,717,932   

Williams Companies, Inc.

    242,600        5,247,438   
   

 

 

 
      32,092,890   
   

 

 

 

Refiners — 5.6%

  

 

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    352,900        13,396,084   

PBF Energy Inc.

    179,100        4,258,998   

Phillips 66

    31,175        2,473,425   

Valero Energy Corp.

    313,700        15,998,700   
   

 

 

 
      36,127,207   
   

 

 

 

Renewable Energy Equipment — 0.5%

   

First Solar, Inc. (B)

    71,800        3,480,864   

 

13


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value (A)  

Basic Materials — 18.5%

   

Chemicals — 15.6%

  

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    263,745      $ 6,356,254   

Dow Chemical Co.

    449,056        22,322,574   

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    147,800        9,577,440   

Eastman Chemical Co.

    119,300        8,100,470   

H.B. Fuller Co.

    177,700        7,817,023   

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Class A)

    241,000        17,935,220   

Monsanto Co.

    132,500        13,701,825   

PPG Industries, Inc.

    132,000        13,747,800   
   

 

 

 
      99,558,606   
   

 

 

 

General Industrials — 0.9%

   

Packaging Corp. of America

    82,400        5,515,032   

Gold & Precious Metals — 0.7%

  

 

SPDR Gold Trust (B)

    35,200        4,453,504   

Industrial Metals — 1.3%

  

 

Alcoa Inc.

    614,000        5,691,780   

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (B)

    248,000        2,762,720   
   

 

 

 
      8,454,500   
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks
(Cost $496,369,761)

      636,104,501   
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments — 1.0%

   

Money Market Funds — 1.0%

  

 

Fidelity Institutional Money Market – Money Market Portfolio (Institutional Class), 0.48% (C)

    5,000,000        5,000,000   

Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.28% (C)

    1,491,675        1,491,675   
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $6,491,675)

   

    6,491,675   
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.4% of Net Assets
(Cost $502,861,436)

   

  $ 642,596,176   
   

 

 

 

 

Notes:

(A) Common stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ and are valued at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. See note 1 to financial statements.
(B) Presently non-dividend paying.
(C) Rate presented is as of period-end and represents the annualized yield earned over the previous seven days.

 

14


CHANGES IN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2016

(unaudited)

 

     Purchases
(Cost)
     Sales
(Proceeds)
     Market Value Held at
June 30, 2016
 

Concho Resources Inc.

   $ 2,433,223          $ 12,332,518   

ConocoPhillips

     9,065,819            21,411,960   

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

     9,042,953            9,577,440   

H.B. Fuller Co.

     7,125,646            7,817,023   

Marathon Oil Corp.

     2,624,005            11,147,927   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     3,182,261            13,396,084   

PBF Energy Inc.

     5,770,262            4,258,998   

Valero Energy Corp.

     14,188,950            15,998,700   

Weatherford International, plc

     3,058,913            6,769,890   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

      $ 3,093,665         4,066,213   

California Resources Corp. (1)

        31,035           

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

        1,812,908         6,356,254   

Chevron Corp.

        2,929,793         61,975,496   

Eastman Chemical Co.

        1,454,563         8,100,470   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

        5,941,714         131,679,390   

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (Class A)

        1,475,696         17,935,220   

Monsanto Co.

        6,384,019         13,701,825   

Noble Energy, Inc.

        2,415,407         10,843,501   

Packaging Corp. of America

        3,746,247         5,515,032   

Phillips 66

        23,749,688         2,473,425   

SPDR Gold Trust

        1,186,967         4,453,504   

 

(1) 

Received in spinoff transaction.

 

15


HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Year  

(000’s)

Value Of
Net Assets

   

(000’s)

Shares
Outstanding

    Net Asset
Value Per
Share
    Market
Value
Per Share
    Income
Dividends
Per Share
    Capital
Gains
Distributions
Per Share
    Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
Per Share
    Annual
Distribution
Rate*
 

2006

  $ 812,047        22,181      $ 36.61      $ 33.46      $ .47      $ 3.33      $ 3.80        11.2

2007

    978,920        22,768        42.99        38.66        .49        3.82        4.31        11.6   

2008

    538,937        23,959        22.49        19.41        .38        2.61        2.99        8.9   

2009

    650,718        24,327        26.75        23.74        .37        1.03        1.40        6.6   

2010

    761,736        24,790        30.73        27.01        .32        .95        1.27        5.5   

2011

    732,811        25,641        28.58        24.48        .39        1.58        1.97        7.1   

2012

    732,988        26,326        27.84        23.92        .42        1.18        1.60        6.4   

2013

    863,690        26,775        32.26        27.38        .46        1.42        1.88        7.2   

2014

    754,506        27,381        27.56        23.84        .51        1.38        1.89        6.6   

2015

    582,677        28,097        20.74        17.74        .38        1.00        1.38        6.2   

June 30, 2016

    640,218       
28,093
  
    22.79        20.11        .25       .05       .30          

 

  * The annual distribution rate is the total dividends and distributions per share divided by the Fund’s average month-end stock price. For years prior to 2012, the average month-end stock price is determined for the calendar year. For 2012 and later, the average month-end stock price is determined for the twelve months ended October 31, which is consistent with the calculation used for the annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment adopted in September 2012.
  

Paid or declared

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April 14, 2016. The following votes were cast for directors:

 

     Votes For      Votes Withheld  

Enrique R. Arzac

     23,108,741         1,179,563   

Phyllis O. Bonanno

     22,958,530         1,329,774   

Kenneth J. Dale

     23,532,972         755,332   

Frederic A. Escherich

     23,273,036         1,015,269   

Roger W. Gale

     23,151,631         1,136,674   

Kathleen T. McGahran

     23,225,358         1,062,946   

Craig R. Smith

     23,132,854         1,155,451   

Mark E. Stoeckle

     23,269,963         1,018,341   

 

A proposal to approve and ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for 2016 was approved with 23,738,739 votes for, 232,874 votes against, and 316,691 shares abstaining.

 

 

16


OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Dividend Payment Schedule

The Fund 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, the net realized capital gains earned through October 31 and, if applicable, a return of capital. Shareholders may elect to receive the year-end distribution in stock or cash. In connection with this distribution, all shareholders of record are sent a dividend announcement notice and an election card in mid-November. Shareholders holding shares in “street” or brokerage accounts make their elections by notifying their brokerage house representative.

 

Electronic Delivery of Shareholder Reports

The Fund offers shareholders the benefits and convenience of viewing Quarterly and Annual Reports and other shareholder materials on-line. With your consent, paper copies of these documents will cease with the next mailing and will be provided via e-mail. Reduce paper mailed to your home and help lower the Fund’s printing and mailing costs. To enroll, please visit the following websites:

 

Registered shareholders with AST: www.amstock.com/main

Shareholders using brokerage accounts: http://enroll.icsdelivery.com/PEO

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Record

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities owned by the Fund and the Fund’s proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2016 are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund’s toll free number at (800) 638-2479; (ii) on the Fund’s website: www.adamsfunds.com under the headings “Funds” and then “Reports & Literature”; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website: www.sec.gov.

 

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 Fund also 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 Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website: www.sec.gov. The Fund’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 Fund also posts a link to its Forms N-Q on its website: www.adamsfunds.com; select Fund name and click the headings “Funds” and then “Reports & Literature”.

 

Website Information

Investors can find the Fund’s daily NAV per share, the market price, the discount/premium to NAV per share, and quarterly changes in portfolio securities on our website at www.adamsfunds.com. Also available there are a history of the Fund, historical financial information, links for electronic delivery of shareholder reports, and other useful content.


ADAMS NATURAL RESOURCES FUND, INC.

 

 

Board of Directors

 

Enrique R. Arzac 2,4

 

Frederic A. Escherich 1,2,3

 

Craig R. Smith 1,2,4

Phyllis O. Bonanno 3,4

 

Roger W. Gale 2,3

 

Mark E. Stoeckle 1

Kenneth J. Dale 1,3,4

 

Kathleen T. McGahran 1,5

 

 

1. Member of Executive Committee
2. Member of Audit Committee
3. Member of Compensation Committee
4. Member of Nominating and Governance Committee
5. Chair of the Board

 

Officers

 

Mark E. Stoeckle

 

Chief Executive Officer

James P. Haynie, CFA

 

President

Nancy J.F. Prue, CFA

 

Executive Vice President, Director of Shareholder Communications

Brian S. Hook, CFA, CPA

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.

 

Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary

Gregory W. Buckley

 

Vice President—Research

Michael A. Kijesky, CFA

 

Vice President—Research

Michael E. Rega, CFA

 

Vice President—Research

Christine M. Sloan, CPA

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

 

 

500 East Pratt Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, MD 21202

410.752.5900        800.638.2479

Website: www.adamsfunds.com

Email: contact@adamsfunds.com

Tickers: PEO (NYSE), XPEOX (NASDAQ)

 

Counsel: Chadbourne & Parke LLP

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Custodian of Securities: The Northern Trust Company

Transfer Agent & Registrar: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Stockholder Relations Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11219

(866) 723-8330

Website: www.amstock.com

Email: info@amstock.com

 

 

 

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 6. Investments.

(a) This schedule is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Item not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

 

Total Number of Shares
(or Units Purchased)

 

Average Price Paid
per Share (or Unit)

 

 

Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased as
Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

Maximum Number of
Shares (or Units) That
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs

 
 

----------------------------------

 

----------------------------------

 

----------------------------------

 

----------------------------------

 

January 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 

February 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 

March 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 

April 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 

May 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 

June 2016

0

 

--

 

0

 

1,332,000

 
 

----------------------------------

 

----------------------------------

 

----------------------------------

 

 

Total

0

--

 

0

(1) There were no shares purchased other than through a publicly announced plan or program.

(2.a) The Plan was announced on December 11, 2014.

(2.b) The share amount approved in 2014 was 5% of outstanding shares, or 1,332,000 shares.

(2.c) The Plan has no expiration date.

(2.d) None.

(2.e) None.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's Board of Directors made or implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A), or this Item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

(b) There have been no significant changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the registrant's second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)

(1)

Not applicable. See registrant's response to Item 2 above.

(2)

Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

(3)

Written solicitation to purchases securities: not applicable.


(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.

 

 

 

 

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.   
   
   
Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
   
By:

/s/ Mark E. Stoeckle

  Mark E. Stoeckle
  Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer) 
   
Date: July 22, 2016
 


   
  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.
   
   
By:

/s/ Mark E. Stoeckle

  Mark E. Stoeckle
  Chief Executive Officer 
  (Principal Executive Officer) 
   
Date: July 22, 2016
   
   
By:  /s/ Brian S. Hook 
  Brian S. Hook 
  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
  (Principal Financial Officer) 
   
Date: July 22, 2016