BALTIMORE, Jan. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc (ADX). announces the Fund's investment returns for 2015. The Fund will be holding a conference call on January 28, 2016 at 10:00 am EST to discuss our 2015 performance. The dial in number is 1-888-389-5988 and the conference ID code is 6601404.

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The total return on the Fund's net asset value for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was 1.8%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. The comparable figures for the Lipper Large-Cap Core Mutual Funds Average and the S&P 500 Index were -0.6% and 1.4%, respectively. The total return on the Fund's market price for the same period was 0.7%.

The Fund paid $0.93 per share in income dividends and realized capital gain distributions to shareholders in 2015, producing an annual distribution rate of 6.8%, exceeding the Fund's annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment. Details regarding the annual 6% minimum distribution rate commitment can be found at www.adamsfunds.com.

The 2015 Annual Report is expected to be released on or about February 23, 2016.

ANNUALIZED ONE, THREE AND FIVE-YEAR COMPARATIVE RETURNS (12/31/15)



                             1 Year       3 Year       5 Year

    Adams Diversified Equity
     Fund  (NAV)                     1.8%        14.7%        11.0%

    Adams Diversified Equity
     Fund (market)                   0.7%        14.7%        11.1%

    Lipper Large-Cap Core
     Mutual Funds Average           -0.6%        13.4%        10.9%

    S&P 500                          1.4%        15.1%        12.6%

NET ASSET VALUE ANNOUNCED

The Fund's net asset value at the end of 2015, compared with the year earlier, was: 



                                    12/31/15      12/31/14

    Net assets                $1,472,144,157 $1,527,772,661

    Shares outstanding            97,913,946     96,286,656

    Net asset value per share         $15.04         $15.87

TEN LARGEST EQUITY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS (12/31/15)



                                         % of Net Assets

    Apple Inc.                                             4.2%

    Alphabet Inc. (Class A & Class C)                      3.7%

    Microsoft Corp.                                        3.2%

    Wells Fargo & Co.                                      2.7%

    Adams Natural Resources Fund,
     Inc.*                                                 2.6%

    PepsiCo, Inc.                                          2.3%

    Amazon.com, Inc.                                       2.3%

    Allergan plc                                           2.3%

    Facebook, Inc. (Class A)                               2.2%

    Comcast Corp. (Class A)                                2.1%

    Total                                                 27.6%

    * Non-controlled affiliated
     closed-end fund

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS (12/31/15)



                                                    % of Net Assets

    Information Technology                                           21.3%

    Financials                                                       17.4%

    Health Care                                                      15.0%

    Consumer Discretionary                                           12.4%

    Consumer Staples                                                  9.6%

    Industrials                                                       9.3%

    Energy                                                            7.0%

    Utilities                                                         2.6%

    Materials                                                         2.2%

    Telecommunication Services                                        1.9%

About Adams Funds
Since 1929, Adams Funds has consistently helped generations of investors reach their investment goals. Adams Funds is comprised of two closed-end funds, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ADX) and Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO).The Funds are actively managed by an experienced team with a disciplined approach and have paid dividends for more than 80 years across many market cycles. The Funds are committed to paying an annual distribution rate of 6% or more, providing reliable income to long-term investors. Shares can be purchased through our transfer agent or through a broker. For more information about Adams Funds, please visit: www.adamsfunds.com.

Contact:
Nancy J. Floyd Prue
Executive Vice President
Director of Shareholder Communications
prue@adamsfunds.com

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SOURCE Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX)