N-CSR 1 gamglo-ncsr_123121.htm CERTIFIED ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT

 

 

 

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       811-07896          

 

GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. 

 

(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, 2021

 

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.

 

(a)The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

 

   
 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Annual Report — December 31, 2021

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

 

     
  Evan D. Miller, CFA Sergey Dluzhevskiy, CFA, CPA  
  Portfolio Manager
BA, Northwestern University
MBA, Booth School of Business,
University of Chicago
Portfolio Manager
BS, Case Western
Reserve University
MBA, The Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania
 

 

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund was 5.2% compared with a total return of 10.8% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World Communication Services Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 4 for performance information for all classes.

 

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021.

 

Investment Objective and Strategy (Unaudited)

 

The Fund primarily seeks to provide investors with appreciation of capital. Current income is a secondary objective of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest its total assets in common stocks of companies in the telecommunications, media, and information technology industries which Gabelli Funds, LLC, the Adviser, believes are likely to have rapid growth in revenues and earnings and potential for above average capital appreciation or are undervalued. In accordance with its concentration policy, the Fund will invest at least 25% of the value of its total assets in the telecommunications related industry, and not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any other particular industry.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Performance Discussion (Unaudited)

 

Global equities continued to advance in first quarter 2021, driven by the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and significant ($1.9 trillion) fiscal stimulus plan passed in the U.S. Rising bond yields and increasing optimism about the outlook for global growth have led to cyclical sectors (energy, financials, industrials) leading the market in the quarter. The Communication services sector (+6.6%) ended up in the middle of the pack, moderately outperforming the broad index, as MSCI AC World Index gained 5.1%. Sector performance was largely driven by the Media & Entertainment Industry Group (up 7.4%), helped by meaningful gains in Alphabet and Facebook shares.

 

Global equities continued to advance in second quarter, driven by the accelerated COVID-19 vaccine rollout and further relaxation of pandemic related mobility restrictions in most developed markets as well as the prospect of additional fiscal stimulus (through increased infrastructure spending) in the U.S. The impact from these “tailwind” factors was somewhat tempered by investor concerns over the rise of inflation in certain countries, increased regulatory scrutiny over e-commerce companies in China, and the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant. The market was led by the Information Technology, Energy, and Healthcare sectors, with Communication Services finishing in the middle of the pack, but moderately outperforming the broad index (with MSCI AC World Index up 7.5%), helped by meaningful gains in Alphabet and Facebook.

 

While global equities remained largely resilient throughout most of third quarter, downward pressure on the markets in the final few weeks of September, driven by concerns about rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, more hawkish commentary from central banks, and increased regulatory scrutiny of a number of industries in China, put the MSCI AC World Index into negative territory for the quarter (-1.0%). While Energy and Financials were the top performers in third quarter, Communication Services sector (-2.5%) was one of the laggards in the quarter.

 

Global equities gained in the fourth quarter (with MSCI AC World Index up 6.7%), as strong earnings growth outweighed the risk factors, including a more hawkish stance by the Federal Reserve and the emergence of the new Omicron virus variant (which initially heightened equity market volatility). While Information Technology and Utilities were the top performers in fourth quarter, Communication Services sector (-1.5%) was the laggard in the quarter, as investors rotated out of some of the high multiple internet focused names that lack meaningful profits or cash flows (Snap, Twitter, Sea, Roku, etc.).

 

Selected holdings that contributed positively to performance in 2021 were:

 

Microsoft, Corp. (3.2% of net assets as of December 31, 2021) develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide; Wideopenwest, Inc. (2.7%), provides high-speed data, cable television, and digital telephony to residential and business customers across 14 markets, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast United States; and Alphabet, Inc. (9.9%) is a holding company whose subsidiaries include the core Google business (Search, Android, YouTube, Cloud) as well as multiple independent companies, e.g., GV, Waymo, Verily.

 

Some of our weaker performing stocks during the year:

 

SoftBank Group Corp. (5.7%) provides telecommunication services in Japan and internationally; T-Mobile US, Inc. (6.6%) is the second largest wireless operator in the U.S., serving over 105 million branded customers; and Alibaba Group Holdings, ADR (no longer held), through its subsidiaries, provides technology infrastructure and marketing reach to merchants, brands, retailers, and other businesses to engage with their users and customers in the People’s Republic of China and internationally.

 

2

 

 

Thank you for your investment in The Gabelli Global Content and Connectivity Fund.

 

We appreciate your confidence and trust.

 

3

 

 

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses.

 

   1 Year  5 Year  10 Year  15 Year  Since
Inception
(11/1/93)
Class AAA (GABTX)  5.17%  7.18%  6.80%  3.81%  7.14%
MSCI AC World Communication Services Index (b)  10.82   10.93   8.94   6.59   N/A 
MSCI AC World Index (b)  19.04   14.97   12.44   7.62   8.28 
Class A (GTCAX)  5.16   7.17   6.78   3.80   7.14 
With sales charge (c)  (0.88)  5.91   6.15   3.39   6.91 
Class C (GTCCX)  5.17   6.71   6.16   3.13   6.59 
With contingent deferred sales charge (d)  4.17   6.71   6.16   3.13   6.59 
Class I (GTTIX)  5.18   7.63   7.16   4.12   7.31 

 

(a)Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares, on March 12, 2000, June 2, 2000, and January 11, 2008, respectively. The actual performance for the Class A Shares, and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of the Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares.

(b)The MSCI AC World Communication Services Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of Communication Services from around the world. The MSCI AC World Index is an unmanaged market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The MSCI AC World Index consists of 50 country indices comprising 23 developed and 27 emerging market country indices. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. MSCI AC World Index since inception performance is as of October 31, 1993.

(c)Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.

(d)Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase. No existing C Class shares are currently subject to the CDSC as of the date of this report.

 

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 1.77%, 1.77%, 2.52%, and 1.52%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for all share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) is 0.90%. See page 12 for the expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursement is in effect through April 30, 2022. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares, and Class C Shares is 5.75%, and 1.00%, respectively.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please visit our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, 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.

 

4

 

 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN
THE GABELLI GLOBAL CONTENT & CONECTIVITY FUND (CLASS AAA SHARES), MSCI AC WORLD
COMMUNICATION SERVICES INDEX AND MSCI AC WORLD INDEX (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year
Class AAA 5.17% 7.18% 6.80%

 

 

* Past performance is not predictive of future results. The performance tables and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

5

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

For the Six Month Period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021

Expense Table
 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

 

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

 

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you

paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The “Annualized Expense Ratio” represents the actual expenses for the last six months and may be different from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights which is for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/21
  Ending
Account Value
12/31/21
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
Period *
The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund
Actual Fund Return
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $942.10   0.90%  $     4.41 
Class A  $1,000.00   $942.20   0.90%  $     4.41 
Class C  $1,000.00   $942.10   0.90%  $     4.41 
Class I  $1,000.00   $942.30   0.90%  $     4.41 
Hypothetical 5% Return                
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $     4.58 
Class A  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $     4.58 
Class C  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $     4.58 
Class I  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $     4.58 

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (184 days), then divided by 365.

 

6

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of December 31, 2021:

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

 

Communication Services 73.1%   Real Estate 4.4 %
Information Technology 11.4%   Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) (0.3) %
Consumer Discretionary 5.8%     100.0 %
Financials 5.6%      

 

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 fiscal 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.

 

7

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2021

 

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     COMMON STOCKS — 99.1%          
     COMMUNICATION SERVICES — 73.1%          
     Telecommunication Services — 36.6%          
     Wireless Telecommunication Services — 24.6%     
     Wireless Telecommunication Services — 24.6%     
 50,000   America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR  $167,719   $1,055,500 
 30,000   Anterix Inc.†   1,224,120    1,762,800 
 25,000   KDDI Corp.   160,514    730,679 
 55,000   Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR†   1,817,858    1,566,090 
 100,000   MTN Group Ltd.†   424,151    1,071,289 
 25,000   Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B   637,063    1,190,750 
 155,000   Sistema PJSC FC, GDR   727,348    961,000 
 95,000   SoftBank Group Corp.   4,223,582    4,487,786 
 45,000   T-Mobile US Inc.†   931,296    5,219,100 
 14,000   United States Cellular Corp.†   396,170    441,280 
 62,000   Vodafone Group plc, ADR   961,428    925,660 
         11,671,249    19,411,934 
                
     Diversified Telecommunication Services — 12.0%     
     Integrated Telecommunication Services — 11.1%     
 33,000   AT&T Inc.   805,168    811,800 
 37,415,054   Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd.†(a)   499,070    281,771 
 100,000   Deutsche Telekom AG   1,822,762    1,855,755 
 13,000   Frontier Communications Parent Inc.†   406,731    383,370 
 35,000   Telenor ASA   494,536    550,840 
 87,000   Telephone and Data Systems Inc.   1,602,488    1,753,050 
 50,000   TELUS Corp.   306,092    1,178,500 
 37,000   Verizon Communications Inc.   1,117,809    1,922,520 
         7,054,656    8,737,606 
                
     Alternative Carriers — 0.9%          
 60,000   Lumen Technologies Inc.   602,658    753,000 
                
     Media & Entertainment 36.5%          
     Interactive Media & Services — 17.6%          
     Interactive Media & Services — 17.6%          
 2,700   Alphabet Inc., Cl. C†   2,750,490    7,812,693 
 18,000   Meta Platforms Inc., Cl. A†   2,932,573    6,054,300 
         5,683,063    13,866,993 
                
     Media — 10.7%          
     Cable & Satellite — 10.7%          
 80,000   Comcast Corp., Cl. A   2,409,231    4,026,400 
 12,000   DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†   223,644    389,280 
 67,000   Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†   970,248    1,882,030 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
 100,000   WideOpenWest Inc.†  $551,848   $2,152,000 
         4,154,971    8,449,710 
                
     Entertainment — 8.2%          
     Movies & Entertainment — 6.7%          
 220,000   Bollore SA   1,301,496    1,232,313 
 100,000   Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA†   569,360    494,109 
 15,000   Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty Braves, Cl. C†   269,506    421,500 
 3,000   Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.†   149,460    521,190 
 75,000   Manchester United plc, Cl. A   1,144,297    1,068,000 
 120,000   OL Groupe SA†   317,059    273,240 
 8,500   The Walt Disney Co.†   797,830    1,316,565 
         4,549,008    5,326,917 
                
     Interactive Home Entertainment — 1.5%          
 3,500   Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.†   351,334    622,020 
 11,000   Ubisoft Entertainment SA†   629,137    539,387 
         980,471    1,161,407 
                
     TOTAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES   34,696,076    57,707,567 
     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 10.3%          
     Software & Services — 6.4%          
     Software — 3.2%          
     Systems Software — 3.2%          
 7,500   Microsoft Corp.   987,236    2,522,400 
                
     IT Services — 3.2%          
     Data Processing & Outsourced Services — 2.7%     
 3,200   Mastercard Inc., Cl. A   601,519    1,149,824 
 3,500   PayPal Holdings Inc.†   427,641    660,030 
 1,500   Visa Inc., Cl. A   163,671    325,065 
         1,192,831    2,134,919 
                
     Internet Services and Infrastructure — 0.5%          
 16,000   GMO internet Inc.   438,270    377,640 
                
     Technology Hardware & Equipment — 3.9%          
     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.5%     
     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.5%     
 11,000   Apple Inc.   438,810    1,953,270 
                
     Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.4% 
     Electronic Equipment & Instruments — 1.4%          
 9,000   Sony Group Corp., ADR   595,858    1,137,600 
                
     TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY   3,653,005    8,125,829 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     COMMON STOCKS (Continued)          
     CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY  — 5.8%          
     Retailing — 5.8%          
     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 5.8%     
     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 5.8%     
 50,000   Prosus NV  $4,237,722   $4,185,695 
 5,000   Zalando SE†   392,645    404,965 
         4,630,367    4,590,660 
                
     TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY   4,630,367    4,590,660 
                
     FINANCIALS — 5.5%          
     Diversified Financials — 5.5%          
     Diversified Financial Services — 5.5%          
     Multi-Sector Holdings — 5.5%          
 70,000   Kinnevik AB, Cl. B†   1,346,239    2,500,221 
 4,460   Old Mutual Ltd.   12,500    3,366 
 155,000   VNV Global AB†   1,183,936    1,795,943 
 12,000   Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd.†(a)   1,432    3,600 
         2,544,107    4,303,130 
                
     Banks — 0.0%          
     Banks — 0.0%          
     Diversified Banks — 0.0%          
 58   Nedbank Group Ltd.   622    637 
                
     TOTAL FINANCIALS   2,544,729    4,303,767 
                
     REAL ESTATE — 4.4%          
     Real Estate — 4.4%          
     Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts — 4.4%          
     Specialized REITs — 4.4%          
 4,000   Crown Castle International          
     Corp., REIT   544,828    834,960 
 6,500   Digital Realty Trust Inc.,          
     REIT   851,368    1,149,655 
 1,800   Equinix Inc., REIT   143,374    1,522,512 
         1,539,570    3,507,127 
                
     TOTAL REAL ESTATE   1,539,570    3,507,127 
                
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   47,063,747    78,234,950 
                
     CLOSED-END FUNDS — 0.0%          
     CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.0%          
     Retailing — 0.0%          
     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.0%          
     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.0%          
 5,800   Altaba Inc., Escrow†   0    34,510 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.1%          
     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 1.1%          
     Technology - Hardware and Equipment — 1.1%          
     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.1%     
     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.1%     
 15,000   Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., 10.630%  $602,552   $898,423 
                
     WARRANTS —  0.1%          
     FINANCIALS — 0.1%          
     Diversified Financials — 0.1%          
     Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%          
     Multi-Sector Holdings — 0.1%          
 31,463   VNV Global AB, expire 08/10/23†   0    45,264 
                
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.3%  $47,666,299    79,213,147 
     Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (0.3)%        (234,505)
                
     NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $78,978,642 

 

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

Non-income producing security.

 

ADRAmerican Depositary Receipt

GDRGlobal Depositary Receipt

REITReal Estate Investment Trust

SDRSwedish Depositary Receipt

 

Geographic Diversification  % of
Market
Value
   Market
Value
 
North America   61.7%  $48,884,344 
Europe   25.6    20,280,512 
Japan   8.5    6,733,705 
Latin America   1.7    1,340,871 
South Africa   1.4    1,075,292 
Asia/Pacific   1.1    898,423 
    100.0%  $79,213,147 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

9

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2021

 

Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $47,666,299)  $79,213,147 
Cash   473 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $2,363)   2,044 
Receivable for investments sold   634 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   40 
Receivable from Adviser   40,880 
Dividends receivable   84,365 
Prepaid expenses   22,004 
Total Assets   79,363,587 
Liabilities:     
Line of credit payable   182,000 
Payable for Fund shares redeemed   2,324 
Payable for investment advisory fees   66,507 
Payable for distribution fees   13,789 
Payable for accounting fees   3,750 
Payable for legal and audit fees   43,900 
Payable for shareholder communications   30,865 
Payable for shareholder services fees   27,646 
Other accrued expenses   14,164 
Total Liabilities   384,945 
Net Assets
(applicable to 3,614,845 shares outstanding)
  $78,978,642 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $48,941,632 
Total distributable earnings   30,037,010 
Net Assets  $78,978,642 
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($65,025,177 ÷ 2,974,610 shares outstanding; 150,000,000 shares authorized)  $21.86 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($428,050 ÷ 19,394 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $22.07 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)  $23.42 
Class C:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($2,247 ÷ 105.79 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $21.24 
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($13,523,168 ÷ 620,735 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $21.79 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $50,779)  $937,188 
Non-cash dividends   1,792,074 
Interest   182 
Total Investment Income   2,729,444 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   844,654 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   173,425 
Distribution fees - Class A   1,119 
Distribution fees - Class C   118 
Shareholder services fees   87,885 
Legal and audit fees   58,943 
Registration expenses   51,192 
Accounting fees   45,000 
Custodian fees   36,468 
Shareholder communications expenses   22,236 
Directors’ fees   13,789 
Tax expense   3,540 
Interest expense   1,096 
Miscellaneous expenses   16,870 
Total Expenses   1,356,335 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (589,925)
Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 6)   (1,585)
Total Reimbursements and Credits   (591,510)
Net Expenses   764,825 
Net Investment Income   1,964,619 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, and Foreign Currency:     
Net realized gain on investments   3,398,980 
Net realized gain on forward foreign exchange contracts   25,433 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (42,598)
Net realized gain on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts, and foreign currency transactions   3,381,815 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:     
on investments   (1,007,425)
on foreign currency translations   (699)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   (1,008,124)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts, and Foreign Currency   2,373,691 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $4,338,310 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
Operations:          
Net investment income  $1,964,619   $413,299 
Net realized gain on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts, and foreign currency transactions   3,381,815    1,123,880 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   (1,008,124)   9,708,634 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   4,338,310    11,245,813 
           
Distributions to Shareholders:          
Accumulated earnings          
Class AAA   (4,120,665)   (2,020,392)
Class A   (26,818)   (12,531)
Class C   (145)   (1,503)
Class I   (859,148)   (419,204)
Total Distributions to Shareholders   (5,006,776)   (2,453,630)
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Class AAA   (1,665,646)   (4,994,337)
Class A   11,185    (4,783)
Class C   (47,770)   (36,787)
Class I   (291,252)   (93,032)
Net Decrease in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions   (1,993,483)   (5,128,939)
           
Redemption Fees       4 
           
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets   (2,661,949)   3,663,248 
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   81,640,591    77,977,343 
End of year  $78,978,642   $81,640,591 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year:

                                                                   
        Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations
   Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data 
Year Ended
December 31
   Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Year
   Net Investment
Income (Loss)(a)
   Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Investments
   Total from
Investment
Operations
   Net Investment
Income
   Net Realized
Gain on
Investments
   Return of Capital   Total
Distributions
   Redemption
Fees(a)(b)
   Net Asset Value,
End of Year
   Total Return†   Net Assets, End of
Year (in 000’s)
   Net Investment
Income (Loss)
  Operating
Expenses Before
Reimbursement
   Operating
Expenses Net of
Reimbursement(c)
  Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
Class AAA                                                                          
2021   $22.18   $0.56(d)  $0.59   $1.15   $(0.62)  $(0.85)  $   $(1.47)  $   $21.86    5.17%  $65,025   2.33%(d)   1.65%  0.90 %(e)(f)   26%
2020    19.64    0.11(d)   3.11    3.22    (0.46)   (0.22)       (0.68)   0.00    22.18    16.42    67,239   0.57(d)   1.77   0.90 (e)   41 
2019    18.08    0.32    2.51    2.83    (0.37)   (0.90)       (1.27)   0.00    19.64    15.62    65,024   1.63    1.74   1.69 (e)   14 
2018    21.77    0.16    (2.76)   (2.60)   (0.15)   (0.93)   (0.01)   (1.09)   0.00    18.08    (11.89)   63,196   0.78    1.72   1.72     19 
2017    20.43    0.11    2.63    2.74    (0.14)   (1.26)       (1.40)       21.77    13.38    81,832   0.48    1.73   1.73     22 
Class A                                                                          
2021   $22.38   $0.56(d)  $0.60   $1.16   $(0.62)  $(0.85)  $   $(1.47)  $   $22.07    5.16%  $428   2.30%(d)   1.65%  0.90 %(e)(f)   26%
2020    19.81    0.11(d)   3.14    3.25    (0.46)   (0.22)       (0.68)   0.00    22.38    16.43    422   0.59(d)   1.77   0.90 (e)   41 
2019    18.23    0.36    2.50    2.86    (0.38)   (0.90)       (1.28)   0.00    19.81    15.64    374   1.80    1.74   1.68 (e)   14 
2018    21.94    0.16    (2.79)   (2.63)   (0.14)   (0.93)   (0.01)   (1.08)   0.00    18.23    (11.94)   231   0.76    1.72   1.72     19 
2017    20.58    0.10    2.66    2.76    (0.14)   (1.26)       (1.40)       21.94    13.39    576   0.43    1.73   1.73     22 
Class C                                                                          
2021   $21.59   $0.64(d)  $0.48   $1.12   $(0.62)  $(0.85)  $   $(1.47)  $   $21.24    5.17%  $3   2.76%(d)   2.40%  0.91 %(e)(f)   26%
2020    19.13    0.10(d)   3.04    3.14    (0.46)   (0.22)       (0.68)       21.59    16.44    49   0.54(d)   2.52   0.90 (e)   41 
2019    17.45    0.04    2.55    3.00    (0.01)   (0.90)       (0.91)   0.00    19.13    14.81    84   0.19    2.49   2.45 (e)   14 
2018    21.08    0.02    (2.68)   (2.66)   (0.03)   (0.93)   (0.01)   (0.97)   0.00    17.45    (12.56)   279   0.08    2.47   2.47     19 
2017    19.85    (0.06)   2.55    2.49        (1.26)       (1.26)       21.08    12.53    267   (0.28)   2.48   2.48     22 
Class I                                                                          
2021   $22.11   $0.55(d)  $0.60   $1.15   $(0.62)  $(0.85)  $   $(1.47)  $   $21.79    5.18%  $13,523   2.32%(d)   1.40%  0.90 %(e)(f)   26%
2020    19.58    0.11(d)   3.10    3.21    (0.46)   (0.22)       (0.68)   0.00    22.11    16.42    13,931   0.58(d)   1.52   0.90 (e)   41 
2019    18.03    0.46    2.51    2.97    (0.52)   (0.90)       (1.42)   0.00    19.58    16.42    12,495   2.33    1.49   0.99 (e)   14 
2018    21.75    0.32    (2.79)   (2.47)   (0.31)   (0.93)   (0.01)   (1.25)   0.00    18.03    (11.27)   12,394   1.52    1.47   1.00 (e)   19 
2017    20.40    0.28    2.62    2.90    (0.29)   (1.26)       (1.55)       21.75    14.20    14,374   1.26    1.48   1.00 (e)   22 

 

 
Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the year including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect the applicable sales charges.

(a)Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

(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 all years presented, there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(d)Includes income resulting from special dividends. Without these dividends, the per share income amounts would have been $0.05 and $0.09 (Class AAA), $0.04 and $0.09 (Class A), $0.15 and $0.08 (Class C), and $0.05 and $0.09 (Class I), and the net investment income ratios would have been 0.20% and 0.45% (Class AAA), 0.18% and 0.47% (Class A), 0.63% and 0.41% (Class C), and 0.20% and 0.46% (Class I) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

(e)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser reimbursed expenses of $589,925, $591,218 and $91,150 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, and certain Class I expenses to the Fund of $70,600 and $56,231 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(f)The Fund incurred tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. If tax expense had not been incurred, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.90% for each Class.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund
Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.  Organization. The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the Corporation), was incorporated on July 16, 1993 in Maryland. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and is one of five separately managed portfolios (collectively, the Portfolios) of the Corporation. The Fund primary seeks to provide investors with appreciation of capital. The Fund commenced investment operations on November 1, 1993.

 

The Fund may invest a high percentage of its assets in specific sectors of the market in order to achieve a potentially greater investment return. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, and regulatory developments in a particular sector of the market, positive or negative, and may experience increased volatility to the Fund’s NAV and a magnified effect in its total return.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

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 Directors (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 security is valued using the closing bid price. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

 

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.

 

13

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

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).

 

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.

 

14

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Valuation Inputs     
  

Level 1

Quoted Prices

  

Level 2 Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

  

Level 3 Significant

Unobservable

Inputs (a)

  

Total Market Value

at 12/31/21

 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:                    
ASSETS (Market Value):                    
Common Stocks:                    
Communication Services  $57,425,796       $281,771   $57,707,567 
Financials   4,296,801   $3,366    3,600    4,303,767 
Other Industries (b)   16,223,616            16,223,616 
Total Common Stocks   77,946,213    3,366    285,371    78,234,950 
Closed-End Funds (b)       34,510        34,510 
Preferred Stocks (b)   898,423            898,423 
Warrants (b)   45,264            45,264 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $78,889,900   $37,876   $285,371   $79,213,147 

 

 
(a)The inputs for these securities are not readily available and are derived based on the judgment of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board of Directors.
(b)Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.

 

The Fund did not have any transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

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.

 

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. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include 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.

 

15

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 may invest up to 15% of its net assets 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, 2021, the Fund did not hold any restricted securities.

 

Investments in other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest, from time to time, in shares of other investment companies (or entities that would be considered investment companies but are excluded from the definition pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act) (the Acquired Funds) in accordance with the 1940 Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund would bear the pro rata portion of the periodic expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the periodic expenses charged by the Acquired Funds was less than one basis point.

 

16

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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.

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

 

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to 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, 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 disallowed losses. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2021, reclassifications were made to decrease paid-in capital by $3,540, with an offsetting adjustment to total distributable earnings.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)  $2,108,206   $1,966,445 
Net long term capital gains   2,898,570    487,185 
Total distributions paid  $5,006,776   $2,453,630 

 

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.

 

17

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

At December 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income  $9,518 
Undistributed long term capital gains   3,642 
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   30,023,850 
Total  $30,037,010 

 

At December 31, 2021, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation were primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes and mark-to-market adjustments on investments considered to be a passive foreign investment company.

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2021:

 

      Gross  Gross   
      Unrealized  Unrealized  Net Unrealized
   Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Appreciation
Investments  $49,188,974  $32,212,860  $(2,188,687)  $30,024,173

 

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 threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund incurred an excise tax expense of $3,540. As of December 31, 2021, 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 fiscal 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 daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

 

Effective December 1, 2019, the Adviser amended its contractual agreement with respect to each share class of the Fund to waive its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022, at no more than 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed expenses in the amount of $589,925. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, that after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of

 

18

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

the Fund. The agreement is renewable annually. At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $1,181,143:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022  $591,218 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, expiring December 31, 2023   589,925 
   $1,181,143 

 

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $22,022,268 and $26,363,485, respectively.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $564 to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

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 $1,585.

 

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, 2021, the Fund accrued $45,000 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.

 

The Corporation pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation.

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the Overnight Federal Funds Rate plus 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At December 31, 2021, there was $182,000 outstanding under the line of credit.

 

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $159,174 with a weighted average interest rate of 1.35%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $947,000.

 

8. Capital Stock. The Fund currently offers three classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, and Class I Shares. Effective January 27, 2020, (the Effective Date) the Fund’s Class AAA, Class A and Class C Shares “closed to purchases from new investors”. “Closed to purchases from new investors” means (i) with respect to the Class AAA and Class A shares, no new investors may purchase shares of such classes, but existing shareholders may continue to purchase additional shares of such classes after the Effective Date, and

 

19

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

(ii) with respect to Class C Shares, neither new investors nor existing shareholders may purchase any additional shares of such class after the Effective Date. These changes had no effect on existing shareholders’ ability to redeem shares of the Fund as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Additionally, on the Effective Date Class I shares of the Fund became available to investors with a minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 when purchasing shares directly through the Distributor, or investors purchasing Class I shares through brokers or financial intermediaries that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor specifically with respect to Class I shares.

 

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                    
Shares sold   11,642   $276,213    9,747   $184,252 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   178,982    3,919,699    87,160    1,928,858 
Shares redeemed   (247,693)   (5,861,558)   (376,417)   (7,107,447)
Net decrease   (57,069)  $(1,665,646)   (279,510)  $(4,994,337)
Class A                    
Shares sold   811   $19,672    2,153   $38,059 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   910    20,117    425    9,480 
Shares redeemed   (1,181)   (28,604)   (2,584)   (52,322)
Net increase/(decrease)   540   $11,185    (6)  $(4,783)
Class C                    
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   7   $149    70   $1,500 
Shares redeemed   (2,171)   (47,919)   (2,220)   (38,287)
Net decrease   (2,164)  $(47,770)   (2,150)  $(36,787)
Class I                    
Shares sold   21,699   $518,139    19,112   $362,606 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   35,611    777,037    16,760    369,729 
Shares redeemed   (66,670)   (1,586,428)   (43,988)   (825,367)
Net decrease   (9,360)  $(291,252)   (8,116)  $(93,032)

 

 

 

9. 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.

 

20

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

10. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

21

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”)), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (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 (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.) at December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’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 Corporation 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 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. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Gabelli/GAMCO Funds investment companies since 1992.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2022

 

22

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee (the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has designated the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

23

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

 

At its meeting on November 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the Independent Board Members) who are not interested persons of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the Fund’s portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser, and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

 

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long term performance of the Fund (as of September 30, 2021) against a peer group of six other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”), and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all retail and institutional telecommunication funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper Telecom Fund Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the second quartile for the one year period and in the fourth quartile for three, five, and ten year periods, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the third quintile for the one year period and in the fourth quintile for the three, five, and ten year periods. The Independent Board Members discussed the modest improvement in the Fund’s performance relative to the prior year.

 

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with a pro rata administrative charge and with a standalone administrative charge and noted the impact of the expense limitation agreement. The Independent Board Members also noted that a substantial portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker of the Adviser and that another affiliated broker received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.

 

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale and reviewed data provided by the Adviser.

 

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.

 

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of four other telecommunications funds selected by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Peer Group”), and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services of the Adviser. The Independent Board Members noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement in place for the Fund. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was the fourth highest in the Adviser Peer Group and the second lowest in the Broadridge Expense Peer Group, and that the Fund’s size was generally smaller than

 

24

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

average within both peer groups. The Independent Board Members also noted that the advisory fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members were presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services. The Independent Board Members noted the modest improvement in the Fund’s performance over the past year and the steps the Adviser had taken to improve performance. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund were acceptable, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted the contractual Expense Deferral Agreement between the Adviser and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which the net expense ratio for each share class of each Fund was reduced to 0.90%. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

 

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light of the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

25

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
INTERESTED DIRECTORS4:      
       
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
Director and Chief
Investment Officer
Age: 79
  Since 1993  31  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 Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.  Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); 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
Director
Age: 77
  Since 1993  12  Former Senior Vice President of G.research, LLC 
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS5:
E. Val Cerutti
Director
Age: 82
  Since 2001  7  Chief Executive Officer of Cerutti Consultants, Inc.  Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (1990-2009)
Anthony J. Colavita6
Director
Age: 86
  Since 1993  18  President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C. 
Werner J. Roeder
Director
Age: 81
  Since 1993  20  Retired physician; Former Vice President of Medical Affairs (Medical Director) of New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital (1999-2014) 
Anthonie C. van Ekris6
Director
Age: 87
  Since 1993  23  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/ export company) 

 

26

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
Salvatore J. Zizza7
Director
Age: 76
  Since 2004  32  President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)  Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)

 

27

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

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: 70
  Since 1993  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President – Mutual Funds, G.research, LLC
       
John C. Ball
Treasurer
Age: 45
  Since 2017  Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, G.distributors, LLC since December 2020
       
Peter Goldstein
Secretary and Vice
President
Age: 68
  Since 2020  General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)
       
Richard J. Walz
Chief Compliance
Officer
Age: 62
  Since 2013  Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015
       
Daniel Plourde
Vice President
Age: 41
  Since 2021  Vice President of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017)

 

 
1Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.
2Each Director will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Director and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date a Director resigns or retires, or a Director is removed by the Board of Directors or shareholders, in accordance with the Corporation’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. 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.
3This 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 Corporation 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 Corporation’s investment adviser.
5Directors who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Directors.
6Mr. Colavita’s son, Anthony S. Colavita, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, 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.
7Mr. 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.

 

28

 

 

Gabelli Funds and Your Personal Privacy

 

Who are we?

 

The Gabelli Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc., a publicly held company with subsidiaries and affiliates that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

 

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a fund shareholder?

 

If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

 

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www. sec.gov.

 

What do we do to protect your personal information?

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information.

 

 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund

2021 TAX NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid ordinary income distributions of $0.6183 to each Class of shares and long term capital gains totaling $2,898,570, or the maximum allowable. The distribution of long term capital gains has been designated as a capital gain dividend by the Fund’s Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 23.00% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 94.02% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 0.02% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Also for the year of 2021, the Fund did not have foreign tax credits.

 

U.S. Government Income:

 

The percentage of the ordinary income distribution paid by the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.01%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax 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 the Fund’s fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2021. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2021 was 0.00%. Due to the diversity in state and local tax law, it is recommended that you consult your personal tax adviser as to the applicability of the information provided to your specific situation.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL CONTENT & CONNECTIVITY FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

 

Evan D. Miller, CFA, joined G.research, LLC in 2002 as a research analyst following the telecommunications industry on a global basis. Currently, he continues to specialize in the industry and also serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and the Fund. Prior to joining Gabelli, his career spanned nearly a quarter century in the telecommunications industry with corporate strategy and business development positions. Mr. Miller holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and a BA in Economics from Northwestern University.

 

Sergey Dluzhevskiy, CFA, CPA, joined G.research, LLC in 2005 as a research analyst covering the North American telecommunications industry. Currently, he continues to specialize in the industry and also serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and the Fund. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Dluzhevskiy was a senior accountant at Deloitte. He received his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ 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 contents of the portfolio managers’ commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 

GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

THE GABELLI GLOBAL CONTENT & CONNECTIVITY FUND

One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

t 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)
f 914-921-5118

e info@gabelli.com
GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Values per share available daily by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M.

 

DIRECTORS

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

E. Val Cerutti

Chief Executive Officer,

Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

John D. Gabelli

Former Senior Vice President,

G.research, LLC

 

Werner J. Roader

Former Medical Director,

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

John C. Ball

Treasurer

 

Peter Goldstein

Secretary and Vice President

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Daniel Plourde

Vice President

 

DISTRIBUTOR

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust

Company

 

TRANSFER AGENT, AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING

AGENT

DST Asset Manager

Solutions, Inc.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &

Flom LLP

 

 

 

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Global Content & Connectivity Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB401Q421AR

 

 

   
 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund 

Annual Report — December 31, 2021 

(Y) our Portfolio Management Team

 

         
  Caesar M. P. Bryan Howard F. Ward, CFA Christopher D. Ward, CFA  
  Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager Associate Portfolio  
      Manager  

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class I Share of The Gabelli Global Growth Fund was 21.1% compared with a total return of 19.0% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 4 for performance information for all classes.

 

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021.

 

Investment Objective and Strategy (Unaudited)

 

The Fund primarily seeks to provide investors with appreciation of capital. Current income is a secondary objective of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest at least 65% of its total assets in common stocks of companies, which the portfolio managers believe are likely to have rapid growth in revenues and earnings and potential for above average capital appreciation or are undervalued. The Global Growth Fund invests primarily in common stocks of foreign and domestic small-capitalization, mid-capitalization, and large-capitalization issuers. As a “global” fund, the Fund invests in securities of issuers, or related investments thereof, located in at least three countries, and at least 40% of the Fund’s total net assets is invested in securities of non-U.S. issuers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Performance Discussion (Unaudited)

 

During the first quarter 2021, we added ZoomInfo Technologies Inc. We had long been wary about the potential risk of churn at Zoom as the economy reopened. However, as the stock sold off 40% from its November peak, the risk reward became far more attractive, especially as the rapid growth of Zoom Phone has the potential to offset churn from video customers. We also added the leading TV streaming platform in the U.S., Roku, which e-commence, OptumInsight, valued based at home, is well positioned to capture linear TV advertising dollars as those budgets move to connected TV ecosystems. We also added Coupang Inc., a recent IPO and leader in the South Korean ecommerce market.

 

In the second quarter we added Sea Ltd., a leading super app in Southeast Asia whose platform encompasses gaming, e-commerce and financial services. Garena is Sea’s mobile and PC gaming platform with 600 million active users. Garena licenses most of its games but will continue to scale its publishing capabilities after its first in house mobile game, Free Fire, became a global phenomenon. Sea has support from Tencent, which owns 23% of Sea. Shopee is Sea’s ecommerce arm, which operates in Southeast Asia and Latin America, regions where ecommerce penetration rates average 6% in contrast to mid-teens penetration in more mature markets around the world. Financial services comprise an insignificant amount of revenue, but Shopee Pay, Sea’s digital wallet, represents long term value potential.

 

In the third quarter, we added Medtronic, one of the world’s largest medical technology companies based in Ireland. Medtronic’s portfolio spans cardiovascular, medical surgical, neuroscience, and diabetes. The company has a rich new product pipeline, including its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system. We also added SolarEdge, a global leader in solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters based in Israel. PV inverters convert direct current from solar arrays into alternating current, which enables the transmission and use of electricity in household appliances.

 

We added Marvell Technology in the fourth quarter, the leader in high performance data infrastructure semiconductors. The data infrastructure market is defined by long product lifecycles and deep customer relationships. In 2021, Marvell closed on its $10 billion acquisition of Inphi, a leader in optical interconnects. Marvell is benefiting from tailwinds such as 5G and Cloud, and is leveraging its broad IP portfolio to partner with customers in developing custom silicon. We also added UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth operates UnitedHealthcare, its health benefit platform, and Optum, an information and technology enabled health services business which includes OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx. OptumHealth is at the forefront of value-based care, with an integrated delivery model that combines in person, at home and virtual settings. OptumRx, a leading pharmacy benefits manager, is launching a marketplace that will offer discounted prescriptions and virtual provider visits.

 

Selected holdings that contributed positively to performance in 2021 were: Alphabet Inc. (4.2% of net assets as of December 31, 2021), is a holding company whose subsidiaries include the core Google business (Search, Android, YouTube, Cloud) as well as multiple independent companies, i.e., GV, Waymo, Verily; Microsoft Corp. (5.8%) develops, licenses, and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide; and Lasertec Corp. (2.9%) develops, manufactures, sells, and services semiconductor related equipment, laser microscopes, and flat panel display related equipment worldwide.

 

Some of our weaker performing holdings during the year were: ZoomInfo Techonologies Inc. (1.4%), provides a video first communications platform in the Americas, the Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; Paypal Holdings Inc. (1.2%) operates as a technology platform and digital payments company that enables digital and mobile payments on behalf of consumers and merchants worldwide; and Coupang Inc. (no longer held) owns and operates in e-commerce business through its mobile applications and Internet websites primarily in South Korea.

 

2 

 

Thank you for your investment in The Gabelli Global Growth Fund.

 

We appreciate your confidence and trust.

 

3 

 

Comparative Results

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses.

 

   1 Year  5 Year  10 Year  15 Year  Since
Inception
(2/7/94)
Class I (GGGIX)   21.10%   22.18%   15.96%   10.66%   10.76%
Class AAA (GICPX)   21.10    21.87    15.55    10.31    10.58 
MSCI AC World Index (b)   19.04    14.97    12.44    7.62    8.11 
Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification (b)   15.15    18.57    13.99    8.64    N/A 
Class A (GGGAX)   21.09    21.86    15.54    10.31    10.58 
With sales charge (c)   14.13    20.42    14.86    9.88    10.35 
Class C (GGGCX)   21.08    21.34    14.86    9.60    9.99 
With contingent deferred sales charge (d)   20.08    21.34    14.86    9.60    9.99 

 

(a)Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares on March 2, 2000, March 12, 2000, and January 11, 2008, respectively. The actual performance of the Class A and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase.

(b)The MSCI AC World Index is an unmanaged market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The MSCI AC World Index consists of 45 country indices comprising 24 developed and 21 emerging market country indices. The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification reflects the performance of mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. MSCI AC World Index since inception performance is as of January 31, 1994.

(c)Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.

(d)Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase. No existing C Class shares are currently subject to the CDSC as of the date of this report.

 

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 1.57%, 1.57%, 2.32%, and 1.32%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for all share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) is 0.90%. See page 12 for the expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursements are in effect through April 30, 2022. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please visit our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, 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.

 

 

4 

 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN

THE GABELLI GLOBAL GROWTH FUND (CLASS AAA SHARES), MSCI AC WORLD INDEX, AND 

LIPPER GLOBAL LARGE-CAP GROWTH FUND CLASSIFICATION (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year
Class AAA 21.10% 21.87% 15.55%

 

 

 

* Past performance is not predictive of future results. The performance tables and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

5 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)  
For the Six Month Period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 Expense Table

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

 

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

 

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you

 

paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The “Annualized Expense Ratio” represents the actual expenses for the last six months and may be different from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights which is for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

   Beginning
Account Value
07/01/21
  Ending
Account Value
12/31/21
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
Period *
The Gabelli Global Growth Fund      
Actual Fund Return         
Class AAA  $1,000.00  $1,106.30  0.90%  $     4.78
Class A  $1,000.00  $1,106.20  0.90%  $     4.78
Class C  $1,000.00  $1,106.30  0.90%  $     4.78
Class I  $1,000.00  $1,106.40  0.90%  $     4.78
Hypothetical 5% Return            
Class AAA  $1,000.00  $1,020.67  0.90%  $     4.58
Class A  $1,000.00  $1,020.67  0.90%  $     4.58
Class C  $1,000.00  $1,020.67  0.90%  $     4.58
Class I  $1,000.00  $1,020.67  0.90%  $     4.58

 

*   Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (184 days), then divided by 365.


 

6 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of December 31, 2021:

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Information Technology   46.4%
Consumer Discretionary   18.1%
Health Care   13.2%
Communication Services   10.4%
Industrials   6.1%
Consumer Staples   2.2%

 

Financials   1.6%
Materials   1.3%
U.S. Government Obligations   0.5%
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)   0.2%
    100.0%

 

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 fiscal 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.

 

7 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2021

 

 

          Market 
Shares     Cost   Value 
   COMMON STOCKS — 99.3%        
    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 46.4%          
 5,400  Adobe Inc.†   $799,715  $3,062,124 
 2,680  Adyen NV†   1,775,779    7,052,802 
 57,040  Apple Inc.   3,285,365    10,128,593 
 12,470  ASML Holding NV   4,014,439    9,927,866 
 9,700  Atlassian Corp. plc, Cl. A†   1,363,701    3,698,513 
 18,100  Cloudflare Inc., Cl. A†   830,238    2,380,150 
 10,800  CrowdStrike Holdings Inc., Cl. A†   1,619,230    2,211,300 
 48,800  Infineon Technologies AG   2,099,925    2,264,577 
 14,040  Keyence Corp.   3,486,195    8,822,144 
 5,080  Lam Research Corp.   1,478,012    3,653,282 
 22,500  Lasertec Corp.   2,755,575    6,902,764 
 35,000  Marvell Technology Inc.   2,416,212    3,062,150 
 6,700  Mastercard Inc., Cl. A   93,730    2,407,444 
 41,300  Microsoft Corp.   1,765,756    13,890,016 
 45,200  NVIDIA Corp.   3,246,349    13,293,772 
 14,700  PayPal Holdings Inc.†   1,475,469    2,772,126 
 6,300  ServiceNow Inc.†   1,761,621    4,089,393 
 9,800  Snowflake Inc., Cl. A†   2,604,742    3,319,750 
 10,500  Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR   537,627    1,263,255 
 17,000  Visa Inc., Cl. A   301,339    3,684,070 
 51,000  ZoomInfo Technologies Inc.†   2,755,435    3,274,200 
        40,466,454    111,160,291 
    CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 18.1%          
 4,215  Amazon.com Inc.†   8,580,742    14,054,243 
 36,200  Aptiv plc†   5,222,629    5,971,190 
 2,000  Christian Dior SE   290,698    1,662,210 
 6,080  Kering SA   4,201,366    4,893,218 
 7,800  Lululemon Athletica Inc.†   1,180,922    3,053,310 
 8,600  LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   4,118,262    7,118,130 
 55,300  Puma SE   4,311,190    6,768,098 
        27,905,809    43,520,399 
    HEALTH CARE — 13.2%          
 13,500  Danaher Corp.   2,351,457    4,441,635 
 36,800  Edwards Lifesciences Corp.†   2,826,970    4,767,440 
 11,050  Intuitive Surgical Inc.†   3,164,956    3,970,265 
 34,000  Medtronic plc   3,452,684    3,517,300 
 6,950  Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.   1,565,108    4,637,318 
 15,000  UnitedHealth Group Inc.   7,136,866    7,532,100 
 11,300  Zoetis Inc.   637,233    2,757,539 
        21,135,274    31,623,597 

 

          Market 
Shares     Cost   Value 
    COMMUNICATION SERVICES — 10.4%          
 810  Alphabet Inc., Cl. A†  $238,018   $2,346,602 
 2,696  Alphabet Inc., Cl. C†   4,011,471    7,801,119 
 22,700  Meta Platforms Inc., Cl. A†   4,959,749    7,635,145 
 10,000  Netflix Inc.†   4,176,136    6,024,400 
 8,000  The Walt Disney Co.†   1,082,048    1,239,120 
        14,467,422    25,046,386 
    INDUSTRIALS — 6.1%          
 95,500  ABB Ltd., ADR   3,276,025    3,645,235 
 15,500  FANUC Corp.   3,273,771    3,285,143 
 27,100  IHS Markit Ltd.   1,435,999    3,602,132 
 15,400  Nidec Corp.   1,908,666    1,810,032 
 8,100  SolarEdge Technologies Inc.†   2,443,633    2,272,617 
        12,338,094    14,615,159 
    CONSUMER STAPLES — 2.2%          
 11,200  L’Oreal SA   2,058,684    5,316,613 
               
    FINANCIALS — 1.6%          
 151,000  Investor AB, Cl. B   1,977,975    3,805,831 
               
    MATERIALS — 1.3%          
 8,660  The Sherwin-Williams Co.   1,664,281    3,049,706 
               
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   122,013,993    238,137,982 

 

Principal           
Amount           
    U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.5%
$1,225,000  U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.005% to 0.037%††, 01/20/22 to 03/17/22   1,224,931    1,224,908 
    TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.8%  $123,238,924    239,362,890 
    Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.2%   462,285 
    NET ASSETS — 100.0%  $239,825,175 

 

 
Non-income producing security.

††Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.
   

ADRAmerican Depositary Receipt


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

 

   % of     
   Market   Market 
Geographic Diversification  Value   Value 
United States   59.6%  $142,709,910 
Europe   28.3    67,817,819 
Japan   8.7    20,820,083 
Asia/Pacific   2.1    4,961,768 
Canada   1.3    3,053,310 
    100.0%  $239,362,890 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2021

 

Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $123,238,924)  $239,362,890 
Cash   569 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   877,942 
Receivable from Adviser   114,314 
Dividends receivable   99,212 
Prepaid expenses   27,001 
Total Assets   240,481,928 
Liabilities:     
Payable for investments purchased   209,369 
Payable for Fund shares redeemed   78,017 
Payable for investment advisory fees   199,974 
Payable for distribution fees   29,746 
Payable for accounting fees   3,750 
Payable for legal and audit fees   42,400 
Payable for shareholder communications   36,816 
Payable for shareholder services fees   36,088 
Other accrued expenses   20,593 
Total Liabilities   656,753 
Net Assets     
(applicable to 4,347,169 shares outstanding)  $239,825,175 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $125,497,242 
Total distributable earnings   114,327,933 
Net Assets  $239,825,175 
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($126,055,105 ÷ 2,305,518 shares outstanding; 75,000,000 shares authorized)  $54.68 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($5,251,818 ÷ 96,118 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $54.64 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)  $57.97 
Class C:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($2,410,925 ÷ 54,680 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $44.09 
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($106,107,327 ÷ 1,890,853 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $56.12 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $87,537)  $899,724 
Interest   267 
Total Investment Income   899,991 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   2,151,221 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   295,925 
Distribution fees - Class A   12,494 
Distribution fees - Class C   23,439 
Shareholder services fees   145,334 
Registration expenses   74,414 
Shareholder communications expenses   59,130 
Legal and audit fees   57,438 
Accounting fees   45,000 
Custodian fees   38,538 
Directors’ fees   34,555 
Tax expense   24,552 
Interest expense   1,216 
Miscellaneous expenses   47,117 
Total Expenses   3,010,373 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (1,048,506)
Net Expenses   1,961,867 
Net Investment Loss   (1,061,876)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency:    
Net realized gain on investments   9,109,692 
Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions   2,255 
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   9,111,947 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:     
on investments   33,557,871 
on foreign currency translations   (3,211)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   33,554,660 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments and Foreign Currency   42,666,607 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $41,604,731 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund 

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Year Ended  Year Ended
   December 31, 2021  December 31, 2020
             
Operations:              
Net investment loss    $(1,061,876)    $(209,482)
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions     9,111,947      4,422,137 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations     33,554,660      42,117,856 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations     41,604,731      46,330,511 
               
Distributions to Shareholders:              
Accumulated earnings              
Class AAA     (5,108,633)     (2,676,732)
Class A     (214,057)     (111,792)
Class C     (120,340)     (67,412)
Class I     (4,150,844)     (1,600,736)
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (9,593,874)     (4,456,672)
               
Capital Share Transactions:              
Class AAA     (6,526,433)     (687,182)
Class A     (289,185)     (1,870,229)
Class C     (293,511)     (802,712)
Class I     21,645,828      41,980,393 
Net Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions     14,536,699      38,620,270 
               
Redemption Fees     33      274 
               
Net Increase in Net Assets     46,547,589      80,494,383 
Net Assets:              
Beginning of year     193,277,586      112,783,203 
End of year    $239,825,175     $193,277,586 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund
Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year:

 

       Income (Loss) from Investment
Operations
   Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data
Year Ended
December 31
  Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Year
   Net Investment
Income (Loss)(a)
   Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Investments
   Total from
Investment
Operations
   Net Investment
Income
   Net Realized
Gain on
Investments
   Return of Capital   Total
Distributions
   Redemption
Fees(a)(b)
   Net Asset Value,
End of Year
   Total Return†   Net Assets, End of Year (in 000’s)   Net Investment
Income (Loss)
   Operating
Expenses Before
Reimbursement
   Operating
Expenses Net of
Reimbursement
  Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
Class AAA                                                                           
2021  $47.04   $(0.25)  $10.19   $9.94   $(0.02)  $(2.28)  $   $(2.30)  $0.00   $54.68   21.10%  $126,055   (0.49)%  1.50%  0.91%(c)(d)  49%
2020   35.56    (0.05)   12.64    12.59    (0.09)   (1.02)       (1.11)   0.00    47.04   35.43    115,210   (0.14)  1.57   0.90(c)  50 
2019   29.94    (0.07)   9.29    9.22        (3.60)       (3.60)   0.00    35.56   30.73    88,287   (0.21)  1.63   1.22(c)  78 
2018   33.42    (0.05)   (0.91)   (0.96)       (2.52)       (2.52)   0.00    29.94   (2.80)   71,877   (0.14)  1.68   1.42(c)(e)  58 
2017   26.72    (0.13)   7.89    7.76        (1.05)   (0.01)   (1.06)   0.00    33.42   29.02    77,829   (0.42)  1.67   1.67(e)  43 
Class A                                                                           
2021  $47.01   $(0.25)  $10.18   $9.93   $(0.02)  $(2.28)  $   $(2.30)  $0.00   $54.64   21.09%  $5,252   (0.49)%  1.50%  0.91%(c)(d)  49%
2020   35.55    (0.05)   12.62    12.57    (0.09)   (1.02)       (1.11)   0.00    47.01   35.38    4,804   (0.12)  1.57   0.90(c)  50 
2019   29.93    (0.08)   9.30    9.22        (3.60)       (3.60)   0.00    35.55   30.74    5,332   (0.21)  1.63   1.22(c)  78 
2018   33.41    (0.05)   (0.91)   (0.96)       (2.52)       (2.52)   0.00    29.93   (2.80)   3,861   (0.14)  1.68   1.41(c)(e)  58 
2017   26.72    (0.13)   7.88    7.75        (1.05)   (0.01)   (1.06)   0.00    33.41   28.98    3,652   (0.43)  1.67   1.67(e)  43 
Class C                                                                           
2021  $38.30   $(0.21)  $8.30   $8.09   $(0.02)  $(2.28)  $   $(2.30)  $0.00   $44.09   21.08%  $2,411   (0.49)%  2.25%  0.91%(c)(d)  49%
2020   29.11    (0.04)   10.34    10.30    (0.09)   (1.02)       (1.11)   0.00    38.30   35.41    2,376   (0.12)  2.32   0.90(c)  50 
2019   25.18    (0.25)   7.78    7.53        (3.60)       (3.60)   0.00    29.11   29.82    2,598   (0.84)  2.38   1.87(c)  78 
2018   28.73    (0.28)   (0.75)   (1.03)       (2.52)       (2.52)   0.00    25.18   (3.50)   1,561   (0.93)  2.43   2.15(c)(e)  58 
2017   23.26    (0.32)   6.85    6.53        (1.05)   (0.01)   (1.06)   0.00    28.73   28.04    1,479   (1.19)  2.42   2.42(e)  43 
Class I                                                                           
2021  $48.23   $(0.26)  $10.45   $10.19   $(0.02)  $(2.28)  $   $(2.30)  $0.00   $56.12   21.10%  $106,107   (0.50)%  1.25%  0.91%(c)(d)  49%
2020   36.45    (0.08)   12.97    12.89    (0.09)   (1.02)       (1.11)   0.00    48.23   35.39    70,888   (0.18)  1.32   0.90(c)  50 
2019   30.55    0.01    9.49    9.50        (3.60)       (3.60)   0.00    36.45   31.03    16,566   0.03   1.38   0.99(c)  78 
2018   33.90    0.09    (0.92)   (0.83)       (2.52)       (2.52)   0.00    30.55   (2.37)   8,272   0.26   1.43   1.00(c)(e)  58 
2017   26.92    0.07    7.97    8.04        (1.05)   (0.01)   (1.06)   0.00    33.90   29.84    5,667   0.24   1.42   1.00(c)(e)  43 

 

 

Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the year including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect the applicable sales charges.

(a)Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

(b)Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser reimbursed expenses of $1,048,506, $876,253, $412,641, and $261,050 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and certain Class I expenses to the Fund of $19,466 for the year ended December 31, 2017.

(d)The Fund incurred tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. If tax expense had not been incurred, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.90% for each Class.

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

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli Global Growth Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the Corporation), was incorporated on July 16, 1993 in Maryland. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is one of five separately managed portfolios (collectively, the Portfolios) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on February 7, 1994.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

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 Directors (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 security is valued using the closing bid price. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

 

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 Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges

 

13 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered. Such securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy presented below.

 

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).

 

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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Valuation Inputs       
       Level 2 Other     
   Level 1   Significant   Total Market Value 
   Quoted Prices   Observable Inputs   at 12/31/21 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:               
ASSETS (Market Value):               
Common Stocks (a)  $238,137,982       $238,137,982 
U.S. Government Obligations      $1,224,908    1,224,908 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $238,137,982   $1,224,908   $239,362,890 

 

 

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

 

The Fund held no level 3 investments at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

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.

 

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. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include recent prices of comparable

 

14 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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.

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

 

15 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to 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 disallowed expenses and write-off of net operating losses. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2021, reclassifications were made to decrease paid-in capital by $70,323, with an offsetting adjustment to total distributable earnings.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31, 2021      December 31, 2020  
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income  $83,575   $368,195 
Net long term capital gains   9,510,299    4,088,477 
Total distributions paid  $9,593,874   $4,456,672 

 

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, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed long term capital gains  $188,754 
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   114,139,179 
Total  $114,327,933 

 

At December 31, 2021, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments were due to losses from wash sales for tax purposes, mark-to-market adjustments on investments considered a passive foreign investment company, and investments no longer considered a passive foreign investment company.

 

16 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2021:

 

      Gross   Gross    
      Unrealized   Unrealized   Net Unrealized
  Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   Appreciation
Investments $125,226,967   $115,591,310   $(1,455,387)   $114,135,923

 

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 threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund incurred an excise tax expense of $24,552. As of December 31, 2021, 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 fiscal 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 daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

 

Effective December 1, 2019, the Adviser amended its contractual agreement with respect to each share class of the Fund to waive its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022, at no more than 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund in the amount of $1,048,506. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, that after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. The agreement is renewable annually. At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $1,924,759:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022   $876,253 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, expiring December 31, 2023    1,048,506 
    $1,924,759 

 

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at

 

17 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $108,749,899 and $104,426,638, respectively.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Distributor retained a total of $660 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

 

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, 2021, the Fund accrued $45,000 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.

 

The Corporation pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation.

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the Overnight Federal Funds Rate plus 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.

 

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit for the twenty eight days of borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $789,464 with a weighted average interest rate of 1.36%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $2,751,000.

 

8. Capital Stock. The Fund currently offers three classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, and Class I Shares. Effective January 27, 2020, (the Effective Date) the Fund’s Class AAA, Class A and Class C Shares “closed to purchases from new investors”. “Closed to purchases from new investors” means (i) with respect to the Class AAA and Class A shares, no new investors may purchase shares of such classes, but existing shareholders may continue to purchase additional shares of such classes after the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to Class C Shares, neither new investors nor existing shareholders may purchase any additional shares of such class after the Effective Date. These changes had no effect on existing shareholders’ ability to redeem shares of the Fund as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Additionally, on the Effective Date Class I shares of the Fund became available to investors with a minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 when purchasing shares directly through the Distributor, or investors purchasing Class I shares through brokers or financial intermediaries that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor specifically with respect to Class I shares.

 

18 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended   Year Ended 
   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                  
Shares sold  28,040   $1,478,100   177,763   $6,767,352 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  89,559    4,927,528   54,963    2,578,876 
Shares redeemed  (261,404)   (12,932,061)  (265,814)   (10,033,410)
Net decrease  (143,805)  $(6,526,433)  (33,088)  $(687,182)
Class A                  
Shares sold  4,244   $225,295   6,971   $291,564 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  3,711    204,046   2,281    106,948 
Shares redeemed  (14,017)   (718,526)  (57,053)   (2,268,741)
Net decrease  (6,062)  $(289,185)  (47,801)  $(1,870,229)
Class C                  
Shares sold         4,377   $133,352 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  2,712   $120,340   1,765    67,412 
Shares redeemed  (10,083)   (413,851)  (33,353)   (1,003,476)
Net decrease  (7,371)  $(293,511)  (27,211)  $(802,712)
Class I                  
Shares sold  788,919   $40,872,080   1,091,679   $45,100,661 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  73,260    4,137,005   32,673    1,571,925 
Shares redeemed  (441,098)  (23,363,257)  (109,025)   (4,692,193)
Net increase  421,081   $21,645,828   1,015,327   $41,980,393 

 

9. 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.

 

10. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

19 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of The Gabelli Global Growth Fund
and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Gabelli Global Growth Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”)), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (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 (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.) at December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’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 Corporation 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 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. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Gabelli/GAMCO Funds investment companies since 1992.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2022

 

20 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee (the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has designated the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

21 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

 

At its meeting on November 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the Independent Board Members) who are not interested persons of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the Fund’s portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

 

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long term performance of the Fund (as of September 30, 2021) against a peer group of six other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”), and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all global large cap growth funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the second quartile for the one and three year periods, and the first (highest) quartile for the five and ten year periods, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the fourth quintile for the one year period, the second quintile for the three year period, and the first quintile for the five and ten year periods.

 

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with a pro rata administrative overhead charge and with a standalone administrative charge and noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement. The Independent Board Members also noted that a portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker of the Adviser and that another affiliated broker of the Adviser received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.

 

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale and reviewed data provided by the Adviser.

 

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.

 

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of nine other global large cap growth funds selected by Broadridge, and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement in place for the Fund. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was the third lowest for the Broadridge peer group and the lowest for the Adviser Peer Group, but that the Fund’s size was below average within each peer group. The Independent Board Members also noted that the advisory fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members were

 

22 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services and an acceptable performance record. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund were reasonable, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted the contractual Expense Deferral Agreement between the Adviser and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which the net expense ratio for each share class of each Fund was reduced to 0.90%. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

 

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light of the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

23 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
INTERESTED DIRECTORS4:            
                 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Director and Chief

Investment Officer

Age: 79

 

  Since 1993   31   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 Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.   Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); 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

Director

Age: 77

  Since 1993   12   Former Senior Vice President of G. research, LLC  
                 
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS5:            

E. Val Cerutti

Director

Age: 82

  Since 2001   7  

Chief Executive Officer of Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

  Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (1990-2009)
                 

Anthony J. Colavita6

Director

Age: 86

  Since 1993   18   President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.  
                 

Werner J. Roeder

Director

Age: 81

  Since 1993   20   Retired physician; Former Vice President of Medical Affairs (Medical Director) of New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital (1999-2014)  
                 

Anthonie C. van Ekris6

Director

Age: 87

  Since 1993   23   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company)  
                 

24 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
Salvatore J. Zizza7
Director
Age: 76
  Since 2004   32   President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)   Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)


25 

 


The Gabelli Global Growth Fund
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: 70

  Since 1993   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President — Mutual Funds, G.research, LLC
         

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Age: 45

  Since 2017   Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, G.distributors, LLC since December 2020
         

Peter Goldstein

Secretary and Vice

President

Age: 68

  Since 2020   General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)
         

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance

Officer

Age: 62

  Since 2013   Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015
         

Daniel Plourde

Vice President

Age: 41

  Since 2021   Vice President of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017)

 

 
1Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.

2Each Director will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Director and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date a Director resigns or retires, or a Director is removed by the Board of Directors or shareholders, in accordance with the Fund’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. 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.

3This 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 Corporation 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 Corporation’s investment adviser.

5Directors who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Directors.

6Mr. Colavita’s son, Anthony S. Colavita, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, 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.

7Mr. 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 

 

 

 

Gabelli Funds and Your Personal Privacy

 

 

Who are we?

 

The Gabelli Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc., a publicly held company with subsidiaries and affiliates that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

 

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a fund shareholder?

 

If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

 

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www. sec.gov.

 

What do we do to protect your personal information?

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information.

 

 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Growth Fund

 

2021 TAX NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid ordinary income distributions of $0.0201 to each Class of shares and long term capital gains totaling $9,510,299. The distribution of long term capital gains has been designated as a capital gain dividend by the Fund’s Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 100% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 0.18% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Also for the year of 2021, the Fund did not have foreign tax credits.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL GROWTH FUND
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

 

Caesar M. P. Bryan joined GAMCO Asset Management in 1994. He is a member of the global investment team of Gabelli Funds, LLC and portfolio manager of several funds within the Fund Complex. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Bryan was a portfolio manager at Lexington Management. He began his investment career at Samuel Montagu Company, the London based merchant bank. Mr. Bryan graduated from the University of Southampton in England with a Bachelor of Law and is a member of the English Bar.

 

Howard F. Ward, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds in 1995 and currently serves as GAMCO’s Chief Investment Officer of Growth Equities as well as a Gabelli Funds, LLC portfolio manager for several funds within the Fund Complex. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Ward served as Managing Director and Lead Portfolio Manager for several Scudder mutual funds. He also was an Investment Officer in the Institutional Investment Department with Brown Brothers, Harriman & Co. Mr. Ward received his BA in Economics from Northwestern University.

 

Christopher D. Ward, CFA, joined the GAMCO Growth Team in 2015 as Vice President and Research Analyst. Prior to joining Gabelli Funds, Mr. Ward spent five years at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management where he served as Director of Business Strategy for The Apollo Group. Before joining Morgan Stanley, he was with the GFI Group, Inc., a wholesale institutional brokerage firm. He graduated from Boston College with a BA in Economics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ 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 contents of the portfolio managers’ commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 

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The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Annual Report December 31, 2021

 

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund was 21.3% compared with a total return of 22.4% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 3 for performance information for all classes.

 

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021.

 

Investment Objective and Strategy (Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide investors with a high level of total return through a combination of current income and appreciation of capital.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest 80% of its net assets in dividend paying securities (such as common and preferred stock) or other income producing securities (such as fixed income securities and securities that are convertible into common stock). The Fund will primarily invest in common stocks of foreign and domestic issuers that the Fund’s portfolio manager believes are likely to pay dividends and income and have the potential for above average capital appreciation and dividend increases.

 

Performance Discussion (Unaudited)

 

During the first quarter of 2021, there were a number of strong performers in (y)our portfolio. One of the strong performers was Ashtead Group plc, an equipment rental company, which owns Sunbelt in the USA. Another top performer was Herc Holdings, another equipment rental supplier. Both companies have fleets that includes areal, earth moving, material handling, trucks and trailers, air compressors, and lighting. Both Ashtead and Herc have benefited from an economy that is gradually reopening, and also from the prospects of a large infrastructure spending bill from the Biden administration. There were, of course, stocks in (y)our portfolio that did not perform well in the quarter. One of them was Viatris, a specialty pharmaceutical company that needed to take a global restructuring charge in the quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

During the second quarter, performance for (y)our portfolio was up high single digits and there were many stocks that performed well, such as Hunter Douglas, which is a home furnishing company, primarily in the window covering business. As people all across the globe sheltered at home during the COVID-19 crisis, many consumers invested in their homes and placed orders for high quality home furnishings, such as Hunter Douglas. One of the various stocks that underperformed during the quarter was Sony, the large Japanese conglomerate that is in electronics and entertainment, among other businesses. Volkswagen, the German automotive company was a lagging stock, partly due to concerns its truck subsidiary was buying the American truck company Navistar.

 

Although the Fund was down slightly in the third quarter, there were a number of stocks that performed well. One such stock was Herc, the equipment rental company. As the US economy reopens, rates for rental equipment at construction sites have risen significantly and Herc has been a major beneficiary of this trend. Another stock that performed well was Sony, the Japanese conglomerate with operations in electronics and entertainment, among other businesses. Yet another Japanese based company was a strong performer in the quarter, Kikkoman Corporation, which is a major food products company, especially of soy sauce. Other positive contributors were Ulta Electrics plc, and Vivendi, a French media company.

 

The Fund was up nicely in the fourth quarter, and there were a number of stocks that performed well in (y)our portfolio. One such stock was Hunter Douglas, the company engages in home furnishings. They make window coverings, such as blinds, and architectural products. With more people on a global basis working from home, we expect years of good business for Hunter Douglas as homeowners invest in upgrading their homes, especially for a home office. Remy Cointreau, the French spirits company, was another strong performer in the quarter. One of the various stocks that underperformed during the quarter was Swedish Match, the smokeless tobacco company. Cellular phone companies were under pressure in the quarter, such as Millicom International Cellular, and T-Mobile.

 

Selected holdings that contributed positively to performance in 2021 were: Hunter Douglas NV (2.8% of net assets as of December 31, 2021) is a home furnishing company, primarily in the window covering business; Herc Holdings Inc. (2.1%) through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental supplier primarily in the United States and internationally; and Uni-Select Inc. (0.9%), distributes automotive refinish, and industrial coatings and related products in North America.

 

Some of our weaker performing securities were: Tencent Music Entertainment ADR (0.2%) is a Chinese online music entertainment platform with music applications; Millicom International Cellular SA (0.4%) provides cable and mobile services in Latin America and Africa. The company offers mobile services, including mobile data and voice, short message service, and mobile financial services; and Chr. Hansen Holding A/S (0.9%) is a bioscience company, that develops natural ingredient solutions for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Asia/Pacific.

 

Thank you for your investment in the Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund.

 

We appreciate your confidence and trust.

 

2 

 

 

Comparative Results 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses.

 

   1 Year  5 Year  10 Year  15 Year  Since
Inception
(2/3/94)
Class AAA (GAGCX)  21.32%  10.01%  7.59%  4.32%  5.35%
MSCI World Index (b)  22.35   15.64   13.32   8.03   8.39 
Class A (GAGAX)  21.31   10.01   7.55   4.32   5.37 
With sales charge (c)  14.33   8.71   6.91   3.91   5.14 
Class C (GACCX)  21.32   9.52   6.58   3.39   4.72 
With contingent deferred sales charge (d)  20.32   9.52   6.58   3.39   4.72 
Class I (GAGIX)  21.34   10.44   7.91   4.61   5.51 

 

(a)Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses of the Fund. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares on May 2, 2001, November 26, 2001, and January 11, 2008, respectively. The actual performance of the Class A Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of the Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase.
(b)The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed market. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. MSCI World Index since inception performance is as of January 31, 1994.
(c)Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.
(d)Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase. No existing C Class shares are currently subject to the CDSC as of the date of this report.

  

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 1.72%, 1.72%, 2.47%, and 1.47%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for all share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) is 0.90%. See page 12 for the expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursements are in effect through April 30, 2022. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please visit our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, 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.

 

3 

 

 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN

THE GABELLI GLOBAL RISING INCOME AND DIVIDEND FUND (CLASS AAA SHARES)

AND MSCI WORLD INDEX (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year
Class AAA 21.32% 10.01% 7.59%

 

 

 

* Past performance is not predictive of future results. The performance tables and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

4 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) 

For the Six Month Period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 Expense Table
 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

 

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

  

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you

paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The “Annualized Expense Ratio” represents the actual expenses for the last six months and may be different from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights which is for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

  Beginning
Account Value
07/01/21
  Ending
Account Value
12/31/21
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
Period *
The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund    
Actual Fund Return                
Class AAA   $1,000.00   $1,055.40   0.90%   $ 4.66  
Class A   $1,000.00   $1,055.30   0.90%   $ 4.66  
Class C   $1,000.00   $1,055.10   0.90%   $ 4.66  
Class I   $1,000.00   $1,055.50   0.90%   $ 4.66  
Hypothetical 5% Return                
Class AAA   $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%   $ 4.58  
Class A   $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%   $ 4.58  
Class C   $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%   $ 4.58  
Class I   $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%   $ 4.58  

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (184 days), then divided by 365.

 

5 

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following table present portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of December 31, 2021:

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Food and Beverage    17.4%  Building and Construction   1.8%
Financial Services    9.4%  Equipment and Supplies   1.5%
U.S. Government Obligations    9.4%  Energy and Energy Services   1.3%
Electronics    9.3%  Business Services   1.2%
Consumer Products    8.0%  Aerospace and Defense   1.2%
Diversified Industrial    6.3%  Hotels and Gaming   1.1%
Machinery    4.3%  Specialty Chemicals   1.0%
Energy and Utilities    3.8%  Automotive   0.9%
Telecommunications    3.5%  Retail   0.8%
Consumer Services    3.5%  Broadcasting   0.8%
Health Care    3.3%  Computer Software and Services   0.8%
Wireless Telecommunications    2.2%  Publishing   0.7%
Entertainment    2.2%  Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)   0.1%
Automotive: Parts and Accessories    2.1%      100.0%
Cable and Satellite    2.1%        

 

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 fiscal 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 each 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.

 

6 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2021

 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     COMMON STOCKS — 90.5%
     Aerospace and Defense — 1.2%
 5,000   Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc.  $49,073   $233,800 
 1,600   L3Harris Technologies Inc.   126,334    341,184 
 6,000   Ultra Electronics Holdings plc   125,299    258,257 
         300,706    833,241 
     Automotive — 0.9%
 12,000   Traton SE   353,518    302,477 
 1,000   Volkswagen AG   167,644    294,188 
         521,162    596,665 
     Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 2.1%
 18,000   Dana Inc.   283,027    410,760 
 2,000   Genuine Parts Co.   179,604    280,400 
 1,000   Linamar Corp.   54,495    59,236 
 32,000   Uni-Select Inc.†   387,341    651,156 
 1,000   Veoneer Inc.†   23,270    35,480 
         927,737    1,437,032 
     Broadcasting — 0.8%
 17,000   Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., Cl. A   539,427    449,310 
 4,000   ViacomCBS Inc., Cl. A   188,225    133,480 
         727,652    582,790 
     Building and Construction — 1.8%
 333   Arcosa Inc.   7,045    17,549 
 500   Chofu Seisakusho Co. Ltd.   11,059    8,867 
 16,000   GCP Applied Technologies Inc.†   397,521    506,560 
 6,000   Johnson Controls International plc   211,053    487,860 
 1,800   Lennar Corp., Cl. B   76,618    172,116 
 200   Sika AG   56,628    83,451 
         759,924    1,276,403 
                
     Business Services — 1.2%
 17,000   JCDecaux SA†   468,282    425,799 
 11,500   Matthews International Corp., Cl. A   349,866    421,705 
         818,148    847,504 
                
     Cable and Satellite — 2.1%
 514   DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†   19,055    16,674 
 800   EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†   33,391    21,080 
 6,000   Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†   150,004    166,440 
 6,000   Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†   171,143    168,540 
 12,000   Liberty Latin America Ltd., Cl. A†   145,964    139,920 
 595   Liberty Latin America Ltd., Cl. C†   4,248    6,783 
Shares          Cost   Market
Value
 
 19,000   Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B       $667,343   $904,970 
              1,191,148    1,424,407 
     Computer Software and Services — 0.8%     
 1,777   AVEVA Group plc        55,461    81,875 
 28,000   Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.        379,309    441,560 
              434,770    523,435 
     Consumer Products — 8.0%     
 3,500   Energizer Holdings Inc.        151,822    140,350 
 21,000   Essity AB, Cl. A        557,316    687,900 
 10,000   Hunter Douglas NV†        588,305    1,960,497 
 2,000   L’Oreal SA        335,032    949,395 
 2,000   Salvatore Ferragamo SpA†   .    36,074    51,301 
 12,000   Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S        179,667    252,233 
 300   Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc.        28,204    30,516 
 4,500   Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Cl. A        29,603    80,377 
 100,000   Swedish Match AB        363,244    797,016 
 6,200   Terminix Global Holdings Inc.†        219,526    280,426 
 7,000   Unicharm Corp.        139,941    304,208 
              2,628,734    5,534,219 
                     
     Consumer Services — 3.5%     
 11,500   Ashtead Group plc        231,411    924,921 
 200   Boyd Group Services Inc.        14,695    31,562 
 9,500   Herc Holdings Inc.        302,908    1,487,225 
              549,014    2,443,708 
     Diversified Industrial — 6.3%     
 600   Aker ASA, Cl. A        34,010    56,208 
 11,571   Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.†        50,157    57,855 
 9,000   Ardagh Group SA        158,182    203,175 
 10,000   Bouygues SA        416,538    358,514 
 1,200   Crane Co.        92,553    122,076 
 15,200   EnPro Industries Inc.        1,038,099    1,673,064 
 1,000   Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.        59,577    41,100 
 10,000   Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.        570,859    550,100 
 3,500   Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings LLC        96,886    12,775 
 14,500   Myers Industries Inc.        224,775    290,145 
 11,000   Nilfisk Holding A/S†        184,824    362,061 
 1,000   Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.        24,486    21,170 
 1,400   Sulzer AG        124,292    138,049 
 5,000   Textron Inc.        183,805    386,000 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
    COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
     Diversified Industrial (Continued)
 3,000   Trinity Industries Inc.  $57,151   $90,600 
         3,316,194    4,362,892 
     Electronics — 9.3%
 26,000   Sony Group Corp.   721,630    3,271,755 
 25,000   Sony Group Corp., ADR   516,885    3,160,000 
         1,238,515    6,431,755 
     Energy and Energy Services — 1.3%
 4,000   BP plc, ADR   112,909    106,520 
 12,000   Landis+Gyr Group AG   731,326    813,213 
         844,235    919,733 
     Energy and Utilities — 3.8%
 7,500   Cameco Corp.   78,158    163,575 
 600   Cheniere Energy Inc.   23,332    60,852 
 7,000   National Fuel Gas Co.   358,846    447,580 
 14,000   National Grid plc, ADR   945,864    1,012,480 
 11,000   Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. B   237,463    241,560 
 18,000   Severn Trent plc   485,729    718,004 
         2,129,392    2,644,051 
     Entertainment — 2.2%
 9,000   Discovery Inc., Cl. A†   224,820    211,860 
 36,000   Grupo Televisa SAB, ADR   337,221    337,320 
 13,000   International Game Technology plc   153,742    375,830 
 112,500   ITV plc†   235,598    168,339 
 20,000   Tencent Music Entertainment Group, ADR†   317,003    137,000 
 3,000   Universal Music Group NV   83,428    84,636 
 15,000   Vivendi SE   188,961    203,052 
         1,540,773    1,518,037 
     Equipment and Supplies — 1.5%
 4,500   Graco Inc.   100,232    362,790 
 12,000   Mueller Industries Inc.   340,226    712,320 
         440,458    1,075,110 
     Financial Services — 9.4%
 1,000   American Express Co.   80,155    163,600 
 2,700   American International Group Inc.   93,346    153,522 
 3,000   Bank of America Corp.   85,175    133,470 
 3   Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cl. A†   358,105    1,351,986 
 6,000   Citigroup Inc.   341,241    362,340 
 3,200   Comerica Inc.   134,263    278,400 
 8,000   Deutsche Bank AG†   59,019    100,000 
 5,000   EXOR NV   221,668    449,480 
 27,000   FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA   182,261    474,464 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
 68,500   GAM Holding AG†  $291,051   $102,239 
 1,600   Julius Baer Group Ltd.   75,332    107,427 
 15,800   Kinnevik AB, Cl. A†   495,663    602,541 
 4,600   Morgan Stanley   112,334    451,536 
 35,000   Resona Holdings Inc.   160,555    136,130 
 2,500   State Street Corp.   144,305    232,500 
 1,000   T. Rowe Price Group Inc.   71,771    196,640 
 10,000   The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   315,339    580,800 
 1,500    The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.   102,907    300,780 
 7,000   UBS Group AG   70,979    125,090 
 5,000   Wells Fargo & Co.   165,445    239,900 
         3,560,914    6,542,845 
     Food and Beverage — 17.4%
 5,000   Campbell Soup Co.   196,358    217,300 
 7,500   Chr. Hansen Holding A/S   343,823    591,774 
 5,500   Danone SA   371,006    341,829 
 45,000   Davide Campari-Milano NV   147,821    658,594 
 6,000   Diageo plc, ADR   665,410    1,320,840 
 4,500   Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, ADR   361,990    349,695 
 2,000   Heineken NV   133,144    225,104 
 2,500   Kellogg Co.   127,291    161,050 
 4,000   Kerry Group plc, Cl. A   300,765    511,756 
 10,600   Kikkoman Corp.   345,381    891,089 
 9,000   Maple Leaf Foods Inc.   190,986    208,182 
 3,000   McCormick & Co. Inc.   133,799    286,170 
 3,000   McCormick & Co. Inc., Non-Voting   106,428    289,830 
 14,000   Nestlé SA   1,013,818    1,958,033 
 3,500   Pernod Ricard SA   398,941    842,775 
 12,100   Remy Cointreau SA   892,126    2,948,032 
 6,000   The Kraft Heinz Co.   175,646    215,400 
 1,500   Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.   88,237    78,241 
 300,000   Yashili International Holdings Ltd.†   85,349    20,006 
         6,078,319    12,115,700 
     Health Care — 3.3%
 20,000   Achaogen Inc.†(a)   4,200    0 
 4,000   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   177,668    249,400 
 10,000   Clovis Oncology Inc.†   46,015    27,100 
 7,000   Cutera Inc.†   130,348    289,240 
 1,000   GlaxoSmithKline plc, ADR   40,380    44,100 
 700   ICU Medical Inc.†   39,966    166,138 
 4,666   Idorsia Ltd.†   57,775    95,450 
 1,600   Johnson & Johnson   182,234    273,712 
 1,400   Medmix AG†   67,535    69,386 
 2,500   Patterson Cos. Inc.   60,687    73,375 
 6,000   Pfizer Inc.   143,046    354,300 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
     Health Care (Continued)
 5,000   Roche Holding AG, ADR  $93,345   $258,450 
 30,000   Viatris Inc.   495,587    405,900 
         1,538,786    2,306,551 
     Hotels and Gaming — 1.1%
 225,000   Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.†   365,250    504,000 
 200,000   The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd.†   290,849    175,696 
 800   Wynn Resorts Ltd.†   83,623    68,032 
         739,722    747,728 
     Machinery — 4.3%
 90,000   CNH Industrial NV, Borsa Italiana   857,927    1,749,078 
 50,000   CNH Industrial NV, New York   444,472    971,500 
 2,666   NKT A/S†   52,701    128,809 
 14,524   Twin Disc Inc.†   210,228    159,183 
         1,565,328    3,008,570 
                
     Publishing — 0.7%
 25,000   The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A   376,462    483,750 
                
     Retail — 0.8%
 2,600   Nathan’s Famous Inc.   158,596    151,814 
 4,000   Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.   211,496    208,640 
 2,800   Zalando SE†   284,633    226,780 
         654,725    587,234 
     Specialty Chemicals — 1.0%
 700   Ashland Global Holdings Inc.   35,829    75,362 
 3,000   International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.   312,534    451,950 
 200   The Chemours Co.   1,719    6,712 
 4,000   Valvoline Inc.   83,077    149,160 
         433,159    683,184 
     Telecommunications — 3.5%
 11,000   Deutsche Telekom AG   200,258    204,133 
 17,000   Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR   306,413    314,670 
 75,000   Koninklijke KPN NV   221,420    233,108 
 1,600   Lumen Technologies Inc.   19,485    20,080 
 4,000   Orange Belgium SA   91,879    90,625 
 60,000   Pharol SGPS SA†   30,852    5,130 
 1,000   Prosus NV   103,441    83,714 
 3,000   Proximus SA   69,309    58,542 
 125,000   Sistema PJSC FC, GDR   633,927    775,000 
 104,000   Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG   379,800    289,024 
 1,500   Vantage Towers AG   47,947    54,989 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
 104,000   VEON Ltd., ADR†  $273,545   $177,840 
 3,000   Verizon Communications Inc.   144,345    155,880 
         2,522,621    2,462,735 
                
     Wireless Telecommunications — 2.2%
 10,000   Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR†   448,294    284,744 
 7,500   T-Mobile US Inc.†   622,425    869,850 
 26,000   Vodafone Group plc, ADR   572,569    388,180 
         1,643,288    1,542,774 
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   37,481,886    62,932,053 
                
     WARRANTS — 0.0%
     Diversified Industrial — 0.0%
 8,000   Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp., expire 08/01/25†   5,466    4,718 
                
Principal
Amount
              
     U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 9.4%
$6,505,000   U.S. Treasury Bills,         
     0.030% to 0.105%††,         
     01/27/22 to 06/09/22   6,504,415    6,504,461 
                
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9% $43,991,767    69,441,232 
     Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.1%   53,046 
     NET ASSETS — 100.0%  $69,494,278 

 

 
(a)Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Non-income producing security.
††Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.

 

ADRAmerican Depositary Receipt
GDRGlobal Depositary Receipt
SDRSwedish Depositary Receipt

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

Geographic Diversification  % of
Market
Value
   Market
Value
 
Europe  43.0%  $29,849,187 
United States  39.8    27,649,257 
Japan  11.3    7,850,290 
Canada  2.9    2,018,680 
Asia/Pacific  2.0    1,386,803 
Latin America  1.0    687,015 
   100.0%  $69,441,232 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2021 

 
Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $43,991,767)  $69,441,232 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,055)   1,067 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   5,505 
Receivable from Adviser   23,483 
Dividends receivable   139,742 
Prepaid expenses   19,048 
Total Assets   69,630,077 
Liabilities:     
Payable to bank   2,195 
Payable for investment advisory fees   57,221 
Payable for accounting fees   3,750 
Payable for distribution fees   1,796 
Payable for legal and audit fees   29,400 
Payable for shareholder communications   22,593 
Payable for shareholder services fees   6,849 
Other accrued expenses   11,995 
Total Liabilities   135,799 
Net Assets     
(applicable to 2,000,435 shares outstanding)  $69,494,278 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $44,739,615 
Total distributable earnings   24,754,663 
Net Assets  $69,494,278 
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($4,913,792 ÷ 141,702 shares outstanding; 75,000,000 shares authorized)  $ 34.68 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($1,169,645 ÷ 33,659 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $34.75 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)  $36.87 
Class C:   
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($653,945 ÷ 22,603 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $28.93 
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($62,756,896 ÷ 1,802,471 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $34.82 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 

 
Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $118,185)  $904,339 
Non-cash dividends   382,025 
Interest   732 
Total Investment Income   1,287,096 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   612,351 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   12,543 
Distribution fees - Class A   2,441 
Distribution fees - Class C   8,636 
Accounting fees   45,000 
Legal and audit fees   44,436 
Registration expenses   43,170 
Custodian fees   27,340 
Shareholder services fees   21,220 
Shareholder communications expenses   19,387 
Directors’ fees   9,781 
Interest expense   346 
Miscellaneous expenses   17,240 
Total Expenses   863,891 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (311,048)
Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 6)   (1,382)
Total Reimbursements and Credits   (312,430)
Net Expenses   551,461 
Net Investment Income   735,635 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on     
Investments and Foreign Currency:    
Net realized gain on investments   1,619,745 
Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions   3,174 
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   1,622,919 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:     
on investments   9,478,794 
on foreign currency translations   (2,614)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   9,476,180 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency   11,099,099 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $11,834,734 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
  Year Ended
December 31, 2020
           
Operations:              
Net investment income    $735,635     $371,980 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions     1,622,919      (1,471,755)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations     9,476,180      6,406,003 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations     11,834,734      5,306,228 
               
Distributions to Shareholders:              
Accumulated earnings              
Class AAA     (76,054)     (34,786)
Class A     (18,118)     (5,661)
Class C     (12,152)     (7,808)
Class I     (971,534)     (324,679)
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (1,077,858)     (372,934)
               
Capital Share Transactions:              
Class AAA     (1,147,427)     (1,361,295)
Class A     159,151      (624,036)
Class C     (469,865)     (845,808)
Class I     4,996,888      (554,404)
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions     3,538,747      (3,385,543)
               
Redemption Fees     8      107 
               
Net Increase in Net Assets     14,295,631      1,547,858 
Net Assets:              
Beginning of year     55,198,647      53,650,789 
End of year    $69,494,278     $55,198,647 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Financial Highlights

 

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

 

       Income (Loss) from Investment Operations   Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data 
Year
Ended December 31
  Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   Net Investment Income (Loss)
(a)
   Net
Realized
and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
   Total
from Investment Operations
   Net Investment Income   Net
Realized Gain
on Investments
   Return of Capital   Total Distributions   Redemption Fees
(a)(b)
   Net Asset Value, End of Year   Total Return†   Net Assets, End of Year
(in 000’s)
   Net Investment Income (Loss)  Operating Expenses Before Reimbursement   Operating
Expenses
Net of Reimbursement
(c)(d)
  Portfolio Turnover Rate 
Class AAA                                                                  
2021  $29.04   $0.39(e)  $5.79   $6.18   $(0.17)  $(0.37)  $   $(0.54)  $0.00   $34.68   21.32%  $4,914   1.21%(e)  1.62%  0.90%(f)   10%
2020   26.18    0.19    2.87    3.06    (0.20)           (0.20)   0.00    29.04   11.68    5,157   0.79   1.72   0.90(f)   8 
2019   23.00    0.08(e)   3.22    3.30    (0.08)   (0.04)       (0.12)   0.00    26.18   14.38    6,194   0.34(e)  1.70   1.65(f)   5 
2018   27.20    0.16    (3.98)   (3.82)   (0.20)   (0.18)       (0.38)       23.00   (14.02)   4,929   0.60   1.67   1.67    20 
2017   22.80    0.03    4.74    4.77    (0.07)   (0.28)   (0.02)   (0.37)   0.00    27.20   20.91    7,672   0.12   1.62   1.62    24 
Class A                                                                  
2021  $29.10   $0.39(e)  $5.80   $6.19   $(0.17)  $(0.37)  $   $(0.54)  $0.00   $34.75   21.31%  $1,169   1.19%(e)  1.62%  0.90%(f)   10%
2020   26.23    0.18    2.89    3.07    (0.20)           (0.20)   0.00    29.10   11.69    840   0.76   1.72   0.90(f)   8 
2019   23.04    0.09(e)   3.21    3.30    (0.07)   (0.04)       (0.11)   0.00    26.23   14.35    1,441   0.35(e)  1.70   1.66(f)   5 
2018   27.26    0.16    (3.99)   (3.83)   (0.21)   (0.18)       (0.39)       23.04   (14.01)   1,465   0.61   1.67   1.67    20 
2017   22.86    0.05    4.74    4.79    (0.09)   (0.28)   (0.02)   (0.39)   0.00    27.26   20.93    1,178   0.18   1.62   1.62    24 
Class C                                                                  
2021  $24.30   $0.34(e)  $4.83   $5.17   $(0.17)  $(0.37)  $   $(0.54)  $0.00   $28.93   21.32%  $654   1.23%(e)  2.38%  0.90%(f)   10%
2020   21.94    0.15    2.41    2.56    (0.20)           (0.20)   0.00    24.30   11.65    968   0.74   2.47   0.90(f)   8 
2019   19.35    (0.09)(e)   2.72    2.63        (0.04)       (0.04)   0.00    21.94   13.61    1,836   (0.43)(e)  2.45   2.37(f)   5 
2018   22.93    (0.02)   (3.35)   (3.37)   (0.03)   (0.18)       (0.21)       19.35   (14.65)   2,245   (0.09)  2.42   2.42    20 
2017   19.36    (0.14)   4.01    3.87        (0.28)   (0.02)   (0.30)   0.00    22.93   19.98    2,127   (0.62)  2.37   2.37    24 
Class I                                                                  
2021  $29.15   $0.39(e)  $5.82   $6.21   $(0.17)  $(0.37)  $   $(0.54)  $0.00   $34.82   21.34%  $62,757   1.20%(e)  1.37%  0.90%(f)   10%
2020   26.28    0.19    2.88    3.07    (0.20)           (0.20)   0.00    29.15   11.67    48,234   0.79   1.47   0.90(f)   8 
2019   23.08    0.25(e)   3.24    3.49    (0.25)   (0.04)       (0.29)   0.00    26.28   15.11    44,180   1.01(e)  1.45   0.99(f)   5 
2018   27.35    0.35    (4.04)   (3.69)   (0.40)   (0.18)       (0.58)       23.08   (13.44)   38,934   1.32   1.42   1.00(f)   20 
2017   22.89    0.19    4.78    4.97    (0.21)   (0.28)   (0.02)   (0.51)   0.00    27.35   21.68    59,555   0.74   1.37   1.00(f)   24 

 

 
Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the year including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect the applicable sales charges.
(a)Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
(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 all years presented, there was no impact on the expense ratios.
(d)The Fund incurred interest expense, the effect of which was minimal.
(e)Includes income resulting from special dividends. Without these dividends, the per share income/(loss) amounts would have been $0.19 and $0.03 (Class AAA), $0.19 and $0.04 (Class A), $0.17 and $(0.13) (Class C), and $0.19 and $0.20 (Class I), and the net investment income/(loss) ratios would have been 0.59% and 0.14% (Class AAA), 0.57% and 0.14% (Class A), 0.61% and (0.64%) (Class C), 0.58% and 0.80% (Class I), for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019, respectively.
(f)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser reimbursed expenses of $311,048, $295,855, and $196,584 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 and certain Class I expenses to the Fund of $211,071 and $175,468 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.  Organization. The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the Corporation), was incorporated on July 16, 1993 in Maryland. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is one of five separately managed portfolios (collectively, the Portfolios) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is to seek to provide investors a high level of total return through a combination of income and capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on February 3, 1994.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

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 Directors (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 security is valued using the closing bid price. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

 

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 Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges

 

14 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered. Such securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy presented below.

 

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).

 

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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Valuation Inputs   
  

Level 1

Quoted Prices

 

Level 2 Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

 

Level 3 Significant

Unobservable

Inputs (a)

 

Total Market Value

at 12/31/21

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:            
ASSETS (Market Value):            
Common Stocks:                    
Diversified Industrial  $4,159,717   $203,175       $4,362,892 
Health Care   2,306,551       $0    2,306,551 
Other Industries (b)   56,262,610            56,262,610 
Total Common Stocks   62,728,878    203,175        62,932,053 
Warrants (b)   4,718            4,718 
U.S. Government Obligations       6,504,461        6,504,461 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $62,733,596   $6,707,636   $0   $69,441,232 

 

 
(a)The inputs for this security are not readily available and are derived based on the judgment of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board of Directors.
(b)Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.

 

The Fund did not have any material transfers into or out of Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

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

 

15 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

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.

 

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. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include 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, 2021, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.

 

16 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for the purpose of hedging a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. As of December 31, 2021, the Fund held no forward foreign exchange contracts.

 

Securities Sold Short. The Fund may enter into short sale transactions. Short selling involves selling securities that may or may not be owned and, at times, borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace such borrowed securities at a later date. The proceeds received from short sales are recorded as liabilities and the Fund records an unrealized gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received and the value of an open short position on the day of determination. The Fund records a realized gain or loss when the short position is closed out. By entering into a short sale, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security sold short. Dividends on short sales are recorded as an expense by the Fund on the ex-dividend date and interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis. The broker retains collateral for the value of the open positions, which is adjusted periodically as the value of the position fluctuates. At December 31, 2021, there were no short sales outstanding.

 

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.

 

17 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
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 may invest up to 15% of its net assets 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 does 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. For the restricted securities the Fund held as of December 31, 2021, if any, refer to the Schedule of Investments.

 

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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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.

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

 

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to 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. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.

 

18 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)  $869,291   $372,934 
Net long term capital gains   208,567     
Total distributions paid  $1,077,858   $372,934 
           

 

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, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income  $4,589 
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   24,750,074 
Total  $24,754,663 

 

The Fund utilized $1,296,991 of capital loss carryforwards during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

At December 31, 2021, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments were primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes and mark-to-market adjustments on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2021:

 

   Cost  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
Investments  $44,693,224  $27,583,923  $(2,835,915)  $24,748,008

 

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 threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of December 31, 2021, 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 fiscal 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 daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for

 

19 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

 

Effective December 1, 2019, the Adviser amended its contractual agreement with respect to each share class of the Fund to waive its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022, at no more than 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed expenses in the amount of $311,048. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. The agreement is renewable annually. At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $606,903:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022   $295,855 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, expiring December 31, 2023    311,048 
    $606,903 

 

4.  Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

5.  Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $6,109,641 and $8,372,548, respectively.

 

6.  Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $1,146 to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser. Additionally, the Distributor retained a total of $74 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

 

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 $1,382.

 

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, 2021, the Fund accrued $45,000 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.

 

The Corporation pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation.

 

7.  Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the

 

20 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the Overnight Federal Funds Rate plus 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

8.  Capital Stock. The Fund currently offers three classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, and Class I Shares. Effective January 27, 2020 (the Effective Date), the Fund’s Class AAA, Class A and Class C Shares “closed to purchases from new investors”. “Closed to purchases from new investors” means (i) with respect to the Class AAA and Class A shares, no new investors may purchase shares of such classes, but existing shareholders may continue to purchase additional shares of such classes after the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to Class C Shares, neither new investors nor existing shareholders may purchase any additional shares of such class after the Effective Date. These changes had no effect on existing shareholders’ ability to redeem shares of the Fund as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Additionally, on the Effective Date Class I shares of the Fund became available to investors with a minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 when purchasing shares directly through the Distributor, or investors purchasing Class I shares through brokers or financial intermediaries that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor specifically with respect to Class I shares.

 

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

21 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                  
Shares sold  626   $20,584   7,755   $203,820 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  2,106    72,245   1,134    32,991 
Shares redeemed  (38,610)   (1,240,256)  (67,890)   (1,598,106)
Net decrease  (35,878)  $(1,147,427)  (59,001)  $(1,361,295)
Class A                  
Shares sold  8,319   $272,444   1,570   $36,448 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  469    16,148   185    5,383 
Shares redeemed  (3,997)   (129,441)  (27,824)   (665,867)
Net increase/(decrease)  4,791   $159,151   (26,069)  $(624,036)
Class C                  
Shares sold         1,836   $40,437 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  424   $12,152   321    7,808 
Shares redeemed  (17,658)   (482,017)  (46,001)   (894,053)
Net decrease  (17,234)  $(469,865)  (43,844)  $(845,808)
Class I                  
Shares sold  187,993   $6,268,108   27,263   $666,547 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  18,840    649,051   7,134    208,392 
Shares redeemed  (58,761)   (1,920,271)  (60,877)   (1,429,343)
Net increase/(decrease)  148,072   $4,996,888   (26,480)  $(554,404)

 

9.  Significant Shareholder. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 78.4% of the Fund was beneficially owned by the Adviser and its affiliates, including managed accounts for which the affiliates of the Adviser have voting control but disclaim pecuniary interest.

 

10.  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.

 

11.  Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

22 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”)), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (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 (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.) at December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’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 Corporation 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 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. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Gabelli/GAMCO Funds investment companies since 1992.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

February 28, 2022

 

23 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee (the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has designated the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

24 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

 

At its meeting on November 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the Independent Board Members) who are not interested persons of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

 

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long term performance of the Fund (as of September 30, 2021) against a peer group of seven other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”), and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all retail and institutional global equity income funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper Global Equity Income Fund Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the first (highest) quartile for the one year period and in the fourth quartile for the three, five, and ten year periods, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the first quintile for the one year period, in the second quintile for the three and five year periods, and in the fourth quintile for the ten year period. The Independent Board Members discussed the peer groups in relation to the Fund’s shift in strategy several years ago.

 

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with a pro rata administrative overhead charge and with a standalone administrative charge and noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement. The Independent Board Members also noted that a portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker of the Adviser and that another affiliated broker of the Adviser received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.

 

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale and reviewed data provided by the Adviser.

 

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.

 

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of eight other global equity income funds selected by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Peer Group”), and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement in place for the Fund. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was the third lowest for the Adviser Peer Group and the second lowest for the Broadridge Expense Peer Group and that the Fund’s size was significantly lower than the average of the

 

25 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Adviser Peer Group, and lower than the average of the Broadridge Expense Peer Group. The Independent Board Members also noted that the advisory fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members were presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services. The Independent Board Members noted the reasons for the Fund’s historical underperformance and the recent improvement in performance. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and profitability to the Adviser were reasonable, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted the contractual Expense Deferral Agreement between the Adviser and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which the net expense ratio for each share class of each Fund was reduced to 0.90%. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

 

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light of the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

26 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
INTERESTED DIRECTORS4:
                 
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
Director and Chief
Investment Officer
Age: 79
  Since 1993   31   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 Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.   Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); 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
Director
Age: 77
  Since 1993   12   Former Senior Vice President of G.research, LLC  
                 
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS5:
E. Val Cerutti
Director
Age: 82
  Since 2001   7   Chief Executive Officer of Cerutti Consultants, Inc.   Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (1990-2009)
                 
Anthony J. Colavita6
Director
Age: 86
  Since 1993   18   President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C  
                 
Werner J. Roeder
Director
Age: 81
  Since 1993   20   Retired physician; Former Vice President of Medical Affairs (Medical Director) of New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital (1999-2014)  
                 
Anthonie C. van Ekris6
Director
Age: 87
  Since 1993   23   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/ export company)  

 

27 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund
Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
Salvatore J. Zizza7
Director
Age: 76
  Since 2004   32   President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)   Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)

 

28 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund 

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: 70
  Since 1993  

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

         
John C. Ball
Treasurer
Age: 45
  Since 2017  

Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017; Chief Executive Officer, G.distributors, LLC since December 2020

         
Peter Goldstein
Secretary and Vice
President
Age: 68
  Since 2020  

General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)

 

         
Richard J. Walz
Chief Compliance
Officer
Age: 62
  Since 2013   Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015
         
Daniel Plourde
Vice President
Age: 41
  Since 2021  

Vice President of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017)

 

 
1Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.
2Each Director will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Director and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date a Director resigns or retires, or a Director is removed by the Board of Directors or shareholders, in accordance with the Corporation’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. 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.
3This 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 Corporation 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 Corporation’s investment adviser.
5Directors who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Directors.
6Mr. Colavita’s son, Anthony S. Colavita, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, 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.
7Mr. 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.

 

29 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund

2021 TAX NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid ordinary income distributions of $0.4390 per share (comprised of net investment income and short term capital gains) to shareholders in each Class of shares and long term capital gains of $208,567, or the maximum allowable. The distribution of long term capital gains has been designated as a capital gain dividend by the Fund’s Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 37.68% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified short term gain pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The Fund designates 0.05% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Also during 2021, the Fund passed through foreign tax credits of $0.04668 per share to each Class of shares.

 

U.S. Government Income:

 

The percentage of the ordinary income distribution paid by the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.03%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax 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 the Fund’s fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2022. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2021 was 9.36%. Due to the diversity in state and local tax law, it is recommended that you consult your personal tax adviser as to the applicability of the information provided to your specific situation.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL RISING INCOME AND DIVIDEND FUND 

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 contents of the portfolio manager’s commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 


 

GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL RISING INCOME 

AND DIVIDEND FUND 

One Corporate Center 

Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

t800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)
f914-921-5118
einfo@gabelli.com

GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Values per share available daily by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M.

 

DIRECTORS

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA 

Chairman and 

Chief Executive Officer, 

GAMCO Investors, Inc. 

Executive Chairman, 

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

E. Val Cerutti 

Chief Executive Officer, 

Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita 

Attorney, 

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

John D. Gabelli 

Former Senior Vice President, 

G.research, LLC

 

Werner J. Roeder 

Former Medical Director, 

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris 

Chairman, 

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza 

Chairman, 

Zizza & Associates Corp.

 

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert 

President

 

John C. Ball 

Treasurer

 

Peter Goldstein 

Secretary and Vice President

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Daniel Plourde 

Vice President

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN

 

State Street Bank and Trust 

Company

 

TRANSFER AGENT, AND 

DIVIDEND DISBURSING 

AGENT

 

DST Asset Manager 

Solutions, Inc.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 

Flom LLP

 

 

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Global Rising Income and Dividend Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB441Q421AR

 

   
 

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Annual Report — December 31, 2021

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

         
         
  Caesar M. P. Bryan Gustavo Pifano Ashish Sinha  
  Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager Portfolio Manager  

 

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund was 4.2% compared with a total return of 10.1% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE) Small Cap Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 4 for performance information for all classes.

 

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021.

 

Investment Objective and Strategy (Unaudited)

 

The Fund’s objective is to provide investors with appreciation of capital. Current income is a secondary objective of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest primarily in a portfolio of common stocks of non-U.S. companies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in the stocks of “small cap companies.” Gabelli Funds, LLC, the Adviser, currently characterizes small capitalization companies as those with total common stock market values of $3 billion or less at the time of investment.

 

The Fund may invest in non-U.S. markets throughout the world, including emerging markets. Ordinarily, the Fund will invest in the securities of at least five countries outside the U.S.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks issuers with a dominant market share or niche franchise in growing and/or consolidating industries. The Adviser considers for purchase the stocks of small capitalization companies with experienced management, strong balance sheets, and rising free cash flow and earnings. The Adviser’s goal is to invest long term in the stocks of companies trading at reasonable market valuations relative to perceived economic worth.

 

Performance Discussion (Unaudited)

 

The top three contributors to performance for the first quarter 2021 were all UK listed gaming companies. These businesses have benefitted from surging online gaming revenues, deregulation in the U.S., and other markets and takeover activity. The top contributor was Gamesys which appreciated by 71.2%. It is a pure online gaming company with some well known brands such as Jackpotjoy. In March, the company agreed to be acquired by Bally’s, the U.S. gaming company. Some of our Japanese and gold holdings disappointed during the quarter. In Japan, MedPeer fell by 25.1% and was the biggest detractor to performance. The company gave up about half of its very strong performance in the fourth quarter of last year. Maruwa, was also a significant detractor and declined by 17.7%. Both these companies suffered as market sentiment shifted in favor of value stocks and away from growth companies during the quarter.

 

The top contributor to performance during the second quarter was Addlife, a Swedish based life sciences company. Its share price appreciated by 71.9% which contributed 1.4% to total return and ended the quarter as the largest Fund holding. All of the top ten contributors to performance were European based with the exception of Canadian based Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Company which appreciated by 33.6%. Labrador has an ownership stake in and a significant royalty over production from a large, long life iron ore mine that is majority owned and operated by Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies.

 

The top contributor to performance during the third quarter of 2021 was Bachem, a Swiss based company that manufactures peptides and amino acids for the pharmaceutical industry and for research laboratories. Its stock price appreciated by 29.3% and contributed 0.75% to the Fund’s total return. The Fund’s top price gainer was Stock Spirits which was subject of a takeover bid in August 2021 from CVC Advisors which is a private equity firm. The leading contributor to performance during the fourth quarter was AddLife, the Fund's largest holding.

 

The company continued its strong recent performance and appreciated by 14.7% which contributed 67 basis points to performance. The second top performer was Interparfums which appreciated by 32.3% and contributed 58 basis points to performance. Other leading contributors were Treatt, PSI Software and Hotel Chocolat. The shares of all these companies appreciated in excess of 20.0%. Three of our gaming and gaming related holdings disappointed during the quarter. These included Entain, PSI Software, 888 Holdings and Genius Sports, the biggest detractor to performance during the quarter.

 

Selected holdings that contributed positively to performance in 2021 were: Bachem Holding AG (3.7% of net assets as of December 31, 2021) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of peptides and oligonucleotides based APIs to pharma including generics and research organizations; Addlife AB (4.8%) operates within the Nordic life sciences sector. The company primarily focuses on selected niches in the market areas of diagnostics, medical technology, and biomedical research and laboratory analysis; and PSI Software AG (3.0%) develops software for utilities, infrastructure players and industry. Their energy management software is used by customers in power and gas grids for grid management, energy trading, public transportation and road management and airport baggage and cargo logistics.

 

2

 

 

Some of our weaker performing holdings during the year were: Medpeer Inc. (0.7%) provides social network services to medical professionals in Japan; boohoo Group plc (0.5%), through its subsidiaries, operates as an online fashion retailer in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally; and Genius

 

Sports Ltd. (0.6%) is a London based sports data and streaming business. The company sells real time sports data to sports books and sport platform providers.

 

Thank you for your investment in The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund.

 

We appreciate your confidence and trust.

 

3

 

 

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses.

 

   1 Year  5 Year  10 Year  15 Year 

Since 

Inception

(5/11/98)

Class AAA (GABOX)  4.16%  9.64%  8.06%  5.24%  6.83%
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index  10.10   11.04   10.80   5.58   8.41(b)
MSCI AC World Ex-US Index  8.27   10.15   7.83   4.30   5.87 
Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification  15.15   18.57   13.99   8.64   N/A 
Class A (GOCAX)  4.24   9.17   7.82   5.09   6.74 
With sales charge (c)  (1.76)  7.89   7.18   4.67   6.47 
Class C (GGLCX)  4.20   8.69   7.23   4.42   6.29 
With contingent deferred sales charge (d)  3.20   8.69   7.23   4.42   6.29 
Class I (GLOIX)  4.18   9.80   8.39   5.53   7.02 

 

(a)Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses of the Fund. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares on March 12, 2000, November 23, 2001, and January 11, 2008, respectively. The actual performance of the Class A Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of the Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase.
(b)The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index captures small cap representation across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding U.S. and Canada. The MSCI World Ex-U.S. Index captures large and mid cap representation across Developed Markets countries excluding the United States. The Lipper Global Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification reflects the average performance of mutual funds classified in that particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index performance as of inception of Index December 31, 1998.
(c)Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.
(d)Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase. No existing C Class shares are currently subject to the CDSC as of the date of this report.

 

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 3.65%, 3.65%, 4.40%, and 3.40%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for all share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) is 0.91%. See page 12 for the expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursements are in effect through April 30, 2022. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please visit our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, 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. 

 

4

 

 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN

THE GABELLI INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND (CLASS AAA SHARES) AND MSCI EAFE SMALL CAP INDEX (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
  1 Year 5 Year 10 Year
Class AAA 4.16% 9.64% 8.06%

 

 

* Past performance is not predictive of future results. The performance tables and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

5

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)  
For the Six Month Period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 Expense Table
 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

 

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

 

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you

paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The “Annualized Expense Ratio” represents the actual expenses for the last six months and may be different from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights which is for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

   

Beginning

Account Value

07/01/21

   

Ending

Account Value

12/31/21

   

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

Expenses

Paid During

Period *

 
The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund        
Actual Fund Return                    
Class AAA   $1,000.00        $982.40     0.91 %   $ 4.55  
Class A   $1,000.00        $983.00     0.91 %   $ 4.55  
Class C   $1,000.00        $983.10     0.91 %   $ 4.55  
Class I   $1,000.00        $982.90     0.91 %   $ 4.55  
Hypothetical 5% Return                    
Class AAA   $1,000.00     $1,020.62     0.91 %   $ 4.63  
Class A   $1,000.00     $1,020.62     0.91 %   $ 4.63  
Class C   $1,000.00     $1,020.67     0.91 %   $ 4.63  
Class I   $1,000.00     $1,020.67     0.91 %   $ 4.63  

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (184 days), then divided by 365.


6

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following tables present portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of December 31, 2021:

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

 

Health Care   21.0%
Consumer Staples   18.4%
Consumer Discretionary   15.3%
Information Technology   12.9%
Materials   10.1%
Financials   8.5%
Industrials   8.2%
Communication Services   3.6%
U.S. Government Obligations   2.1%
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)   (0.1)%
    100.0

 

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 fiscal 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 each 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.

 

7

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2021

 

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     COMMON STOCKS — 96.9%          
     HEALTH CARE — 19.9%          
 12,212   AddLife AB, Cl. B  $59,108   $515,444 
 500   Bachem Holding AG, Cl. B   70,685    392,888 
 1,800   Gerresheimer AG   177,000    173,576 
 4,000   Idorsia Ltd.†   113,582    81,826 
 2,300   MedPeer Inc.†   110,257    71,681 
 230   Siegfried Holding AG   76,087    224,523 
 5,000   Takara Bio Inc.   144,019    114,927 
 230   Tecan Group AG   122,568    140,216 
 15,000   Tristel plc   71,265    92,380 
 1,300   Vetoquinol SA   81,468    195,367 
 600   Ypsomed Holding AG   100,294    122,739 
         1,126,333    2,125,567 
     CONSUMER STAPLES — 18.4%          
 15,000   Austevoll Seafood ASA   129,584    181,229 
 4,500   Fevertree Drinks plc   126,414    164,761 
 11,000   Glanbia plc   118,284    154,039 
 30,000   Hotel Chocolat Group plc†   131,832    205,063 
 3,478   Interparfums SA   126,644    291,038 
 4,000   Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.   62,798    154,916 
 1,750   Laurent-Perrier   158,577    206,211 
 2,500   Milbon Co. Ltd.   101,252    123,881 
 6,000   Nomad Foods Ltd.†   156,967    152,340 
 32,000   PZ Cussons plc   121,541    89,009 
 4,000   Sakata Seed Corp.   118,342    114,231 
 2,000   Viscofan SA   121,711    129,561 
         1,473,946    1,966,279 
     CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 15.3%          
 27,000   888 Holdings plc   58,356    110,003 
 10,000   Beneteau SA†   168,177    162,122 
 35,000   boohoo Group plc†   151,228    58,365 
 11,820   Entain plc†   107,595    269,262 
 2,200   JINS Holdings Inc.   125,148    134,069 
 40,000   LeoVegas AB   214,835    155,109 
 75,000   Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.†   149,583    168,000 
 6,000   Raccoon Holdings Inc   131,510    73,703 
 2,000   Tod's SpA†   132,379    112,211 
 15,000   Treatt plc   96,439    260,897 
 10,000   Zojirushi Corp.   93,734    125,359 
         1,428,984    1,629,100 
     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 12.9%          
 15,000   Alphawave IP Group plc†   79,662    40,566 
 20,000   F-Secure OYJ   93,894    113,053 
 9,000   Genius Sports Ltd.†   157,908    68,400 
 7,500   GMO internet Inc.   198,867    177,019 
 16,000   Infomart Corp.   146,292    130,192 
 20,000   NCC Group plc   57,230    63,211 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
 30,000   Network International Holdings plc†  $116,006   $118,652 
 3,000   Nynomic AG†   78,031    143,451 
 4,000   Optex Group Co. Ltd.   70,934    57,133 
 100,000   Oxford Metrics plc   116,940    154,982 
 6,000   PSI Software AG   157,350    316,275 
         1,273,114    1,382,934 
     MATERIALS — 10.1%          
 6,000   Alamos Gold Inc., Cl. A   44,345    46,140 
 13,850   Alamos Gold Inc., Toronto, Cl. A   102,363    106,534 
 10,000   Eldorado Gold Corp.†   108,334    93,500 
 10,544   Endeavour Mining plc   153,901    231,144 
 5,000   Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp.   90,519    148,346 
 4,000   MAG Silver Corp.†   51,468    62,706 
 9,000   Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.   108,792    110,139 
 75,000   Perseus Mining Ltd.   76,499    88,397 
 7,000   Pretium Resources Inc.†   78,698    98,630 
 65,000   Westgold Resources Ltd.   110,777    96,473 
         925,696    1,082,009 
     FINANCIALS — 8.5%          
 45,000   Brewin Dolphin Holdings plc   188,042    225,366 
 2,500   Kinnevik AB, Cl. B†   57,571    89,294 
 17,000   Polar Capital Holdings plc   129,675    182,472 
 4,000   Rothschild & Co.   142,627    183,754 
 20,000   Tamburi Investment Partners SpA   139,176    226,106 
         657,091    906,992 
     INDUSTRIALS — 8.2%          
 15,000   Aida Engineering Ltd.   152,919    139,398 
 50,000   Chemring Group plc   137,397    200,325 
 2,000   Clarkson plc   77,999    105,036 
 4,000   Loomis AB   148,615    106,549 
 8,000   Maruwa Unyu Kikan Co. Ltd.   122,710    101,261 
 20,000   QleanAir AB   115,538    145,637 
 23,000   Teraoka Seisakusho Co. Ltd.   139,576    75,980 
         894,754    874,186 
     COMMUNICATION SERVICES — 3.6%          
 9,000   Manchester United plc, Cl. A   159,353    128,160 
 3,190   Nordic Entertainment Group AB, Cl. B†   71,000    165,639 
 2,000   Xilam Animation SA†   100,467    94,723 
         330,820    388,522 
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   8,110,738    10,355,589 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
     PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.1%          
     HEALTH CARE — 1.1%          
 1,800   Draegerwerk AG & Co.          
     KGaA, 0.190%  $156,594   $113,224 

 

Principal
Amount
            
     U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 2.1%          
$230,000   U.S. Treasury Bills,          
     0.035% to 0.060%††,          
     02/08/22 to 04/21/22   229,977    229,976 
                
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.1%  $8,497,309    10,698,789 
     Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (0.1)%        (11,452)
     NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $10,687,337 
                

 

 
Non-income producing security.
†† Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.
Geographic Diversification 

% of

Market

Value

  

Market

Value

 
Europe   73.4%  $7,856,198 
Japan   14.9    1,593,749 
Canada   6.3    665,995 
Asia/Pacific   3.3    352,871 
United States   2.1    229,976 
    100.0%  $10,698,789 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2021

 

Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $8,497,309)  $10,698,789 
Cash   10,550 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $48)   47 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   393 
Receivable from Adviser   24,942 
Dividends receivable   23,007 
Prepaid expenses   14,060 
Total Assets   10,771,788 
Liabilities:     
Payable for investment advisory fees   8,806 
Payable for distribution fees   1,307 
Payable for legal and audit fees   28,400 
Payable for shareholder communications   18,683 
Payable for shareholder services fees   7,148 
Other accrued expenses   20,107 
Total Liabilities   84,451 
Net Assets     
(applicable to 671,237 shares outstanding)  $10,687,337 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $8,658,053 
Total distributable earnings   2,029,284 
Net Assets  $10,687,337 
      
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($6,191,413 ÷ 393,000 shares outstanding; 75,000,000 shares authorized)  $15.75 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($104,014 ÷ 6,618 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $15.72 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)  $16.68 
Class C:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($15,689 ÷ 1,111 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $14.12 
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($4,376,221 ÷ 270,508 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $16.18 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $25,476)  $152,675 
Non-cash dividends   49,761 
Interest   112 
Total Investment Income   202,548 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   116,138 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   16,394 
Distribution fees - Class A   274 
Distribution fees - Class C   178 
Legal and audit fees   43,437 
Registration expenses   43,222 
Administration out-of-pocket fees   36,078 
Shareholder services fees   21,952 
Shareholder communications expenses   19,184 
Custodian fees   9,710 
Tax expense   2,077 
Directors' fees   1,891 
Interest expense   280 
Miscellaneous expenses   12,373 
Total Expenses   323,188 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (216,306)
Net Expenses   106,882 
Net Investment Income   95,666 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on     
Investments and Foreign Currency:     
Net realized gain on investments   475,747 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (1,376)
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   474,371 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:     
on investments   21,970 
on foreign currency translations   (396)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   21,574 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency   495,945 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $591,611 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   Year Ended December 31, 2021   Year Ended December 31, 2020 
         
Operations:          
Net investment income  $95,666   $37,359 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions   474,371    (468,142)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   21,574    2,059,977 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   591,611    1,629,194 
           
Distributions to Shareholders:          
Accumulated earnings          
Class AAA   (127,193)   (52,265)
Class A   (2,153)   (803)
Class C   (359)   (247)
Class I   (87,950)   (33,373)
Total Distributions to Shareholders   (217,655)   (86,688)
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Class AAA   (585,445)   (735,124)
Class A   60    (3,141)
Class C   (12,762)   (2,268)
Class I   (176,787)   2,491,024 
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions   (774,934)   1,750,491 
Redemption Fees   9    5 
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets   (400,969)   3,293,002 
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   11,088,306    7,795,304 
End of year  $10,687,337   $11,088,306 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year:

 

        Income (Loss) from Investment Operations   Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data 
Year Ended
December 31
   Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year   Net Investment Income (Loss)(a)   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments   Total from Investment Operations   Net Investment Income   Net Realized Gain on Investments   Return of Capital   Total Distributions   Redemption Fees(a)(b)   Net Asset Value, End of Year   Total Return†   Net Assets, End of Year (in 000’s)   Net Investment Income (Loss)  Operating Expenses Before Reimbursement   Operating Expenses Net of Reimbursement(c)(d)  Portfolio Turnover Rate 
Class AAA                                                                   
2021   $15.44   $0.13(e)  $0.51   $0.64   $(0.33)  $(0.00)(b)  $   $(0.33)  $0.00   $15.75    4.16%  $6,191   0.79%(e)   2.89%  0.92%(f)   15%
2020    13.06    0.06    2.44    2.50    (0.12)           (0.12)   0.00    15.44    19.16    6,617   0.51    3.65   0.91    22 
2019    11.09    0.19(e)   2.68    2.87    (0.22)   (0.68)       (0.90)   0.00    13.06    25.94    6,366   1.50(e)   3.41   1.00    9 
2018    18.55    0.19    (4.13)   (3.94)   (0.19)   (3.32)   (0.01)   (3.52)   0.00    11.09    (20.87)   5,954   1.07    3.11   1.00(g)   26 
2017    22.41    0.04    6.19    6.23    (0.13)   (9.96)       (10.09)       18.55    28.09    8,599   0.16    3.01   1.67    71 
Class A                                                                   
2021   $15.40   $0.13(e)  $0.52   $0.65   $(0.33)  $(0.00)(b)  $   $(0.33)  $0.00   $15.72    4.24%  $104   0.82%(e)   2.89%  0.92%(f)   15%
2020    13.03    0.06    2.43    2.49    (0.12)           (0.12)   0.00    15.40    19.13    101   0.50    3.65   0.91    22 
2019    11.05    0.07(e)   2.67    2.74    (0.08)   (0.68)       (0.76)   0.00    13.03    24.86    91   0.60(e)   3.41   1.91    9 
2018    18.44    0.01    (4.08)   (4.07)       (3.32)       (3.32)   0.00    11.05    (21.70)   81   0.04    3.11   2.01(g)   26 
2017    22.33    (0.05)   6.18    6.13    (0.06)   (9.96)       (10.02)       18.44    27.74    155   (0.19)   3.01   2.00    71 
Class C                                                      
2021   $13.87   $0.11(e)  $0.47   $0.58   $(0.33)  $(0.00)(b)  $   $(0.33)  $0.00   $14.12    4.20%  $16   0.77%(e)   3.64%  0.92%(f)   15%
2020    11.74    0.05    2.20    2.25    (0.12)           (0.12)   0.00    13.87    19.19    28   0.48    4.40   0.91    22 
2019    10.02    (0.01)(e)   2.41    2.40        (0.68)       (0.68)   0.00    11.74    24.01    26   (0.12)(e)   4.16   2.61    9 
2018    17.26    (0.11)   (3.81)   (3.92)       (3.32)       (3.32)   0.00    10.02    (22.33)   31   (0.67)   3.86   2.76(g)   26 
2017    21.52    (0.23)   5.93    5.70        (9.96)       (9.96)       17.26    26.79    43   (0.92)   3.76   2.75    71 
Class I                                                                   
2021   $15.85   $0.14(e)  $0.52   $0.66   $(0.33)  $(0.00)(b)  $   $(0.33)  $0.00   $16.18    4.18%  $4,376   0.87%(e)   2.64%  0.92%(f)   15%
2020    13.41    0.05    2.51    2.56    (0.12)           (0.12)   0.00    15.85    19.11    4,342   0.39    3.40   0.91    22 
2019    11.39    0.19(e)   2.77    2.96    (0.26)   (0.68)       (0.94)   0.00    13.41    26.04    1,312   1.52(e)   3.16   1.00    9 
2018    18.93    0.19    (4.22)   (4.03)   (0.18)   (3.32)   (0.01)   (3.51)   0.00    11.39    (20.90)   1,557   1.07    2.86   1.00(g)   26 
2017    22.68    0.21    6.31    6.52    (0.31)   (9.96)       (10.27)       18.93    29.02    2,031   0.82    2.76   1.00    71 

 

 
Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the year including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect the applicable sales charges.
(a)Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
(b)Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
(c)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser reimbursed expenses of $216,306, $210,061, $184,323, $201,091, and $144,403 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
(d)The Fund incurred interest expense. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.90% for each Class for the year ended December 31, 2020, and 2.00% (Class A), 2.75% (Class C) and with no impact to Class AAA and Class I for the year ended December 31, 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2019, and 2017, the effect of interest expense was minimal.
(e)Includes income resulting from special dividends. Without these dividends, the per share income/(loss) amounts would have been $0.06 and $0.15 (Class AAA), $0.06 and $0.04 (Class A), $0.05 and $(0.05) (Class C), and $0.07 and $0.15 (Class I), and the net investment income/(loss) ratios would have been 0.36% and 1.19% (Class AAA), 0.39% and 0.29% (Class A), 0.34% and (0.43%) (Class C), and 0.44% and 1.21% (Class I) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019, respectively.
(f)The Fund incurred tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. If tax expense had not been incurred, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.90% for each Class.
(g)The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the effect of expense reimbursements was minimal.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the Corporation), was incorporated on July 16, 1993 in Maryland. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is one of five separately managed portfolios (collectively, the Portfolios) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on May 11, 1998.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

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 Directors (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 security is valued using the closing bid price. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

 

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 Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s

 

13

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered. Such securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy presented below.

 

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).

 

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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

    Valuation Inputs      
    

Level 1

Quoted Prices

    

Level 2 Other

Significant

Observable Inputs

    

Total Market Value

at 12/31/21

 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:               
ASSETS (Market Value):               
Common Stocks (a)  $10,355,589       $10,355,589 
Preferred Stocks (a)   113,224        113,224 
U.S. Government Obligations      $229,976    229,976 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $10,468,813   $229,976   $10,698,789 

 

 

 

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

 

The Fund held no Level 3 investments at December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

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.

 

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

 

14

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

restricted as to transfer. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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.

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

 

15

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to 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 disallowed losses and distributions in excess of income. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2021, reclassifications were made to decrease paid-in capital by $3,404, with an offsetting adjustment to total distributable earnings.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 2021   Year Ended December 31, 2020 
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income  $215,281   $86,688 
Net long term capital gains   2,374     
Total distributions paid  $217,655   $86,688 

 

 

 

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, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations  $2,029,284 

 

The Fund utilized $468,992 of the capital loss carryforward for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

At December 31, 2021, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation were primarily due to mark-to-market adjustments on investments in passive foreign investment companies and investments no longer considered passive foreign investment companies.

 

16

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2021:

 

    Cost   Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Investments   $8,669,781   $2,915,323   $(886,315)  $2,029,008 

 

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 threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund incurred an excise tax expense of $2,077. As of December 31, 2021, 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 fiscal 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 daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

 

Through November 30, 2019, the Adviser had agreed to waive and/or to reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 1.00%, 2.00%, 2.75%, and 1.00% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class AAA, Class A, Class C, and Class I, respectively. Effective December 1, 2019, the Adviser amended its contractual agreement with respect to each share class of the Fund to waive its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022, at no more than 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund in the amount of $216,306. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, that after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed 0.91% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. The arrangement is renewable annually. At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $426,367:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022   $210,061 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, expiring December 31, 2023    216,306 
    $426,367 

 

17

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $1,699,539 and $2,709,253, respectively.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. 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. The Adviser did not seek a reimbursement during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

The Corporation pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation.

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the Overnight Federal Funds Rate plus 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit for the four days of borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,198,250 with a weighted average interest rate of 1.36%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,328,000.

 

8. Capital Stock. The Fund currently offers three classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, and Class I Shares. Effective January 27, 2020, (the Effective Date) the Fund’s Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Shares “closed to purchases from new investors”. “Closed to purchases from new investors” means (i) with respect to the Class AAA, and Class A shares, no new investors may purchase shares of such classes, but existing shareholders may continue to purchase additional shares of such classes after the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to Class C Shares, neither new investors nor existing shareholders may purchase any additional shares of such class after the Effective Date. These changes had no effect on existing shareholders’ ability to redeem shares of the Fund as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Additionally, on the Effective Date Class I shares of the Fund became available to investors with a minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 when purchasing shares directly through the Distributor, or investors purchasing Class I shares through brokers or financial intermediaries that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor specifically with respect to Class I shares.

 

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital.

 

18

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                    
Shares sold   6,223   $100,104    15,624   $195,087 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   7,944    124,396    3,259    50,245 
Shares redeemed   (49,701)   (809,945)   (77,589)   (980,456)
Net decrease   (35,534)  $(585,445)   (58,706)  $(735,124)
Class A                    
Shares sold   895   $13,953    275   $3,530 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   94    1,480    37    570 
Shares redeemed   (956)   (15,373)   (724)   (7,241)
Net increase/(decrease)   33   $60    (412)  $(3,141)
Class C                    
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   25   $358    18   $247 
Shares redeemed   (946)   (13,120)   (257)   (2,515)
Net decrease   (921)  $(12,762)   (239)  $(2,268)
Class I                    
Shares sold   135,215   $2,192,535    282,729   $3,955,674 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions   5,184    83,354    2,109    33,373 
Shares redeemed   (143,909)   (2,452,676)   (108,667)   (1,498,023)
Net increase/(decrease)   (3,510)  $(176,787)   176,171   $2,491,024 

 

9. 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.

 

10. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

19

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the "Corporation")), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (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 (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.) at December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’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 Corporation 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 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. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Gabelli/GAMCO Funds investment companies since 1992.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 28, 2022

 

20

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee (the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has designated the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

21

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

 

At its meeting on November 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the Independent Board Members) who are not interested persons of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the Fund’s portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio manager, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser, and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the Fund’s portfolio manager.

 

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long term performance of the Fund (as of September 30, 2021) against a peer group of seven other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”), and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all international small/mid-cap growth funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper International Small Mid-Cap Growth Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the fourth quartile for the one year period and the third quartile for the three, five, and ten year periods, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the fifth quintile for the one year period, the third quintile for the three year period, and the fourth quintile for the five and ten years periods. The Independent Board Members noted that at its current size, the Fund was not competitive among its peer group and encouraged the Adviser to continue to explore ways to increase the size of the Fund.

 

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with a pro rata administrative overhead charge and with a standalone administrative charge and noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement. The Independent Board Members also noted that a portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker of the Adviser and that another affiliated broker of the Adviser received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.

 

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser's cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale and reviewed data provided by the Adviser.

 

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop or any losses or diminished profitability to the Adviser in prior years.

 

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of eight other international small/mid-cap growth funds selected by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Peer Group”), and noted that the Adviser's management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement in place for the Fund. The Independent

 

22

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Board Members noted that the Fund's total expense ratio after waivers was the lowest compared with the Adviser Peer Group, and the lowest compared with all of the funds included in the Broadridge Expense Peer Group. The Independent Board Members discussed how the Fund's size was significantly lower than average within both peer groups and that the Adviser had been waiving substantial portions of its fees in order to make the Fund a more attractive investment. The Independent Board Members also noted that the advisory fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members were presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services. The Independent Board Members noted the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance and the steps the Adviser was taking to improve performance and indicated that they would continue to evaluate the Fund. The Independent Board Members noted the contractual Expense Deferral Agreement between the Adviser and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which the net expense ratio for each share class of each Fund was reduced to 0.90% and, following further discussion, determined to recommend that the Adviser consider reducing the Fund’s expense cap to 0% in light of the Fund’s small size. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

 

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light of the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

23

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

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 Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below. The Corporation’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554) or by writing to The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
INTERESTED DIRECTORS4:         
          

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Director and Chief

Investment Officer

Age: 79

  Since 1993  31  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 Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP,  Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.  Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); 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

Director

Age: 77

  Since 1993  12  Former Senior Vice President of G.research, LLC 
             
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS5:      

E. Val Cerutti

Director

Age: 82

  Since 2001  7  Chief Executive Officer of Cerutti Consultants, Inc.  Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (1990-2009)
             

Anthony J. Colavita6

Director

Age: 86

  Since 1993  18  President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C. 
             

Werner J. Roeder

Director

Age: 81

  Since 1993  20  Retired physician; Former Vice President of Medical Affairs (Medical Director) of New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital (1999-2014) 
             

Anthonie C. van Ekris6

Director

Age: 87

  Since 1993  23  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/ export company) 

 

24

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3

Salvatore J. Zizza7

Director

Age: 76

  Since 2004  32  President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)  Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)

 

25

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

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: 70

  Since 1993  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President – Mutual Funds, G.research, LLC
       

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Age: 45

  Since 2017  Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017; Chief Executive Officer, G.distributors, LLC since December 2020
       

Peter Goldstein

Secretary and Vice

President

Age: 68

  Since 2020  General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)
       

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance

Officer

Age: 62

  Since 2013  Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015
       

Daniel Plourde

Vice President

Age: 41

  Since 2021  Vice President of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017)

 

 
1Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.
2Each Director will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Director and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date a Director resigns or retires, or a Director is removed by the Board of Directors or shareholders, in accordance with the Corporation’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. 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.
3This 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 Corporation 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 Corporation’s investment adviser.
5Directors who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Directors.
6Mr. Colavita’s son, Anthony S. Colavita, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, 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.
7Mr. 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

 

 

Gabelli Funds and Your Personal Privacy

 

Who are we?

 

The Gabelli Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc., a publicly held company with subsidiaries and affiliates that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

 

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a fund shareholder?

 

If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

 

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www. sec.gov.

 

What do we do to protect your personal information?

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information confidential.

 

 

 

 

 

The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund

2021 TAX NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid $0.32650 per share to shareholders in each Class of shares. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 0.00% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 86.23% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 0.08% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Also during 2021, the Fund passed through foreign tax credits of $0.03312 per share to each Class of shares.

 

U.S. Government Income:

 

The percentage of the ordinary income distribution paid by the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2021 which was derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.04%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax 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 the Fund’s fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2021. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2021 was 2.15%. Due to the diversity in state and local tax law, it is recommended that you consult your personal tax adviser as to the applicability of the information provided to your specific situation.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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THE GABELLI INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

 

Caesar M. P. Bryan joined GAMCO Asset Management in 1994. He is a member of the global investment team of Gabelli Funds, LLC and portfolio manager of several funds within the Fund Complex. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Bryan was a portfolio manager at Lexington Management. He began his investment career at Samuel Montagu Company, the London based merchant bank. Mr. Bryan graduated from the University of Southampton in England with a Bachelor of Law and is a member of the English Bar.

 

Gustavo Pifano joined the Firm in 2008 and is based in London. He serves as an assistant vice president of research and covers the industrial and consumer sectors with a focus on small-cap stocks. Gustavo is a member of the risk management group and responsible for the Firm’s UK compliance oversight and anti-money laundering reporting functions. Gustavo holds a BBA in Finance from University of Miami and an MBA from University of Oxford Said Business School.

 

Ashish Sinha joined GAMCO UK in 2012 as a research analyst. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Sinha was a research analyst at Morgan Stanley in London for seven years and has covered European Technology, Mid-Caps, and Business Services. He also worked in planning and strategy at Birla Sun Life Insurance in India. Currently Mr. Sinha is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and an Assistant Vice President of GAMCO Asset Management UK. Mr. Sinha has a BSBA degree from the Institute of Management Studies and an MB from IIFT.

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ 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 contents of the portfolio managers’ commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 

GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

THE GABELLI INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

t 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f 914-921-5118

e info@gabelli.com

   GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Values per share available daily by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M.

 

TRUSTEES

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

E. Val Cerutti

Chief Executive Officer,

Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

John D. Gabelli

Former Senior Vice President,

G.research, LLC

 

Werner J. Roeder

Former Medical Director,

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

John C. Ball

Treasurer

 

Peter Goldstein

Secretary and Vice President

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Daniel Plourde

Vice President

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

TRANSFER AGENT, AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

 

DST Asset Manager

Solutions, Inc.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli International Small Cap Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB403Q421AR

 

 

   
 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Annual Report December 31, 2021

 

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund was 19.3% compared with a total return of 15.2% for the S&P Developed SmallCap Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 3 for performance information for all classes.

 

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021.

 

Investment Objective and Strategy (Unaudited)

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. commenced investment operations on October 1, 2018. The Fund is a non-diversified open end management investment company whose investment objective is to seek to provide investors with long term capital appreciation.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest in common stocks of smaller companies that have a market capitalization (defined as shares outstanding times current market price) of $250 million or less at the time of the Fund’s initial investment. These companies are called micro-cap companies. As a “global” fund, the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in at least three countries and at least 40% of its net assets are invested in securities of non U.S. issuers.

 

Performance Discussion (Unaudited)

 

Following more than a decade of growth stock leadership, the first quarter of 2021 saw the trend of rotation to value stocks continue. Following a steep, rather short, recession, the U.S. economy rebounded in tandem with massive government fiscal stimulus along with unprecedented Federal Reserve monetary accommodation.

  

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.

 

 

 

 

During the second quarter, the equity bull market remained intact as U.S. and global economies rebounded from pandemic driven shutdowns with a surge of consumer spending on retail, travel, leisure, and hospitality. Widespread vaccination in the U.S. to protect against the spread of COVID-19 has allowed bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues to reopen. Air travel reached pre-pandemic levels, hotel occupancies rose rapidly, and major cities like New York, were once again vibrant and bustling with commuter traffic. Underpinning the broad based reopening of America was trillions of dollars of government fiscal stimulus funneled to businesses along with funding to unemployed workers hit hardest by the pandemic. Against this backdrop was the U.S. Federal Reserve with its unprecedented quantitative easing, fostering negative real interest rates, adjusted for inflation.

 

In the third quarter, the U.S. economy continued its robust growth trajectory. The economy rebounded from its pandemic lows, and corporate earnings stood above their pre-pandemic highs. Supply chain constraints became a discussion topic in virtually every corporate earnings call, with higher input cots being reflected in both producer and consumer prices. Many companies passed these additional costs onto consumers through higher prices, further stoking consumer inflation. In September the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled that it was on track to start scaling back asset purchases before year end.

 

The year closed with growth stocks generally outperforming value stocks, and with large cap stocks generally outperforming small cap stocks.

 

Selected holdings that contributed positively to performance in 2021 were: Steel Partners Holdings LP (4.1% of net assets as of December 31, 2021), a diversified global holding company that owns and operates businesses, and has significant interests in various companies, including diversified industrial products, energy, banking, defense, direct marketing, supply chain management and logistics and youth sports. The L.S. Starrett Co. (1.8%) is a global manufacturer of precision tools, electronic gages, laser measuring equipment, and construction products. Uni-Select Inc. (1.6%) is a leading distributor of automotive refinish and industrial coatings and related products in North America. Commercial Vehicle Group is a provider of components and assemblies to vehicle OEMs and aftermarket.

 

Some of our weaker performing holdings during the year were: Strattec Security Corp. (2.7%), which designs, develops, manufactures, and markets automotive access control products under the VAST Automotive Group brand primarily in North America; GAN Ltd. (0.7%), operating as a business-to-business supplier of internet gambling software as a service solution to online casino gaming and online sports betting applications in the United States and internationally; and Communications Systems Inc., which through its subsidiaries, provides connectivity infrastructure products and services for deployments of broadband networks worldwide.

 

Thank you for your investment in the Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund.

 

We appreciate your confidence and trust.

 

2 

 

 

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses.

 

   1 Year  3 Year  Since 
Inception 
(10/1/18)
Class AAA (GAMNX)  19.25%  15.49%  9.16%
S&P Developed SmallCap Index (b)  15.18   12.40   10.62 
Class A (GMNAX)  19.38   15.49   9.15 
With sales charge (c)  12.52   13.23   7.18 
Class C (GMNCX)  19.34   15.28   8.90 
With contingent deferred sales charge (d)  18.34   15.28   8.90 
Class I (GGMMX)  19.25   15.61   9.24 

 

(a)Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses of the Fund. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase.

(b)The S&P Developed Small Cap Index is a float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the equity market performance of small-capitalization companies located in developed markets. The index is composed of companies within the bottom 15% of the cumulative market capitalization in developed markets. The index covers all publicly listed equities with float-adjusted market values of U.S. $100 million or more and annual dollar value traded of at least U.S. $50 million in all included countries. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

(c)Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.

(d)Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase. No existing C Class shares are currently subject to the CDSC as of the date of this report.

 

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 9.40%, 9.40%, 10.15%, and 9.15%, respectively, and the net expense ratio for all share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) is 0.90%. See page 12 for the expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021. The contractual reimbursements are in effect through April 30, 2022. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please visit our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, 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.

 

 

3 

 

 

COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN

THE GABELLI GLOBAL MINI MITES FUND (CLASS AAA SHARES)

AND S&P DEVELOPED SMALLCAP INDEX (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns*
  1 Year 3 Year Since Inception
Class AAA 19.25% 15.49% 9.16%

 

(GRAPHIC)

 

* Past performance is not predictive of future results. The performance tables and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

 

4 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) 

For the Six Month Period from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 Expense Table

 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

 

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

 

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

 

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you

paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The “Annualized Expense Ratio” represents the actual expenses for the last six months and may be different from the expense ratio in the Financial Highlights which is for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

   Beginning 
Account Value 
07/01/21
  Ending 
Account Value 
12/31/21
  Annualized 
Expense 
Ratio
 

Expenses 

Paid During 

Period * 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites      
Actual Fund Return         
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $913.40   0.90%  $4.34 
Class A  $1,000.00   $914.20   0.90%  $4.34 
Class C  $1,000.00   $914.00   0.90%  $4.34 
Class I  $1,000.00   $913.40   0.90%  $4.34 
Hypothetical 5% Return                   
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $4.58 
Class A  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $4.58 
Class C  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $4.58 
Class I  $1,000.00   $1,020.67   0.90%  $4.58 

 

*Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (184 days), then divided by 365.


5 

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of December 31, 2021:

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

 

Diversified Industrial   18.8%  Computer Software and Services   2.9%
Machinery   7.8%  Hotels and Gaming   2.8%
Automotive: Parts and Accessories   7.5%  Retail   2.6%
Consumer Products   7.4%  Specialty Chemicals   2.0%
Health Care   6.2%  Building and Construction   1.7%
Real Estate   5.5%  Equipment and Supplies   1.3%
Food and Beverage   5.2%  Agriculture   1.3%
Financial Services   4.3%  Aerospace and Defense   1.0%
Business Services   3.9%  Metals and Mining   0.5%
Electronics   3.9%  Consumer Services   0.1%
U.S. Government Obligations   3.5%  Wireless Telecommunications Services   0.1%
Broadcasting   3.4%  Telecommunications   0.1%
Entertainment   3.3%  Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)   (0.3)%
Energy and Utilities   3.2%      100.0%
              

 

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 fiscal 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 each 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.

 

6 

 

  

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2021

 

Shares      Cost  

Market 

Value 

 
    COMMON STOCKS — 95.8%        
     Aerospace and Defense — 1.0%          
 5,000   Avio SpA  $67,427   $66,602 
 1,000   CPI Aerostructures Inc.†   2,388    2,730 
         69,815    69,332 
                
     Agriculture — 1.3%          
 2,000   Limoneira Co.   34,517    30,000 
 21,000   S&W Seed Co.†   75,207    57,330 
         109,724    87,330 
     Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 6.9%          
 4,000   Garrett Motion Inc.†   16,780    32,120 
 12,200   Modine Manufacturing Co.†   73,911    123,098 
 300   Motorcar Parts of America Inc.†   4,686    5,121 
 1,000   Smart Eye AB†   10,418    21,757 
 5,000   Strattec Security Corp.†   192,508    185,100 
 5,500   Uni-Select Inc.†   29,662    111,917 
         327,965    479,113 
     Broadcasting — 3.4%          
 8,000   Beasley Broadcast Group Inc., Cl. A†   17,765    15,120 
 12,000   Corus Entertainment Inc., Cl. B   51,112    45,156 
 13,000   Townsquare Media Inc., Cl. A†   169,299    173,290 
         238,176    233,566 
     Building and Construction — 1.7%          
 14,000   Armstrong Flooring Inc.†   48,648    27,720 
 4,000   Gencor Industries Inc.†   48,857    46,120 
 1,925   Neinor Homes SA   24,184    23,100 
 200   The Monarch Cement Co.   11,234    21,000 
         132,923    117,940 
     Business Services — 3.9%          
 1,500   AssetCo plc†   17,249    31,470 
 20,000   B Intressenter AB†   453    443 
 10,000   Diebold Nixdorf Inc.†   100,658    90,500 
 4,000   eWork Group AB   33,432    58,786 
 6,500   Marin Software Inc.†   38,033    24,115 
 1,500   MIND Technology Inc.†   4,884    2,490 
 3,000   MoneyGram International Inc.†   20,237    23,670 
 4,000   Team Inc.†   18,787    4,360 
 50,102   Trans-Lux Corp.†   12,475    26,078 
 200   TravelCenters of America Inc.†   6,014    10,324 
         252,222    272,236 
     Computer Software and Services — 2.9%          
 8,000   Alithya Group Inc., Cl. A†   24,396    20,400 
 1,200   Asetek A/S†   4,635    5,587 
Shares      Cost  

Market 

Value 

 
 5,500   Daktronics Inc.†    $35,386  $27,775 
 9,000   GTY Technology Holdings Inc.†   46,417    60,300 
 200   Otonomo Technologies Ltd.†   966    818 
 70,000   Pacific Online Ltd.   14,776    12,299 
 800   Rubicon Technology Inc.†   6,259    7,176 
 3,000   Steel Connect Inc.†   1,683    4,170 
 20,000   ZetaDisplay AB†(a)   62,960    59,759 
         197,478    198,284 
     Consumer Products — 7.4%          
 18,000   Aspen Group Inc.†   86,931    42,480 
 2,500   CompX International Inc.   35,602    56,175 
 20,000   Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd.†   3,243    2,565 
 3,724   HG Holdings Inc.†   33,739    43,757 
 7,500   Landec Corp.†   80,675    83,250 
 2,000   Lifetime Brands Inc.   19,709    31,940 
 4,500   Marine Products Corp.   68,848    56,250 
 3,000   Nobility Homes Inc.   87,608    105,000 
 2,500   Oil-Dri Corp. of America   90,213    81,825 
 71,000   Playmates Holdings Ltd.   10,621    7,011 
         517,189    510,253 
     Consumer Services — 0.1%          
 4,000   Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Inc., Cl. A†   11,075    8,680 
                
     Diversified Industrial — 18.4%          
 50,000   Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.†   255,108    250,000 
 26,500   Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.†   230,060    213,590 
 2,500   Core Molding Technologies Inc.†   19,782    21,275 
 31,000   Fluence Corp. Ltd.†   7,941    3,383 
 4,000   Graham Corp.   52,566    49,760 
 28,000   INNOVATE Corp.†   77,943    103,600 
 13,504   Intevac Inc.†   86,997    63,604 
 6,000   Myers Industries Inc   116,472    120,060 
 7,100   Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.   188,014    150,307 
 12,045   Synalloy Corp.†   119,934    197,899 
 8,000   Tredegar Corp.   121,776    94,560 
         1,276,593    1,268,038 
     Electronics — 3.9%          
 20,000   Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. B   273,542    258,600 
 1,000   Richardson Electronics Ltd.   11,753    13,520 
         285,295    272,120 
     Energy and Utilities — 3.2%          
 9,300   Capstone Green Energy Corp.†   43,190    30,876 
 800   Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.   8,168    8,512 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 
Shares      Cost  

Market 

Value 

 
     COMMON STOCKS (Continued)          
     Energy and Utilities (Continued)          
 4,000   Dril-Quip Inc.†  $81,454  $78,720 
 13,000   Trecora Resources†   102,542    105,040 
         235,354    223,148 
     Entertainment — 3.3%          
 600   Du-Art Film Laboratories Inc.†   47,912    39,000 
 4,200   Engine Gaming and Media Inc.†   29,443    12,783 
 5,500   GAN Ltd.†   87,540    50,545 
 3,000   Inspired Entertainment Inc.†   31,339    38,880 
 7,000   Reading International Inc., Cl. A†   44,204    28,280 
 100,000   Sportech plc†   37,134    51,435 
 100   Xilam Animation SA†   4,332    4,736 
         281,904    225,659 
     Equipment and Supplies — 1.3%          
 3,500   The Eastern Co.   81,272    88,060 
                
     Financial Services — 4.3%          
 10,000   GAM Holding AG†   23,077    14,925 
 6,700   Steel Partners Holdings LP†   37,367    281,400 
         60,444    296,325 
     Food and Beverage — 5.2%          
 1,000   Corby Spirit and Wine Ltd., Cl. A   14,197    13,258 
 34,000   Farmer Brothers Co.†   226,822    253,300 
 1,600   Nathan’s Famous Inc.   95,315    93,424 
         336,334    359,982 
     Health Care — 6.2%          
 2,000   Accuray Inc.†   8,180    9,540 
 40,000   Achaogen Inc.†(a)   488    0 
 10,000   BioDelivery Sciences International Inc.†   33,199    31,000 
 500   Cutera Inc.†   5,735    20,660 
 200   Daxor Corp.†   2,214    2,257 
 1,500   Electromed Inc.†   14,633    19,500 
 5,500   IntriCon Corp.†   72,055    88,935 
 4,370   IRRAS AB†   6,339    1,886 
 8,500   Neuronetics Inc.†   75,203    37,910 
 4,000   Oncimmune Holdings plc†   4,931    9,475 
 1,750   Option Care Health Inc.†   17,134    49,770 
 33,000   Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc.†   166,498    148,170 
 1,300   Tristel plc   4,856    8,006 
         411,465    427,109 
     Hotels and Gaming — 2.8%          
 4,000   Canterbury Park Holding Corp.†   52,654    69,040 
Shares      Cost  

Market 

Value 

 
 4,000   Full House Resorts Inc.†  $18,812  $48,440 
 500   Genius Sports Ltd.†   7,402    3,800 
 14,000   LeoVegas AB   67,694    54,288 
 1,000   The Marcus Corp.†   21,413    17,860 
         167,975    193,428 
     Machinery — 7.8%          
 100   Astec Industries Inc.   2,925    6,927 
 6,000   CFT SpA†(a)   33,163    31,423 
 21,000   L.B. Foster Co., Cl. A†   341,166    288,750 
 13,000   The L.S. Starrett Co., Cl. A†   44,264    121,550 
 8,243   Twin Disc Inc.†   73,637    90,343 
         495,155    538,993 
     Metals and Mining — 0.5%          
 27,000   Sierra Metals Inc.   90,044    36,720 
                
     Real Estate — 5.5%          
 6,500   Atrium European Real Estate Ltd.   26,820    26,604 
 65,000   Corem Property Group AB, Cl. B   149,987    234,861 
 1,000   Indus Realty Trust Inc., REIT   49,120    81,060 
 21,502   Trinity Place Holdings Inc.†   44,753    39,564 
         270,680    382,089 
     Retail — 2.6%          
 300   RumbleON Inc., Cl. B†   8,946    12,456 
 7,000   Village Super Market Inc., Cl. A   159,683    163,730 
         168,629    176,186 
     Specialty Chemicals — 2.0%          
 8,000   Treatt plc   43,363    139,145 
                
     Telecommunications — 0.1%          
 700   Bittium Oyj   4,945    4,224 
 200   Communications Systems Inc.   1,335    480 
         6,280    4,704 
     Wireless Telecommunications Services — 0.1%         
 22,877   NII Holdings Inc., Escrow†    442    6,863 
                
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   6,067,796    6,615,303 
                
     CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.6%          
     Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.6%          
 5,200   Garrett Motion Inc., Ser. A, 11.000%   27,300    43,576 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2021

 

Shares      Cost  

Market 

Value 

 
    WARRANTS — 0.4%        
     Business Services — 0.0%          
 4   Internap Corp., expire 05/08/24†(a)  $0   $2,608 
                
     Diversified Industrial — 0.4%          
 44,000   Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp., expire 08/01/25†   30,056    25,951 
                
     Energy and Utilities — 0.0%          
 693   Weatherford International plc, expire 12/13/23†   0    347 
                
     TOTAL WARRANTS   30,056    28,906 

 

Principal  

Amount  

              
     U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 3.5%          
$240,000   U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.050%††, 03/10/22   239,978    239,983 
                
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.3%  $6,365,130    6,927,768 
                
     Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (0.3)%        (17,519)
                
     NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $6,910,249 

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

Non-income producing security.

††Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

 

REITReal Estate Investment Trust

 

Geographic Diversification 

% of 

Market 

Value 

  

Market 

Value 

 
United States   82.0%  $5,677,777 
Europe   14.1    979,370 
Canada   3.5    240,234 
Asia/Pacific   0.3    21,875 
Latin America   0.1    8,512 
    100.0%  $6,927,768 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

December 31, 2021

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
December 31, 2021    
Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $6,365,130)  $6,927,768 
Cash   20,139 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   100 
Receivable from Adviser   13,536 
Dividends receivable   2,648 
Prepaid expenses   22,017 
Total Assets   6,986,208 
Liabilities:     
Payable for investments purchased   16,837 
Payable for investment advisory fees   5,676 
Payable for distribution fees   31 
Payable for legal and audit fees   25,800 
Payable for shareholder communications   15,683 
Payable for shareholder services fees   4,229 
Other accrued expenses   7,703 
Total Liabilities   75,959 
Net Assets     
(applicable to 625,841 shares outstanding)  $6,910,249 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $6,393,715 
Total distributable earnings   516,534 
Net Assets  $6,910,249 
      
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($82,534 ÷ 7,475 shares outstanding; 75,000,000 shares authorized)  $11.04 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($13,288 ÷ 1,204 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)  $11.04 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)  $11.71 
Class C:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($13,188 ÷ 1,199 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $11.00 
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($6,801,239 ÷ 615,963 shares outstanding; 25,000,000 shares authorized)  $11.04 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2021

 

Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $2,389)  $45,782 
Interest   162 
Total Investment Income   45,944 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   63,351 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   237 
Distribution fees - Class A   33 
Distribution fees - Class C   133 
Registration expenses   53,252 
Legal and audit fees   41,501 
Shareholder services fees   12,728 
Shareholder communications expenses   10,697 
Custodian fees   8,426 
Directors’ fees   985 
Tax expense   288 
Miscellaneous expenses   13,974 
Total Expenses   205,605 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (147,312)
Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 6)   (989)
Total Reimbursements and Credits   (148,301)
Net Expenses   57,304 
Net Investment Loss   (11,360)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on     
Investments and Foreign Currency:     
Net realized gain on investments   1,054,435 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (31)
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   1,054,404 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:     
on investments   (216,225)
on foreign currency translations   (510)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   (216,735)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency   837,669 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $826,309 


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

  

Year Ended 

December 31, 2021 

  

Year Ended 

December 31, 2020 

 
         
Operations:          
Net investment income/(loss)  $(11,360)  $21,457 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions   1,054,404    (186,721)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations   (216,735)   817,337 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   826,309    652,073 
           
Distributions to Shareholders:          
Accumulated earnings          
Class AAA   (10,819)   (649)
Class A   (1,727)   (60)
Class C   (1,720)   (60)
Class I   (884,190)   (21,243)
Total Distributions to Shareholders   (898,456)   (22,012)
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Class AAA   (50,119)   (7,555)
Class A   1,727    60 
Class C   1,720    60 
Class I   2,965,363    1,703,485 
           
Net Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions   2,918,691    1,696,050 
           
Redemption Fees   21     
           
Net Increase in Net Assets   2,846,565    2,326,111 
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   4,063,684    1,737,573 
End of year  $6,910,249   $4,063,684 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Financial Highlights

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:

 

        Income (Loss) from Investment Operations   Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data 
Period Ended
December 31
   Net Asset Value, Beginning of
Period
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(a)   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments   Total from Investment Operations   Net Investment Income   Net
Realized Gain
on Investments
   Total Distributions   Redemption Fees(a)(b)   Net Asset Value, End of Period   Total Return†   Net Assets, End of Period
(in 000’s)
   Net Investment Income (Loss)   Operating Expenses Before Reimbursement   Operating
Expenses
Net
of
Reimbursement(c)
  Portfolio Turnover Rate 
Class AAA                                                                          
2021   $10.67   $(0.02)  $2.04   $2.02   $(0.07)  $(1.58)  $(1.65)  $0.00   $11.04    19.25%  $83    (0.17)%   3.49%   0.90%(d)(e)   79%
2020    9.26    0.05    1.42    1.47    (0.06)       (0.06)       10.67    15.87    120    0.61    9.40    0.90(d)   63 
2019    8.62    0.05    0.94    0.99    (0.04)   (0.31)   (0.35)       9.26    11.49    114    0.53    10.81    1.23(f)   131 
2018(g)   10.00    0.01    (1.38)   (1.37)   (0.01)   (0.00)(b)   (0.01)       8.62    (13.71)   70    0.45(h)   44.14(h)   1.25(h)   6 
Class A                                                                          
2021   $10.66   $(0.02)  $2.05   $2.03   $(0.07)  $(1.58)  $(1.65)  $0.00   $11.04    19.38%  $13    (0.18)%   3.49%   0.90%(d)(e)   79%
2020    9.26    0.05    1.41    1.46    (0.06)       (0.06)       10.66    15.76    11    0.66    9.40    0.90(d)   63 
2019    8.62    0.04    0.95    0.99    (0.04)   (0.31)   (0.35)       9.26    11.47    10    0.43    10.81    1.23(f)   131 
2018(g)   10.00    0.01    (1.38)   (1.37)   (0.01)   (0.00)(b)   (0.01)       8.62    (13.72)   9    0.41(h)   44.14(h)   1.25(h)   6 
Class C                                                                          
2021   $10.63   $(0.02)  $2.04   $2.02   $(0.07)  $(1.58)  $(1.65)  $0.00   $11.00    19.34%  $13    (0.18)%   4.24%   0.90%(d)(e)   79%
2020    9.23    0.05    1.41    1.46    (0.06)       (0.06)       10.63    15.81    11    0.66    10.15    0.90(d)   63 
2019    8.61    (0.02)   0.95    0.93    (0.00)(b)   (0.31)   (0.31)       9.23    10.83    9    (0.25)   11.56    1.92(f)   131 
2018(g)   10.00    (0.01)   (1.38)   (1.39)       (0.00)(b)   (0.00)(b)       8.61    (13.88)   8    (0.34)(h)   44.89(h)   2.00(h)   6 
Class I                                                                          
2021   $10.67   $(0.02)  $2.04   $2.02   $(0.07)  $(1.58)  $(1.65)  $0.00   $11.04    19.25%  $6,801    (0.18)%   3.24%   0.90%(d)(e)   79%
2020    9.26    0.09    1.38    1.47    (0.06)       (0.06)       10.67    15.87    3,922    1.11    9.15    0.90(d)   63 
2019    8.61    0.08    0.94    1.02    (0.06)   (0.31)   (0.37)       9.26    11.84    1,605    0.84    10.56    1.00(f)   131 
2018(g)   10.00    0.02    (1.40)   (1.38)   (0.01)   (0.00)(b)   (0.01)       8.61    (13.76)   494    0.79(h)   43.89(h)   1.00(h)   6 
                                                                             

 

Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical investment at the beginning of the period and sold at the end of the period. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

(a)Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

(b)Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser reimbursed expenses of $147,312, $163,109, $126,588, and $43,899 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 and the period ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

(d)The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. If credits had not been received, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.92% and 0.96% for each Class, respectively.

(e)The Fund incurred tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 and there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(f)The Fund incurred interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 1.22% (Class AAA and Class A),1.90% (Class C), and 0.99% (Class I), respectively.

(g)The Fund commenced investment operations on October 1, 2018.

(h)Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.  Organization. The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund, a series of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the Corporation), was incorporated on July 16, 1993 in Maryland. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is one of five separately managed portfolios (collectively, the Portfolios) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is long term capital appreciation by investing primarily in micro-capitalization equity securities. The Fund commenced investment operations on October 1, 2018.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions, and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

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 Directors (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 security is valued using the closing bid price. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

 

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 Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges

  

13 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered. Such securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy presented below.

 

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).

 

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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Valuation Inputs      
  

Level 1 

Quoted Prices 

  

Level 2 Other 

Significant 

Observable Inputs 

  

Level 3 Significant 

Unobservable 

Inputs (a) 

  

Total Market Value 

at 12/31/21 

 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:                
ASSETS (Market Value):                
Common Stocks:                    
Business Services  $271,793   $443       $272,236 
Computer Software and Services   138,525       $59,759    198,284 
Consumer Products   405,253    105,000        510,253 
Health Care   427,109        0    427,109 
Machinery   507,570        31,423    538,993 
Wireless Telecommunications Services       6,863        6,863 
Other Industries (b)   4,661,565            4,661,565 
Total Common Stocks   6,411,815    112,306    91,182    6,615,303 
Convertible Preferred Stocks (b)   43,576            43,576 
Warrants (b)   26,298        2,608    28,906 
U.S. Government Obligations       239,983        239,983 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $6,481,689   $352,289   $93,790   $6,927,768 

 

 

 

(a)The inputs for these securities are not readily available and are derived based on the judgment of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board of Directors.

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

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund did not have material transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

14 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) 

 

The following table reconciles Level 3 investments:

 

   Balance
as of
12/31/20
   Accrued
discounts/
(premiums)
   Realized
gain/
(loss)
   Net Change
in unrealized
appreciation/
depreciation†
   Purchases   Sales   Transfers
Into
Level 3
   Transfers
Out of
Level 3
   Balance
as of
12/31/21
   Net change
in unrealized
appreciation/
depreciation
during the
period on
Level 3
investments
still held at
12/31/21†
 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
ASSETS (Market Value):
Common Stocks (a)  $42,783       $3,563   $(8,759)  $62,960   $(42,421)  $33,542   $(486)  $91,182   $(5,320)
Warrants (a)                           2,608        2,608     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES  $42,783       $3,563   $(8,759)  $62,960   $(42,421)  $36,150   $(486)  $93,790(b)  $(5,320)
 
(a)Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments is included in the related amounts in the Statement of Operations.
(b)The Level 3 common stocks were valued at the prices of the proposed merger transactions and net realizable values of corporate actions. The Level 3 warrants were valued at the estimated net realizable value. The total value of these securities at December 31, 2021 was $93,790. The inputs for the valuations of these securities were based on the judgement of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board.

 

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.

 

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. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include 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.

 

15 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 may invest up to 15% of its net assets 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, 2021, the Fund did not hold any 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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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.

 

16 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

 

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

 

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to 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 disallowed losses and distributions in excess of income. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2021, reclassifications were made to decrease paid-in capital by $2,941, with an offsetting adjustment to total distributable earnings.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
Distributions paid from:          
Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)  $564,618   $22,012 
Net long term capital gains   333,838     
Total distributions paid  $898,456   $22,012 
           

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, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations  $516,534 

 

The Fund utilized $143,801 of the capital loss carryforward for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

At December 31, 2021, the temporary difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation was primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes and mark-to-market adjustments on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

17 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2021:

 

   Cost 

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

 

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

 

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

Investments  $6,411,239  $1,198,051  $(681,522)  $516,529

 

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 threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund incurred an excise tax expense of $288. As of December 31, 2021, 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 fiscal 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 daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

 

Effective December 1, 2019, the Adviser amended its contractual agreement with respect to each share class of the Fund to waive its investment advisory fees and/or to reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022, at no more than 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund in the amount of $147,312. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, that after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses (continuing the same foregoing exclusions as above) of the Fund would not exceed 0.90% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for each share class of the Fund. The agreement is renewable annually. At December 31, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $310,421:

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022   $163,109 
For the year ended December 31, 2021, expiring December 31, 2023    147,312 
    $310,421 

 

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

18 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $6,693,420 and $4,687,972, respectively.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid $12,031 in brokerage commissions on security trades to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, 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 $989.

 

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. The Adviser did not seek a reimbursement during the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

The Corporation pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Corporation.

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the Overnight Federal Funds Rate plus 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2021, there were no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

8. Capital Stock. The Fund currently offers three classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, and Class I Shares. Effective January 27, 2020 (the Effective Date), the Fund’s Class AAA, Class A and Class C Shares “closed to purchases from new investors”. “Closed to purchases from new investors” means (i) with respect to the Class AAA and Class A shares, no new investors may purchase shares of such classes, but existing shareholders may continue to purchase additional shares of such classes after the Effective Date, and (ii) with respect to Class C Shares, neither new investors nor existing shareholders may purchase any additional shares of such class after the Effective Date. These changes had no effect on existing shareholders’ ability to redeem shares of the Fund as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Additionally, on the Effective Date Class I shares of the Fund became available to investors with a minimum initial investment amount of $1,000 when purchasing shares directly through the Distributor, or investors purchasing Class I shares through brokers or financial intermediaries that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor specifically with respect to Class I shares.

 

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the years ended December 31, 2021 and, 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

19 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Year Ended
December 31, 2021
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                  
Shares sold  167   $2,000   424   $3,649 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  998    10,819   62    643 
Shares redeemed  (4,919)   (62,938)  (1,553)   (11,847)
Net decrease  (3,754)  $(50,119)  (1,067)  $(7,555)
Class A                  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  159   $1,727   6   $60 
Net increase  159   $1,727   6   $60 
Class C                  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  159   $1,720   6   $60 
Net increase  159   $1,720   6   $60 
Class I                  
Shares sold  179,732   $2,250,080   208,543   $1,788,894 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions  81,567    884,189   2,037    21,243 
Shares redeemed  (13,038)   (168,906)  (16,159)   (106,652)
Net increase  248,261   $2,965,363   194,421   $1,703,485 

 

9. Significant Shareholder. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 64.3% of the Fund was beneficially owned by the Adviser and its affiliates, including managed accounts for which the affiliates of the Adviser have voting control but disclaim pecuniary interest.

 

10. 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.

 

11. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

20 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”)), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period from October 1, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018 and the related notes (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 (one of the funds constituting GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.) at December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the period from October 1, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’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 Corporation 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 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. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

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 procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodians and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Gabelli/GAMCO Funds investment companies since 1992.

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

February 28, 2022

 

21 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee (the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has designated the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 12, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

22 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

 

At its meeting on November 11, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the Independent Board Members) who are not interested persons of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the Fund’s portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the Fund’s portfolio managers.

 

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short term performance of the Fund (as of September 30, 2021) against a peer group of seven other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”), and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all retail and institutional global small/mid cap funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper Global Small/Mid Cap Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the first (highest) quartile for the one year period and the third quartile for the three year period, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the first quintile for the one year period and the fourth quintile for the three year period. The Independent Board Members noted that at its current size, the Fund was not competitive among its peer groups and encouraged the Adviser to continue to explore ways to increase the size of the Fund. The Independent Board Members also noted that it was important to provide the portfolio management team sufficient time to continue to establish a performance history.

 

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with a pro rata administrative overhead charge and with a standalone administrative charge and noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement. The Independent Board Members also noted that a portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker of the Adviser and that another affiliated broker of the Adviser received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.

 

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale and reviewed data provided by the Adviser.

 

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.

 

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of eleven other global small/mid cap funds selected by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Peer Group”) and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted the effect of the expense limitation agreement in place for the Fund. The Independent Board Members

 

23 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

noted that the Fund’s total expense ratio was the lowest for the Adviser Peer Group and the Broadridge Expense Peer Group. The Independent Board Members also noted that the advisory fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members were presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee to the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services. The Independent Board Members noted the reasons for the Fund’s historical underperformance and the recent improvement in performance. The Independent Board Members noted that they would need to continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance as the Fund establishes a longer performance history. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and profitability to the Adviser were acceptable, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. In this regard, the Independent Board Members noted the contractual Expense Deferral Agreement between the Adviser and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which the net expense ratio for each share class of each Fund was reduced to 0.90% and, following further discussion, determined to recommend that the Adviser consider reducing the Fund’s expense cap to 0% in light of the Fund’s small size. The Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

 

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light of the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

24 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
INTERESTED DIRECTORS4:            
                 
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
Director and Chief
Investment Officer
Age: 79
  Since 1993   31   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 Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.   Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); 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
Director
Age: 77
  Since 1993   12   Former Senior Vice President of G.research, LLC  
             
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS5:            
E. Val Cerutti
Director
Age: 82
  Since 2001   7   Chief Executive Officer of Cerutti Consultants, Inc.   Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (1990-2009)
                 
Anthony J. Colavita6
Director
Age: 86
  Since 1993   18   President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.  
                 
Werner J. Roeder
Director
Age: 81
  Since 1993   20   Retired physician; Former Vice President of Medical Affairs (Medical Director) of New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital (1999-2014)  
                 
Anthonie C. van Ekris6
Director
Age: 87
  Since 1993   23   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company)  

 

25 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

Name, Position(s)
Address1
and Age
  Term of Office
and
Length of
Time Served2
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Other Directorships
Held by Director3
Salvatore J. Zizza7
Director
Age: 76
  Since 2004   32   President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (residential real estate)   Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Retired Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)

 

26 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

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: 70
  Since 1993   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Vice President – Mutual Funds, G.research, LLC
         
John C. Ball
Treasurer
Age: 45
  Since 2017   Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, G.distributors, LLC since December 2020
         
Peter Goldstein
Secretary and Vice
President
Age: 68
  Since 2020   General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020)
         
Richard J. Walz
Chief Compliance
Officer
Age: 62
  Since 2013   Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Officer for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015
         
Daniel Plourde
Vice President
Age: 41
  Since 2021   Vice President of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2021; Assistant Treasurer of the North American SPDR ETFs and State Street Global Advisors Mutual Funds (2017-2021); Fund Administration at State Street Bank (2009-2017)

 

 
1Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.
2Each Director will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Director and until the election and qualification of his or her successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or (ii) the date a Director resigns or retires, or a Director is removed by the Board of Directors or shareholders, in accordance with the Corporation’s By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation. For Officers, includes time served in other officer positions with the corporation. 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.
3This 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 Corporation 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 Corporation’s investment adviser.
5Directors who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Directors.
6Mr. Colavita’s son, Anthony S. Colavita, serves as a director of other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, GAMA Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, all of 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.
7Mr. 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.

 

27 

 

 

 

Gabelli Funds and Your Personal Privacy

 

Who are we?

 

The Gabelli Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc., a publicly held company with subsidiaries and affiliates that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

 

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a fund shareholder?

 

If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

 

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www. sec.gov.

 

What do we do to protect your personal information?

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information.

 

 

 

 

 

The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund 

2021 TAX NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS (Unaudited)

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid each share class $1.0393 per share of ordinary income (comprised of net investment income and short term capital gains), and long term capital gains totaling $333,838, or the maximum allowable. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 4.79% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 7.87% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified short term gain pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The Fund designates 0.26% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

 

U.S. Government Income:

 

The percentage of the ordinary income distribution paid by the Fund during 2021 which was derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.00%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax 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 the Fund’s fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2021. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2021 was 3.47%. Due to the diversity in state and local tax law, it is recommended that you consult your personal tax adviser as to the applicability of the information provided to your specific situation.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

This page was intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL MINI MITES FUND 

One Corporate Center 

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

 

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.

 

Sarah Donnelly joined Gabelli in 1999 as a junior research analyst working with the consumer staples and media analysts. Currently she is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC, a Senior Vice President, and the Food, Household, and Personal Care products research analyst for Gabelli & Company. In 2013, she was named the Health & Wellness research platform leader. Ms. Donnelly received a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and minor in History from Fordham University.

 

Ashish Sinha joined GAMCO UK in 2012 as a research analyst. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Sinha was a research analyst at Morgan Stanley in London for seven years and has covered European Technology, Mid-Caps and Business Services. He also worked in planning and strategy at Birla Sun Life Insurance in India. Currently Mr. Sinha is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and an Assistant Vice President of GAMCO Asset Management UK. Mr. Sinha has a BSBA degree from the Institute of Management Studies and an MB from IIFT.

 

Hendi Susanto joined Gabelli in 2007 as the lead technology research analyst. He spent his early career in supply chain management consulting and operations in the technology industry. He currently is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and a Vice President of Associated Capital Group Inc. Mr. Susanto received a BS degree summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota, an MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

 

Chong-Min Kang joined the Gabelli in 2007 as a research analyst. He currently is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and a Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors Inc. Mr. Kang received a BA degree from Boston College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ 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 contents of the portfolio managers’ commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 


 

GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc. 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL MINI MITES FUND 

One Corporate Center 

Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

t800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)
f914-921-5118
einfo@gabelli.com

GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Values per share available daily by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M. 

DIRECTORS

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA 

Chairman and 

Chief Executive Officer, 

GAMCO Investors, Inc. 

Executive Chairman, 

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

E. Val Cerutti 

Chief Executive Officer, 

Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita 

President, 

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

John D. Gabelli 

Former Senior Vice President, 

G.research, LLC

 

Werner J. Roeder 

Former Medical Director, 

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris 

Chairman, 

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza 

Chairman, 

Zizza & Associates Corp.

 

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert 

President

 

John C. Ball 

Treasurer

 

Peter Goldstein 

Secretary and Vice President

 

Richard J. Walz 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Daniel Plourde 

Vice President

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN

 

State Street Bank and Trust 

Company

 

TRANSFER AGENT AND 

DIVIDEND DISBURSING 

AGENT

 

DST Asset Manager 

Solutions, Inc.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & 

Flom LLP

  

 

 

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB3634Q421AR


   
 

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

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 Directors has determined that Salvatore J. Zizza 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 $130,900 for 2020 and $130,900 for 2021.

 

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 2020 and $0 for 2021.

 

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 $19,000 for 2020 and $19,000 for 2021. 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 $5,404 for 2020 and $6,816 for 2021. The fees relate to Passive Foreign Investment Company identification database subscription fees billed on an annual basis.

 

(e)(1)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 $59,750 for 2020 and $60,150 for 2021.

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

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(a) 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.

 

Not applicable.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

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 Directors, 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.

 

Not applicable.

 

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)(2)(1)Not applicable.

 

(a)(2)(2)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)  GAMCO Global Series Funds, Inc.

 

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
  Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date  March 9, 2022

 

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 9, 2022

  

By (Signature and Title)* /s/ John C. Ball
  John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date  March 9, 2022

 

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