ASA Limited (NYSE:ASA), a closed-end fund specializing in gold and other
precious mineral investments worldwide, today declared a dividend of
$0.10 per share on the common shares of the Company payable May 29, 2009
to shareholders of record on May 22, 2009.
Dividend income earned by the Company has been declining for the last
year for various reasons, including the effects of the global economic
slowdown and lower platinum and base metal prices on the Company’s
portfolio holdings and a decrease in assets under management. The
Company does not anticipate having current year net investment income as
of the dividend payment date. Therefore, this dividend represents a
distribution of undistributed net investment income from prior years.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and are
intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. By their
nature all forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause actual results, performance or
achievements of management’s plans to be materially different from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include,
but are not limited to, the performance of companies whose securities
comprise the Company’s portfolio, the conditions in the United States,
South Africa, and other international securities and foreign exchange
markets, the price of gold, platinum and other precious metals and
changes in tax law.
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Additional information regarding the Company, including detailed
discussion of important tax information, may be found at www.asaltd.com.
The Company is a “passive foreign investment company” for United States
federal income tax purposes. As a result, United States shareholders
holding shares in taxable accounts are strongly advised to consult their
tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of their investment in the
common shares of the Company.
ASA Limited
David J. Christensen
President & Chief Executive
Officer
800-432-3378 or 716-883-2428
