nvq
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-Q
QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY
Investment Company Act file number 811-09243
The Gabelli Utility Trust
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Bruce N. Alpert
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
 
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-422-3554
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: September 30, 2009
Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5
(§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q 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 the 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. Schedule of Investments.
The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.
(GABELLI LOGO)
The Gabelli Utility Trust
Third Quarter Report
September 30, 2009
To Our Shareholders,
     During the third quarter of 2009, The Gabelli Utility Trust’s (the “Fund”) total return was 15.6% on a net asset value (“NAV”) basis compared with the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Utilities Index and the Lipper Utility Fund Average of 6.2% and 9.6%, respectively.
     Enclosed is the investment portfolio as of September 30, 2009.
Comparative Results
 
                                                         
Average Annual Returns through September 30, 2009 (a)
                                                    Since
            Year to                                   Inception
    Quarter   Date   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   10 Year   (07/09/99)
Gabelli Utility Trust
                                                       
NAV Total Return (b)
    15.60 %     11.05 %     (3.33 )%     (2.15 )%     4.97 %     6.52 %     6.38 %
Investment Total Return (c)
    8.85       37.39       (8.20 )     1.52       3.59       7.71       8.69  
S&P 500 Index
    15.59       19.27       (6.91 )     (5.43 )     1.01       (0.15 )     (0.93 )
S&P 500 Utilities Index
    6.15       4.33       (7.06 )     (1.16 )     7.00       3.60       2.93  
Lipper Utility Fund Average
    9.64       10.09       (4.84 )     (1.39 )     6.71       3.73       3.23  
 
(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. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. The S&P 500 Utilities Index is an unmanaged indicator of electric and gas utility stock performance. The Lipper Utility Fund Average reflects the average performance of open-end mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(b)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date, and adjustments for rights offerings and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $7.50.
 
(c)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the New York Stock Exchange, reinvestment of distributions, and adjustments for rights offerings. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $7.50.

     We have separated the portfolio manager’s commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio due to corporate governance regulations stipulated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have done this to ensure that the content of the portfolio manager’s commentary is unrestricted. 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 UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 98.5%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 84.5%
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy — 0.3%
       
  20,000    
Ormat Industries Ltd.
  $ 167,795  
  12,500    
Ormat Technologies Inc.
    510,250  
  9,000    
Renegy Holdings Inc.†
    12,150  
       
 
     
       
 
    690,195  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Electric Integrated — 48.1%
       
  247,000    
Allegheny Energy Inc.
    6,550,440  
  23,000    
ALLETE Inc.
    772,110  
  75,000    
Alliant Energy Corp.
    2,088,750  
  20,000    
Ameren Corp.
    505,600  
  80,000    
American Electric Power Co. Inc.
    2,479,200  
  10,000    
Avista Corp.
    202,200  
  45,000    
Black Hills Corp.
    1,132,650  
  26,000    
Central Vermont Public Service Corp.
    501,800  
  30,000    
Cleco Corp.
    752,400  
  145,000    
CMS Energy Corp.
    1,943,000  
  160,000    
Constellation Energy Group Inc.
    5,179,200  
  33,000    
Dominion Resources Inc.
    1,138,500  
  160,000    
DPL Inc.
    4,176,000  
  24,000    
DTE Energy Co.
    843,360  
  190,000    
Duke Energy Corp.
    2,990,600  
  90,000    
Edison International
    3,022,200  
  193,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    3,410,310  
  3,000    
Entergy Corp.
    239,580  
  51,000    
FirstEnergy Corp.
    2,331,720  
  130,000    
Florida Public Utilities Co.
    1,579,500  
  95,000    
FPL Group Inc.
    5,246,850  
  245,000    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    4,397,750  
  60,000    
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.
    1,087,200  
  92,000    
Integrys Energy Group Inc.
    3,301,880  
  61,000    
Maine & Maritimes Corp.
    2,192,950  
  65,000    
MGE Energy Inc.
    2,371,200  
  48,000    
NiSource Inc.
    666,720  
  115,000    
NorthWestern Corp.
    2,809,450  
  35,000    
NV Energy Inc.
    405,650  
  100,000    
OGE Energy Corp.
    3,308,000  
  24,000    
Otter Tail Corp.
    574,320  
  48,000    
PG&E Corp.
    1,943,520  
  100,000    
PNM Resources Inc.
    1,168,000  
  100,000    
Progress Energy Inc.
    3,906,000  
  40,000    
Progress Energy Inc., CVO†
    9,200  
  38,000    
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    1,194,720  
  60,500    
SCANA Corp.
    2,111,450  
  104,000    
TECO Energy Inc.
    1,464,320  
  25,000    
The Empire District Electric Co.
    452,250  
  150,000    
Unisource Energy Corp.
    4,612,500  
  18,000    
Unitil Corp.
    404,100  
  47,000    
Vectren Corp.
    1,082,880  
  260,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    5,072,600  
  90,000    
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
    4,065,300  
  195,000    
Xcel Energy Inc.
    3,751,800  
       
 
     
       
 
    99,439,730  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Electric Transmission and Distribution — 7.8%
       
  243    
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP
    4,000  
  50,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
    2,215,500  
  60,000    
Consolidated Edison Inc.
    2,456,400  
  135,000    
Northeast Utilities
    3,204,900  
  215,000    
NSTAR
    6,841,300  
  22,500    
Pepco Holdings Inc.
    334,800  
  36,666    
UIL Holdings Corp.
    967,616  
       
 
     
       
 
    16,024,516  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Global Utilities — 4.3%
       
  1,500    
Areva SA
    865,722  
  8,000    
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    194,285  
  40,000    
Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.
    1,267,755  
  45,000    
Endesa SA
    1,486,918  
  304,000    
Enel SpA
    1,929,583  
  300,000    
Hera SpA
    730,069  
  8,000    
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.
    166,479  
  8,000    
Hokuriku Electric Power Co.
    203,643  
  3,500    
Huaneng Power International Inc., ADR
    93,240  
  35,000    
Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†
    533,400  
  8,000    
Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    181,362  
  2,000    
Niko Resources Ltd.
    156,447  
  8,000    
Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    244,193  
  8,000    
The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    175,926  
  8,000    
The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.
    193,394  
  8,000    
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.
    209,881  
  15,000    
Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    334,206  
       
 
     
       
 
    8,966,503  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 2.7%
       
  35,810    
Dynegy Inc., Cl. A†
    91,316  
  8,130    
Mirant Corp.†
    133,576  
  300,000    
Mirant Corp., Escrow† (a)
    0  
  360,000    
The AES Corp.†
    5,335,200  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,560,092  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 7.0%
       
  205,000    
El Paso Corp.
    2,115,600  
  1,000    
Energen Corp.
    43,100  
  130,000    
National Fuel Gas Co.
    5,955,300  
  2,000    
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    156,800  
  100,000    
ONEOK Inc.
    3,662,000  
  120,000    
Southern Union Co.
    2,494,800  
       
 
     
       
 
    14,427,600  
       
 
     
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

2


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES (Continued)
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities — 6.9%
       
  26,000    
AGL Resources Inc.
  $ 917,020  
  50,000    
Atmos Energy Corp.
    1,409,000  
  12,100    
Corning Natural Gas Corp.
    187,550  
  30,000    
Delta Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    795,000  
  11,445    
GDF Suez
    508,222  
  11,445    
GDF Suez, Strips
    17  
  90,000    
Nicor Inc.
    3,293,100  
  35,000    
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    837,900  
  6,000    
RGC Resources Inc.
    165,240  
  150,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    3,837,000  
  120,000    
Spectra Energy Corp.
    2,272,800  
       
 
     
       
 
    14,222,849  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Resources — 1.4%
       
  6,000    
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
    376,380  
  35,000    
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA, ADR
    1,232,350  
  14,000    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    960,540  
  3,000    
Peabody Energy Corp.
    111,660  
  4,000    
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR
    228,760  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,909,690  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Services — 0.5%
       
  50,000    
ABB Ltd., ADR
    1,002,000  
  3,000    
Tenaris SA, ADR
    106,860  
       
 
     
       
 
    1,108,860  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Water — 3.1%
       
  14,000    
American States Water Co.
    506,520  
  30,000    
American Water Works Co. Inc.
    598,200  
  21,833    
Aqua America Inc.
    385,134  
  24,750    
Artesian Resources Corp., Cl. A
    416,295  
  20,000    
California Water Service Group
    778,800  
  7,500    
Connecticut Water Service Inc.
    167,925  
  51,333    
Middlesex Water Co.
    774,102  
  33,000    
Pennichuck Corp.
    718,080  
  80,000    
SJW Corp.
    1,828,000  
  8,101    
Southwest Water Co.
    39,857  
  9,000    
The York Water Co.
    124,740  
       
 
     
       
 
    6,337,653  
       
 
     
       
Diversified Industrial — 1.7%
       
  2,800    
Alstom SA
    204,337  
  5,000    
Bouygues SA
    254,258  
  10,000    
Cooper Industries plc, Cl. A
    375,700  
  165,000    
General Electric Co.
    2,709,300  
       
 
     
       
 
    3,543,595  
       
 
     
       
Equipment and Supplies — 0.1%
       
  50,000    
Capstone Turbine Corp.†
    66,000  
  2,000    
Mueller Industries Inc.
    47,740  
       
 
     
       
 
    113,740  
       
 
     
                 
Shares/         Market  
Units         Value  
       
Environmental Services — 0.0%
       
  3,000    
Suez Environnement Co. SA
  $ 68,529  
       
 
     
       
Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders — 0.6%
       
  40,000    
NRG Energy Inc.†
    1,127,600  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES
    174,541,152  
       
 
     
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 11.9%
       
       
Cable and Satellite — 4.0%
       
  100,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    2,375,000  
  5,000    
Cogeco Cable Inc.
    141,596  
  20,000    
Cogeco Inc.
    476,159  
  65,000    
DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†
    1,251,900  
  10,000    
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†
    184,600  
  35,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†
    789,950  
  20,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†
    449,200  
  8,000    
Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B
    225,600  
  65,000    
The DIRECTV Group Inc.†
    1,792,700  
  12,000    
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    517,080  
  2,112    
Zon Multimedia Servicos de Telecomunicacoes e Multimedia SGPS SA
    14,322  
       
 
     
       
 
    8,218,107  
       
 
     
       
Communications Equipment — 0.6%
       
  3,000    
QUALCOMM Inc.
    134,940  
  260,000    
The Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
    1,057,205  
       
 
     
       
 
    1,192,145  
       
 
     
       
Telecommunications — 4.5%
       
  50,000    
AT&T Inc.
    1,350,500  
  2,000    
Belgacom SA
    77,909  
  4,350    
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (a)(b)
    113,441  
  30,000    
BT Group plc, ADR
    624,300  
  2,000    
CenturyTel Inc.
    67,200  
  230,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc.†
    805,000  
  2,000    
Comstar United Telesystems OJSC, GDR
    10,500  
  20,000    
D&E Communications Inc.
    229,800  
  65,000    
Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR
    887,900  
  2,000    
France Telecom SA, ADR
    53,840  
  6,000    
Frontier Communications Corp.
    45,240  
  200    
Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.
    34  
  200    
Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.
    41  
  500    
Mobistar SA
    34,601  
  20,000    
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.
    926,865  
  2,000    
Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, GDR
    62,180  
  15,000    
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA
    158,811  
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

3


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
       
       
COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)
       
       
Telecommunications (Continued)
       
  2,000    
PT Indosat Tbk
  $ 1,128  
  500    
Rostelecom, ADR
    14,680  
  500    
Sistema JSFC, GDR† (c)
    7,300  
  1,200    
Tele2 AB, Cl. B
    15,922  
  27,000    
Telekom Austria AG
    486,771  
  40,000    
Touch America Holdings Inc.† (a)
    0  
  115,000    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    3,481,050  
       
 
     
       
 
    9,455,013  
       
 
     
       
Wireless Communications — 2.8%
       
  600    
America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR
    26,298  
  2,000    
China Mobile Ltd., ADR
    98,220  
  2,000    
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., ADR
    28,480  
  7,000    
Millicom International Cellular SA†
    509,180  
  4,500    
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, ADR
    217,215  
  171    
MobileOne Ltd.
    215  
  1,200    
NTT DoCoMo Inc.
    1,917,006  
  600    
SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR
    10,470  
  200    
SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.
    154  
  22,000    
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S, ADR
    393,140  
  30,000    
United States Cellular Corp.†
    1,172,100  
  75,000    
Vimpel-Communications, ADR†
    1,402,500  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,774,978  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS
    24,640,243  
       
 
     
       
OTHER — 2.1%
       
       
Aerospace — 0.3%
       
  75,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc†
    564,310  
       
 
     
       
Agriculture — 0.0%
       
  3,000    
Cadiz Inc.†
    35,100  
       
 
     
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.0%
       
  1,000    
BERU AG
    111,201  
       
 
     
       
Entertainment — 1.4%
       
  30,000    
Time Warner Inc.
    863,400  
  64,000    
Vivendi
    1,980,333  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,843,733  
       
 
     
       
Publishing — 0.0%
       
  8,000    
Idearc Inc.†
    200  
       
 
     
       
Real Estate — 0.1%
       
  6,075    
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Cl. A
    137,963  
       
 
     
       
Transportation — 0.3%
       
  20,000    
GATX Corp.
    559,000  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL OTHER
    4,251,507  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    203,432,902  
       
 
     
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.9%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.9%
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 0.9%
       
  2,000    
El Paso Corp., 4.990% Cv. Pfd. (b)
    1,861,700  
       
 
     
       
WARRANTS — 0.1%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 0.0%
       
  26,107    
Mirant Corp., Ser. A, expire 01/03/11†
    38,638  
       
 
     
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.1%
       
       
Wireless Communications — 0.1%
       
  18,000    
Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 09/19/13† (b)
    156,672  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    195,310  
       
 
     
                 
Principal              
Amount              
       
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS — 0.0%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%
       
       
Environmental Services — 0.0%
       
$ 100,000    
Covanta Holding Corp., Cv., 3.250%, 06/01/14 (b)
    111,000  
       
 
     
       
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.5%
       
  1,070,000    
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.066% to 0.178%††, 10/29/09 to 12/31/09
    1,069,815  
       
 
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $202,922,672)
  $ 206,670,727  
       
 
     
       
Aggregate book cost
  $ 202,922,672  
       
 
     
       
Gross unrealized appreciation
  $ 21,920,176  
       
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (18,172,121 )
       
 
     
       
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation
  $ 3,748,055  
       
 
     
 
(a)   Security fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The procedures may include reviewing available financial information about the company and reviewing the valuation of comparable securities and other factors on a regular basis. At September 30, 2009, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $113,441 or 0.05% of total investments.
 
(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 September 30, 2009, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $2,242,813 or 1.09% of total investments.
 
(c)   At September 30, 2009, the Fund held an investment in a restricted security amounting to $7,300 or 0.00% of total investments, which was valued under methods approved by Board of Trustees as follows:
                             
                        09/30/09
Acquisition       Acquisition   Acquisition   Carrying Value
Shares   Issuer   Date   Cost   Per Unit
  500    
Sistema JSFC, GDR
  10/10/07   $ 17,384     $ 14.6000  
 
  Non-income producing security.
 
††   Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
 
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
 
CVO   Contingent Value Obligation
 
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

4


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
1. 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. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
     Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board.
     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 Fund’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

5


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
     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 and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2009 is as follows:
                                 
    Valuation Inputs    
    Level 1   Level 2 Other Significant   Level 3 Significant   Total Market Value
    Quoted Prices   Observable Inputs   Unobservable Inputs   at 9/30/09
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
                               
ASSETS (Market Value):
                               
Common Stocks
                               
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                               
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
  $ 5,560,092           $ 0     $ 5,560,092  
COMMUNICATIONS
                               
Telecommunications
    9,455,013             0       9,455,013  
Other Industries (a)
    188,417,797                   188,417,797  
 
Total Common Stocks
    203,432,902                   203,432,902  
 
Convertible Preferred Stocks (a)
    1,861,700                   1,861,700  
 
Warrants
                               
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                               
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
    38,638                   38,638  
COMMUNICATIONS
                               
Wireless Communications
        $ 156,672             156,672  
 
Total Warrants
    38,638       156,672             195,310  
 
Convertible Corporate Bonds
          111,000             111,000  
U.S. Government Obligations
          1,069,815             1,069,815  
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
  $ 205,333,240     $ 1,337,487     $ 0     $ 206,670,727  
 
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
                               
LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation): *
                               
Interest Rate Swap Agreement
  $     $ (675,492 )   $     $ (675,492 )
Contract for Difference Swap Agreement
          (5,746 )           (5,746 )
 
TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
  $     $ (681,238 )   $     $ (681,238 )
 
 
(a)   Security and industry classifications for these categories are detailed in the Schedule of Investments.
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards, and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation of the investment.

6


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
     The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
                                                                 
                                                            Net change
                                                            in unrealized
                                                            appreciation/
                                                            depreciation
                            Change in                           during the
    Balance   Accrued   Realized   unrealized   Net   Transfers in   Balance   period on Level 3
    as of   discounts/   gain/   appreciation/   purchases/   and/or out   as of   investments held
    12/31/08   (premiums)   (loss)   depreciation   (sales)   of Level 3   9/30/09   at 9/30/09
 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
                                                               
ASSETS (Market Value):
                                                               
Common Stocks
                                                               
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                                                               
Energy and Utilities: Electric Integrated
  $ 13,200     $     $     $     $     $ (13,200 )   $     $  
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
    0                                     0        
COMMUNICATIONS
                                                               
Telecommunications
    0                                     0        
 
Total Common Stocks
    13,200                               (13,200 )     0        
 
Corporate Bonds
    0             0             0                    
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
  $ 13,200     $     $ 0     $     $ 0     $ (13,200 )   $ 0     $  
 
2. Derivative Financial Instruments. The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in a number of derivative financial instruments for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund, hedging or protecting its exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities markets, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or 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.
     Current notional amounts are an indicator of the volume of the Fund’s derivative activities during the period.

7


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
     Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity, contract for difference, and interest rate swap or cap transactions for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In a swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time a swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction.
     The Fund has entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Citibank N.A. Under the agreement, the Fund receives a floating rate of interest and pays a respective fixed rate of interest on the nominal value of the swap. Details of the swap at September 30, 2009 are as follows:
                                 
   Notional           Floating Rate*   Termination   Net Unrealized
   Amount   Fixed Rate   (rate reset monthly)   Date   Depreciation
$25,000,000
    4.00 %     0.25875 %     6/02/10     $ (675,492 )
 
*   Based on LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate).
The Fund has entered into an equity contract for difference swap agreement with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Details of the swap at September 30, 2009 are as follows:
                                 
   Notional   Equity Security   Interest Rate/   Termination   Net Unrealized
   Amount   Received   Equity Security Paid   Date   Depreciation
$193,769 (25,000 Shares)
  Market Value
Appreciation on:
Rolls-Royce Group plc
  One month LIBOR plus 90 bps plus
Market Value Depreciation on:
Rolls-Royce Group plc
    6/25/10     $ (5,746 )
     For open derivative instruments as of September 30, 2009, see the preceding tables, which are also indicative of activity for the year ended December 31, 2008.
     Futures Contracts. The Fund may engage in futures contracts for the purpose of hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, which are included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and futures contracts. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

8


 

     There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts as a hedging instrument. The change in value of futures contracts primarily corresponds with the value of their underlying instruments, which may not correlate with the change in value of the hedged investments. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market. At September 30, 2009, there were no open futures contracts.
     Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for the purpose of hedging a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
     The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. At September 30, 2009, there were no open forward foreign exchange contracts.

9


 

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS
Enrollment in the Plan
     It is the policy of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common shareholders. As a “registered” shareholder you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Fund to credit common shares to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset value. All distributions to shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their share certificates to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distributions in cash must submit this request in writing to:
The Gabelli Utility Trust
c/o Computershare
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940-3010
     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 distributions will be automatically reinvested. Certain brokers participate in the Plan. Shareholders holding shares in “street name” at participating institutions will have dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders wishing a cash dividend at such institution must contact their broker to make this change.
     The number of common shares distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of cash dividends is determined in the following manner. Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the Fund’s common shares is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividends or capital gains distribution, participants are issued common shares valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then current market price of the Fund’s common shares. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive common shares from the Fund valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, Computershare will buy common shares in the open market, or on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that Computershare will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at net asset value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares exceeds the then current net asset value.
     The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions. A participant in the Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received, on a dividend payment date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash the participant could have received instead of shares.
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
     The Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan is yet another vehicle for our shareholders to increase their investment in the Fund. In order to participate in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, shareholders must have their shares registered in their own name.
     Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to Computershare for investments in the Fund’s common 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 Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, brochures are available by calling (914) 921-5070 or by writing directly to the Fund.
     The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of the Plan at least 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.

10


 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422
 
Trustees
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Dr. Thomas E. Bratter
President & Founder, John Dewey Academy
Anthony J. Colavita
President,
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
James P. Conn
Former Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer,
Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd.
Vincent D. Enright
Former Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer,
KeySpan Corp.
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer,
American Gaming Association
John D. Gabelli
Senior Vice President,
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Robert J. Morrissey
Attorney-at-Law,
Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
Anthony R. Pustorino
Certified Public Accountant,
Professor Emeritus, Pace University
Salvatore J. Zizza
Chairman, Zizza & Co., Ltd.
 
Officers
Bruce N. Alpert
President
 
Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Agnes Mullady
Treasurer & Secretary
 
David I. Schachter
Vice President & Ombudsman
 
Investment Adviser
Gabelli Funds, LLC One
Corporate Center Rye,
New York 10580-1422
 
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
 
Counsel
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Stock Exchange Listing
                 
            5.625%
    Common   Preferred
NYSE-Symbol:
  GUT   GUT PrA
Shares Outstanding:
    30,837,531       1,153,288  
The Net Asset Value per share appears in the Publicly Traded Funds column, under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds,” in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. It is also listed in Barron’s Mutual Funds/Closed End Funds section under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds.”
The Net Asset Value per share may be obtained each day by calling (914) 921-5070 or visiting www.gabelli.com.

For general information about the Gabelli Funds, call 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554), fax us at 914-921-5118, visit Gabelli Funds’ Internet homepage at: www.gabelli.com, or e-mail us at: closedend@gabelli.com

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

 


 

(GRAPHICS)

 


 

Item 2. 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 last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 3. Exhibits.
Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) The Gabelli Utility Trust
     
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
 
Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
Date 11/30/09
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 11/30/09
 
   
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Agnes Mullady
 
Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date 11/30/09
 
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.