The First Israel Fund, Inc. Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition
September 02 2009 - 2:01PM
PR Newswire (US)
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2 /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 July 31, 2009. The Fund's total returns for various periods
through July 31, 2009 are provided below. (All figures are based on
distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are
stated net-of-fees): Period NAV Total Return % Market Price Total
Return % ------ ----------------- ---------------------------
Cumulative Annualized Cumulative Annualized ---------- ----------
---------- ---------- Since inception 213.4 7.1 183.2 6.4 (October
1992) ----- --- ----- --- ------------- 10-years 83.4 6.3 96.6 7.0
-------- ---- --- ---- --- 5-years 60.0 9.9 75.0 11.8 ------- ----
--- ---- ---- 3-years 23.9 7.4 29.6 9.0 ------- ---- --- ---- ---
1-year -3.5 -1.9 ------ ---- ---- On July 31, 2009, the Fund's net
assets amounted to US$61.6 million and the Fund's NAV per share was
$14.43. As of July 31, 2009, the portfolio was invested as follows:
Portfolio Composition Percent of Net Assets ---------------------
---------- Financials 37.4 ---------- ---- Other 15.7 ----- ----
Consumer, Non-Cyclical 11.2 ---------------------- ---- Industrials
9.1 ----------- --- Basic Materials 8.9 --------------- ---
Communications 7.0 -------------- --- Diversified 4.9 -----------
--- Technology 3.3 ---------- --- Consumer, Cyclical 1.5
------------------ --- Energy 0.9 ------ --- Utilities 0.1
--------- --- The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of July 31,
2009, representing 49.2% of net assets, were: Stock Percent of
----- Net Assets ---------- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. 7.3
----------------------------------- --- Harel Insurance Investments
& Financial Services 7.2
--------------------------------------- --- Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM
6.4 ----------------------- --- Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication
Corp. Ltd. 6.0 ----------------------------------------- --- Bank
Hapoalim BM 5.8 ---------------- --- Israel Chemicals Ltd. 5.5
--------------------- --- Shikun & Binui Ltd. 3.4
------------------- --- The Israel Corporation Ltd. 2.9
--------------------------- --- Israel Discount Bank 2.6
-------------------- --- Perrigo Co. 2.1 ----------- --- 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 Investment Services Limited (the Investment Manager and
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. Inception date October 29,
1992. If you wish to receive this information electronically,
please contact: DATASOURCE: The First Israel Fund, Inc. CONTACT:
Investor Relations of Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.,
+1-866-839-5205,
Copyright