Its net assets increased 0.7% in February to RON15.26 billion.

The fund continued to invest in state bonds, increasing its portfolio value by 6.7% in February to RON573.25 million, from RON536.84 million in January.

Bank deposits dropped to RON192.64 million from RON236.82 million.

Shares held in Romanian companies represent 99.01% of the fund’s net assets, with the 0.99% difference represented by stakes in Austrian-listed companies.

By sectors, the fund’s overall stock portfolio includes 42.63% shares from oil and gas companies, 23.12% utilities (production) stocks, 20.92% utilities (transport, distribution, supply) shares and 3.07% banks.

Fondul Proprietatea is a closed-end investment fund created to compensate owners whose property cannot be returned in kind after being abusively seized by the communist regime.

Foreign investors increased their holdings in Fondul Proprietatea to 59.4% in February, from 59% a month earlier, the fund said Thursday.

In Bucharest Thursday, Fondul Proprietatea closed down 1.26% to RON0.6285 a share. (EUR1=RON4.3975)