Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

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             811-04700            

                                      The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.                                     

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                                      Rye, New York 10580-1422                                         

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                                      Rye, New York 10580-1422                                         

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2013

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.


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

First Quarter Report — March 31, 2013

Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA          

      Zahid Siddique

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”) was 14.4%, compared with total returns of 10.6% and 12.0% for the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, respectively. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 18.8%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $6.26, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $6.48 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed is the schedule of investments as of March 31, 2013.

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2013 (a) (Unaudited)

  

     Quarter   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year   20 Year   25 Year   Since
Inception
(08/21/86)  

    Gabelli Equity Trust

                            

NAV Total Return (b)

       14.35 %       21.56 %       7.57 %       13.37 %       10.06 %       10.64 %       10.88 %  

Investment Total Return (c)

       18.78         24.33         6.76         11.25         9.87         11.37         10.68  

    S&P 500 Index

       10.61         13.96         5.81         8.53         8.53         9.91         9.60 (d)  

    Dow Jones Industrial Average

       11.99         13.33         6.47         8.94         10.02         11.12         10.84 (d)

    Nasdaq Composite Index

       8.51         7.38         8.69         10.29         8.08         9.05         8.39 (d)

 

  (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 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, adjustments for rights offerings, spin-offs, and taxes paid on undistributed long term capital gains and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $9.34.

 
  (c)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE, reinvestment of distributions, and adjustments for rights offerings, spin-offs, and taxes paid on undistributed long term capital gains. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $10.00.

 
  (d)

From August 31, 1986, the date closest to the Fund’s inception for which data is available.

 

 


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Portfolio Changes — Quarter Ended March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

      Shares     Ownership at
March 31,
2013
 

NET PURCHASES

    

Common Stocks

    

Actavis Inc.(a)

     12,000        12,000   

Avon Products Inc.

     10,000        105,000   

Blyth Inc.

     13,000        38,000   

Cable & Wireless Communications plc

     850,000        850,000   

CIT Group Inc.

     5,000        15,000   

Citigroup Inc.

     8,000        115,000   

CNH Global NV

     4,000        14,000   

Crimson Wine Group Ltd.(b)

     16,500        16,500   

Crocs Inc.

     20,000        20,000   

Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. A

     9,000        89,000   

Endo Health Solutions Inc.

     21,000        33,000   

Ferro Corp.

     10,000        420,000   

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.(c)

     22,000        44,000   

H.J. Heinz Co.

     20,000        40,000   

Hillshire Brands Co.

     21,000        161,000   

Hospira Inc.

     5,000        35,000   

Interactive Brokers Group Inc., Cl. A

     3,000        40,000   

Jarden Corp.(d)

     2,000        6,000   

J.C. Penney Co. Inc.

     10,000        10,000   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     10,000        59,088   

Kinnevik Investment AB, Cl. A

     5,000        35,000   

Liberty Media Corp.(e)

     87,000        87,000   

Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.

     50,000        3,650,000   

Mueller Industries Inc.

     1,000        22,000   

Niko Resources Ltd., Toronto

     500        1,000   

Nobility Homes Inc.

     5,000        15,000   

Rexnord Corp.

     40,000        40,000   

Starz - Liberty Capital(e)

     90,000        90,000   

Superior Industries International Inc.

     5,000        70,000   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

     5,000        15,000   

The New Germany Fund Inc.

     2,694        75,175   

The Western Union Co.

     50,000        50,000   

Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.(f)

     4,048        138,978   

VeriFone Systems Inc.

     20,000        20,000   

Vodafone Group plc, ADR

     5,000        70,000   

Zoetis Inc.

     16,000        16,000   

NET SALES

    

Common Stocks

    

ABB Ltd., ADR

     (2,000     16,000   

Abbott Laboratories

     (10,000     -   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Cl. A

     (3,000     4,000   

AMETEK Inc.

     (1,000     470,000   

Beam Inc.

     (2,000     107,000   
      Shares     Ownership at
March 31,
2013
 

Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A

     (500     18,000   

Biogen Idec Inc.

     (1,000     30,000   

CH Energy Group Inc.

     (10,000     45,000   

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

     (20,000     600,000   

CLARCOR Inc.

     (2,000     120,000   

CMS Energy Corp.

     (1,000     28,000   

Coldwater Creek Inc.

     (5,000     -   

Comcast Corp. Cl. A, Special

     (9,000     78,000   

Constellation Brands Inc., Cl. A

     (14,000     40,000   

Crane Co.

     (3,000     204,000   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

     (4,000     316,000   

Deere & Co.

     (3,000     373,000   

Deutsche Bank AG

     (2,000     18,000   

Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR

     (10,000     120,000   

Diageo plc, ADR

     (1,000     198,000   

DIRECTV

     (30,000     430,000   

Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. C

     (3,000     79,000   

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., Cl. A

     (500     -   

Eaton Corp. plc

     (4,787     143,973   

Emerson Electric Co.

     (19,000     20,000   

Flowers Foods Inc.

     (2,000     63,000   

Ford Motor Co.

     (5,000     25,000   

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

     (5,000     116,000   

Gardner Denver Inc.

     (3,000     12,000   

GATX Corp.

     (1,000     138,000   

Genuine Parts Co.

     (11,000     245,000   

Greif Inc., Cl. A

     (2,000     152,000   

Grupo Televisa SAB, ADR

     (10,000     635,000   

Hanesbrands Inc.

     (3,000     52,000   

Honeywell International Inc.

     (4,000     385,000   

Huntsman Corp.

     (3,000     20,000   

IDEX Corp.

     (1,000     284,000   

Il Sole 24 Ore SpA

     (20,000     100,000   

Ingredion Inc.

     (4,000     21,000   

InterXion Holding NV

     (1,000     27,000   

ITO EN Ltd.

     (5,000     105,000   

Janus Capital Group Inc.

     (5,000     297,000   

Johnson Controls Inc.

     (4,000     143,000   

Ladbrokes plc

     (260,000     1,070,000   

Landauer Inc.

     (1,000     88,000   

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

     (3,000     51,000   

Leucadia National Corp.

     (14,000     122,000   

Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A

     (4,000     80,000   

Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C

     (4,000     80,000   

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty
Capital, Cl. A(e)

     (78,000     -   

Marathon Oil Corp.

     (2,000     10,000   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

2


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Portfolio Changes (Continued) — Quarter Ended March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

      Shares     Ownership at
March 31,
2013
 

MasterCard Inc., Cl. A

     (500     36,000   

Meredith Corp.

     (6,000     104,000   

MGM Resorts International

     (5,000     25,000   

Modine Manufacturing Co.

     (5,000     225,000   

Monster Worldwide Inc.

     (9,000     10,000   

News Corp., Cl. A

     (20,000     610,000   

Northeast Utilities

     (8,000     52,000   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     (5,000     20,000   

NRG Energy Inc.

     (1,824     -   

OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

     (7,000     253,000   

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

     (500     94,500   

Phillips 66

     (18,000     82,000   

Precision Castparts Corp.

     (500     85,500   

Ralcorp Holdings Inc.(g)

     (70,500     -   

Regal Entertainment Group, Cl. A

     (6,000     -   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     (1,000     2,000   

Rollins Inc.

     (14,000     1,323,000   

RPC Inc.

     (4,000     28,000   

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.

     (9,784     186,000   

Sealed Air Corp.

     (1,000     13,000   

Skyline Corp.

     (1,000     33,000   

Smiths Group plc

     (10,000     20,000   

Sprint Nextel Corp.

     (50,000     700,000   

Standard Motor Products Inc.

     (14,338     137,662   

Sunrise Senior Living Inc.(h)

     (100,000     -   

Tenaris SA, ADR

     (4,000     56,000   

The ADT Corp.

     (2,000     110,500   

The Boeing Co.

     (20,000     120,000   

The Central Europe and Russia Fund Inc.(i)

     (4,029     95,971   

The Madison Square Garden Co., Cl. A

     (19,000     307,000   

The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

     (4,000     112,000   

Tiffany & Co.

     (1,000     4,000   

Time Warner Inc.

     (6,000     200,000   

Tredegar Corp.

     (5,000     10,000   
      Shares     Ownership at
March 31,
2013
 

Trinity Industries Inc.

     (7,000     30,000   

TripAdvisor Inc.

     (2,000     15,000   

True Religion Apparel Inc.

     (30,000     55,000   

Tyson Foods Inc., Cl. A

     (2,000     65,000   

United States Cellular Corp.

     (3,000     115,000   

Verizon Communications Inc.

     (2,000     143,000   

Viacom Inc., Cl. A

     (500     289,500   

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A

     (6,000     52,000   

Walgreen Co.

     (2,000     64,000   

Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

     (12,000     -   

Watts Water Technologies Inc., Cl. A

     (2,000     148,000   

Westar Energy Inc.

     (5,000     195,000   

Yahoo! Inc.

     (35,000     320,000   

Warrants

    

Kinder Morgan Inc., expire 05/25/17

     (4,800     136,000   

 

 

(a)

Name change from Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. to Actavis Inc.

(b)

Spin-off - 0.1 shares of Crimson Wine Group Ltd. for every 1 share of Leucadia National Corp. held. 2,900 shares were purchased after spin-off.

(c)

Stock Split - 2 shares for every 1 share held.

(d)

Stock Split - 3 shares for every 2 shares held.

(e)

Spin-off - 1 share of Starz - Liberty Capital plus 1 share of Liberty MediaCorp. for every 1 share of Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty Capital, Cl. A held.15,000 shares of Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty Capital, Cl. A were purchased before spin-off. 6,000 shares of Liberty Media Corp. and 3,000 shares of Starz - Liberty Capital were sold after spin-off.

(f)

Stock Dividend - 0.03 shares for every 1 share held.

(g)

Tender Offer - $90.00 for every 1 share held.

(h)

Tender Offer - $12.40 plus $2.10 special cash dividend for every 1 share held.

(i)

Tender Offer - 7,076 shares were tendered at $36.82 per share. 3,047 shares were purchased before tender offer.

 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

3


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares        

Market

Value

   COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%     
   Food and Beverage — 12.4%     

107,000

   Beam Inc.(a)      $ 6,798,780  

52,500

   Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. A        3,864,000  

9,375

   Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B        669,375  

75,000

   Campbell Soup Co.        3,402,000  

15,000

   Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.        553,800  

40,000

   Constellation Brands Inc., Cl. A†        1,905,600  

16,500

   Crimson Wine Group Ltd.†        153,450  

222,000

   Danone SA        15,446,547  

599,000

   Davide Campari - Milano SpA        4,660,732  

670,000

   DE Master Blenders 1753 NV†        10,349,049  

70,000

   Dean Foods Co.†        1,269,100  

198,000

   Diageo plc, ADR        24,916,320  

40,000

   Dole Food Co. Inc.†        436,000  

100,000

   Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc.        4,695,000  

63,000

   Flowers Foods Inc.        2,075,220  

83,000

  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB
de CV, ADR

       9,420,500  

40,000

   General Mills Inc.        1,972,400  

2,000,000

   Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Cl. A        6,394,391  

40,000

   H.J. Heinz Co.        2,890,800  

44,000

   Heineken NV        3,316,413  

161,000

   Hillshire Brands Co.        5,659,150  

21,000

   Ingredion Inc.        1,518,720  

105,000

   ITO EN Ltd.        2,532,002  

15,000

   Kellogg Co.        966,450  

64,000

   Kerry Group plc, Cl. A        3,814,388  

53,333

   Kraft Foods Group Inc.        2,748,249  

11,500

   LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA        1,973,863  

220,000

   Mondelez International Inc., Cl. A        6,734,200  

70,000

   Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.        215,648  

26,000

   Nestlé SA        1,880,228  

210,000

   PepsiCo Inc.        16,613,100  

46,000

   Pernod-Ricard SA        5,732,016  

37,000

   Post Holdings Inc.†        1,588,410  

40,673

   Remy Cointreau SA        4,700,658  

130,000

   The Coca-Cola Co.        5,257,200  

20,000

   The Hain Celestial Group Inc.†        1,221,600  

2,000

   The J.M. Smucker Co.        198,320  

138,978

   Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.        4,156,829  

65,000

   Tyson Foods Inc., Cl. A        1,613,300  

350,000

   Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.        14,091,464  
       

 

 

 
          188,405,272  
       

 

 

 
   Cable and Satellite — 8.2%     

282,000

   AMC Networks Inc., Cl. A†        17,816,760  

1,170,000

   Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A        17,503,200  

78,000

   Comcast Corp., Cl. A, Special        3,090,360  

430,000

   DIRECTV†        24,342,300  

100,000

   DISH Network Corp., Cl. A        3,790,000  

30,740

   EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†        1,197,938  

80,000

   Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†        5,872,000  
Shares        

Market

Value

80,000

   Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†      $ 5,490,400  

481,690

   Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B, New York        24,595,091  

19,310

   Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B, Toronto        986,362  

118,000

   Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., Cl. A        7,592,120  

154,000

   Shaw Communications Inc., Cl. B, New York        3,806,880  

40,000

   Shaw Communications Inc., Cl. B, Toronto        990,697  

67,000

   Time Warner Cable Inc.        6,436,020  
       

 

 

 
          123,510,128  
       

 

 

 
   Financial Services — 7.9%     

459,000

   American Express Co.(a)        30,964,140  

14,000

   Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.        579,320  

13,000

   Artio Global Investors Inc.        35,360  

72,000

   Banco Santander SA, ADR        490,320  

128

   Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cl. A†        20,003,840  

10,000

   Calamos Asset Management Inc., Cl. A        117,700  

15,000

   CIT Group Inc.†        652,200  

115,000

   Citigroup Inc.        5,087,600  

18,000

   Deutsche Bank AG        704,160  

10,000

   Fortress Investment Group LLC, Cl. A        64,000  

24,000

   H&R Block Inc.        706,080  

40,000

   Interactive Brokers Group Inc., Cl. A        596,400  

297,000

   Janus Capital Group Inc.        2,791,800  

59,088

   JPMorgan Chase & Co.        2,804,317  

35,000

   Kinnevik Investment AB, Cl. A        858,276  

121,000

   Legg Mason Inc.        3,890,150  

122,000

   Leucadia National Corp.        3,346,460  

10,000

   Loews Corp.        440,700  

135,000

   Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.        5,125,950  

11,000

   Moody’s Corp.        586,520  

22,000

   Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Cl. A        205,700  

120,000

   State Street Corp.        7,090,800  

20,000

   SunTrust Banks Inc.        576,200  

140,000

   T. Rowe Price Group Inc.        10,481,800  

200,000

   The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.        5,598,000  

40,000

   The Charles Schwab Corp.        707,600  

14,500

   The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.        1,212,925  

50,000

   The Western Union Co.        752,000  

52,000

   Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A        2,276,560  

270,000

   Wells Fargo & Co.        9,987,300  

13,000

   WR Berkley Corp.        576,810  
       

 

 

 
          119,310,988  
       

 

 

 
   Equipment and Supplies — 6.6%     

470,000

   AMETEK Inc.        20,379,200  

3,500

   Amphenol Corp., Cl. A        261,275  

94,000

   CIRCOR International Inc.        3,995,000  

375,000

   Donaldson Co. Inc.        13,571,250  

98,000

   Flowserve Corp.        16,435,580  

44,000

   Franklin Electric Co. Inc.        1,477,080  

60,000

   Gerber Scientific Inc., Escrow†(b)        600  

95,000

   GrafTech International Ltd.†        729,600  

284,000

   IDEX Corp.        15,171,280  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

4


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares         Market
Value
 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Equipment and Supplies (Continued)   

40,000

   Ingersoll-Rand plc    $ 2,200,400   

178,000

   Lufkin Industries Inc.      11,817,420   

22,000

   Mueller Industries Inc.      1,172,380   

13,000

   Sealed Air Corp.      313,430   

56,000

   Tenaris SA, ADR      2,283,680   

15,000

   The Greenbrier Companies Inc.†      340,650   

4,000

   The Manitowoc Co. Inc.      82,240   

70,000

   The Weir Group plc      2,406,972   

148,000

   Watts Water Technologies Inc., Cl. A      7,102,520   
     

 

 

 
        99,740,557   
     

 

 

 
   Diversified Industrial — 5.9%   

3,000

   Acuity Brands Inc.      208,050   

152,000

   Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.      2,874,320   

204,000

   Crane Co.      11,395,440   

143,973

   Eaton Corp. plc      8,818,346   

12,000

   Gardner Denver Inc.      901,320   

200,000

   General Electric Co.      4,624,000   

152,000

   Greif Inc., Cl. A      8,150,240   

15,000

   Greif Inc., Cl. B      841,500   

28,000

   Griffon Corp.      333,760   

385,000

   Honeywell International Inc.      29,009,750   

128,000

   ITT Corp.      3,639,040   

11,000

   Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.      435,380   

2,000

   Kennametal Inc.      78,080   

26,000

   Material Sciences Corp.†      280,800   

94,500

   Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.†      3,130,785   

44,318

   Pentair Ltd.      2,337,774   

40,000

   Rexnord Corp.†      849,200   

20,000

   Smiths Group plc      381,991   

15,000

   Sulzer AG      2,562,941   

10,000

   Tredegar Corp.      294,400   

30,000

   Trinity Industries Inc.      1,359,900   

203,000

   Tyco International Ltd.      6,496,000   
     

 

 

 
        89,003,017   
     

 

 

 
   Entertainment — 5.8%   

89,000

   Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. A†      7,007,860   

79,000

   Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. C†      5,493,660   

635,000

   Grupo Televisa SAB, ADR      16,897,350   

32,000

   Societe d’Edition de Canal +      222,325   

90,000

   Starz - Liberty Capital†      1,993,500   

307,000

   The Madison Square Garden Co., Cl. A†      17,683,200   

200,000

   Time Warner Inc.      11,524,000   

50,000

   Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings Inc.      770,170   

90,000

   Universal Entertainment Corp.      1,788,814   

289,500

   Viacom Inc., Cl. A      18,255,870   

330,666

   Vivendi SA      6,830,593   
     

 

 

 
        88,467,342   
     

 

 

 
Shares         Market
Value
 
   Energy and Utilities — 5.8%   

16,000

   ABB Ltd., ADR    $ 364,160   

32,000

   Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      2,798,400   

60,000

   Apache Corp.      4,629,600   

89,000

   BP plc, ADR      3,769,150   

45,000

   CH Energy Group Inc.      2,942,550   

28,000

   CMS Energy Corp.      782,320   

204,000

   ConocoPhillips      12,260,400   

22,000

   CONSOL Energy Inc.      740,300   

18,000

   Duke Energy Corp.      1,306,620   

236,000

   El Paso Electric Co.      7,941,400   

75,000

   Exxon Mobil Corp.      6,758,250   

140,000

   GenOn Energy Inc., Escrow†(b)      0   

198,000

   Halliburton Co.      8,001,180   

75,000

   Kinder Morgan Inc.      2,901,000   

10,000

   Marathon Oil Corp.      337,200   

6,000

   Marathon Petroleum Corp.      537,600   

5,000

   National Fuel Gas Co.      306,750   

22,000

   NextEra Energy Inc.      1,708,960   

2,000

   Niko Resources Ltd., OTC      12,600   

1,000

   Niko Resources Ltd., Toronto      6,290   

52,000

   Northeast Utilities      2,259,920   

38,000

   Oceaneering International Inc.      2,523,580   

82,000

   Phillips 66      5,737,540   

175,000

   Rowan Companies plc, Cl. A†      6,188,000   

28,000

   RPC Inc.      424,760   

5,000

   SJW Corp.      132,500   

20,000

   Southwest Gas Corp.      949,200   

120,000

   Spectra Energy Corp.      3,690,000   

60,000

   The AES Corp.      754,200   

9,000

   Transocean Ltd.†      467,640   

195,000

   Westar Energy Inc.      6,470,100   
     

 

 

 
        87,702,170   
     

 

 

 
   Health Care — 4.3%   

12,000

   Actavis Inc.†      1,105,320   

13,000

   Allergan Inc.      1,451,190   

36,000

   Amgen Inc.      3,690,360   

24,000

   Baxter International Inc.      1,743,360   

15,000

   Becton, Dickinson and Co.      1,434,150   

30,000

   Biogen Idec Inc.†      5,787,300   

330,000

   Boston Scientific Corp.†      2,577,300   

85,000

   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      3,501,150   

49,000

   Covidien plc      3,324,160   

33,000

   Endo Health Solutions Inc.†      1,015,080   

28,000

   Henry Schein Inc.†      2,591,400   

35,000

   Hospira Inc.†      1,149,050   

40,000

   Johnson & Johnson      3,261,200   

65,000

   Life Technologies Corp.†      4,200,950   

40,000

   Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.      3,098,000   

100,000

   Merck & Co. Inc.      4,423,000   

9,600

   Nobel Biocare Holding AG      96,071   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

5


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares        

Market

Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Health Care (Continued)   

97,000

   Novartis AG, ADR    $ 6,910,280   

2,000

   Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.†      352,800   

15,000

   Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR      595,200   

94,000

   UnitedHealth Group Inc.      5,377,740   

4,000

   Waters Corp.†      375,640   

60,000

   William Demant Holding A/S†      5,026,821   

10,000

   Zimmer Holdings Inc.      752,200   

16,000

   Zoetis Inc.†      534,400   
     

 

 

 
        64,374,122   
     

 

 

 
   Consumer Products — 3.8%   

105,000

   Avon Products Inc.      2,176,650   

38,000

   Blyth Inc.      659,680   

16,500

   Christian Dior SA      2,736,887   

24,000

   Church & Dwight Co. Inc.      1,551,120   

20,000

   Crocs Inc.†      296,400   

94,000

   Energizer Holdings Inc.      9,374,620   

2,100

   Givaudan SA      2,579,374   

52,000

   Hanesbrands Inc.†      2,369,120   

28,000

   Harley-Davidson Inc.      1,492,400   

6,000

   Jarden Corp.†      257,100   

7,000

   Mattel Inc.      306,530   

11,683

   National Presto Industries Inc.      940,482   

10,000

   Oil-Dri Corp. of America      272,300   

55,000

   Reckitt Benckiser Group plc      3,942,839   

32,400

   Svenska Cellulosa AB, Cl. B      835,289   

835,000

   Swedish Match AB      25,921,768   

2,000

   The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Cl. A      128,060   

55,000

   True Religion Apparel Inc.      1,436,050   
     

 

 

 
        57,276,669   
     

 

 

 
   Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 3.6%   

65,000

   BorgWarner Inc.†      5,027,100   

120,000

   CLARCOR Inc.      6,285,600   

215,000

   Dana Holding Corp.      3,833,450   

245,000

   Genuine Parts Co.      19,110,000   

143,000

   Johnson Controls Inc.      5,015,010   

225,000

   Modine Manufacturing Co.†      2,047,500   

85,000

   O’Reilly Automotive Inc.†      8,716,750   

137,662

   Standard Motor Products Inc.      3,815,991   

70,000

   Superior Industries International Inc.      1,307,600   
     

 

 

 
        55,159,001   
     

 

 

 
   Telecommunications — 3.2%   

65,000

   BCE Inc.      3,034,850   

1,000,000

   BT Group plc, Cl. A      4,224,090   

7,040,836

   Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd.†(c)      13,654   

600,000

   Cincinnati Bell Inc.†      1,956,000   

120,000

   Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR      1,269,600   

36,000

   Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA†      217,813   
Shares        

Market

Value

 

15,000

   Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA, ADR†    $ 46,050   

88,244

   Koninklijke KPN NV      296,816   

390,027

   Oi SA, ADR      1,185,682   

30,000

   Oi SA, Cl. C, ADR      100,800   

700,000

   Sprint Nextel Corp.†      4,347,000   

21,000

   Telecom Argentina SA, ADR      304,710   

565,000

   Telecom Italia SpA      399,060   

88,253

   Telefonica Brasil SA, ADR      2,354,590   

597,315

   Telefonica SA, ADR      8,069,726   

589,000

   Telephone & Data Systems Inc.      12,410,230   

15,000

   TELUS Corp.      1,035,980   

143,000

   Verizon Communications Inc.      7,028,450   
     

 

 

 
        48,295,101   
     

 

 

 
   Consumer Services — 3.1%   

70,000

   IAC/InterActiveCorp.      3,127,600   

200,000

   Liberty Interactive Corp., Cl. A†      4,276,000   

13,451

   Liberty Ventures, Cl. A†      1,016,627   

1,323,000

   Rollins Inc.      32,479,650   

110,500

   The ADT Corp.      5,407,870   

15,000

   TripAdvisor Inc.†      787,800   
     

 

 

 
        47,095,547   
     

 

 

 
   Retail — 2.8%   

4,000

   Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Cl. A      184,800   

71,000

   AutoNation Inc.†      3,106,250   

50,000

   Burger King Worldwide Inc.      955,000   

10,000

   Coinstar Inc.†      584,200   

40,000

   Costco Wholesale Corp.      4,244,400   

120,000

   CVS Caremark Corp.      6,598,800   

28,000

   HSN Inc.      1,536,080   

10,000

   J.C. Penney Co. Inc.      151,100   

373,000

   Macy’s Inc.      15,606,320   

36,000

   Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.†      1,057,680   

13,000

   The Cheesecake Factory Inc.      501,930   

4,000

   Tiffany & Co.      278,160   

64,000

   Walgreen Co.      3,051,520   

39,000

   Wal-Mart Stores Inc.      2,918,370   

21,000

   Whole Foods Market Inc.      1,821,750   
     

 

 

 
        42,596,360   
     

 

 

 
   Machinery — 2.7%   

15,000

   Caterpillar Inc.      1,304,550   

14,000

   CNH Global NV      578,480   

373,000

   Deere & Co.(a)      32,070,540   

267,000

   Xylem Inc.      7,358,520   
     

 

 

 
        41,312,090   
     

 

 

 
   Publishing — 2.7%   

100,000

   Il Sole 24 Ore SpA†      63,772   

130,000

   Media General Inc., Cl. A†      772,200   

104,000

   Meredith Corp.      3,979,040   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

6


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
 Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Publishing (Continued)   
  610,000       News Corp., Cl. A    $ 18,617,200   
  355,000       News Corp., Cl. B      10,919,800   
  25,000       The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A†      300,750   
  112,000       The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.      5,832,960   
     

 

 

 
        40,485,722   
     

 

 

 
   Aerospace and Defense — 2.6%   
  612,015       BBA Aviation plc      2,394,571   
  240,000       Exelis Inc.      2,613,600   
  35,800       Kaman Corp.      1,269,826   
  3,000       Lockheed Martin Corp.      289,560   
  20,000       Northrop Grumman Corp.      1,403,000   
  1,200,000       Rolls-Royce Holdings plc      20,603,837   
  120,000       The Boeing Co.(a)      10,302,000   
     

 

 

 
        38,876,394   
     

 

 

 
   Business Services — 2.3%   
  1       Ascent Capital Group Inc., Cl. A†      74   
  159,000       Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Cl. A†      1,190,910   
  33,000       Contax Participacoes SA, Preference      426,228   
  75,000       Diebold Inc.      2,274,000   
  4,000       Edenred      130,903   
  200,000       G4S plc      885,540   
  18,000       Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.      1,171,800   
  88,000       Landauer Inc.      4,961,440   
  36,000       MasterCard Inc., Cl. A      19,480,680   
  10,000       Monster Worldwide Inc.†      50,700   
  315,000       The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.      4,104,450   
  4,000       Visa Inc., Cl. A      679,360   
     

 

 

 
        35,356,085   
     

 

 

 
   Aviation: Parts and Services — 2.0%   
  316,000       Curtiss-Wright Corp.      10,965,200   
  275,000       GenCorp Inc.†      3,657,500   
  85,500       Precision Castparts Corp.      16,212,510   
     

 

 

 
        30,835,210   
     

 

 

 
   Hotels and Gaming — 1.8%   
  20,000       Accor SA      694,765   
  70,000       Genting Singapore plc      84,371   
  8,000       Hyatt Hotels Corp., Cl. A†      345,840   
  32,000       Interval Leisure Group Inc.      695,680   
  1,070,000       Ladbrokes plc      3,671,099   
  51,000       Las Vegas Sands Corp.      2,873,850   
  3,650,000       Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.      5,913,000   
  90,000       MGM China Holdings Ltd.      192,463   
  25,000       MGM Resorts International†      328,750   
  45,000       Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Cl. A†      443,700   
  40,000       Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.†      584,800   
  186,000       Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.      8,509,500   
  34,000       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.      2,166,820   
  200,000       The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd.      342,671   

Shares

         

Market
 Value

 
  2,000       Wynn Resorts Ltd.    $ 250,320   
     

 

 

 
        27,097,629   
     

 

 

 
   Broadcasting — 1.6%   
  260,000       CBS Corp., Cl. A, Voting      12,045,800   
  2,000       Cogeco Inc.      83,378   
  22,334       Corus Entertainment Inc., Cl. B, OTC      576,441   
  6,666       Corus Entertainment Inc., Cl. B, Toronto      171,662   
  30,000       Gray Television Inc.†      140,700   
  87,000       Liberty Media Corp.†      9,711,810   
  24,000       LIN TV Corp., Cl. A†      263,760   
  100,000       Television Broadcasts Ltd.      757,483   
     

 

 

 
        23,751,034   
     

 

 

 
   Specialty Chemicals — 1.5%   
  9,000       Ashland Inc.      668,700   
  24,000       E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.      1,179,840   
  420,000       Ferro Corp.†      2,835,000   
  8,000       FMC Corp.      456,240   
  33,000       H.B. Fuller Co.      1,289,640   
  20,000       Huntsman Corp.      371,800   
  67,000       International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.      5,136,890   
  253,000       OMNOVA Solutions Inc.†      1,940,510   
  204,000       Sensient Technologies Corp.      7,974,360   
  1,000       SGL Carbon SE      39,359   
  98,000       Zep Inc.      1,470,980   
     

 

 

 
        23,363,319   
     

 

 

 
   Electronics — 1.2%   
  18,000       Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A      248,400   
  20,000       Emerson Electric Co.      1,117,400   
  4,000       Hitachi Ltd., ADR      231,600   
  90,000       Intel Corp.      1,966,500   
  36,342       Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV      1,073,906   
  45,000       LSI Corp.†      305,100   
  2,400       Mettler-Toledo International Inc.†      511,728   
  20,000       Molex Inc., Cl. A      482,400   
  50,000       TE Connectivity Ltd.      2,096,500   
  270,000       Texas Instruments Inc.      9,579,600   
     

 

 

 
        17,613,134   
     

 

 

 
   Environmental Services — 0.9%   
  210,000       Republic Services Inc.      6,930,000   
  170,000       Waste Management Inc.      6,665,700   
     

 

 

 
        13,595,700   
     

 

 

 
   Computer Software and Services — 0.9%   
  7,000       Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.†      328,930   
  20,000       Electronic Arts Inc.†      354,000   
  27,000       InterXion Holding NV†      653,940   
  70,000       NCR Corp.†      1,929,200   
  26,000       Rockwell Automation Inc.      2,245,100   
  20,000       VeriFone Systems Inc.†      413,600   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

7


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
 Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Computer Software and Services (Continued)   
  320,000       Yahoo! Inc.†    $ 7,529,600   
     

 

 

 
        13,454,370   
     

 

 

 
   Wireless Communications — 0.9%   
  130,000       America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR      2,724,800   
  850,000       Cable & Wireless Communications plc      541,671   
  7,000       Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR      559,115   
  1,500       NTT DoCoMo Inc.      2,224,465   
  54,075       Tim Participacoes SA, ADR      1,183,161   
  115,000       United States Cellular Corp.†      4,140,000   
  70,000       Vodafone Group plc, ADR      1,988,700   
     

 

 

 
        13,361,912   
     

 

 

 
   Metals and Mining — 0.9%   
  44,000       Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.      1,805,760   
  105,000       Alcoa Inc.      894,600   
  64,000       Barrick Gold Corp.      1,881,600   
  30,000       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.      993,000   
  4,800       Materion Corp.      136,800   
  50,000       New Hope Corp. Ltd.      206,667   
  156,000       Newmont Mining Corp.      6,534,840   
  72,900       Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.†      463,644   
  14,000       Vale SA, ADR      242,060   
     

 

 

 
        13,158,971   
     

 

 

 
   Agriculture — 0.8%   
  254,000       Archer Daniels Midland Co.      8,567,420   
  20,000       Monsanto Co.      2,112,600   
  15,000       Syngenta AG, ADR      1,256,250   
  10,000       The Mosaic Co.      596,100   
     

 

 

 
        12,532,370   
     

 

 

 
   Automotive — 0.6%   
  25,000       Ford Motor Co.      328,750   
  120,000       Navistar International Corp.†      4,148,400   
  81,000       PACCAR Inc.      4,095,360   
     

 

 

 
        8,572,510   
     

 

 

 
   Communications Equipment — 0.5%   
  65,000       Cisco Systems Inc.      1,359,150   
  500,000       Corning Inc.      6,665,000   
     

 

 

 
        8,024,150   
     

 

 

 
   Transportation — 0.5%   
  138,000       GATX Corp.      7,171,860   
     

 

 

 
   Real Estate — 0.4%   
  55,500       Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc.      1,667,775   
  190,000       The St. Joe Co.†      4,037,500   
     

 

 

 
        5,705,275   
     

 

 

 
   Closed-End Funds — 0.3%   
  30,000       Royce Value Trust Inc.      451,800   

Shares

         

Market
 Value

 
  95,971       The Central Europe and Russia Fund Inc.    $ 3,144,970   
  75,175       The New Germany Fund Inc.      1,265,947   
     

 

 

 
        4,862,717   
     

 

 

 
   Building and Construction — 0.3%   
  116,000       Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.†      4,341,880   
  23,000       Layne Christensen Co.†      491,740   
     

 

 

 
        4,833,620   
     

 

 

 
   Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.1%   
  1,800       Camden Property Trust      123,624   
  34,000       Rayonier Inc.      2,028,780   
     

 

 

 
        2,152,404   
     

 

 

 
   Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicles — 0.1%   
  6,400       Martin Marietta Materials Inc.      652,928   
  15,000       Nobility Homes Inc.†      81,450   
  33,000       Skyline Corp.†      197,010   
     

 

 

 
        931,388   
     

 

 

 
   TOTAL COMMON STOCKS      1,497,984,138   
     

 

 

 
   CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.1%   
   Telecommunications — 0.1%   
  22,500      

Cincinnati Bell Inc.,
6.750% Cv. Pfd., Ser. B

     1,020,600   
     

 

 

 
   WARRANTS — 0.1%   
   Energy and Utilities — 0.1%   
  136,000       Kinder Morgan Inc., expire 05/25/17†      699,040   
     

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

             
   CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS — 0.1%   
   Diversified Industrial — 0.1%   
  $2,000,000      

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

     2,200,000   
     

 

 

 
   U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.7%   
  10,945,000      

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.050% to 0.145%††,
04/18/13 to 09/12/13(e)

     10,943,610   
     

 

 

 
  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $817,966,830)

   $ 1,512,847,388   
     

 

 

 
   Aggregate tax cost    $ 833,325,107   
     

 

 

 
   Gross unrealized appreciation    $ 733,278,326   
   Gross unrealized depreciation      (53,756,045
     

 

 

 
   Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation    $ 679,522,281   
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

8


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Number of
Contracts

        Expiration
Date
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
  

FUTURES CONTRACTS —
SHORT POSITION

     
260    S & P 500 E-Mini Futures(f)      06/21/13       $ (240,365
        

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Securities, or a portion thereof, with a value of $45,573,850, were pledged as collateral for futures contracts.

(b)

Security fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Directors. 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 March 31, 2013, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $600 or 0.00% of total investments.

(c)

At March 31, 2013, the Fund held an investment in a restricted security amounting to $13,654 or 0.00% of total investments, which was valued under methods approved by the Board of Directors as follows:

 

Acquisition
Shares

  

Issuer

   Acquisition
Date
   Acquisition
Cost
     03/31/13
Carrying
Value
Per Unit
 
7,040,836   

Cable & Wireless
Jamaica Ltd.

   09/30/93      $128,658         $0.0019   
(d)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2013, the market value of the Rule 144A security amounted to $2,200,000 or 0.15% of total investments.

(e)

At March 31, 2013, $3,000,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for futures contracts.

(f)

At March 31, 2013, the Fund had entered into futures contracts and, pledged collateral of $3,000,000 with UBS AG.

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

SDR

Swedish Depositary Receipt

 

Geographic Diversification

   % of
Market
Value
   

Market
Value

 

North America

     80.2   $ 1,213,730,094   

Europe

     14.9        225,888,349   

Latin America

     2.8        42,463,409   

Japan

     1.5        21,854,163   

Asia/Pacific

     0.6        8,911,373   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

     100.0   $ 1,512,847,388   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

9


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

 

The Fund’s schedule of investments is prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. 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 schedule of investments.

Security Valuation. Portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board of Directors (the “Board”) so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”).

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt 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. 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. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR 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 Fund’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

 

10


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

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 and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

      Valuation Inputs         
      Level 1
Quoted Prices
     Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
     Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
     Total Market Value
at 3/31/13
 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

           

ASSETS (Market Value):

           

Common Stocks:

           

Equipment and Supplies

     $      99,739,957                 $600         $      99,740,557   

Energy and Utilities

     87,702,170                 0         87,702,170   

Other Industries (a)

     1,310,541,411                         1,310,541,411   

Total Common Stocks

     1,497,983,538                 600         1,497,984,138   

Convertible Preferred Stocks (a)

     1,020,600                         1,020,600   

Warrants (a)

     699,040                         699,040   

Convertible Corporate Bonds (a)

             $  2,200,000                 2,200,000   

U.S. Government Obligations

             10,943,610                 10,943,610   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES –
ASSETS

     $1,499,703,178         $13,143,610         $600         $1,512,847,388   

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

           

LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation):*

           

EQUITY CONTRACTS

           

Futures Contracts Sold (b)

     $                     —         $  (240,365)         $  —         $        (240,365)   

 

(a)

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

(b)

Represents cumulative unrealized depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the SOI.

*

Other financial instruments are derivatives reflected in the SOI, such as futures, forwards, and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation of the instrument.

The Fund did not have transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period ended March 31, 2013. 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 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

 

11


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

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 significantly lower or higher value in such Level 3 investments. 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 increasing the income of the Fund, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or 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 March 31, 2013, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an equity contract for difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time an equity contract for difference swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. At March 31, 2013, the Fund held no investments in equity contract for difference swap agreements.

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

 

12


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

value of the contract, and are included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

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. Open positions in futures contracts at March 31, 2013 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments.

Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts, Certain Options, and Swaps. Subject to the guidelines of the Board, the Fund may engage in “commodity interest” transactions (generally, transactions in futures, certain options, certain currency transactions, and certain types of swaps) only for bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. Due to the recent amendments to Rule 4.5 under the CEA, 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

 

13


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain/(loss) on investments.

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

Foreign Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. For the restricted securities the Fund held as of March 31, 2013, refer to the Schedule of Investments.

Tax Information. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

At December 31, 2012, the Fund had net capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes which are available to reduce future required distributions of net capital gains to shareholders. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward for an unlimited period capital losses incurred in years beginning after December 22, 2010. In addition, these losses must be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of the rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may have an increased likelihood of expiring unused. Additionally, 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.

 

Capital Loss Carryforward Available through 2017

   $ 25,514,103   

Capital Loss Carryforward Available through 2018

     13,356,222   
  

 

 

 

Total Capital Loss Carryforwards

   $ 38,870,325   
  

 

 

 

 

14


THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

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 1976 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 University Graduate School of Business, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

Zahid Siddique joined G.research, Inc. in 2005 as a research analyst covering the global industrial and infrastructure sectors. Currently, he continues to specialize in that field and also serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and is a co-manager of the Fund. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Siddique received a B.A. in Mathematics from Hamilton College and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University, where he was recognized by the National Industrial Engineering Honor Society. He holds an MBA from Columbia School of Business.

 

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. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

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 “XGABX.”

 

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.


 

THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

t 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f 914-921-5118

e info@gabelli.com

  GABELLI.COM

 

DIRECTORS

  

OFFICERS

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

  

Bruce N. Alpert

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,

  

President &

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

  

Acting Chief Compliance Officer

Anthony J. Colavita

  

Agnes Mullady

President,

  

Treasurer & Secretary

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

  
  

Carter W. Austin

James P. Conn

  

Vice President

Former Managing Director &

  

Chief Investment Officer,

  

Molly A.F. Marion

Financial Security Assurance

  

Vice President & Ombudsman

Holdings Ltd.

  
  

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

  

Gabelli Funds, LLC

President &

  

One Corporate Center

Chief Executive Officer,

  

Rye, New York 10580-1422

American Gaming Association

  
  

CUSTODIAN

Arthur V. Ferrara

  

Former Chairman &

  

The Bank of New York Mellon

Chief Executive Officer,

  

Guardian Life Insurance

  

COUNSEL

Company of America

  
  

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

William F. Heitmann

  

TRANSFER AGENT AND

Former Senior Vice President

  

REGISTRAR

of Finance,

  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Anthony R. Pustorino

  

Certified Public Accountant,

  

Professor Emeritus,

  

Pace University

  

Salvatore J. Zizza

  

Chairman,

  

Zizza & Associates Corp.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      

GAB Q1/2013

 

LOGO

 


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 Equity Trust Inc.

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

 
 

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Date

 

    5/28/2013

  

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

 

    5/28/2013

  

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Agnes Mullady

 
 

        Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

Date

 

    5/28/2013

  

 

*

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