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:  September 30, 2017

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, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 


Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Third Quarter Report — September 30, 2017

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO

  LOGO   LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA   Christopher J. Marangi   Kevin V. Dreyer   Robert D. Leininger, CFA   Daniel M. Miller
Chief Investment Officer   Co-Chief Investment Officer   Co-Chief Investment Officer   Portfolio Manager   Managing Director,
  BA, Williams College   BSE, University of   BA, Amherst College   GAMCO Investors
  MBA, Columbia   Pennsylvania   MBA, Wharton School,   BS, University of Miami
  Business School   MBA, Columbia   University of Pennsylvania  
    Business School    

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”) was 6.5%, compared with total returns of 4.5% and 5.6% 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 7.7%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $6.43, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $6.50 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed is the schedule of investments as of September 30, 2017.

Comparative Results

 

 

                                 Average Annual Returns through September 30, 2017 (a) (Unaudited)    
    

Quarter

   

1 Year

   

5 Year

   

10 Year

   

15 Year

   

20 Year

   

25 Year

   

Since
Inception
(08/21/86)

 

Gabelli Equity Trust

                

NAV Total Return (b)

     6.53%       21.50%       14.03%       7.37%       12.57%       9.20%       10.57%       10.96%  

Investment Total Return (c)

     7.65          27.15          14.26          7.77          11.11          9.41          10.65          10.76     

S&P 500 Index

     4.48          18.61          14.22          7.44          10.04          7.00          9.76          10.15(d)  

Dow Jones Industrial Average

     5.56          25.40          13.51          7.67          10.21          7.78          10.57            11.11(d)  

Nasdaq Composite Index

     6.06          23.85          17.36          10.46            13.32          7.95          10.12              9.87(e)  

 

  (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 are available.

 
  (e)

From September 30, 1986, the date closest to the Fund’s inception for which data are available.

 


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Portfolio Changes — Quarter Ended September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

     Shares   Ownership at
September 30,
2017

 

NET PURCHASES

    

Common Stocks

    

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

     2,000        15,000      

Baker Hughes, a GE Company

     50,000       50,000  

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

     30,000       30,000  

Diebold Nixdorf Inc.

     12,000       102,000  

DISH Network Corp., Cl. A

     14,500       74,900  

DowDuPont Inc.

     25,640       25,640  

Dycom Industries Inc.

     2,000       2,000  

Entercom Communications Corp., Cl. A

     56,100       56,100  

Griffon Corp.

     10,964       76,442  

HD Supply Holdings Inc.

     29,100       29,100  

Henry Schein Inc.(a)

     28,000       56,000  

Herc Holdings Inc.

     6,000       102,559  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.(b)

     101,000       150,000  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Formula One, Cl. A

     26,626       45,876  

Loral Space & Communications Inc.

     1,000       23,000  

Micro Focus International plc.

     17,715       17,715  

Newell Brands Inc.

     20,000       43,000  

NuVasive Inc.

     47,500       47,500  

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

     9,000       82,500  

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

     11,091       32,000  

Phillips 66

     9,000       24,100  

Post Holdings Inc.

     6,000       32,000  

ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc.

     3,000       18,000  

Stericycle Inc.

     1,000       10,000  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

     5,000       20,000  

The St. Joe Co.

     5,000       270,000  

TransUnion.

     3,000       3,000  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

     1,000       9,600  

NET SALES

    

Common Stocks

    

Adient plc.

     (7,000     22,834  

Akorn Inc.

     (37,519     10,000  

Alcoa Corp.

     (13,888      

Alere Inc.

     (27,000     4,000  

American Express Co.

     (15,000     396,000  

Armstrong Flooring Inc.

     (37,210     125,190  

Ascena Retail Group Inc.

     (250,000      

Ascent Capital Group Inc., Cl. A

     (4,000     3,000  

Avon Products Inc.

     (17,000     100,000  

Baker Hughes Inc.

     (11,000      

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

     (500     7,500  

BioScrip Inc.

     (76,807     3,057,742  

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

     (1,000     27,000  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

     (40,000     100,000  

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

     (30,000      

Corning Inc.

     (5,000     370,000  

CR Bard Inc.

     (500      

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

     (1,500     250,800  
     Shares   Ownership at
September 30,
2017

 

CVS Health Corp.

  

 

 

 

(2,000)

 

  

 

 

 

 

116,900

 

     

Davide Campari-Milano SpA

     (28,000)       1,277,600  

DigitalGlobe Inc.

     (3,000)       13,000  

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.

     (20,000)        

Ferro Corp.

     (7,000)       390,000  

Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc.

     (25,000)        

Forest City Realty Trust Inc., Cl. A

     (2,000)       25,000  

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

     (181,100)       220,000  

Honeywell International Inc.

     (3,000)       319,000  

Internap Corp.

     (100,000)       426,500  

Inventure Foods Inc.

     (105,833)       323,793  

Janus Henderson Group plc.

     (23,000)       120,000  

Johnson Controls International plc.

     (7,148)       338,342  

Kellogg Co.

     (800)       27,000  

Landauer Inc.

     (36,000)       50,000  

Liberty Expedia Holdings Inc., Cl. A

     (1,000)       23,642  

Materion Corp.

     (500)       4,300  

Medtronic plc.

     (4,000)       6,000  

Methanex Corp.

     (5,000)        

MGM Resorts International

     (22,130)       96,595  

Modine Manufacturing Co.

     (22,000)       163,000  

Monsanto Co.

     (3,000)       13,000  

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.(c)

     (56,000)       14,000  

NeoGenomics Inc.

     (27,621)        

Nexstar Media Group Inc., Cl. A

     (2,376)       15,000  

NextEra Energy Inc.

     (500)       13,000  

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Cl. A

     (35,000)       160,000  

Patterson-UTI Energy Inc.

     (10,000)       70,000  

Rockwell Collins Inc.

     (1)       4,651  

Rollins Inc.

     (86,000)       1,518,000  

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.

     (85,839,000)        

Telecom Italia SpA

     (35,000)       535,000  

The Boeing Co.

     (5,000)       35,000  

Time Warner Inc.

     (36,000)       129,800  

Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.

     (1,809)       131,000  

Tyson Foods Inc., Cl. A

     (2,000)       48,000  

United Natural Foods Inc.

     (5,000)       13,000  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

     (2,000)       70,000  

Valvoline Inc.

     (4,001)       25,000  

Vivendi SA

     (20,000)       225,000  

Weatherford International plc.

     (40,400)       35,000  

Westar Energy Inc.

     (10,000)       148,000  

Whole Foods Market Inc.

     (55,000)        

William Demant Holding A/S

     (9,000)       259,000  

Xylem Inc.

     (3,000)       257,000  

 

(a)

Stock Split - 2 new shares for every 1 share held.

(b)

Spin-off - 0.13732611 shares of Micro Focus International Inc. for every 1 share of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. held. 21,000 shares were purchased after the spin-off.

(c)

Reverse Stock Split - 1 new share for every 5 shares held.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

2


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%   
   Food and Beverage — 11.9%   
  3,000     

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

   $ 58,547  
  105,200     

Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. A

     5,858,588  
  35,950     

Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B

     1,952,085  
  63,800     

Campbell Soup Co.

     2,987,116  
  65,000     

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

     5,574,747  
  15,000     

Coca-Cola European Partners plc.

     624,300  
  135,000     

Conagra Brands Inc.

     4,554,900  
  30,000     

Constellation Brands Inc., Cl. A

     5,983,500  
  18,000     

Crimson Wine Group Ltd.†

     193,500  
  201,500     

Danone SA

     15,806,116  
  1,277,600     

Davide Campari-Milano SpA

     9,271,320  
  161,000     

Diageo plc, ADR

     21,272,930  
  82,400     

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc.

     7,289,928  
  80,000     

Flowers Foods Inc.

     1,504,800  
  76,200     

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, ADR

     7,279,386  
  55,000     

General Mills Inc.

     2,846,800  
  1,848,400     

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Cl. A

     4,473,311  
  41,300     

Heineken NV.

     4,083,140  
  11,000     

Ingredion Inc.

     1,327,040  
  323,793     

Inventure Foods Inc.†

     1,518,589  
  105,000     

ITO EN Ltd.

     3,541,213  
  27,000     

Kellogg Co.

     1,683,990  
  64,000     

Kerry Group plc, Cl. A

     6,187,448  
  86,666     

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

     4,063,769  
  9,700     

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

     2,676,356  
  45,000     

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

     1,226,568  
  330,000     

Mondele¯z International Inc., Cl. A

     13,417,800  
  14,000     

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

     534,992  
  41,000     

Nestlé SA.

     3,433,779  
  180,000     

PepsiCo Inc.

     20,057,400  
  39,200     

Pernod Ricard SA

     5,422,952  
  32,000     

Post Holdings Inc.†

     2,824,640  
  40,000     

Remy Cointreau SA

     4,737,029  
  55,000     

The Kraft Heinz Co.

     4,265,250  
  99,600     

The Coca-Cola Co.

     4,482,996  
  32,000     

The Hain Celestial Group Inc.†

     1,316,800  
  3,000     

The J.M. Smucker Co.

     314,790  
  131,000     

Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.

     4,978,000  
  48,000     

Tyson Foods Inc., Cl. A

     3,381,600  
  341,000     

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

     24,576,850  
     

 

 

 
            217,584,865  
     

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 10.3%

  
  396,000     

American Express Co.(a)

     35,822,160  
  25,000     

American International Group Inc.

     1,534,750  
  14,520     

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

     892,980  
  72,000     

Banco Santander SA, ADR

     499,680  
  114     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cl. A†

     31,320,360  
  32,600     

Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc.†

     1,427,880  
  12,800     

CIT Group Inc.

     627,840  

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
  88,000     

Citigroup Inc.

   $ 6,401,120  
  9,000     

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

     854,280  
  24,000     

Deutsche Bank AG

     414,720  
  8,000     

Financial Engines Inc.

     278,000  
  50,000     

Fortress Investment Group LLC, Cl. A

     398,500  
  68,000     

H&R Block Inc.

     1,800,640  
  40,000     

Interactive Brokers Group Inc., Cl. A

     1,801,600  
  120,000     

Janus Henderson Group plc.

     4,180,800  
  61,400     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     5,864,314  
  29,800     

Kinnevik AB, Cl. A

     1,053,715  
  145,000     

Legg Mason Inc.

     5,699,950  
  88,000     

Leucadia National Corp.

     2,222,000  
  14,000     

Loews Corp.

     670,040  
  125,000     

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

     10,476,250  
  9,000     

Moody’s Corp.

     1,252,890  
  160,000     

Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Cl. A

     515,200  
  20,000     

PayPal Holdings Inc.†

     1,280,600  
  105,300     

S&P Global Inc.

     16,459,443  
  124,100     

State Street Corp.

     11,856,514  
  17,000     

SunTrust Banks Inc.

     1,016,090  
  10,000     

Synchrony Financial

     310,500  
  113,400     

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

     10,279,710  
  210,500     

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     11,160,710  
  20,000     

The Charles Schwab Corp.

     874,800  
  12,300     

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

     1,431,843  
  10,000     

The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

     1,347,700  
  3,000     

TransUnion†

     141,780  
  13,000     

W. R. Berkley Corp.

     867,620  
  150,000     

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A

     3,010,500  
  235,000     

Wells Fargo & Co.

     12,960,250  
     

 

 

 
            189,007,729  
     

 

 

 
  

Entertainment — 6.2%

  
  29,358     

Charter Communications Inc., Cl. A†

     10,669,284  
  41,600     

Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. A†

     885,664  
  235,800     

Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. C†

     4,777,308  
  75,000     

Entertainment One Ltd.

     259,289  
  533,000     

Grupo Televisa SAB, ADR

     13,149,110  
  10,700     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty Braves, Cl. A†

     271,459  
  79,758     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty Braves, Cl. C†

     2,015,485  
  48,641     

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Cl. B†

     1,546,297  
  10,000     

Live Nation Entertainment Inc.†

     435,500  
  24,000     

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.†

     511,440  
  103,200     

The Madison Square Garden Co, Cl. A†

     22,095,120  
  129,800     

Time Warner Inc.

     13,298,010  
  40,000     

Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings Inc.

     741,880  
  560,200     

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Cl. A

     14,778,076  
  370,000     

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Cl. B

     9,542,300  
  70,000     

Universal Entertainment Corp.

     2,059,098  
  279,521     

Viacom Inc., Cl. A

     10,258,421  
  225,000     

Vivendi SA

     5,696,135  
     

 

 

 
        112,989,876  
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

3


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

          

Market

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

  

Equipment and Supplies — 6.0%

 

  414,000     

AMETEK Inc.

   $ 27,340,560  
  7,000     

Amphenol Corp., Cl. A

     592,480  
  94,000     

CIRCOR International Inc.

     5,116,420  
  331,800     

Donaldson Co. Inc.

     15,242,892  
  207,000     

Flowserve Corp.

     8,816,130  
  37,400     

Franklin Electric Co. Inc.

     1,677,390  
  29,100     

HD Supply Holdings Inc.†

     1,049,637  
  229,000     

IDEX Corp.

     27,816,630  
  43,000     

Ingersoll-Rand plc.

     3,834,310  
  40,100     

Mueller Industries Inc.

     1,401,495  
  9,000     

Mueller Water Products Inc., Cl. A

     115,200  
  13,000     

Sealed Air Corp.

     555,360  
  45,000     

Tenaris SA, ADR

     1,273,950  
  10,000     

The Greenbrier Companies Inc.

     481,500  
  4,000     

The Manitowoc Co. Inc.†

     36,000  
  80,000     

The Timken Co.

     3,884,000  
  59,600     

The Weir Group plc.

     1,569,325  
  125,000     

Watts Water Technologies Inc., Cl. A

     8,650,000  
  4,000     

Welbilt Inc.†

     92,200  
     

 

 

 
            109,545,479  
     

 

 

 
  

Diversified Industrial — 5.1%

 

  500     

Acuity Brands Inc.

     85,640  
  160,000     

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

     2,784,000  
  171,100     

Crane Co.

     13,686,289  
  153,000     

General Electric Co.

     3,699,540  
  132,000     

Greif Inc., Cl. A

     7,727,280  
  10,000     

Greif Inc., Cl. B

     642,500  
  76,442     

Griffon Corp.

     1,697,012  
  319,000     

Honeywell International Inc.

     45,215,060  
  117,000     

ITT Inc.

     5,179,590  
  11,000     

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

     475,200  
  40,000     

Kennametal Inc.

     1,613,600  
  50,000     

Myers Industries Inc.

     1,047,500  
  85,000     

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

     3,876,000  
  9,666     

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.

     132,424  
  30,000     

Rexnord Corp.†

     762,300  
  18,000     

ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc.†

     841,140  
  15,000     

Sulzer AG.

     1,772,086  
  100,000     

Toray Industries Inc.

     970,007  
  12,000     

Tredegar Corp.

     216,000  
  46,000     

Trinity Industries Inc.

     1,467,400  
     

 

 

 
        93,890,568  
     

 

 

 
  

Health Care — 5.0%

 

  6,000     

Agilent Technologies Inc.

     385,200  
  10,000     

Akorn Inc.†

     331,900  
  4,000     

Alere Inc.†

     203,960  
  10,000     

Allergan plc.

     2,049,500  
  34,000     

Amgen Inc.

     6,339,300  
  17,000     

Baxter International Inc.

     1,066,750  

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
  7,500     

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

   $ 1,469,625  
  9,200     

Biogen Inc.†

     2,880,704  
  3,057,742     

BioScrip Inc.†

     8,408,791  
  3,500     

Bioverativ Inc.†

     199,745  
  260,000     

Boston Scientific Corp.†

     7,584,200  
  96,300     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     6,138,162  
  10,000     

DaVita Inc.†

     593,900  
  20,000     

Express Scripts Holding Co.†

     1,266,400  
  17,500     

Globus Medical Inc., Cl. A†

     520,100  
  56,000     

Henry Schein Inc.†

     4,591,440  
  4,000     

Incyte Corp.†

     466,960  
  46,800     

Indivior plc†

     213,032  
  37,000     

Johnson & Johnson

     4,810,370  
  6,000     

Medtronic plc.

     466,620  
  95,200     

Merck & Co. Inc.

     6,095,656  
  84,000     

Novartis AG, ADR

     7,211,400  
  47,500     

NuVasive Inc.†

     2,634,350  
  1,500     

Shire plc, ADR

     229,710  
  20,000     

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

     352,000  
  70,000     

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

     13,709,500  
  4,000     

Waters Corp.†

     718,080  
  259,000     

William Demant Holding A/S†

     6,836,736  
  9,600     

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

     1,124,064  
  35,000     

Zoetis Inc.

     2,231,600  
     

 

 

 
            91,129,755  
     

 

 

 
  

Consumer Services — 4.7%

  
  20,000     

eBay Inc.†

     769,200  
  40,000     

IAC/InterActiveCorp.†

     4,703,200  
  23,642     

Liberty Expedia Holdings Inc., Cl. A†

     1,255,627  
  225,200     

Liberty Interactive Corp. QVC Group, Cl. A†

     5,307,964  
  21,000     

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Inc., Cl. A†

     259,350  
  45,398     

Liberty Ventures, Cl. A†

     2,612,655  
  1,518,000     

Rollins Inc.

     70,040,520  
  5,500     

TripAdvisor Inc.†

     222,915  
     

 

 

 
        85,171,431  
     

 

 

 
  

Consumer Products — 4.1%

  
  100,000     

Avon Products Inc.†

     233,000  
  14,100     

Christian Dior SE

     4,515,300  
  27,000     

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

     1,308,150  
  65,600     

Coty Inc., Cl. A.

     1,084,368  
  199,700     

Edgewell Personal Care Co.†

     14,532,169  
  146,000     

Energizer Holdings Inc.

     6,723,300  
  27,600     

Essity AB, Cl. B†

     750,919  
  2,100     

Givaudan SA

     4,569,319  
  90,000     

Hanesbrands Inc.

     2,217,600  
  23,800     

Harley-Davidson Inc.

     1,147,398  
  1,270     

Hermes International

     640,253  
  5,000     

Mattel Inc.

     77,400  
  11,000     

National Presto Industries Inc.

     1,170,950  
  43,000     

Newell Brands Inc.

     1,834,810  
  10,000     

Oil-Dri Corp. of America

     489,300  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

4


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

  

Consumer Products (Continued)

 

  46,800     

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.

   $ 4,272,561  
  27,600     

Svenska Cellulosa AB, Cl. B

     233,815  
  816,900     

Swedish Match AB

     28,654,536  
     

 

 

 
            74,455,148  
     

 

 

 
   Energy and Utilities — 4.0%  
  11,000     

ABB Ltd., ADR

     272,250  
  39,000     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

     1,905,150  
  59,000     

Apache Corp.

     2,702,200  
  50,000     

Baker Hughes, a GE Company

     1,831,000  
  80,000     

BP plc, ADR

     3,074,400  
  16,000     

CMS Energy Corp.

     741,120  
  185,100     

ConocoPhillips

     9,264,255  
  204,000     

El Paso Electric Co.

     11,271,000  
  98,400     

Enbridge Inc.

     4,117,056  
  24,000     

Eversource Energy

     1,450,560  
  57,600     

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     4,722,048  
  140,000     

GenOn Energy Inc., Escrow†(b)

     0  
  191,700     

Halliburton Co.

     8,823,951  
  4,000     

Marathon Oil Corp.

     54,240  
  22,000     

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     1,233,760  
  20,000     

Murphy USA Inc.†

     1,380,000  
  40,000     

National Fuel Gas Co.

     2,264,400  
  13,000     

NextEra Energy Inc.

     1,905,150  
  1,000     

Niko Resources Ltd., OTC†

     45  
  3,000     

Niko Resources Ltd., Toronto†

     132  
  32,400     

Oceaneering International Inc.

     851,148  
  70,000     

Patterson-UTI Energy Inc.

     1,465,800  
  24,100     

Phillips 66

     2,207,801  
  120,000     

Rowan Companies plc, Cl. A†

     1,542,000  
  20,000     

RPC Inc.

     495,800  
  15,000     

Southwest Gas Holdings Inc.

     1,164,300  
  101,000     

The AES Corp.

     1,113,020  
  35,000     

Weatherford International plc†

     160,300  
  148,000     

Westar Energy Inc.

     7,340,800  
     

 

 

 
        73,353,686  
     

 

 

 
  

Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 3.7%

 

  22,834     

Adient plc.

     1,917,828  
  107,600     

BorgWarner Inc.

     5,512,348  
  240,900     

Dana Inc.

     6,735,564  
  12,500     

Delphi Automotive plc.

     1,230,000  
  241,400     

Genuine Parts Co.

     23,089,910  
  395,385     

Jason Industries Inc.†

     628,662  
  163,000     

Modine Manufacturing Co.†

     3,137,750  
  82,500     

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.†

     17,768,025  
  111,000     

Standard Motor Products Inc.

     5,355,750  
  73,000     

Superior Industries International Inc.

     1,215,450  
  14,000     

Visteon Corp.†

     1,732,780  
     

 

 

 
        68,324,067  
     

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
   Cable and Satellite — 3.6%   
  253,600     

AMC Networks Inc., Cl. A†

   $ 14,827,992  
  1,000     

Cable One Inc.

     722,120  
  160,000     

Comcast Corp., Cl. A

     6,156,800  
  74,900     

DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†

     4,061,827  
  42,700     

EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†

     2,443,721  
  21,712     

Liberty Global plc LiLAC, Cl. A†

     515,877  
  42,918     

Liberty Global plc LiLAC, Cl. C†

     999,989  
  427,890     

Rogers Communications Inc., New York, Cl. B

     22,053,451  
  19,310     

Rogers Communications Inc., Toronto, Cl. B

     995,717  
  108,800     

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., Cl. A

     9,344,832  
  120,000     

Shaw Communications Inc., New York, Cl. B

     2,761,200  
  40,000     

Shaw Communications Inc., Toronto, Cl. B

     920,697  
     

 

 

 
            65,804,223  
     

 

 

 
   Business Services — 3.4%   
  14,334     

Allegion plc.

     1,239,461  
  7,500     

Aramark

     304,575  
  3,000     

Ascent Capital Group Inc., Cl. A†

     39,120  
  160,000     

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Cl. A

     744,000  
  2,004     

Contax Participacoes SA†

     3,297  
  102,000     

Diebold Nixdorf Inc.

     2,330,700  
  13,000     

DigitalGlobe Inc.†

     458,250  
  47,000     

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.†

     1,013,320  
  3,000     

Edenred

     81,551  
  25,000     

Emerald Expositions Events Inc.

     581,000  
  160,000     

G4S plc.

     596,674  
  60,000     

Gerber Scientific Inc., Escrow†(b)

     0  
  16,000     

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

     1,013,760  
  50,000     

Landauer Inc.

     3,365,000  
  25,300     

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.

     1,826,154  
  289,000     

Mastercard Inc., Cl. A

     40,806,800  
  10,000     

Stericycle Inc.†

     716,200  
  290,000     

The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.

     6,029,100  
  10,000     

Vectrus Inc.†

     308,400  
  12,800     

Visa Inc., Cl. A

     1,347,072  
     

 

 

 
        62,804,434  
     

 

 

 
   Telecommunications — 3.1%   
  105,000     

AT&T Inc.

     4,112,850  
  55,400     

BCE Inc.

     2,594,382  
  914,200     

BT Group plc, Cl. A

     3,477,848  
  100,000     

Cincinnati Bell Inc.†

     1,985,000  
  100,000     

Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR

     1,866,000  
  105,000     

Gogo Inc.†

     1,240,050  
  32,001     

Harris Corp.

     4,213,892  
  36,000     

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

     435,268  
  15,000     

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA, ADR

     90,900  
  264,732     

Koninklijke KPN NV

     908,931  
  7,040,836     

LIME†

     59,781  
  23,000     

Loral Space & Communications Inc.†

     1,138,500  
  22,000     

Oi SA, ADR†

     24,420  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

5


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

  
  

Telecommunications (Continued)

  
  31,053     

Sprint Corp.†

   $ 241,592  
  21,000     

Telecom Argentina SA, ADR†

     647,640  
  535,000     

Telecom Italia SpA†

     501,108  
  70,000     

Telefonica Brasil SA, ADR

     1,108,800  
  595,739     

Telefonica SA, ADR

     6,428,024  
  563,700     

Telephone & Data Systems Inc.

     15,721,593  
  105,000     

Telesites SAB de CV†

     80,840  
  25,000     

TELUS Corp.

     899,219  
  125,000     

Verizon Communications Inc.

     6,186,250  
  48,027     

Vodafone Group plc, ADR

     1,366,848  
  20,000     

Zayo Group Holdings Inc.†

     688,400  
     

 

 

 
        56,018,136  
     

 

 

 
  

Machinery — 2.6%

  
  12,800     

Caterpillar Inc.

     1,596,288  
  70,092     

CNH Industrial NV

     841,805  
  221,000     

Deere & Co.(a)

     27,755,390  
  2,250     

Roper Technologies Inc.

     547,650  
  257,000     

Xylem Inc.

     16,095,910  
     

 

 

 
        46,837,043  
     

 

 

 
   Aerospace and Defense — 2.5%   
  275,000     

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc.†

     9,627,750  
  1,246,553     

BBA Aviation plc.

     4,984,408  
  35,800     

Kaman Corp.

     1,996,924  
  17,500     

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     5,035,100  
  4,651     

Rockwell Collins Inc.

     607,932  
  1,209,000     

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc.

     14,369,906  
  35,000     

The Boeing Co.

     8,897,350  
     

 

 

 
        45,519,370  
     

 

 

 
   Retail — 2.5%   
  15,000     

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

     1,488,000  
  95,300     

AutoNation Inc.†

     4,522,938  
  38,000     

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     6,243,020  
  116,900     

CVS Health Corp.

     9,506,308  
  9,000     

Denny’s Corp.†

     112,050  
  220,000     

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.†

     4,919,200  
  22,100     

HSN Inc.

     863,005  
  100,000     

J.C. Penney Co. Inc.†

     381,000  
  326,000     

Macy’s Inc.

     7,113,320  
  32,000     

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

     1,522,240  
  33,300     

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.†

     652,014  
  17,000     

The Cheesecake Factory Inc.

     716,040  
  3,000     

Tiffany & Co.

     275,340  
  13,000     

United Natural Foods Inc.†

     540,670  
  52,000     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     4,015,440  
  32,000     

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

     2,500,480  
     

 

 

 
        45,371,065  
     

 

 

 
   Electronics — 2.5%   
  20,000     

Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A

     532,000  

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
  4,000     

Emerson Electric Co.

   $ 251,360  
  4,000     

Hitachi Ltd., ADR

     282,320  
  22,500     

Integrated Device Technology Inc.†

     598,050  
  54,000     

Intel Corp.

     2,056,320  
  338,342     

Johnson Controls International plc.

     13,631,799  
  34,170     

Koninklijke Philips NV

     1,407,804  
  2,400     

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.†

     1,502,784  
  40,000     

TE Connectivity Ltd.

     3,322,400  
  240,000     

Texas Instruments Inc.

     21,513,600  
     

 

 

 
        45,098,437  
     

 

 

 
   Broadcasting — 2.4%   
  242,300     

CBS Corp., Cl. A, Voting

     14,152,743  
  2,000     

Cogeco Inc.

     131,244  
  17,334     

Corus Entertainment Inc., OTC, Cl. B

     180,274  
  6,666     

Corus Entertainment Inc., Toronto, Cl. B

     69,345  
  56,100     

Entercom Communications Corp., Cl. A

     642,345  
  16,000     

Gray Television Inc.†

     251,200  
  19,250     

Liberty Broadband Corp., Cl. A†

     1,812,965  
  66,192     

Liberty Broadband Corp., Cl. C†

     6,308,098  
  45,876     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty Formula One, Cl. A†

     1,674,015  
  52,250     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty Formula One, Cl. C†

     1,990,203  
  75,000     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty SiriusXM, Cl. A†

     3,142,500  
  158,000     

Liberty Media Corp.- Liberty SiriusXM, Cl. C†

     6,615,460  
  292,400     

MSG Networks Inc., Cl. A†

     6,198,880  
  15,000     

Nexstar Media Group Inc., Cl. A

     934,500  
  36,000     

Pandora Media Inc.†

     277,200  
  85,200     

Television Broadcasts Ltd.

     283,033  
     

 

 

 
        44,664,005  
     

 

 

 
   Specialty Chemicals — 2.3%   
  12,320     

AdvanSix Inc.†

     489,720  
  11,000     

Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

     719,290  
  25,640     

DowDuPont Inc.

     1,775,057  
  390,000     

Ferro Corp.†

     8,697,000  
  8,000     

FMC Corp.

     714,480  
  35,000     

H.B. Fuller Co.

     2,032,100  
  71,000     

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

     10,146,610  
  250,000     

OMNOVA Solutions Inc.†

     2,737,500  
  177,800     

Sensient Technologies Corp.

     13,676,376  
  18,000     

SGL Carbon SE†

     304,326  
  2,000     

The Chemours Co.

     101,220  
  25,000     

Valvoline Inc.

     586,250  
     

 

 

 
        41,979,929  
     

 

 

 
   Hotels and Gaming — 1.9%   
  16,000     

Accor SA

     794,894  
  45,000     

Belmond Ltd., Cl. A†

     614,250  
  90,000     

Genting Singapore plc.

     77,629  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

6


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

  

Hotels and Gaming (Continued)

 

  8,000     

Hyatt Hotels Corp., Cl. A†

   $ 494,320  
  20,000     

ILG Inc.

     534,600  
  13,095     

International Game Technology plc.

     321,482  
  579,400     

Ladbrokes Coral Group plc.

     947,978  
  34,000     

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

     2,181,440  
  4,451,000     

Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.

     9,703,180  
  15,000     

Marriott International, Inc., Cl. A

     1,653,900  
  70,000     

MGM China Holdings Ltd.

     167,750  
  96,595     

MGM Resorts International.

     3,148,031  
  188,800     

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.

     11,798,112  
  200,000     

The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd.

     333,862  
  4,000     

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

     421,640  
  6,000     

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

     893,520  
     

 

 

 
            34,086,588  
     

 

 

 
   Environmental Services — 1.6%   
  35,000     

Pentair plc.

     2,378,600  
  230,800     

Republic Services Inc.

     15,246,648  
  157,400     

Waste Management Inc.

     12,319,698  
     

 

 

 
        29,944,946  
     

 

 

 
   Aviation: Parts and Services — 1.6%  
  41,666     

Arconic Inc.

     1,036,650  
  250,800     

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

     26,218,632  
  25,500     

KLX Inc.†

     1,349,715  
     

 

 

 
        28,604,997  
     

 

 

 
   Wireless Communications — 1.0%  
  20,000     

Altice USA Inc., Cl. A†

     546,200  
  105,000     

America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR

     1,863,750  
  99,000     

Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR

     6,533,229  
  150,000     

NTT DoCoMo Inc.

     3,426,572  
  46,075     

Tim Participacoes SA, ADR

     842,251  
  30,000     

T-Mobile US Inc.†

     1,849,800  
  104,600     

United States Cellular Corp.†

     3,702,840  
     

 

 

 
        18,764,642  
     

 

 

 
   Telecommunication Services — 1.0%  
  151,505     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†

     5,137,534  
  382,893     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†

     12,520,601  
     

 

 

 
        17,658,135  
     

 

 

 
   Computer Software and Services — 0.9%  
  4,000     

Alphabet Inc., Cl. C†

     3,836,440  
  15,000     

Blucora Inc.†

     379,500  
  6,000     

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.†

     684,120  
  4,733     

CommerceHub Inc., Cl. A†

     106,824  
  13,466     

CommerceHub Inc., Cl. C†

     287,499  
  150,000     

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

     2,206,500  
  426,500     

Internap Corp.†

     1,855,275  
  23,000     

InterXion Holding NV†

     1,171,390  
  17,715     

Micro Focus International plc, ADR†

     565,109  

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
  21,000     

NCR Corp.†

   $ 787,920  
  20,900     

Rockwell Automation Inc.

     3,724,589  
  15,000     

VeriFone Systems Inc.†

     304,200  
     

 

 

 
            15,909,366  
     

 

 

 
   Automotive — 0.8%   
  88,000     

General Motors Co.

     3,553,440  
  158,000     

Navistar International Corp.†

     6,963,060  
  69,000     

PACCAR Inc.

     4,991,460  
     

 

 

 
        15,507,960  
     

 

 

 
   Building and Construction — 0.7%  
  125,190     

Armstrong Flooring Inc.†

     1,971,743  
  18,000     

Assa Abloy AB, Cl. B

     411,055  
  2,000     

Dycom Industries Inc.†

     171,760  
  80,000     

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

     5,378,400  
  102,559     

Herc Holdings Inc.†

     5,038,724  
  45,000     

Layne Christensen Co.†

     564,750  
     

 

 

 
        13,536,432  
     

 

 

 
   Metals and Mining — 0.7%  
  37,400     

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

     1,690,854  
  54,000     

Barrick Gold Corp.

     868,860  
  30,000     

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.†

     214,500  
  80,000     

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.†

     1,123,200  
  4,300     

Materion Corp.

     185,545  
  50,000     

New Hope Corp. Ltd.

     75,695  
  143,600     

Newmont Mining Corp.

     5,386,436  
  160,000     

TimkenSteel Corp.†

     2,640,000  
  140,000     

Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.†

     434,000  
  15,000     

Vale SA, ADR

     151,050  
     

 

 

 
        12,770,140  
     

 

 

 
   Communications Equipment — 0.7%  
  9,000     

Apple Inc.

     1,387,080  
  370,000     

Corning Inc.

     11,070,400  
     

 

 

 
        12,457,480  
     

 

 

 
   Agriculture — 0.6%  
  200,000     

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     8,502,000  
  13,000     

Monsanto Co.

     1,557,660  
  10,000     

The Mosaic Co.

     215,900  
     

 

 

 
        10,275,560  
     

 

 

 
   Publishing — 0.5%  
  1,100     

Graham Holdings Co., Cl. B

     643,610  
  82,300     

Meredith Corp.

     4,567,650  
  125,000     

News Corp., Cl. A

     1,657,500  
  146,600     

News Corp., Cl. B

     2,001,090  
  40,000     

The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A†

     764,400  
     

 

 

 
        9,634,250  
     

 

 

 
   Transportation — 0.5%  
  15,000     

Daseke Inc.†

     195,750  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

7


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

         

Market

Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)  
   Transportation (Continued)  
  131,200      GATX Corp.    $ 8,076,672  
     

 

 

 
        8,272,422  
     

 

 

 
   Real Estate — 0.4%  
  25,000      Forest City Realty Trust Inc., Cl. A      637,750  
  56,000      Griffin Industrial Realty Inc.      2,035,600  
  270,000      The St. Joe Co.†      5,089,500  
     

 

 

 
     7,762,850  
     

 

 

 
  

Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicles — 0.1%

 

  5,000      Martin Marietta Materials Inc.      1,031,150  
  30,000      Nobility Homes Inc.      558,750  
  42,000      Skyline Corp.†      507,780  
     

 

 

 
     2,097,680  
     

 

 

 
   Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.1%  
  15,000      Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.      553,350  
  29,000      Rayonier Inc.      837,810  
     

 

 

 
     1,391,160  
     

 

 

 
   TOTAL COMMON STOCKS      1,808,223,854  
     

 

 

 
   CLOSED-END FUNDS — 0.8%   
  130,000      Altaba Inc.†      8,611,200  
  4,285      Royce Global Value Trust Inc.      44,350  
  30,000      Royce Value Trust Inc.      473,700  
  90,302     

The Central Europe, Russia, and Turkey Fund Inc.

     2,230,459  
  143,158      The New Germany Fund Inc.      2,658,587  
     

 

 

 
   TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS      14,018,296  
     

 

 

 
   CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.0%  
   Telecommunications — 0.0%  
  21,000      Cincinnati Bell Inc.,   
  

6.750%, Ser. B

     1,058,190  
     

 

 

 
   RIGHTS — 0.0%   
   Entertainment — 0.0%   
  139,123     

Media General Inc., expire 12/31/17†(b)

     0  
     

 

 

 

Principal

Amount

         

Market

Value

 
   U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.2%  
  $ 3,831,000      U.S. Treasury Bills,   
  

0.992% to 1.038%††,
12/21/17 to 12/28/17

   $ 3,821,678  
     

 

 

 
  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $986,386,953)

    

$1,827,122,018

 
     

 

 

 
   Aggregate tax cost    $ 998,123,899  
     

 

 

 
   Gross unrealized appreciation    $ 877,381,896  
   Gross unrealized depreciation      (48,383,777
     

 

 

 
   Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation    $ 828,998,119  
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

  

Securities, or a portion thereof, with a value of $51,505,100 were pledged as collateral for futures contracts.

(b)

  

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

  

Non-income producing security.

††

  

Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR

  

American Depositary Receipt

SDR

  

Swedish Depositary Receipt

 

Geographic Diversification

  

% of Total
Investments

 

Market

Value

 

North America

   81.6%   $ 1,490,195,326  

Europe

   14.1        257,491,868  

Latin America

   2.3      42,550,756  

Japan

   2.0      36,191,478  

Asia/Pacific

    0.0*     692,590  
  

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments

   100.0%     $ 1,827,122,018  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

*      Amount represents less than 0.05%.

       

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, futures contracts outstanding were as follows:

 

Description    Long/Short      Number of
Contracts
   Expiration
Date
   Notional
Amount
   Value   Unrealized
Depreciation

S&P 500 E-Mini Futures

     Short      360    12/15/17    $45,289,800    $(643,387)   $(643,387)
                

 

TOTAL FUTURES

                 $(643,387)
                

 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

8


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

As an investment company, the Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that may require the use of management estimates and assumptions in the preparation of its schedule of investments. 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 obligations for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.

Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value American Depositary Receipt securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.

The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;

 

   

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and

 

   

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Board’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

 

9


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 September 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs       
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
    Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
     Total Market Value
at 9/30/17

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

          

ASSETS (Market Value):

          

Common Stocks:

          

Business Services

   $ 62,804,434              $  0                $      62,804,434   

Energy and Utilities

     73,353,641       $            45        0                73,353,686  

Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicles

     1,538,930       558,750        —                2,097,680  

Other Industries (a)

     1,669,968,054              —                1,669,968,054  

Total Common Stocks

     1,807,665,059       558,795        0                1,808,223,854  

Closed-End Funds

     14,018,296              —                14,018,296  

Convertible Preferred Stocks (a)

     1,058,190              —                1,058,190  

Rights (a)

                  0                0  

U.S. Government Obligations

           3,821,678        —                3,821,678  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

   $ 1,822,741,545       $4,380,473        $  0                $1,827,122,018  

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:*

          

ASSETS (Net Unrealized Depreciation):
EQUITY CONTRACTS

          

Index Futures Contracts - Short Position

   $ (643,387            —                $        (643,387)  

 

(a)

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

*

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

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

General. The Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser – to value most of its securities, and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other recognized pricing sources. Several different pricing feeds are received to value domestic equity securities, international equity securities, preferred equity securities, and fixed income securities. The data within these feeds are ultimately sourced from major stock exchanges and trading systems where these securities trade. The prices supplied by external sources are checked by obtaining quotations or actual transaction prices from market participants. If a price obtained from the pricing source is deemed unreliable, prices will be sought from another pricing service or from a broker/dealer that trades that security or similar securities.

Fair Valuation. Fair valued securities may be common or preferred equities, warrants, options, rights, or fixed income obligations. Where appropriate, Level 3 securities are those for which market quotations are not available, such as securities not traded for several days, or for which current bids are not available, or which are restricted as to transfer. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include recent prices of comparable securities that are publicly traded, reliable prices of securities not publicly traded, the use of valuation models,

 

10


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

current analyst reports, valuing the income or cash flow of the issuer, or cost if the preceding factors do not apply. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could result in a lower or higher value in Level 3 securities. The circumstances of Level 3 securities are frequently monitored to determine if fair valuation measures continue to apply.

The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These may include backtesting the prices realized in subsequent trades of these fair valued securities to fair values previously recognized.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in derivative financial instruments for the purposes of increasing the income of the Fund, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or, in the event of default, the Fund may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments or other contractual remedies owed to it under derivative contracts. The creditworthiness of the counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize these risks. Participation in derivative transactions involves investment risks, transaction costs, and potential losses to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The consequences of these risks, transaction costs, and losses may have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to pay distributions.

The Fund’s derivative contracts held at September 30, 2017, 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 September 30, 2017, 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

 

11


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 September 30, 2017 are presented in 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. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now applicable to the Fund as of January 1, 2013. These trading restrictions permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions, provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future, the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.

Investments in other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest, from time to time, in shares of other investment companies (or entities that would be considered investment companies but are excluded from the definition pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act) (the “Acquired Funds”) in accordance with the 1940 Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund would bear the pro rata portion of the periodic expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. At September 30, 2017, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the periodic expenses charged by the Acquired Funds was less than 1 basis point.

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

 

12


The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

in foreign exchange rates and/or changes in market prices of securities have been included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain/(loss) on investments.

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

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

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 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 the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. At September 30, 2017, the Fund did not hold restricted securities.

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.

 

13


THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. He is also Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc. Mr. Gabelli is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and holds an MBA degree from Columbia Business School and Honorary Doctorates from Fordham University and Roger Williams University.

Christopher J. Marangi joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst. Currently he is a Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer for GAMCO Investors, Inc.’s Value team. In addition, he serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Marangi graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Political Economy from Williams College and holds an MBA degree with honors from Columbia Business School.

Kevin V. Dreyer joined Gabelli in 2005 as a research analyst covering companies within the consumer sector. Currently he is a Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer for GAMCO Investors, Inc.’s Value team. In addition, he serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Dreyer received a BSE from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA degree from Columbia Business School.

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

Daniel M. Miller has been the portfolio manager of The Gabelli Focus Five Fund since inception of the investment strategy on January 1, 2012. He is also a Managing Director of GAMCO Investors, Inc. Mr. Miller joined the Firm in 2002 and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

 

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

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group, Inc.

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

James P. Conn

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Financial Security Assurance

Holdings Ltd.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Former President &

Chief Executive Officer,

American Gaming Association

Michael J. Ferrantino

Chief Executive Officer,

InterEx, Inc.

Arthur V. Ferrara

Former Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

Guardian Life Insurance

Company of America

William F. Heitmann

Former Senior Vice President

of Finance,

Verizon Communications, Inc.

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

Bruce N. Alpert

President

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary & Vice President

Agnes Mullady

Vice President

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Carter W. Austin

Vice President

Molly A.F. Marion

Vice President & Ombudsman

David I. Schachter

Vice President

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB Q3/2017

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

                                       11/28/2017

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

                                       11/28/2017

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

    /s/ John C. Ball

 

        John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date

                                       11/28/2017

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