Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
(a) A copy of the report transmitted to shareholders
pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) is filed herewith.
Letter to Shareholders (unaudited)
Dear Shareholder,
We present this Semi-Annual Report which covers the activities of Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund (the "Fund") for the six-month period ended April 30, 2022. The Fund's investment objective is
to seek high current income and capital appreciation.
Total Investment Return1
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the total return to shareholders
of the Fund based on the net asset value ("NAV") and market price of the Fund are as follows:
NAV2,3 |
|
-7.0% |
Market Price2 |
|
-8.9% |
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index
(Net Dividends)4 |
|
-5.4% |
For more information about Fund performance, please visit the Fund on
the web at www.aberdeenawp.com. Here, you can view quarterly commentary on the Fund's performance, monthly fact sheets, distribution and
performance information, and other Fund literature.
NAV, Market Price and Premium/Discount
The below table represents comparison from current six-month period end
to prior fiscal year end of market price to NAV and associated premium(+)/discount(-).
|
NAV |
|
Closing
Market
Price |
|
Premium(+)/
Discount(-) |
4/30/2022 |
$6.12 |
|
$5.75 |
|
-6.0% |
10/31/2021 |
$6.84 |
|
$6.56 |
|
-4.1% |
During the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the Fund's NAV was
within a range of $6.12 to $7.10 and the Fund's market price traded within a range of $5.75 to $6.84. During the six-month period ended
April 30, 2022, the Fund's shares traded within a range of a premium(+)/discount(-) of -0.8% to -8.7%.
Loan Facility and Use of Leverage
The Fund is permitted to borrow for investment purposes as may be permitted
by the 1940 Act or any rule, order or interpretation thereunder. This allows the Fund to borrow for investment purposes in the amount
up to 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets. The Fund has
entered into a lending agreement with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International
Ltd. ("BNPP PB") which allows the Fund to borrow on an uncommitted and secured basis up to $175 million. The Fund's outstanding
balance as of April 30, 2022 was $125,307,482. See Notes to Financial Statements Note 6 for further information.
Distribution Policy
Distributions to common shareholders for the six months ended April 30,
2022 totaled $0.24 per share. Based on the market price of $5.75 on April 30, 2022, the annualized distribution rate for the period ended
April 30, 2022 was 8.4%. Based on the NAV of $6.12 on April 30, 2022, the annualized distribution rate for the period ended April 30,
2022 was 6.5%. Since all distributions are paid after deducting applicable withholding taxes, the effective distribution rate may be higher
for those U.S. investors who are able to claim a tax credit.
On May 10, 2022 and June 9, 2022, the Fund announced that it will pay
on May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively, a distribution of U.S. $0.04 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2022
and June 22, 2022, respectively.
The Fund's policy is to provide investors with a stable monthly distribution
out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital, which is a non-taxable return
of capital. This policy is subject to an annual review as well as regular review at the Board of Trustees of the Fund's (the "Board")
quarterly meetings, unless market conditions require an earlier evaluation.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
The Fund's complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and
fourth quarters of each fiscal year are included in the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders. The Fund files its complete
schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the first and third quarters of each
fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. These reports are available on the SEC's website at sec.gov. The Fund makes the
information available to shareholders upon request and without charge by calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465.
| 1 | Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment
returns and principal value will fluctuate and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than original cost. Current performance may
be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Net asset value return data include investment management fees, custodial charges and
administrative fees (such as Trustee and legal fees) and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. |
| 2 | Assuming the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
| 3 | The Fund's total return is based on the reported NAV for each
financial reporting period end and may differ from what is reported on the Financial Highlights due to financial statement rounding or
adjustments. |
| 4 | The FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index is a total return
index that is designed to represent general trends in eligible real estate equities worldwide. Indexes are unmanaged and have been provided
for comparison purposes only. No fees or expenses are reflected. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties
Fund |
1 |
Letter to Shareholders (unaudited)
(continued)
Open Market Repurchase Program
On June 13, 2018, the Board approved a share repurchase program ("Program")
for the Fund. The Program allows the Fund to purchase, in the open market, its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of
any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's investment adviser and subject to market conditions and investment considerations.
During the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 and fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through
the Program.
Proxy Voting
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine
how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities
during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available by August 31 of the relevant year: (1) upon request without charge by
calling Investor Relations toll-free at 1-800-522-5465; and (2) on the SEC's website at sec.gov.
COVID-19
The COVID-19, pandemic has caused major disruption to economies and markets
around the world, including the United States. Financial markets have experienced losses, and some sectors of the economy and individual
issuers have experienced particularly large losses. Although many financial markets have generally recovered from such losses, market
volatility has continued. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time, and as a result may affect adversely the value
and liquidity of the Fund's investments. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate
adverse impact of COVID-19 on economic and market conditions, and, as a result, present uncertainty and risk with respect to the Fund
and the performance of its investments and ability to pay distributions. The full extent of the impact and effects of COVID-19 will depend
on future developments, including, among other factors, the duration and spread of the outbreak, along with related travel advisories,
quarantines and restrictions, the recovery time of the disrupted supply chains and industries, the impact of labor market interruptions,
the impact of government interventions, and uncertainty with respect to the duration of the global economic slowdown.
LIBOR
The Fund may invest in certain derivatives or other financial instruments
that utilize LIBOR as a "benchmark" or "reference rate" for various interest rate calculations. In July 2017, the
United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR
by the end of 2021. However, subsequent announcements by the FCA, the LIBOR
administrator and other regulators indicate that it is possible that
the most widely used LIBOR rates may continue until mid-2023. It is anticipated that LIBOR ultimately will be discontinued or the regulator
will announce that it is no longer sufficiently robust to be representative of its underlying market around that time. Although financial
regulators and industry working groups have suggested alternative reference rates, such as European Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR"),
Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate ("SONIA") and Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), global consensus
on alternative rates is lacking and the process for amending existing contracts or instruments to transition away from LIBOR remains unclear.
The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference
rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may
adversely affect the Fund's performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability
of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from
LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values
of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished
effectiveness of hedging strategies, adversely affecting the Fund's performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation
of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not
completed in a timely manner.
Unclaimed Share Accounts
Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for
certain states require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property (including Fund shares) to the state. Each
state has its own definition of unclaimed property, and Fund shares could be considered "unclaimed property" due to
account inactivity (e.g., no owner-generated activity for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is
returned to the Fund's transfer agent as undeliverable), or a combination of both. If your Fund shares are categorized as unclaimed,
your financial advisor or the Fund's transfer agent will follow the applicable state's statutory requirements to contact you, but if
unsuccessful, laws may require that the shares be escheated to the appropriate state. If this happens, you will have to contact the
state to recover your property, which may involve time and expense. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain
an active account, please contact your financial adviser or the Fund's transfer agent.
2 |
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund |
Letter to Shareholders (unaudited)
(concluded)
abrdn Rebrand
abrdn plc, formerly known as Standard Life Aberdeen plc, was renamed
on September 27, 2021. In connection with this re-branding, the entities within abrdn plc group, including investment advisory entities,
have been or will be renamed in the near future. The Fund's Board has approved a change in the name of the Fund from "Aberdeen Global
Premier Properties Fund" to "abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund" effective on or about June 30, 2022. The internet address
for the Fund's website will also change from www.aberdeenawp.com to www.abrdnawp.com, effective as of June 30, 2022. The old address will
continue to redirect to the new address for at least a year.
Investor Relations Information
As part of abrdn's commitment to shareholders, we invite you to visit
the Fund on the web at www.aberdeenawp.com. Here, you can view monthly fact sheets, quarterly commentary, distribution and performance
information, and other Fund literature.
Enroll in abrdn's email services and be among the first to receive the
latest closed-end fund news, announcements, videos and other information. In addition, you can receive electronic versions of
important Fund documents including annual reports, semi-annual reports,
prospectuses, and proxy statements. Sign up today at https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/contact-us/preferences
Contact Us:
| • | Visit: https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter |
| • | Email: Investor.Relations@abrdn.com; or |
| • | Call: 1-800-522-5465 (toll free in the U.S.). |
Yours sincerely,
/s/ Christian Pittard
Christian Pittard
President
All amounts are U.S. Dollars unless otherwise
stated.
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund |
3 |
Total Investment Return (unaudited)
The following table summarizes the average annual
Fund performance compared to the Fund's benchmark, the Financial Times Stock Exchange European Public Real Estate Association/National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (FTSE EPRA/NAREIT) Global Real Estate Index (Net Dividends) for the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year,
5-year and 10-year periods ended April 30, 2022.
| |
6 Months | |
1 Year | |
3 Years | |
5 Years | |
10 Years |
Net Asset Value ("NAV") | |
-7.0% | |
0.3% | |
6.0% | |
7.1% | |
7.5% |
Market Price | |
-8.9% | |
-2.4% | |
7.5% | |
8.2% | |
8.2% |
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global Real Estate Index (Net Dividends) | |
-5.4% | |
0.0% | |
2.7% | |
4.7% | |
5.7% |
Performance of a $10,000 Investment (as of April 30, 2022)
This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical
investment of $10,000 in the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.
The Fund changed its investment objective effective
May 27, 2020. Performance information for periods prior to May 27, 2020 does not reflect the current investment strategy.
Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited ("AAML"
or the "Adviser") and abrdn Inc. (the "Sub-Adviser") assumed responsibility for the management of the Fund as investment
adviser and sub-adviser, respectively, on May 7, 2018. Performance prior to this date reflects the performance of an unaffiliated investment
adviser.
Effective May 4, 2018, AAML entered into a written
contract with the Fund to waive fees or limit expenses. This contract may not be terminated before June 30, 2022. Absent such waivers
and/or reimbursements, the Fund's returns would be lower. Additionally, abrdn Inc. entered into an agreement with the Fund to limit investor
relations services fees. This agreement aligns with the term of the advisory agreement and may not be terminated prior to the end of
the current term of the advisory agreement. See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Returns represent past performance. Total investment
return at NAV is based on changes in the NAV of Fund shares and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any, at market
prices pursuant to the dividend reinvestment program. All return data at NAV includes fees charged to the Fund, which are listed in the
Fund's Statement of Operations under "Expenses." Total investment return at market value is based on changes in the market
price at which the Fund's shares traded on the NYSE during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any,
at market prices pursuant to the dividend reinvestment program. The Fund's total investment return is based on the reported NAV or market
price, as applicable, at the financial reporting period end. Because the Fund's shares trade in the stock market based on investor demand,
the Fund may trade at a price higher or lower than its NAV. Therefore, returns are calculated based on both market price and NAV. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results. The performance information provided does not reflect the deduction of taxes that
a shareholder would pay on distributions received from the Fund. The current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the
figures shown. The Fund's yield, return, market price and NAV will fluctuate. Performance information current to the most recent month-end
is available at www.aberdeenawp.com or by calling 800-522-5465.
The annualized net operating expense ratio,
excluding fee waivers based on the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 was 1.59%. The annualized net operating expense ratio, net of
fee waivers based on the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 was 1.37%. The annualized net operating expenses, net of fee waivers and
excluding interest expense based on the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 was 1.19%.
4 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Portfolio
Summary (as a percentage of net assets) (unaudited)
As of April 30, 2022
The following table summarizes the sector composition of the Fund's
portfolio, in S&P Global Inc.'s Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") Sectors.
Sub-Industries |
|
|
Residential
REITs |
|
20.9 |
% |
Industrial
REITs |
|
20.2 |
% |
Specialized
REITs |
|
18.3 |
% |
Retail
REITs |
|
14.4 |
% |
Office
REITs |
|
12.3 |
% |
Health
Care REITs |
|
8.4 |
% |
Real
Estate Operating Companies |
|
7.7 |
% |
Diversified
REITs |
|
7.1 |
% |
Diversified
Real Estate Activities |
|
6.2 |
% |
Real
Estate Development |
|
4.8 |
% |
Hotel
& Resort REITs |
|
2.6 |
% |
Mortgage
REITs |
|
0.6 |
% |
Homebuilding |
|
0.2 |
% |
Liabilities
in Excess of Other Assets |
|
(23.7 |
)% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
The following chart summarizes the composition of the Fund's portfolio
by geographic classification:
Countries |
|
|
United
States |
|
72.7 |
% |
Japan |
|
9.8 |
% |
United
Kingdom |
|
6.0 |
% |
Singapore |
|
5.4 |
% |
Australia |
|
4.4 |
% |
Canada |
|
4.2 |
% |
Germany |
|
3.6 |
% |
China |
|
3.3 |
% |
Belgium |
|
3.1 |
% |
Hong
Kong |
|
2.8 |
% |
Other,
less than 2% each |
|
8.4 |
% |
Liabilities
in Excess of Other Assets |
|
(23.7 |
)% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Top
Ten Holdings |
|
|
Prologis,
Inc. |
|
8.8 |
% |
Public
Storage |
|
4.5 |
% |
AvalonBay
Communities, Inc. |
|
3.8 |
% |
Welltower,
Inc. |
|
3.6 |
% |
Equinix,
Inc. |
|
3.5 |
% |
Equity
Residential |
|
3.3 |
% |
Duke
Realty Corp. |
|
3.3 |
% |
Camden
Property Trust, REIT |
|
2.9 |
% |
Equity
LifeStyle Properties, Inc. |
|
2.5 |
% |
Segro
PLC |
|
2.5 |
% |
| Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund | 5 |
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
As of April 30, 2022
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
COMMON
STOCKS—123.7% |
|
AUSTRALIA—4.4% |
|
Diversified
Real Estate Activities—0.2% |
|
Lendlease
Corp., Ltd. |
|
128,440 |
|
|
$ 1,100,263 |
|
Diversified
REITs—2.3% |
|
Charter
Hall Group |
|
287,056 |
|
|
3,085,107 |
|
Mirvac
Group |
|
3,296,363 |
|
|
5,571,151 |
|
Stockland |
|
1,103,194 |
|
|
3,193,115 |
|
|
|
|
11,849,373 |
|
Industrial
REITs—0.7% |
|
Goodman
Group |
|
207,916 |
|
|
3,460,531 |
|
Office
REITs—1.2% |
|
Dexus |
|
818,231 |
|
|
6,397,395 |
|
Total
Australia |
|
|
22,807,562 |
|
BELGIUM—3.1% |
|
Diversified
REITs—0.9% |
|
Cofinimmo
SA |
|
34,870 |
|
|
4,682,524 |
|
Health
Care REITs—1.4% |
|
Aedifica
SA |
|
61,640 |
|
|
7,306,367 |
|
Industrial
REITs—0.8% |
|
Montea
NV |
|
11,652 |
|
|
1,391,193 |
|
Warehouses
De Pauw CVA |
|
72,107 |
|
|
2,773,969 |
|
|
|
|
4,165,162 |
|
Total
Belgium |
|
|
16,154,053 |
|
BRAZIL—0.4% |
|
Homebuilding—0.2% |
|
Cyrela
Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes |
|
311,315 |
|
|
891,010 |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—0.2% |
|
Multiplan
Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA |
|
278,893 |
|
|
1,390,530 |
|
Total
Brazil |
|
|
2,281,540 |
|
CANADA—4.2% |
|
Office
REITs—1.2% |
|
Allied
Properties Real Estate Investment Trust |
|
193,674 |
|
|
6,291,220 |
|
Residential
REITs—0.6% |
|
Canadian
Apartment Properties REIT |
|
81,419 |
|
|
3,189,199 |
|
Retail
REITs—2.4% |
|
SmartCentres
Real Estate Investment Trust |
|
507,815 |
|
|
12,368,763 |
|
Total
Canada |
|
|
21,849,182 |
|
CHINA—3.3% |
|
Diversified
Real Estate Activities—0.9% |
|
ESR
Cayman Ltd.(a)(b) |
|
1,587,654 |
|
|
4,819,493 |
|
6 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
(continued)
As of April 30, 2022
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
COMMON
STOCKS (continued) |
|
CHINA
(continued) |
|
Real
Estate Development—2.4% |
|
China
Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. |
|
1,947,000 |
|
|
$ 6,014,824 |
|
China
Resources Land Ltd. |
|
1,449,465 |
|
|
6,473,619 |
|
|
|
|
12,488,443 |
|
Total
China |
|
|
17,307,936 |
|
FINLAND—0.6% |
|
Real
Estate—0.6% |
|
Kojamo
OYJ |
|
145,616 |
|
|
2,896,765 |
|
FRANCE—1.6% |
|
Diversified
REITs—0.7% |
|
Gecina
SA |
|
32,111 |
|
|
3,617,244 |
|
Office
REITs—0.3% |
|
Covivio |
|
20,217 |
|
|
1,439,806 |
|
Retail
REITs—0.6% |
|
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a) |
|
47,273 |
|
|
3,336,288 |
|
Total
France |
|
|
8,393,338 |
|
GERMANY—3.6% |
|
Real
Estate Development—1.0% |
|
Instone
Real Estate Group SE(b) |
|
346,265 |
|
|
5,315,873 |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—2.6% |
|
LEG
Immobilien SE |
|
36,245 |
|
|
3,716,218 |
|
Vonovia
SE |
|
242,658 |
|
|
9,667,729 |
|
|
|
|
13,383,947 |
|
Total
Germany |
|
|
18,699,820 |
|
HONG
KONG—2.8% |
|
Diversified
Real Estate Activities—0.4% |
|
Sun
Hung Kai Properties Ltd. |
|
176,500 |
|
|
2,032,765 |
|
Real
Estate Development—1.4% |
|
CK
Asset Holdings Ltd. |
|
1,077,500 |
|
|
7,304,523 |
|
Retail
REITs—1.0% |
|
Link
REIT |
|
611,000 |
|
|
5,277,685 |
|
Total
Hong Kong |
|
|
14,614,973 |
|
JAPAN—9.8% |
|
Diversified
Real Estate Activities—3.4% |
|
Mitsubishi
Estate Co., Ltd. |
|
431,900 |
|
|
6,291,302 |
|
Mitsui
Fudosan Co. Ltd. |
|
455,800 |
|
|
9,660,105 |
|
Tokyu
Fudosan Holdings Corp. |
|
382,800 |
|
|
1,991,965 |
|
|
|
|
17,943,372 |
|
Diversified
REITs—1.3% |
|
Canadian
Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc., UNIT(a) |
|
7,096 |
|
|
6,733,187 |
|
| Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund | 7 |
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
(continued)
As of April 30, 2022
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
COMMON
STOCKS (continued) |
|
JAPAN
(continued) |
|
Industrial
REITs—1.5% |
|
GLP
J-REIT |
|
2,839 |
|
|
$ 3,830,874 |
|
LaSalle
Logiport REIT |
|
1,615 |
|
|
2,184,937 |
|
Mitsubishi
Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp., REIT(a) |
|
564 |
|
|
2,023,475 |
|
|
|
|
8,039,286 |
|
Office
REITs—2.9% |
|
Global
One Real Estate Investment Corp. |
|
1,253 |
|
|
1,074,066 |
|
Japan
Excellent, Inc. |
|
4,125 |
|
|
4,047,381 |
|
Mori
Hills REIT Investment Corp. |
|
4,415 |
|
|
5,007,219 |
|
Nippon
Building Fund, Inc. |
|
913 |
|
|
4,739,660 |
|
|
|
|
14,868,326 |
|
Retail
REITs—0.7% |
|
Kenedix
Retail REIT Corp. |
|
1,729 |
|
|
3,639,957 |
|
Total
Japan |
|
|
51,224,128 |
|
MEXICO—1.3% |
|
Industrial
REITs—0.7% |
|
PLA
Administradora Industrial S de RL de CV |
|
1,277,563 |
|
|
1,698,492 |
|
Prologis
Property Mexico SA de CV |
|
826,224 |
|
|
2,218,758 |
|
|
|
|
3,917,250 |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—0.6% |
|
Corp
Inmobiliaria Vesta SAB de CV |
|
1,661,533 |
|
|
3,072,857 |
|
Total
Mexico |
|
|
6,990,107 |
|
NETHERLANDS—1.3% |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—1.3% |
|
CTP
NV(b) |
|
483,144 |
|
|
6,840,765 |
|
SINGAPORE—5.4% |
|
Diversified
Real Estate Activities—1.3% |
|
Capitaland
Investment Ltd.(a) |
|
2,234,500 |
|
|
6,775,449 |
|
Industrial
REITs—1.9% |
|
Daiwa
House Logistics Trust, REIT(a) |
|
10,717,600 |
|
|
6,548,590 |
|
Mapletree
Logistics Trust |
|
2,451,517 |
|
|
3,148,535 |
|
|
|
|
9,697,125 |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—0.7% |
|
Ascendas
India Trust, UNIT |
|
4,333,000 |
|
|
3,914,893 |
|
Retail
REITs—1.5% |
|
CapitaLand
Integrated Commercial Trust |
|
3,485,100 |
|
|
5,839,603 |
|
Lendlease
Global Commercial REIT |
|
3,357,300 |
|
|
1,917,709 |
|
|
|
|
7,757,312 |
|
Total
Singapore |
|
|
28,144,779 |
|
SOUTH
KOREA—1.1% |
|
Specialized
REITs—1.1% |
|
ESR
Kendall Square REIT Co. Ltd. |
|
1,000,680 |
|
|
5,839,956 |
|
8 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
(continued)
As of April 30, 2022
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
COMMON
STOCKS (continued) |
|
SPAIN—0.4% |
|
Office
REITs—0.4% |
|
Inmobiliaria
Colonial Socimi SA |
|
248,625 |
|
|
$ 2,067,412 |
|
SWEDEN—1.7% |
|
Real
Estate Operating Companies—1.7% |
|
Castellum
AB |
|
130,852 |
|
|
2,591,308 |
|
Catena
AB |
|
84,241 |
|
|
4,405,313 |
|
Fabege
AB |
|
174,846 |
|
|
2,122,303 |
|
Total
Sweden |
|
|
9,118,924 |
|
UNITED
KINGDOM—6.0% |
|
Diversified
REITs—1.9% |
|
Land
Securities Group PLC |
|
806,495 |
|
|
7,563,769 |
|
LondonMetric
Property PLC |
|
622,005 |
|
|
2,102,297 |
|
|
|
|
9,666,066 |
|
Health
Care REITs—0.2% |
|
Assura
PLC |
|
1,342,348 |
|
|
1,112,350 |
|
Industrial
REITs—2.5% |
|
Segro
PLC |
|
778,113 |
|
|
13,027,247 |
|
Residential
REITs—0.5% |
|
UNITE
Group PLC (The), REIT |
|
200,000 |
|
|
2,832,042 |
|
Specialized
REITs—0.9% |
|
Safestore
Holdings PLC |
|
298,767 |
|
|
4,700,132 |
|
Total
United Kingdom |
|
|
31,337,837 |
|
UNITED
STATES—72.7% |
|
Health
Care REITs—6.8% |
|
Medical
Properties Trust, Inc.(c) |
|
243,852 |
|
|
4,484,438 |
|
Omega
Healthcare Investors, Inc.(c) |
|
116,303 |
|
|
2,963,400 |
|
Ventas,
Inc.(c) |
|
170,712 |
|
|
9,483,052 |
|
Welltower,
Inc.(c) |
|
205,985 |
|
|
18,705,498 |
|
|
|
|
35,636,388 |
|
Hotel
& Resort REITs—2.6% |
|
DiamondRock
Hospitality Co.(a)(c) |
|
224,781 |
|
|
2,387,174 |
|
Host
Hotels & Resorts, Inc.(c) |
|
551,334 |
|
|
11,219,647 |
|
|
|
|
13,606,821 |
|
Industrial
REITs—12.1% |
|
Duke
Realty Corp.(c) |
|
313,774 |
|
|
17,179,126 |
|
Prologis,
Inc.(c) |
|
287,357 |
|
|
46,060,454 |
|
|
|
|
63,239,580 |
|
Mortgage
REITs—0.6% |
|
Blackstone
Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A(c) |
|
113,240 |
|
|
3,401,729 |
|
Office
REITs—6.3% |
|
Boston
Properties, Inc.(c) |
|
107,154 |
|
|
12,601,311 |
|
Highwoods
Properties, Inc.(c) |
|
83,924 |
|
|
3,427,456 |
|
| Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund | 9 |
Portfolio of Investments (unaudited)
(concluded)
As of April 30, 2022
|
|
Shares |
|
Value |
|
COMMON
STOCKS (continued) |
|
UNITED
STATES (continued) |
|
Office
REITs (continued) |
|
Kilroy
Realty Corp. |
|
134,673 |
|
|
$ 9,427,110 |
|
SL
Green Realty Corp. |
|
104,578 |
|
|
7,238,889 |
|
|
|
|
32,694,766 |
|
Residential
REITs—19.8% |
|
American
Homes 4 Rent(c) |
|
93,894 |
|
|
3,719,141 |
|
AvalonBay
Communities, Inc.(c) |
|
87,888 |
|
|
19,992,762 |
|
Camden
Property Trust |
|
95,119 |
|
|
14,923,220 |
|
Equity
LifeStyle Properties, Inc.(c) |
|
170,984 |
|
|
13,213,644 |
|
Equity
Residential(c) |
|
212,799 |
|
|
17,343,119 |
|
Essex
Property Trust, Inc.(c) |
|
9,476 |
|
|
3,120,163 |
|
Invitation
Homes, Inc.(c) |
|
298,303 |
|
|
11,878,425 |
|
Mid-America
Apartment Communities, Inc. |
|
49,371 |
|
|
9,710,288 |
|
Sun
Communities, Inc.(c) |
|
53,874 |
|
|
9,458,658 |
|
|
|
|
103,359,420 |
|
Retail
REITs—8.2% |
|
Brixmor
Property Group, Inc.(c) |
|
196,405 |
|
|
4,984,759 |
|
Kimco
Realty Corp.(c) |
|
179,990 |
|
|
4,559,147 |
|
Realty
Income Corp.(c) |
|
127,417 |
|
|
8,837,643 |
|
Regency
Centers Corp.(c) |
|
48,998 |
|
|
3,372,532 |
|
Simon
Property Group, Inc.(c) |
|
105,807 |
|
|
12,485,226 |
|
SITE
Centers Corp.(c) |
|
221,726 |
|
|
3,525,443 |
|
Spirit
Realty Capital, Inc. |
|
120,148 |
|
|
5,220,431 |
|
|
|
|
42,985,181 |
|
Specialized
REITs—16.3% |
|
American
Tower Corp.(c) |
|
13,750 |
|
|
3,314,025 |
|
Digital
Realty Trust, Inc.(c) |
|
63,438 |
|
|
9,269,561 |
|
Equinix,
Inc.(c) |
|
25,661 |
|
|
18,452,312 |
|
Extra
Space Storage, Inc.(c) |
|
48,653 |
|
|
9,244,070 |
|
Gaming
& Leisure Properties, Inc., REIT(c) |
|
156,163 |
|
|
6,930,514 |
|
Public
Storage(c) |
|
63,447 |
|
|
23,570,560 |
|
SBA
Communications Corp.(c) |
|
12,150 |
|
|
4,217,387 |
|
VICI
Properties, Inc.(c) |
|
346,650 |
|
|
10,333,636 |
|
|
|
|
85,332,065 |
|
Total
United States |
|
|
380,255,950 |
|
Total
Common Stocks |
|
|
646,825,027 |
|
Total
Investments—123.7% (cost $567,446,095)(d) |
|
|
646,825,027 |
|
Liabilities
in Excess of Other Assets—(23.7)% |
|
|
(123,757,999 |
) |
Net
Assets—100.0% |
|
|
$523,067,028 |
|
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Denotes a security issued under Regulation S or Rule 144A. |
| (c) | All or a portion of the security has been designated as collateral
for the line of credit. |
| (d) | See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements for tax unrealized
appreciation/(depreciation) of securities. |
| PLC | Public Limited Company |
| REIT | Real Estate Investment Trust |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)
As of April 30, 2022
Assets |
|
|
|
|
Investments, at value (cost $567,446,095) |
$ |
646,825,027 |
|
Foreign currency, at value (cost $4,787,288) |
|
4,651,621 |
|
Interest and dividends receivable |
|
1,086,896 |
|
Tax reclaim receivable |
|
130,041 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
55,137 |
|
Total assets |
|
652,748,722 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
Line of credit payable (Note 6) |
|
125,307,482 |
|
Payable for investments purchased |
|
3,533,049 |
|
Investment management fees payable (Note 3) |
|
451,533 |
|
Interest expense payable |
|
137,815 |
|
Investor relations fees payable (Note 3) |
|
51,650 |
|
Administration fees payable (Note 3) |
|
36,899 |
|
Trustee fees |
|
16,307 |
|
Other accrued expenses |
|
146,959 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
129,681,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
$ |
523,067,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
Composition of Net Assets: |
|
|
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par |
$ |
484,469,499 |
|
Distributable earnings |
|
38,597,529 |
|
Net Assets |
$ |
523,067,028 |
|
Net asset value per share based on 85,407,951 shares issued and outstanding |
$ |
6.12 |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund | 11 |
Statement of Operations (unaudited)
For the Six-Month Period Ended April 30, 2022
Net
Investment Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
Income: |
|
|
|
Dividends and other income (net of foreign withholding taxes of $458,724) |
$ |
9,595,341 |
|
Total Investment Income |
|
9,595,341 |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
Investment management fee (Note 3) |
|
3,399,923 |
|
Administration fee (Note 3) |
|
225,196 |
|
Investor relations fees and expenses (Note 3) |
|
77,456 |
|
Reports to shareholders and proxy solicitation |
|
66,410 |
|
Custodian's fees and expenses |
|
33,212 |
|
Trustee fees and expenses |
|
31,420 |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
|
27,815 |
|
Independent auditors' fees and expenses |
|
27,505 |
|
Transfer agent's fees and expenses |
|
8,405 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
91,625 |
|
Total operating expenses, excluding interest expense |
|
3,988,967 |
|
Interest expense (Note 6) |
|
500,869 |
|
Total operating expenses before reimbursed/waived expenses |
|
4,489,836 |
|
Less: Expenses waived (Note 3) |
|
(639,179 |
) |
Net expenses |
|
3,850,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income |
|
5,744,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Realized/Unrealized Gain/(Loss) from Investments and Foreign Currency Related Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
realized gain/(loss) from: |
|
|
|
Investment transactions |
|
10,258,791 |
|
Foreign currency transactions |
|
(189,189 |
) |
|
|
10,069,602 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net
change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on: |
|
|
|
Investment transactions |
|
(55,929,507 |
) |
Foreign currency translation |
|
(202,427 |
) |
|
|
(56,131,934 |
) |
Net realized and unrealized (loss) from investments and foreign currency related transactions |
|
(46,062,332 |
) |
Net
Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
$ |
(40,317,648 |
) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
For the Six-Month Period Ended April 30, 2022 (unaudited) |
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/(Decrease)
in Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
$ |
5,744,684 |
|
|
$ |
10,907,789 |
|
Net realized gain from investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions |
|
10,069,602 |
|
|
|
18,416,612 |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions |
|
(56,131,934 |
) |
|
|
149,021,032 |
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
|
(40,317,648 |
) |
|
|
178,345,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders
from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributable earnings |
|
(20,497,908 |
) |
|
|
(13,365,429 |
) |
Tax return of capital |
|
– |
|
|
|
(27,630,388 |
) |
Net decrease in net assets from distributions |
|
(20,497,908 |
) |
|
|
(40,995,817 |
) |
Change in net assets resulting from operations |
|
(60,815,556 |
) |
|
|
137,349,616 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period |
|
583,882,584 |
|
|
|
446,532,968 |
|
End of period |
$ |
523,067,028 |
|
|
$ |
583,882,584 |
|
Amounts listed as "–" are $0 or round to $0.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund | 13 |
Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2022
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ |
(40,317,648 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting
from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
Investments purchased |
|
(133,932,099 |
) |
Investments sold and principal repayments |
|
130,873,512 |
|
Increase in interest and dividends receivable |
|
(377,177 |
) |
Increase in prepaid expenses |
|
(33,686 |
) |
Decrease in interest payable on bank loan |
|
(120,862 |
) |
Decrease in accrued investment management fees payable |
|
(48,418 |
) |
Increase in other accrued expenses |
|
27,976 |
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation from investments |
|
55,929,507 |
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation from foreign currency translations |
|
202,427 |
|
Net realized gain on investment transactions |
|
(10,258,791 |
) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
1,944,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities |
|
|
|
Increase in bank loan payable |
|
18,459,945 |
|
Distributions paid to shareholders |
|
(20,497,908 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
$ |
(2,037,963 |
) |
Effect of exchange rate on cash |
|
(132,020 |
) |
Net change in cash |
|
(225,242 |
) |
Unrestricted and restricted cash and foreign currency, beginning of year |
|
4,876,863 |
|
Unrestricted and restricted cash and foreign currency, end of year |
$ |
4,651,621 |
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest and fees on credit facility: |
$ |
621,731 |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund |
Financial Highlights
|
For
the
Six-Month
Period Ended
April 30, 2022 |
|
For
the Fiscal Years Ended October 31, |
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2018(a) |
|
2017 |
|
PER
SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per common share, beginning of period |
$6.84 |
|
$5.23 |
|
$7.28 |
|
$6.14 |
|
$7.18 |
|
$6.38 |
|
Net investment income |
0.07 |
(b) |
0.13 |
(b) |
0.13 |
(b) |
0.16 |
(b) |
0.08 |
(b) |
0.11 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions |
(0.55 |
) |
1.96 |
|
(1.70 |
) |
1.55 |
|
(0.52 |
) |
1.29 |
|
Total from investment operations applicable to common shareholders |
(0.48 |
) |
2.09 |
|
(1.57 |
) |
1.71 |
|
(0.44 |
) |
1.40 |
|
Distributions to common shareholders from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
(0.24 |
) |
(0.16 |
) |
(0.05 |
) |
(0.42 |
) |
(0.22 |
) |
(0.60 |
) |
Tax return of capital |
– |
|
(0.32 |
) |
(0.43 |
) |
(0.15 |
) |
(0.38 |
) |
– |
|
Total distributions |
(0.24 |
) |
(0.48 |
) |
(0.48 |
) |
(0.57 |
) |
(0.60 |
) |
(0.60 |
) |
Capital Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
Net asset value per common share, end of period |
$6.12 |
|
$6.84 |
|
$5.23 |
|
$7.28 |
|
$6.14 |
|
$7.18 |
|
Market price, end of period |
$5.75 |
|
$6.56 |
|
$4.36 |
|
$6.46 |
|
$5.38 |
|
$6.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Investment Return Based on(c): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price |
(8.91% |
) |
62.89% |
|
(25.81% |
) |
32.04% |
|
(8.73% |
) |
35.59% |
|
Net asset value |
(7.02% |
) |
41.59% |
|
(21.03% |
) |
30.38% |
|
(5.99% |
) |
24.34% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders/Supplementary Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (000 omitted) |
$523,067 |
|
$583,883 |
|
$446,533 |
|
$621,927 |
|
$524,731 |
|
$613,129 |
|
Net operating expenses |
1.37% |
(d) |
1.40% |
|
1.27% |
|
1.37% |
|
1.19% |
|
1.28% |
|
Net operating expenses, excluding fee waivers |
1.59% |
(d) |
1.59% |
|
1.36% |
|
1.42% |
|
1.19% |
|
– |
(e) |
Net operating expenses, excluding interest expense |
1.19% |
(d) |
1.19% |
|
1.19% |
|
1.19% |
|
1.17% |
|
1.20% |
|
Net investment income |
2.04% |
(d) |
1.99% |
|
2.12% |
|
2.45% |
|
1.14% |
|
1.56% |
|
Portfolio turnover |
18% |
(f) |
36% |
|
30% |
|
45% |
|
83% |
|
61% |
|
Line of credit payable outstanding (000 omitted) |
$125,307 |
|
$106,848 |
|
$30,415 |
|
$37,522 |
|
$16,248 |
|
$– |
|
Asset coverage ratio on line of credit payable at period end(g) |
517% |
|
646% |
|
1,568% |
|
1,757% |
|
3,329% |
|
– |
(h) |
Asset coverage per $1,000 on line of credit payable at period end |
$5,174 |
|
$6,465 |
|
$15,681 |
|
$17,575 |
|
$33,294 |
|
$– |
|
| (a) | Beginning
with the year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund has been audited by KPMG LLP. Previous years
were audited by a different independent registered public accounting firm. |
| (b) | Net
investment income is based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) | Total
investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and
a sale on the last day of each reporting period. Dividends and distributions, if any, are
assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the
Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. |
| (e) | Effective
on May 4, 2018, the Fund entered into an expense limitation agreement with Aberdeen Asset
Managers Limited, the Fund's investment adviser. Prior to this, there was no such agreement
in place. |
| (g) | Asset
coverage ratio is calculated by dividing net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for
investment purposes by the amount of the line of credit. |
| (h) | The
Fund did not disclose asset coverage ratio on the line of credit in prior years. |
Amounts listed as "–" are $0 or round to $0.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund | 15 |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
April
30, 2022
1. Organization
Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized
as a Delaware statutory trust on February 13, 2007, and commenced operations on April 26, 2007. The Fund's investment objective is to
seek high current income and capital appreciation. On May 27, 2020, shareholders of the Fund approved a new investment objective to seek
high current income and capital appreciation. The Board of Trustees (the "Board") authorized an unlimited number of shares
with no par value.
2. Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
The
Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies.
The
following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies
conform to generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States of America. The preparation of financial
statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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 Fund's Valuation and Liquidity 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 without a compulsion to transact at the measurement date.
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, the highest level, measurements to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets, Level 2 measurements to valuations based upon other significant observable inputs, including adjusted quoted prices in active
markets for similar assets, and Level 3 the lowest level, measurements to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant
to the valuation. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including
assumptions
about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including a pricing model and/or
the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. 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. 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.
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. Under normal circumstances, the Valuation Time is as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
(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 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 approved
by the Board. 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 factor falls below a predetermined threshold; in such case, the
security is determined to be a Level 1 investment.
16 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
Derivative
instruments are valued at fair value. Exchange traded futures are generally Level 1 investments and centrally cleared swaps and
forwards are generally Level 2 investments. Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued based on the bid price of the
forward rates and the current spot rate. Forward exchange rate quotations are available for scheduled settlement dates, such as 1-,
3-, 6-, 9- and 12- month periods. An interpolated valuation is derived based on the actual settlement dates of the forward contracts
held. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price or at the last bid price if no settlement price is available. Swap
agreements are generally valued by an approved pricing agent based on the terms of the swap agreement (including future cash flows).
When market quotations or exchange rates are not readily available, or if the Adviser concludes that such market quotations do not
accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund's assets are determined in good faith in accordance with the Valuation
Procedures.
Short-term
investments are comprised of cash and cash equivalents invested in short-term investment funds which are redeemable daily. The Fund sweeps
available cash into the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, which has elected to qualify as a "government
money market fund" pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the
1940
Act, and has an objective, which is not guaranteed, to maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value ("NAV"). Generally, these
investment types are categorized as Level 1 investments.
In
the event that a security's market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the
foreign exchange on which it trades closes before the Valuation Time), the security is valued at fair value as determined by the Fund's
Pricing Committee, taking into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances using valuation policies and procedures approved
by the Board. A security that has been fair valued by the Fund's Pricing Committee may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 depending
on the nature of the inputs.
The three-level
hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:
Level 1 –
quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;
Level 2 –
other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk);
or
Level 3 –
significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
A summary
of standard inputs is listed below:
Security
Type |
|
Standard
Inputs |
Foreign
equities utilizing a fair value factor |
|
Depositary
receipts, indices, futures, sector indices/ETFs, exchange rates, and local exchange opening and closing prices of each security. |
The
following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2022 in valuing the Fund's investments at fair value. The inputs or methodologies
used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Please refer
to the Portfolio of Investments for a detailed breakout of the security types:
Investments,
at Value |
|
Level
1 – Quoted
Prices ($) |
|
Level
2 – Other Significant
Observable Inputs ($) |
|
Level
3 – Significant
Unobservable Inputs ($) |
|
Total
($) |
|
Investments
in Securities |
|
Common
Stocks |
|
|
$429,282,988 |
|
|
|
$217,542,039 |
|
|
|
$– |
|
|
|
$646,825,027 |
|
Amounts listed
as "–" are $0 or round to $0.
During
the six-months ended April 30, 2022, there were no significant changes to the fair valuation methodologies for the type of holdings in
the Fund's portfolio.
b. 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 current daily
rates 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. |
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
17 |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
The
Fund does not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity securities due to changes in the foreign exchange rates
from the portion 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.
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.
c. Security
Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses:
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 and corporate actions are recorded generally on the ex-date, except for certain dividends
and corporate actions which may be recorded after the ex-date, as soon as the Fund acquires information regarding such dividends or corporate
actions. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.
d. Derivative
Financial Instruments:
The
Fund is authorized to use derivatives to manage currency risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk and to replicate, or use as a substitute
for, physical securities. Losses may arise due to changes in the value of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under
the contract. The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market risk in excess of the amount recognized
in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Forward
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:
A
forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward contract") involves an obligation to purchase and sell a specific currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the
time of the contract. Forward contracts are used to manage the Fund's currency exposure in an efficient manner. They are used to sell
unwanted currency exposure that comes with holding securities in a market, or to buy currency exposure where the exposure from holding
securities is insufficient to give the desired currency exposure either in absolute terms or relative to a particular benchmark or index.
The use of forward contracts allows for the separation of investment decision-making between foreign securities holdings and their currencies.
The
forward contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
Forward contracts' prices are received daily from an independent pricing provider. When the forward contract is closed, the Fund records
a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
These realized and unrealized gains and losses are reported on the Statement of Operations.
While
the Fund may enter into forward contracts to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain
risks. The Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and
from unanticipated movements in exchange rates. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency
prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may
be imperfect correlation between the Fund's portfolio holdings or securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward
contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving a desired hedge, which will expose
the Fund to the risk of foreign exchange loss.
Forward
contracts are subject to the risk that a counterparty to a forward contract may default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency
exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing house, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized
profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at
the market price at the time of default.
e. Distributions:
The
Fund implemented a managed distribution policy to pay a stable monthly distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized
18 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
short-term
capital gains and long-term capital gains, and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital, which is a nontaxable return of capital. The
managed distribution policy is subject to regular review by the Board. The Fund expects to pay its common shareholders annually all or
substantially all of its investment company taxable income. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially
all of its net capital gains, if any.
Distributions
from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains which are ordinary income for tax purposes. Distributions
to common 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 "book-tax" differences are considered either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are
permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal income tax treatment.
Temporary differences do not require reclassification. To the extent distributions exceed current and accumulated earnings and
profits for federal income tax purposes they are reported to shareholders as return of capital.
f.
Federal Income Taxes:
The
Fund intends to continue to qualify as a "regulated investment company" (RIC) by complying with the provisions available to
certain investment companies, as defined in Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to make distributions
of net investment income and net realized capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all federal income taxes. Therefore, no federal
income tax provision is required.
The
Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is "more likely than not" to be sustained
assuming examination by tax authorities. Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that
would require recognition in the financial statements. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund's U.S.
federal and state tax returns for each of the most recent four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021
are subject to such review.
g.
Foreign Withholding Tax:
Dividend
and interest income from non-U.S. sources received by the Fund are generally subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes and are recorded on
the Statement of Operations. The Fund files for tax reclaims for the refund of such withholding taxes according to tax treaties. Tax
reclaims that are deemed collectible are booked as tax reclaim receivable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, the
Fund may be subject to capital gains tax in certain
countries
in which it invests. The above taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of applicable U.S. income tax treaties with some of
these countries. The Fund accrues such taxes when the related income is earned.
In
addition, when the Fund sells securities within certain countries in which it invests, the capital gains realized may be subject to tax.
Based on these market requirements and as required under GAAP, the Fund accrues deferred capital gains tax on securities currently held
that have unrealized appreciation within these countries. The amount of deferred capital gains tax accrued, if any, is reported on the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
h.
Restricted Securities:
Restricted
securities are privately-placed securities whose resale is restricted under U.S. securities laws. The Fund may invest in restricted securities,
including unregistered securities eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A and privately-placed securities of U.S.
and non-U.S. issuers offered outside the U.S. without registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act"). Rule 144A securities may be freely traded among certain qualified institutional investors, such as the Fund,
but resale of such securities in the U.S. is permitted only in limited circumstances.
3.
Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates
a.
Investment Adviser and Investment Sub-Adviser:
Aberdeen
Asset Managers Limited ("AAML" or the "Adviser") and abrdn Inc. (formerly, Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc.) ("abrdn
Inc." or the "Sub-Adviser") serve as the Fund's investment adviser and sub-adviser, respectively, pursuant to an investment
advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") and sub-advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") with the
Fund. AAML and abrdn Inc. (collectively, the "Advisers") are wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of abrdn plc (formerly known
as "Standard Life Aberdeen plc"). In rendering advisory services, the Advisers may use the resources of investment advisor
subsidiaries of abrdn. These affiliates have entered into procedures pursuant to which investment professionals from affiliates may render
portfolio management and research services as associated persons of the Advisers.
As
compensation for its services to the Fund, AAML receives an annual investment advisory fee of 1.00% based on the Fund's average daily
Managed Assets, computed daily and payable monthly. During the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 the Fund paid AAML $3,399,923. Managed
Assets means total assets of the Fund, including any form of investment leverage, minus all accrued expenses incurred in the normal course
of operations, but not excluding any liabilities or obligations attributable to investment leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness
of any type (including, without limitation, borrowing
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
19 |
|
|
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
through
a credit facility or the issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance of preferred stock or other similar preference securities, (iii)
the reinvestment of collateral received for securities loaned in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and policies, and/or
(iv) any other means. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, AAML is responsible for the payment of fees to abrdn Inc.
Effective
May 4, 2018, AAML entered into a written contract (the "Expense Limitation Agreement") with the Fund that is effective through
June 30, 2022. The Expense Limitation Agreement limits the total ordinary operating expenses of the Fund (excluding any leverage costs,
taxes, interest, brokerage commissions and any non-routine expenses) from exceeding 1.19% of the average daily net assets of the Fund
on an annualized basis. The total amount of the waiver for the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 pursuant to the Expense Limitation
Agreement was $639,179.
AAML
may request and receive reimbursement from the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other expenses reimbursed pursuant to the Expense
Limitation Agreement as of a date not more than three years after the date when the Adviser limited the fees or reimbursed the expenses;
provided that the following requirements are met: the reimbursements do not cause the Fund to exceed the lesser of the applicable expense
limitation in the contract at the time the fees were limited or expenses are paid or the applicable expense limitation in effect at the
time the expenses are being recouped by the Adviser, and the payment of such reimbursement is approved by the Board on a quarterly basis
(the "Reimbursement Requirements"). Except as provided for in the Expense Limitation Agreement, reimbursement of amounts previously
waived or assumed by AAML is not permitted.
As
of April 30, 2022, to the extent the Reimbursement Requirements are met, the cumulative potential reimbursements to AAML from the Fund,
based on expenses reimbursed by AAML, including adjustments described above, would be:
Amount
Fiscal Year 2019 (Expires 10/31/22) |
|
|
$250,705 |
|
Amount
Fiscal Year 2020 (Expires 10/31/23) |
|
|
$481,002 |
|
Amount
Fiscal Year 2021 (Expires 10/31/24) |
|
|
$1,046,700 |
|
Amount
Six Months Period 2022 (Expires 4/30/25) |
|
|
$639,179 |
|
Total* |
|
|
$2,417,586 |
|
| * | Amounts
reported are due to expire throughout the respective 3-year expiration period presented above. |
b. Fund
Administrator:
Effective
June 1, 2020, abrdn Inc. became the Fund's Administrator. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, abrdn Inc. receives a fee paid by
the Fund, at an annual fee rate of 0.08% of the Fund's average
monthly
net assets. Prior to June 1, 2020, State Street Bank and Trust Company ("SSBT") served as the Fund's Administrator. SSBT became
the Fund's Sub-Administrator effective June 1, 2020. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, abrdn Inc. earned $225,196 from the
Fund for administration services.
c. Investor
Relations:
Under
the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, abrdn Inc. provides and/or engages third parties to provide investor relations
services to the Fund and certain other funds advised by AAML or its affiliates as part of an Investor Relations Program. Under the Investor
Relations Services Agreement, the Fund owes a portion of the fees related to the Investor Relations Program (the "Fund's Portion").
However, Investor Relations Services fees are limited by abrdn Inc. so that the Fund will only pay up to an annual rate of 0.05% of the
Fund's average weekly net assets. Any difference between the capped rate of 0.05% of the Fund's average weekly net assets and the Fund's
Portion is paid for by abrdn Inc.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Investor Relations Services Agreement, abrdn Inc. (or third parties engaged by abrdn Inc.), among other things, provides
objective and timely information to shareholders based on publicly available information; provides information efficiently through the
use of technology while offering shareholders immediate access to knowledgeable investor relations representatives; develops and maintains
effective communications with investment professionals from a wide variety of firms; creates and maintains investor relations communication
materials such as fund manager interviews, films and webcasts, publishes white papers, magazine articles and other relevant materials
discussing the Fund's investment results, portfolio positioning and outlook; develops and maintains effective communications with large
institutional shareholders; responds to specific shareholder questions; and reports activities and results to the Board and management
detailing insight into general shareholder sentiment.
During
the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the Fund incurred investor relations fees of approximately $77,456. For the six-month period
ended April 30, 2022, abrdn Inc. did not contribute to the investor relations fees for the Fund because the Fund's contribution was below
0.05% of the Fund's average weekly net assets on an annual basis.
4. Investment
Transactions
Purchases
and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) for the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, were $130,265,621
and $120,925,688, respectively.
20 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
5.
Capital
The
Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares with no par value. As of April 30, 2022, there were 85,407,951 shares
of common stock issued and outstanding.
6.
Line of Credit
On
October 8, 2020 the Fund entered into a revised lending agreement with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd. ("BNPP PB")
which allows the Fund to borrow on an uncommitted and secured basis up to $125 million. On December 14, 2021, the Board approved an amendment
to its Prime Brokerage Agreement with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International to increase the maximum commitment from $125 to $175
million. The amendment also adjusted the charged interest on amounts borrowed at a variable rate, which may be based on the Secured Overnight
Financing Rate plus a spread. The previous terms of the lending agreement indicate the rate to be the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
plus 0.85% per annum on amounts borrowed. The BNPP PB facility provides a secured, uncommitted line of credit for the Fund where selected
Fund assets are pledged against advances made to the Fund. The Fund has granted a security interest in all pledged assets used as collateral
to BNPP PB. The maximum amount of the line of credit available is the lesser of 33.33% of its total assets of the Fund or the amount
disclosed above, including the amount borrowed. Either BNPP PB or the Fund may terminate this agreement upon delivery of written notice.
During the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the average borrowing by the Fund was $118,080,947 with an average weighted interest
rate on borrowings of 1.14%. During the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the maximum borrowing by the Fund was $131,289,509. Interest
expense related to the line of credit for the six-month period ended April 30, 2022 was $500,869. As of April 30, 2022, the outstanding
balance on the loan was $125,307,482.
7.
Open Market Repurchase Program
On
June 13, 2018, the Board approved a share repurchase program ("Program") for the Fund. The Program allows the Fund to purchase,
in the open market, its outstanding common shares, with the amount and timing of any repurchase determined at the discretion of the Fund's
investment adviser and subject to market conditions and investment considerations. The Fund reports repurchase activity on the Fund's
website on a monthly basis. For the six-month period ended April 30, 2022, the Fund did not repurchase any shares through the Program.
8.
Portfolio Investment Risks
a.
Concentration Risk:
The
Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in the equity securities of issuers engaged in the real estate industry, including real
estate investment trusts (REITs). As a result, the Fund may be more affected by economic developments in the real estate industry than
would a general equity fund.
b.
Emerging Markets Risk:
The
Fund is subject to emerging markets risk. This is a magnification of the risks that apply to foreign investments. These risks are greater
for securities of companies in emerging market countries because the countries may have less stable governments, more volatile currencies
and less established markets (see "Foreign Securities Risk" below).
c.
Equity Securities Risk:
The
stock or other security of a company may not perform as well as expected, and may decrease in value, because of factors related to the
company (such as poorer than expected earnings or certain management decisions) or to the industry in which the company is engaged (such
as a reduction in the demand for products or services in a particular industry). Holders of common stock generally are subject to more
risks than holders of preferred stock or debt securities because the right to repayment of common stockholders' claims is subordinated
to that of preferred stock and debt securities upon the bankruptcy of the issuer.
d.
Foreign Currency Exposure Risk:
The
value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar fluctuates in response to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical
or other conditions. A decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. Dollar reduces the value in U.S. Dollars of investments
denominated in that foreign currency. This risk may impact the Fund more greatly to the extent the Fund does not hedge its currency risk,
or hedging techniques used by the Adviser are unsuccessful.
e.
Foreign Securities Risk:
Foreign
countries in which the Fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The
value of the Fund's investments may decline because of factors such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government
or central bank support and political or financial instability. To the extent the Fund focuses its investments in a single country or
only a few countries in a particular geographic region, economic, political, regulatory or other conditions affecting such country or
region
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
21 |
Notes
to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April
30, 2022
may
have a greater impact on Fund performance relative to a more geographically diversified fund.
f.
Issuer Risk:
The
value of a security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced
demand for the issuer's goods or services.
g.
Leverage Risk:
The
Fund may use leverage to purchase securities. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund's portfolio will be magnified when the
Fund uses leverage.
h.
LIBOR Risk:
The
Fund may invest in certain debt securities, derivatives or other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR as a "benchmark"
or "reference rate" for various interest rate calculations. In July 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"),
which regulates LIBOR, announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. However, subsequent announcements by the
FCA, the LIBOR administrator and other regulators indicate that it is possible that the most widely used LIBOR rates may continue until
mid-2023. It is anticipated that LIBOR ultimately will be discontinued or the regulator will announce that it is no longer sufficiently
robust to be representative of its underlying market around that time. Although financial regulators and industry working groups have
suggested alternative reference rates, such as European Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR"), Sterling Overnight Interbank Average
Rate ("SONIA") and Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), global consensus on alternative rates is lacking and
the process for amending existing contracts or instruments to transition away from LIBOR remains unclear. The elimination of LIBOR or
changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an
adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect
the Fund's performance and/or net asset value. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and
lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other
reference rates may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related
investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness
of hedging strategies, adversely affecting the Fund's performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation
of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the
work
necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.
i.
Management Risk:
The
Fund is subject to the risk that the Adviser may make poor security selections. The Adviser, and its portfolio managers apply their own
investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund and there can be no guarantee that these decisions
will achieve the desired results for the Fund. In addition, the Adviser may select securities that underperform the relevant market or
other funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
j.
Market Risk:
Markets
are affected by numerous factors, including interest rates, the outlook for corporate profits, the health of the national and world economies,
the fluctuation of other stock markets around the world, and financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions,
such as those arising from war, terrorism, market manipulation, government interventions, defaults and shutdowns, political changes or
diplomatic developments, public health emergencies and natural/environmental disasters. Such events can negatively impact the securities
markets and cause the Fund to lose value.
One
such event is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused major disruptions to economies and markets around the world, including the markets
in which the Fund invests, and which has and may continue to negatively impact the value of certain of the Fund's investments. Although
vaccines for COVID-19 and variants thereof are becoming more widely available, the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts thereof may continue
for an extended period of time and may vary from market to market. To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Fund may experience
negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Fund is subject. Policy and legislative changes in countries
around the world are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators
throughout the world have previously responded to serious economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal and monetary policy
changes.
In
addition, economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not
the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties,
the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected by such events.
22 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
April 30, 2022
For example, whether or not the Fund invests
in securities of issuers located in Europe (whether the EU, Eurozone or UK) or with significant exposure to European, EU, Eurozone or
UK issuers or countries, the unavoidable uncertainties and events related to the UK's departure from the EU ("Brexit") could
negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments, increase taxes and costs of business and cause volatility in currency
exchange rates and interest rates. Brexit could adversely affect the performance of contracts in existence at the date of Brexit and
European, UK or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in political institutions,
regulatory agencies and financial markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent national laws and regulations
as a new relationship between the UK and EU is defined and as the UK determines which EU laws to replace or replicate. Any of these effects
of Brexit, and others that cannot be anticipated, could adversely affect the Fund's business, results of operations and financial condition.
The impact of these changes on the markets,
and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
k. Mid-Cap Securities Risk:
Securities of medium-sized companies tend
to be more volatile and less liquid than securities of larger companies.
l. Non-U.S. Taxation Risk:
Income, proceeds and gains received by
the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries, which will reduce
the return on those investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes.
If, at the close of its taxable year, more
than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets consists of securities of foreign corporations, including for this purpose foreign
governments, the Fund will be permitted to make an election under the Code that will allow shareholders a deduction or credit for
foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares
of such taxes. A shareholder's ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of such foreign taxes is
subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder's not receiving a full credit or deduction
(if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit
(but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. If the Fund does not qualify for or chooses not to make such an election, shareholders
will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal
income tax purposes with respect to foreign
taxes paid by the Fund; in that case the foreign tax will nonetheless reduce the Fund's taxable income. Even if the Fund elects to pass
through to its shareholders foreign tax credits or deductions, tax-exempt shareholders and those who invest in the Fund through tax-advantaged
accounts such as IRAs will not benefit from any such tax credit or deduction.
m. Passive Foreign Investment Company Tax Risk:
Equity investments by the Fund in certain "passive
foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges)
on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC. The Fund may be able to elect
to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (i.e., make a "QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required
to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually. The Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to
a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs
on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. Because it is not always possible
to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
n. Portfolio Turnover Risk:
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities
to achieve its investment objective. High portfolio turnover necessarily results in greater transaction costs which may reduce Fund performance.
It may also result in greater realization of gains, which may include short-term gains taxable at ordinary income tax rates.
o. Qualified Dividend Income Tax Risk:
Favorable U.S. federal tax treatment of Fund distributions may be adversely
affected, changed or repealed by future changes in tax laws.
p. REIT and Real Estate Risk:
Investment in real estate investment trusts ("REITs")
and real estate involves the risks that are associated with direct ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general.
These risks include: declines in the value of real estate; risks related to local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition;
increases in property taxes and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; casualty or condemnation losses; variations in rental income,
neighborhood values or the appeal of properties to tenants; changes in interest rates and changes in general economic and market conditions.
REITs' share prices may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry including changes in interest rates.
The returns from REITs may trail returns from the overall market. Additionally, there is
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
23 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(concluded)
April 30, 2022
always a risk that a given REIT will fail to qualify for
favorable tax treatment. REITs may be leveraged, which increases risk. Certain REITs charge management fees, which may result in layering
the management fee paid by the Fund.
q. Small-Cap Securities Risk:
Securities of smaller companies are usually less stable in price and
less liquid than those of larger, more established companies. Therefore, they generally involve greater risk.
r. Valuation Risk:
The price that the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular
portfolio investment may differ from the Fund's valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile
markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a
price provided by an independent pricing service.
As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize
a greater than expected loss or lower than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. The Fund's ability to value its investments
may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
9. Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Fund may provide general indemnifications
pursuant to certain contracts and organizational documents. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future
claims that may be made against the Fund, and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, the Fund expects the risk of loss from such claims
to be remote.
10. Tax Information
The U.S. federal income tax basis of the Fund's investments (including
derivatives, if applicable) and the net unrealized appreciation as of April 30, 2022, were as follows:
Tax Basis of Investments |
|
Appreciation |
|
Depreciation |
|
Net Unrealized
Appreciation |
$573,153,456 |
|
$104,975,736 |
|
$(31,304,165) |
|
$73,671,571 |
11. Recent Rulemaking
In October 2020, the SEC adopted new regulations governing the use of
derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund could enter into, eliminate
the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and require funds whose use of derivatives
is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk
manager. Management is currently finalizing the implementation of Rule 18f-4 to meet the August 19, 2022 compliance date.
In December 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which
establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act, including related oversight and reporting
requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are "readily available" for purposes of the 1940 Act, the threshold
for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. The SEC also adopted new Rule 31a-4 under the 1940 Act, which sets forth the
recordkeeping requirements associated with fair value determinations. Finally, the
SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related
issues, including the role of a board in determining fair value and the accounting and auditing of fund investments. Rule 2a-5 and Rule
31a-4 became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating this guidance.
12. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments
resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no disclosures and/or
adjustments were required to the financial statements as of April 30, 2022, other than as noted below.
On May 10, 2022 and June 9, 2022, the Fund announced that it will pay
on May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 a distribution of $0.04 per share to all shareholders of record as of May 20, 2022 and June 22, 2022,
respectively.
On June 14, the Board approved the continuation of the Expense Limitation
Agreement for another year.
24 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Supplemental Information (unaudited)
Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on April 28, 2022. The description
of the proposal and number of shares voted at the meeting are as follows:
To elect one Class II Trustee, to serve for a three-year term:
|
Votes For |
|
Votes Withheld |
|
P. Gerald Malone |
58,923,404 |
|
2,681,983 |
|
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
25 |
Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash
Purchase Plan (unaudited)
The Fund intends to distribute to stockholders substantially all of
its net investment income and to distribute any net realized capital gains at least annually. Net investment income for this purpose
is income other than net realized long-term and short-term capital gains net of expenses. Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Optional
Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), stockholders whose shares of common stock are registered in their own names will be deemed
to have elected to have all distributions automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company N.A. (the "Plan Agent") in
the Fund shares pursuant to the Plan, unless such stockholders elect to receive distributions in cash. Stockholders who elect to receive
distributions in cash will receive such distributions paid by check in U.S. Dollars mailed directly to the stockholder by the Plan Agent,
as dividend paying agent. In the case of stockholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are beneficial
owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholders
as representing the total amount registered in such stockholders' names and held for the account of beneficial owners that have not elected
to receive distributions in cash. Investors that own shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should consult
with such nominee as to participation in the Plan through such nominee and may be required to have their shares registered in their own
names in order to participate in the Plan. Please note that the Fund does not issue certificates so all shares will be registered in
book entry form. The Plan Agent serves as agent for the stockholders in administering the Plan. If the Trustees of the Fund declare an
income dividend or a capital gains distribution payable either in the Fund's common stock or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will
receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive common stock, to be issued by the Fund or purchased by the Plan Agent in the open
market, as provided below. If the market price per share (plus expected per share fees) on the valuation date equals or exceeds NAV per
share on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at NAV; provided, however, that if the NAV is less than 95% of the
market price on the valuation date, then such shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. The valuation date will be the payable
date for such distribution or dividend or, if that date is not a trading day on the New York Stock Exchange, the immediately preceding
trading date. If NAV exceeds the market price of Fund shares at such time, or if the Fund should declare an income dividend or capital
gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy Fund shares in the open market, on the
New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants' accounts on, or shortly after, the payment date. If, before the Plan Agent
has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the NAV of a Fund share, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan
Agent may exceed the NAV of the Fund's shares,
resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in
shares issued by the Fund on the dividend payment date. Because of the foregoing difficulty with respect to open-market purchases, the
Plan provides that if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period
or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agent will cease making open-market purchases
and will receive the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date.
Participants have the option of making additional cash payments of a
minimum of $50 per investment (by check, one-time online bank debit or recurring automatic monthly ACH debit) to the Plan Agent for investment
in the Fund's common stock, with an annual maximum contribution of $250,000. The Plan Agent will wait up to three business days after
receipt of a check or electronic funds transfer to ensure it receives good funds. Following confirmation of receipt of good funds, the
Plan Agent will use all such funds received from participants to purchase Fund shares in the open market on the 25th day of each month
or the next trading day if the 25th is not a trading day.
If the participant sets up recurring automatic monthly ACH debits, funds
will be withdrawn from his or her U.S. bank account on the 20th of each month or the next business day if the 20th is not a banking business
day and invested on the next investment date. The Plan Agent maintains all stockholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations
of all transactions in an account, including information needed by stockholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of
each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in the name of the participant, and each stockholder's proxy will include those
shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund.
However, each participant will pay a per share fee of $0.02 incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases in connection
with the reinvestment of dividends, capital gains distributions and voluntary cash payments made by the participant. Per share fees include
any applicable brokerage commissions the Plan Agent is required to pay.
Participants also have the option of selling their shares through the
Plan. The Plan supports two types of sales orders. Batch order sales are submitted on each market day and will be grouped with other
sale requests to be sold. The price will be the average sale price obtained by Computershare's broker, net of fees, for each batch order
and will be sold generally within 2 business days of the request during regular open market hours. Please note that all written sales
requests are always processed by Batch Order. ($10 and $0.12 per share). Market
26 | Aberdeen
Global Premier Properties Fund |
Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash
Purchase Plan (unaudited) (concluded)
Order sales will sell at the next available trade. The
shares are sold real time when they hit the market, however an available trade must be presented to complete this transaction. Market
Order sales may only be requested by phone at 1-800-647-0584 or using Investor Center through www.computershare.com/buyaberdeen. ($25
and $0.12 per share).
The receipt of dividends and distributions under the Plan will not relieve
participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions. The Fund or the Plan Agent may terminate the Plan
as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to notice of the termination sent to
members
of the Plan at least 30 days prior to the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended by the Fund or the
Plan Agent, but (except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any other regulatory authority) only by mailing a written notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date to the participants
in the Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent by phone at 1-800-647-0584, using Investor Center
through www.computershare.com/buyaberdeen or in writing to Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233-5000.
Aberdeen Global Premier
Properties Fund |
27 |
Corporate Information
Trustees
Stephen Bird
Nancy Yao Maasbach
P. Gerald Malone, Chairman
John Sievwright
Investment Adviser
Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited
Bow Bells House
1 Bread Street
London, United Kingdom
EC4M 9HH
Investment Sub-Adviser
abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Administrator
abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
1601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Legal Counsel
Dechert LLP
1900 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
Investor Relations
abrdn Inc.
1900 Market Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-800-522-5465
Investor.Relations@abrdn.com
The Financial Statements as of April 30, 2022, included in this report,
were not audited and accordingly, no opinion is expressed thereon.
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may purchase, from time to time, shares of its common stock in the open market.
Shares of Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund are traded on the NYSE
under the symbol "AWP". Information about the Fund's net asset value and market price is available at www.aberdeenawp.com.
This report, including the financial information herein, is transmitted
to the shareholders of Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund for their general information only. It does not have regard to the specific
investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person. Past performance is no guarantee of future
returns.
AWP SEMI-ANNUAL
(b) Not applicable.