PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE MKT: IAF), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of November 30, 2012.

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The Fund's total returns for various periods through November 30, 2012 are provided below. (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):


    Period     NAV Total Return % Market Price Total Return
                                                           %
    ------     -----------------   -------------------------
                   Cumulative           Annualized           Cumulative       Annualized
                   ----------           ----------           ----------       ----------
     Since
     inception                   781.8                   8.4            815.5             8.6
     (December
     1985)
     ---------
    10-years                     283.9                  14.4            357.5            16.4
    --------                     -----                  ----            -----            ----
    5-years                       -1.8                  -0.4              4.0             0.8
    -------                       ----                  ----              ---             ---
    3-years                       15.2                   4.8              9.8             3.2
    -------                       ----                   ---              ---             ---
    1-year                        11.1                  17.7
    ------                        ----                  ----

The Fund's returns, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are affected by the performance of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar.

On November 30, 2012, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$224.7 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $9.95.

As of November 30, 2012, the portfolio was invested as follows:


    Portfolio Composition                                   Percent of
                                                            Net Assets
    ---                                                     ----------
     Financials                                                          35.9
     ----------                                                          ----
     Materials                                                           23.4
     ---------                                                           ----
     Consumer Staples                                                     9.7
     ----------------                                                     ---
     Utilities                                                            8.1
     ---------                                                            ---
     Health Care                                                          5.1
     -----------                                                          ---
     Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities                                3.9
     -------------------------------------                                ---
     Consumer Discretionary                                               3.6
     ----------------------                                               ---
     Telecommunications                                                   3.6
     ------------------                                                   ---
     Energy                                                               3.5
     ------                                                               ---
     Information Technology                                               3.2
     ----------------------                                               ---

The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of November 30, 2012, representing 60.5% of total assets, were:


    Stock                                        Percent of
                                                Total Assets
    ---                                         ------------
    BHP Billiton PLC                                          10.1
    ----------------                                          ----
    Woolworths Ltd.                                            7.3
    ---------------                                            ---
    Commonwealth Bank of Australia                             7.0
    ------------------------------                             ---
    Rio Tinto PLC                                              7.0
    -------------                                              ---
    Australia & New Zealand Banking
     Group Ltd.                                                6.2
    -------------------------------                            ---
    QBE Insurance Group Ltd.                                   5.7
    ------------------------                                   ---
    Westfield Group                                            4.7
    ---------------                                            ---
    SP Ausnet                                                  4.2
    ---------                                                  ---
    Westpac Banking Corporation                                4.2
    ---------------------------                                ---
    AGL Energy Ltd.                                            4.1
    ---------------                                            ---

Important Information
Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., the Fund's Administrator, has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, the Administrator, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the Investment Manager), Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (the Investment Adviser), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy. Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S. registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Total return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower. Holdings are subject to change and are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities shown. Inception date December 12, 1985.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: InvestorRelations@aberdeen-asset.com

SOURCE Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc.