For the Period Ended 09/30/2007

 

PETROLEUM & RESOURCES CORPORATION

 


Board of Directors

 

Enrique R. Arzac 1,4,5

  Thomas H. Lenagh 2,3

Phyllis O. Bonanno 1,4,5

  Kathleen T. McGahran 2,4

Daniel E. Emerson 1,3,5

  Douglas G. Ober 1

Frederic A. Escherich 2,3

  Craig R. Smith 2,4

Roger W. Gale 1,3,5

 
1. Member of Executive Committee
2. Member of Audit Committee
3. Member of Compensation Committee
4. Member of Retirement Benefits Committee
5. Member of Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Officers

 

Douglas G. Ober

  

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Joseph M. Truta

  

Executive Vice President

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.

  

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Maureen A. Jones

  

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Nancy J.F. Prue

  

Vice President

Robert E. Sullivan

  

Vice President — Research

Christine M. Sloan

  

Assistant Treasurer

Geraldine H. Paré

  

Assistant Secretary

 


Stock Data


 

Market Price (9/30/07)

   $ 40.34

Net Asset Value (9/30/07)

   $ 45.30

Discount:

     10.9%

 

New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol: PEO

 

NASDAQ Mutual Fund Quotation Symbol: XPEOX

 

Newspaper stock listings are generally under the abbreviation: PetRs

 


Distributions in 2007


 

From Investment Income

   $ 0.29

From Net Realized Gains

     0.10
      

Total

   $ 0.39
      

 


2007 Dividend Payment Dates


 

March 1, 2007

June 1, 2007

September 1, 2007

December 27, 2007*

 

*Anticipated

 

LOGO


LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS

 


 

 

We submit herewith the financial statements of the Petroleum & Resources Corporation (the Corporation) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. In addition, there are a schedule of investments and other financial information.

 

Net assets of the Corporation at September 30, 2007 were $45.30 per share on 21,727,480 shares outstanding, compared with $36.61 per share at December 31, 2006 on 22,180,867 shares outstanding. On March 1, 2007, a distribution of $0.13 per share was paid, consisting of $0.07 from 2006 long-term capital gain, $0.03 from 2006 short-term capital gain and $0.03 from 2006 investment income, all taxable in 2007. A 2007 investment income dividend of $0.13 per share was paid on June 1, 2007 and September 1, 2007.

 

Net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 amounted to $7,119,918, compared with $7,913,401 for the same nine month period in 2006. These earnings are equal to $0.33 and $0.37 per share.

 

Net capital gain realized on investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 amounted to $70,262,829, or $3.23 per share.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the total return on net asset value (with dividends and capital gains reinvested) of shares of the Corporation was 25.1%. The total return on the market value of the Corporation’s shares for the period was 21.9%. These compare to a 27.8% gain for the Dow Jones Oil and Gas Index and a 9.1% total return for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Index over the same time period.

 

For the twelve months ended September 30, 2007, the Corporation’s total return on net asset value was 35.8% and on market value was 37.4%, as the discount narrowed during the period. Comparable figures for the Dow Jones Oil & Gas Index and the S&P 500 were 41.6% and 16.4%, respectively.

 

Current and potential stockholders can find information about the Corporation, including the daily net asset value (NAV) per share, the market price, and the discount/premium to the NAV, on our website at www.peteres.com. Also available on the website are a brief history of the Corporation, historical financial information, and other useful content. Further information regarding stockholder services is located on page 15 of this report.

 


 

By order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

Douglas G. Ober,

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

October 12, 2007


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 


 

September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

Assets

     

Investments* at value:

     

Common stocks and convertible securities
(cost $343,591,848)

   $ 925,434,248   

Short-term investments (cost $60,224,701)

     60,224,701   

Securities lending collateral (cost $62,045,317)

     62,045,317    $ 1,047,704,266  

Cash

        273,719  

Receivables:

     

Investment securities sold

        1,157,978  

Dividends and interest

        620,219  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

            552,453  

Total Assets

            1,050,308,635  

Liabilities

     

Open written option contracts at value (proceeds $91,982)

        81,850  

Obligations to return securities lending collateral

        62,045,317  

Accrued expenses

            3,953,900  

Total Liabilities

            66,081,067  

Net Assets

          $ 984,227,568  

Net Assets

     

Common Stock at par value $0.001 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares;
issued and outstanding 21,727,480 shares (includes 24,724 restricted shares, 3,200 restricted stock units, and 1,868 deferred stock units) (Note 6)

      $ 21,727  

Additional capital surplus

        333,345,908  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 5)

        (1,935,240 )

Undistributed net investment income

        777,273  

Undistributed net realized gain on investments

        70,165,368  

Unrealized appreciation on investments

            581,852,532  

Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock

          $ 984,227,568  

Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock

            $45.30  

 

* See Schedule of Investments on pages 9 and 10.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

2


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 


 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

Investment Income

  

Income:

  

Dividends

   $ 8,756,715

Interest and other income

     2,167,663

Total income

     10,924,378

Expenses:

  

Investment research

     1,722,360

Administration and operations

     976,369

Directors’ fees

     266,088

Reports and stockholder communications

     207,727

Transfer agent, registrar and custodian expenses

     127,424

Auditing and accounting services

     69,802

Legal services

     56,829

Occupancy and other office expenses

     186,951

Travel, telephone and postage

     60,733

Other

     130,177

Total expenses

     3,804,460

Net Investment Income

     7,119,918

Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments

  

Net realized gain on security transactions

     70,262,829

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     119,454,513

Net Gain on Investments

     189,717,342

Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 196,837,260

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

3


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 


 

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007
    Year Ended
December 31, 2006
 
     (unaudited)        

From Operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 7,119,918     $ 9,844,108  

Net realized gain on investments

     70,262,829       69,700,053  

Change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     119,454,513       33,586,674  

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 5)

     31,735       (1,966,975 )

Increase in net assets resulting from operations

     196,868,995       111,163,860  

Distributions to Stockholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (6,342,645 )     (9,928,393 )

Net realized gain from investment transactions

     (2,217,601 )     (69,654,826 )

Decrease in net assets from distributions

     (8,560,246 )     (79,583,219 )

From Capital Share Transactions:

    

Value of shares issued in payment of distributions

     8,147       46,212,047  

Cost of shares purchased (Note 4)

     (16,498,481 )     (28,033,719 )

Deferred compensation (Notes 4,6)

     361,914       374,618  

Change in net assets from capital share transactions

     (16,128,420 )     18,552,946  

Total Increase in Net Assets

     172,180,329       50,133,587  

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of period

     812,047,239       761,913,652  

End of period (including undistributed net investment
income of $777,273 and $0, respectively)

   $ 984,227,568     $ 812,047,239  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

4


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 


 

 

1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Petroleum & Resources Corporation (the Corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a non-diversified investment company. The Corporation is an internally-managed fund emphasizing petroleum and other natural resource investments. The investment objectives of the Corporation are preservation of capital, the attainment of reasonable income from investments, and an opportunity for capital appreciation.

 

Security Valuation—Investments in securities traded on national security exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation. Over-the-counter and listed securities for which a sale price is not available are valued at the last quoted bid price. Short-term investments (excluding purchased options) are valued at amortized cost. Purchased and written options are valued at the last quoted asked price.

 

Security Transactions and Investment Income—Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gain or loss on sales of securities and options is determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income and distributions to stockholders are recognized on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recognized on the accrual basis.

 

2.    FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

The Corporation’s policy is to distribute all of its taxable income to its stockholders in compliance with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. For federal income tax purposes, the identified cost of securities at September 30, 2007 was $465,832,043 and net unrealized appreciation aggregated $581,872,223, of which the related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation were $583,698,982 and $1,826,759, respectively.

 

Distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, annual reclassifications are made within the Corporation’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution under income tax regulations. Any income tax-related interest or penalties would be classified as income tax expense.

 

3.    INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

The Corporation’s investment decisions are made by a committee of management, and recommendations to that committee are made by the research staff.

 

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities, other than options and short-term investments, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $49,571,658 and $99,447,818, respectively. Options may be written (sold) or purchased by the Corporation. The Corporation, as writer of an option, bears the risks of possible illiquidity of the option markets and from movements in security values. The risk associated with purchasing an option is limited to the premium originally paid. A schedule of outstanding option contracts as of September 30, 2007 can be found on page 12.

 

Transactions in written covered call and collateralized put options during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Covered Calls     Collateralized Puts  
     Contracts     Premiums     Contracts     Premiums  

Options outstanding, December 31, 2006

   1,125     $ 242,584     750     $ 85,950  

Options written

   3,340       411,752     3,455       372,240  

Options terminated in closing purchase transactions

   (600 )     (136,316 )   (100 )     (14,345 )

Options expired

   (1,925 )     (267,838 )   (3,200 )     (360,599 )

Options exercised

   (1,600 )     (218,679 )   (225 )     (22,767 )

Options outstanding, September 30, 2007

   340     $ 31,503     680     $ 60,479  

 

4.    CAPITAL STOCK

 

The Corporation has 5,000,000 authorized and unissued preferred shares, $0.001 par value.

 

On December 27, 2006, the Corporation issued 1,369,675 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $33.73 per share (the average market price on December 11, 2006) to stockholders of record on November 21, 2006 who elected to take stock in payment of the distribution from 2006 capital gain and investment income. In addition, 376 shares were issued at a weighted average price of $33.76 per share as dividend equivalents to holders of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under the 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

During 2007, the Corporation has issued 236 shares of its Common Stock at a weighted average price of $34.55 per share as dividend equivalents to holders of deferred stock units and restricted stock units under the 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

The Corporation may purchase shares of its Common Stock from time to time at such prices and amounts as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

 

5


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 


 

 

Transactions in Common Stock for 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

    Shares     Amount  
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
2007
    Year ended
December 31,
2006
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
2007
    Year ended
December 31,
2006
 

Shares issued in
payment of
dividends

  236     1,370,051     $ 8,147     $ 46,212,047  

Shares purchased (at a weighted average discount from net asset value of 9.8% and 10.1%, respectively)

  (469,015 )   (827,959 )     (16,498,481 )     (28,033,719 )

Net activity under the Equity-Based Compensation Plans

  15,392     17,703       361,914       374,618  

Net change

  (453,387 )   559,795     $ (16,128,420 )   $ 18,552,946  

 

5.    RETIREMENT PLANS

 

The Corporation’s non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan covers all employees with at least one year of service. In addition, the Corporation has a non-contributory nonqualified defined benefit plan which provides eligible employees with retirement benefits to supplement the qualified plan. Benefits are based on length of service and compensation during the last five years of employment.

 

The funded status of the plans is recognized as an asset (overfunded plan) or a liability (underfunded plan) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Changes in the prior service costs and accumulated actuarial gains and losses are recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of net assets, in the year in which the changes occur.

 

The Corporation’s policy is to contribute annually to the plans those amounts that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes, plus additional amounts as the Corporation deems appropriate in order to provide assets sufficient to meet benefits to be paid to plan participants. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Corporation contributed $23,406 to the plans and expects to contribute an additional $307,802 to the plans during the remainder of 2007.

 

The following table aggregates the components of the plans’ net periodic pension cost.

 

     Nine months
ended
September 30,
2007
    Year ended
December 31,
2006
 

Service Cost

   $ 261,264     $ 334,876  

Interest Cost

     281,020       327,991  

Expected return on plan assets

     (276,564 )     (343,422 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     28,288       37,717  

Amortization of net loss

     169,624       225,362  

Deferred asset gain

           31,224  

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 463,632     $ 613,748  

 

The Corporation also sponsors a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all employees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Corporation expensed contributions of $79,026. The Corporation does not provide postretirement medical benefits.

 

6.    EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Although the Stock Option Plan of 1985 (“1985 Plan”) has been discontinued and no further grants will be made under this plan, unexercised grants of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted in 2004 and prior years remain outstanding. The exercise price of the unexercised options and related stock appreciation rights is the fair market value on date of grant, reduced by the per share amount of capital gains paid by the Corporation during subsequent years. All options and related stock appreciation rights terminate 10 years from date of grant, if not exercised.

 

A summary of option activity under the 1985 Plan as of September 30, 2007, and changes during the nine month period then ended is presented below:

 

     Options     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

   83,914     $ 16.19    4.46

Exercised

   (23,500 )     15.81   

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

   60,414     $ 15.41    3.75

Exercisable at September 30, 2007

   21,724     $ 14.85    2.42

 

The options outstanding as of September 30, 2007 are set forth below:

 

Exercise Price

  Options
Outstanding
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)

$9.00-$11.99

  3,975   $ 9.61   1.25

$12.00-$14.99

  22,774     12.94   3.44

$15.00-$17.99

  18,191     16.70   5.11

$18.00-$21.99

  15,474     19.00   3.25

Outstanding at September 30, 2007

  60,414   $ 15.41   3.75

 

Compensation cost resulting from stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 1985 Plan is based on

 

6


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 


 

 

the intrinsic value of the award, recognized over the award’s vesting period, and remeasured at each reporting date through the date of settlement. The total compensation cost recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $516,577.

 

The 2005 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (“2005 Plan”), adopted at the 2005 Annual Meeting, permits the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock incentives to key employees and all non-employee directors. The 2005 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 872,639 shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, including both performance and nonperformance-based restricted stock. Performance-based restricted stock awards vest at the end of a specified three year period, with the ultimate number of awards earned contingent on achievement of certain performance targets. If performance targets are not achieved, all or a portion of the performance-based awards are forfeited and become available for future grants. Nonperformance-based restricted stock awards vest ratably over a three year period and nonperformance-based restricted stock units (granted to non-employee directors) vest over a one year period. It is the current intention that employee grants will be performance-based. The 2005 Plan provides for accelerated vesting in the event of death or retirement. Non-employee directors also may elect to defer a portion of their cash compensation, with such deferred amount to be paid by delivery of deferred stock units. Outstanding awards are granted at fair market value on grant date. The number of shares of Common Stock which remain available for future grants under the 2005 Plan at September 30, 2007 is 830,890 shares.

 

The Corporation pays dividends and dividend equivalents on outstanding awards, which are charged to net assets when paid. Dividends and dividend equivalents paid on restricted awards that are later forfeited are reclassified to compensation expense.

 

A summary of the status of the Corporations’s awards granted under the 2005 Plan as of September 30, 2007, and changes during the nine month period then ended is presented below:

 

Awards

  

Shares/

Units

    Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value

Balance at December 31, 2006

   21,398     $ 33.16

Granted:

    

    Restricted stock

   10,983       31.34

    Restricted stock units

   3,200       34.70

    Deferred stock units

   579       34.82

Vested

   (5,542 )     31.78

Forfeited

   (826 )     34.32

Balance at September 30, 2007 (includes 23,182 performance-based awards and 6,610 nonperformance-based awards)

   29,792     $ 32.91

 

Compensation costs resulting from awards granted under the 2005 Plan are based on the fair value of the award on grant date (determined by the average of the high and low price on grant date) and recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For those awards with performance conditions, compensation costs are based on the most probable outcome and, if such goals are not met, compensation cost is not recognized and any previously recognized compensation cost is reversed. The total compensation costs for restricted stock granted to employees for the period ended September 30, 2007 were $204,618. The total compensation costs for restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors for the period ended September 30, 2007 were $89,088. As of September 30, 2007, there were total unrecognized compensation costs of $520,756, a component of additional capital surplus, related to nonvested equity-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2005 Plan. Those costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.64 years.

 

7.    OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The aggregate remuneration paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to officers and directors amounted to $1,905,113, of which $233,741 was paid as fees and compensation to directors who were not officers. These amounts represent the taxable income to the Corporation’s officers and directors and therefore differ from the amounts reported in the accompanying Statement of Operations that are recorded and expensed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

8.    PORTFOLIO SECURITIES LOANED

 

The Corporation makes loans of securities to brokers, secured by cash deposits, U.S. Government securities, or bank letters of credit. The Corporation accounts for securities lending transactions as secured financing and receives compensation in the form of fees or retains a portion of interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Corporation also continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The loans are secured at all times by collateral of at least 102% of the fair value of the securities loaned plus accrued interest. Gain or loss in the fair value of securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Corporation. At September 30, 2007, the Corporation had securities on loan of $60,681,454 and held collateral of $62,045,317, consisting of an investment trust fund which may invest in money market instruments, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, U.S. Treasury Bills, and U.S. agency obligations.

 

7


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 


 

 

    Nine Months Ended                      
    (unaudited)                      
   

September 30,

2007

    September 30,
2006
   

Year Ended December 31

        2006   2005   2004   2003   2002
   

Per Share Operating Performance

               
   

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $36.61     $35.24     $35.24   $28.16   $24.06   $20.98   $24.90
   

Net investment income

  0.33     0.37     0.47   0.53*   0.41   0.38   0.42
   

Net realized gains and increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation

  8.67     1.81     4.91   8.29   5.05   3.89   (3.20)
   

Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (note 5)

  —          —          (0.09)   —        —        —        —     
   

Total from investment operations

  9.00     2.18     5.29   8.82   5.46   4.27   (2.78)
   

Less distributions

               
   

Dividends from net investment income

  (0.29)     (0.29)     (0.47)   (0.56)   (0.44)   (0.38)   (0.43)
   

Distributions from net realized gains

  (0.10)     (0.10)     (3.33)   (1.22)   (0.88)   (0.81)   (0.68)
   

Total distributions

  (0.39)     (0.39)     (3.80)   (1.78)   (1.32)   (1.19)   (1.11)
   

Capital share repurchases

  0.08     0.09     0.15   0.10   0.01   0.02   0.01
   

Reinvestment of distributions

  —          —          (0.27)   (0.06)   (0.05)   (0.02)   (0.04)
   

Total capital share transactions

  0.08     0.09     (0.12)   0.04   (0.04)   0.00   (0.03)
   

Net asset value, end of period

  $45.30     $37.12     $36.61   $35.24   $28.16   $24.06   $20.98
   

Per share market price, end of period

  $40.34     $32.68     $33.46   $32.34   $25.78   $23.74   $19.18
   

Total Investment Return

               
   

Based on market price

  21.9%     2.2%     15.3%   32.3%   14.4%   30.8%   (13.7)%
   

Based on net asset value

  25.1%     6.6%     15.7%   32.0%   23.3%   21.2%   (11.1)%
   

Ratios/Supplemental Data

               
   

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

  $984,228      $783,638      $812,047    $761,914    $618,887    $522,941    $451,275 
   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

  0.57%   0.50%   0.60%   0.59%   0.56%   0.74%   0.49%
   

Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets

  1.07%   1.31%   1.22%   1.61%   1.58%   1.75%   1.84%
   

Portfolio turnover

  7.91%   11.82%   9.95%   10.15%   13.44%   10.20%   9.69%
   

Number of shares outstanding at
end of period (in 000’s)

  21,727      21,113      22,181    21,621    21,980    21,737     21,510 

*   In 2005 the Corporation received dividend income of $3,032,857, or $0.14 per share, as a result of Precision Drilling Corp.’s reorganization.
†  Ratios presented on an annualized basis.

 

8


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 


 

September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

     Shares   Value (A)

Stocks And Convertible Securities — 94.0%

 

Energy — 87.9%

   

Integrated — 36.9%

   

Chevron Corp.

  715,000   $ 66,909,700

ConocoPhillips

  556,891     48,878,323

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  1,245,000     115,237,200

Hess Corp. (B)

  195,000     12,973,350

Marathon Oil Co.

  240,000     13,684,800

Murphy Oil Corp.

  216,500     15,131,185

Royal Dutch Shell plc ADR

  265,000     21,777,700

Suncor Energy

  90,000     8,532,900

Total S.A. ADR

  390,000     31,601,700

Valero Energy Corp.

  425,000     28,551,500
       
      363,278,358
       

Exploration & Production — 14.4%

 

Apache Corp.

  158,200     14,247,492

Devon Energy Corp.

  330,000     27,456,000

EOG Resources, Inc. (B)

  230,000     16,635,900

Forest Oil Corp (C)

  37,000     1,592,480

Newfield Exploration Co. (C)

  175,000     8,428,000

Noble Energy, Inc.

  340,000    
23,813,600

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

  400,000     25,632,000

XTO Energy Inc.

  390,000    
24,117,600
       
      141,923,072
       

Services — 23.4%

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

  205,000     18,525,850

BJ Services Co.

  240,000     6,372,000

Bronco Drilling Co., Inc. (B) (C)

  240,000     3,552,000

ENSCO International, Inc.

  209,150     11,733,315

GlobalSantaFe Corp.

  290,000     22,045,800

Grant Prideco Inc. (C)

  308,000     16,792,160

Hercules Offshore, Inc. (B) (C)

  542,320     14,159,975

Nabors Industries Ltd. (C)

  520,000     16,000,400

Noble Corp.

  600,000     29,430,000

Schlumberger Ltd. (B)

  560,000     58,800,000

Weatherford International,
Ltd. (C)

  493,560     33,157,361
       
      230,568,861
       
     Shares   Value (A)
 

Utilities — 13.2%

   

AGL Resources Inc.

  170,000   $ 6,735,400

Duke Energy Corp.

  217,624     4,067,392

Energen Corp.

  400,000     22,848,000

Equitable Resources Inc.

  450,000     23,341,500

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

  375,000     10,440,000

National Fuel Gas Co. (B)

  200,000     9,362,000

New Jersey Resources Corp.

  200,000     9,918,000

Northeast Utilities

  100,000     2,857,000

Questar Corp.

  320,000     16,809,600

SEMCO Energy, Inc. (C)

  670,300     5,288,667

Spectra Energy Corp.

  108,812     2,663,718

Williams Companies, Inc.

  450,000     15,327,000
       
      129,658,277
       

Basic Industries — 6.1%

   

Basic Materials & Other — 6.1%

 

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

  115,000     11,242,400

Aqua America, Inc. (B)

  281,000     6,373,080

du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours and Co.

  157,500     7,805,700

General Electric Co.

  370,000     15,318,000

Lubrizol Corp.

  125,000     8,132,500

Rohm & Haas Co.

  200,000     11,134,000
       
      60,005,680
       

Total Stocks And Convertible Securities
(Cost $343,591,848) (D)

  $ 925,434,248
       

 

9


SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)


 

September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

 

     Prin. Amt.   Value (A)

Short-Term Investments — 6.1%

 

U.S. Government Obligations — 1.5%

 

U.S. Treasury Bills,
4.29-4.65%, due 11/15/07

  $ 15,000,000   $ 14,914,163
       

Time Deposit — 0.0%

 

Citibank, N.A., 4.37%, due 10/1/07

    294,132     294,132
       

Commercial Paper — 4.6%

 

American Express Credit Corp.,
4.70-5.21%, due 10/9/07-11/1/07

    7,000,000     6,980,775

American General Finance, Inc.,
4.78-5.15%, due 10/4/07-10/18/07

    6,400,000     6,391,403

Chevron Funding Corp.,
4.95%, due 10/16/07

    4,800,000     4,790,100

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.,
4.85%, due 10/22/07

    3,600,000     3,589,815

General Electric Capital Corp.,
4.98%, due 10/4/07

    2,000,000     1,999,170

General Electric Capital Services Corp., 4.72%, due 10/23/07

    5,000,000     4,985,578

LaSalle Bank Corp.,
5.00%, due 10/11/07

    1,500,000     1,497,917
     Prin. Amt.   Value (A)  

Prudential Funding, LLC,
5.23%, due 10/2/07

  $ 5,500,000   $ 5,499,201  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
5.14-5.21%, due 10/9/07-10/11/07

    7,000,000     6,990,599  

United Parcel Service of America, Inc.,
4.40%, due 10/30/07

    2,300,000     2,291,848  
         
      45,016,406  
         

Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $60,224,701)

      60,224,701  
         

Total Securities Lending Collateral — 6.3%
(Cost $62,045,317)

 

Brown Brothers Investment
Trust, 5.24%, due 10/1/07

      62,045,317  
         

Total Investments — 106.4%
(Cost $465,861,866)

    1,047,704,266  

Cash, receivables, prepaid
expenses and other assets, less liabilities — (6.4)%

      (63,476,698 )
         

Net Assets — 100%

    $ 984,227,568  
         

Notes:

(A) See note 1 to financial statements. Securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, or the NASDAQ.
(B) Some of the shares of this company are on loan. See note 8 to financial statements.
(C) Presently non-dividend paying.
(D) The aggregate market value of stocks held in escrow at September 30, 2007 covering open call option contracts written was $1,925,180. In addition, the aggregate market value of securities segregated by the Corporation’s custodian required to collateralize open put option contracts written was $3,895,000.

 

10


PORTFOLIO SUMMARY


 

September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

 

TEN LARGEST PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

      Market Value      % of Net Assets  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   $ 115,237,200      11.7 %

Chevron Corp.

     66,909,700      6.8  

Schlumberger Ltd.

     58,800,000      6.0  

ConocoPhillips

     48,878,323      5.0  

Weatherford International, Ltd.

     33,157,361      3.3  

Total S.A. ADR

     31,601,700      3.2  

Noble Corp.

     29,430,000      3.0  

Valero Energy Corp.

     28,551,500      2.9  

Devon Energy Corp.

     27,456,000      2.8  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     25,632,000      2.6  
               

Total

   $ 465,653,784      47.3 %
                 

 

SECTOR WEIGHTINGS

 

LOGO

 

11


SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING OPTION CONTRACTS

 


 

September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

 

Contracts

(100 shares

each)

     Security   

Strike
Price

    

Contract

Expiration

Date

    

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 
COVERED CALLS

 

 

240     

Marathon Oil Co.

  

$62.50

     Oct    07      $ 5,640  
100     

Rohm & Haas Co.

  

55

     Oct    07        (4,037 )
                           
340                       1,603  
                           
COLLATERALIZED PUTS

 

 

150     

GlobalSantaFe Corp.

  

60

     Oct    07        12,300  
100     

Lubrizol Corp.

  

55

     Dec   07        4,700  
100     

Lubrizol Corp.

  

60

     Dec   07        (5,800 )
180     

Noble Corp.

  

40

     Dec   07        1,529  
150     

Total S.A. ADR

  

75

     Nov   07        (4,200 )
                           
680                       8,529  
                           
                    $ 10,132  
                         

 

12

 

CHANGES IN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 


 

During the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

     Shares
     Additions     Reductions     Held
September 30, 2007

Chevron Corp.

   65,000       715,000

Hercules Offshore, Inc.

   292,320 (1)     542,320

Lubrizol Corp.

   125,000       125,000

Noble Corp.

   400,000 (2)     600,000

Northeast Utilities

   100,000       100,000

Total S.A. ADR

   170,000       390,000

EOG Resources, Inc.

     80,000     230,000

Florida Rock Industries Inc.

     105,000    

General Electric Co.

     84,800     370,000

Noble Energy, Inc.

     90,000     340,000

Questar Corp.

     40,000     320,000

Suncor Energy

     10,000     90,000

TODCO

     200,000 (1)  

(1)

Received 1.4616 shares of Hercules Offshore, Inc. for each share of TODCO surrendered.

(2)

Received 300,000 shares by stock split.


HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATISTICS

 


 

(unaudited)

 

 

Dec. 31

  Value Of
Net Assets
  Shares
Outstanding*
  Net Asset
Value Per
Share*
  Market
Value
Per Share*
  Dividends
From
Investment
Income
Per Share*
  Distributions
From Net
Realized
Gains
Per Share*
  Total
Dividends
and
Distributions
Per Share*
 



Annual
Rate of
Distribution**

 

1997

  $ 556,452,549   20,134,181   $ 27.64   $ 24.33   $ .51   $ 1.04   $ 1.55   6.37 %

1998

    474,821,118   20,762,063     22.87     20.42     .52     1.01     1.53   6.48  

1999

    565,075,001   21,471,270     26.32     21.50     .48     1.07     1.55   7.00  

2000

    688,172,867   21,053,644     32.69     27.31     .39     1.35     1.74   6.99  

2001

    526,491,798   21,147,563     24.90     23.46     .43     1.07     1.50   5.61  

2002

    451,275,463   21,510,067     20.98     19.18     .43     .68     1.11   5.11  

2003

    522,941,279   21,736,777     24.06     23.74     .38     .81     1.19   5.84  

2004

    618,887,401   21,979,676     28.16     25.78     .44     .88     1.32   5.40  

2005

    761,913,652   21,621,072     35.24     32.34     .56     1.22     1.78   5.90  

2006

    812,047,239   22,180,867     36.61     33.46     .47     3.33     3.80   11.26  

Sept. 30, 2007

    984,227,568   21,727,480     45.30     40.34     .29     .10     .39    

  * Adjusted for 3-for-2 stock split effected in October 2000.
** The Annual Rate of Distribution is the total dividends and capital gain distributions during the year divided by the average daily market price of the Corporation’s Common Stock.

 

13

 

 


 

Common Stock

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange

 

Petroleum & Resources Corporation

Seven St. Paul Street, Suite 1140, Baltimore, MD 21202

(410) 752-5900 or (800) 638-2479

Website: www.peteres.com

E-mail: contact@peteres.com

Counsel: Chadbourne & Parke L.L.P.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Transfer Agent & Registrar: American Stock Transfer & Trust Co.

Custodian of Securities: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.


OTHER INFORMATION

 


 

 

STATEMENT ON QUARTERLY FILING OF COMPLETE PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE

 

In addition to publishing its complete schedule of portfolio holdings in the First and Third Quarter Reports to stockholders, the Corporation files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Corporation’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The Corporation’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Corporation also posts its Forms N-Q on its website at: www.peteres.com under the heading “Financial Reports”.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND RECORD

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Corporation uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities owned by the Corporation and information as to how the Corporation voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30, 2007 are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Corporation’s toll free number at (800) 638-2479; (ii) on the Corporation’s website by clicking on “Corporate Information” heading on the website; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http//www.sec.gov.

 

PRIVACY POLICY

 

In order to conduct its business, Petroleum & Resources Corporation, through its transfer agent, currently American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, collects and maintains certain nonpublic personal information about our stockholders of record with respect to their transactions in shares of our securities. This information includes the stockholder’s address, tax identification or Social Security number, share balances, and dividend elections. We do not collect or maintain personal information about stockholders whose shares of our securities are held in “street name” by a financial institution such as a bank or broker.

 

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you, our other stockholders or our former stockholders to third parties unless necessary to process a transaction, service an account or as otherwise permitted by law.

 

To protect your personal information internally, we restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our stockholders to those employees who need to know that information to provide services to our stockholders. We also maintain certain other safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.

 

14

 


 

This report, including the financial statements herein, is transmitted to the stockholders of Petroleum & Resources Corporation for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Corporation or of any securities mentioned in the report. The rates of return will vary and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. Shares, if sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is not indicative of future investment results.


STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION AND SERVICES

 


 

 

DIVIDEND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

 

The Corporation presently pays dividends four times a year, as follows: (a) three interim distributions on or about March 1, June 1, and September 1, and (b) a “year-end” distribution, payable in late December, consisting of the estimated balance of the net investment income for the year and the net realized capital gain earned through October 31. Stockholders may elect to receive the year-end distribution in stock or cash. In connection with this distribution, all stockholders of record are sent a dividend announcement notice and an election card in mid-November.

 

Stockholders holding shares in “street” or brokerage accounts may make their elections by notifying their brokerage house representative.

 

INVESTORS CHOICE

 

INVESTORS CHOICE is a direct stock purchase and sale plan, as well as a dividend reinvestment plan, sponsored and administered by our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (AST). The Plan provides registered stockholders and interested first time investors an affordable alternative for buying, selling, and reinvesting in Petroleum & Resources shares.

 

The costs to participants in administrative service fees and brokerage commissions for each type of transaction are listed below.

 

Initial Enrollment and Optional Cash Investments

 

Service Fee

  $2.50 per investment

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Reinvestment of Dividends*

 

Service Fee

  2% of amount invested

(maximum of $2.50 per investment)

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Sale of Shares

 

Service Fee

  $10.00

Brokerage Commission

  $0.05 per share

Deposit of Certificates for safekeeping $7.50

Book to Book Transfers

  Included

To transfer shares to another participant or to a new participant

 

Fees are subject to change at any time.

Minimum and Maximum Cash Investments

Initial minimum investment (non-holders)

  $500.00

Minimum optional investment (existing holders)

  $50.00

Electronic Funds Transfer
(monthly minimum)

  $50.00

Maximum per transaction

  $25,000.00

Maximum per year

  NONE

 

A brochure which further details the benefits and features of INVESTORS CHOICE as well as an enrollment form may be obtained by contacting AST.

 

For Non-Registered Stockholders

 

For stockholders whose stock is held by a broker in “street” name, the AST INVESTORS CHOICE Direct Stock Purchase and Sale Plan remains available through many registered investment security dealers. If your shares are currently held in a “street” name or brokerage account, please contact your broker for details about how you can participate in AST’s Plan or contact AST.

 


 

The Corporation

Petroleum & Resources Corporation

Lawrence L. Hooper, Jr.

Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Seven St. Paul Street, Suite 1140, Baltimore, MD 21202

(800) 638-2479

Website: www.peteres.com

E-mail: contact@peteres.com

 

The Transfer Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Address Stockholder Inquiries to:

Stockholder Relations Department

59 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

(866) 723-8330

Website: www.amstock.com

E-mail: info@amstock.com

 

Investors Choice Mailing Address:

Attention: Dividend Reinvestment

P.O. Box 922

Wall Street Station

New York, NY 10269-0560

Website: www.amstock.com

E-mail: info@amstock.com

 

*The year-end dividend and capital gain distribution will usually be made in newly issued shares of common stock. There are no fees or commissions in connection with this dividend and capital gain distribution when made in newly issued shares.

 

15