Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition

PHILADELPHIA, April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSEAMEX: LAQ), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of February 28, 2010.

The Fund's total returns for various periods through February 28, 2010 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       872.1         13.2          722.3           12.2
    (October 1991)
    10-years              336.8         15.9          424.4           18.0
    5-years               179.1         22.8          185.1           23.3
    3-years                41.5         12.3           39.6           11.7
    1-year                       110.5                         120.4
    
    

On February 28, 2010, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$255.0 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $41.75.

As of February 28, 2010, the portfolio was invested as follows:

    
    
    
    
                                                      Percent of
    Portfolio Composition                             Net Assets
    Financials                                           20.9
    Consumer, Non-Cyclical                               18.5
    Basic Materials                                      17.2
    Industrials                                          12.5
    Consumer, Cyclical                                   10.2
    Energy                                                8.4
    Communications                                        8.0
    Utilities                                             1.9
    Other                                                 1.8
    Diversified                                           0.6
    
    

The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of February 28, 2010, representing 51.8% of net assets, were:

    
    
    
    
    Stock                                            Percent of
                                                     Net Assets
    Vale SA                                              8.7
    Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobas                      8.4
    America Movil SAB de CV                              5.5
    Banco Bradesco SA                                    5.3
    Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV                   4.4
    Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV                 4.3
    Lojas Renner SA                                      4.2
    Tenaris SA                                           3.9
    Multiplan Empreendimentos                            3.6
    Ultrapar Participacoes SA                            3.5
    
    

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 30, 1991.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.