[MISSING IMAGE: lg_adamssemi.jpg]
 
ADAMS
NATURAL
RESOURCES FUND
 
FIRST QUARTER REPORT
MARCH 31, 2022
[MISSING IMAGE: ig_adamsreportsignup.gif]
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION
adamsfunds.com/sign-up

Letter to Shareholders
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
A lot of things have impacted financial markets since the beginning of 2022. Investors entered the year worried about inflationary pressures not experienced since the 1980s. Inflation has only run hotter since. All eyes were on the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and how it would use interest rate increases to tackle inflation. Those began in March, offering some amount of clarity. Still, investors are struggling to discern the pace of policy tightening and its impact on economic growth. The beginning of the year also brought new fears of an omicron variant of COVID-19. The pandemic is still here, if somewhat in the background, but its ultimate path remains unclear. Adding to all the uncertainty, Russia invaded Ukraine, beginning Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II.
[MISSING IMAGE: lg_adamsreportsidebar.jpg]
“Energy was the best performing sector in the S&P 500 during the first quarter, rising 39.0%...”
 The war exacerbated inflation. Both Russia and Ukraine are important providers of oil and gas, metals, wheat, and other commodities. Crude prices rose sharply during the quarter, briefly surpassing 2008’s peak and helping to lift the price of gasoline to all-time highs. Led by energy and food, the U.S. consumer price index rose to an 8.5% annual rate in March, its fastest climb in 40 years.
On March 16, the Fed raised its key rate by 25 basis points and signaled additional hikes for all six remaining policy meetings in 2022, plus more in 2023. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other policymakers indicated that more aggressive interest rate increases, including some in 50 basis point increments, are on the table. The Fed also said it would end its pandemic-inspired bond purchase program and start to shrink its balance sheet as soon as the second quarter.
Energy was the best performing sector in the S&P 500 during the first quarter, rising 39.0% and outperforming the index by 43.6%. The sector benefited from sharply rising oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices rising by 33% during the quarter, amid strong demand, low inventory, and supply shocks from the war. WTI reached a 13-year high in early March, before declining late in the quarter as the U.S. and other members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced plans to release emergency reserves. The fall in oil prices in late March also reflected some concern about the pace of global economic growth in the face of multiple uncertainties. However, the IEA’s forecast—average WTI prices of  $112 per barrel in the second quarter and over $100 for 2022—remains very supportive for energy companies.
1​

Letter to Shareholders (continued)
The global commodities complex posted its biggest quarterly gain in three decades as the Refinitiv/CoreCommodity CRB Index gained 27.0% for the three-month period, lifting its one-year price return to 59.6%. Beyond energy commodities, the war and sanctions drove up prices of industrial metals and agricultural products, especially those with supply chains tied to Russia and Ukraine. This led to a wide range of outcomes in the Materials sector. On the one hand, stocks such as steel manufacturers and fertilizer producers benefited from the rise in prices for their products. Conversely, companies that use these products as inputs, such as paint manufacturers, had a more difficult time as their profitability was crimped by the higher prices. Overall, materials stocks declined slightly in the first quarter.
All Energy industry groups advanced by double digits in the quarter, led by a 48.7% gain for the Equipment and Services group. This was in contrast to 2021 when the group trailed the performance of the sector. We have favored exploration and production (E&P) companies over service providers because they benefit more directly from a higher oil price. While this has benefited the Fund over the last two years, it was a drag on relative performance in the first quarter. We remain comfortable being overweight E&P stocks versus services but will continue to evaluate the relative merits of each.
In the Integrated Oil and Gas industry group, we moved to an overweight position in Occidental Petroleum during the first quarter. After acquiring Anadarko Petroleum in 2019, the company struggled with the large amount of debt it assumed to complete the acquisition. High oil prices have enabled them to strengthen their balance sheet by paying down much of the debt, leaving them in a better position going forward. The stock rose 30% after we added to the position in February, outperforming the sector by more than 20%.
The Refining and Marketing group was the strongest relative performer in the first quarter, as our investments in the group advanced 32.0% compared to a 30.8% return for the benchmark. Our overweight in Marathon Petroleum was a key driver. In addition to benefiting from rising demand for gasoline and other refined products, Marathon is in a very strong financial position after completing the sale of its retail gasoline business.
The Fund’s Materials holdings also outperformed, with a return of  -1.9% that beat the benchmark’s -2.4% result. Our underweight in the Specialty Chemicals group was a notable contributor, as these stocks tend to be more negatively exposed to inflationary pressures and have struggled in the current environment. Stock selection in the sector also aided relative performance. Specifically, our position in Steel Dynamics was up 34.6% in the first quarter. The company continues to benefit from elevated steel prices, and we expect it to generate significant free cash flow going forward as their capital spending moderates.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the total return on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share (with dividends and capital gains reinvested) was
2

Letter to Shareholders (continued)
27.7%. This compares to a total return of 28.3% for the Fund’s benchmark, comprised of the S&P 500 Energy Sector (74% weight) and the S&P 500 Materials Sector (26% weight), over the same time period. The total return on the market price of the Fund’s shares for the period was 27.3%.
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2022, the Fund’s total return on NAV was 52.1%. Comparable return for the Fund’s benchmark was 51.1%. The Fund’s total return on market price was 50.1%.
During the quarter, the Fund paid distributions to shareholders of  $2.4 million, or $.10 per share, consisting of $.02 net investment income, $.03 short-term capital gain, and $.01 long-term capital gain realized in 2021, and $.04 net investment income realized in 2022.
There’s no shortage of uncertainty as we look ahead, starting with the question of how long the war in Ukraine will last. Potential outcomes of the conflict vary widely. Whatever path it takes, the war and ensuing sanctions cloud the picture around oil and gas prices, supply chain disruptions, and even Western government and monetary policies. The Fed’s path forward will require a delicate balance between managing inflation and avoiding a hard economic landing. We are mindful of the suffering of the people of Ukraine and elsewhere who feel the impact of the war. We hope for a return to peace, and that we have moved past the worst of the pandemic. When it comes to managing our Fund, we will keep our eyes on the long term, manage risk, make adjustments, and seek opportunities. We continue to focus on companies that are reasonably priced and capable of executing and delivering through whatever comes next.
We appreciate your trust and will continue to work hard to keep it.
By order of the Board of Directors,
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_annmarkestoeckle.jpg]
Mark E. Stoeckle
Chief Executive Officer
April 21, 2022
3​

Summary Financial Information
(unaudited)
2022
2021
At March 31:
Net asset value per share $ 24.42 $ 16.94
Market price per share $ 20.93 $ 14.71
Shares outstanding 24,484,655 24,084,802
Total net assets $ 597,963,876 $ 408,043,138
Average net assets $ 536,828,174 $ 367,697,599
Unrealized appreciation on investments $ 128,800,842 $ (29,682,127)
For the three months ended March 31:
Net investment income $ 3,892,803 $ 2,588,622
Net realized gain (loss) $ 21,682,426 $ 2,518,140
Total return (based on market price) 27.3% 30.3%
Total return (based on net asset value) 27.7% 24.0%
Key ratios:
Expenses to average net assets* 0.71% 1.39%
Net investment income to average net assets* 2.96% 2.86%
Portfolio turnover* 36.9% 35.9%
Net cash & short-term investments to net assets   0.8%   0.5%
*
Annualized
Ten Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings
March 31, 2022
(unaudited)
Market Value
Percent
of Net Assets
Exxon Mobil Corporation $ 104,123,691 17.4%
Chevron Corporation 89,408,488 15.0
ConocoPhillips 48,922,600 8.2
Pioneer Natural Resources Company 24,352,922 4.1
Linde plc 21,657,354 3.6
Marathon Petroleum Corporation 21,202,717 3.5
EOG Resources, Inc. 21,175,248 3.5
Occidental Petroleum Corporation 18,097,280 3.0
Schlumberger N.V. 17,507,178 2.9
Diamondback Energy, Inc. 13,584,628 2.3
$ 380,032,106 63.5%
4

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2022
(unaudited)
Shares
Value (a)
Common Stocks — 99.2%
Energy — 79.4%
Equipment & Services — 6.2%
Baker Hughes Company
171,900 $ 6,258,879
Halliburton Company
349,970 13,253,364
Schlumberger N.V.
423,800 17,507,178
37,019,421
Exploration & Production — 27.1%
APA Corporation
222,200 9,183,526
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
47,800 2,962,644
Cheniere Energy, Inc.
26,000 3,604,900
ConocoPhillips
489,226 48,922,600
Coterra Energy Inc.
153,600 4,142,592
Devon Energy Corporation
119,600 7,071,948
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
99,100 13,584,628
EOG Resources, Inc.
177,600 21,175,248
Hess Corporation
53,700 5,748,048
Marathon Oil Corporation
118,400 2,973,024
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
318,951 18,097,280
Pioneer Natural Resources Company
97,400 24,352,922
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
452 36,842
Whiting Petroleum Corporation warrants,
strike price $73.44, expires 9/1/24 (b)
2,654 54,407
Whiting Petroleum Corporation warrants,
strike price $83.45, expires 9/1/25 (b)
1,327 19,786
161,930,395
Integrated Oil & Gas — 33.9%
BP plc Sponsored ADR
51,300 1,508,220
Cenovus Energy Inc.
176,700 2,947,356
Chevron Corporation
549,091 89,408,488
Exxon Mobil Corporation
1,260,730 104,123,691
Shell plc Sponsored ADR
28,600 1,570,998
Suncor Energy Inc.
46,400 1,512,176
TotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR
28,500 1,440,390
202,511,319
Refining & Marketing — 7.2%
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
247,985 21,202,717
Phillips 66
100,575 8,688,674
Valero Energy Corporation
131,600 13,362,664
43,254,055
5​

Schedule of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2022
(unaudited)
Shares
Value (a)
Storage & Transportation — 5.0%
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
464,400 $ 8,781,804
ONEOK, Inc.
143,500 10,135,405
Williams Companies, Inc.
328,700 10,981,867
29,899,076
Materials — 19.8%
Chemicals — 11.5%
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
23,500 5,872,885
Albemarle Corporation
9,000 1,990,350
Celanese Corporation
6,000 857,220
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
47,900 4,936,574
Corteva Inc.
66,245 3,807,763
Dow, Inc.
65,745 4,189,271
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
73,987 5,443,963
Eastman Chemical Company
8,900 997,334
Ecolab Inc.
25,600 4,519,936
FMC Corporation
10,500 1,381,485
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
21,006 2,758,718
Linde plc
67,800 21,657,354
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
61,400 6,313,148
Mosaic Company
21,001 1,396,567
PPG Industries, Inc.
19,700 2,582,079
68,704,647
Construction Materials — 2.2%
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
4,500 1,732,005
Sherwin-Williams Company
38,700 9,660,294
Vulcan Materials Company
9,800 1,800,260
13,192,559
Containers & Packaging — 2.0%
Amcor plc
125,100 1,417,383
Avery Dennison Corporation
5,500 956,835
Ball Corporation
29,100 2,619,000
International Paper Company
28,200 1,301,430
Packaging Corporation of America
7,600 1,186,436
Sealed Air Corporation
55,500 3,716,280
WestRock Company
22,200 1,044,066
12,241,430
Metals & Mining — 4.1%
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
233,200 11,599,368
Newmont Corporation
86,800 6,896,260
Nucor Corporation
21,100 3,136,515
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
32,500 2,711,475
24,343,618
6

Schedule of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2022
(unaudited)
Shares
Value (a)
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $464,296,078)
$ 593,096,520
Short-Term Investments — 0.8%
Money Market Funds — 0.8%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prime Portfolio, 0.36% (c)
4,001,200 4,000,400
Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.17% (c)
678,340 678,340
Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $4,678,340)
4,678,740
Total — 100.0% of Net Assets
(Cost $468,974,418)
597,775,260
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.0% 188,616
Net Assets — 100.0%
$ 597,963,876
(a)
Common stocks and warrants are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ and are valued at the last reported sale price on the day of valuation.
(b)
Presently non-dividend paying.
(c)
Rate presented is as of period-end and represents the annualized yield earned over the previous seven days.
Information regarding transactions in equity securities during the quarter can be found on our website at: www.adamsfunds.com.
Disclaimers
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect the Fund’s actual results are the performance of the portfolio of stocks held by the Fund, the conditions in the U.S. and international financial markets, the price at which shares of the Fund will trade in the public markets, and other factors discussed in the Fund’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of the Fund for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund 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 no guarantee of future investment results.
7​

[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]