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:

 

July 31, 2013

 



 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

 

The schedule of investments for the three-month period ended July 31, 2013 is filed herewith.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)

 

July 31, 2013

 

No. of
Shares

 

Description

 

Value

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES-99.9%

 

 

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES IN EMERGING COUNTRIES-95.1%

 

 

 

BRAZIL-13.0%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES-1.2%

 

 

 

140,000

 

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

 

$

2,120,850

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES-1.9%

 

 

 

815,000

 

Odontoprev S.A.

 

3,340,237

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-2.9%

 

 

 

173,155

 

Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers S.A.

 

1,745,706

 

156,000

 

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios S.A.

 

3,443,645

 

 

 

 

 

5,189,351

 

ROAD & RAIL-1.8%

 

 

 

230,450

 

Localiza Rent a Car S.A.

 

3,282,979

 

 

 

 

 

SOFTWARE-1.4%

 

 

 

159,000

 

Totvs S.A.

 

2,509,041

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL-1.0%

 

 

 

128,000

 

Cia Hering

 

1,716,878

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS-1.9%

 

 

 

221,000

 

Arezzo Industria e Comercio S.A.

 

3,446,722

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-0.9%

 

 

 

149,000

 

Wilson Sons Limited, BDR

 

1,694,852

 

 

 

Total Brazil (cost $28,294,325)

 

23,300,910

 

 

 

 

 

CHILE-3.3%

 

 

 

IT SERVICES-1.0%

 

 

 

671,000

 

Sonda S.A.

 

1,748,504

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-2.3%

 

 

 

1,901,814

 

Parque Arauco S.A.

 

4,063,446

 

 

 

Total Chile (cost $7,388,837)

 

5,811,950

 

 

 

 

 

CHINA-2.7%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-1.4%

 

 

 

2,823,500

 

Yingde Gases Group Co., Limited(a)

 

2,564,585

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.3%

 

 

 

2,385,000

 

Yanlord Land Group Limited(a)

 

2,314,956

 

 

 

Total China (cost $5,839,167)

 

4,879,541

 

 

 

 

 

HONG KONG-7.5%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.5%

 

 

 

2,296,000

 

Dah Sing Banking Group Limited(a)

 

2,665,407

 

 

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTURANTS & LEISURE-1.2%

 

 

 

664,000

 

Cafe de Coral Holdings Limited(a)

 

2,157,178

 

 

 

 

 

MARINE-1.3%

 

 

 

4,215,000

 

Pacific Basin Shipping Limited(a)

 

2,275,559

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIALTY RETAIL-1.6%

 

 

 

2,958,000

 

Giordano International Limited(a)

 

2,928,042

 

 

 

 

 

TEXTILES, APPAREL & LUXURY GOODS-0.8%

 

 

 

1,460,000

 

Texwinca Holdings Limited(a)

 

1,425,956

 

 



 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-1.1%

 

 

 

136,000

 

Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Limited(a)

 

$

1,893,138

 

 

 

Total Hong Kong (cost $14,053,358)

 

13,345,280

 

 

 

 

 

INDIA-7.4%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-1.9%

 

 

 

326,000

 

Castrol India Limited(a)

 

1,685,626

 

85,000

 

Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited

 

1,641,148

 

 

 

 

 

3,326,774

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-0.9%

 

 

 

581,000

 

Madras Cements Limited(a)

 

1,533,324

 

 

 

 

 

IT SERVICES-1.2%

 

 

 

336,000

 

Mphasis Limited

 

2,224,159

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONAL PRODUCTS-1.7%

 

 

 

238,000

 

Godrej Consumer Products Limited

 

3,131,321

 

 

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS-0.8%

 

 

 

154,500

 

Piramal Enterprises Ltd.(a)

 

1,397,298

 

 

 

 

 

ROAD & RAIL-0.9%

 

 

 

102,000

 

Container Corp. of India

 

1,666,758

 

 

 

Total India (cost $15,815,841)

 

13,279,634

 

 

 

 

 

INDONESIA-6.8%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.4%

 

 

 

15,300,000

 

PT Bank Permata Tbk(b)

 

2,411,676

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-1.3%

 

 

 

9,264,000

 

PT Holcim Indonesia Tbk(a)

 

2,364,541

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS-2.2%

 

 

 

1,248,000

 

Petra Foods Limited(a)

 

3,918,321

 

 

 

 

 

METALS & MINING-0.3%

 

 

 

3,560,000

 

PT Vale Indonesia Tbk(a)

 

611,568

 

 

 

 

 

TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS-1.6%

 

 

 

6,655,500

 

PT AKR Corporindo Tbk(a)

 

2,794,701

 

 

 

Total Indonesia (cost $14,638,002)

 

12,100,807

 

 

 

 

 

ISRAEL-0.8%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.8%

 

 

 

1,674,587

(c)

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

 

355,599

 

2,000,000

(c)

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

 

102,702

 

2,750,000

(c)

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

 

424,627

 

742,434

(c)

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

 

157,841

 

2,001,470

(c)

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

 

251,865

 

1,375,001

(c)

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

 

152,089

 

 

 

 

 

1,444,723

 

 

 

Total Israel (cost $6,279,117)

 

1,444,723

 

 

 

 

 

KENYA-1.7%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.7%

 

 

 

797,000

 

East African Breweries Limited (cost $2,904,972)

 

3,065,736

 

 

 

 

 

LATIN AMERICA-0.0%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.0%

 

 

 

2,373,756

(c)

JP Morgan Latin America Capital Partners, L.P.(a)(b)(d)(e)(f) (cost $625,157)

 

46,810

 

 

 

 

 

LEBANON-1.1%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.1%

 

 

 

225,000

 

BLOM Bank SAL, GDR (cost $1,984,945)

 

1,991,250

 

 

 

 

 

MALAYSIA-8.6%

 

 

 

AUTOMOBILES-1.1%

 

 

 

683,000

 

Oriental Holdings BHD(a)

 

2,037,268

 

 



 

BEVERAGES-2.1%

 

 

 

225,000

 

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd(a)

 

$

1,019,553

 

150,000

 

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd

 

846,178

 

333,000

 

Guinness Anchor Bhd

 

1,847,719

 

 

 

 

 

3,713,450

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-0.3%

 

 

 

170,000

 

Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd

 

541,862

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD PRODUCTS-1.0%

 

 

 

216,000

 

United Plantations Bhd

 

1,733,860

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL-3.0%

 

 

 

1,146,000

 

Aeon Co. M Bhd

 

5,475,647

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.1%

 

 

 

1,875,000

 

SP Setia Bhd

 

1,930,487

 

 

 

Total Malaysia (cost $15,218,012)

 

15,432,574

 

 

 

 

 

MEXICO-3.2%

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE-3.2%

 

 

 

210,000

 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte S.A.B. de C.V., ADR(b) (cost $4,595,808)

 

5,781,300

 

 

 

 

 

NETHERLANDS-1.6%

 

 

 

SEMICONDUCTORS & SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT-1.6%

 

 

 

90,000

 

ASM International NV(a) (cost $3,267,945)

 

2,833,875

 

 

 

 

 

NIGERIA-1.6%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.6%

 

 

 

1,886,000

 

Guinness Nigeria PLC (cost $3,172,325)

 

2,877,148

 

 

 

 

 

OMAN-1.4%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.4%

 

 

 

418,000

 

BankMuscat SAOG, GDR(a) (cost $2,748,457)

 

2,558,160

 

 

 

 

 

PHILIPPINES-2.2%

 

 

 

HOTELS, RESTURANTS & LEISURE-2.2%

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Jollibee Foods Corp.(a) (cost $3,321,417)

 

3,925,763

 

 

 

 

 

POLAND-2.2%

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-2.2%

 

 

 

208,000

 

Eurocash S.A. (cost $3,629,597)

 

3,872,098

 

 

 

 

 

QATAR-1.1%

 

 

 

INSURANCE-1.1%

 

 

 

121,000

 

Qatar Insurance Co. (cost $2,082,360)

 

2,040,287

 

 

 

 

 

ROMANIA-1.4%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.4%

 

 

 

1,065,000

 

BRD-Groupe Societe Generale(b) (cost $2,544,966)

 

2,518,755

 

 

 

 

 

RUSSIA-1.0%

 

 

 

BEVERAGES-1.0%

 

 

 

113,000

 

Synergy Co. (a)(b) (cost $2,026,090)

 

1,748,743

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA-9.9%

 

 

 

CHEMICALS-1.8%

 

 

 

1,649,000

 

African Oxygen Limited

 

3,309,534

 

 

 

 

 

DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL SERVICE-1.7%

 

 

 

374,000

 

JSE Limited

 

3,055,916

 

 

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-4.7%

 

 

 

693,000

 

Clicks Group Limited(a)

 

4,023,458

 

379,000

 

Spar Group Limited(a)

 

4,402,459

 

 

 

 

 

8,425,917

 

 



 

HOTELS, RESTURANTS & LEISURE-1.7%

 

 

 

228,729

 

City Lodge Hotels Limited

 

$

3,007,060

 

 

 

Total South Africa (cost $19,242,093)

 

17,798,427

 

 

 

 

 

SOUTH KOREA-3.9%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-2.3%

 

 

 

286,000

 

BS Financial Group, Inc.(a)

 

4,082,432

 

 

 

 

 

MULTILINE RETAIL-1.6%

 

 

 

14,700

 

Shinsegae Co., Limited(a)

 

2,860,417

 

 

 

Total South Korea (cost $7,009,374)

 

6,942,849

 

 

 

 

 

SRI LANKA-1.8%

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL CONGLOMERATES-1.8%

 

 

 

1,580,000

 

John Keells Holdings PLC(a) (cost $3,063,687)

 

3,130,986

 

 

 

 

 

THAILAND-5.7%

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-1.2%

 

 

 

160,000

 

Siam City Cement PCL(a)

 

2,184,916

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS-1.1%

 

 

 

3,050,000

 

Hana Microelectronics PCL(a)

 

1,979,143

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS & SERVICES-0.9%

 

 

 

651,000

 

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL(a)

 

1,687,615

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIA-1.3%

 

 

 

1,189,000

 

BEC World PCL(a)

 

2,336,662

 

 

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT-1.2%

 

 

 

1,512,000

 

Central Pattana PCL(a)

 

2,079,523

 

 

 

Total Thailand (cost $12,068,555)

 

10,267,859

 

 

 

 

 

TURKEY-4.4%

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL BANKS-1.0%

 

 

 

1,627,000

 

Turk Ekonomi Bankasi AS(a)(b)

 

1,853,926

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS-2.2%

 

 

 

667,425

 

Cimsa Cimento Sanayi VE Tica(a)

 

3,857,750

 

 

 

 

 

INSURANCE-1.2%

 

 

 

1,705,000

 

Aksigorta AS(a)

 

2,158,050

 

 

 

Total Turkey (cost $7,328,344)

 

7,869,726

 

 

 

 

 

GLOBAL-0.8%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.8%

 

 

 

7,248,829

(c)

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

 

305,973

 

2,400,000

(c)

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

 

1,084,488

 

 

 

Total Global (cost $3,834,308)

 

1,390,461

 

 

 

Total Emerging Countries (cost $192,977,059)

 

170,255,652

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM EQUITY SECURITIES IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES-4.8%

 

 

 

LUXEMBOURG-2.5%

 

 

 

FOOD & STAPLES RETAILING-2.5%

 

 

 

343,000

 

O’Key Group S.A., GDR(a) (cost $3,991,629)

 

4,432,839

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED KINGDOM-2.3%

 

 

 

PHARMACEUTICALS-2.3%

 

 

 

244,000

 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC(a) (cost $3,734,489)

 

4,122,908

 

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES-0.0%

 

 

 

VENTURE CAPITAL-0.0%

 

 

 

1,952,000

(c)

Technology Crossover Ventures IV, L.P.(a)(b)(d)(e)(f) (cost $359,691)

 

26,606

 

 

 

Total Developed Countries (cost $8,085,809)

 

8,582,353

 

 

 

Total LONG-TERM Equity Securities-99.9% (cost $201,062,868)

 

178,838,005

 

 



 

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

Amount
(000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT-1.0%

 

 

 

GRAND CAYMAN-1.0%

 

 

 

$

1,803

 

Wells Fargo, overnight deposit, 0.03%, 08/01/13 (cost $1,803,000)

 

$

1,803,000

 

 

 

Total Investments-100.9% (cost $202,865,868)

 

180,641,005

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets-(0.9)%

 

(1,600,973

)

 

 

Net Assets-100.0%

 

$

 179,040,032

 

 


(a)              Security was fair valued as of July 31, 2013. Security is valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) under procedures established by the Board.

(b)              Non-income producing security.

(c)               Represents contributed capital.

(d)              Illiquid Security.

(e)               As of July 31, 2013, the aggregate amount of open commitments for the Fund is $1,958,000.

(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)

 

July 31, 2013

 

(a) Security Valuation:

 

The Fund is required to value its securities 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.

 

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 fair valuation factors described in the paragraph below. The Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York 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 are valued at the market price of the security at the Valuation Time. A security using any of these pricing methodologies is determined as 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 on the mean price as noted above. Valuation factors are provided by an independent pricing service provider. Their valuation factors are used when pricing the Fund’s portfolio holding to estimate market movements between the time markets close and the time the Fund values such foreign securities. When the 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. These valuation factors are based on inputs, such as depositary receipts, S&P 500 Index/S&P 500 Futures, Nikkei 225 Futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and historical opening and closing prices of each security. If the pricing service is unable to provide a valuation factor, or if the valuation factor falls below a predetermined threshold, the security is valued at the last sale price. A security that applies a valuation factor is determined as a Level 2 investment. When no valuation factor is applied, the security is determined as a Level 1 investment.

 

In the event that a security’s market quotation is not readily available or is deemed unreliable, the fair value of a security is determined by the Fund’s Pricing Committee (which is appointed by the Board of Directors), taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances. A security that has been fair valued 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 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 prices realized on such sales could differ from the prices originally paid by the Fund or the current carrying values, and the difference could be material. These securities are categorized as Level 3 investments. 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 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)

 

July 31, 2013

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of July 31, 2013 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:

 

Investments, at value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Balance as of
07/31/2013

 

Long-Term Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobiles

 

$

 

$

2,037,268

 

$

 

$

2,037,268

 

Beverages

 

10,385,524

 

1,019,553

 

 

11,405,077

 

Chemicals

 

4,950,682

 

4,250,211

 

 

9,200,893

 

Commercial Banks

 

9,479,841

 

8,601,765

 

 

18,081,606

 

Commercial Services & Supplies

 

2,120,850

 

 

 

2,120,850

 

Construction Materials

 

2,726,778

 

7,755,615

 

 

10,482,393

 

Diversified Financial Service

 

3,055,916

 

 

 

3,055,916

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments

 

1,979,143

 

 

 

1,979,143

 

Food & Staples Retailing

 

3,872,098

 

12,858,756

 

 

16,730,854

 

Food Products

 

1,733,860

 

3,918,321

 

 

5,652,181

 

Health Care Providers & Services

 

5,027,852

 

 

 

5,027,852

 

Hotels, Resturants & Leisure

 

3,007,060

 

6,082,941

 

 

9,090,001

 

Industrial Conglomerates

 

 

3,130,986

 

 

3,130,986

 

Insurance

 

2,040,287

 

2,158,050

 

 

4,198,337

 

IT Services

 

3,972,663

 

 

 

3,972,663

 

Marine

 

 

2,275,559

 

 

2,275,559

 

Media

 

2,336,662

 

 

 

2,336,662

 

Metals & Mining

 

 

611,568

 

 

611,568

 

Multiline Retail

 

5,475,647

 

2,860,417

 

 

8,336,064

 

Personal Products

 

3,131,321

 

 

 

3,131,321

 

Pharmaceuticals

 

 

5,520,206

 

 

5,520,206

 

Real Estate Management & Development

 

13,262,807

 

2,314,956

 

 

15,577,763

 

Road & Rail

 

4,949,737

 

 

 

4,949,737

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

 

 

2,833,875

 

 

2,833,875

 

Software

 

2,509,041

 

 

 

2,509,041

 

Specialty Retail

 

1,716,878

 

2,928,042

 

 

4,644,920

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

 

3,446,722

 

1,425,956

 

 

4,872,678

 

Trading Companies & Distributors

 

 

2,794,701

 

 

2,794,701

 

Transportation Infrastructure

 

7,476,152

 

1,893,138

 

 

9,369,290

 

Venture Capital

 

 

 

2,908,600

 

2,908,600

 

Short-Term Investments

 

 

1,803,000

 

 

1,803,000

 

Total

 

$

98,657,521

 

$

79,074,884

 

$

2,908,600

 

$

180,641,005

 

 

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 fair valued utilizing 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 July 31, 2013, the security issued by Cimsa Cimento Sanayi VE Tica, in the amount of $3,857,750, transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 because there was a fair value factor applied at July 31, 2013. For the period ended July 31, 2013, there have been no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s venture capital holdings are audited financial statements, 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.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

 

July 31, 2013

 

 

 

Fair Value
at 07/31/13

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

 

 

 

 

Partner Capital Value/Net

 

 

 

 

 

Venture Capital

 

$

2,908,600

 

Asset Value

 

Capital Calls & Distributions

 

$53,124 - $(171,513)

 

 

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
10/31/2012

 

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
07/31/2013

 

Venture Capital

 

$

3,842,416

 

$

 

$

(3,017,973

)

$

2,811,944

 

$

53,124

 

$

(780,911

)

$

 

$

 

$

2,908,600

 

Total

 

$

3,842,416

 

$

 

$

(3,017,973

)

$

2,811,944

 

$

53,124

 

$

(780,911

)

$

 

$

 

$

2,908,600

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation relating to Level 3 investments still held at July 31, 2013 is $2,811,944.

 

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 07/31/13

 

Percent of
Net
Assets

 

Distributions
Received

 

Open
Commitments

 

BPA Israel Ventures, LLC

 

10/05/00 - 12/09/05

 

$

1,046,446

 

$

355,599

 

0.20

 

$

211,330

 

$

625,413

 

Concord Fund I Liquidating Main Trust

 

12/08/97 - 09/29/00

 

1,194,943

 

102,702

 

0.06

 

1,386,405

 

 

Emerging Markets Ventures l, L.P.

 

01/22/98 - 01/10/06

 

2,548,727

 

305,973

 

0.17

 

7,478,677

 

851,171

 

Giza GE Venture Fund III, L.P.

 

01/31/00 - 11/23/06

 

1,765,654

 

424,627

 

0.24

 

770,820

 

 

JP Morgan Latin America Capital Partners, L.P.

 

04/10/00 - 03/20/08

 

625,157

 

46,810

 

0.03

 

2,470,983

 

414,666

 

Neurone Ventures II, L.P.

 

11/24/00 - 12/21/10

 

205,067

 

157,841

 

0.09

 

401,833

 

18,750

 

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

 

12/21/00 - 08/12/08

 

1,282,502

 

251,865

 

0.14

 

804,759

 

 

Technology Crossover Ventures IV, L.P.

 

03/08/00 - 09/27/10

 

359,691

 

26,606

 

0.01

 

2,959,616

 

48,000

 

Telesoft Partners II QP, L.P.

 

07/14/00 - 03/01/10

 

1,285,581

 

1,084,488

 

0.61

 

1,109,561

 

 

Walden-Israel Ventures III, L.P.

 

02/23/01 - 10/20/10

 

784,505

 

152,089

 

0.08

 

1,203,325

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

11,098,273

 

$

2,908,600

 

1.63

 

$

18,797,309

 

$

1,958,000

 

 

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.

 

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.

 



 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Portfolio of Investments (unaudited) (concluded)

 

July 31, 2013

 

Net realized foreign currency transactions 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:

 

Securities 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 is recorded on an accrual basis. 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 July 31, 2013, 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 appreciation from investments were $202,865,868, $7,557,090, $(29,781,953) and $(22,224,863), 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.

 

(g) Subsequent Events:

 

Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financials statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no adjustments were required to the financial statements as of July 31, 2013.

 



 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures

 

a)             The Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) were effective as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report (the “Evaluation Date”), based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)), as of the Evaluation Date.

 

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: September  26, 2013

 

 

 

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: September 26, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrea Melia

 

 

Andrea Melia,

 

 

Principal Financial Officer of

 

 

Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: September  26, 2013