Re:
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The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. Proposed Prospectus/Proxy Statement on Form N-14 | |
(Investment Company Act File No. 811-04700) | ||
Supplemental Response to Staff Questions | ||
(1) | Question: When will the proposed new fund (New Fund), a fund that is intended to be organized as a non-diversified, closed-end investment company, become registered in relation to (a) the Equity Trust contribution of seed capital and (b) the Equity Trusts exchanging between $60 million and $100 million in assets of the Equity Trust for shares of the New Fund and distributing to common shareholders of the Equity Trust, in the form of a dividend, shares of the New Fund (the Transaction)? | |
Response: It is intended that the New Fund will become a registered investment company approximately one month prior to the contribution by the Equity Trust of seed capital to the New Fund and approximately three months prior to the approval of the Transaction by Equity Trust shareholders and the subsequent closing of the Transaction. |
(2) | Question: Why is there a three-month lag between the time seed capital is contributed and the time of the closing of the Transaction? Explain why both cannot be done at the same time. | |
Response: There is approximately a two to three month lag between the time the seed capital is contributed by the Equity Trust to the New Fund and the time of the closing of the Transaction because the New Fund should be appropriately seeded prior to providing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to current shareholders of the Equity Trust and prospective shareholders of the New Fund. It is anticipated that the seed capital will be contributed by the Equity Trust to the New Fund shortly prior to (i.e, a day or two) the effective date of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement. After the effective date of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, the Equity Trust anticipates approximately a two to three month period to allow the printing and dissemination of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the solicitation of Equity Trust shareholders. In addition, there will be approximately a one week period between the time of the shareholder approval of the Transaction and the closing of the Transaction. |
cc:
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Laura E. Hatch, Division of Investment Management, SEC | |
Bruce N. Alpert, The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. | ||
James E. McKee, Esq., The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. | ||
Carter W. Austin, The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. | ||
Rose F. DiMartino, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | ||
Mary C. Carty, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
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