ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited Announces Adoption of Discount Management Program

ASA Gold and Precious Metals Limited (the “Company”) (NYSE: ASA) announced today that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized the purchase of up to 5% of Company stock under the Company’s stock repurchase program. The authorization to repurchase shares will be effective on May 1, 2024 and expire on April 30, 2025, unless terminated sooner. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors. The Company anticipates that such purchases will be made opportunistically when shares are trading at a significant discount to the Net Asset Value per share (“NAV”) of the Company, based on historical discount levels and current market conditions, as determined by the Board and its Investment Advisor. The Company will report repurchase activity on the Company’s website at least quarterly.

The Board actively monitors the Company’s trading discount and considers possible actions that may enhance shareholder value and potentially decrease the discount. After recent communication with shareholders in the context of the proxy contest with Saba Capital Management, L.P., the Board believes a stock repurchase program is appropriate and consistent with shareholder input regarding the Board’s efforts to improve the Company’s trading discount while continuing to execute its investment strategy. This initiative may also enhance liquidity for shareholders and generate value for the Company through share repurchases below NAV.

In a recent report endorsing the election of the current Board members, independent proxy advisory firm Glass, Lewis & Co. noted, "We observe that the Company's average NAV trading discount over various short-, medium- and long-term periods has remained fairly stable and generally within a narrow range (mostly in the mid-teens).” The report further states, “…we see no evidence to suggest a consistent worsening of the Company's NAV trading.”¹ However, the Board recognizes that stock repurchases are meaningful to shareholders and trusts that this initiative is responsive to shareholders.

There is no assurance that the market price of the Company’s shares, either absolutely or relative to NAV, will increase as a result of any share repurchases. Under the new stock purchase authorization, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, including open market purchases, all in compliance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and other applicable legal requirements. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular number of shares and may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion.