Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number            811-21423                   

                           The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust                              

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York  10580-1422                         

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York  10580-1422                         

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  December 31, 2014

 

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, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Annual Report — December 31, 2014

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

LOGO

 

To Our Shareholders,

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (the “Fund”) was 7.5%, compared with a total return of 13.7% for the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 8.8%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $23.57, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $21.66 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2014.

 

Sincerely yours,

LOGO

Bruce N. Alpert

President

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2014 (a) (Unaudited)

   

Since

Inception

 
        1 Year     5 Year     10 Year     (11/28/03)  

  Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

       

      NAV Total Return (b)

    7.48     15.29     8.38     8.67

      Investment Total Return (c)

    8.82        18.20        9.75        8.32   

  S&P 500 Index

    13.69        15.45        7.67        8.39   

  Dow Jones Industrial Average

    9.97        14.15        7.89        8.26 (d) 

  Nasdaq Composite Index

    14.80        17.27        9.26        9.49   

  (a)

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index of 30 large capitalization stocks. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite Indices are unmanaged indicators of stock market performance. Dividends are considered reinvested except for the Nasdaq Composite Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

  (b)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date and spin-off and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $19.06.

 

  (c)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE, reinvestment of distributions and spin-off. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $20.00.

 

  (d)

 

From November 30, 2003, the date closest to the Fund’s inception for which data is available.

 


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of December 31, 2014:

The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

 

Financial Services

  17.3

Food and Beverage

  10.6

Health Care

  9.9

Energy and Utilities: Oil

  7.8

Retail

  5.7

Diversified Industrial

  4.5

Telecommunications

  4.1

Cable and Satellite

  2.9

Energy and Utilities: Services

  2.9

Consumer Products

  2.9

Energy and Utilities: Integrated

  2.5

Automotive: Parts and Accessories

  2.3

Entertainment

  2.1

Aerospace

  2.1

Specialty Chemicals

  1.9

Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas

  1.9

U.S. Government Obligations

  1.8

Computer Software and Services

  1.6

Equipment and Supplies

  1.5

Electronics

  1.4

Business Services

  1.4

Metals and Mining

  1.3

Environmental Services

  1.2

Automotive

  1.2

Machinery

  1.0

Computer Hardware

  0.9

Energy and Utilities: Electric

  0.7

Transportation

  0.7

Communications Equipment

  0.5

Wireless Communications

  0.5

Paper and Forest Products

  0.4

Consumer Services

  0.4

Energy and Utilities

  0.3

Hotels and Gaming

  0.3

Energy and Utilities: Water

  0.3

Real Estate

  0.3

Aviation: Parts and Services

  0.3

Building and Construction

  0.2

Agriculture

  0.2

Broadcasting

  0.1

Publishing

  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-Q. 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-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

Proxy Voting

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

 

2


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS — 97.0%   
  Aerospace — 1.9%   
  143,000     

Exelis Inc.

  $ 1,587,436      $ 2,506,790   
  34,000     

Kaman Corp.

    675,256        1,363,060   
  107,000     

Rockwell Automation Inc.

    4,661,464        11,898,400   
  1,325,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

    9,932,407        17,966,796   
  95,000     

The Boeing Co.

    7,408,510        12,348,100   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      24,265,073        46,083,146   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Agriculture — 0.2%   
  75,000     

Archer Daniels Midland Co.

    1,867,615        3,900,000   
  1,000     

Bunge Ltd.

    78,107        90,910   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      1,945,722        3,990,910   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Automotive — 1.2%   
  375,000     

Ford Motor Co.

    5,299,890        5,812,500   
  205,000     

General Motors Co.

    6,848,401        7,156,550   
  301,000     

Navistar International Corp.†

    7,769,645        10,077,480   
  83,000     

PACCAR Inc.

    3,661,107        5,644,830   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      23,579,043        28,691,360   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 2.3%   
  200,000     

Dana Holding Corp.

    3,951,628        4,348,000   
  40,000     

Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp.†

    672,780        643,600   
  340,000     

Genuine Parts Co.

    19,521,904        36,233,800   
  133,000     

Johnson Controls Inc.

    4,671,616        6,429,220   
  25,000     

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.†

    3,264,027        4,815,500   
  30,040     

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.†

    3,080,077        3,089,614   
  2,000     

Visteon Corp.†

    197,867        213,720   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      35,359,899        55,773,454   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Aviation: Parts and Services — 0.3%   
  84,000     

B/E Aerospace Inc.†

    5,056,839        4,873,680   
  40,000     

KLX Inc.†

    1,869,618        1,650,000   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      6,926,457        6,523,680   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Broadcasting — 0.1%   
  8,000     

Dolby Laboratories Inc., Cl. A

    328,916        344,960   
  9,000     

Liberty Broadband Corp., Cl. C†

    370,129        448,380   
  8,000     

Liberty Media Corp.,
Cl. A†

    210,856        282,160   
  16,000     

Liberty Media Corp.,
Cl. C†

    414,766        560,480   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      1,324,667        1,635,980   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Building and Construction — 0.2%   
  78,000     

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

    1,037,580        3,531,060   
  98,000     

Layne Christensen Co.†

    1,904,421        934,920   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      2,942,001        4,465,980   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Business Services — 1.4%   
  10,000     

ACCO Brands Corp.†

    64,640        90,100   
  37,800     

Aramark

    917,119        1,177,470   

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  85,000     

Diebold Inc.

  $ 2,639,755      $ 2,944,400   
  150,000     

Fly Leasing Ltd., ADR

    2,036,969        1,972,500   
  3,200     

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

    198,137        195,040   
  145,000     

Macquarie Infrastructure Co. LLC

    7,381,747        10,308,050   
  179,000     

MasterCard Inc., Cl. A

    2,762,467        15,422,640   
  31,000     

The Brink’s Co.

    794,559        756,710   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      16,795,393        32,866,910   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Cable and Satellite — 2.9%   
  69,000     

AMC Networks Inc., Cl. A†

    2,563,488        4,400,130   
  456,000     

Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A

    6,752,718        9,411,840   
  15,000     

Cogeco Inc.

    296,908        788,862   
  80,000     

Comcast Corp., Cl. A, Special

    3,126,848        4,605,200   
  88,000     

DIRECTV†

    5,924,871        7,629,600   
  181,000     

DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†

    5,328,220        13,193,090   
  49,000     

EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†

    1,258,577        2,572,500   
  34,000     

Intelsat SA†

    646,001        590,240   
  41,032     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†

    510,236        2,060,012   
  153,574     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†

    2,795,774        7,419,160   
  9,241     

Liberty Ventures, Cl. A†

    183,560        348,571   
  176,000     

Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B

    3,672,915        6,839,360   
  50,000     

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., Cl. A

    3,840,105        3,763,500   
  43,000     

Time Warner Cable Inc.

    5,266,916        6,538,580   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      42,167,137        70,160,645   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment — 0.5%   
  110,000     

Cisco Systems Inc.

    2,700,340        3,059,650   
  384,000     

Corning Inc.

    4,703,885        8,805,120   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      7,404,225        11,864,770   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Computer Hardware — 0.9%   
  178,500     

Apple Inc.

    11,978,134        19,702,830   
  10,000     

International Business Machines Corp.

    1,755,473        1,604,400   
  5,000     

SanDisk Corp.

    32,734        489,900   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      13,766,341        21,797,130   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Computer Software and Services — 1.6%   
  25,000     

Blucora Inc.†

    371,605        346,250   
  15,000     

CyrusOne Inc.

    312,567        413,250   
  90,000     

EarthLink Holdings Corp.

    522,465        395,100   
  150,000     

eBay Inc.†

    7,728,512        8,418,000   
  10,000     

Google Inc., Cl. A†

    2,656,297        5,306,600   
  10,000     

Google Inc., Cl. C†

    2,656,297        5,264,000   
  22,000     

Internap Corp.†

    167,016        175,120   
  70,000     

MedAssets Inc.†

    1,416,944        1,383,200   
  218,000     

Microsoft Corp.

    6,342,135        10,126,100   
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

3


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Computer Software and Services (Continued)   
  110,000     

Yahoo! Inc.†

  $ 2,142,524      $ 5,556,100   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      24,316,362        37,383,720   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Consumer Products — 2.9%   
  3,000     

Altria Group Inc.

    64,791        147,810   
  254,600     

Avon Products Inc.

    4,998,489        2,390,694   
  5,000     

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

    312,042        394,050   
  80,000     

Coty Inc., Cl. A

    1,334,310        1,652,800   
  57,000     

Energizer Holdings Inc.

    6,806,208        7,327,920   
  27,000     

Hanesbrands Inc.

    551,055        3,013,740   
  44,000     

Harman International Industries Inc.

    1,734,320        4,695,240   
  47,000     

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    2,721,267        5,430,380   
  29,000     

Philip Morris International Inc.

    1,503,629        2,362,050   
  7,000     

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

    544,312        672,560   
  875,000     

Swedish Match AB

    12,114,908        27,477,215   
  145,000     

The Procter & Gamble Co.

    8,103,680        13,208,050   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      40,789,011        68,772,509   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Consumer Services — 0.4%   
  65,000     

Liberty Interactive Corp.,
Cl. A†

    1,040,180        1,912,300   
  217,500     

The ADT Corp.

    6,928,797        7,880,025   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      7,968,977        9,792,325   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Diversified Industrial — 4.1%   
  92,000     

Bouygues SA

    3,213,947        3,337,520   
  63,000     

Eaton Corp. plc

    3,230,599        4,281,480   
  992,000     

General Electric Co.

    21,604,373        25,067,840   
  338,000     

Honeywell International Inc.

    16,786,059        33,772,960   
  56,000     

ITT Corp.

    1,056,566        2,265,760   
  5,600     

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

    199,457        191,520   
  20,000     

Pentair plc

    778,525        1,328,400   
  5,500     

Sulzer AG

    543,213        586,401   
  252,000     

Textron Inc.

    1,826,603        10,611,720   
  300,000     

Toray Industries Inc.

    2,239,436        2,424,946   
  310,000     

Tyco International plc

    6,845,118        13,596,600   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      58,323,896        97,465,147   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Electronics — 1.4%   
  384,900     

Intel Corp.

    7,798,457        13,968,021   
  425,000     

Sony Corp., ADR

    8,272,599        8,699,750   
  70,000     

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    2,377,312        4,427,500   
  100,000     

Texas Instruments Inc.

    2,905,588        5,346,500   
  20,000     

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    2,415,600        2,505,800   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      23,769,556        34,947,571   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Electric — 0.7%   
  15,000     

ALLETE Inc.

    491,053        827,100   
Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  14,000     

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

  $ 477,221      $ 850,080   
  5,000     

Cleco Corp.

    265,550        272,700   
  17,000     

Edison International

    610,846        1,113,160   
  14,000     

El Paso Electric Co.

    480,292        560,840   
  75,000     

Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.

    1,963,271        2,554,684   
  42,000     

Great Plains Energy Inc.

    816,220        1,193,220   
  22,000     

Integrys Energy Group Inc.

    1,047,928        1,712,700   
  98,208     

Northeast Utilities

    1,748,476        5,256,092   
  5,000     

Pepco Holdings Inc.

    99,045        134,650   
  16,000     

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    624,779        1,092,960   
  45,000     

The AES Corp.

    492,617        619,650   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      9,117,298        16,187,836   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Integrated — 2.5%   
  2,000     

Alliant Energy Corp.

    54,848        132,840   
  30,000     

Avista Corp.

    557,239        1,060,500   
  14,000     

Black Hills Corp.

    361,050        742,560   
  26,000     

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.†

    448,302        307,906   
  555,000     

CONSOL Energy Inc.

    20,884,936        18,764,550   
  10,000     

Duke Energy Corp.

    489,653        835,400   
  100,000     

Edison SpA†

    220,882        60,684   
  20,000     

Endesa SA

    506,664        400,528   
  230,000     

Enel SpA

    1,051,884        1,028,642   
  8,000     

FirstEnergy Corp.

    278,600        311,920   
  40,000     

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

    933,018        1,339,200   
  401,000     

Hera SpA

    792,954        943,775   
  10,000     

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.†

    107,280        80,397   
  24,000     

Hokuriku Electric Power Co.

    386,941        308,566   
  45,000     

Iberdrola SA, ADR

    952,490        1,210,725   
  127,000     

Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†

    1,758,452        2,458,720   
  40,000     

Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.†

    652,010        404,074   
  30,000     

MGE Energy Inc.

    642,742        1,368,300   
  27,000     

National Grid plc, ADR

    1,223,561        1,907,820   
  67,000     

NextEra Energy Inc.

    2,927,515        7,121,430   
  57,000     

NiSource Inc.

    1,186,121        2,417,940   
  57,000     

OGE Energy Corp.

    668,036        2,022,360   
  15,000     

Ormat Technologies Inc.

    225,000        407,700   
  34,000     

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    1,026,890        1,407,940   
  58,000     

Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.†

    1,066,813        709,384   
  50,000     

The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    877,797        659,542   
  33,000     

The Empire District Electric Co.

    699,310        981,420   
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Energy and Utilities: Integrated (Continued)   
  20,000     

The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.†

  $ 278,704      $ 191,685   
  45,000     

Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.

    663,612        528,218   
  28,000     

Vectren Corp.

    787,543        1,294,440   
  66,000     

Westar Energy Inc.

    1,358,991        2,721,840   
  26,000     

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

    426,301        1,371,240   
  140,000     

Xcel Energy Inc.

    2,316,806        5,028,800   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      46,812,945        60,531,046   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas — 1.8%   
  60,400     

California Resources Corp.†

    335,669        332,804   
  50,000     

Delta Natural Gas Co. Inc.

    667,803        1,062,500   
  109,187     

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    3,251,337        4,619,702   
  307,000     

National Fuel Gas Co.

    9,061,231        21,345,710   
  10,000     

ONE Gas Inc.

    148,203        412,200   
  14,000     

ONEOK Inc.

    688,047        697,060   
  97,000     

Sempra Energy

    2,957,651        10,801,920   
  13,500     

South Jersey Industries Inc.

    393,917        795,555   
  49,000     

Southwest Gas Corp.

    1,288,167        3,028,690   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      18,792,025        43,096,141   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Oil — 7.8%   
  87,000     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    5,670,605        7,177,500   
  53,000     

Apache Corp.

    3,161,869        3,321,510   
  215,000     

BG Group plc, ADR

    1,741,038        2,872,400   
  233,000     

BP plc, ADR

    10,380,744        8,881,960   
  65,000     

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    1,245,180        1,272,050   
  160,000     

Chevron Corp.

    12,144,923        17,948,800   
  286,700     

ConocoPhillips

    14,445,705        19,799,502   
  124,000     

Devon Energy Corp.

    6,533,900        7,590,040   
  130,000     

Eni SpA, ADR

    4,844,846        4,538,300   
  194,000     

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    12,743,974        17,935,300   
  47,000     

Hess Corp.

    2,031,593        3,469,540   
  331,000     

Marathon Oil Corp.

    7,392,995        9,363,990   
  138,000     

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    4,335,408        12,455,880   
  80,000     

Murphy Oil Corp.

    3,670,311        4,041,600   
  202,000     

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    10,083,599        16,283,220   
  200     

PetroChina Co. Ltd., ADR

    12,118        22,192   
  12,000     

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

    262,340        87,600   
  184,350     

Phillips 66

    9,506,850        13,217,895   
  220,000     

Repsol SA, ADR

    4,579,194        4,087,600   
  220,000     

Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR

    11,028,128        14,729,000   
  555,000     

Statoil ASA, ADR

    8,905,503        9,773,550   
  153,000     

Total SA, ADR

    6,870,844        7,833,600   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      141,591,667        186,703,029   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Services — 2.9%   
  94,000     

ABB Ltd., ADR

    1,023,613        1,988,100   
  77,000     

Cameron International Corp.†

    1,522,350        3,846,150   
Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  74,000     

Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc.

  $ 3,999,550      $ 2,716,540   
  130,000     

Dresser-Rand Group Inc.†

    10,634,871        10,634,000   
  538,600     

Halliburton Co.

    18,339,096        21,183,138   
  10,000     

Noble Corp. plc

    224,242        165,700   
  24,000     

Oceaneering International Inc.

    489,219        1,411,440   
  110,000     

Schlumberger Ltd.

    3,742,849        9,395,100   
  4,928     

Seventy Seven Energy Inc.†

    69,138        26,660   
  8,000     

Transocean Ltd.

    324,536        146,640   
  1,555,000     

Weatherford International plc†

    22,124,272        17,804,750   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      62,493,736        69,318,218   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities: Water — 0.3%   
  12,000     

American States Water Co.

    150,968        451,920   
  37,000     

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    865,399        1,972,100   
  74,000     

Aqua America Inc.

    998,965        1,975,800   
  30,000     

Severn Trent plc

    764,139        937,967   
  52,000     

SJW Corp.

    893,266        1,670,240   
  9,000     

The York Water Co.

    117,059        208,890   
  6,000     

United Utilities Group plc, ADR

    168,600        170,082   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      3,958,396        7,386,999   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Entertainment — 2.1%   
  40,000     

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.†

    371,803        1,121,200   
  93,000     

The Madison Square Garden Co., Cl. A†

    1,972,750        6,999,180   
  175,000     

Time Warner Inc.

    4,985,658        14,948,500   
  88,000     

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Cl. A

    2,952,294        3,379,640   
  150,000     

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Cl. B

    3,786,855        5,533,500   
  121,000     

Viacom Inc., Cl. B

    5,962,541        9,105,250   
  410,000     

Vivendi SA

    10,425,167        10,264,760   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      30,457,068        51,352,030   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Environmental Services — 1.2%   
  176,200     

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.

    3,717,442        5,300,096   
  250,000     

Republic Services Inc.

    7,625,344        10,062,500   
  23,000     

Veolia Environnement SA

    275,698        410,650   
  8,000     

Waste Connections Inc.

    285,494        351,920   
  260,000     

Waste Management Inc.

    10,116,612        13,343,200   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      22,020,590        29,468,366   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Equipment and Supplies — 1.5%   
  93,000     

CIRCOR International Inc.

    2,086,876        5,606,040   
  50,000     

Graco Inc.

    2,633,008        4,009,000   
  170,000     

Mueller Industries Inc.

    3,689,272        5,803,800   
  705,000     

RPC Inc.

    3,059,996        9,193,200   
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Equipment and Supplies (Continued)   
  124,000     

Sealed Air Corp.

  $ 2,852,936      $ 5,261,320   
  72,000     

Tenaris SA, ADR

    3,097,920        2,175,120   
  90,000     

The Timken Co.

    3,445,490        3,841,200   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      20,865,498        35,889,680   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Financial Services — 17.3%   
  8,000     

Alleghany Corp.†

    2,949,449        3,708,000   
  436,200     

American Express Co.

    22,188,017        40,584,048   
  675,000     

American International Group Inc.

    28,607,576        37,806,750   
  310,000     

Bank of America Corp.

    2,043,743        5,545,900   
  9,000     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.,
Cl. B†

    891,117        1,351,350   
  70,000     

Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Cl. B†

    1,633,326        2,638,300   
  20,000     

BlackRock Inc.

    3,031,089        7,151,200   
  140,000     

Citigroup Inc.

    5,246,149        7,575,400   
  110,000     

CME Group Inc.

    7,082,901        9,751,500   
  15,322     

Credit Acceptance Corp.†

    1,996,523        2,090,074   
  32,000     

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

    2,489,205        2,260,480   
  120,000     

Discover Financial Services

    1,813,182        7,858,800   
  210,000     

First Niagara Financial Group Inc.

    2,629,419        1,770,300   
  95,000     

FNF Group

    1,441,104        3,272,750   
  30,000     

FNFV Group†

    276,289        472,200   
  65,000     

H&R Block Inc.

    1,291,762        2,189,200   
  25,000     

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd.

    402,742        553,539   
  40,000     

HSBC Holdings plc, ADR

    2,294,683        1,889,200   
  200,000     

Invesco Ltd.

    4,757,439        7,904,000   
  580,700     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    22,390,810        36,340,206   
  40,000     

Kinnevik Investment AB,
Cl. B

    874,004        1,309,978   
  89,250     

KKR & Co. LP

    2,025,975        2,071,492   
  381,000     

Legg Mason Inc.

    9,821,180        20,333,970   
  43,000     

M&T Bank Corp.

    2,824,120        5,401,660   
  275,000     

Morgan Stanley

    5,578,087        10,670,000   
  72,000     

National Australia Bank Ltd., ADR

    854,233        982,080   
  190,000     

Navient Corp.

    1,534,624        4,105,900   
  170,000     

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

    2,844,696        2,720,000   
  114,000     

Northern Trust Corp.

    5,341,291        7,683,600   
  30,000     

Protective Life Corp.

    2,087,563        2,089,500   
  30,000     

Resona Holdings Inc.

    156,149        153,256   
  210,000     

SLM Corp.

    1,095,395        2,139,900   
  219,000     

State Street Corp.

    9,371,562        17,191,500   
  172,000     

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

    9,166,935        14,767,920   
  874,000     

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

    26,365,568        35,458,180   
  200,000     

The Blackstone Group LP

    6,617,050        6,766,000   
Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  200,000     

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

  $ 6,337,167      $ 8,338,000   
  287,000     

The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

    16,205,798        26,183,010   
  128,000     

The Travelers Companies Inc.

    7,673,307        13,548,800   
  130,000     

U.S. Bancorp

    3,910,683        5,843,500   
  53,000     

W. R. Berkley Corp.

    2,016,528        2,716,780   
  138,000     

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A

    2,932,522        6,875,160   
  653,500     

Wells Fargo & Co.

    20,148,768        35,824,870   
  20,000     

Willis Group Holdings plc

    616,950        896,200   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      261,856,680        416,784,453   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Food and Beverage — 10.6%   
  8,000     

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    137,110        149,808   
  86,168     

Boulder Brands Inc.†

    899,758        953,018   
  5,000     

Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B

    341,437        439,200   
  115,000     

Campbell Soup Co.

    3,812,255        5,060,000   
  500,000     

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    1,245,706        2,063,278   
  66,000     

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

    2,705,045        2,941,579   
  260,000     

ConAgra Foods Inc.

    7,019,545        9,432,800   
  36,000     

Constellation Brands Inc., Cl. A†

    705,011        3,534,120   
  237,222     

Danone SA

    11,894,472        15,629,939   
  2,000,000     

Davide Campari-Milano SpA

    11,447,762        12,487,748   
  21,141     

Diageo plc, ADR

    2,426,412        2,411,977   
  244,000     

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc.

    7,661,743        17,489,920   
  524,000     

General Mills Inc.

    16,224,536        27,944,920   
  18,000     

Heineken Holding NV

    747,987        1,131,085   
  279,000     

ITO EN Ltd.

    6,134,333        5,063,834   
  45,000     

Kellogg Co.

    2,317,412        2,944,800   
  375,000     

Kikkoman Corp.

    4,483,113        9,285,774   
  206,666     

Kraft Foods Group Inc.

    6,593,156        12,949,692   
  60,000     

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

    1,075,754        1,005,509   
  793,000     

Mondelēz International Inc., Cl. A

    16,671,005        28,805,725   
  150,000     

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

    588,860        520,955   
  32,000     

Nestlé SA.

    2,133,891        2,348,018   
  35,000     

Nestlé SA, ADR

    2,563,158        2,553,250   
  168,000     

NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO. LTD.

    5,735,429        8,092,837   
  1,600,000     

Parmalat SpA

    4,796,266        4,627,243   
  339,450     

Parmalat SpA, GDR(a)

    981,615        981,689   
  212,000     

PepsiCo Inc.

    13,997,720        20,046,720   
  62,000     

Pernod Ricard SA

    5,311,274        6,921,649   
  10,000     

Post Holdings Inc.†

    540,050        418,900   
  23,800     

Remy Cointreau SA

    1,300,263        1,594,327   
  18,000     

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    573,702        626,649   
  615,000     

The Coca-Cola Co.

    16,280,602        25,965,300   
  7,000     

The J.M. Smucker Co.

    690,177        706,860   
  30,000     

Unilever plc, ADR

    960,480        1,214,400   
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Food and Beverage (Continued)   
  324,000     

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

  $ 8,320,490      $ 17,257,639   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      169,317,529        255,601,162   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Health Care — 9.8%   
  134,000     

Abbott Laboratories

    3,939,023        6,032,680   
  50,000     

AbbVie Inc.

    1,467,786        3,272,000   
  57,000     

Actavis plc†

    9,082,886        14,672,370   
  46,655     

Aetna Inc.

    3,018,187        4,144,364   
  50,000     

Akorn Inc.†

    1,258,010        1,810,000   
  140,000     

Alere Inc.†

    4,961,225        5,320,000   
  22,500     

Allergan Inc.

    4,698,862        4,783,275   
  32,000     

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    1,510,306        2,885,120   
  25,000     

Amgen Inc.

    2,911,648        3,982,250   
  25,000     

Anthem Inc.

    2,241,180        3,141,750   
  40,000     

Baxter International Inc.

    2,752,545        2,931,600   
  450,000     

BioScrip Inc.†

    3,050,308        3,145,500   
  68,676     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    2,041,209        4,053,944   
  7,000     

Chemed Corp.

    453,403        739,690   
  35,000     

Cigna Corp.

    2,672,827        3,601,850   
  245,000     

Covidien plc

    19,589,362        25,058,600   
  45,000     

DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.†

    2,734,777        3,408,300   
  100,000     

Eli Lilly & Co.

    4,323,602        6,899,000   
  40,000     

Express Scripts Holding Co.†

    2,866,262        3,386,800   
  40,000     

Gerresheimer AG

    2,664,055        2,175,675   
  60,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.†

    4,346,331        5,655,600   
  5,000     

Halyard Health Inc.†

    98,435        227,350   
  45,000     

HCA Holdings Inc.†

    2,391,998        3,302,550   
  12,500     

Henry Schein Inc.†

    1,417,250        1,701,875   
  10,000     

Humana Inc.

    826,081        1,436,300   
  12,420     

ICU Medical Inc.†

    857,774        1,017,198   
  97,000     

Johnson & Johnson

    6,832,154        10,143,290   
  13,500     

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings†

    1,184,428        1,456,650   
  100,000     

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    214,261        90,990   
  475,000     

Liberator Medical Holdings Inc.

    1,421,390        1,377,500   
  25,000     

McKesson Corp.

    3,634,945        5,189,500   
  22,000     

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

    1,419,743        2,211,880   
  231,000     

Merck & Co. Inc.

    8,328,524        13,118,490   
  60,000     

Mylan Inc.†

    1,987,176        3,382,200   
  45,000     

Orthofix International NV†

    1,458,930        1,352,700   
  112,500     

Owens & Minor Inc.

    2,399,108        3,949,875   
  94,000     

Patterson Companies Inc.

    3,250,637        4,521,400   
  634,548     

Pfizer Inc.

    12,226,611        19,766,170   
  75,000     

Quality Systems Inc.

    1,458,375        1,169,250   
  75,000     

Sanofi, ADR

    2,849,575        3,420,750   
  87,000     

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

    11,885,959        11,942,490   
  50,000     

St. Jude Medical Inc.

    2,123,773        3,251,500   
  40,000     

Stryker Corp.

    2,574,935        3,773,200   
Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  35,000     

Tenet Healthcare Corp.†

  $ 1,638,586      $ 1,773,450   
  5,000     

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

    265,844        287,550   
  25,000     

The Cooper Companies Inc.

    3,107,057        4,052,250   
  54,000     

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    3,252,109        5,458,860   
  75,000     

Volcano Corp.†

    1,336,868        1,341,000   
  20,000     

Zimmer Holdings Inc.

    1,551,002        2,268,400   
  289,202     

Zoetis Inc.

    7,408,749        12,444,362   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      171,986,071        236,529,348   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Hotels and Gaming — 0.3%   
  19,000     

Accor SA

    654,124        858,484   
  120,000     

Boyd Gaming Corp.†

    805,607        1,533,600   
  700,000     

Ladbrokes plc

    6,059,331        1,205,579   
  53,000     

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    2,214,674        3,082,480   
  270,000     

Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.

    495,804        452,250   
  6,000     

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

    424,345        514,560   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      10,653,885        7,646,953   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Machinery — 1.0%   
  689,040     

CNH Industrial NV

    4,309,631        5,553,662   
  90,500     

Deere & Co.

    5,168,640        8,006,535   
  10,000     

Kennametal Inc.

    404,329        357,900   
  279,000     

Xylem Inc.

    7,905,706        10,621,530   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      17,788,306        24,539,627   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Metals and Mining — 1.3%   
  70,000     

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    2,247,676        1,742,300   
  230,000     

Alcoa Inc.

    2,266,458        3,631,700   
  20,000     

Alliance Holdings
GP LP

    461,803        1,219,800   
  100,000     

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,822,740        1,075,000   
  8,000     

BHP Billiton Ltd., ADR

    217,549        378,560   
  30,000     

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    1,141,089        1,477,277   
  560,000     

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

    14,725,626        13,081,600   
  13,000     

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp.

    431,922        208,125   
  334,000     

Newmont Mining Corp.

    14,379,668        6,312,600   
  44,000     

Peabody Energy Corp.

    623,003        340,560   
  40,000     

TimkenSteel Corp.

    1,236,523        1,481,200   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      39,554,057        30,948,722   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Paper and Forest Products — 0.4%   
  204,000     

International Paper Co.

    9,306,877        10,930,320   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Publishing — 0.1%   
  107,000     

News Corp., Cl. B†

    1,606,462        1,613,560   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Real Estate — 0.3%   
  13,000     

Brookfield Asset Management
Inc., Cl. A

    133,677        651,690   
  71,779     

Crown Castle International Corp.

    2,285,610        5,649,007   
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares       Cost    

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Real Estate (Continued)   

16,000

 

QTS Realty Trust Inc.,
Cl. A

  $ 347,357      $ 541,440   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      2,766,644        6,842,137   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Retail — 5.7%   

250,000

 

Best Buy Co. Inc.

    6,605,635        9,745,000   

75,000

 

CST Brands Inc.

    2,416,125        3,270,750   

341,000

 

CVS Health Corp.

    15,807,860        32,841,710   

200,000

 

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.†

    5,290,442        4,988,000   

140,000

 

Ingles Markets Inc.,
Cl. A

    1,593,129        5,192,600   

25,000

 

Kohl’s Corp.

    1,268,182        1,526,000   

90,000

 

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    2,027,653        6,192,000   

104,000

 

Macy’s Inc.

    1,463,288        6,838,000   

50,000

 

Murphy USA Inc.†

    1,889,784        3,443,000   

34,000

 

Outerwall Inc.†

    1,706,271        2,557,480   

94,800

 

Rush Enterprises Inc.,
Cl. B†

    1,729,030        2,669,568   

400,000

 

Safeway Inc.

    14,043,400        14,048,000   

265,000

 

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.†

    3,990,867        8,146,100   

120,000

 

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,637,248        4,366,505   

73,000

 

The Home Depot Inc.

    2,703,984        7,662,810   

200,000

 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    7,942,984        15,240,000   

20,000

 

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

    970,066        1,717,600   

137,000

 

Whole Foods Market Inc.

    4,963,108        6,907,540   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      80,049,056        137,352,663   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Specialty Chemicals — 1.9%   

51,000

 

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

    4,469,072        7,355,730   

49,000

 

Airgas Inc.

    3,258,784        5,643,820   

34,000

 

Ashland Inc.

    524,034        4,071,840   

85,000

 

Chemtura Corp.†

    2,083,797        2,102,050   

134,000

 

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.

    6,198,577        9,907,960   

500,000

 

Ferro Corp.†

    3,761,790        6,480,000   

75,000

 

H.B. Fuller Co.

    2,863,282        3,339,750   

95,000

 

Olin Corp.

    1,739,174        2,163,150   

5,000

 

Praxair Inc.

    556,243        647,800   

94,000

 

The Dow Chemical Co.

    3,601,870        4,287,340   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      29,056,623        45,999,440   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Telecommunications — 4.0%   

357,000

 

AT&T Inc.

    10,349,887        11,991,630   

238,479

 

BCE Inc..

    6,191,027        10,936,647   

39,000

 

Belgacom SA

    1,195,261        1,420,481   

480,000

 

Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR

    8,166,521        7,627,200   

195,000

 

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA, ADR†

    1,323,723        1,045,200   

37,500

 

Loral Space & Communications Inc.†

    1,617,501        2,951,625   

50,000

 

Orange SA, ADR

    1,066,613        846,000   

150,000

 

Portugal Telecom SGPS SA

    1,788,109        156,823   

50,084

 

Telefonica SA, ADR

    718,792        711,694   

295,000

 

Telekom Austria AG

    1,968,837        1,970,094   
Shares       Cost    

Market

Value

 

23,000

 

Telenet Group Holding NV†

  $ 1,046,305      $ 1,292,343   

150,000

 

Telephone & Data Systems Inc.

    4,458,764        3,787,500   

110,000

 

Telstra Corp. Ltd., ADR

    2,014,389        2,674,650   

135,000

 

TELUS Corp.

    1,405,698        4,865,400   

833,086

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

    33,989,196        38,971,763   

40,000

 

VimpelCom Ltd., ADR

    230,241        167,000   

171,545

 

Vodafone Group plc, ADR

    7,746,959        5,861,693   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      85,277,823        97,277,743   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Transportation — 0.7%   

239,000

 

GATX Corp.

    7,194,307        13,752,060   

16,500

 

Kansas City Southern

    277,030        2,013,495   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      7,471,337        15,765,555   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Wireless Communications — 0.5%   

3,000,000

 

Cable & Wireless Communications plc

    2,301,248        2,321,072   

50,000

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

    3,604,707        3,716,500   

124,000

 

United States Cellular Corp.†

    5,499,141        4,938,920   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      11,405,096        10,976,492   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS     1,585,849,429        2,330,956,757   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.4%   
  Broadcasting — 0.0%   

12,588

 

Emmis Communications Corp.,
6.250%, Ser. A †

    453,121        176,232   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities — 0.3%   

128,000

 

El Paso Energy Capital Trust I, 4.750%

    4,617,789        7,761,920   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Financial Services — 0.0%   

1,500

 

Doral Financial Corp., 4.750% †

    202,379        161,250   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Telecommunications — 0.1%

  

53,000

 

Cincinnati Bell Inc.,
6.750%, Ser. B

    1,813,938        2,609,720   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCKS

    7,087,227        10,709,122   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.1%   
  Health Care — 0.1%   

95,298

 

The Phoenix Companies Inc.,
7.450%

    2,099,346        2,355,767   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  WARRANTS — 0.1%   
  Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas — 0.1%   

306,400

 

Kinder Morgan Inc., expire
05/25/17†

    520,734        1,305,264   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2014

 

 

Shares

     

Cost

   

Market

Value

 
 

WARRANTS (Continued)

  

 

Food and Beverage — 0.0%

  

 

650

 

Parmalat SpA, GDR, expire 12/31/15†(a)

  $ 0      $ 154   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL WARRANTS

    520,734        1,305,418   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

               
 

CORPORATE BONDS — 0.6%

  

 
 

Aerospace — 0.2%

   

$2,500,000

 

GenCorp Inc., Sub. Deb., 4.063%, 12/31/39

    3,345,266        5,078,125   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Diversified Industrial — 0.4%

  

 

8,800,000

 

Griffon Corp., Sub. Deb., 4.000%, 01/15/17(b)

    8,800,000        9,960,500   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Real Estate — 0.0%

   

450,000

 

Palm Harbor Homes Inc., 3.250%, 05/15/24†

    422,927        72,562   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS

    12,568,193        15,111,187   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 1.8%

  

42,761,000

 

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.000% to
0.130%††, 01/02/15
to 07/02/15

    42,754,840        42,755,316   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL
INVESTMENTS — 100.0%

  $ 1,650,879,769        2,403,193,567   
   

 

 

   
   

 

 

   

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

  

    7,096,106   

PREFERRED STOCK

   

    (5,603,095 preferred shares outstanding)

  

    (459,257,875
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — COMMON STOCK

  

 

    (82,774,478 common shares outstanding)

  

  $ 1,951,031,798   
     

 

 

 
   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE

  

 

    ($1,951,031,798 ÷ 82,774,478 shares outstanding)

  

  $ 23.57   
     

 

 

 
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

At December 31, 2014, the Fund held investments in restricted and illiquid securities amounting to $981,843 or 0.04% of total investments, which were valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees as follows:

 

Acquisition
Shares

Issuer

Acquisition
Date
Acquisition
Cost
  12/31/14
Carrying
Value
Per Share
 
339,450

Parmalat SpA, GDR

12/02/03 $ 981,615    $ 2.8920   
650

Parmalat SpA, GDR, expire 12/31/15

11/09/05        0.2369   

 

(b)

Security 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. At December 31, 2014, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $9,960,500 or 0.41% of total investments.

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

 

     % of Total     Market  

Geographic Diversification

   Investments    

Value

 

North America

     85.1   $ 2,044,697,270   

Europe

     11.8        284,697,759   

Japan

     2.6        62,386,409   

Asia/Pacific

     0.4        9,971,829   

Latin America

     0.1        1,440,300   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

     100.0   $ 2,403,193,567   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,650,879,769)

  $ 2,403,193,567   

Foreign currency, at value (cost $647)

    643   

Cash

    53,186   

Receivable for investments sold

    57,607,156   

Dividends and interest receivable

    4,048,875   

Deferred offering expense

    38,400   

Prepaid expenses

    36,648   
 

 

 

 

Total Assets

    2,464,978,475   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Distributions payable

    224,972   

Payable for investments purchased

    45,046,033   

Payable for investment advisory fees

    6,245,328   

Payable for payroll expenses

    80,066   

Payable for accounting fees

    11,250   

Payable for auction agent fees

    2,840,609   

Other accrued expenses

    240,544   
 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    54,688,802   
 

 

 

 

Cumulative Preferred Shares each at $0 001 par value:

  

Series A Preferred Shares (5.875%, $25 liquidation value, 3,200,000 shares authorized with 3,048,019 shares issued and outstanding)

    76,200,475   

Series B Preferred Shares (Auction Market, $25,000 liquidation value, 4,000 shares authorized with 3,600 shares issued and outstanding)

    90,000,000   

Series C Preferred Shares (Auction Market, $25,000 liquidation value, 4,800 shares authorized with 4,320 shares issued and outstanding)

    108,000,000   

Series D Preferred Shares (6 000%, $25 liquidation value, 2,600,000 shares authorized with 2,542,296 shares issued and outstanding)

    63,557,400   

Series E Preferred Shares (Auction Rate, $25,000 liquidation value, 5,400 shares authorized with 4,860 shares issued and outstanding)

    121,500,000   
 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Shares

    459,257,875   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

  $ 1,951,031,798   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,209,973,655   

Distributions in excess of net investment income

    (622,185

Distributions in excess of net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

    (10,612,545

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

    752,313,798   

Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations

    (20,925
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 1,951,031,798   
 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value per Common Share at $0 001 par value:

  

($1,951,031,798 ÷ 82,774,478 shares outstanding; unlimited number of shares authorized)

    $23.57   

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,297,238)

  $ 60,342,622   

Interest

    480,099   
 

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

    60,822,721   
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

    24,395,935   

Global Trust spin-off expenses

    785,742   

Shareholder communications expenses

    345,729   

Custodian fees

    285,982   

Trustees’ fees

    251,500   

Payroll expenses

    236,641   

Shelf registration expense

    143,581   

Legal and audit fees

    100,693   

Shareholder services fees

    46,780   

Accounting fees

    45,000   

Interest expense

    3,294   

Miscellaneous expenses

    277,547   
 

 

 

 

Total Expenses

    26,918,424   
 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

    33,904,297   
 

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on

 

Investments and Foreign Currency:

 

Net realized gain on investments

    176,485,178   

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions

    (54,115
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

    176,431,063   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:

 

    on investments

    (48,719,992

    on foreign currency translations

    (19,399
 

 

 

 

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

    (48,739,391
 

 

 

 

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

    127,691,672   
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

    161,595,969   
 

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

    (14,777,528
 

 

 

 

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

  $ 146,818,441   
 

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

    Year Ended   Year Ended
    December 31, 2014   December 31, 2013

Operations:

       

Net investment income

    $ 33,904,297       $ 29,739,500  

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

      176,431,063         174,857,302  

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

      (48,739,391 )       359,066,285  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

      161,595,969         563,663,087  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:

       

Net investment income

      (2,455,193 )       (4,483,368 )

Net realized capital gain

      (12,322,335 )       (10,402,917 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

      (14,777,528 )       (14,886,285 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      146,818,441         548,776,802  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

       

Net investment Income

      (32,446,114 )       (25,687,928 )

Net realized capital gain

      (162,843,318 )       (59,607,256 )

Return of capital

      (1,713,826 )        
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Common Shareholders

      (197,003,258 )       (85,295,184 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

       

Net decrease from repurchase of common shares

              (1,064,150 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions

              (1,064,150 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      (50,184,817 )       462,417,468  

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders:

       

Beginning of year

      2,001,216,615         1,538,799,147  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and $2,250,164, respectively)

    $ 1,951,031,798       $ 2,001,216,615  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

11


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Financial Highlights

 

 

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

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

   

2010

 

Operating Performance:

                   

Net asset value, beginning of year

    $ 24.18        $ 18.58        $ 17.24        $ 17.64        $ 15.58   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.41          0.36          0.47          0.38          0.34   

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

      1.54          6.45          2.00          0.28          2.63   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

      1.95          6.81          2.47          0.66          2.97   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: (a)

                   

Net investment income

      (0.03       (0.05       (0.09       (0.11       (0.16

Net realized gain

      (0.15       (0.13       (0.08       (0.05         
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions to preferred shareholders

      (0.18       (0.18       (0.17       (0.16       (0.16
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      1.77          6.63          2.30          0.50          2.81   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

                   

Net investment income

      (0.39       (0.31       (0.37       (0.27       (0.16

Net realized gain on investments

      (1.97       (0.72       (0.31       (0.14         

Return of capital

      (0.02                (0.28       (0.49       (0.60
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions to common shareholders

      (2.38       (1.03       (0.96       (0.90       (0.76
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

                   

Increase in net asset value from repurchase of common shares

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

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Fund share transactions

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

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Year

    $ 23.57        $ 24.18        $ 18.58        $ 17.24        $ 17.64   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NAV total return †

      7.48       36.47       14.40       3.61       19.73
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Market value, end of year

    $ 21.66        $ 22.17        $ 16.18        $ 15.42        $ 15.36   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment total return ††

      8.82       44.38       11.38       6.42       23.90
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

                   

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

    $ 2,410,290        $ 2,460,474        $ 1,998,057        $ 1,888,654        $ 1,924,427   

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

    $ 1,951,032        $ 2,001,217        $ 1,538,799        $ 1,429,397        $ 1,465,169   

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

      1.71       1.65       2.62       2.12       2.18

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares before fees waived

      1.36       1.34       1.41       1.50       1.53

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

      1.36       1.34       1.41       1.40       1.53

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares before fees waived

      1.10       1.07       1.08       1.14       1.14

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any

      1.10       1.07       1.08       1.07       1.14

Portfolio turnover rate

      18.4       15.8       14.5       15.0       19.0

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

12


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

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

 

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

   

2010

 

5.875% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

                        

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

     $ 76,201         $ 76,200         $ 76,200         $ 76,200         $ 76,201   

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       3,048           3,048           3,048           3,048           3,048   

Liquidation preference per share

     $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00   

Average market value (c)

     $ 25.26         $ 25.31         $ 25.72         $ 25.30         $ 24.98   

Asset coverage per share

     $ 131.21         $ 133.94         $ 108.77         $ 102.81         $ 104.76   

Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares

                        

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

     $ 90,000         $ 90,000         $ 90,000         $ 90,000         $ 90,000   

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       4           4           4           4           4   

Liquidation preference per share

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

Liquidation value (d)

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

Asset coverage per share

     $ 131,206         $ 133,938         $ 108,766         $ 102,810         $ 104,757   

Series C Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares

                        

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

     $ 108,000         $ 108,000         $ 108,000         $ 108,000         $ 108,000   

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       4           4           4           4           4   

Liquidation preference per share

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

Liquidation value (d)

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

Asset coverage per share

     $ 131,206         $ 133,938         $ 108,766         $ 102,810         $ 104,757   

6.000% Series D Cumulative Preferred Shares

                        

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

     $ 63,557         $ 63,557         $ 63,557         $ 63,557         $ 63,557   

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       2,542           2,542           2,542           2,542           2,542   

Liquidation preference per share

     $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00         $ 25.00   

Average market value (c)

     $ 25.53         $ 26.25         $ 26.79         $ 26.09         $ 25.52   

Asset coverage per share

     $ 131.21         $ 133.94         $ 108.77         $ 102.81         $ 104.76   

Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares

                        

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

     $ 121,500         $ 121,500         $ 121,500         $ 121,500         $ 121,500   

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       5           5           5           5           5   

Liquidation preference per share

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

Liquidation value (d)

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

Asset coverage per share

     $ 131,206         $ 133,938         $ 108,766         $ 102,810         $ 104,757   

Asset Coverage (e)

       525        536        435        411        419

 

For the years ended 2014 and 2013 based on net asset value per share and reinvestment of distributions at net asset value on the ex-dividend date. The years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010 were based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

††

Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

(a)

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

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Based on weekly prices.

(d)

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.

(e)

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

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

13


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (the “Fund”) currently operates as a diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 18, 2003 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Investment operations commenced on November 28, 2003.

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return on its assets with an emphasis on dividends and income. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying securities (such as common and preferred stock) or other income producing securities (such as fixed income debt securities and securities that are convertible into equity securities).

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.

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 instruments with remaining maturities of sixty days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, 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. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than sixty days 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. U.S. government obligations with maturities greater than sixty days are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. 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.

 

14


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

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. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

    Valuation Inputs        
 

 

 

   
    Level 1     Level 2 Other Significant     Level 3 Significant     Total Market Value  
    Quoted Prices     Observable Inputs     Unobservable Inputs     at 12/31/14  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

       

ASSETS (Market Value):

       

Common Stocks

       

Energy and Utilities: Integrated

  $ 60,470,362               $  60,684      $ 60,531,046   

Other Industries (a)

    2,270,425,711                      2,270,425,711   

 

 

Total Common Stocks

    2,330,896,073               60,684        2,330,956,757   

 

 

Preferred Stocks (a)

    2,355,767                      2,355,767   

Convertible Preferred Stocks

       

Financial Services

           $     161,250               161,250   

Other Industries (a)

    10,547,872                      10,547,872   

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks and Convertible Preferred Stocks

    12,903,639        161,250               13,064,889   

 

 

Warrants (a)

    1,305,264        154               1,305,418   

Corporate Bonds

           15,038,625        72,562        15,111,187   

U.S. Government Obligations

           42,755,316               42,755,316   

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

  $ 2,345,104,976        $57,955,345        $133,246      $ 2,403,193,567   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

The Fund did not have material transfers among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers among Levels as of the beginning of the reporting period.

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 is ultimately sourced from major stock exchanges and trading systems where these

 

15


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

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

The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These include back testing 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 a number of derivative financial instruments for the purposes of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio, increasing the income of the Fund, hedging or protecting its exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities markets, managing risks, protecting the value of its portfolio against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates, or hedging 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 that, 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.

The Fund’s derivative contracts held at December 31, 2014, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.

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

 

16


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

commodity pool operator under the CEA. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now applicable to the Fund as of January 1, 2013. These trading restrictions permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions, provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future, the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.

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

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

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 does the sale of

 

17


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

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, 2014, 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 the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends.

Custodian Fee Credits. 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.”

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. Permanent differences were primarily due to nondeductible expenses and basis adjustments on sale of partnership. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2014, reclassifications were made to decrease accumulated net investment income by $1,875,339 and decrease distributions in excess of net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions by $6,720,910, with an offsetting adjustment to paid-in capital.

Under the Fund’s current common share distribution policy, 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 calendar year. Pursuant to this policy, 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. The Fund’s current distribution policy may restrict the Fund’s ability to pass through to shareholders all of its net realized long term capital gains as a Capital Gain Distribution, subject to the maximum federal income tax rate and may cause such gains to be treated as ordinary income. 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.

 

18


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

On January 22, 2014, the Fund contributed $100,000 in cash in exchange for 8,333 shares of the Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust (the “Global Trust”). On June 23, 2014, the Fund contributed an additional $99,229,373 in cash in exchange for shares of the Global Trust, and on the same date distributed such shares to holders of the Fund on record as of June 16, 2014 at the rate of one common share of the Global Trust for every ten common shares of the Fund’s common shares.

Distributions to shareholders of the Fund’s 5.875% Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares, Series C Auction Market Preferred Shares, 6.000% Series D Cumulative Preferred Shares, and Series E Auction Rate Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as described in Note 5.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

 

    Year Ended
December 31, 2014
    Year Ended
December 31, 2013
 
    Common     Preferred     Common     Preferred  

Distributions paid from:

       

Ordinary income

  $ 37,800,576      $ 2,860,365      $ 26,125,755      $ 4,559,641   

Net long term capital gains

    157,488,856        11,917,163        59,169,429        10,326,644   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return of capital

    1,713,826                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

  $ 197,003,258      $ 14,777,528      $ 85,295,184      $ 14,886,285   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

   $ 741,283,115   

Other temporary differences(a)

     (224,972
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 741,058,143   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Other temporary differences are due to adjustments on distributions payable.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward for an unlimited period capital losses incurred. As a result of the rule, post enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short term or long term capital losses rather than being considered all short term as under previous law.

At December 31, 2014, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation on investments were primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes and basis adjustments in partnerships and hybrid securities.

 

19


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2014:

 

                Gross        Gross           
                Unrealized        Unrealized        Net Unrealized  
       Cost        Appreciation        Depreciation        Appreciation  

Investments

     $ 1,661,889,527         $ 797,575,739         $ (56,271,699      $ 741,304,040   

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, 2014, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalty. As of December 31, 2014, 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. Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates. 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 the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of 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 Preferred Shares 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 rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of the Preferred Shares 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 stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of Preferred Shares for the period. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares exceeded the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Thus, advisory fees were accrued on these assets.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $217,004 to G.research, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser.

The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund paid or accrued $45,000 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.

As per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser). During the year ended December 31, 2014 the Fund paid or accrued $236,641 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.

 

20


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $18,000 plus $2,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each Trustee is reimbursed by the Fund for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $1,000 per meeting attended, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $3,000, the Proxy Voting Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $1,500, the Nominating Committee Chairman and the Lead Trustee each receive an annual fee of $2,000. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Trustees who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2014, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $435,059,638, and $500,764,668, respectively.

5. Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001). The Board has authorized the repurchase and retirement of its shares on the open market when the shares are trading at a discount of 7.5% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the NAV of the shares. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund repurchased and retired 53,241 of its common shares at a cost of $1,064,150 and an average discount of 10% from its NAV. The Fund did not repurchase any common shares for the year ended December 31, 2014.

A shelf registration authorizing the offering of an additional $500 million of common or preferred shares or notes was declared effective by the SEC on June 11, 2013.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares are senior to the common shares and result in the financial leveraging of the common shares. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to common shareholders. Dividends on the Preferred Shares are cumulative. The Fund is required by the 1940 Act and by the Statements of Preferences to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Preferred Shares. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, and Series E Preferred Shares at redemption prices of $25, $25,000, $25,000, $25, and $25,000, 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 net investment income and gains available to common shareholders.

For Series B, Series C, and Series E Preferred Shares, the dividend rates, as set by the auction process that is generally held every seven days, are expected to vary with short term interest rates. Since February 2008, the number of Series B, Series C, and Series E Preferred Shares subject to bid orders by potential holders has been less than the number of shares of Series B, Series C, and Series E Preferred Shares subject to sell orders. Holders that have submitted sell orders have not been able to sell any or all of the Series B, Series C, and Series E 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, Series

 

21


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

C, and Series E Preferred Shares is 150%, 150%, and 250%, respectively, of the seven day Telerate/British Bankers Association LIBOR rate on the date of such auction. Existing Series B, Series C, and Series E 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. There were no redemptions of Series B, Series C, and Series E Preferred Shares during the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Fund may redeem in whole or in part the 5.875% Series A and 6.000% Series D Preferred Shares at the redemption price at any time. The Board has authorized the repurchase of Series A and Series D Preferred Shares in the open market at prices less than the $25 liquidation value per share. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not repurchase any shares of Series A or Series D Preferred Shares.

The following table summarizes Cumulative Preferred Stock information:

 

              Number of Shares               Dividend     Accrued  
        Issued/     Outstanding at     Net     2014 Dividend   Rate at     Dividend at  

Series

  Issue Date   Authorized     12/31/14     Proceeds     Rate Range   12/31/14     12/31/14  

A 5.875%

  October 12, 2004     3,200,000        3,048,019      $ 77,280,971      Fixed Rate     5.875%        $74,613   

B Auction Market

  October 12, 2004     4,000        3,600        98,858,617      1.616% to 1.636%     1.636%        4,090   

C Auction Market

  October 12, 2004     4,800        4,320        118,630,341      1.618% to 1.635%     1.635%        29,394   

D 6.000%

  November 3, 2005     2,600,000        2,542,296        62,617,239      Fixed Rate     6.000%        63,557   

E Auction Rate

  November 3, 2005     5,400        4,860        133,379,387      2.617% to 2.635%     2.635%        53,318   

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

6. 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.

7. 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 Dividend & Income Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (hereafter referred to as the “Fund”) at December 31, 2014, 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 the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2014 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 2015

 

23


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

 

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

 

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

and Age

 

Time Served2

 

Overseen by Trustee

 

During Past Five Years

  

Held by Trustee4

INTERESTED TRUSTEES3:

    

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Trustee and

Chief Investment Officer

Age: 72

  Since 2003**   28   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 in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.    Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications); Director of ICTC Group, Inc. (communications); Director of RLJ Acquisition Inc. (blank check company) (2011- 2012)

Salvatore M. Salibello

Trustee

Age: 69

  Since 2003*   3   Certified Public Accountant and Managing Partner of the certified public accounting firm of Salibello & Broder LLP (1978-2012); Partner of BDO Seidman, LLC (2012-2013); Senior Partner of Salibello & Company (consulting)    Director of Brooklyn Federal Bank Corp., Inc. (independent community bank)

Edward T. Tokar

Trustee

Age: 67

  Since 2003*   2   Senior Managing Director of Beacon Trust Company (trust services); Chief Executive Officer of Allied Capital Management LLC (1977-2004); Vice President of Honeywell International Inc. (1977-2004)    Director of CH Energy Group (energy services) (2009-2013); Director, Teton Advisors, Inc. (financial services) (2008-2010)

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES5:

    

Anthony J. Colavita

Trustee

Age: 79

  Since 2003***   37   President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.   

James P. Conn

Trustee

Age: 76

  Since 2003*   21   Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (1992-1998)    Director of First Republic Bank (banking) through January 2008

Mario d’Urso

Trustee

Age: 74

  Since 2003**   5   Chairman of Mittel Capital Markets S.p.A.(2001-2008); Senator in the Italian Parliament (1996-2001)   

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Trustee

Age: 75

  Since 2003***   8   Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (1995-2013); Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1983- 1989)    Director of First Republic Bank (banking)

Michael J. Melarkey

Trustee

Age: 65

  Since 2003**   5   Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie; Owner in Pioneer Crossing Casino Group    Director of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Trustee

Age: 80

  Since 2003***   20   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (commodities and futures trading)   

Salvatore J. Zizza

Trustee

Age: 69

  Since 2003***   31   Chairman of Zizza & Associates Corp. (financial consulting); Chairman of Metropolitan Paper Recycling, Inc. (recycling) (since 2005); Chairman of Harbor Diversified, Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (since 1999); Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing) (since 2000); Chairman of Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (since 2002)    Director and Vice Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified, Inc. (pharmaceuticals); Chairman of Bion Environmental Technologies (technology) (2005-2007); Director, Chairman, and CEO of General Employment Enterprises (staffing services) (2009-2012)

 

24


The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)   Term of Office        
Address1   and Length of       Principal Occupation(s)

and Age

 

Time Served2

     

During Past Five Years

OFFICERS:

     

Bruce N. Alpert

President

Age: 63

  Since 2003     Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; and an Officer of registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Director of Teton Advisors, Inc. 1998-2012; Chairman of Teton Advisors, Inc. 2008-2010; President of Teton Advisors, Inc. 1998-2008; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008

Andrea R. Mango

Vice President and

Secretary

Age: 42

  Since November 2013     Counsel of Gabelli Funds, LLC; Corporate Vice President within the Corporate Compliance Department of New York Life Insurance Company 2011-2013; Vice President and Counsel of Deutsche Bank 2006-2011

Agnes Mullady

Treasurer

Age: 56

  Since 2006     President and Chief Operating Officer of the Open-End Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC since September 2010; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Age: 55

  Since November 2013     Chief Compliance Officer of the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Chief Compliance Officer of AEGON USA Investment Management LLC 2011-2013; Chief Compliance Officer of Cutwater Asset Management 2004-2011

Carter W. Austin

Vice President and

Ombudsman

Age: 48

  Since 2003     Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015

Laurissa M. Martire

Vice President and

Ombudsman

Age: 38

  Since 2011     Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Assistant Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2003

David I. Schachter

Vice President

Age: 61

  Since 2011     Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015

 

1 

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

2 

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

  *

–  Term expires at the Fund’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

  **

–  Term expires at the Fund’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

  ***

–  Term expires at the Fund’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

3 

“Interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Gabelli is considered an “interested person” because of his affiliation with Gabelli Funds, LLC which acts as the Fund’s investment adviser. Mr. Salibello and Mr. Tokar are “interested persons”.

4 

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

5 

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

 

25


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2014

Cash Dividends and Distributions

 

        Total Amount   Ordinary   Long Term       Dividend
Payable   Record   Paid   Investment   Capital   Return of   Reinvestment

Date

 

Date

 

Per Share(a)

 

Income(a)

 

Gains

 

Capital(b)

 

Price

Common Shares

         

                    01/24/14

  01/17/14       $0.09000   $0.01717   $0.07194   $0.00089   $21.16000

                    02/21/14

  02/14/14       0.09000   0.01717   0.07194   0.00089   21.90790

                    03/24/14

  03/17/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.86610

                    04/23/14

  04/15/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   22.08980

                    05/22/14

  05/15/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   22.39940

                    06/23/14

  06/16/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.89670

                    06/23/14

  06/16/14(e)   1.20000   0.22894   0.95914   0.01192  

                    07/24/14

  07/17/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   22.21120

                    08/22/14

  08/15/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.97220

                    09/23/14

  09/16/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.63180

                    10/24/14

  10/17/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   20.86920

                    11/20/14

  11/13/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.87080

                    12/19/14

  12/12/14       0.10000   0.01908   0.07993   0.00099   21.65920
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    $2.38000   $0.45408   $1.90232   $0.02360  

5.875% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

       

                    03/26/14

  03/19/14       $0.36719   $0.07075   $0.29643    

                    06/26/14

  06/19/14       0.36719   0.07075   0.29643    

                    09/26/14

  09/19/14       0.36719   0.07075   0.29643    

                    12/26/14

  12/18/14       0.36719   0.07075   0.29643    
   

 

 

 

 

 

   
    $1.46876   $0.28302   $1.18572    

6.000% Series D Cumulative Preferred Shares

       

                    03/26/14

  03/19/14       $0.37500   $0.07226   $0.30274    

                    06/26/14

  06/19/14       0.37500   0.07226   0.30274    

                    09/26/14

  09/19/14       0.37500   0.07226   0.30274    

                    12/26/14

  12/18/14       0.37500   0.07226   0.30274    
   

 

 

 

 

 

   
    $1.50000   $0.28904   $1.21096    

Series B and C Auction Market Cumulative and Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares

Auction Rate Preferred Shares pay dividends weekly based on the maximum rate. The distributions derived from long term capital gains for the Series B, Series C, or Series E Auction Preferred Shares were $5,250,738 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

A Form 1099-DIV has been mailed to all shareholders of record for the distributions mentioned above, setting forth specific amounts to be included in the 2014 tax returns. Ordinary income distributions include net investment income and realized net short term capital gains, if any. Ordinary income is reported in box 1a of Form 1099-DIV. Capital gain distributions are reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV. The long term gain distributions for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $169,406,019.

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

In 2014, the Fund paid to common, 5.875% Series A, and 6.00% Series D Cumulative Preferred shareholders ordinary income dividends of $0.45408, $0.28302, and $0.28904 per share, respectively. The Fund paid weekly distributions to Series B, C, and E preferred shareholders at varying rates throughout the year, including ordinary income dividends totaling $79.01, $80.56, and $127.74 per share, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 98.32% of the ordinary dividend qualified for the dividends received deduction available to corporations, 100% of the ordinary income distribution was deemed qualified dividend income, and 0.83% of the ordinary income distribution was qualified interest income. The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund during 2014 derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.07%. 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 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 2014. The percentage of U.S. Treasury securities held as of December 31, 2014 was 1.78%.

 

26


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)

December 31, 2014

 

Historical Distribution Summary

 

         Short Term    Long Term              Adjustment
    Investment    Capital    Capital    Return of    Total    to Cost
   

Income(c)

  

Gains(c)

  

Gains

  

Capital(b)

  

Distributions(a)

  

Basis(d)

Common Shares

                

2014

  $0.38937    $0.06471    $1.90232    $0.02360    $2.38000    $0.02360

2013

  0.31020    0.00550    0.71430       1.03000   

2012

  0.37632    0.30588       0.27780    0.96000    0.27780

2011

  0.26832    0.13452       0.49716    0.90000    0.49716

2010

  0.16120          0.59880    0.76000    0.59880

2009

  0.20460          0.78540    0.99000    0.78540

2008

  0.27910       0.00250    0.99840    1.28000    0.99840

2007

  0.50910    0.23480    0.91610       1.66000   

2006

  0.60798    0.24082    0.69120       1.54000   

2005

  0.45996    0.08568    0.65436       1.20000   

5.875% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

           

2014

  $0.24271    $0.04031    $1.18573       $1.46875   

2013

  0.44235    0.00795    1.01845       1.46875   

2012

  0.81025    0.65850          1.46875   

2011

  0.97821    0.49054          1.46875   

2010

  1.46875             1.46875   

2009

  1.46875             1.46875   

2008

  1.46583       0.00292       1.46875   

2007

  0.45059    0.20776    0.81040       1.46875   

2006

  0.57983    0.22967    0.65925       1.46875   

2005

  0.56290    0.10493    0.80092       1.46875   

6.000% Series D Cumulative Preferred Shares

           

2014

  $0.24788    $0.04116    $1.21096       $1.50000   

2013

  0.45176    0.00812    1.04012       1.50000   

2012

  0.82760    0.67240          1.50000   

2011

  0.99920    0.50080          1.50000   

2010

  1.50000             1.50000   

2009

  1.50000             1.50000   

2008

  1.49700       0.00300       1.50000   

2007

  0.46020    0.21220    0.82760       1.50000   

2006

  0.59215    0.23457    0.67328       1.50000   

2005

  0.08620    0.01610    0.12270       0.22500   

 

27


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)

December 31, 2014

 

Historical Distribution Summary

 

         Short Term    Long Term              Adjustment
    Investment    Capital    Capital    Return of    Total    to Cost
   

Income(c)

  

Gains(c)

  

Gains

  

Capital(b)

  

Distributions(a)

  

Basis(d)

Auction Market/Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares

           

2014 Class B Shares

  $    67.75947    $    11.25488    $331.03565       $  410.05000   

2014 Class C Shares

  69.08641    11.47528    337.51831       418.08000   

2014 Class E Shares

  109.54380    18.19527    535.17093       662.91000   

2013 Class B Shares

  125.97838    2.26456    290.04706       418.29000   

2013 Class C Shares

  126.00248    2.26499    290.10253       418.37000   

2013 Class E Shares

  206.03966    3.70373    474.37661       684.12000   

2012 Class B Shares

  221.40190    179.93810          401.34000   

2012 Class C Shares

  216.87831    176.26169          393.14000   

2012 Class E Shares

  299.97988    243.80012          543.78000   

2011 Class B Shares

  243.86841    122.29159          366.16000   

2011 Class C Shares

  243.76851    122.24149          366.01000   

2011 Class E Shares

  285.90068    143.36932          429.27000   

2010 Class B Shares

  381.65000             381.65000   

2010 Class C Shares

  381.65000             381.65000   

2010 Class E Shares

  444.84000             444.84000   

2009 Class B Shares

  388.12000             388.12000   

2009 Class C Shares

  388.02000             388.02000   

2009 Class E Shares

  451.10000             451.10000   

2008 Class B Shares

  944.35220       1.87780       946.23000   

2008 Class C Shares

  966.50741       1.92259       968.43000   

2008 Class E Shares

  1044.21367       2.07633       1046.29000   

2007 Class B Shares

  414.02782    190.66719    743.74499       1348.44000   

2007 Class C Shares

  409.97064    188.64406    735.87530       1334.49000   

2007 Class E Shares

  407.63287    187.65002    731.97711       1327.26000   

2006 Class B Shares

  484.90820    192.07260    551.32920       1228.31000   

2006 Class C Shares

  484.32800    191.84250    550.66950       1226.84000   

2006 Class E Shares

  483.94880    191.69260    550.23860       1225.88000   

2005 Class B Shares

  320.22640    59.69220    455.63150       835.55000   

2005 Class C Shares

  324.19300    60.43160    461.27540       845.90000   

2005 Class E Shares

  67.54440    12.59070    96.10490       176.24000   

 

(a) Total amounts may differ due to rounding.

(b) Non-taxable.

(c) Taxable as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes.

(d) Decrease in cost basis.

(e) Represents the spin-off of the Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust (GGZ). On June 23, 2014, the Fund distributed shares of GGZ valued at $12.00 per share. Common shareholders of GDV received one share of GGZ for every ten shares owned of GDV.

 

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

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

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

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may from time to time purchase its common shares in the open market when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount of 7.5% or more from the net asset value of the shares. The Fund may also from time to time purchase its preferred shares in the open market when the preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value.

 

28


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

ANNUAL APPROVAL OF CONTINUANCE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

During the six months ended December 31, 2014, the Board of Trustees of the Trust approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Trust on the basis of the recommendation by the trustees (the “Independent Board Members”) who are not “interested persons” of the Trust. 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 portfolio managers, the scope of 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 portfolio managers.

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the performance of the Fund over one, three, and five year periods against a peer group of equity closed-end funds obtained from Lipper. The Independent Board Members noted the Fund’s top quartile relative performance for each of the periods.

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser.

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund was a closed-end fund trading at a discount to net asset value and accordingly unlikely to achieve growth of the type that might lead to economies of scale that the shareholders would not participate in. 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 Lipper peer group of equity closed-end value funds 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 that the Fund was larger than average within the peer group and that its expense ratios were slightly above average. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management 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 attach significance to, information comparing the management fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by an affiliate of the Adviser.

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services, good ancillary services, and a reasonable 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. 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 Advisory Agreement to the full Board of Trustees.

 

29


AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS

Enrollment in the Plan

It is the policy of The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common shareholders. As a “registered” shareholder, you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Fund to credit shares of common stock to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset value. All distributions to shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their stock certificates to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distribution in cash must submit this request in writing to:

The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

c/o Computershare

P.O. Box 30170

College Station, TX 77842-3170

Shareholders requesting this cash election must include the shareholder’s name and address as they appear on the share certificate. Shareholders with additional questions regarding the Plan or requesting a copy of the terms of the Plan may contact Computershare at (800) 336-6983.

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

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

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

Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan

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

Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to Computershare for investments in the Fund’s shares at the then current market price. Shareholders may send an amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use these funds to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Computershare will charge each shareholder who participates $0.75, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to Computershare, P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940–3010 such that Computershare receives such payments approximately 10 days before the 1st and 15th of the month. Funds not received at least five days before the investment date shall be held for investment until the next purchase date. A payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by Computershare at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare must do so in writing or by telephone. Please submit your request to the above mentioned address or telephone number. Include in your request your name, address, and account number. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per transaction as well as the brokerage commission incurred. Brokerage charges are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions.

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

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare on at least 90 days written notice to participants in the Plan.

 

30


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977 and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management 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.

Christopher J. Marangi joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Marangi graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Political Economy from Williams College and holds an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School.

Barbara G. Marcin, CFA, joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1999 and currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Prior to joining GAMCO, Ms. Marcin was head of value investments at Citibank Global Asset Management. Ms. Marcin graduated with Distinction as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia and holds an MBA degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business.

Robert D. Leininger, CFA, joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1993 as an equity analyst. Subsequently, he was a partner and portfolio manager at Rorer Asset Management before rejoining GAMCO in 2010 where he currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and co-manages the Fund. Mr. Leininger is a magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College with a degree in Economics and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA, joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst. He focuses on companies in the cardiovascular, healthcare services, and pharmacy benefits management sectors, among others. He also serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Jonas was a Presidential Scholar at Boston College, where he received a BS in Finance and Management Information Systems.

Kevin V. Dreyer joined Gabelli in 2005 as a research analyst covering companies within the consumer sector. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Dreyer received a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania 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 content of the portfolio managers’ commentary is unrestricted. The financial statements and investment portfolio are mailed separately from the commentary. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.


    

THE GABELLI DIVIDEND & INCOME TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

t

800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

 

f

914-921-5118

 

e

info@gabelli.com

 

  

GABELLI.COM

 

 

 

TRUSTEES OFFICERS

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

James P. Conn

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Financial Security Assurance

Holdings Ltd.

 

Mario d’Urso

Former Italian Senator

 

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Former President &

Chief Executive Officer,

American Gaming Association

 

Michael J. Melarkey

Partner,

Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel,

Mulligan & McKenzie

 

Salvatore M. Salibello, CPA

Partner,

Salibello & Company

 

Edward T. Tokar

Senior Managing Director,

Beacon Trust Company

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

 

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary &

Vice President

 

Agnes Mullady

Treasurer

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Carter W. Austin

Vice President & Ombudsman

 

Laurissa M. Martire

Vice President & Ombudsman

 

David I. Schachter

Vice President

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

CUSTODIAN

 

State Street Bank and Trust

Company

 

COUNSEL

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &

Flom LLP

 

TRANSFER AGENT AND

REGISTRAR

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

 

GDV Q4/2014

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a)

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

 

  (c)

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

 

  (d)

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that 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 $45,072 for 2013 and $46,424 for 2014.

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 2013 and $0 for 2014.


Tax Fees

 

  (c)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $4,370 for 2013 and $4,500 for 2014. 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 $9,000 for 2013 and $26,000 for 2014. All other fees represent services provided in review of registration statement.

 

  (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) 100%

(d) 100%

 

  (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 0%.


  (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 $246,060 for 2013 and $304,860 for 2014.

 

  (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.

The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of the following members: Salvatore J. Zizza

Item 6. Investments.

 

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

 

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.


The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients

Rules 204(4)-2 and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.

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

 

I.

Proxy Voting Committee

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

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

In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service (“ISS”), other third-party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.

 

1


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

 

  A.

Conflicts of Interest.

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

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

 

  B.

Operation of Proxy Voting Committee

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

 

2


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

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

Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all Proxy Voting Committee meetings will be maintained. The Advisers subscribe to ISS, which supplies current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues.

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

 

II.

Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines

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

 

III.

Client Retention of Voting Rights

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

- Operations

- Legal Department

 

3


- Proxy Department

- Investment professional assigned to the account

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

 

IV.

Voting Records

The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information on how an account voted its proxies upon request.

A letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the Advisers have voting responsibility instructing them to forward all proxy materials to:

[Adviser name]

Attn: Proxy Voting Department

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1433

The sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along with the trading/DTC instructions. Proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.

 

V.

Voting Procedures

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

Proxies are received in one of two forms:

 

 

Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms (“VAFs”) - Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) VAFs must be voted through the issuing institution causing a time lag. Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials.

 

Proxy cards which may be voted directly.

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

3.  In the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number of shares, an improperly signed or dated card, wrong class of security, etc., the issuing custodian is notified by phone. A corrected proxy is requested. Any arrangements are made to insure that a proper proxy is received in time to be voted (overnight delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on record date, the custodian is requested to supply written verification.

 

4


4.  Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee (see Administrative), the votes are cast and recorded for each account on an individual basis.

Records have been maintained on the Proxy Edge system. The system is backed up regularly.

Proxy Edge records include:

Security Name and Cusip Number

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

Client Name

Adviser or Fund Account Number

Directors’ Recommendation

How GAMCO voted for the client on each issue

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

6.  Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms issued by Broadridge are always sent directly to a specific individual at Broadridge.

7.  If a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote on one of the following manners:

 

 

VAFs can be faxed to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting. This is followed up by mailing the original form.

 

 

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

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

9.  Voting in Person

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

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge:

 

5


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

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:

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

All legal proxies should appoint:

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

b)  The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the following supplemental material:

 

 

A limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser representative.

 

A list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names and account numbers are not included. This list must be presented, along with the proxies, to the Inspectors of Elections and/or tabulator at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. The tabulator must “qualify” the votes (i.e. determine if the vote have previously been cast, if the votes have been rescinded, etc. vote have previously been cast, etc.).

 

A sample ERISA and Individual contract.

 

A sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies form.

 

A copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if applicable).

 

6


Appendix A

Proxy Guidelines

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc. to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.

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

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

 

7


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Historical responsiveness to shareholders

This may include such areas as:

-Paying greenmail

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

 

Qualifications

 

Nominating committee in place

 

Number of outside directors on the board

 

Attendance at meetings

 

Overall performance

SELECTION OF AUDITORS

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

BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK

We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.

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

CLASSIFIED BOARD

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

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

 

8


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

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

INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Future use of additional shares

-Stock split

-Stock option or other executive compensation plan

-Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet

-Aid in restructuring

-Improve credit rating

-Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense

 

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

 

Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect

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

CONFIDENTIAL BALLOT

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

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

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

 

9


CUMULATIVE VOTING

In general, we support cumulative voting.

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

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

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

DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

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

EQUAL ACCESS TO THE PROXY

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

FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS

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

 

10


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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

GOLDEN PARACHUTES

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

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

Note: Congress has imposed a tax on any parachute that is more than three times the executive’s average annual compensation.

ANTI-GREENMAIL PROPOSALS

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

LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS

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

CONSIDERATION OF NONFINANCIAL EFFECTS OF A MERGER

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

 

11


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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

MERGERS, BUYOUTS, SPIN-OFFS, RESTRUCTURINGS

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

MILITARY ISSUES

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

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

NORTHERN IRELAND

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

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

 

12


OPT OUT OF STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW

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

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

 

 

State of Incorporation

 

Management history of responsiveness to shareholders

 

Other mitigating factors

POISON PILL

In general, we do not endorse poison pills.

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

REINCORPORATION

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

STOCK OPTION PLANS

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

Method of payment

 

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

 

13


SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS

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

LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 

14


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

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Mr. Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, Ms. Barbara G. Marcin, CFA, Mr. Robert D. Leininger, CFA, Mr. Kevin V. Dreyer, Mr. Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA and Mr. Christopher J. Marangi, serve as Portfolio Managers of the Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977 and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management 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.

Barbara Marcin, CFA, joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1999 and currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/ GAMCO Fund Complex. Prior to joining GAMCO, Ms. Marcin was head of value investments at Citibank Global Asset Management. Ms. Marcin graduated with distinction as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia and holds an MBA degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business.

Robert Leininger, CFA, joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1993 as an equity analyst. Subsequently, he was a partner and portfolio manager at Rorer Asset Management before rejoining GAMCO in 2010 where he currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and co-manages the Fund. Mr. Leininger is a magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College with a degree in economics and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kevin V. Dreyer joined Gabelli in 2005 as a research analyst covering companies within the consumer sector. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Dreyer received a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA, joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst. He focuses on companies in the cardiovascular, healthcare services, and pharmacy benefits management sectors, among others. He also serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Jonas was a Presidential Scholar at Boston College, where he received a BS in Finance and Management Information Systems.

Christopher J. Marangi joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Marangi graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Political Economy from Williams College and holds an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School.

MANAGEMENT OF OTHER ACCOUNTS

The table below shows the number of other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the total assets in each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other paid investment vehicles and other accounts as of December 31, 2014. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.


Name of Portfolio
Manager
Type of
Accounts

Total

No. of

Accounts
Managed

Total

Assets

No. of

Accounts

where

Advisory

Fee is Based

on

Performance

Total Assets

in Accounts

where

Advisory

Fee is Based

on

Performance

1. Mario J. Gabelli Registered Investment Companies: 26 24.2B 5 2.9B
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 15 634.6M 13 626.7M
  Other Accounts: 1,658 18.7B 23 2.4B
                          
2. Barbara G. Marcin Registered Investment Companies: 3 968.6M 0 0
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts: 37 132.24M 0 0
                          
3. Robert D. Leininger Registered Investment Companies: 0 0 0 0
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts: 56 100.3M 2 47.1M
                          
4. Kevin V. Dreyer Registered Investment Companies: 6 5.8B 1 1.8B
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts: 323 1.1B 1 9.2M
                          
5. Jeffrey J. Jonas Registered Investment Companies: 3 3.9B 0 0
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts: 44 65.8M 2 24.7M
                          
6. Christopher J. Marangi Registered Investment Companies: 6 6.5B 2 2.1B
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: 0 0 0 0
  Other Accounts: 329 1.2B 2 21.2M


POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

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

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

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

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

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

VARIATION IN COMPENSATION. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the Portfolio Manager differs among the accounts that they manage. If the structure of the Adviser’s management fee or the Portfolio Manager’s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio managers may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The portfolio managers also may be motivated to favor accounts in which they have an investment interest, or in which the Adviser, or their affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance a Portfolio Manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected above, if the


Portfolio Manager manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements, certain portions of his/her compensation will depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. The Portfolio Manager could be incented to afford preferential treatment to those accounts and thereby be subject to a potential conflict of interest.

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

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR MARIO J. GABELLI

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

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OTHER THAN MR. GABELLI

The compensation for the Portfolio Managers other than Mr. Gabelli for the Trust is structured to enable the Adviser to attract and retain highly qualified professionals in a competitive environment. The Portfolio Managers other than Mr. Gabelli receive a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base salary, equity-based incentive compensation via awards of restricted stock, and incentive based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenue received by the Adviser for managing the Trust to the extent that the amount exceeds a minimum level of compensation. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees certain of the firm’s expenses (other than the Portfolio Managers’ compensation) allocable to the Trust (the incentive-based variable compensation for managing other accounts is also based on a percentage of net revenues to the investment adviser for managing the account). This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level


of equity-based incentive and incentive-based variable compensation is based on an evaluation by the Adviser’s parent, GBL, of quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation criteria. This evaluation takes into account, in a broad sense, the performance of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, but the level of compensation is not determined with specific reference to the performance of any account against any specific benchmark. Generally, greater consideration is given to the performance of larger accounts and to longer term performance over smaller accounts and short-term performance.

OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE FUND

Mario J. Gabelli, Barbara G. Marcin, Robert D Leininger, Kevin V. Dreyer, Jeffrey J. Jonas, and Christopher J. Marangi each owned; over $1,000,000, 0, $100,001 - $500,000, $10,001 - $50,000, $50,001 - $100,000, and $0 - $10,000, respectively, of shares of the Trust as of December 31, 2014.

(b) Not applicable.

 

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

REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

(a) Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased

 

(b) Average Price Paid

per Share (or Unit)

 

(c) Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

 

(d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

 

Month #1  

07/01/14 through 07/31/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 

Month #2  

08/01/14 through 08/31/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 

Month #3

09/01/14 through 09/30/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 

Month #4  

10/01/14 through 10/31/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 


Month 11/01/14   through 11/30/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 

Month #6  

12/01/14 through 12/31/14

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – 82,774,478

 

Preferred Series A – 3,048,019

 

Preferred Series D – 2,542,296

 

Total

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

Common – N/A

 

Preferred Series A – N/A

 

Preferred Series D – N/A

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

b. The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved – Any or all common shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 7.5% or more from the net asset value of the shares.

Any or all preferred shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value of $25.00.

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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


Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)

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

 

  (a)(2)

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

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (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.

(12.other) Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)            The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust                                                                    
By (Signature and Title)*  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                                                                        
                                                 Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date    3/09/2015                                                                                                                                       

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

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

 

Date    3/09/2015                                                                                                                                       

 

By (Signature and Title)*  /s/ Agnes Mullady                                                                                         
                                                 Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date    3/09/2015                                                                                                                                       

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