N-CSR 1 d878484dncsr.htm GABELLI UTILITY TRUST Gabelli Utility Trust

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number      811-09243             

                    The Gabelli Utility Trust                            

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                Rye, New York 10580-1422                            

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York 10580-1422                    

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  1-800-422-3554

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  December 31, 2019

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR 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 Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Annual Report — December 31, 2019

To Our Shareholders,

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the net asset value (NAV) total return of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the Fund) was 23.2%. The total return for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Utilities Index was 26.4%. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 43.0%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $5.03, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $7.77 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2019.

Comparative Results

 

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2019 (a) (Unaudited)

 

     
Since
Inception

     1 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year   (07/09/99)

Gabelli Utility Trust

 

               

NAV Total Return (b)

       23.21 %       7.10 %       11.15 %       9.01 %       8.99%

Investment Total Return (c)

       42.99       12.00       8.82       8.76       9.81     

S&P 500 Utilities Index

       26.35       10.29       11.80       9.85       7.48     

Lipper Utility Fund Average

       23.11       7.74       10.57       9.13       6.89     

S&P 500 Index

       31.49       11.70       13.56       9.00       6.18     
  (a)

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. The Fund’s use of leverage may magnify the volatility of net asset value changes versus funds that do not employ leverage. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The S&P 500 Utilities Index is an unmanaged market capitalization weighted index of large capitalization stocks that may include facilities generation and transmission or distribution of electricity, gas, or water. The Lipper Utility Fund Average reflects the average performance of mutual funds classified in this particular category. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 
  (b)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date, and adjustments for rights offerings and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $7.50.

 
  (c)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE, reinvestment of distributions, and adjustments for rights offerings. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $7.50.

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.gabelli.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. To elect to receive all future reports on paper free of charge, please contact your financial intermediary, or, if you invest directly with the Fund, you may call 800-422-3554 or send an email request to info@gabelli.com.


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of December 31, 2019:

The Gabelli Utility Trust

 

Electric Integrated

     38.1

U.S. Government Obligations

     18.2

Natural Gas Utilities

     6.0

Natural Gas Integrated

     5.7

Water

     5.5

Telecommunications

     5.0

Cable and Satellite

     4.0

Wireless Communications

     4.0

Global Utilities

     2.8

Electric Transmission and Distribution

     1.8

Natural Resources

     1.5

Merchant Energy

     1.4

Services

     1.3

Alternative Energy

     0.7

Transportation

     0.6

Financial Services

     0.5

Environmental Services

     0.5

Aerospace

     0.5

Machinery

     0.5

Diversified Industrial

     0.4

Electronics

     0.4

Entertainment

     0.4

Equipment and Supplies

     0.1

Communications Equipment

     0.1

Agriculture

     0.0 %* 
  

 

 

 
        100.0
  

 

 

 

 

*

Amount represents less than 0.05%.

 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the first and third quarters of each year on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may obtain this information at www.gabelli.com or by calling the Fund at 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554). The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

Proxy Voting

The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to The Gabelli Funds at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

2


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2019

 

 

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS — 81.8%

 

  

ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 65.6%

 

  

Alternative Energy — 0.7%

 

  30,000     

NextEra Energy Partners LP

  $ 915,690     $ 1,579,500  
  12,000     

Ormat Technologies Inc., New York

    300,333       894,240  
       1,216,023       2,473,740  
  

Electric Integrated — 37.9%

 

 
  22,000     

ALLETE Inc.

    996,952       1,785,740  
  85,000     

Alliant Energy Corp.

    2,723,468       4,651,200  
  17,000     

Ameren Corp.

    560,038       1,305,600  
  55,000     

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    3,647,877       5,198,050  
  48,000     

Avangrid Inc.

    1,493,314       2,455,680  
  28,000     

Avista Corp.

    1,225,989       1,346,520  
  33,000     

Black Hills Corp.

    1,615,028       2,591,820  
  80,000     

CMS Energy Corp.

    3,491,274       5,027,200  
  46,000     

Dominion Energy Inc.

    3,187,965       3,809,720  
  16,200     

DTE Energy Co.

    1,248,254       2,103,894  
  74,000     

Duke Energy Corp.

    6,476,644       6,749,540  
  76,000     

Edison International

    4,678,511       5,731,160  
  160,055     

El Paso Electric Co.

    10,841,427       10,866,134  
  5,000     

Emera Inc.

    190,455       214,816  
  3,000     

Entergy Corp.

    75,249       359,400  
  138,500     

Evergy Inc.

    7,737,851       9,014,965  
  118,000     

Eversource Energy

    7,617,532       10,038,260  
  67,000     

FirstEnergy Corp.

    2,746,848       3,256,200  
  62,000     

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

    2,023,223       2,905,320  
  60,000     

MGE Energy Inc.

    3,668,167       4,729,200  
  52,000     

NextEra Energy Inc.

    10,085,055       12,592,320  
  48,000     

NiSource Inc.

    397,800       1,336,320  
  70,000     

NorthWestern Corp.

    3,857,492       5,016,900  
  184,000     

OGE Energy Corp.

    6,816,791       8,182,480  
  47,000     

Otter Tail Corp.

    1,467,387       2,410,630  
  14,000     

PG&E Corp.†

    107,628       152,180  
  58,000     

PNM Resources Inc.

    1,195,892       2,941,180  
  30,000     

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    1,128,056       1,771,500  
  17,000     

Unitil Corp.

    448,439       1,050,940  
  128,000     

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    10,191,817       11,805,440  
  148,000     

Xcel Energy Inc.

    7,469,135       9,396,520  
         109,411,558         140,796,829  
  

Electric Transmission and Distribution — 1.8%

 

  38,000     

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    2,364,150       3,437,860  
  65,100     

Exelon Corp.

    1,889,987       2,967,909  
  33,000     

Iberdrola SA

    344,450       339,809  
       4,598,587       6,745,578  
  

Global Utilities — 2.8%

 

  8,000     

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    157,974       113,497  
  7,000     

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA    

    25,460       30,340  

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
  133,000     

Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.

  $ 3,799,231     $ 3,240,081  
  33,000     

Endesa SA

    956,686       880,617  
  300,000     

Enel SpA

    1,862,753       2,379,809  
  500,000     

Hera SpA

    1,089,449       2,187,325  
  30,000     

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.

    287,089       146,335  
  24,000     

Hokuriku Electric Power Co.†

    267,872       175,823  
  3,000     

Huaneng Power International Inc., ADR

    81,590       60,270  
  41,000     

Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR

    630,569       485,030  
  15,000     

Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    202,018       130,459  
  8,000     

Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    155,987       79,370  
  8,000     

The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    150,761       105,287  
  20,000     

The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.

    277,615       232,755  
  13,000     

Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    172,497       129,456  
       10,117,551       10,376,454  
  

Merchant Energy — 1.4%

 

 
  258,000     

The AES Corp.(a)

    3,983,029       5,134,200  
  

Natural Gas Integrated — 5.7%

 

 
  15,000     

Devon Energy Corp.

    425,657       389,550  
  125,000     

Energy Transfer LP

    1,864,405       1,603,750  
  90,000     

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    2,611,069       1,905,300  
  110,600     

National Fuel Gas Co.

    4,279,235       5,147,324  
  160,000     

ONEOK Inc.

    8,476,862       12,107,200  
       17,657,228       21,153,124  
  

Natural Gas Utilities — 6.0%

 

 
  63,000     

AltaGas Canada Inc.

    1,600,330       1,618,967  
  25,000     

Atmos Energy Corp.

    1,967,354       2,796,500  
  24,500     

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    1,632,616       2,347,835  
  30,262     

Corning Natural Gas Holding Corp.

    284,301       599,188  
  15,500     

Engie SA

    457,035       250,365  
  70,066     

National Grid plc, ADR

    5,048,085       4,391,036  
  30,000     

ONE Gas Inc.

    1,276,328       2,807,100  
  18,000     

RGC Resources Inc.

    128,344       514,440  
  90,000     

Southwest Gas Holdings Inc.

    6,344,915       6,837,300  
  2,000     

Spire Inc.

    78,350       166,620  
         18,817,658         22,329,351  
  

Natural Resources — 1.5%

 

 
  5,000     

Apache Corp.

    147,520       127,950  
  25,000     

California Resources Corp.†

    366,765       225,750  
  55,000     

Cameco Corp.

    550,204       489,500  
  25,000     

CNX Resources Corp.†

    338,606       221,250  
  32,000     

Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA, ADR

    360,262       483,200  
  5,025     

CONSOL Energy Inc.†

    92,423       72,913  
  50,000     

Exxon Mobil Corp.    

    3,761,708       3,489,000  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

3


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2019

 

 

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

  

ENERGY AND UTILITIES (Continued)

 

  

Natural Resources (Continued)

 

  3,000     

Hess Corp.

  $ 178,260     $ 200,430  
  2,934     

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    137,458       120,910  
  3,000     

Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR

    161,320       176,940  
         6,094,526         5,607,843  
  

Services — 1.3%

 

  24,000     

ABB Ltd., ADR

    478,264       578,160  
  100,000     

Enbridge Inc.

    2,781,674       3,977,000  
  13,000     

Sunoco LP

    327,194       397,800  
  328     

Weatherford International plc†

    110,448       9,168  
       3,697,580       4,962,128  
  

Water — 5.5%

 

  27,000     

American States Water Co.

    1,326,417       2,339,280  
  25,000     

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    1,960,959       3,071,250  
  20,000     

Aqua America Inc.

    167,625       938,800  
  24,200     

Artesian Resources Corp., Cl. A

    512,360       900,482  
  34,000     

California Water Service Group

    609,354       1,753,040  
  42,500     

Middlesex Water Co.

    675,820       2,701,725  
  165,000     

Severn Trent plc

    4,404,737       5,496,794  
  38,500     

SJW Group

    1,629,062       2,735,810  
  9,000     

The York Water Co.

    108,269       414,990  
       11,394,603       20,352,171  
  

Diversified Industrial — 0.4%

 

  2,000     

Alstom SA

    52,460       94,739  
  2,000     

AZZ Inc.

    75,347       91,900  
  11,000     

Bouygues SA

    385,489       467,392  
  90,000     

General Electric Co.

    1,120,800       1,004,400  
       1,634,096       1,658,431  
  

Environmental Services — 0.5%

 

  3,000     

AquaVenture Holdings Ltd.†

    80,790       81,360  
  50,000     

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.†

    796,185       947,500  
  3,000     

Suez

    0       45,379  
  30,000     

Veolia Environnement SA

    487,553       797,869  
       1,364,528       1,872,108  
  

Equipment and Supplies — 0.1%

 

  250     

Capstone Turbine Corp.†

    3,440       765  
  12,000     

Mueller Industries Inc.

    314,742       381,000  
       318,182       381,765  
  

TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES

    190,305,149       243,843,722  
  

COMMUNICATIONS — 13.1%

 

  

Cable and Satellite — 4.0%

 

 
  3,000     

Charter Communications Inc., Cl. A†

    598,964       1,455,240  
  20,000     

Cogeco Inc.

    389,461       1,603,173  
  65,726     

DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†    

    2,429,347       2,331,301  

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
  10,000     

EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†

  $ 228,284     $ 433,100  
  300,000     

ITV plc

    659,963       600,048  
  42,421     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†

    824,785       964,654  
  108,771     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†

    3,158,918       2,370,664  
  10,000     

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Cl. A†

    210,217       193,000  
  20,000     

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Cl. C†

    387,471       389,200  
  2,000     

Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B

    107,800       99,340  
  100,000     

Telenet Group Holding NV

    4,764,141       4,493,550  
       13,759,351       14,933,270  
  

Communications Equipment — 0.1%

 

  14,000     

Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.

    596,285       363,352  
  

Telecommunications — 5.0%

 

  75,000     

AT&T Inc.

    2,418,368       2,931,000  
  6,000     

BCE Inc., New York

    253,470       278,100  
  6,047     

BCE Inc., Toronto

    257,284       280,149  
  100,000     

BT Group plc, Cl. A

    313,502       254,908  
  136,002     

CenturyLink Inc.

    2,694,500       1,796,586  
  106,000     

Cincinnati Bell Inc.†

    1,349,842       1,109,820  
  5,000     

Cogeco Communications Inc.

    105,008       435,871  
  43,000     

Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR

    678,352       700,470  
  200     

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    19       40  
  40,038     

Internap Corp.†

    192,367       44,042  
  70,000     

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    813,435       1,776,172  
  1,000     

Orange Belgium SA

    14,151       23,219  
  2,000     

Orange SA, ADR

    22,799       29,180  
  11,800     

Orascom Investment Holding, GDR†

    20,761       1,652  
  30,000     

Pharol SGPS SA†

    8,930       3,352  
  4,000     

Proximus SA

    91,346       114,504  
  2,000     

PT Indosat Tbk†

    1,061       419  
  115,000     

Sistema PJSC FC, GDR

    497,094       560,510  
  15,000     

SoftBank Group Corp.

    797,294       656,574  
  1,350     

Tele2 AB, Cl. B

    15,470       19,580  
  20,000     

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

    87,983       57,970  
  85,000     

Telekom Austria AG

    712,797       694,111  
  1,200     

Telesites SAB de CV†

    911       888  
  3,000     

T-Mobile US Inc.†

    197,636       235,260  
  200,000     

VEON Ltd., ADR

    698,470       506,000  
  100,000     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    4,198,645       6,140,000  
         16,441,495         18,650,377  
  

Wireless Communications — 4.0%

 

  2,500     

America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR

    26,571       40,000  
  2,000     

China Mobile Ltd., ADR

    33,988       84,540  
  2,000     

China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., ADR    

    16,278       18,720  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2019

 

 

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

   COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)

 

   Wireless Communications (Continued)

 

  95,000     

Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR

  $ 5,892,284     $ 4,550,011  
  1,154     

Mobile Telesystems PJSC

    6,303       5,949  
  7,250     

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC, ADR

    75,934       73,587  
  100,000     

NTT DOCOMO Inc.

    1,438,659       2,796,006  
  2,000     

SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR

    32,986       46,220  
  400     

SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.

    207       308  
  60,000     

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S, ADR

    518,686       348,000  
  55,000     

United States Cellular Corp.†

    2,601,083       1,992,650  
  240,000     

Vodafone Group plc, ADR

    6,560,853       4,639,200  
       17,203,832       14,595,191  
  

TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS

    48,000,963       48,542,190  
   OTHER — 2.9%    
   Aerospace — 0.5%    
  200,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

    1,755,702       1,809,945  
  9,200,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Cl. C†

    11,851       12,186  
       1,767,553       1,822,131  
  

Agriculture — 0.0%

 

 
  3,000     

Cadiz Inc.†

    30,211       33,060  
  

Electronics — 0.4%

 

 
  22,000     

Sony Corp., ADR

    1,014,434       1,496,000  
  

Entertainment — 0.4%

 

 
  50,000     

Vivendi SA

    1,207,483       1,448,121  
  

Financial Services — 0.5%

 

 
  40,000     

GAM Holding AG†

    125,682       115,892  
  22,000     

Kinnevik AB, Cl. A

    695,776       560,197  
  55,000     

Kinnevik AB, Cl. B

    2,027,710       1,344,707  
       2,849,168       2,020,796  
  

Machinery — 0.5%

 

 
  165,000     

CNH Industrial NV

    1,955,538       1,815,000  
  

Transportation — 0.6%

 

 
  25,000     

GATX Corp.

    1,016,220       2,071,250  
  

TOTAL OTHER

    9,840,607       10,706,358  
  

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS AND ENERGY TRADERS — 0.2%

 

  

Electric Integrated — 0.2%

 

  20,000     

NRG Energy Inc.

    480,910       795,000  
  

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS    

    248,627,629       303,887,270  

Shares

        

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
  

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS —0.0%

 

  

ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%

 

  

Natural Gas Utilities — 0.0%

 

  4,203     

Corning Natural Gas Holding Corp., 4.800%, Ser. B

  $ 87,212     $ 97,510  
  

WARRANTS — 0.0%

 

  

COMMUNICATIONS — 0.0%

 

  

Telecommunications — 0.0%

 

  16,000     

Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 11/30/20†(b)

    87,613       102,240  
  

ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%

 

  

Services — 0.0%

 

  1,425     

Weatherford International plc, expire 11/26/23†(c)

    0       0  
  

TOTAL WARRANTS

    87,613       102,240  

Principal
Amount

                  
  

CORPORATE BONDS — 0.0%

 

  

Equipment and Supplies — 0.0%

 

  $ 30,000     

Mueller Industries Inc., 6.000%, 03/01/27

    30,000       30,798  
   U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 18.2%

 

  67,861,000     

U.S. Treasury Bills, 1.487% to 2.056%††, 01/23/20 to 05/21/20(d)

    67,652,133       67,665,564  
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%   $ 316,484,587       371,783,382  
  Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)       2,841,958  
 

PREFERRED STOCK
(3,154,188 preferred shares outstanding)


 
    (101,332,200
 

NET ASSETS — COMMON STOCK
(54,358,897 common shares outstanding)


 
  $ 273,293,140  
 

NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE
($273,293,140 ÷ 54,358,897 shares outstanding)


 
  $ 5.03  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2019

 

 

 

(a)

Securities, or a portion thereof, with a value of $2,487,500 are reserved and/or pledged with the custodian for current or potential holdings of swaps.

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

 

(c)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

(d)

At December 31, 2019, $500,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for equity contract for difference swap agreements.

 

Non-income producing security.

 

††

Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

SDR

Swedish Depositary Receipt

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, equity contract for difference swap agreements outstanding were as follows:

 

Market Value

Appreciation Received

 

One Month LIBOR

Plus 90 bps

plus Market Value

Depreciation Paid

 

Counterparty

 

Payment

Frequency

 

Termination

Date

 

Notional

Amount

   

Value

   

Upfront

Payments/

Receipts

   

Unrealized

Depreciation

 

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  Rolls-Royce Holdings plc   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   1 month   06/26/2020   $ 941,189     $ (36,602         $ (36,602)    

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Cl. C

  Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Cl. C   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   1 month   06/26/2020     6,141       (48           (48)    
               

 

 

 
TOTAL EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS

 

      $ (36,650)    
               

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


The Gabelli Utility Trust

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2019

 

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value (cost $316,484,587)

   $ 371,783,382  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $112)

     114  

Cash

     12,878  

Receivable for investments sold

     16,260,983  

Dividends and interest receivable

     663,707  

Deferred offering expense

     21,995  

Prepaid expenses

     1,916  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     388,744,975  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Distributions payable

     71,351  

Payable for investments purchased

     13,032,097  

Payable for investment advisory fees

     784,447  

Payable for payroll expenses

     22,021  

Payable for accounting fees

     11,250  

Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts

     36,650  

Other accrued expenses

     161,819  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     14,119,635  
  

 

 

 

Cumulative Preferred Shares, $0.001 par value:

  

Series A Preferred Shares (5.625%, $25 liquidation value, 1,200,000 shares authorized with 1,153,288 shares issued and outstanding)

     28,832,200  

Series B Preferred Shares (Auction Market, $25,000 liquidation value, 1,000 shares authorized with 900 shares issued and outstanding)

     22,500,000  

Series C Preferred Shares (5.375%, $25 liquidation value, 2,000,000 shares authorized and outstanding)

     50,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Total Preferred Shares

     101,332,200  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

   $ 273,293,140  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 218,966,475  

Total distributable earnings

     54,326,665  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 273,293,140  
  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value per Common Share:

  

($273,293,140 ÷ 54,358,897 shares outstanding at $0.001 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized)

   $ 5.03  
  

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $213,820)

   $ 9,135,496  

Interest

     1,386,362  
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     10,521,858  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment advisory fees

     3,688,454  

Shareholder communications expenses

     213,050  

Trustees’ fees

     134,500  

Shareholder services fees

     124,506  

Payroll expenses

     97,886  

Legal and audit fees

     68,487  

Custodian fees

     53,958  

Accounting fees

     45,000  

Interest expense

     97  

Auction agent fees (See Note 5)

     (199,836

Miscellaneous expenses

     159,692  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     4,385,794  
  

 

 

 

Less:

  

Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 3)

     (3,052

Custodian fee credits

     (2,911
  

 

 

 

Total Credits and Reductions

     (5,963
  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     4,379,831  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     6,142,027  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency:

  

Net realized gain on investments

     25,222,581  

Net realized loss on swap contracts

     (113,809

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions

     (5,844
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions

     25,102,928  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:

  

on investments

     27,393,882  

on swap contracts

     (73,952

on foreign currency translations

     556  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations

     27,320,486  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency

     52,423,414  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     58,565,441  
  

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

     (5,137,137
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations

   $ 53,428,304  
  

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Year Ended
December 31, 2018

Operations:

        

Net investment income

     $ 6,142,027     $ 6,199,827

Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions

       25,102,928       27,957,761

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations

       27,320,486       (39,769,444 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       58,565,441       (5,611,856 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

       (5,137,137 )       (5,084,180 )

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations

       53,428,304       (10,696,036 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

        

Accumulated earnings

       (26,167,082 )       (28,867,423 )

Return of capital

       (6,206,353 )       (821,376 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Common Shareholders

       (32,373,435 )       (29,688,799 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

        

Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

       5,094,532       4,451,844

Net increase from common shares issued in rights offering

             48,571,655

Offering costs and adjustments for common and preferred shares charged to paid-in capital

       26,959       (354,500 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions

       5,121,491       52,668,999
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

       26,176,360       12,284,164

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders:

        

Beginning of year

       247,116,780       234,832,616
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

     $ 273,293,140     $ 247,116,780
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Financial Highlights

 

 

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year:

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Operating Performance:

                   

Net asset value, beginning of year

             $ 4.61                $ 5.34                $ 5.45                $ 5.13                $ 6.16  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.11         0.12         0.11         0.11         0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions

      0.99         (0.27       0.48         0.92         (0.53
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

      1.10         (0.15       0.59         1.03         (0.40
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: (a)

                   

Net investment income

      (0.02       (0.02       (0.02       (0.01       (0.01

Net realized gain

      (0.08       (0.08       (0.09       (0.07       (0.03
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions to preferred shareholders

      (0.10       (0.10       (0.11       (0.08       (0.04
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations

      1.00         (0.25       0.48         0.95         (0.44
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

                   

Net investment income

      (0.09       (0.10       (0.10       (0.09       (0.11

Net realized gain

      (0.39       (0.48       (0.49       (0.48       (0.27

Return of capital

      (0.12       (0.02       (0.01       (0.03       (0.22
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions to common shareholders

      (0.60       (0.60       (0.60       (0.60       (0.60
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

                   

Increase in net asset value from common share transactions

                      0.01         0.01         0.01  

Increase in net asset value from common shares issued in rights offering

              0.12                          

Increase in net asset value from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

      0.02         0.01                          

Offering costs and adjustments to offering costs for preferred shares charged or credited to paid-in capital

      0.00 (b)        (0.01       0.00 (b)        (0.04        
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Fund share transactions

      0.02         0.12         0.01         (0.03       0.01  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Year

    $ 5.03       $ 4.61       $ 5.34       $ 5.45       $ 5.13  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NAV total return†

      23.21       (5.02 )%        9.27       18.62       (7.12 )% 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Market value, end of year

    $ 7.77       $ 5.94       $ 7.10       $ 6.30       $ 5.70  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment total return††

      42.99       (4.76 )%        23.48       22.08       (14.15 )% 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

                   

Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end of year (in 000’s)

    $ 374,625       $ 348,449       $ 336,165       $ 337,831       $ 270,508  

Net assets attributable to common shares, end of year (in 000’s)

    $ 273,293       $ 247,117       $ 234,833       $ 236,498       $ 219,176  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets attributable to common shares before preferred share distributions

      2.30       2.51       2.04       2.02       2.41

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares before fee waived(c)(d)

      1.64 %(e)        1.81       1.80       1.71       1.57

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any(c)(f)

      1.64       1.60       1.80       1.71       1.35

Portfolio turnover rate    

      23       26       18       22       9

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year:

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Cumulative Preferred Shares:

                   

5.625% Series A Preferred

                   

Liquidation value, end of year (in 000’s)

             $ 28,832                $ 28,832                $ 28,832                $ 28,832                $ 28,832  

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

      1,153         1,153         1,153         1,153         1,153  

Liquidation preference per share

    $ 25.00       $ 25.00       $ 25.00       $ 25.00       $ 25.00  

Average market value (g)

    $ 26.19       $ 25.43       $ 25.68       $ 25.88       $ 25.55  

Asset coverage per share (h)

    $ 92.43       $ 85.97       $ 82.94       $ 83.35       $ 131.74  

Series B Auction Market Preferred

                   

Liquidation value, end of year (in 000’s)

    $ 22,500       $ 22,500       $ 22,500       $ 22,500       $ 22,500  

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

      1         1         1         1         1  

Liquidation preference per share

    $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000  

Liquidation value (i)

    $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000       $ 25,000  

Asset coverage per share (h)

    $ 92,425       $ 85,967       $ 82,936       $ 83,347       $ 131,744  

5.375% Series C Preferred

                   

Liquidation value, end of year (in 000’s)

    $ 50,000       $ 50,000       $ 50,000       $ 50,000          

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

      2,000         2,000         2,000         2,000          

Liquidation preference per share

    $ 25.00       $ 25.00       $ 25.00       $ 25.00          

Average market value (g)

    $ 25.90       $ 25.01       $ 25.32       $ 25.28          

Asset coverage per share (h)

    $ 92.43       $ 85.97       $ 82.94       $ 83.35          

Asset Coverage (j)

      370       344       332       333       527

 

Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at the net asset value per share on the ex-dividend dates and adjustments for the rights offering.

††

Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and adjustments for the rights offering.

(a)

Calculated based on average common shares outstanding on the record dates throughout the years.

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(d)

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares before fee waived for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 would have been 1.19%, 1.28%, 1.26%, 1.27%, and 1.29%, respectively.

(e)

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets includes reversal of auction agent fees from earlier fiscal periods as disclosed on the Statement of Operations. The ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares and the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, excluding the reversal of auction agent fees, were 1.71% and 1.24%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. See note 5 for disclosure.

(f)

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares net of advisory fee reduction for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 would have been 1.19%, 1.14%, 1.26%, 1.27%, and 1.11%, respectively.

(g)

Based on weekly prices.

(h)

Asset coverage per share is calculated by combining all series of preferred shares.

(i)

Since February 2008, the weekly auctions have failed. Holders that have submitted orders have not been able to sell any or all of their shares in the auction.

(j)

Asset coverage is calculated by combining all series of preferred shares.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli Utility Trust (the Fund) operates as a diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 25, 1999 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). Investment operations commenced on July 9, 1999.

The Fund’s primary objective is long term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services, or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure operations (the 80% Policy). The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Fund has adopted a policy to provide shareholders with notice at least sixty days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.

2. Significant Accounting Policies. As an investment company, the Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that may require the use of management estimates and assumptions in the preparation of its financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements. To improve the effectiveness of fair value disclosure requirements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), which adds, removes, and modifies certain aspects relating to fair value disclosure. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption of the additions relating to ASU 2018-13 is not required, even if early adoption is elected for the removals and modifications under ASU 2018-13. Management has early adopted the removals and modifications set forth in ASU 2018-13 in these financial statements and has not early adopted the additions set forth in ASU 2018-13.

Security Valuation. Portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board of Trustees (the Board) so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC (the Adviser).

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt obligations for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the securities are valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at

 

11


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.

Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value American Depositary Receipt securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.

The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Board’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

 

12


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

    Valuation Inputs    
    Level 1
Quoted Prices
  Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
  Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
  Total Market Value
at 12/31/19

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

               

ASSETS (Market Value):

               

Common Stocks:

               

ENERGY AND UTILITIES

               

Natural Gas Utilities

    $ 21,730,163     $ 599,188           $ 22,329,351

Other Industries (a)

      221,514,371                   221,514,371

COMMUNICATIONS

               

Other Industries (a)

      48,542,190                   48,542,190

OTHER

               

Aerospace

      1,809,945       12,186             1,822,131

Other Industries (a)

      8,884,227                   8,884,227

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS AND ENERGY TRADERS

               

Other Industries (a)

      795,000                   795,000

Total Common Stocks

      303,275,896       611,374             303,887,270

Convertible Preferred Stocks (a)

            97,510             97,510

Warrants (a)

            102,240     $ 0       102,240

Corporate Bonds (a)

            30,798             30,798

U.S. Government Obligations

            67,665,564             67,665,564

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

    $ 303,275,896     $ 68,507,486     $ 0     $ 371,783,382

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:*

               

LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation):

               

EQUITY CONTRACT:

               

Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

          $ (36,650 )           $ (36,650 )

TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

          $ (36,650 )           $ (36,650 )

 

(a)

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments (SOI) for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.

*

Other financial instruments are derivatives reflected in the SOI, such as options, futures, forwards, and swaps, which may be valued at the unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of the instrument.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund did not have transfers into or out of Level 3.

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

General. The Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser – to value most of its securities, and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other recognized pricing sources. Several different pricing feeds are received to value domestic equity securities, international equity securities, preferred equity securities, and fixed income securities. The data within these feeds are ultimately sourced from major stock exchanges and trading systems where these securities trade. The prices supplied by external sources are checked by obtaining quotations or actual transaction prices from market participants. If a price obtained from the pricing source is deemed unreliable, prices will be sought from another pricing service or from a broker/dealer that trades that security or similar securities.

 

13


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Fair Valuation. Fair valued securities may be common or preferred equities, warrants, options, rights, or fixed income obligations. Where appropriate, Level 3 securities are those for which market quotations are not available, such as securities not traded for several days, or for which current bids are not available, or which are restricted as to transfer. Among the factors to be to be considered to fair value a security are recent prices of comparable securities that are publicly traded, reliable prices of securities not publicly traded, the use of valuation models, current analyst reports, valuing the income or cash flow of the issuer, or cost if the preceding factors do not apply. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could result in a lower or higher value in Level 3 securities. The circumstances of Level 3 securities are frequently monitored to determine if fair valuation measures continue to apply.

The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These may include backtesting the prices realized in subsequent trades of these fair valued securities to fair values previously recognized.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in derivative financial instruments for the purposes of increasing the income of the Fund, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or in the event of default, the Fund may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments or other contractual remedies owed to it under derivative contracts. The creditworthiness of the counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize these risks. Participation in derivative transactions involves investment risks, transaction costs, and potential losses to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The consequences of these risks, transaction costs, and losses may have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to pay distributions.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded derivatives, while collateral terms are contract specific for derivatives traded over-the-counter. Securities pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts are noted in the Schedule of Investments. Cash collateral, if any, pledged for the same purpose will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund’s policy with respect to offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the master agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.

The Fund’s derivative contracts held at December 31, 2019, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments, together with the related counterparty.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment

 

14


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an equity contract for difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time an equity contract for difference swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction.

Unrealized gains related to swaps are reported as an asset and unrealized losses are reported as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in the value of swaps, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest to be received or paid on swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon receipt or payment of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements. Equity contract for difference swap agreements held at December 31, 2019 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments.

The Fund’s volume of activity in equity contract for difference swap agreements during the year ended December 31, 2019 had an average monthly notional amount of approximately $1,072,404.

At December 31, 2019, the Fund’s derivative liabilities (by type) are as follows:

    Gross Amounts of
Recognized Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
    Gross Amounts
Available for Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
    Net Amount of
Liabilities Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 

Liabilities

     

Equity Contract for Difference
Swap Agreements

    $36,650             $36,650  

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liability by counterparty net of the related collateral segregated by the Fund for the benefit of the counterparty as of December 31, 2019:

 

   

Net Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

 
    Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented in
the Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
   

Securities Pledged

as Collateral

    Cash Collateral
Received
    Net Amount  

Counterparty

       

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    $36,650       (36,650)              

At December 31, 2019, the value of equity contract for difference swap agreements can be found in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Liabilities, Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of equity contract for difference swap agreements can be found in the Statement of Operations, under Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency; Net realized loss on swap contracts; and Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap contracts.

 

15


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts, Certain Options, and Swaps. Subject to the guidelines of the Board, the Fund may engage in “commodity interest” transactions (generally, transactions in futures, certain options, certain currency transactions, and certain types of swaps) only for bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now applicable to the Fund which permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions, provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.

Foreign Currency Translations. 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 current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income, and expenses are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign exchange rates and/or changes in market prices of securities have been included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain/(loss) on investments.

Foreign Securities. The Fund may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of currencies, the inability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies, and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

 

16


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Foreign Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.

Restricted Securities. The Fund is not subject to an independent limitation on the amount it may invest in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and, accordingly, the Board will monitor their liquidity. At December 31, 2019, the Fund held no restricted securities.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain/(loss) on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends.

Custodian Fee Credits and Interest Expense. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.” When cash balances are overdrawn, the Fund is charged an overdraft fee equal to 110% of the 90 day Treasury Bill rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in the Statement of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. Permanent differences were primarily due to the tax treatment of reclassifications of investments in swaps. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, reclassifications were made to increase paid-in capital by $931, with an offsetting adjustment to total distributable earnings.

The Fund declares and pays monthly distributions from net investment income, capital gains, and paid-in capital. The actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the year. Distributions during the year may be made in excess of required distributions. To the extent such distributions are made from current earnings

 

17


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

and profits, they are considered ordinary income or long term capital gains. Distributions sourced from paid-in capital should not be considered as dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s NAV and the financial market environment. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board at any time.

Distributions to shareholders of the Fund’s 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series A Preferred), the Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series B Preferred), and the 5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series C Preferred) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as described in Note 5.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2019
            Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
     Common      Preferred                    Common      Preferred  

Distributions paid from:

              

Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)

   $ 6,350,692      $ 1,246,772         $ 6,587,626      $ 1,160,224  

Net long term capital gains

     19,816,390        3,890,365           22,279,797        3,923,956  

Return of capital

     6,206,353                  821,376         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 32,373,435      $ 5,137,137         $ 29,688,799      $ 5,084,180  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

At December 31, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations

   $ 54,398,016  

Other temporary differences*

     (71,351
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 54,326,665  
  

 

 

 

 

*

Other temporary differences are due to preferred share class distributions payable.

At December 31, 2019, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation on investments were primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes.

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and derivatives and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2019:

     Cost                Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
               Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
              Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Investments and derivative instruments

   $ 317,348,379         $ 69,143,393         $ (14,745,040      $ 54,398,353  

The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not

 

18


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of December 31, 2019, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. The Fund’s federal and state tax returns for the prior three years remain open, subject to examination. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.

3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the value of its average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of the preferred stock. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio and oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the Series A and Series B Preferred if the total return of the NAV of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fee subject to reduction, does not exceed the stated dividend rates of the Series A and Series B Preferred for the year. The Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the NAV of the common shares exceeds the dividend rates of the Series A and Series B Preferred for the period. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares exceeded the stated dividend rate of the Series A and Series B Preferred. Thus, advisory fees with respect to the liquidation value of these Preferred Shares were accrued.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid $61,078 in brokerage commissions on security trades to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. The amount of such expenses paid through this directed brokerage arrangement during this period was $3,052.

The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the sub-administration agreement with Bank of New York Mellon, the fees paid include the cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV. The Fund reimburses the Adviser for this service. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund accrued $45,000 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.

As per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund accrued $97,886 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.

The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $6,000 plus $1,500 for each Board meeting attended. Each Trustee is reimbursed by the Fund for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $1,000 per meeting attended, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $3,000, and the Nominating Committee Chairman and the Lead Trustee each receives an annual fee of $2,000. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Trustees

 

19


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2019, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $71,743,902 and $109,217,664, respectively.

5. Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001). The Board has authorized the repurchase of its common shares on the open market when the shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the NAV of the shares. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any common shares of beneficial interest in the open market.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

     Year Ended
December 31, 2019
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
     Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

Net increase from common shares issued in rights offering

                   8,831,210      $ 48,571,655  
Net increase from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions      758,032      $ 5,094,532        767,180        4,451,844  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     758,032      $ 5,094,532        9,598,390      $ 53,023,499  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

On March 29, 2018, the Fund distributed one transferable right for each of the 44,156,051 common shares outstanding on that date. Five rights were required to purchase one additional common share at the subscription price of $5.50 per share. On May 21, 2018, the Fund issued 8,831,210 common shares receiving net proceeds of $48,273,615, after the deduction of offering expenses of $298,040. The NAV of the Fund increased by $0.12 per share on the day the additional shares were issued due to the additional shares being issued above NAV.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares are senior to the common shares and result in the financial leveraging of the common shares. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to common shareholders. Dividends on the Preferred Shares are cumulative. The Fund is required by the 1940 Act and by the Statement of Additional Information to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Preferred Shares. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Series A, Series B, and Series C Preferred Shares at redemption prices of $25, $25,000, and $25, respectively, per share plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not declared on such shares in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The income received on the Fund’s assets may vary in a manner unrelated to the fixed and variable rates, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on investment income and gains available to common shareholders.

The Fund may redeem at any time, in whole or in part, the Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred at the redemption price. In addition, the Board has authorized the repurchase of the Series C Preferred in the open

 

20


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

market at prices less than the $25 liquidation value per share. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any shares of Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, or Series C Preferred.

The Series B Preferred dividend rates, as set by the auction process that is generally held every seven days, are expected to vary with short term interest rates. Since February 2008, the number of Series B Preferred subject to bid orders by potential holders has been less than the number of Series B Preferred subject to sell orders. Therefore, the weekly auctions have failed, and the dividend rate since then has been the maximum rate. Holders that have submitted sell orders have not been able to sell any or all of the Series B Preferred for which they have submitted sell orders. The current maximum rate is 150 basis points greater than the seven day ICE LIBOR rate on the day of such auction. Existing shareholders may submit an order to hold, bid, or sell such shares on each auction date. Shareholders of the Series B Preferred may also trade their shares in the secondary market.

In earlier fiscal years, the Fund recorded auction agent fees based on estimated costs of the weekly auctions. As recent auctions have failed, these accruals of estimated fees were reversed.

The Fund has the authority to purchase its Series B auction market preferred shares through negotiated private transactions. The Fund is not obligated to purchase any dollar amount or number of auction market preferred shares, and the timing and amount of any auction market preferred shares purchased will depend on market conditions, share price, capital availability, and other factors. The Fund is not soliciting holders to sell these shares nor recommending that holders offer them to the Fund. Any offers can be accepted or rejected in the Fund’s discretion.

The following table summarizes Cumulative Preferred Stock information:

 

Series

  Issue Date   Authorized   Number of Shares
Outstanding at
12/31/19
    Net Proceeds   2019 Dividend
Rate Range
  Dividend
Rate at
12/31/19
  Accrued
Dividends at
12/31/19

A 5.625%

  July 31, 2003   1,200,000     1,153,288     $28,895,026   Fixed Rate   5.625%   $22,525  

B Auction Market

  July 31, 2003   1,000     900     24,590,026   1.455% to 3.925%   3.109%   11,499

C 5.375%

  May 31, 2016   2,000,000     2,000,000     48,142,029   Fixed Rate   5.375%   37,327

The holders of Preferred Shares generally are entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common stock as a single class. The holders of Preferred Shares voting together as a single class also have the right currently to elect two Trustees and under certain circumstances are entitled to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all outstanding shares of the preferred shares, voting as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred shares, and the approval of two-thirds of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s outstanding voting stock must approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding preferred shares and a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve certain other actions, including changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or fundamental investment policies.

6. Industry Concentration. Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies in the utility industry, its portfolio may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a portfolio of securities representing a broad range of investments.

 

21


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

7. Indemnifications. The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

8. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events of the Fund and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

22


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

The Gabelli Utility Trust:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from the brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 1986.

 

23


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554) or by writing to The Gabelli Utility Trust at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

 

Name, Position(s)    Term of Office    Number of Funds          
Address1    and Length of    in Fund Complex    Principal Occupation(s)    Other Directorships

and Age

  

Time Served2

  

Overseen by Trustee

  

During Past Five Years

  

Held by Trustee3

INTERESTED TRUSTEES4:

        

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and Chief Investment Officer

Age: 77

   Since 1999***    33    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer– Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer– Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/ Trustee or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.    Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company) (2001-2019); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services company); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications); Director of ICTC Group Inc. (communications) (2013-2018)

John D. Gabelli

Trustee

Age: 75

   Since 1999**    12    Senior Vice President of G.research, LLC   
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES5:         

John Birch6,7

Trustee

Age: 68

   Since 2018*    4    Partner, The Cardinal Partners Global; Chief Operating Officer of Sentinel Asset Management and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of Sentinel Group Funds (2005-2015)   

Elizabeth C. Bogan

Trustee

Age: 75

   Since 2018***    8    Senior Lecturer in Economics at Princeton University   

James P. Conn6

Trustee

Age: 81

   Since 1999**    24    Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (1992-1998)   

Vincent D. Enright

Trustee

Age: 76

   Since 1999***    17    Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KeySpan Corp. (public utility) (1994-1998)    Director of Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (therapeutics and diagnostics) (2008-2014); Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (2011-2014)

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr.7

Trustee

Age: 80

   Since 1999*    12    Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (1995-2013); Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1983- 1989)    Director of First Republic Bank (banking); Director of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (casino entertainment company)

Michael J. Ferrantino

Trustee

Age: 48

   Since 2017**    2    Chief Executive Officer of InterEx Inc.   

 

24


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)    Term of Office    Number of Funds          
Address1    and Length of    in Fund Complex    Principal Occupation(s)    Other Directorships

and Age

  

Time Served2

  

Overseen by Trustee

  

During Past Five Years

  

Held by Trustee3

Michael J. Melarkey

Trustee

Age: 70

   Since 2016**    21    Of Counsel in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP; Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie (1980-2015)    Chairman of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)

Robert J. Morrissey

Trustee

Age: 80

   Since 1999*    7    Partner in the law firm of Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch    Chairman of the Board of Directors, Belmont Savings Bank

Kuni Nakamura

Trustee

Age: 51

   Since 2012***    33    President of Advanced Polymer, Inc. (chemical manufacturing company); President of KEN Enterprises, Inc. (real estate)   

Salvatore J. Zizza8

Trustee

Age: 74

   Since 1999*    31    President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); President of Bergen Cove Realty Inc.; Chairman of Harbor Diversified, Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)(2000-2018); Chairman of Metropolitan Paper Recycling Inc. (recycling) (2005-2014)    Director and Chairman of Trans- Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018)

 

25


The Gabelli Utility Trust

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)

Address1

and Age

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served2

      

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

OFFICERS:

                

Bruce N. Alpert

President

Age: 68

   Since 1999      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Age: 43

   Since 2017      Treasurer of funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017; Vice President of State Street Corporation, 2007-2014

Agnes Mullady

Vice President

Age: 61

   Since 2006      Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2006; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015; Chief Executive Officer of G.distributors, LLC since 2010; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Executive Vice President of Associated Capital Group, Inc. since 2016

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary and

Vice President

Age: 47

   Since 2013      Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2016; Counsel of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2013; Secretary of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2013; Vice President of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2014

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Age: 60

   Since 2013      Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2013

David I. Schachter

Vice President and Ombudsman

Age: 66

   Since 1999      Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) and Vice President (1999-2015) of G.research, LLC

 

1 

Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.

2 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a three year term. The three year term for each class expires as follows:

  *

Term expires at the Fund’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

  **

Term expires at the Fund’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

  ***

Term expires at the Fund’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

For officers, includes time served in prior officer positions with the Fund. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

3 

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, i.e., public companies, or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

4 

“Interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Messrs. Mario J. Gabelli and John D. Gabelli, who are brothers, are each considered an “interested person” because of their affiliation with Gabelli Funds, LLC, which acts as the Fund’s investment adviser.

5 

Trustees who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Trustees.

6 

This Trustee is elected solely by and represents the shareholders of the preferred shares issued by this Fund.

7 

Mr. Fahrenkopf’s daughter, Leslie F. Foley, serves as a director of other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Birch is a director of Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc and GAMCO International SICAV, which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario Gabelli and/or affiliates and, in that event, would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Advisor.

8 

Mr. Zizza is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser. On September 9, 2015, Mr. Zizza entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry relating to an alleged violation regarding the making of false statements or omissions to the accountants of a company concerning a related party transaction. The company in question is not an affiliate of, nor has any connection to, the Fund. Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Zizza, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings and allegation, paid $150,000 and agreed to cease and desist committing or causing any future violations of Rule 13b2-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Board has discussed this matter and has determined that it does not disqualify Mr. Zizza from serving as an Independent Director.

 

26


THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2019

Cash Dividends and Distributions

 

           Payable      
Date
           Record      
Date
     Ordinary
    Investment    
Income (a)
          Long Term     
Capital
Gains (a)
     Return of
      Capital (b)      
     Total Amount
Paid
 Per Share (a) 
     Dividend
  Reinvestment  
Price
 

Common Shares

 

                 
     01/24/19        01/16/19        $0.01050        $0.03060        $0.00890        $0.05000        $6.00400  
     02/21/19        02/13/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.27950  
     03/22/19        03/15/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.54550  
     04/23/19        04/15/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.59300  
     05/23/19        05/16/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.55500  
     06/21/19        06/14/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.65000  
     07/24/19        07/17/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.89700  
     08/23/19        08/16/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.61200  
     09/23/19        09/16/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        6.88750  
     10/24/19        10/17/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        7.17250  
     11/21/19        11/14/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        7.31500  
     12/20/19        12/13/19        0.01050        0.03060        0.00890        0.05000        7.31500  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
                   $0.12600                $0.36720                $0.10680                $0.60000     

5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

              
     03/26/19        03/19/19        $0.08971        $0.26185               $0.35156     
     06/26/19        06/19/19        0.08971        0.26185               0.35156     
     09/26/19        09/19/19        0.08971        0.26185               0.35156     
     12/26/19        12/18/19        0.08971        0.26185               0.35156     
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
           $0.35883        $1.04742               $1.40625     

5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

              
     03/26/19        03/19/19        $0.08572        $0.25022               $0.33594     
     06/26/19        06/19/19        0.08572        0.25022               0.33594     
     09/26/19        09/19/19        0.08572        0.25022               0.33594     
     12/26/19        12/18/19        0.08572        0.25022               0.33594     
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
           $0.34289        $1.00086               $1.34375     

A Form 1099-DIV has been mailed to all shareholders of record which sets forth specific amounts to be included in your 2019 tax returns. Ordinary distributions include net investment income and realized net short term capital gains. Ordinary income is reported in box 1a of Form 1099-DIV. Capital gain distributions are reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV.

The long term gain distributions for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $23,706,755 or the maximum amount.

Series B Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares

Auction Rate Preferred Stocks pay dividends weekly based on the maximum rate.

Corporate Dividends Received Deduction, Qualified Dividend Income, and U.S. Government Securities Income

In 2019, the Fund paid to common, 5.625% Series A, and 5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred shareholders ordinary income dividends of $0.1260, $0.3588, and $0.3429 per share, respectively. For 2019, 88.92% of the ordinary dividend qualified for the dividend received deduction available to corporations, 100.00% of the ordinary income distribution was deemed qualified dividend income, and 15.11% of ordinary income distribution was qualified interest income and 100% of the ordinary income distribution was qualified short term capital gain. The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund during 2019 derived from U.S. Government securities was 10.12%. Such income is exempt from state and local taxes in all states. However, many states, including New York and California, allow a tax exemption for a portion of the income earned only if a mutual fund has invested at least 50% of its assets at the end of each quarter of its year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2019. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2019 was 18.20% of total investments.

 

27


THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

Historical Distribution Summary

 

         Investment    
Income (c)
         Short Term    
Capital

Gains (c)
         Long Term    
Capital
Gains
     Return of
    Capital (b)    
     Total
  Distributions  

(a)
       Adjustment  
to Cost

Basis (d)
 

Common Shares

 

        

2019

     $    0.10080        $    0.02520        $    0.36720        $0.10680        $    0.60000        $0.10680  

2018 (e)

     0.10440        0.02880        0.45000        0.01680        0.60000        0.01680  

2017

     0.09960               0.49200        0.00840        0.60000        0.00840  

2016

     0.09360        0.01320        0.46440        0.02880        0.60000        0.02880  

2015

     0.10800        0.02160        0.25200        0.21840        0.60000        0.21840  

2014

     0.09960        0.00804        0.40104        0.09132        0.60000        0.09132  

2013

     0.14232        0.00576        0.39180        0.06012        0.60000        0.06012  

2012 (f)

     0.13920               0.26520        0.19560        0.60000        0.19560  

2011

     0.11520        0.05880        0.01080        0.41520        0.60000        0.41520  

2010

     0.07788                      0.64212        0.72000        0.64212  

5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

        

2019

     $    0.28623        $    0.07260        $    1.04742        $         —        $    1.40625         

2018

     0.25125        0.06991        1.08509               1.40625         

2017

     0.23774               1.16851               1.40625         

2016

     0.23026        0.03347        1.14252               1.40625         

2015

     0.39725        0.07765        0.93135               1.40625         

2014

     0.27528        0.02227        1.10870               1.40625         

2013

     0.37067        0.01489        1.02069               1.40625         

2012

     0.48293               0.92332               1.40625         

2011

     0.87922        0.44909        0.07794               1.40625         

2010

     1.40625                             1.40625         

Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

        

2019

     $186.42761        $  47.28547        $682.19692        $         —        $915.91000     

2018

     156.15811        43.44635        674.40554               874.01000         

2017

     109.26415               537.03585               646.30000         

2016

     80.27810        11.66970        398.32200               490.26980         

2015

     118.61073        23.18474        278.08453               419.88000         

2014

     80.26781        6.49443        323.28776               410.05000         

2013

     110.25405        4.42978        303.60617               418.29000         

2012

     137.82644               263.51356               401.34000         

2011

     228.93287        116.93418        20.29295               366.16000         

2010

     381.65000                             381.65000         

5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

        

2019

     $    0.27351        $    0.06937        $    1.00086        $         —        $    1.34375     

2018

     0.24009        0.06680        1.03686               1.34375         

2017

     0.22718               1.11657               1.34375         

2016

     0.12591        0.01830        0.62471               0.76892         

 

 

(a) Total amounts may differ due to rounding.

(b) Non-taxable.

(c) Taxable as ordinary income.

(d) Decrease in cost basis.

(e) On March 29, 2018, the Fund also distributed rights equivalent to $0.18 per share based upon full subscription of all issued common shares.

(f) On March 29, 2012, the Fund also distributed rights equivalent to $0.18 per share based upon full subscription of all issued common shares.

 

 

All designations are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Fund to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

28


AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS

Under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), a shareholder whose shares of common stock are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), which is an agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own shares of common stock registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by Computershare as dividend-disbursing agent.

Enrollment in the Plan

It is the policy of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common shareholders. As a “registered” shareholder you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Fund to credit common shares to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset value.

Be advised that the common shares of The Gabelli Utility Trust have traded at excessive premiums (whereby the market price is much greater than the underlying net asset value.) Dividend reinvestment may be made at an excessive premium, which is not likely to be sustainable.

All distributions to shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their share certificates to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distributions in cash may submit this request through the Internet, by telephone or in writing to:

The Gabelli Utility Trust

c/o Computershare

P.O. Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233-5000

Telephone: (800) 336-6983

Website: www.computershare.com/investor

Shareholders requesting this cash election must include the shareholder’s name and address as they appear on the Fund’s records. Shareholders with additional questions regarding the Plan or requesting a copy of the terms of the Plan, may contact Computershare at the website or telephone number above.

If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or nominee, you should contact such institution. If such institution is not participating in the Plan, your account will be credited with a cash dividend. In order to participate in the Plan through such institution, it may be necessary for you to have your shares taken out of “street name” and re-registered in your own name. Once registered in your own name, your distributions will be automatically reinvested. Certain brokers participate in the Plan. Shareholders holding shares in “street name” at participating institutions will have dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders wishing a cash dividend at such institution must contact their broker to make this change.

The number of common shares distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of cash dividends is determined in the following manner. Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the Fund’s common shares is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividends or capital gains distribution, participants are issued common shares valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then current market price of the Fund’s common shares. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive common shares from the Fund valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, Computershare will buy common shares in the open market, or on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that Computershare will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at net asset value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares exceeds the then current net asset value.

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions. A participant in the Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received, on a dividend payment date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash the participant could have received instead of shares.

Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan

The Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan is yet another vehicle for our shareholders to increase their investment in the Fund. In order to participate in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, shareholders must have their shares registered in their own name.

Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to Computershare for investments in the Fund’s shares at the then current market price. Shareholders may send an amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use these funds to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Computershare will charge each shareholder who participates

 

29


 

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS

(Continued)

 

$0.75, plus a per share fee (currently $0.02 per share). Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay and fees for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual fees for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to Computershare, P.O. Box 6006, Carol Stream, IL 60197-6006 such that Computershare receives such payments approximately two business days before the 1st and 15th of the month. Funds not received at least two business days before the investment date shall be held for investment until the next purchase date. A payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by Computershare at least two business days before such payment is to be invested.

Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare may do so through the Internet, in writing or by telephone to the above-mentioned website, address or telephone number. Include in your request your name, address, and account number. Computershare will sell such shares through a broker-dealer selected by Computershare within 5 business days of receipt of the request. The sale price will equal the weighted average price of all shares sold through the Plan on the day of the sale, less applicable fees. Participants should note that Computershare is unable to accept instructions to sell on a specific date or at a specific price. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per transaction as well as the per share fee (currently $0.10 per share) Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay and are expected to be less than the usual fees for such transactions.

For more information regarding the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, brochures are available by calling (914) 921-5070 or by writing directly to the Fund.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of the Plan at least 30 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare on at least 30 days written notice to participants in the Plan.

 

30


THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Manager Biography

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. He is also Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc. Mr. Gabelli is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and holds an MBA degree from Columbia Business School and Honorary Doctorates from Fordham University and Roger Williams University.

 

 

 

We have separated the portfolio manager’s commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio due to corporate governance regulations stipulated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have done this to ensure that the content of the portfolio manager’s commentary is unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

The Net Asset Value per share appears in the Publicly Traded Funds column, under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds,” in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. It is also listed in Barron’s Mutual Funds/Closed End Funds section under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds.”

The Net Asset Value per share may be obtained each day by calling (914) 921-5070 or visiting www.gabelli.com.

The NASDAQ symbol for the Net Asset Value is “XGUTX.”

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may from time to time purchase its common shares in the open market when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares. The Fund may also, from time to time, purchase its preferred shares in the open market when the preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value.


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

t

800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f

914-921-5118

e

info@gabelli.com

  

GABELLI.COM

 

 

 

TRUSTEES

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group, Inc.

John Birch

Partner,

The Cardinal Partners Global

Elizabeth C. Bogan

Senior Lecturer,

Princeton University

James P. Conn

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Financial Security Assurance

Holdings Ltd.

Vincent D. Enright

Former Senior Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer,

KeySpan Corp.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Former President &

Chief Executive Officer,

American Gaming Association

Michael J. Ferrantino

Chief Executive Officer,

InterEx, Inc.

John D. Gabelli

Senior Vice President,

G.research, LLC

Michael J. Melarkey

Of Counsel,

McDonald Carano Wilson LLP

Robert J. Morrissey

Partner,

Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch

Kuni Nakamura

President,

Advanced Polymer, Inc.

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

Bruce N. Alpert

President

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Agnes Mullady

Vice President

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary & Vice President

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

David I. Schachter

Vice President & Ombudsman

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

COUNSEL

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

TRANSFER AGENT AND

REGISTRAR

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

 

 

GUT Q4/2019

 

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a)

The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

  (c)

There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

  (d)

The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Vincent D. Enright is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Audit Fees

 

  (a)

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $36,712 for 2018 and $36,712 for 2019.

Audit-Related Fees

 

  (b)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2018 and $0 for 2019.


Tax Fees

 

  (c)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $4,100 for 2018 and $4,250 for 2019. Tax fees represent tax compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

All Other Fees

 

(d)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $7,500 for 2018 and $0 for 2019. The fees relate to the Registrant’s registration statement.

 

(e)

Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the registrant is responsible for pre-approving (i) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant and (ii) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, and any affiliate of Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli”) that provides services to the registrant (a “Covered Services Provider”) if the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. The Committee may delegate its responsibility to pre-approve any such audit and permissible non-audit services to the Chairperson of the Committee, and the Chairperson must report to the Committee, at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the Chairperson’s pre-approval of such services, his or her decision(s). The Committee may also establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such services in accordance with applicable laws, including the delegation of some or all of the Committee’s pre-approval responsibilities to the other persons (other than Gabelli or the registrant’s officers). Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the registrant at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (ii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee or Chairperson prior to the completion of the audit.

 

(e)(2)

The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

(b) N/A

(c) 0%

(d) 0%

 

  (f)

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent.


  (g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 for 2018 and $0 for 2019.

 

  (h)

The registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

  (a)

The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of the following members: John Birch, Vincent D. Enright, and Michael J. Melarkey.

 

  (b)

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing

 

Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.


SECTION HH

The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients

(This section pertains to all affiliated SEC registered investment advisers)

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.

These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., and Teton Advisors, Inc. (collectively, the “Advisers”) to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the procedures that the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of the Advisers; the principal underwriter; or any affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or the principal underwriter. These procedures will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the client’s proxies in accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the extent permitted by ERISA).

 

  I.

Proxy Voting Committee

The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within the parameters set by the substantive proxy voting guidelines originally published in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of which are appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research, Administration, Legal, and the Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire Committee.

Meetings are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers should vote proxies on behalf of their clients.

In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, and the analysts of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”), will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is: (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-1


All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the recommendations of the analysts of GBL, will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department has identified the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.

 

  A.

Conflicts of Interest.

The Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting decisions. By following the Proxy Guidelines and the analysts of GBL, the Advisers are able to avoid, wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, circumstances may arise in which one or more of the Advisers are faced with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may arise when an Adviser knowingly does business with an issuer, and may appear to have a material conflict between its own interests and the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers regarding how the proxy is to be voted. A conflict also may exist when an Adviser has actual knowledge of a material business arrangement between an issuer and an affiliate of the Adviser.

In practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers, such as GAMCO Asset Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers has made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of the Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the Legal Department, will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may give rise to a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies.

 

  B.

Operation of Proxy Voting Committee

For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any recommendations by GBL analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the GBL analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel may provide an

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-2


opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of the Advisers may diverge, counsel may so advise and the Committee may make different recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel may provide an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action.

Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly.

Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. The Advisers subscribe to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co., LLC (“Glass Lewis”), which supply current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues. The information provided by ISS and GL is for informational purposes only.

If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the issuer, the matter may be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is appropriate.

 

  II.

Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines

If a client has provided and the Advisers have accepted special instructions relating to the voting of proxies, they should be noted in the client’s account file and forwarded to the proxy department. This is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor guidelines, the Advisers’ policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in the best interest of the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact. Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent with any individual investment/voting guidelines provided by the client. Otherwise the Advisers may abstain with respect to those shares.

Specific to the Gabelli ESG Fund, the Proxy Voting Committee will rely on the advice of the portfolio managers of the Gabelli ESG Fund to provide voting recommendations on the securities held in the portfolio.

 

  III.

Client Retention of Voting Rights

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-3


If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change in voting authority, the following should be notified by the investment professional or sales assistant for the client.

- Operations

- Proxy Department

- Investment professional assigned to the account

In the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee thereof) of one or more of the investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board Member (or Committee member) with a copy of the proxy statement together with any other relevant information.

 

  IV.

Proxies of Certain Non-U.S. Issuers

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share-blocking.” Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depository. During the period in which the shares are held with a depository, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients’ custodian. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, the Advisers believe that the benefit to the client of exercising the vote is outweighed by the cost of voting and therefore, the Advisers will not typically vote the securities of non-U.S. issuers that require share-blocking.

In addition, voting proxies of issuers in non-U.S. markets may also give rise to a number of administrative issues or give rise to circumstances under which voting would impose a cost (real or implied) on its client which may cause the Advisers to abstain from voting such proxies. For example, the Advisers may receive the notices for shareholder meetings without adequate time to consider the proposals in the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting. Other markets require the Advisers to provide local agents with power of attorney prior to implementing their respective voting instructions on the proxy. Other markets may require disclosure of certain ownership information in excess of what is required to vote in the U.S. market. Although it is the Advisers’ policies to vote the proxies for its clients for which they have proxy voting authority, in the case of issuers in non-U.S. markets, we vote client proxies on a best efforts basis.

 

  V.

Voting Records

The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information on how they voted a client’s proxy upon request from the client.

The complete voting records for each registered investment company (the “Fund”) that is managed by the Advisers will be filed on Form N-PX for the twelve months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. A description of the

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-4


Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to Gabelli Funds, LLC at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Advisers’ proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.

 

  VI.

Voting Procedures

1.   Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and clearing firms are responsible for forwarding proxies directly to the Advisers.

Proxies are received in one of two forms:

 

   

Shareholder Vote Instruction Forms (“VIFs”) - Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials.

   

Proxy cards which may be voted directly.

2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form represents is logged into the proxy system, electronically or manually, according to security.

3. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee, the votes are cast and recorded for each account.

Records have been maintained on the ProxyEdge system.

ProxyEdge records include:

Security Name and CUSIP Number

Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)

Directors’ Recommendation (if any)

How the Adviser voted for the client on item

4.   VIFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are located in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files are transferred to an offsite storage facility during January/February.

5. If a proxy card or VIF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote including:

 

   

When a solicitor has been retained, the solicitor is called. At the solicitor’s direction, the proxy is faxed or sent electronically.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-5


   

In some circumstances VIFs can be faxed or sent electronically to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting.

6.   In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing entity.

7.   Voting in Person

a) At times it may be necessary to vote the shares in person. In this case, a “legal proxy” is obtained in the following manner:

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge:

Broadridge is notified that we wish to vote in person. Broadridge issues individual legal proxies and sends them back via email or overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). A lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures detailed below for banks not using Broadridge may be implemented.

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:

The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested.

All legal proxies should appoint:

“Representative of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.”

b)   The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the limited power of attorney.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-6


Appendix A

Proxy Guidelines

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

General Policy Statement

It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc, and its affiliated advisers (collectively “the Advisers”) to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.

At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy statement should be evaluated on its own merits within the framework first established by our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework.

We do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration all of our research on the company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for the company. In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals.

Board of Directors

We do not consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue. Each slate of directors is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Historical responsiveness to shareholders

This may include such areas as:

-Paying greenmail

-Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder votes

 

Qualifications

 

Nominating committee in place

 

Number of outside directors on the board

 

Attendance at meetings

 

Overall performance

Selection of Auditors

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-7


In general, we support the Board of Directors’ recommendation for auditors.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.

Blank check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends, voting rights, etc. without further shareholder approval.

Classified Board

A classified board is one where the directors are divided into classes with overlapping terms. A different class is elected at each annual meeting.

While a classified board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range planning, we feel directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look at this proposal on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the board’s historical responsiveness to the rights of shareholders.

Where a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change to an annually elected board.

When an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to classify the board.

Increase Authorized Common Stock

The request to increase the amount of outstanding shares is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Future use of additional shares

-Stock split

-Stock option or other executive compensation plan

-Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet

-Aid in restructuring

-Improve credit rating

-Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense

 

Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock option plans

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-8


 

Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect

We will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the additional shares is contained in the proxy statement.

Confidential Ballot

We support the idea that a shareholder’s identity and vote should be treated with confidentiality.

However, we look at this issue on a case-by-case basis.

In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we endorse the use of independent Inspectors of Election.

Cumulative Voting

In general, we support cumulative voting.

Cumulative voting is a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors being elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total number for one candidate or allocate the voting among two or more candidates.

Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this shareholder right.

Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the board. When a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the proposal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority shareholders an opportunity to have their views represented.

Director Liability and Indemnification

We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability and increasing the indemnification of directors, except in the case of insider dealing.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-9


Equal Access to the Proxy

The SEC’s rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are limited in scope and there is a 500 word limit on proponents’ written arguments. Management has no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy, we would look at such variables as length of time required to respond, percentage of ownership, etc.

Fair Price Provisions

Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended to prevent two-tier tender offers that may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to board-approved transactions.

We support fair price provisions because we feel all shareholders should be entitled to receive the same benefits.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Golden Parachutes

Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted after a takeover.

We support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that they may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the company and shareholders even if the decision results in them losing their job. We do not, however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal will be decided on a case-by- case basis.

Anti-Greenmail Proposals

We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be extended to all shareholders equally across the board.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-10


Limit Shareholders’ Rights to Call Special Meetings

We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Consideration of Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger

This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a merger and allows them the opportunity to consider the merger’s effects on employees, the community, and consumers.

As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. In general, this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this proposal.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Mergers, Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings

Each of the above is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the Department of Labor, we are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering price is at a premium to the current market price. We may take into consideration the long term interests of the shareholders.

Military Issues

Shareholder proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to the client’s direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.

Northern Ireland

Shareholder proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-11


In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to client direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.

Opt Out of State Anti-Takeover Law

This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the state’s takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer must acquire at least 85% of the company’s stock before the buyer can exercise control unless the board approves.

We consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be based on the following:

 

 

State of Incorporation

 

Management history of responsiveness to shareholders

 

Other mitigating factors

Poison Pill

In general, we do not endorse poison pills.

In certain cases where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of shareholders and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this position.

Reincorporation

Generally, we support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose reincorporation if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value of the stock.

Stock Incentive Plans

Director and Employee Stock incentive plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and employees. However, each incentive plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into consideration the following:

 

 

Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10%.

 

Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much.

 

Method of payment.

 

Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock plans.

 

The successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-12


Supermajority Vote Requirements

Supermajority vote requirements in a company’s charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of shareholder participation. We support proposals’ approvals by a simple majority of the shares voting.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Limit Shareholders Right to Act by Written Consent

Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action without having to wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed action at a shareholder meeting.

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

“Say-on-Pay” / “Say-When-on-Pay” / “Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”

Required under the Dodd-Frank Act; these proposals are non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation. We will generally vote with the Board of Directors’ recommendation(s) on advisory votes on executive compensation (“Say-on-Pay”), advisory votes on the frequency of voting on executive compensation (“Say-When-on-Pay”) and advisory votes relating to extraordinary transaction executive compensation (“Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”). In those instances when we believe that it is in our clients’ best interest, we may abstain or vote against executive compensation and/or the frequency of votes on executive compensation and/or extraordinary transaction executive compensation advisory votes.

Proxy Access

Proxy access is a tool used to attempt to promote board accountability by requiring that a company’s proxy materials contain not only the names of management nominees, but also any candidates nominated by long-term shareholders holding at least a certain stake in the company. We will review proposals regarding proxy access on a case-by-case basis taking into account the provisions of the proposal, the company’s current governance structure, the successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value, as well as other applicable factors.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

INTERNAL USE ONLY

HH-13


Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. He is also Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Associated Capital Group, Inc. Mr. Gabelli is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and holds an MBA degree from Columbia Business School, and Honorary Doctorates from Fordham University and Roger Williams University.

MANAGEMENT OF OTHER ACCOUNTS

The table below shows the number of other accounts managed by Mario J. Gabelli and the total assets in each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other paid investment vehicles and other accounts as of December 31, 2019. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.

 

Name of

Portfolio Manager

  Type of Accounts  

Total

  No. of Accounts  
Managed

Total

          Assets          

No. of

Accounts

where

    Advisory Fee    

is Based on
Performance

  Total Assets in  

Accounts

where

Advisory Fee

is Based on
Performance

1. Mario J. Gabelli

  Registered Investment

  Companies:

24 $19.4 billion 4 $5.2 billion
  Other Pooled Investment 

  Vehicles:

11 $ 1.1 billion 8 $ 904.3 million
  Other Accounts: 985 $8.1 billion 1 $ 238.5 million

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

As reflected above, Mr. Gabelli manages accounts in addition to the Trust. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager also has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include:

ALLOCATION OF LIMITED TIME AND ATTENTION. As indicated above, Mr. Gabelli manages multiple accounts. As a result, he will not be able to devote all of his time to management of the Trust. Mr. Gabelli, therefore, may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he were to devote all of his attention to the management of only the Trust.

ALLOCATION OF LIMITED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. As indicated above, Mr. Gabelli manages managed accounts with investment strategies and/or policies that are similar to the Trust. In these cases, if the he identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, a Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts managed primarily by other Portfolio Managers of the Adviser, and their affiliates. In addition, in the event Mr. Gabelli determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions.

SELECTION OF BROKER/DEALERS. Because of Mr. Gabelli’s indirect majority ownership interest in G.research LLC., he may have an incentive to use G.research to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund.

PURSUIT OF DIFFERING STRATEGIES. At times, Mr. Gabelli may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, he may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts.


VARIATION IN COMPENSATION. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to Mr. Gabelli differ among the accounts that he manages. If the structure of the Adviser’s management fee or the Portfolio Manager’s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the Portfolio Manager may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager also may be motivated to favor accounts in which he has an investment interest, or in which the Adviser, or their affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance a Portfolio Manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected above, if Mr. Gabelli manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements, certain portions of his compensation will depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. Mr. Gabelli could be incented to afford preferential treatment to those accounts and thereby by subject to a potential conflict of interest.

The Adviser, and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address the various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Adviser and their staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to detect and prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise.

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR MARIO J. GABELLI

Mr. Gabelli receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Adviser for managing the Trust. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees the firm’s expenses (other than Mr. Gabelli’s compensation) allocable to this Trust. Four closed-end registered investment companies (including this Trust) managed by Mr. Gabelli have arrangements whereby the Adviser will only receive its investment advisory fee attributable to the liquidation value of outstanding preferred stock (and Mr. Gabelli would only receive his percentage of such advisory fee) if certain performance levels are met. Additionally, he receives similar incentive based variable compensation for managing other accounts within the firm and its affiliates. This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level of compensation is not determined with specific reference to the performance of any account against any specific benchmark. One of the other closed-end registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli has a performance (fulcrum) fee arrangement for which his compensation is adjusted up or down based on the performance of the investment company relative to an index. Mr. Gabelli manages other accounts with performance fees. Compensation for managing these accounts has two components. One component is based on a percentage of net revenues to the investment adviser for managing the account. The second component is based on absolute performance of the account, with respect to which a percentage of such performance fee is paid to Mr. Gabelli. As an executive officer of the Adviser’s parent company, GBL, Mr. Gabelli also receives ten percent of the net operating profits of the parent company. He receives no base salary, no annual bonus, and no stock options.


OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE FUND

Mario J. Gabelli owned over $1 million of shares of the Trust as of December 31, 2019.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

  

(a) Total Number

of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased

 

  

(b) Average Price Paid per  

Share (or Unit)

 

  

(c) Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased as Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

 

  

(d) Maximum Number

(or Approximate Dollar

Value) of Shares (or

Units) that May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs

 

Month #1

07/01/2019

through

07/31/2019    

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A 

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A  

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A  

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,051,557

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000

Month #2

08/01/2019

through

08/31/2019

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,117,090

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000

Month #3

09/01/2019

through

09/30/2019

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,180,012

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000

Month #4

10/01/2019

through

10/31/2019

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,240,572

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000


Month #5

11/01/2019

through

11/30/2019

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A 

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A  

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A  

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,299,978

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000

Month #6

12/01/2019

through

12/31/2019

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – 54,358,897

 

Preferred Series A – 1,153,288

 

Preferred Series C – 2,000,000

Total

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

 

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

  

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series C – N/A

   N/A

Footnote columns (c) and (d) of the table, by disclosing the following information in the aggregate for all plans or programs publicly announced:

 

a.

The date each plan or program was announced – The notice of the potential repurchase of common and preferred shares occurs semiannually in the Fund’s shareholder reports in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

b.

The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved – Any or all common shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares.

Any or all preferred shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation values.

c.

The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.

d.

Each plan or program that has expired during the period covered by the table – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.

e.

Each plan or program the registrant has determined to terminate prior to expiration, or under which the registrant does not intend to make further purchases. – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.


Item 11. 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 period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

(a)

If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide the following dollar amounts of income and fees/compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most recent fiscal year:

(1) Gross income from securities lending activities; $0

(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s) (“revenue split”); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees;

(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2); $0 and

(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)). $0

 

(b)

If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrant’s most recent fiscal year. N/A


Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)    Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.
(a)(2)   

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

(a)(3)   

Not applicable.

(a)(4)   

Not applicable.

(b)   

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 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)                             The Gabelli Utility Trust                                                              

By (Signature and Title)*      /s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                           

                                       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

Date     March 6, 2020                                                                                      

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/ Bruce N. Alpert                                           

                                       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

Date     March 6, 2020                                                                                     

By (Signature and Title)*      /s/ John C. Ball                                                                             

                                       John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date     March 6, 2020                                                                                                                  

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.