The First Israel Fund, Inc. Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition
February 04 2010 - 4:12PM
PR Newswire (US)
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The First Israel
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE AMEX: ISL), a closed-end equity fund,
announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as
of December 31, 2009. The Fund's total returns for various periods
through December 31, 2009 are provided below. (All figures are
based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment
price and are stated net-of-fees): NAV Total Return % Market Price
Total Return % ------------------ ---------------------------
Period Cumulative Annualized Cumulative Annualized ------
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Since inception
(October 1992) 257.1 7.7 223.9 7.1 10-years 74.4 5.7 83.4 6.2
5-years 61.9 10.1 61.8 10.1 3-years 23.4 7.3 12.8 4.1 1-year 82.9
88.8 On December 31, 2009, the Fund's net assets amounted to
US$70.3 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $16.46. As of
December 31, 2009, the portfolio was invested as follows: Percent
of Portfolio Composition Net Assets ---------------------
---------- Financials 28.3 Other 21.2 Consumer, Non-Cyclical 18.0
Basic Materials 13.5 Communications 10.8 Industrials 6.5 Technology
1.5 Consumer, Cyclical 0.2 The Fund's ten largest equity holdings
as of December 31, 2009, representing 72.6% of net assets, were:
Percent of Stock Net Assets ----- ---------- Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries Limited 11.5 Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication
Corporation Limited 9.9 Israel Chemicals Limited 9.9 Check Point
Software Tech 9.4 United Mizrahi Bank Limited 9.4 Perrigo Company
5.1 Bank Hapoalim BM 4.9 Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM 4.9 Harel
Insurance Investments & Financial Services 4.4 Shinkun and
Binui Limited 3.2 Important Information Aberdeen Asset Management
Inc. has prepared this report based on information sources believed
to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and
neither the Fund, Aberdeen Asset Management Investment Services
Limited (the Investment Adviser), nor any other person guarantees
their accuracy. Investors should seek their own professional advice
and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and
expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S.
registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC. Total
return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend
reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past
performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results,
current performance may be higher or lower. Holdings are subject to
change and are provided for informational purposes only and should
not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities
shown. Inception date October 29, 1992. If you wish to receive this
information electronically, please contact: DATASOURCE: The First
Israel Fund, Inc. CONTACT: Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. Investor
Relations, +1-866-839-5205,
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