The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. Provides Updated Portfolio Holdings Information and Announces a Reduction in Advisory Fees

Rhea-AI Summary

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CEE) updated its portfolio holdings as of March 14, 2022, revealing continued investments in Russian securities amidst ongoing sanctions. As of the reporting date, only Alrosa PJSC remains a direct local equity holding. In a proactive measure, the Fund's investment advisor, DWS International GmbH, has voluntarily waived 50% of its advisory fees, supplementing a prior 10 basis points waiver effective from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. This move aims to mitigate costs for investors during volatile market conditions.

Positive

• DWS International GmbH has waived 50% of its advisory fee, enhancing investor returns.
• The Fund continues to comply with applicable sanctions while managing Russian holdings.

Negative

• The Fund holds securities of Russian issuers, increasing exposure to geopolitical risks.
• Market volatility and sanctions may adversely affect investment liquidity and valuations.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CEE) (the “Fund”) announced today that it has provided updated portfolio holdings information as of March 14, 2022 at www.dwsfunds.com. The updated holdings information reflects changes made to the Fund’s portfolio since March 2, 2022. As of March 14, 2022, the Fund continues to hold securities of certain Russian issuers that are subject to United States and other sanctions. The Fund continues to believe that it is in compliance with all applicable sanctions requirements. In response to an investor inquiry, the Fund notes that, as of March 14, 2022, only one of its Russian holdings was a local Russian equity, Alrosa PJSC. Alrosa PJSC is listed on the Moscow Exchange.

In addition, the Fund announced today that effective as of February 24, 2022, the Fund’s investment advisor, DWS International GmbH (“DWSI”), has voluntarily agreed to waive 50% of its advisory fee until further notice. Until its termination, this new 50% advisory fee waiver will be applied in a manner that incorporates DWSI’s existing voluntary advisory fee waiver of 10 basis points, which waiver commenced on January 1, 2022 and lasts until December 31, 2022.

For more information on the Fund, visit www.dwsfunds.com or call (800) 349-4281.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations and risks of currency and capital controls, political and economic changes, and market risks. Any fund that concentrates in a particular segment of the market will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly.

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. is non-diversified and can take larger positions in fewer issues, increasing its potential risk, and also concentrates its investments in the energy sector. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, currency and capital controls political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Any fund that focuses in a particular segment of the market or region of the world will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly.

The shares of most closed-end funds, including the Fund, are not continuously offered. Once issued, shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of a fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, a fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below, or above net asset value.

Investments in funds involve risk. Additional risks of the Fund are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, currency and capital controls, political and economic changes, market risks, government regulations and differences in liquidity, which may increase the volatility of your investment. Foreign security markets generally exhibit greater price volatility and are less liquid than the US market. Additionally, the Fund focuses its investments in certain geographical regions, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region and potentially subjecting the Fund’s shares to greater price volatility. Some funds have more risk than others. These include funds, such as the Fund, that allow exposure to or otherwise concentrate investments in certain sectors, geographic regions, security types, market capitalization, or foreign securities (e.g., political, or economic instability, which can be accentuated in emerging market countries).

War (including Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine), US and other sanctions, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, trading halts, currency and capital controls, public health crises (including the recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus) and related geopolitical events could lead to increased market volatility, disruption to US and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments, including making investments illiquid and/or difficult to value.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.

Certain statements contained in this release may be forward-looking in nature. These include all statements relating to plans, expectations, and other statements that are not historical facts and typically use words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” and similar expressions. Such statements represent management’s current beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Management does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements: (i) the effects of adverse changes in market and economic conditions; (ii) legal and regulatory developments; and (iii) other additional risks and uncertainties, including public health crises (including the recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus), war, terrorism, trade disputes and related geopolitical events.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NO BANK GUARANTEE
NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

DWS Distributors, Inc.
222 South Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606-5808
www.dws.com 
Tel (800) 621-1148 
© 2022 DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA. All rights reserved

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services. (R-088746) (03-2022)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220315006070/en/

For additional information:

DWS Press Office (212) 454-4500

Shareholder Account Information (800) 294-4366

DWS Closed-End Funds (800) 349-4281

Source: The Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc.

FAQ

What are the recent portfolio holdings of the Central and Eastern Europe Fund (CEE)?

The Central and Eastern Europe Fund updated its holdings as of March 14, 2022, maintaining investments in Russian securities, primarily Alrosa PJSC.

What fee waivers have been implemented for the CEE Fund?

The Fund's investment advisor, DWS International GmbH, has waived 50% of its advisory fee, in addition to a previous 10 basis points waiver from January 1, 2022, until December 31, 2022.

How does the CEE Fund manage geopolitical risks associated with Russian investments?

The Fund continues to comply with all applicable sanctions and monitors its holdings in Russian securities to manage associated risks.

When was the last update on the CEE Fund's portfolio holdings?

The last update on the Central and Eastern Europe Fund's portfolio holdings was provided on March 14, 2022.

What impact do sanctions have on the CEE Fund's investments?

Sanctions increase the risk profile of the Fund's investments in Russian securities, potentially affecting market liquidity and valuations.