abrdn Emerging Markets ex China Fund Inc. ownership update: First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation jointly report beneficial ownership of 5,177,276 shares, representing 12.75% of the common stock as reported on 03/31/2026. The filing states the positions are held for unit investment trusts and related accounts and that the reporting parties disclaim beneficial ownership for certain shares; voting and disposition powers are shared as described in the filing.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Insights
Large passive holding disclosed by First Trust group; structure matters for voting.
The filing lists 5,177,276 shares (12.75%) held by unit investment trusts and related accounts as of 03/31/2026. The trustees, not the reporting entities, exercise voting power for many of these shares.
Cash‑flow treatment and sale intent are not stated; subsequent filings would show any disposition activity. The joint filing and disclaimers clarify control and voting arrangements.
Schedule 13G/A used for passive/shared holdings under Rule 13d-1(k)(1).
The report is a joint Schedule 13G amendment filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) and includes the required identification and joint filing agreement reference (Exhibit 99.1). It describes portfolio supervision and trustee voting practices under investment company contracts.
Material qualifiers include trustee voting and Rule 12d1-4 references; these limit unilateral voting by the reporting persons.
Key Figures
Shares beneficially owned:5,177,276 sharesPercent of class:12.75%Report date:03/31/2026+2 more
5 metrics
Shares beneficially owned5,177,276 sharesAmount beneficially owned as reported
Percent of class12.75%Percent of common stock as reported
Report date03/31/2026Date of record for ownership figures
CUSIP00301W105Identifier for common shares reported
Filing signature date04/14/2026Date signatures executed on amendment
Key Terms
Schedule 13G/A, Rule 13d-1(k)(1), unit investment trusts, disclaims beneficial ownership
4 terms
Schedule 13G/Aregulatory
"This filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P."
A Schedule 13G/A is an amended public filing with the U.S. securities regulator that updates a previous Schedule 13G, disclosing when an individual or group holds a substantial (typically over 5%) stake in a company and is claiming a passive, non‑controlling intent. Investors monitor these updates because rising or falling holdings can signal changing confidence, potential future moves, or shifts in voting power — like watching a public ledger where large shareholders quietly adjust their positions.
Rule 13d-1(k)(1)regulatory
"filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)"
unit investment trustsfinancial
"unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. hold shares"
A unit investment trust (UIT) is a pooled investment that sells investors fixed “units” representing a pre-selected, unchanging bundle of stocks, bonds or other securities held for a set period. Think of it like buying a pre-packed grocery basket that won’t be rearranged — you know exactly what you own and roughly when it will end. UITs matter to investors because they offer predictable holdings and income patterns, lower active management, and clear tax and fee implications compared with regularly traded funds.
disclaims beneficial ownershipregulatory
"Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership"
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 2)
abrdn Emerging Markets ex China Fund Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common
(Title of Class of Securities)
00301W105
(CUSIP Number)
03/31/2026
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
Rule 13d-1(b)
Rule 13d-1(c)
Rule 13d-1(d)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
00301W105
1
Names of Reporting Persons
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
5,177,276.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
5,177,276.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
12.75 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
BD
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
00301W105
1
Names of Reporting Persons
First Trust Advisors L.P.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
5,177,276.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
5,177,276.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
12.75 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IA
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
00301W105
1
Names of Reporting Persons
The Charger Corporation
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
5,177,276.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
5,177,276.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
12.75 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
HC
SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1.
(a)
Name of issuer:
abrdn Emerging Markets ex China Fund Inc.
(b)
Address of issuer's principal executive offices:
Attn: Legal Department, c/o Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., 1900 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
Item 2.
(a)
Name of person filing:
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
First Trust Advisors L.P.
The Charger Corporation
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(c)
Citizenship:
Illinois, USA
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Common
(e)
CUSIP No.:
Item 3.
If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)
Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)
Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)
Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)
Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)
An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)
An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)
A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)
A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)
A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)
A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
please specify the type of institution:
(k)
Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.
Ownership
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
5,177,276
(b)
Percent of class:
12.75 %
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
5,177,276
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Not Applicable
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
This Schedule 13G filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1). The Charger Corporation is the General Partner of both First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Portfolios L.P. acts as sponsor of certain unit investment trusts which hold shares of the issuer. The total number of shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts is set forth in Row (8) above with respect to First Trust Portfolios L.P. No individual unit investment trust sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. holds more than 3% of any registered investment company issuer's shares. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., acts as portfolio supervisor of the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P., certain of which hold shares of the issuer. Neither First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. nor The Charger Corporation have the power to vote the shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. These shares are voted by the trustee of such unit investment trusts so as to insure that the shares are ordinarily voted as closely as possible in the same manner and in the same general proportion as are the shares held by owners other than such unit investment trusts. Subject to the requirements of Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as further explained in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and related Trust Agreements of the unit investment trusts, First Trust Portfolios L.P., on behalf of the unit investment trusts, may enter into an agreement with a deposited fund which may permit the shares of such fund to be voted in the best interest of unit holders at the discretion of First Trust Portfolios L.P. The difference, if any, between the aggregate amount of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person, as set forth in Row (9) above, and the number of shares of the issuer held by the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. represents shares of the issuer which are either held in other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or separately managed accounts for which First Trust Advisors L.P. serves as investment advisor and/or investment sub-advisor. Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the issuer identified in this filing.
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
See Item 6.
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not Applicable
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable
Item 10.
Certifications:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under ?? 240.14a-11.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:
04/14/2026
First Trust Advisors L.P.
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:
04/14/2026
The Charger Corporation
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date:
04/14/2026
Exhibit Information
Please see Exhibit 99.1 for Joint Filing Agreement
What does the AEF 13G/A filing disclose about First Trust's holdings?
It reports 5,177,276 shares (12.75%) of AEF held collectively. The filing states these shares are held in unit investment trusts and related accounts and that trustees vote many of the shares rather than the reporting entities.
Who filed the Schedule 13G/A for AEF and why is it joint?
First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P., and The Charger Corporation jointly filed. The Charger Corporation is the general partner and the filing cites Rule 13d-1(k)(1) to report passive, shared holdings for related entities.
Does the filing indicate who can vote or sell the reported AEF shares?
The filing states shared dispositive power for 5,177,276 shares and zero sole voting power. It explains trustees of unit investment trusts typically vote those shares to mirror other holders; the reporting persons disclaim certain voting authority.
What is the reporting date and CUSIP shown in the AEF filing?
The holdings are reported as of 03/31/2026 with CUSIP 00301W105. The amendment is signed on 04/14/2026 by James M. Dykas in his CFO/Treasurer roles for the reporting entities.
Does this 13G/A imply active control or a takeover of AEF?
No—this Schedule 13G/A indicates a passive reporting status under Rule 13d-1(k)(1). The filing describes trustee voting practices and disclaims beneficial ownership for certain trust-held shares, not an assertion of active control.
