UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-Q QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY Investment Company Act file number 811-21905 ----------- First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) W. Scott Jardine, Esq. First Trust Portfolios L.P. 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400 Wheaton, IL 60187 ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 765-8000 ---------------- Date of fiscal year end: December 31 ------------- Date of reporting period: September 30, 2015 -------------------- Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (ss.ss. 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles. A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. ss. 3507. ITEM 1. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith. FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) SHARES DESCRIPTION VALUE --------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- COMMON STOCKS - 50.5% AUSTRALIA - 0.0% 15,636 South32 Ltd. (b) (c)...................................................... $ 15,046 ------------- BRAZIL - 4.8% 148,779 Banco Bradesco S.A., ADR ................................................. 797,455 25,000 BRF S.A. ................................................................. 445,517 100,000 Lojas Renner S.A. ........................................................ 467,650 30,454 Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios S.A., Preference Shares ........... 326,548 62,500 Souza Cruz S.A. .......................................................... 420,135 58,267 Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. .............................................. 978,686 84,104 Vale S.A., ADR ........................................................... 353,237 58,842 Vale S.A., Preference Shares, ADR ........................................ 197,121 ------------- 3,986,349 ------------- CHILE - 0.7% 30,459 Banco Santander Chile S.A., ADR .......................................... 554,963 ------------- CHINA - 2.4% 115,000 China Mobile Ltd. (c)..................................................... 1,376,523 862,000 PetroChina Co., Ltd., Class H (c)......................................... 600,299 ------------- 1,976,822 ------------- HONG KONG - 4.0% 247,000 AIA Group Ltd. (c)........................................................ 1,284,585 202,000 Hang Lung Group Ltd. (c).................................................. 687,707 528,000 Swire Pacific Ltd., B Shares (c).......................................... 1,088,568 89,600 Swire Properties Ltd. (c)................................................. 248,344 ------------- 3,309,204 ------------- HUNGARY - 0.6% 33,000 Richter Gedeon Nyrt (c)................................................... 524,650 ------------- INDIA - 8.9% 17,000 Grasim Industries Ltd. (c)................................................ 913,159 18,500 Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (c).................................................... 676,781 65,000 Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (c)............................................... 807,208 75,500 Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd. (c)............................... 1,398,827 200,000 ICICI Bank Ltd. (c)....................................................... 826,578 73,472 Infosys Ltd. (c).......................................................... 1,303,407 231,173 ITC Ltd. (c).............................................................. 1,159,162 7,428 UltraTech Cement Ltd. (c)................................................. 302,830 ------------- 7,387,952 ------------- INDONESIA - 1.6% 316,300 Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT (c).................................... 356,156 2,833,100 PT Astra International Tbk (c)............................................ 1,014,783 ------------- 1,370,939 ------------- ITALY - 0.8% 27,900 Tenaris S.A., ADR ........................................................ 672,669 ------------- See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) SHARES DESCRIPTION VALUE --------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED) MALAYSIA - 0.9% 234,167 CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (c)............................................ $ 237,833 120,000 Public Bank Berhad (c).................................................... 478,492 ------------- 716,325 ------------- MEXICO - 4.4% 16,200 Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V., ADR .......................... 1,445,850 26,500 Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V., ADR ................ 1,050,990 238,200 Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V., O Shares ....................... 1,168,392 ------------- 3,665,232 ------------- PHILIPPINES - 2.0% 1,400,000 Ayala Land, Inc. (c)...................................................... 1,021,390 394,359 Bank of the Philippine Islands (c)........................................ 678,239 ------------- 1,699,629 ------------- POLAND - 0.8% 17,000 Bank Pekao S.A. (c)....................................................... 690,964 ------------- PORTUGAL - 0.7% 41,692 Jeronimo Martins SGPS S.A. (c)............................................ 562,692 ------------- RUSSIA - 2.2% 26,500 LUKOIL, ADR .............................................................. 902,590 5,181 Magnit OJSC (c)........................................................... 921,555 ------------- 1,824,145 ------------- SOUTH AFRICA - 3.7% 26,000 BHP Billiton PLC (c)...................................................... 395,587 48,610 Massmart Holdings Ltd. (c)................................................ 380,347 35,215 MTN Group Ltd. (c)........................................................ 452,840 19,978 SABMiller PLC (c)......................................................... 1,127,481 119,729 Truworths International Ltd. (c).......................................... 735,735 ------------- 3,091,990 ------------- SOUTH KOREA - 3.3% 3,500 E-Mart Co., Ltd. (c)...................................................... 682,901 2,620 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Preference Shares (c)...................... 2,033,817 ------------- 2,716,718 ------------- TAIWAN - 2.5% 150,005 Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. (c)............................................... 459,256 409,954 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (c).......................... 1,642,963 ------------- 2,102,219 ------------- THAILAND - 2.1% 67,700 Siam Cement Public (The) Co., Ltd. (c).................................... 870,032 230,600 Siam Commercial Bank Public Co., Ltd. (c)................................. 853,482 ------------- 1,723,514 ------------- TURKEY - 2.4% 188,635 Akbank TAS (c)............................................................ 423,162 40,444 BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS (c)............................................. 717,112 146,150 Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS (c).......................................... 428,828 See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) SHARES DESCRIPTION VALUE --------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- COMMON STOCKS (CONTINUED) TURKEY (CONTINUED) 192,000 Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (c)............................................ $ 446,820 ------------- 2,015,922 ------------- UNITED KINGDOM - 0.7% 60,559 Standard Chartered PLC (c)................................................ 587,719 ------------- UNITED STATES - 1.0% 10,500 Yum! Brands, Inc. ........................................................ 839,475 ------------- TOTAL COMMON STOCKS ...................................................... 42,035,138 (Cost $38,384,480) ------------- PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN SOVEREIGN BONDS AND NOTES - 41.5% ARGENTINA - 2.0% 1,700,000 Argentina Bonar Bonds (USD) ............. 7.00% 04/17/17 1,662,789 ------------- ARMENIA - 0.5% 396,000 Republic of Armenia (USD) (d)............ 6.00% 09/30/20 377,067 ------------- BRAZIL - 3.1% 13,900,000 Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional, Series F (BRL)........................ 10.00% 01/01/25 2,601,996 ------------- CHILE - 0.3% 250,000 Empresa Nacional del Petroleo (USD) (d).. 4.38% 10/30/24 243,876 ------------- COLOMBIA - 0.5% 833,000,000 Colombia Government International Bond (COP)................................. 7.75% 04/14/21 274,492 344,000,000 Colombia Government International Bond (COP)................................. 9.85% 06/28/27 127,226 ------------- 401,718 ------------- COSTA RICA - 0.3% 300,000 Costa Rica Government International Bond (USD)................................. 4.25% 01/26/23 261,000 ------------- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 1.2% 200,000 Dominican Republic International Bond (USD)................................. 7.50% 05/06/21 214,500 281,000 Dominican Republic International Bond (USD)................................. 5.88% 04/18/24 277,487 458,000 Dominican Republic International Bond (USD)................................. 8.63% 04/20/27 533,570 ------------- 1,025,557 ------------- See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN SOVEREIGN BONDS AND NOTES (CONTINUED) EGYPT - 0.6% 540,000 Egypt Government International Bond (USD) (d)............................. 5.88% 06/11/25 $ 511,650 ------------- ETHIOPIA - 0.9% 790,000 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (USD) (d)............................. 6.63% 12/11/24 725,852 ------------- GABON - 0.2% 200,000 Gabonese Republic (USD) (d).............. 6.95% 06/16/25 168,804 ------------- GEORGIA - 0.4% 350,000 Georgian Oil and Gas Corp. JSC (USD) (d)............................. 6.88% 05/16/17 351,750 ------------- GHANA - 0.7% 300,000 Republic of Ghana (USD) ................. 8.13% 01/18/26 250,500 350,000 Republic of Ghana (USD) (d).............. 8.13% 01/18/26 292,250 ------------- 542,750 ------------- HONDURAS - 0.8% 630,000 Honduras Government International Bond (USD) (d7.50% 03/15/24 659,925 ------------- HUNGARY - 1.2% 239,730,000 Hungary Government Bond (HUF) ........... 5.50% 06/24/25 1,009,282 ------------- INDONESIA - 1.6% 470,000 Indonesia Government International Bond (USD) (d)............................. 5.88% 01/15/24 498,768 7,311,000,000 Indonesia Treasury Bond (IDR) ........... 8.38% 03/15/34 434,604 440,000 Pertamina Persero PT (USD) (d)........... 4.30% 05/20/23 403,083 ------------- 1,336,455 ------------- IRAQ - 0.7% 880,000 Republic of Iraq (USD) .................. 5.80% 01/15/28 610,241 ------------- IVORY COAST - 0.9% 240,000 Ivory Coast Government International Bond (USD) (d)........................ 6.38% 03/03/28 213,519 570,000 Ivory Coast Government International Bond (USD)............................ 5.75% 12/31/32 499,061 ------------- 712,580 ------------- JAMAICA - 0.6% 477,000 Jamaica Government International Bond (USD)................................. 7.88% 07/28/45 478,193 ------------- KAZAKHSTAN - 3.1% 1,170,000 Kazakhstan Government International Bond (USD) (d)............................. 3.88% 10/14/24 1,055,925 690,000 KazMunaiGaz National Co., JSC (USD) ..... 9.13% 07/02/18 750,030 See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN SOVEREIGN BONDS AND NOTES (CONTINUED) KAZAKHSTAN (CONTINUED) 720,000 KazMunaiGaz National Co., JSC (USD) ..... 7.00% 05/05/20 $ 731,340 ------------- 2,537,295 ------------- KENYA - 0.2% 200,000 Kenya Government International Bond (USD) 6.88% 06/24/24 182,200 ------------- MEXICO - 3.4% 7,800,000 Mexican Bonos (MXN) ..................... 6.50% 06/09/22 479,666 7,370,000 Mexican Bonos (MXN) ..................... 7.50% 06/03/27 476,740 20,590,000 Mexican Bonos (MXN) ..................... 8.50% 11/18/38 1,450,672 6,847,809 Mexican Udibonos, Inflation Adjusted Bond (MXN) (e)........................ 4.50% 11/22/35 461,090 ------------- 2,868,168 ------------- MONGOLIA - 1.1% 580,000 Development Bank of Mongolia LLC (USD)... 5.75% 03/21/17 551,694 400,000 Mongolia Government International Bond (USD)................................. 5.13% 12/05/22 329,504 ------------- 881,198 ------------- POLAND - 0.8% 1,670,000 Poland Government Bond (PLN) ............ 4.00% 10/25/23 479,161 640,000 Poland Government Bond (PLN) ............ 5.75% 04/25/29 217,154 ------------- 696,315 ------------- ROMANIA - 1.0% 700,000 Romanian Government International Bond (USD)................................. 6.75% 02/07/22 827,750 ------------- RUSSIA - 3.8% 33,640,000 Russian Federal Bond - OFZ (RUB) ........ 6.90% 08/03/16 499,867 34,200,000 Russian Federal Bond - OFZ (RUB) ........ 7.50% 03/15/18 487,286 126,966,000 Russian Federal Bond - OFZ (RUB) ........ 7.05% 01/19/28 1,470,322 200,000 Russian Foreign Bond - Eurobond (USD) ... 4.88% 09/16/23 202,152 510,000 Vnesheconombank Via VEB Finance PLC (USD)................................. 6.90% 07/09/20 514,545 ------------- 3,174,172 ------------- RWANDA - 0.6% 300,000 Rwanda International Government Bond (USD)................................. 6.63% 05/02/23 284,310 200,000 Rwanda International Government Bond (USD) (d)............................. 6.63% 05/02/23 189,540 ------------- 473,850 ------------- See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN SOVEREIGN BONDS AND NOTES (CONTINUED) SENEGAL - 0.5% 380,000 Senegal Government International Bond (USD)................................. 8.75% 05/13/21 $ 400,140 ------------- SERBIA - 1.1% 920,000 Republic of Serbia (USD) ................ 5.25% 11/21/17 955,650 ------------- SOUTH AFRICA - 2.2% 450,000 Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. (USD) ........... 6.75% 08/06/23 423,000 210,000 Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. (USD) (d)........ 6.75% 08/06/23 197,400 6,813,023 South Africa Government Bond (ZAR) ...... 10.50% 12/21/26 563,930 9,490,000 South Africa Government Bond (ZAR) ...... 8.00% 01/31/30 638,212 ------------- 1,822,542 ------------- TANZANIA - 0.3% 300,000 Tanzania Government International Bond (USD) (f)............................. 6.54% 03/09/20 287,250 ------------- TURKEY - 4.4% 1,600,000 Turkey Government Bond (TRY) ............ 6.30% 02/14/18 477,961 4,150,000 Turkey Government Bond (TRY) ............ 10.40% 03/20/24 1,338,134 1,280,000 Turkey Government Bond (TRY) ............ 9.00% 07/24/24 378,879 1,130,000 Turkey Government Bond (TRY) ............ 8.00% 03/12/25 314,589 1,050,000 Turkey Government International Bond (USD)................................. 6.25% 09/26/22 1,124,813 ------------- 3,634,376 ------------- UKRAINE - 0.6% 200,000 Ukraine Government International Bond (USD)................................. 6.25% 06/17/16 158,580 440,000 Ukraine Government International Bond (USD)................................. 9.25% 07/24/17 349,086 ------------- 507,666 ------------- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - 0.6% 410,000 Emirate of Dubai Government International Bonds (USD)........................... 7.75% 10/05/20 499,421 ------------- URUGUAY - 0.8% 183,000 Uruguay Government International Bond (USD)................................. 7.63% 03/21/36 227,149 14,084,202 Uruguay Government International Bond, Inflatio Adjusted Bond (UYU) (e)...... 5.00% 09/14/18 474,236 ------------- 701,385 ------------- ZAMBIA - 0.5% 510,000 Zambia Government International Bond (USD) (d)............................. 8.97% 07/30/27 405,450 ------------- TOTAL FOREIGN SOVEREIGN BONDS AND NOTES................................... 34,536,313 (Cost $40,614,619) ------------- See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (g) - 13.2% BANGLADESH - 0.3% 250,000 Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd. (USD) (d)............................. 8.63% 05/06/19 $ 250,000 ------------- BARBADOS - 0.3% 250,000 Sagicor Finance 2015 Ltd. (USD) (d)...... 8.88% 08/11/22 266,875 ------------- BRAZIL - 1.1% 520,000 Marfrig Overseas Ltd. (USD) ............. 9.50% 05/04/20 509,600 350,000 OAS Finance Ltd. (USD) (d) (i) (j) (k)... 8.88% (h) 33,250 200,000 OAS Investments GmbH (USD) (d) (i) (j)... 8.25% 10/19/19 19,600 560,604 QGOG Atlantic/Alaskan Rigs Ltd. (USD) ... 5.25% 07/30/18 361,590 ------------- 924,040 ------------- CHINA - 0.3% 260,000 Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd. (USD)................................. 7.50% 03/09/20 268,446 ------------- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - 0.4% 350,000 AES Andres Dominicana, Ltd. / Itabo Dominicana, Ltd. (USD)................ 9.50% 11/12/20 360,500 ------------- GEORGIA - 0.6% 480,000 Georgian Railway JSC (USD) .............. 7.75% 07/11/22 485,400 ------------- GUATEMALA - 0.8% 200,000 Comcel Trust via Comunicaciones Celulares SA (USD) (d)................ 6.88% 02/06/24 198,060 400,000 Industrial Subordinated Trust (USD) ..... 8.25% 07/27/21 426,000 ------------- 624,060 ------------- HONG KONG - 0.3% 260,000 Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. (USD) ..... 8.38% 02/10/22 269,742 ------------- INDIA - 0.6% 270,000 ABJA Investment Co. Pte Ltd. (USD) ...... 5.95% 07/31/24 239,440 260,000 ICICI Bank Ltd. (USD) (k)................ 6.38% 04/30/22 264,284 ------------- 503,724 ------------- KAZAKHSTAN - 0.4% 400,000 Zhaikmunai LLP (USD) (d)................. 7.13% 11/13/19 324,000 ------------- MEXICO - 1.6% 270,000 Alfa SAB de CV (USD) .................... 6.88% 03/25/44 263,250 350,000 CEMEX Espana S.A. (USD) ................. 9.88% 04/30/19 377,895 400,000 Sixsigma Networks Mexico S.A. de CV (USD) (d)............................. 8.25% 11/07/21 377,500 290,000 Unifin Financiera SAPI de CV SOFOM ENR (USD)................................. 6.25% 07/22/19 273,325 ------------- 1,291,970 ------------- See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) PRINCIPAL VALUE (LOCAL STATED STATED VALUE CURRENCY) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY (US DOLLARS) --------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------- FOREIGN CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES (g) (CONTINUED) MOZAMBIQUE - 0.7% 637,000 EMATUM Via Mozambique EMATUM Finance 2020 BV (USD)......................... 6.31% 09/11/20 $ 551,005 ------------- NIGERIA - 0.4% 400,000 Zenith Bank PLC (USD) (d)................ 6.25% 04/22/19 364,000 ------------- PARAGUAY - 0.4% 350,000 Banco Regional SAECA (USD) (d)........... 8.13% 01/24/19 352,625 ------------- PERU - 0.6% 160,000 InRetail Consumer (USD) (d).............. 5.25% 10/10/21 162,000 103,000 Southern Copper Corp. (USD) ............. 3.88% 04/23/25 93,345 200,000 Union Andina de Cementos SAA (USD) ...... 5.88% 10/30/21 193,000 ------------- 448,345 ------------- RUSSIA - 2.2% 400,000 Alfa Bank OJSC Via Alfa Bond Issuance PLC (USD)............................. 7.75% 04/28/21 409,744 430,000 Evraz Group S.A. (USD) (d)............... 6.50% 04/22/20 403,864 350,000 Lukoil International Finance BV (USD) ... 4.56% 04/24/23 312,480 310,000 Sberbank of Russia Via SB Capital SA (USD)................................. 6.13% 02/07/22 315,945 380,000 Vimpel Communications Via VIP Finance Ireland Ltd., OJSC (USD).............. 7.75% 02/02/21 389,739 ------------- 1,831,772 ------------- TUNISIA - 0.6% 550,000 Banque Centrale de Tunisie SA (USD) (d)............................. 5.75% 01/30/25 525,938 ------------- TURKEY - 0.6% 200,000 Arcelik AS (USD) (d)..................... 5.00% 04/03/23 178,380 300,000 Yasar Holdings AS (USD) (d).............. 8.88% 05/06/20 308,250 ------------- 486,630 ------------- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - 0.8% 600,000 Jafz Sukuk Ltd. (USD) ................... 7.00% 06/19/19 685,230 ------------- VENEZUELA - 0.2% 290,000 Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (USD) ....... 8.50% 11/02/17 194,300 ------------- TOTAL FOREIGN CORPORATE BONDS AND NOTES................................... 11,008,602 (Cost $11,921,904) ------------- TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 105.2%................................................ 87,580,053 (Cost $90,921,003) (l) OUTSTANDING LOAN - (6.9%)................................................. (5,800,000) NET OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - 1.7%................................... 1,441,240 ------------- NET ASSETS - 100.0%....................................................... $ 83,221,293 ============= See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) ----------------------------- (a) All of these securities are available to serve as collateral for the outstanding loans. (b) Non-income producing security. (c) This security is fair valued by the Advisor's Pricing Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees and in accordance with provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. At September 30, 2015, securities noted as such are valued at $31,413,861 or 37.75% of net assets. Certain of these securities are fair valued using a factor provided by an independent pricing service due to the change in value between the foreign markets' close and the NYSE close exceeding a certain threshold. On days when this threshold is not exceeded, these securities are typically valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded. (d) This security, sold within the terms of a private placement memorandum, is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees, this security has been determined to be liquid by the Fund's investment advisor. At September 30, 2015, securities noted as such amounted to $10,059,201 or 12.09% of net assets. (e) Security whose principal value is adjusted in accordance with changes to the country's Consumer Price Index. Interest is calculated on the basis of the current adjusted principal value. (f) Floating rate security. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at September 30, 2015. (g) Portfolio securities are included in a country based upon their underlying credit exposure as determined by Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., the Fund's investment sub-advisor. (h) Perpetual maturity (i) This issuer is in default and interest is not being accrued by the Fund. (j) This company has filed for protection in a Sao Paulo state court. (k) Fixed-to-floating or fixed-to-variable rate security. The interest rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at September 30, 2015. At a predetermined date, the fixed rate will change to a floating rate or a variable rate. (l) Aggregate cost for financial reporting purposes, which approximates the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes. As of September 30, 2015, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost was $11,853,980 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value was $15,194,930. ADR American Depositary Receipt Currency Abbreviations BRL Brazilian Real MYR Malaysian Ringgit COP Colombian Peso PHP Philippines Peso EUR Euro PLN Polish Zloty GBP British Pound Sterling RUB Russian Ruble HKD Hong Kong Dollar THB Thailand Baht HUF Hungarian Forint TRY Turkish Lira IDR Indonesian Rupiah TWD Taiwan New Dollar INR Indian Rupee USD United States Dollar KRW South Korean Won UYU Uruguayan Peso MXN Mexican Peso ZAR South African Rand See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) VALUATION INPUTS A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of September 30, 2015 is as follows (see Note 2A - Portfolio Valuation in the Notes to Portfolio of Investments): ASSETS TABLE LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL LEVEL 1 SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT VALUE AT QUOTED OBSERVABLE UNOBSERVABLE 9/30/2015 PRICES INPUTS INPUTS ---------------------------------------------- --------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Common Stocks: Brazil.................................... 3,986,349 3,986,349 -- -- Chile..................................... 554,963 554,963 -- -- Italy..................................... 672,669 672,669 -- -- Mexico.................................... 3,665,232 3,665,232 -- -- Russia.................................... 1,824,145 902,590 921,555 -- United States............................. 839,475 839,475 -- -- Other Country Categories*................. 30,492,305 -- 30,492,305 -- --------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total Common Stocks.................... 42,035,138 10,621,278 31,413,860 -- --------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Foreign Sovereign Bonds and Notes*............ 34,536,313 -- 34,536,313 -- Foreign Corporate Bonds and Notes*............ 11,008,602 -- 11,008,602 -- Forward Foreign Currency Contracts**.......... 17,290 -- 17,290 -- --------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Total Investments............................. $ 87,597,343 $ 10,621,278 $ 76,976,065 $ -- =============== ============= =============== ============== LIABILITIES TABLE LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL LEVEL 1 SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT VALUE AT QUOTED OBSERVABLE UNOBSERVABLE 9/30/2015 PRICES INPUTS INPUTS --------------- ------------- --------------- -------------- Forward Foreign Currency Contracts**.......... $ (89) $ -- $ (89) $ -- =============== ============= =============== ============== * See Portfolio of Investments for country breakout. ** See the Forward Foreign Currency Contracts table for contract and currency detail. All transfers in and out of the Levels during the period are assumed to be transferred on the last day of the period at their current value. As of September 30, 2015, the Fund transferred common stocks valued at $902,590 from Level 2 to Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The common stocks that transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 did so as a result of foreign equities that are now being valued based on quoted prices. Previously, these securities were fair valued using a factor provided by a pricing service due to the change in value between the foreign markets' close and the New York Stock Exchange close on December 31, 2014 exceeding a certain threshold. See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) -------------------------------------------------- CURRENCY EXPOSURE % OF TOTAL DIVERSIFICATION INVESTMENTS # -------------------------------------------------- USD 43.0% INR 9.0 HKD 6.0 BRL 5.4 TRY 5.2 ZAR 4.9 MXN 4.6 RUB 3.9 KRW 3.1 TWD 2.4 IDR 2.1 THB 2.0 PHP 1.9 HUF 1.8 PLN 1.6 MYR 0.8 GBP 0.7 EUR 0.6 UYU 0.5 COP 0.5 ---------------------------------------------- Total 100.0% ====== # The weightings include the impact of currency forwards. ------------------------------------------------------------ % OF TOTAL INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION INVESTMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------ Sovereigns 34.7% Banks 12.0 Real Estate Management & Development 3.9 Food & Staples Retailing 3.7 Construction Materials 3.4 Wireless Telecommunication Services 3.3 Beverages 2.9 Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.8 Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 2.3 Exploration & Production 2.1 Metals & Mining 1.9 Automobiles 1.9 Semiconductors 1.9 Tobacco 1.8 Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 1.6 IT Services 1.5 Insurance 1.5 Real Estate 1.4 Transportation Infrastructure 1.2 Government Agencies 1.2 Financial Services 1.0 Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.0 Household Products 0.9 Specialty Retail 0.8 Energy Equipment & Services 0.8 Consumer Services 0.6 Central Bank 0.6 Pharmaceuticals 0.6 Food & Beverage 0.6 Inegrated Oils 0.6 Railroad 0.5 Multiline Retail 0.5 Food Products 0.5 Diversified Financial Services 0.5 Consumer Finance 0.5 Software & Services 0.4 Oil & Gas Services & Equipment 0.4 Power Generation 0.4 Pipeline 0.4 Chemicals 0.3 Wireline Telecommunication Services 0.3 Refining & Marketing 0.3 Home Improvement 0.2 Supermarkets & Pharmacies 0.2 Industrial Other 0.1 ------------------------------------------------------------ Total 100.0% ====== -------------------------------------------------- % OF TOTAL FIXED-INCOME CREDIT QUALITY(1) INVESTMENTS -------------------------------------------------- A 8.4% BBB+ 5.2 BBB 16.9 BBB- 19.9 BB+ 6.9 BB 2.8 BB- 12.6 B+ 14.8 B 8.5 CCC 0.4 C 1.1 Not Rated 2.5 ---------------------------------------------- Total 100.0% ====== See Notes to Portfolio of Investments FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (a) (CONTINUED) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) (1) The credit quality and ratings information presented above reflects the ratings assigned by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs), including Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Fitch Ratings or a comparably rated NRSRO. For situations in which a security is rated by more than one NRSRO and the ratings are not equivalent, the highest ratings are used. The credit ratings shown relate to the credit worthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities in the Fund, and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings are subject to change. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS (see Note 2C - Forward Foreign Currency Contracts in the Notes to Portfolio of Investments): FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS --------------------------------------------------------- PURCHASE SALE VALUE AS OF VALUE AS OF UNREALIZED SETTLEMENT AMOUNT AMOUNT SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, APPRECIATION/ DATE COUNTERPARTY PURCHASED (a) SOLD (a) 2015 2015 (DEPRECIATION) ---------- -------------- -------------------- ------------------ --------------- --------------- -------------- 11/24/15 CIT INR 32,437,000 USD 489,246 $ 489,157 $ 489,246 (89) 11/24/15 JPM USD 464,543 BRL 1,808,000 464,543 447,253 17,290 -------------- Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)............................................................ $ 17,201 ============== (a) Please see Portfolio of Investments for currency descriptions. Counterparty Abbreviations: CIT Citibank, NA JPM JPMorgan Chase See Notes to Portfolio of Investments NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) 1. ORGANIZATION First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on May 16, 2006 and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Fund trades under the ticker symbol FEO on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). On September 15, 2015, First Trust Advisors L.P. ("First Trust" or the "Advisor") announced that the Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted a Share Repurchase Program. Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program, the Fund, may, from time to time and at the direction of management personnel, repurchase up to 5% of the Fund's outstanding common shares in secondary market transactions in accordance with applicable law. The Fund's Share Repurchase Program will continue until the earlier of (i) the repurchase of 5% of the Fund's current outstanding common shares, or (ii) six months from implementation of the Fund's Share Repurchase Program. The Fund, which is an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update 2013-08, follows accounting and reporting guidance under FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, "Financial Services-Investment Companies." 2. VALUATION AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES A. PORTFOLIO VALUATION The net asset value ("NAV") of the Common Shares of the Fund is determined daily, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on each day the NYSE is open for trading. If the NYSE closes early on a valuation day, the NAV is determined as of that time. Domestic debt securities and foreign securities are priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. The NAV per Common Share is calculated by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses, dividends declared but unpaid and any borrowings of the Fund), by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. The Fund's investments are valued daily at market value or, in absence of market value with respect to any portfolio securities, at fair value. Market value prices represent last sale or official closing prices from a national or foreign exchange (i.e., a regulated market) and are primarily obtained from third party pricing services. Fair value prices represent any prices not considered market value prices and are either obtained from a third party pricing service or are determined by the Pricing Committee of the Fund's investment advisor, First Trust, in accordance with valuation procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees, and in accordance with provisions of the 1940 Act. Investments valued by the Advisor's Pricing Committee, if any, are footnoted as such in the footnotes to the Portfolio of Investments. The Fund's investments are valued as follows: Corporate bonds, corporate notes and other debt securities are valued on the basis of valuations provided by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees, which may use the following valuation inputs when available: 1) benchmark yields; 2) reported trades; 3) broker/dealer quotes; 4) issuer spreads; 5) benchmark securities; 6) bids and offers; and 7) reference data including market research publications. Fixed income and other debt securities having a remaining maturity of sixty days or less when purchased are fair valued at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretions of discounts (amortized cost), provided the Advisor's Pricing Committee has determined that the use of amortized cost is an appropriate reflection of fair value given market and issuer-specific conditions existing at the time of the determination. Factors that may be considered in determining the appropriateness of the use of amortized cost include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) the credit conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto; 2) the liquidity conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto; 3) the interest rate conditions in the relevant market and changes thereto (such as significant changes in interest rates); 4) issuer-specific conditions (such as significant credit deterioration); and NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) 5) any other market-based data the Advisor's Pricing Committee considers relevant. In this regard, the Advisor's Pricing Committee may use last-obtained market-based data to assist it when valuing portfolio securities using amortized cost. Common stocks and other securities listed on any national or foreign exchange (excluding The NASDAQ(R) Stock Market, LLC ("NASDAQ") and the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market ("AIM")) are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are principally traded or, for NASDAQ and AIM securities, the official closing price. Securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price or official closing price, as applicable, at the close of the securities exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Securities traded in an over-the-counter market are fair valued at the mean of their most recent bid and asked price, if available, and otherwise at their closing bid price. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued at the current day's interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using the current day's spot rate, and the thirty, sixty, ninety and one-hundred eighty day forward rates provided by an independent pricing service. Certain securities may not be able to be priced by pre-established pricing methods. Such securities may be valued by the Fund's Board of Trustees or its delegate, the Advisor's Pricing Committee, at fair value. These securities generally include, but are not limited to, restricted securities (securities which may not be publicly sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) for which a pricing service is unable to provide a market price; securities whose trading has been formally suspended; a security whose market or fair value price is not available from a pre-established pricing source; a security with respect to which an event has occurred that is likely to materially affect the value of the security after the market has closed but before the calculation of a Fund's NAV or make it difficult or impossible to obtain a reliable market quotation; and a security whose price, as provided by the pricing service, does not reflect the security's fair value. As a general principle, the current fair value of a security would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale. When fair value prices are used, generally they will differ from market quotations or official closing prices on the applicable exchanges. A variety of factors may be considered in determining the fair value of such securities, including, but not limited to, the following: 1) the fundamental business data relating to the issuer, or economic data relating to the country of issue; 2) an evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold; 3) the type, size and cost of security; 4) the financial statements of the issuer, or the financial condition of the country of issue; 5) the credit quality and cash flow of the issuer, or country of issue, based on Aberdeen Asset Management Inc.'s or external analysis; 6) the information as to any transactions in or offers for the security; 7) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities (or equity securities) of the issuer/borrower, or comparable companies; 8) the coupon payments; 9) the quality, value and salability of collateral, if any, securing the security; 10) the business prospects of the issuer, including any ability to obtain money or resources from a parent or affiliate and an assessment of the issuer's management (for corporate debt only); 11) the economic, political and social prospects/developments of the country of issue and the assessment of the country's governmental leaders/officials (for sovereign debt only); 12) the prospects for the issuer's industry, and multiples (of earnings and/or cash flows) being paid for similar businesses in that industry (for corporate debt only); and 13) other relevant factors. Fair valuation of an equity security will be based on the consideration of all available information, including, but not limited to, the following: 1) the type of security; 2) the size of the holding; 3) the initial cost of the security; 4) transactions in comparable securities; 5) price quotes from dealers and/or pricing services; 6) relationships among various securities; 7) information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange; NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) FIRST TRUST/ABERDEEN EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND (FEO) SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 (UNAUDITED) 8) an analysis of the issuer's financial statements; and 9) the existence of merger proposals or tender offers that might affect the value of the security. If the equity security in question is a foreign security, the following additional information may be considered: 1) the value of similar foreign securities traded on other foreign markets; 2) ADR trading of similar securities; 3) closed-end fund trading of similar securities; 4) foreign currency exchange activity; 5) the trading prices of financial products that are tied to baskets of foreign securities; 6) factors relating to the event that precipitated the pricing problem; 7) whether the event is likely to recur; and 8) whether the effects of the event are isolated or whether they affect entire markets, countries or regions. The Fund is subject to fair value accounting standards that define fair value, establish the framework for measuring fair value and provide a three-level hierarchy for fair valuation based upon the inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows: o Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. An active market is a market in which transactions for the investment occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. o Level 2 - Level 2 inputs are observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, and include the following: o Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets. o Quoted prices for identical or similar investments in markets that are non-active. A non-active market is a market where there are few transactions for the investment, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially o Either over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly. o Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the investment (for example, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates). o Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. o Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs may reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investment. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments. A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of September 30, 2015, is included with the Fund's Portfolio of Investments. B. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitment basis may have extended settlement periods. The value of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Fund maintains liquid assets with a current value at least equal to the amount of its when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitments until payment is made. At September 30, 2015, the Fund had no when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward purchase commitments. C. FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS The Fund is subject to foreign currency risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Forward foreign currency contracts are agreements between two parties ("Counterparties") to exchange one currency for another at a future date and at a specified price. The Fund uses forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign securities and to manage the Fund's foreign currency exposure. These contracts are valued daily, and the Fund's net equity therein, representing unrealized gain or loss on the contracts as measured by the difference between the forward foreign exchange rates at the dates of entry into the contracts and the forward rates at the reporting date, is included on the Forward Foreign Currency Contracts table in the Portfolio of Investments. Risks arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movement in currency and securities values and interest rates. Due to the risks, the Fund could incur losses in excess of the net unrealized value shown on the Forward Foreign Currency Contracts table in the Portfolio of Investments. In the event of default by the Counterparty, the Fund will provide notice to the Counterparty of the Fund's intent to convert the currency held by the Fund into the currency that the Counterparty agreed to exchange with the Fund. If a Counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. D. FOREIGN CURRENCY The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period. Purchases and sales of investments and items of income and expense are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses include the effect of changes in exchange rates between trade date and settlement date on investment security transactions, foreign currency transactions and interest and dividends received. 3. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS For the fiscal year-to-date period (January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015), the notional values of forward foreign currency contracts opened and closed were $34,268,802 and $46,325,568, respectively. ITEM 2. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. (a) The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)). (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 3. EXHIBITS. Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. (Registrant) First Trust/Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund -------------------------------------------------------- By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Mark R. Bradley ---------------------------------------- Mark R. Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Date: November 19, 2015 -------------------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Mark R. Bradley ---------------------------------------- Mark R. Bradley, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Date: November 19, 2015 -------------------- By (Signature and Title)* /s/ James M. Dykas ---------------------------------------- James M. Dykas, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (principal financial officer) Date: November 19, 2015 -------------------- * Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.