PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE AMEX: LAQ), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of November 30, 2011.

The Fund's total returns for various periods through November 30, 2011 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                   987.3                  12.6             863.4            11.9
     (October
     1991)
     --------
    10-years                     538.7                  20.4             601.1            21.5
    --------                     -----                  ----             -----            ----
    5-years                       66.9                  10.8              62.1            10.1
    -------                       ----                  ----              ----            ----
    3-years                      128.7                  31.7             157.4            37.0
    -------                      -----                  ----             -----            ----
    1-year                        -9.7                 -12.3
    ------                        ----                 -----

On November 30, 2011, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$268.2 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $36.01.

As of November 30, 2011, the portfolio was invested as follows:


    Portfolio Composition                       Percent of Net Assets
    ---------------------                       ---------------------
     Financials                                                    22.1
     ----------                                                    ----
     Consumer, Non-Cyclical                                        17.3
     ----------------------                                        ----
     Basic Materials                                               15.1
     ---------------                                               ----
     Industrials                                                   14.2
     -----------                                                   ----
     Consumer, Cyclical                                            10.9
     ------------------                                            ----
     Energy                                                         9.4
     ------                                                         ---
     Communications                                                 6.4
     --------------                                                 ---
     Technology                                                     1.6
     ----------                                                     ---
     Cash                                                           1.1
     ----                                                           ---
     Other                                                          0.9
     -----                                                          ---
     Diversified                                                    0.5
     -----------                                                    ---
     Utilities                                                      0.5
     ---------                                                      ---

The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of November 30, 2011, representing 52.8% of net assets, were:


    Stock                                         Percent of Net Assets
    -----                                         ---------------------
    Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.                                          9.4
    ------------------------                                          ---
    Vale S.A.                                                         8.2
    ---------                                                         ---
    America Movil SAB de C.V.                                         5.6
    -------------------------                                         ---
    Banco Bradesco S.A.                                               5.4
    -------------------                                               ---
    Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V.                        4.6
    ------------------------------------------                        ---
    Tenaris S.A.                                                      4.2
    ------------                                                      ---
    Ultrapar Participacoes S.A.                                       4.2
    ---------------------------                                       ---
    Lojas Renner S.A.                                                 3.9
    -----------------                                                 ---
    Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios
     S.A.                                                             3.9
    --------------------------------------                            ---
    Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.                                        3.4
    --------------------------                                        ---

Important Information

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, Aberdeen Asset Management Investment Services 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 have a one-time initial public offering and then are subsequently traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The 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 a 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 October 30, 1991.

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

SOURCE Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.