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.
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.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Schedule
of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
| | |
| |
| | |
Market | |
Shares | | |
| |
Cost | | |
Value | |
| | |
COMMON
STOCKS (Continued) |
| | |
OTHER
(Continued) |
| | | |
Equipment
and Supplies — 0.0% | |
| 3,000 | | |
CIRCOR
International Inc.† $ | |
| 80,352 | | |
$ | 49,170 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
Financial
Services — 0.2% | |
| 50,000 | | |
GAM
Holding AG† | |
| 150,221 | | |
| 41,376 | |
| 19,000 | | |
Kinnevik
AB, Cl. A† | |
| 441,571 | | |
| 313,888 | |
| 16,000 | | |
Kinnevik
AB, Cl. B† | |
| 379,859 | | |
| 257,758 | |
| 15,000 | | |
SDCL
EDGE Acquisition Corp.† | |
| 150,000 | | |
| 146,402 | |
| | | |
| |
| 1,121,651 | | |
| 759,424 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
Machinery
— 1.0% | |
| 200,000 | | |
CNH
Industrial NV | |
| 2,185,038 | | |
| 2,318,000 | |
| 1,975 | | |
Flowserve
Corp. | |
| 74,326 | | |
| 56,544 | |
| 300 | | |
Medmix
AG(a) | |
| 8,680 | | |
| 6,643 | |
| 5,860 | | |
Mueller
Water Products Inc., Cl. A | |
| 66,637 | | |
| 68,738 | |
| 50,000 | | |
Welbilt
Inc.† | |
| 1,187,069 | | |
| 1,190,500 | |
| 1,300 | | |
Xylem
Inc. | |
| 119,131 | | |
| 101,634 | |
| | | |
| |
| 3,640,881 | | |
| 3,742,059 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
Specialty
Chemicals — 0.0% | |
| 200 | | |
Air
Products and Chemicals Inc. | |
| 50,793 | | |
| 48,096 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
Transportation
— 0.6% | |
| 21,500 | | |
GATX
Corp. | |
| 984,104 | | |
| 2,024,440 | |
| | | |
TOTAL
OTHER | |
| 8,844,258 | | |
| 8,708,253 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
INDEPENDENT
POWER PRODUCERS AND ENERGY TRADERS — 0.2% | |
| | | |
Electric
Integrated — 0.2% | |
| 20,000 | | |
NRG
Energy Inc. | |
| 480,910 | | |
| 763,400 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
TOTAL
COMMON STOCKS | |
| 242,397,946 | | |
| 290,559,511 | |
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| | | |
MANDATORY
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (d) — 0.5% | |
| | | |
ENERGY
AND UTILITIES — 0.5% | |
| | | |
Natural
Gas Utilities — 0.5% | |
| 4,203 | | |
Corning
Natural Gas Holding Corp., Ser. B, 4.800%, 09/30/26 | |
| 87,212 | | |
| 123,988 | |
| 34,500 | | |
Spire
Inc., Ser. A, 7.500%, 03/01/24 | |
| 1,725,000 | | |
| 1,825,395 | |
| | | |
TOTAL
MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES | |
| 1,812,212 | | |
| 1,949,383 | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Market | |
Shares | | |
| |
Cost | | |
Value | |
| | |
WARRANTS — 0.0% | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
ENERGY
AND UTILITIES — 0.0% | |
| | | |
Services
— 0.0% | |
| 1,425 | | |
Weatherford
International plc, expire 12/13/23† | |
$ | 0 | | |
$ | 513 | |
| Principal | | |
| |
| | | |
|
|
|
| Amount | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
| | | |
U.S.
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 19.3% |
|
$ | 70,017,000 | | |
U.S. Treasury Bills, | |
| | | |
| |
|
| | | |
0.730% to 1.725%††, | |
| | | |
| |
|
| | | |
07/14/22 to 12/08/22(e) | |
| 69,896,722 | | |
|
69,861,127 |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS BEFORE SECURITIES SOLD SHORT — 100.0% | |
$ | 314,106,880 | | |
|
362,370,534 |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
SECURITIES
SOLD SHORT — (0.2)%
(Proceeds received $554,610) | |
| | | |
|
(572,649) |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
Other
Assets and Liabilities (Net) | |
| | | |
|
902,150 |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
PREFERRED
SHARES | |
| | | |
| |
|
(1,997,400
preferred shares outstanding) | |
| | | |
|
(72,412,500) |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
NET ASSETS
— COMMON SHARES | |
| | | |
| |
|
(73,399,029
common shares outstanding) | |
| | | |
$ |
290,287,535 |
|
| | | |
| |
| | | |
| |
|
NET ASSET
VALUE PER COMMON SHARE | |
| | | |
| |
|
($290,287,535
÷ 73,399,029 shares outstanding) | |
| | | |
$ |
3.95 |
|
| | |
| |
| | |
Market | |
Shares | | |
| |
Proceeds | | |
Value | |
| | | |
SECURITIES
SOLD SHORT — (0.2)% | |
| | | |
Energy
and Utilities — (0.2)% | |
| | | |
Natural
Gas Utilities — (0.2)% | |
| 7,700 | | |
Spire
Inc. | |
$ | 554,610 | | |
$ | 572,649 | |
| | | |
TOTAL
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT(f) | |
$ | 554,610 | | |
$ | 572,649 | |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Schedule
of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
(a) | Securities
exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These
securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified
institutional buyers. |
(b) | At
June 30, 2022, $2,625,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for current
or potential holdings. |
(c) | Security
is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair
value hierarchy. |
(d) | Mandatory
convertible securities are required to be converted on the dates listed; they generally
may be converted prior to these dates at the option of the holder. |
(e) | At
June 30, 2022, $1,000,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for securities
sold short. |
(f) | At
June 30, 2022, these proceeds are being held at Pershing LLC. |
| † | Non-income
producing security. |
| †† | Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase. |
| ADR | American
Depositary Receipt |
| GDR | Global
Depositary Receipt |
| SDR | Swedish
Depositary Receipt |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Assets: | |
| |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $314,106,880) | |
$ | 362,370,534 | |
Cash | |
| 1,669 | |
Foreign currency, at value (cost $546,639) | |
| 537,798 | |
Deposit at brokers for securities sold short | |
| 551,976 | |
Dividends receivable | |
| 871,446 | |
Deferred offering expense | |
| 180,266 | |
Prepaid expenses | |
| 3,520 | |
Total Assets | |
| 364,517,209 | |
Liabilities: | |
| | |
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $554,610) | |
| 572,649 | |
Distributions payable | |
| 599,427 | |
Payable for investment advisory fees | |
| 282,448 | |
Payable for offering costs | |
| 218,440 | |
Payable for payroll expenses | |
| 42,439 | |
Payable for accounting fees | |
| 7,500 | |
Dividends payable on securities sold short | |
| 5,274 | |
Other accrued expenses | |
| 88,997 | |
Total Liabilities | |
| 1,817,174 | |
Cumulative Preferred Shares $0.001 par value: | |
| | |
Series B Preferred Shares (Auction Market, $25,000 liquidation value,
1,000 shares authorized with 900 shares issued and outstanding) | |
| 22,500,000 | |
Series C Preferred Shares (5.375%, $25 liquidation value, 2,000,000
shares authorized with 1,996,500 shares issued and outstanding) | |
| 49,912,500 | |
Total Preferred Shares | |
| 72,412,500 | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders | |
$ | 290,287,535 | |
| |
| | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
Consist of: | |
| | |
Paid-in capital | |
$ | 243,650,105 | |
Total distributable earnings | |
| 46,637,430 | |
Net Assets | |
$ | 290,287,535 | |
| |
| | |
Net Asset Value per Common Share: | |
| | |
($290,287,535 ÷ 73,399,029 shares outstanding at $0.001 par value; unlimited number
of shares authorized) | |
$ | 3.95 | |
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 (Unaudited)
Investment Income: | |
| | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $121,334) | |
$ | 4,690,464 | |
Interest | |
| 113,533 | |
Total Investment Income | |
| 4,803,997 | |
Expenses: | |
| | |
Investment advisory fees | |
| 1,744,874 | |
Shareholder communications expenses | |
| 93,379 | |
Trustees’ fees | |
| 74,784 | |
Shareholder services fees | |
| 63,654 | |
Payroll expenses | |
| 50,079 | |
Legal and audit fees | |
| 49,553 | |
Custodian fees | |
| 28,487 | |
Accounting fees | |
| 22,500 | |
Dividend expense on securities sold short | |
| 5,274 | |
Service fees for securities sold short (See Note 2) | |
| 365 | |
Interest expense | |
| 16 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | |
| 89,698 | |
Total Expenses | |
| 2,222,663 | |
Less: | |
| | |
Advisory fee reduction (See Note 3) | |
| (111,576 | ) |
Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 5) | |
| (2,646 | ) |
Total Credits and Reductions | |
| (114,222 | ) |
Net Expenses | |
| 2,108,441 | |
Net Investment Income | |
| 2,695,556 | |
Net
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments in Securities, Securities Sold Short, and Foreign
Currency: | |
| | |
Net realized gain on investments in securities | |
| 826,795 | |
Net realized loss on securities sold short | |
| (2,291 | ) |
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions | |
| (4,416 | ) |
Net realized gain on investments in securities, securities sold
short, and foreign currency transactions | |
| 820,088 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation: | |
| | |
on investments in securities | |
| (21,782,506 | ) |
on securities sold short | |
| (18,039 | ) |
on foreign currency translations | |
| (36,419 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments
in securities, securities sold short, and foreign currency translations | |
| (21,836,964 | ) |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments
in Securities, Securities Sold Short, and Foreign Currency | |
| (21,016,876 | ) |
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | |
| (18,321,320 | ) |
Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders | |
| (1,712,537 | ) |
Net Decrease in Net Assets Attributable to Common
Shareholders Resulting from Operations | |
$ | (20,033,857 | ) |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Statement
of Changes in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
| |
Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2022
(Unaudited) | | |
Year
Ended
December 31, 2021 | |
Operations: | |
|
| | |
|
| |
Net investment income | |
$ |
2,695,556 | | |
$ |
4,221,130 | |
Net realized gain on investments in securities, securities
sold short and foreign currency transactions | |
|
820,088 | | |
|
7,677,155 | |
Net change
in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments in securities, securities sold short and foreign currency translations | |
| (21,836,964 | ) | |
| 31,264,327 | |
Net
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | |
| (18,321,320 | ) | |
| 43,162,612 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: | |
| | | |
| | |
Accumulated earnings | |
| (1,480,009 | )* | |
| (4,793,409 | ) |
Return of capital | |
| (232,528 | )* | |
| — | |
Total
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders | |
| (1,712,537 | ) | |
| (4,793,409 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations | |
| (20,033,857 | ) | |
| 38,369,203 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Distributions to Common Shareholders: | |
| | | |
| | |
Accumulated Earnings | |
| (1,608,498 | )* | |
| (5,741,013 | ) |
Return of capital | |
| (18,497,719 | )* | |
| (30,677,186 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Total Distributions
to Common Shareholders | |
| (20,106,217 | ) | |
| (36,418,199 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Fund Share Transactions: | |
| | | |
| | |
Increase in net assets from common shares
issued in offering | |
| 50,234,410 | | |
| 43,372,120 | |
Net increase in net assets from common shares
issued upon reinvestment of distributions | |
| 3,260,012 | | |
| 6,084,011 | |
Net increase in net assets from repurchase
of preferred shares | |
| 2,115 | | |
| — | |
Offering costs for common
shares charged to paid-in capital | |
| (366,258 | ) | |
| (370,377 | ) |
Net
Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions | |
| 53,130,279 | | |
| 49,085,754 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net Increase in Net Assets
Attributable to Common Shareholders | |
| 12,990,205 | | |
| 51,036,758 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders: | |
| | | |
| | |
Beginning of year | |
| 277,297,330 | | |
| 226,260,572 | |
End of period | |
$ | 290,287,535 | | |
$ | 277,297,330 | |
| * | Based
on year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at
year end. |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Financial
Highlights
Selected
data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:
| |
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
(Unaudited) | | |
2021 | | |
2020 | | |
2019 | | |
2018 | | |
2017 | |
Operating Performance: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Net
asset value, beginning of year | |
$ | 4.35 | | |
$ | 4.11 | | |
$ | 5.03 | | |
$ | 4.61 | | |
$ | 5.34 | | |
$ | 5.45 | |
Net investment income | |
| 0.04 | | |
| 0.07 | | |
| 0.09 | | |
| 0.11 | | |
| 0.12 | | |
| 0.11 | |
Net
realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions | |
| (0.31 | ) | |
| 0.69 | | |
| (0.35 | ) | |
| 0.99 | | |
| (0.27 | ) | |
| 0.48 | |
Total
from investment operations | |
| (0.27 | ) | |
| 0.76 | | |
| (0.26 | ) | |
| 1.10 | | |
| (0.15 | ) | |
| 0.59 | |
Distributions
to Preferred | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Shareholders:
(a) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net investment income | |
| (0.02 | )* | |
| (0.04 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) |
Net realized gain | |
| (0.01 | )* | |
| (0.04 | ) | |
| — | | |
| (0.08 | ) | |
| (0.08 | ) | |
| (0.09 | ) |
Return of capital | |
| (0.00 | )*(b) | |
| — | | |
| (0.00 | )(b) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total
distributions to preferred Shareholders | |
| (0.03 | ) | |
| (0.08 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| (0.11 | ) |
Net
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations | |
| (0.30 | ) | |
| 0.68 | | |
| (0.36 | ) | |
| 1.00 | | |
| (0.25 | ) | |
| 0.48 | |
Distributions
to Common Shareholders: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net investment income | |
| (0.02 | )* | |
| (0.04 | ) | |
| — | | |
| (0.09 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) |
Net realized gain | |
| (0.01 | )* | |
| (0.05 | ) | |
| — | | |
| (0.39 | ) | |
| (0.48 | ) | |
| (0.49 | ) |
Return of capital | |
| (0.27 | )* | |
| (0.51 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) | |
| (0.12 | ) | |
| (0.02 | ) | |
| (0.01 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total
distributions to common Shareholders | |
| (0.30 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) | |
| (0.60 | ) |
Fund Share Transactions: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Increase in net asset
value from common share transactions | |
| 0.19 | | |
| 0.13 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.12 | | |
| 0.01 | |
Increase in net asset
value from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions | |
| 0.02 | | |
| 0.04 | | |
| 0.04 | | |
| 0.02 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| — | |
Increase in net asset
value from repurchase of preferred shares | |
| 0.00 | (b) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Offering costs and
adjustments to offering costs for preferred shares charged or credited to paid-in capital | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 0.00 | (b) | |
| (0.01 | ) | |
| 0.00 | (b) |
Offering
costs and adjustment to offering costs for common shares charged to paid-in capital | |
| (0.01 | ) | |
| (0.01 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total Fund share
transactions | |
| 0.20 | | |
| 0.16 | | |
| 0.04 | | |
| 0.02 | | |
| 0.12 | | |
| 0.01 | |
Net
Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Period | |
$ | 3.95 | | |
$ | 4.35 | | |
$ | 4.11 | | |
$ | 5.03 | | |
$ | 4.61 | | |
$ | 5.34 | |
NAV
total return † | |
| (5.73 | )% | |
| 18.13 | % | |
| (5.37 | )% | |
| 23.21 | % | |
| (5.02 | )% | |
| 9.27 | % |
Market value,
end of period | |
$ | 6.80 | | |
$ | 8.24 | | |
$ | 8.12 | | |
$ | 7.77 | | |
$ | 5.94 | | |
$ | 7.10 | |
Investment
total return †† | |
| (10.45 | )% | |
| 13.91 | % | |
| 13.88 | % | |
| 42.99 | % | |
| (4.76 | )% | |
| 23.48 | % |
Ratios
to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Financial
Highlights (Continued)
Selected
data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:
| |
Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2022 | |
Year
Ended December 31, | |
| |
(Unaudited) | |
2021 | | |
2020 | |
2019 | |
2018 | |
2017 | |
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end
of period (in 000’s) | |
$ |
362,700 | |
$ |
378,630 | | |
$ |
327,593 | |
$ |
374,625 | |
$ |
348,449 | |
$ |
336,165 | |
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of period (in 000’s) | |
$ |
290,288 | |
$ |
277,297 | | |
$ |
226,261 | |
$ |
273,293 | |
$ |
247,117 | |
$ |
234,833 | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
attributable to common shares before preferred share distributions | |
| 1.93 | %(c) |
| 1.61 | % | |
| 2.16 | % |
| 2.30 | % |
| 2.51 | % |
| 2.04 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to
common shares before fee waived (d)(e) | |
| 1.59 | %(c) |
| 1.75 | % | |
| 1.84 | % |
| 1.64 | %(f) |
| 1.81 | % |
| 1.80 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to
common shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any (d) | |
| 1.51 | %(c)(g) |
| 1.75 | % | |
| 1.62 | %(g) |
| 1.64 | %(f)(g) |
| 1.60 | %(g) |
| 1.80 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | |
| 2 | % |
| 10 | % | |
| 19 | % |
| 23 | % |
| 26 | % |
| 18 | % |
Cumulative Preferred Shares: | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
5.625% Series A Preferred(h) | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s) | |
| — | |
$ | 28,832 | | |
$ | 28,832 | |
$ | 28,832 | |
$ | 28,832 | |
$ | 28,832 | |
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s) | |
| — | |
| 1,153 | | |
| 1,153 | |
| 1,153 | |
| 1,153 | |
| 1,153 | |
Liquidation preference per share | |
| — | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
Average market value (i) | |
| — | |
$ | 26.93 | | |
$ | 26.78 | |
$ | 26.19 | |
$ | 25.43 | |
$ | 25.68 | |
Asset coverage per share (j) | |
| — | |
$ | 93.41 | | |
$ | 80.82 | |
$ | 92.43 | |
$ | 85.97 | |
$ | 82.94 | |
Auction Market Series B Preferred | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s) | |
$ | 22,500 | |
$ | 22,500 | | |
$ | 22,500 | |
$ | 22,500 | |
$ | 22,500 | |
$ | 22,500 | |
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s) | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
Liquidation preference per share | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | |
Liquidation value (k) | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | 25,000 | |
$ | $25,000 | |
Asset coverage per share (j) | |
$ | 125,220 | |
$ | 93,413 | | |
$ | 80,821 | |
$ | 92,425 | |
$ | 85,967 | |
$ | 82,936 | |
5.375% Series C Preferred | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s) | |
$ | 49,913 | |
$ | 50,000 | | |
$ | 50,000 | |
$ | 50,000 | |
$ | 50,000 | |
$ | 50,000 | |
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s) | |
| 1,997 | |
| 2,000 | | |
| 2,000 | |
| 2,000 | |
| 2,000 | |
| 2,000 | |
Liquidation preference per share | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
$ | 25.00 | |
Average market value (i) | |
$ | 25.24 | |
$ | 26.02 | | |
$ | 25.96 | |
$ | 25.90 | |
$ | 25.01 | |
$ | 25.32 | |
Asset coverage per share (j) | |
$ | 125.22 | |
$ | 93.41 | | |
$ | 80.82 | |
$ | 92.43 | |
$ | 85.97 | |
$ | 82.94 | |
Asset Coverage (l) | |
| 501 | % |
| 374 | % | |
| 323 | % |
| 370 | % |
| 344 | % |
| 332 | % |
† | Based
on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at the net asset
value per share on the ex-dividend dates and adjustments for the rights offering. Total
return for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
†† | Based
on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and adjustments for the rights offering.
Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized. |
* | Based
on year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at
year end. |
(a) | Calculated
based on average common shares outstanding on the record dates throughout the periods.
|
(b) | Amount
represents less than $0.005 per share. |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Financial
Highlights (Continued)
(d) | The
Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating
expenses. For all periods presented, there was no impact on the expense ratios. |
(e) | Ratio
of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred
shares before fee waived for six months ended June 30, 2022 and the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 would have been 1.25%, 1.26%, 1.28%, 1.19%, 1.28%,
and 1.26%, respectively. |
(f) | In
2019, due to failed auctions relating to previous fiscal years, the Fund reversed accumulated
auction agent fees. The 2019 ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable
to common shares and the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including
the liquidation value of preferred shares, excluding the reversal of auction agent fees,
were 1.71% and 1.24%, respectively. |
(g) | Ratio
of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred
shares net of advisory fee reduction for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and years
ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 would have been 1.18%, 1.12%, 1.19%, 1.14%,
and 1.26%, respectively. |
(h) | The
Fund redeemed and retired all its outstanding Series A Preferred Shares on January 31,
2022. |
(i) | Based
on weekly prices. |
(j) | Asset
coverage per share is calculated by combining all series of preferred shares. |
(k) | Since
February 2008, the weekly auctions have failed. Holders that have submitted orders have
not been able to sell any or all of their shares in the auction. |
(l) | Asset
coverage is calculated by combining all series of preferred shares. |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.
Organization. The Gabelli Utility Trust (the Fund) was organized on February 25, 1999 as a Delaware statutory trust. The
Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act). The Fund commenced investment operations on July 9, 1999.
The
Fund’s primary objective is long term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest 80% of its assets, under normal
market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services,
or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure
operations (the 80% Policy). The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Fund has adopted a policy
to provide shareholders with notice at least sixty days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.
2.
Significant Accounting Policies. As an investment company, the Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting
guidance, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that may require the use of management estimates
and assumptions in the preparation of its financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following
is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
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 Trustees (the Board) so
determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio
securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most
representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC (the Adviser).
Portfolio
securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the
relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly
after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt obligations
for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were
no asked prices quoted on such day, the securities are valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount
does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board.
Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price
of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market
quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available
from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
Securities
and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies
and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about
the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign
securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value American Depositary Receipt securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and
evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.
The
inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as
described in the hierarchy below:
| ● | Level
1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities; |
| ● | Level
2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities,
interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and |
| ● | Level
3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Board’s determinations
as to the fair value of investments). |
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
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
The
summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2022
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 06/30/22 |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
ASSETS (Market Value): | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Common Stocks: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Communications | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Telecommunications | |
$ | 19,114,656 | | |
| — | | |
$ | 65,000 | | |
$ | 19,179,656 | |
Wireless Communications | |
| 6,250,159 | | |
| — | | |
| 4,936 | | |
| 6,255,095 | |
Other Industries (b) | |
| 12,581,457 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 12,581,457 | |
Energy and Utilities (b) | |
| 243,071,650 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 243,071,650 | |
Independent Power Producers and Energy | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Traders (b) | |
| 763,400 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 763,400 | |
Other (b) | |
| 8,708,253 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 8,708,253 | |
Total Common Stocks | |
| 290,489,575 | | |
| — | | |
| 69,936 | | |
| 290,559,511 | |
Mandatory Convertible Securities (b) | |
| 1,825,395 | | |
$ | 123,988 | | |
| — | | |
| 1,949,383 | |
Warrants (b) | |
| 513 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 513 | |
U.S. Government Obligations | |
| — | | |
| 69,861,127 | | |
| — | | |
| 69,861,127 | |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
IN SECURITIES – ASSETS | |
$ | 292,315,483 | | |
$ | 69,985,115 | | |
$ | 69,936 | | |
$ | 362,370,534 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES (Market Value): | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Common Stocks Sold Short | |
$ | (572,649 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | (572,649 | ) |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
– LIABILITIES | |
$ | (572,649 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
$ | (572,649 | ) |
(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 Trustees. |
(b) | Please
refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio
holdings. |
During
the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund did not have material transfers into or out of Level 3.
Additional
Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.
General.
The Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser –
to value most of its securities, and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other
recognized pricing sources. Several different pricing feeds are received to value domestic equity securities, international equity
securities, preferred equity securities, and fixed income securities. The data within these feeds are ultimately sourced from
major stock exchanges and trading systems where these securities trade. The prices supplied by external sources are checked by
obtaining quotations or actual transaction prices from market participants. If a price obtained from the pricing source is deemed
unreliable, prices will be sought from another pricing service or from a broker/dealer that trades that security or similar securities.
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
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
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 June 30, 2022, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are
disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.
Swap
Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions
for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an equity contract for
difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically
be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
of
a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending
on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time an
equity contract for difference swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will
not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the
expiring transaction.
Unrealized
gains related to swaps are reported as an asset and unrealized losses are reported as a liability in the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities. The change in the value of swaps, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest to be received or paid on
swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon receipt
or payment of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements. At June 30, 2022, the Fund held no investments in equity contract
for difference swap agreements.
Securities
Sold Short. The Fund entered 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. Securities
sold short and details of collateral at June 30, 2022 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments. For the six months ended
June 30, 2022, the Fund incurred $365 in service fees related to its investment positions sold short and held by the broker. These
amounts are included in the Statement of Operations under Expenses, Service fees for securities sold short.
Limitations
on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts, Certain Options, and Swaps. Subject to the guidelines of the Board,
the Fund may engage in “commodity interest” transactions (generally, transactions in futures, certain options,
certain currency transactions, and certain types of swaps) only for bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Pursuant to amendments by the
CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration
as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to
registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now
applicable to the Fund which permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide
hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the
percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions,
provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the
sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or
swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account
unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the
Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value,
after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the
Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
futures,
options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts).
As a result, in the future the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations
may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.
Foreign
Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments,
and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment
securities, income, and expenses are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
Unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign exchange rates and/or changes in market prices of securities have
been included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. Net realized foreign currency
gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement
date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest
and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses
related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in
realized gain/(loss) on investments.
Foreign
Securities. The Fund may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves
special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of
currencies, the inability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies, and possible future adverse
political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their
prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers.
Foreign
Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of
which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation
of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
Restricted
Securities. The Fund is not subject to an independent limitation on the amount it may invest in securities for which the
markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual
restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts
and other selling expenses than the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter
markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid
if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured
as that of publicly traded securities, and, accordingly, the Board will monitor their liquidity. At June 30, 2022, the Fund held
no restricted securities.
Securities
Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain/(loss)
on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion
of discount) is recorded on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield
to maturity method 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.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
Custodian
Fee Credits and Interest Expense. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits
which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees
in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.” When
cash balances are overdrawn, the Fund is charged an overdraft fee of 110% of the 90 day U.S. Treasury Bill rate on outstanding
balances. This amount, if any, would be included in the Statement of Operations.
Distributions
to Shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders
are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income
and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on
various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations
of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized
gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent
these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise.
These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.
The
Fund declares and pays monthly distributions from net investment income, capital gains, and paid-in capital. The
actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the year. Distributions during the year may be made in
excess of required distributions. To the extent such distributions are made from current earnings and profits, they are
considered ordinary income or long term capital gains. Distributions sourced from paid-in capital should not be considered as
dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund’s
distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s NAV and the financial market environment. The Fund’s
distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board at any time.
Distributions
to shareholders of the Fund’s the Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series B Preferred), and
the 5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series C Preferred) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as
described in Note 6.
The
tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2021 was as follows:
| |
Common | |
Preferred |
Distributions paid from: | |
| | | |
| | |
Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains) | |
$ | 3,029,766 | | |
$ | 2,529,676 | |
Net long term capital gains | |
| 2,711,247 | | |
| 2,263,733 | |
Return of capital | |
| 30,677,186 | | |
| — | |
Total distributions paid | |
$ | 36,418,199 | | |
$ | 4,793,409 | |
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.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
The
following summarizes the tax cost of investments and derivatives and the related net unrealized appreciation at June 30, 2022:
| | |
Cost | |
Gross
Unrealized Appreciation | |
Gross
Unrealized Depreciation | |
Net
Unrealized Appreciation |
Investments
| | |
| $314,427,368 | | |
| $65,458,181 | | |
| $(18,087,664) | | |
| $47,370,517 | |
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. For the six months ended June
30, 2022, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of June 30, 2022, 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 weekly and paid monthly, equal on
an annual basis to 1.00% of the value of its average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of the preferred shares.
In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio
and oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs.
The
Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the Series B Preferred if the total
return of the NAV of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fee subject to reduction, does not exceed
the stated dividend rates of the Series B Preferred for the year. The Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares
is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the NAV of the common shares exceeds the dividend rates
of the Series B Preferred for the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund’s total return on the NAV of
the common shares did not exceed the stated dividend rate of the Series B Preferred. Thus, advisory fees with respect to the liquidation
value of the Preferred Shares were reduced by $111,576. Advisory fees were not accrued on the Series B Preferred Shares.
4.
Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the six months ended June 30, 2022, other than short term securities
and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $7,340,060 and $5,907,069, respectively.
5. Transactions
with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund paid $908 in brokerage commissions
on security trades to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.
During the six months ended June 30, 2022, 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 $2,646.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
The
cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the
Adviser. 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 six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund
accrued $22,500 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.
As
per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by
the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser). During the
six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund accrued $50,079 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.
The
Fund pays retainer and per meeting fees to Trustees not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Trustee
and Audit Committee Chairman. Trustees are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Trustees
who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the
Fund.
6.
Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001). The Board
has authorized the repurchase of its common shares on the open market when the shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more
(or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the NAV of the shares. During the six months ended
June 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund did not repurchase any common shares of beneficial interest in the
open market.
Transactions
in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
| |
Six
Months Ended June 30, 2022 (Unaudited) | |
Year
Ended December 31, 2021 |
| |
Shares | |
Amount | |
Shares | |
Amount |
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued
in rights offering | |
| 9,133,529 | | |
$ | 50,234,410 | | |
| 7,885,840 | | |
$ | 43,372,120 | |
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions | |
| 467,446 | | |
| 3,260,012 | | |
| 820,290 | | |
| 6,084,011 | |
Net increase | |
| 9,600,975 | | |
$ | 53,494,422 | | |
| 8,706,130 | | |
$ | 49,456,131 | |
On
March 10, 2022, the Fund distributed one transferable right for each of the 63,934,698 common shares outstanding held on that
date. Seven rights were required to purchase one additional common share at the subscription price of $5.50 per share. On April
20, 2022, the Fund issued 9,133,529 common shares receiving net proceeds of $49,894,410, after the deduction of estimated offering
expenses of $340,000. The NAV of the Fund increased by $0.16 per share on the day the additional shares were issued due to the
additional shares being issued above NAV. The fund has an effective shelf registration authorizing an additional $141 million
of common or preferred shares.
The
Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of $0.001 par value Preferred
Shares. The Preferred Shares are senior to the common shares and result in the financial leveraging of the common shares. Such
leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to common shareholders. Dividends on the Preferred Shares are cumulative.
The Fund is required by the 1940
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
Act
and by the Statement of Additional Information to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Preferred Shares. If the
Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full,
Series B and Series C Preferred Shares at redemption prices of $25,000 and $25, respectively, per share plus an amount equal to
the accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not declared on such shares in order to meet these requirements. Additionally,
failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders
and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The income received on the Fund’s assets may vary
in a manner unrelated to the fixed and variable rates, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on investment
income and gains available to common shareholders.
The
Fund may redeem at any time, in whole or in part, the Series B Preferred at the redemption price. In addition, the Board has
authorized the repurchase of the Series C Preferred in the open market at prices less than the $25 liquidation value per
share. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Fund repurchased and retired 3,500 of the Series C Preferred Shares in
the open market at an investment of $85,385 and an average discount of approximately 2.46% from its liquidation preference;
during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund did not repurchase any shares of Series A Preferred, Series B
Preferred, or Series C Preferred.
On
January 31, 2022, the Fund redeemed all Series A Preferred at the Redemption Price of $25.13671875 per share, which consisted
of the liquidation preference of $25.00 plus $0.13671875 per share representing accumulated but unpaid dividends and distributions
to the redemption date of January 31, 2022.
For
Series B, Preferred Shares, the dividend rates are typically set by an auction process that is generally held every seven
days, and are typically expected to vary with short term interest rates. Since February 2008, the number of Series B
Preferred Shares subject to bid orders by potential holders has been less than the number of shares of Series B sell orders.
Holders that have submitted sell orders have not been able to sell any or all of the Series B Preferred Shares for which they
have submitted sell orders. Therefore the weekly auctions have failed, and the dividend rate has been the maximum rate. The
current maximum rate for Series B Preferred Shares is 200 basis points greater than the seven day ICE LIBOR rate on
the date of such auction.
In
July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by
the end of 2021. Since December 31, 2021, all sterling, euro, Swiss franc and Japanese yen LIBOR settings and the 1-week and
2-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings have ceased to be published or are no longer representative. As a result, since December
31, 2021, the seven day ICE LIBOR rate has ceased to be published and is no longer representative. Because the Series B
Preferred Shares have no other effective alternative rate setting provision, a last-resort fallback of fixing this
LIBOR-based reference rate at its last published rate applies. The last published seven day ICE LIBOR rate was 0.076%, which
results in a fixed maximum rate for Series B Preferred Shares of 2.076% for all failed auctions after December 31, 2021. In
the absence of successful future auctions that establish dividend rates based on prevailing short term interest rates, this
result could lead to divergent and unexpected economic results for the Fund and holders of the Series B Preferred Shares
since the rates payable on the Series B Preferred Shares are no longer likely to be representative of prevailing market
rates.
Existing Series B Preferred shareholders may submit an order to hold, bid, or sell such shares on each auction
date, or trade their shares in the secondary market.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
The
Fund has the authority to purchase its Series B auction market preferred shares through negotiated private transactions. The Fund
is not obligated to purchase any dollar amount or number of auction market preferred shares, and the timing and amount of any
auction market preferred shares purchased will depend on market conditions, share price, capital availability, and other factors.
The Fund is not soliciting holders to sell these shares nor recommending that holders offer them to the Fund. Any offers can be
accepted or rejected in the Fund’s discretion.
The
following table summarizes Cumulative Preferred Shares information:
Series | |
Issue
Date |
Authorized | |
Number
of Shares Outstanding at 6/30/2022 | |
Net
Proceeds | |
2022
Dividend Rate Range |
Dividend
Rate at 6/30/2022 | |
Accrued
Dividends at 6/30/2022 |
|
B Auction Market | |
July 31, 2003 | |
| 1,000 | | |
| 900 | | |
| $24,590,026 | | |
2.076% | |
| 2.076% | | |
| $2,560 |
|
C 5.375% | |
May 31, 2016 | |
| 2,000,000 | | |
| 1,996,500 | | |
| $48,142,029 | | |
Fixed Rate | |
| 5.375% | | |
| $37,261 | |
The
holders of Preferred Shares generally are entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders
of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common stock as a single class. The holders of Preferred Shares voting together
as a single class also have the right currently to elect two Trustees and under certain circumstances are entitled to elect a
majority of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders
of all outstanding shares of the preferred shares, voting as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization
adversely affecting the preferred shares, and the approval of two-thirds of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s
outstanding voting stock must approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval
of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding preferred shares and a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve certain other actions, including changes in the Fund’s
investment objectives or fundamental investment policies.
On
March 11, 2021, the Fund distributed one transferable right for each of the 55,200,877 common shares outstanding held on that
date. Seven rights were required to purchase one additional common share at the subscription price of $5.50 per share. On May
21, 2021, the Fund issued 7,885,840 common shares receiving net proceeds of $43,001,743, after the deduction of offering expenses
of $370,377. The NAV of the Fund increased by $0.13 per share on the day the additional shares were issued due to the additional
shares being issued above NAV.
7.
Industry Concentration. Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies
in the utility industry, its portfolio may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a portfolio of securities representing
a broad range of investments.
8.
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.
9.
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 other subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure
in the financial statements.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
Notes
to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)