abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund

AEF

Market cap $273M

The abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund offers exposure to emerging markets outside China, managing over $300 million in assets. AEF's high net expense ratio of 1.22% is offset by a strong 9.51% NAV distribution yield and a current 11% discount to NAV. The fund tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Ex. China Index, focusing on blue-chip names like TSMC and Samsung, with heavy IT sector exposure.

PHILADELPHIA , Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The following Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE: ACP, AGD, AOD, ASGI, AWP, THQ, THW and NYSE American: AEF, FAX, FCO, VFL), announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on September 30, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of September 23, 2025 (ex-dividend date September 23, 2025).

AEF offers unique emerging markets exposure excluding China, with policy changes and a new benchmark tied to a conditional tender offer. Activist pressure has led to tender offers and a higher distribution yield, narrowing the fund's discount but raising questions on potential sustainability. Given the efforts of the fund to narrow the discount, it has worked to some degree, but that can also make it less appealing for a new investor today.

PHILADELPHIA , June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The following Aberdeen Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE: ACP, AGD, AOD, ASGI, AWP, THQ, THW and NYSE American: AEF, FAX, FCO, VFL), announced today that the closed end funds in the chart directly below will pay the distributions indicated on a per share basis on June 30, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of June 23, 2025 (ex-dividend date June 23, 2025). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ACP NYSE abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund $   0.0775 AEF NYSE American Abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund, Inc. $   0.1500 AGD NYSE abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund $   0.1100 AOD NYSE abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund $   0.0900 ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $   0.2100 AWP NYSE abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund $   0.0400 FAX NYSE American abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $   0.1650 FCO NYSE American abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. $   0.0700 THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $   0.1800 THW NYSE abrdn World Healthcare Fund $   0.1167 VFL NYSE American abrdn National Municipal Income Fund $   0.0500 FCO's shares are currently trading at a premium to net asset value.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / March 11, 2025 / abrdn Emerging Markets ex-China Fund, Inc. (NYSE American:AEF), (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund, announced today details of the first distribution under the increased 10% rate. The Fund will pay the $0.15 distribution indicated on a per share basis on March 31, 2025, to all shareholders of record as of March 25, 2025 (ex-dividend date March 25, 2025).

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2025 / abrdn Emerging Markets Equity ex-China Fund, Inc. (formerly, abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc.) (NYSE American:AEF), announced today the final results of its cash tender for up to 10,150,355 shares, representing approximately 20% of the Fund's outstanding shares. The offer expired at 5:00 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / February 21, 2025 / abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE American:AEF), a non-diversified closed-end fund, announces today the preliminary results of its cash tender for up to 10,150,355 shares, representing approximately 20% of the Fund's outstanding shares. The offer expired at 5:00 p.m.

The abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund is shifting to an "ex-China" strategy, aiming to align with investor sentiment and reduce exposure to Chinese equities. The fund's new policies include a 20% tender offer, a performance-based tender offer policy, and an increased distribution rate from 6.5% to 10%. Despite these changes, the fund's historical performance has been underwhelming, and I remain skeptical about its ability to outperform low-fee ETFs like the Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / January 21, 2025 / abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE American:AEF), a non-diversified closed-end fund, announced today the commencement of the previously announced cash tender offer to purchase up to 10,150,355 shares, representing approximately 20% of the Fund's outstanding shares, at a price per share equal to 98% of the Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per share as determined by the Fund on the next business day immediately following the day the tender expires. The offer commences at 12:01 am, January 21, 2025, and will expire at 5:00 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2024 / abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE American:AEF) announces results of a strategic review conducted by the Fund's Board of Directors (the "Board") at a meeting held today. The Board has approved multiple changes to the Fund including: (1) changes to the Fund's name and 80% non-fundamental investment policy; (2) a 20% tender offer to be offered in the first quarter of 2025; (3) a new 3-year performance-based conditional tender offer policy commencing on March 1, 2025; and (4) an increase to its annualized distribution rate from 6.5% to 10% effective with the distribution that will be declared in March 2025.