UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number:

 

811-08076

 

 

 

Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

(formerly, Aberdeen Emerging Markets Telecommunications and Infrastructure Fund, Inc.)

 

 

 

Address of principal executive offices:

 

c/o 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

 

Name and address of agent for service:

 

Ms. Andrea Melia

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.

c/o 1735 Market Street, 32nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

866-839-5205

 

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

 

October 31

 

 

 

Date of reporting period:

 

January 31, 2014

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 

The schedule of investments for the three-month period ended January 31, 2014 is filed herewith.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

 

January 31, 2014

 

No. of

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Description

 

Value

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES-99.9%

 

 

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES IN EMERGING COUNTRIES-96.0%

 

 

 

BRAZIL-13.7%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES-1.0%

 

 

 

111,000

 

Valid Solucoes e Servicos de Seguranca em Meios de Pagamento e Identificacao S.A.

 

$

1,384,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES-2.0%

 

 

 

697,000

 

Odontoprev S.A.

 

2,599,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-2.9%

 

 

 

173,155

 

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A.

 

1,437,906

 

134,000

 

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios S.A.

 

2,421,523

 

 

 

 

 

3,859,429

 

ROAD & RAIL-1.8%

 

 

 

191,450

 

Localiza Rent a Car S.A.

 

2,419,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOFTWARE-1.4%

 

 

 

140,000

 

Totvs S.A.

 

1,839,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL-1.2%

 

 

 

140,000

 

Cia Hering

 

1,554,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS-2.1%

 

 

 

262,413

 

Arezzo Industria e Comercio S.A.

 

2,827,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-1.3%

 

 

 

149,000

 

Wilson Sons Limited, BDR

 

1,728,789

 

 

 

Total Brazil (cost $25,499,161)

 

18,213,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHILE-3.5%

 

 

 

IT SERVICES-1.1%

 

 

 

745,000

 

Sonda S.A.

 

1,475,460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-2.4%

 

 

 

1,885,814

 

Parque Arauco S.A.

 

3,222,134

 

 

 

Total Chile (cost $7,258,261)

 

4,697,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHINA-2.6%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-1.4%

 

 

 

2,070,000

 

Yingde Gases Group Co., Limited(a)

 

1,815,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.2%

 

 

 

1,895,000

 

Yanlord Land Group Limited(a)

 

1,659,416

 

 

 

Total China (cost $4,382,451)

 

3,474,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HONG KONG-7.1%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.1%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Dah Sing Banking Group Limited(a)

 

1,451,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE-1.0%

 

 

 

450,000

 

Cafe de Coral Holdings Limited(a)

 

1,379,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARINE-1.2%

 

 

 

2,689,000

 

Pacific Basin Shipping Limited(a)

 

1,660,777

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL-1.4%

 

 

 

2,544,000

 

Giordano International Limited(a)

 

1,825,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS-1.1%

 

 

 

1,460,000

 

Texwinca Holdings Limited(a)

 

1,399,567

 

 



 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-1.3%

 

 

 

136,000

 

Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Limited(a)

 

$

1,762,409

 

 

 

Total Hong Kong (cost $10,239,018)

 

9,479,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDIA-8.5%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-2.1%

 

 

 

290,000

 

Castrol India Limited(a)

 

1,366,435

 

85,000

 

Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited

 

1,450,243

 

 

 

 

 

2,816,678

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-1.1%

 

 

 

581,000

 

The Ramco Cements Ltd.

 

1,497,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT SERVICES-1.4%

 

 

 

311,074

 

Mphasis Limited

 

1,837,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS-1.9%

 

 

 

204,372

 

Godrej Consumer Products Limited(a)

 

2,458,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS-1.0%

 

 

 

154,500

 

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.(a)

 

1,380,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL-1.0%

 

 

 

117,000

 

Container Corp. of India

 

1,365,047

 

 

 

Total India (cost $14,472,165)

 

11,355,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDONESIA-7.5%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.2%

 

 

 

15,300,000

 

PT Bank Permata Tbk(b)

 

1,578,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-1.7%

 

 

 

12,840,000

 

PT Holcim Indonesia Tbk(a)

 

2,187,767

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS-2.2%

 

 

 

1,148,000

 

Petra Foods Limited

 

2,913,272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METALS & MINING-0.4%

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

PT Vale Indonesia Tbk(a)

 

568,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS-2.0%

 

 

 

7,405,500

 

PT AKR Corporindo Tbk(a)

 

2,679,277

 

 

 

Total Indonesia (cost $14,730,189)

 

9,927,430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISRAEL-0.9%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.9%

 

 

 

1,674,587

(c)

BPA Israel Ventures, LLC(a)(b)(d)(e)(f)

 

374,320

 

2,000,000

(c)

Concord Fund I Liquidating Main Trust(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

102,702

 

2,750,000

(c)

Giza GE Venture Fund III, L.P.(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

281,242

 

761,184

(c)

Neurone Ventures II, L.P.(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

144,846

 

1,280,969

(c)

SVE Star Ventures Enterprises GmbH & Co. No. IX KG(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

99,378

 

720,501

(c)

Vidyo, Inc. Trust(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

90,668

 

1,375,001

(c)

Walden-Israel Ventures III, L.P.(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

48,482

 

 

 

 

 

1,141,638

 

 

 

Total Israel (cost $6,157,444)

 

1,141,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KENYA-1.7%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.7%

 

 

 

753,800

 

East African Breweries Limited (cost $2,745,219)

 

2,274,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEBANON-1.1%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.1%

 

 

 

162,000

 

BLOM Bank SAL, GDR (cost $1,418,522)

 

1,433,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MALAYSIA-8.0%

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES-1.1%

 

 

 

640,200

 

Oriental Holdings Bhd

 

1,499,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.4%

 

 

 

120,000

 

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd

 

660,511

 

 



 

300,000

 

Guinness Anchor Bhd(a)

 

$

1,267,698

 

 

 

 

 

1,928,209

 

FOOD PRODUCTS-1.4%

 

 

 

240,000

 

United Plantations Bhd

 

1,835,948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL-3.0%

 

 

 

1,069,800

 

Aeon Co. M Bhd

 

3,932,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.1%

 

 

 

1,666,800

 

SP Setia Bhd(a)

 

1,431,508

 

 

 

Total Malaysia (cost $12,894,448)

 

10,627,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEXICO-2.9%

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-2.9%

 

 

 

153,000

 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte S.A.B. de C.V., ADR(b) (cost $2,887,440)

 

3,797,460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NETHERLANDS-1.5%

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT-1.5%

 

 

 

60,000

 

ASM International NV(a) (cost $2,165,699)

 

2,005,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIGERIA-1.6%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.6%

 

 

 

1,506,000

 

Guinness Nigeria PLC (cost $2,524,331)

 

2,068,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMAN-1.3%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.3%

 

 

 

262,000

 

BankMuscat SAOG, GDR (cost $1,722,717)

 

1,768,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES-2.1%

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE-2.1%

 

 

 

856,240

 

Jollibee Foods Corp.(a) (cost $2,584,016)

 

2,863,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POLAND-2.1%

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-2.1%

 

 

 

215,898

 

Eurocash S.A.(a) (cost $3,716,198)

 

2,802,841

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROMANIA-1.8%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.8%

 

 

 

905,000

 

BRD-Groupe Societe Generale(b) (cost $2,162,623)

 

2,387,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RUSSIA-1.5%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.5%

 

 

 

113,000

 

Synergy Co.(a)(b) (cost $2,026,090)

 

2,021,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA-9.7%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-1.8%

 

 

 

1,329,000

 

African Oxygen Limited

 

2,341,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICE-1.6%

 

 

 

284,059

 

JSE Limited

 

2,118,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-4.6%

 

 

 

582,832

 

Clicks Group Limited(a)

 

2,991,213

 

290,735

 

Spar Group Limited(a)

 

3,139,587

 

 

 

 

 

6,130,800

 

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & LEISURE-1.7%

 

 

 

197,150

 

City Lodge Hotels Limited(a)

 

2,273,260

 

 

 

Total South Africa (cost $15,339,018)

 

12,863,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA-3.8%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-2.4%

 

 

 

214,330

 

BS Financial Group, Inc.(a)(b)

 

3,151,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL-1.4%

 

 

 

9,000

 

Shinsegae Co., Limited(a)

 

1,921,626

 

 

 

Total South Korea (cost $4,839,590)

 

5,073,561

 

 



 

SRI LANKA-1.5%

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES-1.5%

 

 

 

81,028

 

John Keells Holdings PLC 11/15/2016(b)

 

$

48,338

 

81,028

 

John Keells Holdings PLC 11/15/2015(b)

 

46,479

 

1,023,076

 

John Keells Holdings PLC(a)

 

1,859,491

 

 

 

 

 

1,954,308

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka (cost $1,824,029)

 

1,954,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THAILAND-5.6%

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-1.2%

 

 

 

148,000

 

Siam City Cement PCL(a)

 

1,593,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS-1.4%

 

 

 

2,444,700

 

Hana Microelectronics PCL

 

1,836,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES-1.0%

 

 

 

520,000

 

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL(a)

 

1,325,873

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA-1.0%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

BEC World PCL(a)

 

1,412,635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.0%

 

 

 

1,130,000

 

Central Pattana PCL(a)

 

1,284,031

 

 

 

Total Thailand (cost $9,909,602)

 

7,453,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TURKEY-5.0%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.2%

 

 

 

1,627,000

 

Turk Ekonomi Bankasi AS(a)(b)

 

1,587,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-2.2%

 

 

 

580,702

 

Cimsa Cimento Sanayi VE Tica(a)

 

2,950,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INSURANCE-1.6%

 

 

 

1,593,000

 

Aksigorta AS(a)

 

2,075,550

 

 

 

Total Turkey (cost $6,651,018)

 

6,613,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GLOBAL-1.0%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-1.0%

 

 

 

7,248,829

(c)

Emerging Markets Ventures l, L.P.(a)(b)(d)(e)(f)

 

309,307

 

2,400,000

(c)

Telesoft Partners II QP, L.P.(a)(b)(e)(f)

 

1,085,136

 

 

 

Total Global (cost $3,834,308)

 

1,394,443

 

 

 

Total Emerging Countries (cost $161,983,557)

 

127,693,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES-3.9%

 

 

 

LUXEMBOURG-1.9%

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-1.9%

 

 

 

243,786

 

O’Key Group S.A., GDR (cost $2,837,036)

 

2,559,753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED KINGDOM-1.7%

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS-1.7%

 

 

 

114,806

 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC(a) (cost $1,756,471)

 

2,263,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES-0.3%

 

 

 

IT SERVICES-0.3%

 

 

 

8,562

 

EPAM Systems, Inc.(b)

 

350,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.0%

 

 

 

1,952,000

(c)

Technology Crossover Ventures IV, L.P.(a)(b)(d)(e)(f)

 

30,080

 

 

 

Total United States (cost $688,794)

 

380,266

 

 

 

Total Developed Countries (cost $5,282,301)

 

5,203,182

 

 

 

Total LONG-TERM Equity Securities-99.9% (cost $167,265,858)

 

132,896,879

 

 

 

Total Investments-99.9% (cost $167,265,858)

 

132,896,879

 

 

 

Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities-0.1%

 

66,657

 

 

 

Net Assets-100.0%

 

$

 132,963,536

 

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)(concluded)

 

January 31, 2014

 


(a) Fair Valued Security. Fair Values are determined pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Directors.

(b) Non-income producing security.

(c) Represents contributed capital.

(d) As of January 31, 2014, the aggregate amount of open commitments for the Fund is $1,524,584.

(e) Illiquid Security.

(f) Restricted security, not readily marketable.

 

ADR American Depositary Receipts.

BDR Brazilian Depositary Receipts.

GDR Global Depositary Receipts.

 


 


 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)(concluded)

 

January 31, 2014

 

(a) Security Valuation:

 

The Fund values its securities at current market value or fair value consistent with regulatory requirements. “Fair value” is defined in the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures as the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The Fund also invests in venture capital private placement securities, which represented 1.9% of the net assets of the Fund as of January 31, 2013. The capital private placement securities are deemed to be restricted securities. In the absence of readily ascertainable market values these securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of the Board, under procedures established by the Board. The Fund’s estimate of fair value assumes a willing buyer and a willing seller neither of whom are acting under the compulsion to buy or sell. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized on such sales could differ from the price originally paid by the Fund or the current carrying values, and the difference could be material. These securities are categorized as Level 3 investment. Level 3 investments have significant unobservable inputs, as they trade infrequently. In determining the fair value of these investments, management uses the market approach which includes as the primary input the capital balance reported; however, adjustments to the reported capital balance may be made based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the attributes of the interest held, including the rights and obligations, and any restrictions or illiquidity of such interests, and the fair value of these venture capital investments.

 

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under GAAP, the Fund discloses the fair value of its investments using a three level hierarchy that classifies the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy assigns Level 1 measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable input, including adjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and Level 3 measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, which are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

 

January 31, 2014

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of January 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Refer to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of

 

Investments, at value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

01/31/2014

 

Long-Term Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobiles

 

$

1,499,826

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,499,826

 

Beverages

 

5,003,349

 

3,288,756

 

 

8,292,105

 

Chemicals

 

3,792,125

 

3,181,691

 

 

6,973,816

 

Commercial Banks

 

7,168,754

 

6,191,446

 

 

13,360,200

 

Commercial Services & Supplies

 

1,384,481

 

 

 

1,384,481

 

Construction Materials

 

1,497,590

 

6,731,929

 

 

8,229,519

 

Diversified Financial Service

 

2,118,012

 

 

 

2,118,012

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments

 

1,836,672

 

 

 

1,836,672

 

Food & Staples Retailing

 

2,559,753

 

8,933,641

 

 

11,493,394

 

Food Products

 

4,749,220

 

 

 

4,749,220

 

Health Care Providers & Services

 

2,599,399

 

1,325,873

 

 

3,925,272

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

 

6,516,245

 

 

6,516,245

 

Industrial Conglomerates

 

94,817

 

1,859,491

 

 

1,954,308

 

Insurance

 

 

2,075,550

 

 

2,075,550

 

IT Services

 

3,663,145

 

 

 

3,663,145

 

Marine

 

 

1,660,777

 

 

1,660,777

 

Media

 

 

1,412,635

 

 

1,412,635

 

Metals & Mining

 

 

568,244

 

 

568,244

 

Multiline Retail

 

3,932,030

 

1,921,626

 

 

5,853,656

 

Personal Products

 

 

2,458,646

 

 

2,458,646

 

Pharmaceuticals

 

 

3,643,230

 

 

3,643,230

 

Real Estate Management & Development

 

7,081,563

 

4,374,955

 

 

11,456,518

 

Road & Rail

 

3,784,699

 

 

 

3,784,699

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

 

2,005,942

 

 

2,005,942

 

Software

 

1,839,594

 

 

 

1,839,594

 

Specialty Retail

 

1,554,750

 

1,825,561

 

 

3,380,311

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

 

2,827,199

 

1,399,567

 

 

4,226,766

 

Trading Companies & Distributors

 

 

2,679,277

 

 

2,679,277

 

Transportation Infrastructure

 

5,526,249

 

1,762,409

 

 

7,288,658

 

Venture Capital

 

 

 

2,566,161

 

2,566,161

 

Total

 

$

64,513,227

 

$

65,817,491

 

$

2,566,161

 

$

132,896,879

 

 

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

 

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing transfers at the end of each period. As described above, certain foreign securities are valued utilizing valuation provided by an independent pricing service to reflect any significant market movements between the time the Fund values such foreign securities and the earlier closing of foreign markets. For some securities, the pricing service is unable to provide a valuation factor, the utilization of these procedures results in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. For the period ended January 31, 2014, the securities issued by Castrol India Limited, City Lodge Hotels Limited, SP Septia Bhd and Godrej Consumer Products Limited in the amounts of $1,366,435, $2,273,260, $1,431,508 and $2,458,646 respectively transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 because there was a valuation factor applied at January 31, 2014. For the period ended January 31, 2014, the securities issued by Petra Foods Limited, PT Bank Permata Tbk, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Oriental Holdings Bhd and The Ramco Cement Ltd. in the amounts of $2,913,272, $1,578,870, $660,511, $1,499,826 and $1,497,590 respectively, transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 because there was not a valuation factor applied at January 31, 2014. For the period ended January 31, 2014, there have been no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

 

January 31, 2014

 

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

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

at 01/31/14

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range

 

 

 

 

 

Partner Capital Value/Net

 

 

 

 

 

Venture Capital

 

$

2,566,161

 

Asset Value

 

Capital Calls & Distributions

 

$0 - $91,801

 

 

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

 

Investments, at value

 

Balance
as of
10/31/13

 

Accrued
discounts/
premiums

 

Realized
gain/(loss)

 

Change in
unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation)

 

Capital
Contributed

 

Distributions/
Sales

 

Transfers
into
Level 3

 

Transfers
out of
Level 3

 

Balance
as of
01/31/14

 

Venture Capital

 

$

2,802,568

 

$

 

$

(625,157

)

$

529,174

 

$

 

$

(140,424

)

$

 

$

 

$

2,566,161

 

Total

 

$

2,802,568

 

$

 

$

(625,157

)

$

529,174

 

$

 

$

(140,424

)

$

 

$

 

$

2,566,161

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation relating to Level 3 investments still held at January 31, 2014 is $(59,604). Below is a chart of the Venture Capital Securities, which as noted above are also considered restricted securities.

 

Security

 

Acquisition Date(s)

 

Cost

 

Fair Value
At 01/31/14

 

Percent of
Net
Assets

 

Distributions
Received

 

Open
Commitments

 

BPA Israel Ventures, LLC

 

10/05/00 - 12/09/05

 

$

1,046,446

 

$

374,320

 

0.28

 

$

211,330

 

$

625,413

 

Concord Fund I Liquidating Main Trust

 

12/08/97 - 09/29/00

 

1,194,943

 

102,702

 

0.08

 

1,386,405

 

 

Emerging Markets Ventures l, L.P.

 

01/22/98 - 01/10/06

 

2,548,727

 

309,307

 

0.23

 

7,478,677

 

851,171

 

Giza GE Venture Fund III, L.P.

 

01/31/00 - 11/23/06

 

1,717,032

 

281,242

 

0.21

 

863,146

 

 

Neurone Ventures II, L.P.

 

11/24/00 - 12/21/10

 

223,817

 

144,846

 

0.11

 

401,833

 

 

SVE Star Ventures Enterprises GmbH & Co. No. IX KG

 

12/21/00 - 08/12/08

 

820,820

 

99,378

 

0.07

 

804,759

 

 

Technology Crossover Ventures IV, L.P.

 

03/08/00 - 09/27/10

 

359,690

 

30,080

 

0.02

 

2,959,616

 

48,000

 

Telesoft Partners II QP, L.P.

 

07/14/00 - 03/01/10

 

1,285,581

 

1,085,136

 

0.82

 

1,109,561

 

 

Vidyo, Inc. Trust

 

10/24/12

 

461,682

 

90,668

 

0.07

 

 

 

Walden-Israel Ventures III, L.P.

 

02/23/01 - 10/20/10

 

692,704

 

48,482

 

0.04

 

1,295,127

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

10,351,442

 

$

2,566,161

 

1.93

 

$

16,510,454

 

$

1,524,584

 

 

The Fund may incur certain costs in connection with the disposition of the above securities.

 

(b)         Short-Term Investment:

 

The Fund sweeps available cash into a short-term time deposit available through Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH & Co.”), the Fund’s custodian. The short-term time deposit is a variable rate account classified as a short-term investment.

 

(c)          Foreign Currency Translation:

 

Foreign securities, currencies, and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate of said currencies against the U.S. Dollar, as of the Valuation Time, as provided by an independent pricing service approved by the Board.

 

Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. Dollars on the following basis:

 

(I)           market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities at the rate of exchange at the Valuation Time; and

 

(II)      purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

The Fund does not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity securities which is due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of equity securities. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses with respect to such securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment transactions balances.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)(concluded)

 

January 31, 2014

 

The Fund reports certain foreign currency related transactions and foreign taxes withheld on security transactions as components of realized gains for financial reporting purposes, whereas such foreign currency related transactions are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Net unrealized currency gains or losses from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of net unrealized appreciation/depreciation in value of investments, and translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

 

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses represent foreign exchange gains and losses from transactions in foreign currencies and forward foreign currency contracts, exchange gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date on security transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received.

 

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. Dollar. When the U.S. Dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Fund’s investments denominated in that currency will lose value because its currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. Dollar falls in relative value.

 

d) Security Transactions and Investment Income:

 

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) from security and currency transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends on foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.

 

(e)               Distributions:

 

On an annual basis, the Fund intends to distribute its net realized capital gains, if any, by way of a final distribution to be declared during the calendar quarter ending December 31. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for foreign currencies.

 

(f)                Federal Income Tax Cost:

 

At January 31, 2014, the identified cost for federal income tax purposes, as well as the gross unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost, gross unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value and the net unrealized depreciation from investments were $167,265,858, $5,392,042, $(39,761,021) and $(34,368,979), respectively.

 

Other information regarding the Fund is available in the Fund’s most recent Report to Shareholders. This information is also available on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

 



 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures

 

a)             The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d15(b)).

 

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

 

Item 3. Exhibits

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

(formerly, Aberdeen Emerging Markets Telecommunications and Infrastructure Fund, Inc.)

 

 

By:

/s/ Christian Pittard

 

 

Christian Pittard,

 

 

Principal Executive Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: March 27, 2014

 

 

 

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

 

 

By:

/s/ Christian Pittard

 

 

Christian Pittard,

 

 

Principal Executive Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: March 27, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrea Melia

 

 

Andrea Melia,

 

 

Principal Financial Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: March 27, 2014