As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2011

Securities Act File No. [            ]
Investment Company Act File No. 811-09243

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-2

 

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

þ Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
o Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____
o Post-Effective Amendment No. _____

and/or

þ Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
þ Amendment No. 16

 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)

One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 422-3554

Bruce N. Alpert
The Gabelli Utility Trust
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(914) 921-5100
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Christopher J. Michailoff, Esq.		Rose F. DiMartino, Esq.
The Gabelli Utility Trust		Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
One Corporate Center		787 Seventh Avenue
Rye, New York 10580-1422		New York, New York 10019-6099
(914) 921-5100		(212) 728-8000

Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. þ

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

      þ When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

         If appropriate, check the following box:

      o This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].

      o This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is                 .

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

Subject to Completion,
Preliminary Base Prospectus dated May 19, 2011

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

The Gabelli Utility Trust

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
Notes

      Investment Objective. The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services, or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure operations (collectively, the “Utility Industry”). A company will be considered to be in the Utility Industry if it derives at least 50% of its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least 50% of its assets to, the indicated activities or utility-related activities. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 25, 1999. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.

     We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our common shares, par value $0.001 per share, our preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share or our promissory notes. Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares.

     Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GUT.” Our 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GUTPrA”. On [____ __ ], 2011, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE was $[____]. The net asset value of the Fund’s common shares at the close of business on [____ __], 2011 was $[______] per share.

      Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. This creates a risk of loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering.

      Investing in the Fund’s shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page 19 for factors that should be considered before investing in shares of the Fund.

      Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of shares by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

     This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the shares, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated [                            ], 2011, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of our annual and semi-annual reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page 50 of this Prospectus, request other information about us and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554), by accessing our web site (http://www.gabelli.com) or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

     Our shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
Prospectus Summary			1
Summary Of Fund Expenses			9
Financial Highlights			11
Use Of Proceeds			14
The Fund			14
Investment Objectives And Policies			14
Risk Factors And Special Considerations			19
Management Of The Fund			28
Portfolio Transactions			31
Dividends And Distributions			31
Issuance Of Common Shares			31
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment And Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan			32
Description Of The Shares			33
Anti-Takeover Provisions Of The Fund’s Governing Documents			42
Closed-End Fund Structure			43
Repurchase Of Common Shares			43
Rights Offerings			43
Net Asset Value			44
Limitation on Trustees’ and Officers’ Liability			44
Taxation			45
Custodian, Transfer Agent And Dividend Disbursing Agent			47
Plan Of Distribution			47
Legal Matters			48
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			48
Additional Information			48
Privacy Principles Of The Fund			49
Table Of Contents Of Statement Of Additional Information			50
EX-99.A.1
EX-99.B.1
EX-99.K.1
EX-99.K.2
EX-99.R.1
EX-99.R.2

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

      This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, dated [____________], 2011 (the “SAI”).

The Fund

     The Gabelli Utility Trust is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 25, 1999. Throughout this Prospectus, we refer to The Gabelli Utility Trust as the “Fund” or as “we.” See “The Fund.”

     The Fund’s outstanding common shares, par value $0.001 per share, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading or “ticker” symbol “GUT,” and any newly issued common shares issued will trade under the same symbol. As of March 31, 2011, the net assets of the Fund attributable to its common shares were $177,092,734. As of March 31, 2011, the Fund had outstanding 31,546,632 common shares; 1,153,288 shares of 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $25 per share (the “Series A Preferred”); and 900 shares of Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the “Series B Preferred”). The Series A Preferred and the Series B Preferred have the same seniority with respect to distributions and liquidation preference. On [                      ___], 2011, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE was $[___]. The net asset value of the Fund’s common shares at the close of business on [                      ___], 2011 was $              per share.

The Offering

     We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our common shares, $0.001 par value per share, our preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share, or our promissory notes. The preferred shares may either be fixed rate preferred shares or variable rate preferred shares. The shares or notes may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). The offering price of our common shares will not be less than the net asset value of our common shares at the time we make the offering, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts. You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares. Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares.

Investment Objective and Policies

     The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services, or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure operations (collectively, the “Utility Industry”). A company will be considered to be in the Utility Industry if it derives at least 50% of its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least 50% of its assets to, the indicated activities or utility-related activities.

     No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. See “Investment Objective and Policies.”

Common Shares

     The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, in multiple classes and series thereof as determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”). The Board has authorized issuance of an unlimited number of shares of two classes, the common shares and preferred shares. Each share within a particular class or series thereof has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The common shares are not redeemable and have no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights. In the event of liquidation, each common share is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund’s preferred shares ranking senior to the common shares of the Fund as described below.

Preferred Shares

     Currently, an unlimited number of the Fund’s shares have been classified by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of each series of preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund’s common shares. If the Board determines that it may be advantageous to the holders of the Fund’s common shares for the Fund to utilize additional leverage, the Fund may issue additional series of fixed rate preferred shares (“Fixed Rate Preferred Shares”) or additional series of variable rate preferred shares (“Auction Rate Preferred Shares”). Any Fixed Rate Preferred Shares or Auction Rate Preferred Shares issued by the Fund will pay, as applicable, distributions at a fixed rate or at rates that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates. (As of March 31, 2011, 1,153,288 shares of Series A Preferred and 900 shares of Series B Preferred were outstanding.) Leverage creates a greater risk of loss as well as a potential for more gains for the common shares than if leverage were not used. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Leverage Risk” and “Certain Investment Practices—Leveraging.” The Fund may also engage in investment management techniques, which will not be considered senior securities if the Fund establishes in a segregated account cash or other liquid securities equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of such techniques. The Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted by applicable law in accordance with its investment restrictions.

Dividends and Distributions

      Preferred Share Distributions . In accordance with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust as amended and supplemented (including the Statements of Preferences thereto) (the “Charter”), all preferred shares of the Fund must have the same seniority with respect to distributions. Accordingly, no full distribution will be declared or paid on any series of preferred shares of the Fund for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all series of outstanding preferred shares of the Fund are declared and paid. If full cumulative distributions due have not been declared and made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, any distributions on such preferred shares will be made as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment date.

     In the event that for any calendar year the total distributions on the Fund’s preferred shares exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such shares, the excess distributions will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital (to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the preferred shares, thereby increasing the shareholder’s potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the sale of the shares.

     The distributions to the Fund’s preferred shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, were comprised of net investment income.

      Common Share Distributions . In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy, which may be modified at any time by the Board. As of January 2011, the Fund pays to its common shareholders a distribution of $0.05 per share each month and, if necessary, an adjusting distribution in December which includes any additional income and net realized capital gains in excess of the monthly distributions for that year to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital that is a

component of a distribution is not sourced from realized or unrealized profits of the Fund and that portion should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that a distribution from the Fund is comprised exclusively of net profits.

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $0.72 per common share, of which $0.64212 per share is deemed a return of capital. The Fund has made monthly distributions with respect to its common shares since October 1999. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each distribution may change based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year. The Board monitors and reviews the Fund’s common share distribution policy on a regular basis.

      Limitations on Distributions. If at any time the Fund has borrowings outstanding, the Fund will be prohibited from paying any distributions on any of its common shares (other than in additional shares), and from repurchasing any of its common shares or preferred shares, unless the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount of the debt and preferred shares outstanding. In addition, in such circumstances the Fund will be prohibited from paying any distributions on its preferred shares unless the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 200% of the amount of the debt outstanding. See “Dividends and Distributions.”

Payment on Notes

Under applicable state law and our Charter, we may borrow money without prior approval of holders of common and preferred shares. We may issue debt securities, including notes, or other evidence of indebtedness and may secure any such notes or borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security our assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any borrowings, including without limitation the notes, will rank senior to the preferred shares and the common shares. The prospectus supplement will describe the interest payment provisions relating to notes. Interest on notes will be payable when due as described in the related prospectus supplement. If we do not pay interest when due, it will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect to our common shares and preferred shares.

Use of Proceeds

     The Fund will use the net proceeds from an offering to purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its investment objective and policies. See “Use of Proceeds.” Proceeds will be invested as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is anticipated to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending as long as six months.

Exchange Listing

     The Fund’s outstanding common shares are listed on the NYSE, under the trading or “ticker” symbol “GUT.” Currently, the Series A Preferred is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GUT PrA.” See “Description of the Shares.” Any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares issued by the Fund would also likely be listed on the NYSE.

Market Price of Shares

     Common shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at prices lower than their net asset value. Common shares of closed-end investment companies may trade during some periods at prices higher than their net asset value and during other periods at prices lower than their net asset value. The Fund cannot assure you that its common shares will continue to trade at a price higher than or equal to net asset value. The Fund’s net asset value will be reduced immediately following this offering by the sales load and the amount of the offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.”

     In addition to net asset value, the market price of the Fund’s common shares may be affected by such factors as the Fund’s dividend and distribution levels (which are affected by expenses) and stability, market liquidity, market supply and demand, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations,” “Description of the Shares” and “Repurchase of Common Shares.”

     The common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and you should not purchase common shares of the Fund if you intend to sell them shortly after purchase.

     Fixed rate preferred shares may also trade at premiums to or discounts from their liquidation preference for a variety of reasons, including changes in interest rates.

Risk Factors and Special Considerations

     Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in shares of the Fund, you should consider the following risks carefully. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations.”

      Industry Concentration Risk . The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in foreign and domestic companies in the Utility Industry (as defined under “Investment Objective and Policies”) and, as a result, the value of the Fund’s shares will be more susceptible to the factors affecting those particular types of companies, including government regulation, inflation cost increases in fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital construction programs, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations. As a consequence of its concentration policy, the Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that has securities representing a broader range of alternatives. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Industry Concentration Risk.”

      Non-Diversified Status . As a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund, and accordingly, an investment in the Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Non-Diversified Status.”

      Lower Grade Securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated in the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating agencies, such as securities rated “CCC” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or “Caa” or lower by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or non-rated securities of comparable quality. These debt securities are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or “Baa” by Moody’s are often referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.” See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Lower Grade Securities.”

      Foreign Securities . There is no limitation on the amount of foreign securities in which the Fund may invest. Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities not typically associated with investing in domestic companies and could cause the Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and revaluation of currencies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Foreign Securities.”

      Dependence on Key Personnel . The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Dependence on Key Personnel.”

      Leverage Risk . The Fund currently uses, and intends to continue to use, financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares. As of December 31, 2010, the amount of leverage represented approximately 23% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having a similar investment objective and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred shares. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares, or to redeem preferred shares when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund is utilizing leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make distributions and such a failure to pay dividends or make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. See “Taxation.”

      Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares . Prior to any offering, there will be no public market for Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. In the event any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.

      Special Risks for Holders of Auction Rate Preferred Shares.

	•		Auction Risk . You may not be able to sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e. , if more Auction Rate Preferred Shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Auction Rate Preferred Shares only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Auction Rate Preferred Shares. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Auction Rate Preferred Shares, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment. Due to recent market disruption most auction-rate preferred shares, including our Series B Auction Rate Preferred, have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity.
	•		Secondary Market Risk . If you try to sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Auction Rate Preferred Shares are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Auction Rate Preferred Shares if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Auction Rate Preferred Shares will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period. Due to recent market disruption most auction-rate preferred shares, including our Series B Auction Rate Preferred, have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity, including the inability to sell such shares in a secondary market.

      Common Share Distribution Policy Risk . The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying distributions on its common shares of $0.05 per share per month. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $0.72 per common share, of which $0.64212 per share is deemed a return of capital. The Fund has made monthly distributions with respect to its common shares since October 1999. A portion of the distributions to holders of common shares during seven of the twelve fiscal years since the Fund’s inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.

      Interest Rate Transactions . The Fund may enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with respect to all or a portion of any series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares. Through these transactions, the Fund seeks to obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares that is lower than the rate the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Interest Rate Transactions.”

      Market Discount Risk. Common shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value

may decrease. The Investment Adviser cannot predict whether the Fund’s shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. The risk of holding shares of a closed-end fund that might trade at a discount is more pronounced for shareholders who wish to sell their shares in a relatively short period of time after acquiring them because, for those investors, realization of a gain or loss on their investments is likely to be more dependent upon the existence of a premium or discount than upon portfolio performance. The Fund’s common shares are not subject to redemption. Shareholders desiring liquidity may, subject to applicable securities laws, trade their shares in the Fund on the NYSE or other markets on which such shares may trade at the then current market value, which may differ from the then current net asset value.

      Equity Risk. Investing in the Fund involves equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect economic stake in the securities owned by the Fund, which are for the most part traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. The market value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the shareholder invested in the Fund, even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions.

      Our Notes . An investment in our notes is subject to special risks. There may not be an established market for our notes. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any) on such notes and other factors. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks to Holders of Notes.”

      Note Risk . If the interest rate on the notes approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the notes. Holders of notes may have different interests than holders of common shares and at times may have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. In the event the Fund fails to maintain the specified level of asset coverage of any notes outstanding, the holders of the notes will have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Note Risk.”

      Geopolitical Events. As a result of the terrorist attacks on domestic U.S. targets on September 11, 2001, some of the U.S. securities markets were closed for a four-day period. These terrorists attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their aftermath and other geopolitical events have led to, and may in the future lead to, increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. The nature, scope and duration of the war and occupation cannot be predicted with any certainty. Similar events in the future or other disruptions of financial markets could affect interest rates, securities exchanges, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, energy prices, and other factors relating to the common shares.

      Status as a Regulated Investment Company . The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred shares to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.

      Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Fund (together, its “Governing Documents”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund.

      Temporary Investments. During temporary defensive periods and during inopportune periods to be fully invested, the Fund may invest in U.S. government securities and in money market mutual funds that invest in those securities. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association, are

supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.

Management and Fees

     Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Investment Adviser’s fee is computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of preferred shares. The fee paid by the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred shares are utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the preferred shares during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred shares for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any series of preferred shares exceeds the total return (based on net asset value) on the Fund’s common shares, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred shares to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholder’s total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and, except in connection with the waiver applicable to the portion of the Fund’s assets attributable to Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, may be discontinued at any time. For Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, the waiver will remain in effect as long as any shares in a series are outstanding. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of the common shares exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred shares for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred shares is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets. See “Management of the Fund.”

     For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares exceeded the stated dividend rate or net swap expense on all of the outstanding preferred shares. Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets.

     A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the continuation of the investment advisory contract of the Fund is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2010.

Repurchase of Shares

     The Fund is authorized, subject to maintaining required asset coverage on its preferred shares, to repurchase its common shares in the open market when the common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from net asset value. Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its common shares. The Board has not established a limit on the amount of common shares that could be repurchased. Through December 31, 2010, the Fund had not repurchased any common shares in the open market. Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other requirements under the 1940 Act. See “Repurchase of Common Shares.” Through December 31, 2010 the Fund has repurchased and retired 46,712 shares of the Series A Preferred and redeemed 100 shares of the Series B Preferred.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

     Certain provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents, may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only one of the three classes of trustees is elected each year, and the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund (together with a separate class vote by the holders of any preferred shares outstanding) is necessary to authorize amendments to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust that would be necessary to convert the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of the outstanding voting shares of each class of the Fund, voting as a class, is generally required to authorize certain business transactions with the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. In addition, the holders of the preferred shares

have the authority to elect two trustees at all times and would have separate class voting rights on specified matters including conversion of the Fund to open-end status and certain reorganizations of the Fund. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a principal shareholder, or the conversion of the Fund to open-end status. These provisions may have the effect of depriving Fund shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium above the prevailing market price. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

     The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian (the “Custodian”) of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

     Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan (the “Plan”), and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares of the Fund.

     Computershare also serves as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series A Preferred.

     The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the auction agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series B Preferred. See “Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.”

     The purpose of the table above and the example below is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a holder of common shares, would bear directly or indirectly.

     The following example illustrates the expenses (including the maximum estimated sales load of $10 and estimated offering expenses of $6.60 from the issuance of $65 million in common shares) you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming a 5% annual portfolio total return.* The actual amounts in connection with any offering will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable.

		1 Year				3 Years				5 Years				10 Years
Total Expenses Incurred		$	39			$	91			$	145			$	293

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the periods presented. The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and for each of the preceding fiscal periods presented since inception, has been audited by [ ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into the SAI.

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

USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

THE FUND

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 25, 1999. The Fund had no operations prior to July 9, 1999, other than the sale of 7,579,739 common shares to The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. in exchange for approximately $75 million of cash and short-term fixed income instruments. The Fund’s principal office is located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 and its telephone number is (800) 422-3554.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Investment Objectives

     The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services, or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure operations (collectively, the “Utility Industry”). A company will be considered to be in the Utility Industry if it derives at least 50% of its revenues or earnings from, or devotes at least 50% of its assets to, the indicated activities or utility-related activities. The remaining 20% of its assets may be invested in other securities including stocks, equity securities, debt obligations and money market instruments, as well as certain derivative instruments in the Utility Industry or other industries. Moreover, should extraordinary conditions affecting such sectors or securities markets as a whole warrant, the Fund may temporarily be primarily invested in money market instruments. When the Fund is invested in these instruments for temporary or defensive purposes it may not achieve its investment objective.

     The investment policy of the Fund relating to the type of securities in which at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets must be invested may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will, however, receive at least 60 days prior notice of any change in this policy.

     Although many companies in the Utility Industry traditionally pay above average dividends, the Fund intends to focus on those companies whose securities have the potential to increase in value. The Fund’s performance is expected to reflect conditions affecting public utility industries. These industries are sensitive to factors such as interest rates, local and national government regulations, the price and availability of fuel, environmental protection or energy conservation regulations, weather, the level of demand for services, and the risks associated with constructing and operating nuclear power facilities. These factors may change rapidly. The Fund emphasizes quality in selecting utility investments, and generally looks for companies that have proven dividend records and sound financial structures. Believing that the industry is under consolidation due to changes in regulation, the Fund intends to position itself to take advantage of trends in consolidation.

     Under normal circumstances the Fund will invest in securities of issuers located in countries other than the United States and may invest in such foreign securities without limitation. Investing in securities of foreign issuers, which generally are denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risk and opportunity considerations not typically associated with investing in domestic companies and could cause the Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and revaluations of currencies.

     No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.

Investment Methodology of the Fund

     In selecting securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser normally will consider the following factors, among others:

•

the Investment Adviser’s own evaluations of the private market value (as defined below), cash flow, earnings per share and other fundamental aspects of the underlying assets and business of the company;

•		the potential for capital appreciation of the securities;
•		the interest or dividend income generated by the securities;
•		the prices of the securities relative to other comparable securities;
•		whether the securities are entitled to the benefits of call protection or other protective covenants;
•		the existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of the security; and
•		the diversification of the portfolio of the Fund as to issuers.

     The Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to equity securities is to identify assets that are selling in the public market at a discount to their private market value. The Investment Adviser defines private market value as the value informed purchasers are willing to pay to acquire assets with similar characteristics. The Investment Adviser also normally evaluates an issuer’s free cash flow and long-term earnings trends. Finally, the Investment Adviser looks for a catalyst, something indigenous to the company, its industry or country that will surface additional value.

Certain Investment Practices

      Corporate Reorganizations . The Fund may invest without limit in securities of companies for which a tender or exchange offer has been made or announced and in securities of companies for which a merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar reorganization proposal has been announced if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of capital appreciation significantly greater than the added portfolio turnover expenses inherent in the short term nature of such transactions. The principal risk is that such offers or proposals may not be consummated within the time and under the terms contemplated at the time of the investment, in which case, unless such offers or proposals are replaced by equivalent or increased offers or proposals that are consummated, the Fund may sustain a loss.

      Temporary Defensive Investments . Subject to the Fund’s investment restrictions, when a temporary defensive period is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (“temporary defensive periods”), the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in securities of United States government sponsored instrumentalities, in repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments, and in certain high-grade commercial paper instruments. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may also invest in money market mutual funds that invest primarily in securities of United States government sponsored instrumentalities and repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the United States government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the United States Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the United States government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the United States government would provide financial support to United States government sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

      Lower Grade Securities . The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.”

     Generally, such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher quality securities. In addition, such securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the

issuer’s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.

     In addition, the market value of securities in lower grade securities is more volatile than that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower grade or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.

     Lower grade securities also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of nonconvertible bonds and preferred stocks moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates, the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay regular income streams.

     As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Fund’s investment. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate.

     In addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser also performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions, credit standing, and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates, and the outlook for specific industries.

     Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies may change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.

     The market for lower grade and comparable unrated securities has experienced several periods of significantly adverse price and liquidity, particularly at or around times of economic recessions. Past market recessions have adversely affected the value of such securities as well as the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The market for those securities may react in a similar fashion in the future.

      Options. On behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may, subject to the guidelines of the Board, purchase or sell (i.e., write) options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the U.S. over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may write covered call options on common stocks that it owns or has an immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities in an amount not to exceed 25% of total assets or invest up to 10% of its total assets in the purchase of put options on common stocks that the Fund owns or may acquire through the conversion or exchange of other securities that it owns.

     A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer (seller) of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.

     A put option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to sell to the writer (seller), in return for the premium, the underlying security at a specified price during the term of the option. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying security upon exercise, at the exercise price during the option period.

     If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

     An exchange-traded option may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option.

      Futures Contracts and Options on Futures . On behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may, subject to the Fund’s investment restrictions and guidelines of the Board, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management purposes. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, United States government securities and foreign currencies. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the future.

     The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to the registration requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in derivative instruments are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Nevertheless, the Fund’s investment restrictions place certain limitations and prohibitions on its ability to purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts. In addition, investment in futures contracts and related options generally will be limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares.

      Forward Currency Exchange Contracts . Subject to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against future changes in the level of currency exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a “spot” (i.e., cash) basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. The Fund’s dealings in forward contracts generally will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. The Fund does not have an independent limitation on its investments in foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currency futures contracts.

      When Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments . The Fund may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on a “when issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring, i.e., a when, as and if issued security. When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a month or more after the date of the commitment. While it will only enter into a forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the Fund may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable.

     Securities purchased under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to the Fund prior to the settlement date. The Fund will segregate with its custodian cash or liquid securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of its outstanding forward commitments.

      Short Sales Against the Box . The Fund may from time to time make short sales of securities. The market value for the securities sold short by any one issuer will not exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets or 5% of such issuer’s voting securities. The Fund may not make short sales or maintain a short position if it would cause more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value, to be held as collateral for such sales. The Fund may also make short sales “against the box.” A short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold short. In a short sale, the Fund does not immediately deliver the securities sold or receive the proceeds from the sale.

     To secure its obligations to deliver the securities sold short, the Fund will deposit in escrow in a separate account with its custodian an equal amount to the securities sold short or securities convertible into, or exchangeable for such securities. The Fund may close out a short position by purchasing and delivering an equal amount of the securities sold short, rather than by delivering securities already held by the Fund, because the Fund may want to continue to receive interest and dividend payments on securities in its portfolio that are convertible into the securities sold short.

     The Fund may make a short sale in order to hedge against market risks when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund or a security convertible into, or exchangeable for, such security, or when the Fund does not want to sell the security it owns. Such short sale transactions may be subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may use short sales in conjunction with the purchase of a convertible security when it is determined that a convertible security can be bought at a small conversion premium and has a yield advantage relative to the underlying common stock sold short.

      Repurchase Agreements . The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and non-bank dealers of United States government securities which are listed as reporting dealers of the Federal Reserve Bank and which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases a debt security from a seller who undertakes to repurchase the security at a specified resale price on an agreed future date. Repurchase agreements are generally for one business day and generally will not have a duration of longer than one week. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has taken the position that, in economic reality, a repurchase agreement is a loan by a fund to the other party to the transaction secured by securities transferred to the fund. The resale price generally exceeds the purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon market interest rate for the term of the repurchase agreement. The Fund’s risk is primarily that, if the seller defaults, the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities and other collateral for the seller’s obligation may be less than the repurchase price. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might be delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of the collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase is less than the repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss. If the financial institution that is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund could suffer a loss.

      Leveraging . As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations, the Fund may issue senior securities representing stock, such as preferred stock, so long as immediately following such issuance of stock, its total assets exceed 200% of the amount of such stock. The use of leverage magnifies the impact of changes in net asset value. For example, a fund that uses 33% leverage will show a 1.5% increase or decline in net asset value for each 1% increase or decline in the value of its total assets. In addition, if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, the use of leverage will diminish, rather than enhance, the return to the Fund. The use of leverage generally increases the volatility of returns to the Fund.

      Investment Restrictions . The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental policies of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class). The Fund’s investment restrictions are more fully discussed under “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI.

      Portfolio Turnover . The Fund will buy and sell securities to accomplish its investment objective. The investment policies of the Fund may lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest or currency exchange rates. The portfolio turnover may be higher than that of other investment companies.

     Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities purchased or securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less). High portfolio turnover may also result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains and any distributions resulting from such gains will be taxable at ordinary income rates for United States federal income tax purposes. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 were 4% and 1%, respectively.

      Long-Term Objective . The Fund is intended for investors seeking long-term capital growth and income. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to benefit from short-term swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the shareholder’s investment objectives as well as the shareholder’s other investments when considering investing in the Fund.

      Loans of Portfolio Securities . To increase income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions if (i) the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and (ii) no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of its total assets.

     If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value

of the collateral. As with any extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. While these loans of portfolio securities will be made in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board, there can be no assurance that borrowers will not fail financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the loan would inure to the Fund. If the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the Fund’s rights is unsettled. As a result, under these circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and it would suffer a loss.

      Borrowing . The Fund may borrow money in accordance with its investment restrictions, including as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. It may not borrow for investment purposes.

     See “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment Practices” in the SAI.

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

     Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund:

Industry Risks

     Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in foreign and domestic companies involved in the Utility Industry and, as a result, the value of the common shares will be more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies, including governmental regulation, inflation, cost increases in fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital construction programs, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations.

      Sector Risk . The Fund concentrates its investments in the Utility Industry. As a result, the Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of investment alternatives. The prices of securities issued by traditional utility companies may change in response to interest rate changes. There is no guarantee that this relationship will continue.

      Government Regulation . There are substantial differences between the regulatory practices and policies in various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, permit rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on common shares by companies subject to such regulatory provisions. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for these utilities to obtain adequate relief.

     Various regulatory regimes also impose limitations on the percentage of the stock of a public utility held by a fund as an investment. These limitations may unfavorably restrict the ability of the Fund to make certain investments.

      Deregulation . Changing regulation constitutes one of the industry-specific risks for the Fund, especially with respect to its investments in traditionally regulated public utilities and partially regulated utility companies. Domestic and foreign regulators monitor and control utility revenues and costs, and therefore may limit utility profits and dividends paid to investors, which could result in reduced income to the Fund. Regulatory authorities also may restrict a company’s access to new markets, thereby diminishing the company’s long-term prospects. The deregulation of certain utility companies may eliminate restrictions on profits and dividends, but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss. Deregulation of the utility industry could have a positive or negative impact on the Fund. The Investment Adviser believes that certain utility companies’ fundamentals should continue to improve as the industry undergoes deregulation. Companies may seek to strengthen their competitive positions through mergers and takeovers. The loosening of the government regulation of utilities should encourage convergence within the industry. Improving earnings prospects, strong cash flows, share repurchases and takeovers from industry consolidation may tend to boost share prices. However, as has occurred in California and elsewhere, certain companies may be less able to meet the challenge of deregulation as competition increases and investments in these companies would not be likely to perform well. Individual sectors of the utility market are subject to additional risks. These risks can apply to all utility companies — regulated or fully or partially deregulated and unregulated. For example, telecommunications companies have been affected by technological developments leading to increased competition, as well as changing regulation of local and long-distance telephone services and other telecommunications businesses. Certain telecommunications companies have been adversely affected by the new competitive climate.

      Financing . Currently, companies in the Utility Industry have encountered difficulties in obtaining financing for construction programs during inflationary periods. Issuers experiencing difficulties in financing construction programs may

also experience lower profitability, which can result in reduced income to the Fund. Historically, companies in the Utility Industry have also encountered such financing difficulties during inflationary periods.

      Equipment and Supplies . Traditional utility companies face the risk of lengthy delays and increased costs associated with the design, construction, licensing and operation of their facilities. Moreover, technological innovations may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete. Increased costs and a reduction in the availability of fuel (such as oil, coal, nuclear or natural gas) also may adversely affect the profitability of utility companies.

     Electric utilities may be burdened by unexpected increases in operating costs. They may also be negatively affected when long-term interest rates rise. Long-term borrowings are used to finance most utility investments, and rising interest rates lead to higher financing costs and reduced earnings. There are also the considerable costs associated with environmental compliance, nuclear waste clean-up, cap and trade or other programs designed to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse emissions, and safety regulation. Increasingly, regulators are calling upon electric utilities to bear these added costs, and there is a risk that these costs will not be fully recovered through an increase in revenues.

     Among gas companies, there has been a move to diversify into oil and gas exploration and development, making investment returns more sensitive to energy prices. In the case of the water utility sector, the industry is highly fragmented, and most water supply companies find themselves in mature markets, although upgrading of fresh water and waste water systems is an expanding business.

Long-Term Objective: Not a Complete Investment Program

     The Fund is intended for investors seeking long-term capital growth and income. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to exploit short-term swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment in the Fund.

Non-Diversified Status

     The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means it is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment company. As a result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and therefore subject to greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. To qualify as a “regulated investment company,” or “RIC,” for purposes of the Code, the Fund has in the past conducted and intends to conduct its operations in a manner that will relieve it of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. To so qualify as a “regulated investment company,” among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year:

	•		not more than 25% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the securities (other than United States government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, any two or more issuers in which the fund owns 20% or more of the voting securities and which are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined in the Code); and
	•		at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets will be represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, United States government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the its assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

Market Value and Net Asset Value

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the securities markets and may trade at either a premium to or discount from net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at discounts from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value may decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its listed shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. Shortly after the inception of the Fund, the market price of the Fund exceeded the net asset value (the “NAV”) and the premium continues today. Shareholders desiring liquidity may, subject to applicable securities laws, trade their Fund shares on the NYSE or other markets on which such shares may trade at the then-current

market value, which may differ from the then-current NAV. Shareholders will incur brokerage or other transaction costs to sell shares.

Lower Grade Securities

     The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.” Such securities are subject to greater risks than investment grade securities, which reflect their speculative character, including the following:

	•		greater volatility;
	•		greater credit risk;
	•		potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions;
	•		potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and
	•		additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.

     Fixed income securities purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by Moody’s or D by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date.

     The market value of lower rated securities may be more volatile than the market value of higher rated securities and generally tends to reflect the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater extent than more highly rated securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.

     Ratings are relative and subjective, and are not absolute standards of quality. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition.

     As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Fund’s investment. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate.

Foreign Securities

     Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to United States companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Dividend income that the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for the special tax treatment applicable to qualified dividend income.

     There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a United States company. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than United States securities markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise comparable United States companies. A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may result in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes foreign securities can expect to

have a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs on non-United States securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities.

     The Fund also may purchase sponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or United States dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by United States banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the United States securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted, many of the risks associated with foreign securities may also apply to ADRs. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

Special Risks of Derivative Transactions

     Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency and interest rate markets are inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. Risks inherent in the use of options, foreign currency, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, securities indices and foreign currencies include:

	•		dependence on the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets;
	•		imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged;
	•		the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities;
	•		the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time;
	•		the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and
	•		the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain “cover” or to segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques.

See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Futures Transactions.”

Futures Transactions

     Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following:

	•		no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices;
	•		possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging;
	•		possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument;
	•		possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price fluctuations;
	•		imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged; and
	•		losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements for such transactions.

     For a further description, see “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment Practices” in the SAI.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     The use of forward currency exchange contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover. For a further description of such investments, see “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment Practices” in the SAI.

Dependence on Key Personnel

     The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser.

Market Disruption Risk

     Certain events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks, war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy. Lower rated securities and securities of issuers with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities and securities of issuers with larger market capitalizations so that these events and any actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of lower rated securities and securities of issuers with smaller market capitalizations than on higher rated securities and securities of issuers with larger market capitalizations.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents

     The Fund’s Governing Documents include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Special Risks Related to Preferred Securities

     There are special risks associated with the Fund’s investing in preferred securities, including:

	•		Deferral . Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer dividends or distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its dividends or distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income.
	•		Non-Cumulative Dividends . Some preferred securities are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred security held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends or distributions on such security, the Fund’s return from that security may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.
	•		Subordination . Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security instruments.
	•		Liquidity . Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities.
	•		Limited Voting Rights . Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.
	•		Special Redemption Rights . In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.

Special Risks to Holders of Notes

     There may not be an established market for our notes. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any) on such notes and other factors.

Note Risk

     If the interest rate on the notes approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the notes. Holders of notes may have different interests than holders of common shares and at times may have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. In the event the Fund fails to maintain the specified level of asset coverage of any notes outstanding, the holders of the notes will have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees.

Investment Companies

     The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by law. To the extent the Fund invests in the common equity of investment companies, the Fund will bear its ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management fees. The Fund will also remain obligated to pay management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities of other investment companies. In these circumstances holders of the Fund’s common shares will be subject to duplicative investment expenses.

Counterparty Risk

     The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

Loans of Portfolio Securities

     Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described in the SAI) and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

     For a further description of such loans of portfolio securities, see “Investment Objective and Policies—Certain Investment Practices—Loans of Portfolio Securities.”

Management Risk

     The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.

Status as a Regulated Investment Company

     The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred shares to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.

Leverage Risk

     The Fund uses financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares. As of December 31, 2010, the amount of leverage represented approximately 23% of the Fund’s total assets. The Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred

have the same seniority with respect to distributions and liquidation preference. Preferred shares have seniority over common shares.

     The Fund’s use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio greater than the amount of equity invested, either through the issuance of preferred shares or other forms of market exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objective and policies.

	•		Preferred Share Risk. The issuance of preferred shares causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares plus the management fee annual rate of 1.00% (as applicable) exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares.
			Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred shares or of losing its ratings on the preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund’s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred shares.
			In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including the advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such shares.
			Holders of preferred shares may have different interests than holders of common shares and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. Holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the Trustees until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes.
			Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund’s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Fund’s ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred shares to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements.
	•		Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares
			Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing . Prior to the offering, there will be no public market for any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. In the event any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, though, they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period.
			Market Price Fluctuation . Fixed Rate Preferred Shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.
	•		Special Risks for Holders of Auction Rate Preferred Shares
			Auction Risk . You may not be able to sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more Auction Rate Preferred Shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Auction Rate Preferred Shares only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Auction Rate Preferred Shares. Additionally, if you place a hold order

			without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Auction Rate Preferred Shares, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment. Due to recent market disruption most auction-rate preferred shares, including our Series B Auction Rate Preferred, have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity.
			Secondary Market Risk . If you try to sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Auction Rate Preferred Shares are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Auction Rate Preferred Shares if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Auction Rate Preferred Shares will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Auction Rate Preferred Shares to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period. Due to recent market disruption most auction-rate preferred shares, including our Series B Auction Rate Preferred, have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity, including the inability to sell such shares in a secondary market.
	•		Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies for Preferred Shares and/or Credit Facility. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred shares or borrowings, the Fund must comply with investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by the relevant rating agencies. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
	•		Impact on Common Shares. The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on common share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of net investment income of the Fund, realized gains or losses of the Fund and changes in the value of the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. See “Risks.” The table further reflects leverage representing 23% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund’s current projected blended annual average leverage dividend or interest rate of 3.82%, a management fee at an annual rate of 1.00% of the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares and estimated annual incremental expenses attributable to any outstanding preferred shares of 0.04% of the Fund’s net assets attributable to common shares.

Common share total return is composed of two elements—the common share distributions paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the taxable income of the Fund (including realized gains or losses) after paying interest on any debt and/or dividends on any preferred shares) and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy total return. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the income it receives on its investments is entirely offset by expenses and losses in the value of those investments. The Fund’s shares are leveraged, and the risks and special considerations related to leverage described in this prospectus apply. Such leveraging of the shares cannot be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

Common Share Distribution Policy Risk

     The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying distributions on its common shares of $0.05 per share per month. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on

their investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that a distribution from the Fund is comprised exclusively of net profits. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $0.72 per common share, of which $0.64212 per share is deemed a return of capital. The Fund has made monthly distributions with respect to its common shares since October 1999. A portion of the distributions to holders of common shares during five of the ten fiscal years since the Fund’s inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.

Investment Restrictions

     The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding shares of common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. The Fund may become subject to guidelines that are more limiting than the investment restrictions set forth above in order to obtain and maintain ratings from Moody’s or S&P on its preferred shares. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies of the Fund.

Interest Rate Transactions

     The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in relation to all or a portion of any series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares in order to manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such shares. At present, the Fund has not entered into an interest rate swap on a percentage of its outstanding Auction Rate Preferred Shares. Through these transactions the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Auction Rate Preferred Shares that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk.

     The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on its Auction Rate Preferred Shares. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred shares dividends or distributions when due in accordance with the Statement of Preferences of the relevant series of the Auction Rate Preferred Shares even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Auction Rate Preferred Shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap 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. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Auction Rate Preferred Shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the asset coverage for the Auction Rate Preferred Shares. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the Statement of Preferences for each series of the preferred shares, if the Fund fails to maintain the required asset coverage on the outstanding preferred shares or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of these shares. The Fund generally may redeem any series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

     The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the value of the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. The Fund will monitor any such swap with a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

General

     The Board (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, and the Sub-Administrator (as defined below). Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Contract with the Fund, the Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment research and makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides all facilities and personnel, including officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are its affiliates.

The Investment Adviser

     Gabelli Funds, LLC acts as the Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser is a New York limited liability company with principal offices located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of December 31, 2010, the Investment Adviser acts as a registered investment adviser to 25 management investment companies with aggregate net assets of $18.3 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with the other affiliated investment advisers noted below, had assets under management totaling approximately $33.3 billion as of December 31, 2010. GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO”), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser to management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.7 billion under management as of December 31, 2010. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of approximately $515 million under management as of December 31, 2010. Teton Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to The GAMCO Westwood Funds and separately managed accounts having aggregate assets of approximately $820 million under management as of December 31, 2010.

     The Investment Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York corporation whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GBL.” Mr. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed a “controlling person” of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

     The Investment Adviser has sole investment discretion for the Fund’s assets under the supervision of the Fund’s Board and in accordance with the Fund’s stated policies. The Investment Adviser will select investments for the Fund and will place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund.

Payment of Expenses

     The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Investment Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”) including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund, as well as the fees of all trustees of the Fund who are affiliated with the Investment Adviser.

     In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the payment of all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other things, expenses for legal and independent accountant’s services, stock exchange listing fees, expenses relating to the offering of preferred shares, rating agency fees, costs of printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the custodian, any subcustodian, auction agent, transfer agent(s) and dividend disbursing agent expenses in connection with its respective automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan, SEC fees, fees and expenses of unaffiliated trustees, accounting and printing costs, the Fund’s pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations, fidelity bond coverage for the Fund’s officers and employees, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, expenses of qualifying the Fund for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing shareholder servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the Fund.

Advisory Agreement

     Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the portfolio of the Fund in accordance with its stated investment objective and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund, and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and manages the Fund’s other business and affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of its Board. In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs and provides, or arranges for others to provide, at the Investment Adviser’s expense, certain enumerated services, including maintaining the Fund’s books and records, preparing reports to its shareholders and supervising the calculation of the net asset value of its shares. All expenses of computing the Fund’s net asset value, including any equipment or services obtained solely for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the Fund’s investment portfolio, will be an expense of the Fund under the Advisory Agreement unless the Investment Adviser voluntarily assumes responsibility for such expense. During fiscal year 2010, the Fund reimbursed the Investment Adviser $45,000 in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s net asset value.

     The Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one agreement. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of preferred shares. The fee paid by the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred shares are utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the preferred shares during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred shares for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any series of preferred shares exceeds the total return (based on net asset value) on the Fund’s common shares, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred shares to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholder’s total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and, except in connection with the waiver applicable to the portion of the Fund’s assets attributable to Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, may be discontinued at any time. For Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, the waiver will remain in effect as long as any shares in a series are outstanding. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of the common shares exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred shares for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred shares is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets.

     For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares exceeded the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate on all of the outstanding preferred shares. Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets.

     The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser is not liable for any error or judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name “Gabelli” is the Investment Adviser’s property, and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including “Gabelli.”

     Pursuant to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year if approved annually (i) by the Board or by the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     A discussion regarding the basis of the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Selection of Securities Brokers

     The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”) or other broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay

commissions to brokers other than Gabelli & Company that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable for its investment management of the Fund and/or its other advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description of the advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the Fund.

Portfolio Manager

     Mario J. Gabelli is currently and has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors since 1976. Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Investment Officer — Value Portfolios for the Investment Adviser and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. Mr. Gabelli serves as portfolio manager for several funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex and is a director of several funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex. Because of the diverse nature of Mr. Gabelli’s responsibilities, he will devote less than all of his time to the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli is also Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc., as well as Chairman of the Board of Lynch Interactive Corporation, a multimedia and communication services company.

     The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

Sub-Administrator

     The Investment Adviser has entered into a sub-administration agreement with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Sub-Administrator”) pursuant to which the Sub-Administrator provides certain administrative services necessary for the Fund’s operations that do not include the investment and portfolio management services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services and the related expenses borne by the Sub-Administrator, the Investment Adviser pays a prorated monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion of the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and all other funds advised by the Investment Adviser and Teton Advisors, Inc. and administered by the Sub-Administrator, 0.0125% of the aggregate average net assets exceeding $10 billion and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets in excess of $15 billion. The Sub-Administrator has its principal office at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.

Regulatory Matters

     On April 24, 2008, the Investment Adviser entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry regarding prior frequent trading activity in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. In the administrative settlement order, the SEC found that the Investment Adviser had willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had willfully aided and abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940 Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the Investment Adviser, while neither admitting nor denying the SEC’s findings and allegations, paid $16 million (which included a $5 million civil monetary penalty), approximately $12.8 million of which is in the process of being paid to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and acceptable to the staff of the SEC, and agreed to cease and desist from future violations of the above-referenced federal securities laws and rule. The SEC order also noted the cooperation that the Investment Adviser had given the staff of the SEC during its inquiry. The settlement did not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser. On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. The officer is also an officer of the Fund, the Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denied the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Investment Adviser and the funds. The court dismissed certain claims and found that the SEC was not entitled to pursue various remedies against the officer while leaving one remedy in the event the SEC were able to prove violations of law. The court subsequently dismissed without prejudice the remaining remedy against the officer, which allowed the SEC to appeal the court’s rulings. On October 29, 2010, the SEC filed its appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit regarding the lower court’s orders. The Investment Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute portfolio transactions on stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefor. For a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s brokerage allocation practices, see “Portfolio Transactions” in the SAI.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     The Fund has a policy, which may be modified at any time by its Board, of paying distributions on its common shares of $0.05 per share per month. This policy permits common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically with respect to their common shares without having to sell their shares. A portion of the Fund’s distributions on its common shares to date have included or have been estimated to include a return of capital. Any return of capital that is a component of a distribution is not sourced from realized or unrealized profits of the Fund and that portion should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that a distribution from the Fund is comprised exclusively of net profits. The Fund pays on its common shares a distribution of $0.05 per share each month and, if necessary, an adjusting distribution in December which includes any additional income and net realized capital gains in excess of the monthly distributions for that year to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Code. Each quarter, the Board reviews the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital gain or capital available. The Fund may retain for reinvestment, and pay the resulting federal income taxes on, its net capital gain, if any. To avoid paying income tax at the corporate level, the Fund distributes substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain.

     If, for any calendar year, the total distributions exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the shares. The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in the shares, thereby increasing such shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale of the shares. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of the basis in the shares will be taxable to the shareholder as capital gain.

     In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets more than otherwise and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing its expense ratio more than otherwise, as the Fund’s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action.

     The Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser, has obtained an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common shares calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average NAV over a specified period of time or market price per share of common shares at or about the time of distribution or pay-out of a fixed dollar amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make distributions with respect to its preferred shares in accordance with such shares’ terms. If the total distributions required by the proposed periodic pay-out policy exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a return of capital. If the Fund’s net investment income (including net short-term capital gains) and net long-term capital gains for any year exceed the amount required to be distributed under the periodic pay-out policy, the Fund generally intends to pay such excess once a year, but may, in its discretion, retain and not distribute net long-term capital gains to the extent of such excess. The Fund reserves the right, but does not currently intend, to retain for reinvestment and pay the resulting U.S. federal income taxes on the excess of its net realized long-term capital gains over its net short-term capital losses, if any.

ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES

     During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, the Fund did not have any transactions in shares of beneficial interest. Gabelli & Company, Inc., an affiliate of Gabelli Funds, LLC, the Fund’s Investment Adviser, will act as sales manager for future offerings.

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN

     Under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), a shareholder whose common shares are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by Computershare, which is agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own common shares registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by Computershare as dividend-disbursing agent.

Enrollment in the Plan

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

The Gabelli Utility Trust

c/o Computershare

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

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

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

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

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

Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan

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

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

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

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

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

DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES

      The following is a brief description of the terms of the Fund’s shares. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Governing Documents. For complete terms of the shares, please refer to the actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Governing Documents.

Common Shares

     The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share, in multiple classes and series thereof as determined from time to time by the Board. The Board has authorized issuance of an unlimited number of shares of two classes, the common shares and preferred shares. Each share within a particular class or series thereof has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The common shares are not redeemable and have no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights. In the event of liquidation, each common share is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund’s preferred shares ranking senior to the common shares of the Fund as described below.

     The common shares of the Fund are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GUT” and began trading July 9, 1999. The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the NYSE during the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 was 428,501 shares. The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the NYSE during the period from January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011 was 271,336 shares.

     Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than NAV. Over the Fund’s twelve year history, the range fluctuated from a 59% premium in July 2003 to a 3% discount in November 2000. Shortly after the inception of the Fund, the market price of the Fund exceeded the NAV and the premium continues today. As of March 31, 2011, the Fund trades at a 19.1% premium to its NAV. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, NAV, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than NAV in the future. The common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase.

     The Fund is a closed-end, management investment company and, as such, its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to redeem their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Board has determined that such repurchase may be made when the common shares are trading at a discount of 10% (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) or more from NAV. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or as otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act. Under Rule 23c-1, certain conditions must be met for such alternative purchases regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, asset coverage with respect to the Fund’s senior debt and equity securities, identity of the sellers, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis which does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund. In addition, Rule 23c-1 requires the Fund to file notices of such purchase with the SEC.

     When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below its NAV, the NAV of the common shares that remains outstanding will be enhanced. This does not, however, necessarily mean that the market price of the Fund’s remaining outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. Further, interest on any borrowings made to finance the repurchase of common shares will reduce the net income of the Fund.

     Shareholders whose common shares are registered in their own name will have all distributions reinvested pursuant to the Plan. For a more detailed discussion of the Plan, see “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan.”

Book Entry

     The common shares sold through this offering will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the common shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of common shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights. Purchasers of common shares may obtain registered certificates by contacting the transfer agent.

Preferred Shares

     Currently, an unlimited number of the Fund’s shares have been classified by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of each series of preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Fund’s common shares. As of March 31, 2011, the Fund had outstanding 1,153,288 shares of Series A Preferred and 900 shares of Series B Preferred.

     At all times, holders of shares of the Fund’s preferred shares outstanding, voting as a single class, will be entitled to elect two members of the Board, and holders of the preferred shares and common shares, voting as a single class, will elect the remaining directors. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

     Distributions on the Series A Preferred accumulate at an annual rate of 5.625% of the liquidation preference of $25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The Series A Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s. The Fund’s outstanding Series A Preferred is redeemable at the liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) at the option of the Fund beginning July 31, 2008. The Series A Preferred is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GUT PrA.”

     Distributions on the Series B Preferred accumulate at a variable rate, usually set at a weekly auction. The Series B Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s and “AAA” by S&P. The liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred is $25,000 per share. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding Series B Preferred, in whole or in part, at any time other than during a non-call period. The Series B Preferred is not traded on any public exchange.

     If the Fund issues any additional series of preferred shares, it will pay dividends to the holders at either a fixed rate or a rate that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates, as described in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying each preferred shares offering.

     The following table shows (i) the classification of shares, (ii) the number of shares authorized in each class and (iii) the number of shares outstanding in each class as of December 31, 2010.

     As of December 31, 2010, the Fund does not hold any shares for its account.

     Upon a liquidation, each holder of preferred shares will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the Fund’s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund’s common shares or any other class of capital shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to liquidation payments) an amount per share equal to such share’s liquidation preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon) to the date of distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. Each series of preferred shares ranks on a parity with any other series of preferred shares of the Fund as to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and is junior to the Fund’s obligations with respect to any outstanding senior securities representing debt. The preferred shares carries one vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will, upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. The Board may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of capital shares senior to the preferred shares.

      Recent Market Events . Since February 2008, most auction-rate preferred shares, including our Series B Preferred, have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity. The number of Series B Preferred subject to bid orders by potential holders has been less than the number of Series B Preferred subject to sell orders. Therefore, the weekly auctions have failed, and the dividend rate has been the maximum rate. Holders that have submitted sell orders have not been able to sell any or all of the Series B Preferred for which they have submitted sell orders. The current maximum rate is 125% of the seven day Telerate/British Bankers Association LIBOR on the day of such auction. These failed auctions have been an industry wide problem and may continue to occur in the future. Any current or potential holder of auction-rate preferred shares faces the risk that auctions will continue to fail, or will fail again at some point in the future, and that he or she may not be able to sell his or her shares through the auction process.

      Rating Agency Guidelines . The Fund expects that it will be required under Moody’s and S&P guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined below) for its outstanding preferred shares with respect to the separate guidelines Moody’s and S&P has each established for determining discounted value. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency’s guidelines, all or a portion of such holding’s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody’s and S&P guidelines also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Fund’s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market securities). The “Basic Maintenance Amount” is equal to (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares then outstanding plus (to the extent not included in the liquidation preference of such preferred shares) an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in respect of such preferred shares, (b) the total principal of any debt (plus accrued and projected interest), (c) certain Fund expenses and (d) certain other current liabilities (excluding any unmade distributions on the Fund’s common shares) less (ii) the Fund’s (a) cash and (b) assets consisting of indebtedness which (y) mature prior to or on the date of redemption or repurchase of the preferred shares and are U.S. government securities or evidences of indebtedness rated at least “Aaa,” “P-1”, “VMIG-1” or “MIG-1” by Moody’s or “AAA”, “SP-1+” or “A-1+” by S&P, and (z) is held by the Fund for distributions, the redemption or repurchase of preferred shares or the Fund’s liabilities.

     If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount in accordance with the requirements of the applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares, as described below under “—Redemption.”

     The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to the rating agency guidelines that may hereafter be established by Moody’s and S&P. Failure to adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the relevant

rating agency’s ratings or a withdrawal of such ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the preferred shares at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without further action by the shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal certain of the definitions and related provisions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the preferred shares by Moody’s and S&P, as the case may be, is in the best interests of the holders of common shares and is not adverse to the holders of preferred shares in view of advice to the Fund by Moody’s and S&P (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund) that such modification would not adversely affect, as the case may be, its then current rating of the preferred shares.

     Among the modifications or amendments of the Statements of Preferences that would not be held to adversely affect the rights and preferences of the preferred shares would be the following:

	•		a modification of the definition of the maximum rate to increase the percentage amount by which the applicable LIBOR rate or treasury index rate is multiplied to determine the maximum rate or increase the spread added to the applicable LIBOR rate or treasury index rate; or
	•		a modification of the calculation of the adjusted value of the Fund’s eligible assets or the basic maintenance amount (or of the elements and terms of each of them or the definitions of such elements or terms).

     As described by Moody’s and S&P, the ratings assigned to each series of preferred shares are assessments of the capacity and willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of each such series. The ratings on these series of preferred shares are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the likelihood that an owner of preferred shares will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or otherwise. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moody’s and S&P by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.

     The rating agency guidelines apply to each series of preferred shares only so long as such rating agency is rating such series at the request of the Fund. The Fund pays fees to Moody’s and S&P for rating the preferred shares.

      Asset Maintenance Requirements . In addition to maintaining agency guidelines established by Moody’s and S&P, the Fund must also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred shares. Under the 1940 Act, debt or additional preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of any preferred shares and debt outstanding. The Fund is required under the Statement of Preferences of each series of preferred shares to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an “asset coverage” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or shares, including any outstanding preferred shares. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, or 10 business days, in the case of the Auction Rate Preferred Shares, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem shares of preferred shares sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage.

      Distributions . In connection with the offering of one or more additional series of preferred shares, an accompanying Prospectus Supplement will specify whether dividends on such preferred shares will be based on a fixed or variable rate. If such Prospectus Supplement specifies that dividends will be paid at a fixed rate, holders of such Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued.

     In the alternative, the Prospectus Supplement may state that the holders of one or more series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares are entitled to receive cash distributions at annual rates stated as a percentage of liquidation preference, that will vary from dividend period to dividend period. The liquidation preference per share and the dividend rate for the initial dividend period for any such series of preferred shares will be the rate set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such series. For subsequent dividend periods, each such series of preferred shares will pay distributions based on a rate set at an auction, normally held weekly, but not in excess of a maximum rate.

Dividend periods generally will be seven days, and the dividend periods generally will begin on the first business day after an auction. In most instances, distributions are also paid weekly, on the business day following the end of the dividend period.

The Fund, subject to some limitations, may change the length of the dividend periods, designating them as “special dividend periods,” as described below under “—Designation of Special Dividend Periods.”

      Distribution Payments . Except as described below, the dividend payment date for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares will be the first business day after the dividend period ends. The dividend payment dates for special dividend periods of more (or less) than seven days will be set out in the notice designating a special dividend period. See “—Designation of Special Dividend Periods” for a discussion of payment dates for a special dividend period.

     If a dividend payment date for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares is not a business day because the NYSE is closed for business for more than three consecutive business days due to an act of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage, riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the dividend payable on such date can not be paid for any such reason, then:

	•		the dividend payment date for the affected dividend period will be the next business day on which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, are able to cause the distributions to be paid using their reasonable best efforts;
	•		the affected dividend period will end on the day it would have ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date had remained the scheduled date; and
	•		the next dividend period will begin and end on the dates on which it would have begun and ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date remained the scheduled date.

      Determination of Dividend Rates . The Fund computes the distributions per share for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares by multiplying the applicable rate determined at the auction by a fraction, the numerator of which normally is the number of days in such dividend period and the denominator of which is 360. This applicable rate is then multiplied by the liquidation preference per share of such series to arrive at the distribution per share.

      Maximum Rate . The dividend rate for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares that results from an auction for such shares will not be greater than the applicable “maximum rate.” The maximum rate for any standard dividend period will be the greater of the applicable percentage of the reference rate or the reference rate plus the applicable spread. The reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of 365 days or more. The applicable percentage and the applicable spread will be determined based on the lower of the credit ratings assigned to such series of preferred shares by Moody’s and S&P on the auction date for such period (as set forth in the table below). If Moody’s and/or S&P do not make such rating available, the rate will be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rating agency. In the case of a special dividend period, (1) the Fund will communicate the maximum applicable rate in a notice of special rate period for such dividend payment period, (2) the applicable percentage and applicable spread will be determined on the date two business days before the first day of such special dividend period and (3) the reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of 365 days or more.

     The “LIBOR Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Statement of Preferences, is the applicable London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the period most closely approximating the applicable dividend period for the preferred shares.

     The “Treasury Index Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Statement of Preferences, is the average yield to maturity for certain U.S. Treasury securities having substantially the same length to maturity as the applicable dividend period for the preferred shares.

     If the Fund maintains an “AAA” and/or “Aaa” rating on the preferred shares, the practical effect of the different methods used to determine the maximum rate is shown in the table below:

     There is no minimum dividend rate in respect of any dividend period.

      Effect of Failure to Pay Distributions in a Timely Manner . If the Fund fails to pay the paying agent the full amount of any distribution or redemption price, as applicable, for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares in a timely manner, the dividend rate for the dividend period following such a failure to pay (such period referred to as the default period) and any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing will be the default rate. In the event that the Fund fully pays all default amounts due during a dividend period, the dividend rate for the remainder of that dividend period will be, as the case may be, the applicable rate (for the first dividend period following a dividend default) or the then maximum rate (for any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing).

     The default rate is 550% of the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of 364 days or fewer and 550% of the applicable Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of longer than 364 days.

      Designation of Special Dividend Periods . The Fund may instruct the auction agent to hold auctions more or less frequently than weekly and may designate dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. The Fund may do this if, for example, the Fund expects that short-term rates might increase or market conditions otherwise change, in an effort to optimize the potential benefit of the Fund’s leverage for holders of its common shares. The Fund does not currently expect to hold auctions and pay distributions less frequently than weekly or establish dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. If the Fund designates a special dividend period, changes in interest rates could affect the price received if preferred shares are sold in the secondary market.

     Any designation of a special dividend period for a series of Auction Rate Preferred Shares will be effective only if (i) notice thereof has been given as provided for in the Governing Documents, (ii) any failure to pay in a timely manner to the auction agent the full amount of any distribution on, or the redemption price of, any preferred shares has been cured as provided for in the Governing Documents, (iii) the auction immediately preceding the special dividend period was not a failed auction, (iv) if the Fund has mailed a notice of redemption with respect to any preferred shares, the Fund has deposited with the paying agent all funds necessary for such redemption and (v) the Fund has confirmed that as of the auction date next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, it has assets with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Fund has provided notice of such designation and a basic maintenance report to each rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund.

     The dividend payment date for any such special dividend period will be set out in the notice designating the special dividend period. In addition, for special dividend periods of at least 91 days, dividend payment dates will occur on the first business day of each calendar month within such dividend period and on the business day following the last day of such dividend period.

     Before the Fund designates a special dividend period: (i) at least seven business days (or two business days in the event the duration of the dividend period prior to such special dividend period is less than eight days) and not more than 30 business days before the first day of the proposed special dividend period, the Fund will issue a press release stating its intention to designate a special dividend period and inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by telephonic or other means and confirm it in writing promptly thereafter and (ii) the Fund must inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the second business day before the first day of the proposed special dividend period.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares

     So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common shares) in respect

of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:

	•		the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend or distribution;
	•		the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and
	•		after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “—Rating Agency Guidelines” and “—Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

     No full distribution will be declared or made on any series of preferred shares for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series as to distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred shares as to the payment of distributions, any distributions being paid on the preferred shares will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment date. The Fund’s obligation to make distributions on the preferred shares will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and principal, when due, on any senior securities representing debt.

Redemption

      Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements . The Fund may, at its option, consistent with its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares in the event that:

	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, or 10 business days, in the case of the Auction Rate Preferred Shares, following such failure; or
	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date.

     The redemption price for preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption will be the liquidation preference, as stated in the Statement of Preference of each existing series of preferred shares or the Prospectus Supplement accompanying the issuance of any additional series of preferred shares, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption, plus (in the case of preferred shares having a dividend period of more than one year) any applicable redemption premium determined by the Board and included in the Statement of Preferences.

     The number of preferred shares that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding preferred shares, the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the preferred shares. In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that shares of preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage).

     If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the preferred shares to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on the

earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.

     If fewer than all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are to be redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act, and Delaware law, will select the one or more series of preferred shares from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred shares to be redeemed from each such series. If fewer than all shares of a series of preferred shares are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all preferred shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record date.

      Optional Redemption of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares . Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in the applicable Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code. Commencing on such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Shares in whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “—Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Delaware law.

      Optional Redemption of Auction Rate Preferred Shares . The Fund generally may redeem Auction Rate Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. The Fund may designate a non-call period during a dividend period of more than seven days. In the case of such preferred shares having a dividend period of one year or less, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date, and in the case of such preferred shares having a dividend period of more than one year, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation preference plus any redemption premium applicable during such dividend period. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “—Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Delaware law.

      Redemption Procedures . A notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be given to the holders of record of preferred shares selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to NYSE requirements), in the case of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, and not less than seven days, in the case of Auction Rate Preferred Shares, nor, in both cases, more than 40 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number or percentage of preferred shares to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the Statement of Preferences under which the redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

     The holders of preferred shares, whether subject to a variable or fixed rate, will not have the right to redeem any of their shares at their option.

Liquidation Rights

     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred shares then outstanding will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per preferred share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights

     Except as otherwise stated in this Prospectus, specified in the Fund’s Governing Documents or resolved by the Board or as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares shall be entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common shares and of any other preferred shares then outstanding as a single class.

     In connection with the election of the Fund’s Trustees, holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be entitled at all times to elect two of the Fund’s Trustees, and the remaining Trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and holders of preferred shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if (i) at any time dividends and distributions on outstanding preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years’ dividends and distributions thereon and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited with the applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii) at any time holders of any other series of preferred shares are entitled to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund under the 1940 Act or the applicable Statement of Preferences creating such shares, then the number of constituting the Board will be adjusted such that, when added to the two Trustees elected exclusively by the holders of preferred shares as described above, would then constitute a simple majority of the Board as so adjusted. Such additional Trustees will be elected by the holders of the outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, at a special meeting of shareholders which will be called as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor more than twenty days after the mailing date of the meeting notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to call such a special meeting, the meeting may be called by any preferred shareholder on like notice. The terms of office of the persons who are Trustees at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter pays, or declares and sets apart for payment in full, all dividends and distributions payable on all outstanding preferred shares for all past dividend periods or the holders of other series of preferred shares are no longer entitled to elect such additional Trustees, the additional voting rights of the holders of the preferred shares as described above will cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional Trustees elected by the holders of the preferred shares (but not of the Trustees with respect to whose election the holders of common shares were entitled to vote or the two Trustees the holders of preferred shares have the right to elect as a separate class in any event) will terminate at the earliest time permitted by law.

     So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the preferred shares outstanding at the time, and present and voting on such matter, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially adversely affect any of the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Governing Documents with respect to such preferred shares, unless the Fund obtains written confirmation from Moody’s, S&P or any such other rating agency then rating the preferred shares that such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then assigned by such rating agency to the preferred shares, in which case the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred shares are not required. Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not approve any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely affect the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to such shares of a series of preferred shares differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of preferred shares without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the preferred shares of each series materially adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such materially adversely affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected differently). For purposes of this paragraph, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to such series.

     Unless a higher percentage is required under the Governing Documents or applicable provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding preferred shares, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objective or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Objective and Policies” and “Investment Restrictions” in this Prospectus and the SAI. For purposes of the preferred share voting rights described in the foregoing sentence, except as otherwise required under the 1940 Act, the phrase “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares” (or any like phrase) means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund duly called (i) of 67% or more of the preferred shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding preferred shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding preferred shares, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of common shares, and any other preferred shares, voting together as a single class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in question. An increase in the number of authorized preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents or the issuance of additional shares of any series of preferred shares pursuant to the Governing Documents shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the rights and preferences of the preferred shares.

     The calculation of the elements and definitions of certain terms of the rating agency guidelines may be modified by action of the Board without further action by the shareholders if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the preferred shares by Moody’s and/or S&P (or other rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund), as the case may be, or is in the best interests of the holders of common shares and is not adverse to the holders of preferred shares in view of advice to the Fund by the relevant rating agencies that such modification would not adversely affect its then-current rating of the preferred shares.

     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any series of preferred shares if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be effected, such shares will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption. The holders of preferred shares will have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting.

Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Shares

     So long as the Fund has preferred shares outstanding, subject to receipt of approval from the rating agencies of each series of preferred shares outstanding, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, the Fund may issue and sell shares of one or more other series of additional preferred shares provided that the Fund will, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred shares and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the redemption of preferred shares to be redeemed out of such proceeds), have an “asset coverage” for all senior securities of the Fund which are shares, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation preference of the shares of preferred shares of the Fund then outstanding and all indebtedness of the Fund constituting senior securities and no such additional preferred shares will have any preference or priority over any other preferred shares of the Fund upon the distribution of the assets of the Fund or in respect of the payment of dividends or distributions.

     The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred shares or securities representing indebtedness and may issue such additional securities if the Board concludes that such an offering would be consistent with the Fund’s Charter and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders.

      Book Entry . Fixed Rate Preferred Shares sold through this offering will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of such shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of dividends, voting and liquidation rights.

     Shares of Auction Rate Preferred Shares will initially be held by the auction agent as custodian for Cede & Co., in whose name the shares of Auction Rate Preferred Shares will be registered. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of such shares for all purposes.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

     The Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the effect of limiting, in each case, (i) the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain transactions, or (iii) the ability of the Fund’s trustees or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management. These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. The Board is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three years (except, to ensure that the term of a class of the Fund’s trustees expires each year, one class of the Fund’s trustees will serve an initial one-year term and three-year terms thereafter and another class of its trustees will serve an initial two-year term and three-year terms thereafter). Each year the term of one class of trustees will expire. Accordingly, only those trustees in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a minimum of two years to change a majority of the Board. Such system of electing trustees may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for the shareholders of the Fund to change the majority of trustees. See “Trustees and Officers.” A trustee of the Fund may be removed with cause by a majority of the remaining Trustees and, without cause, by two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by no less than two-thirds of the aggregate number of votes entitled to be cast for the election of such Trustee. Special voting requirements of 75% of the outstanding voting shares (in addition to any required class votes) apply to certain mergers or a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets, dissolution, conversion of the Fund into an open-end fund or interval fund and amendments to several provisions of the Declaration of Trust, including the foregoing provisions. In addition, 80% of the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting as a class is generally required in order to authorize any of the following transactions:

	•		the merger or consolidation of the Fund with or into any other entity;
	•		the issuance of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, other than pursuant to the Dividend and Reinvestment Plan or any offering if such person or entity acquires no greater percentage of the securities offered than the percentage beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering or, in the case of a class or series not then beneficially owned by such person or entity, the percentage of common shares beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering;
	•		the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000);
	•		the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000);
	•		the purchase of the Fund’s common shares by the Fund from any other person or entity if such corporation, person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.;

However, such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board approves the transaction. Reference is made to the Governing Documents of the Fund, on file with the SEC, for the full text of these provisions.

     In addition, shareholders have no authority to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws. The Board of Trustees has authority to adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws consistent with the Declaration of Trust (including to require approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election of Trustees).

     The provisions of the Governing Documents described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal shareholder.

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (commonly referred to as a closed-end fund). Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a stock exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the shareholder. This means that if you wish to sell your shares of a closed-end fund you must trade them on the market like any other shares at the prevailing market price at that time. In a mutual fund, if the shareholder wishes to sell shares of the Fund, the mutual fund will redeem or buy back the shares at NAV. Also, mutual funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and closed-end funds generally do not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in a mutual fund can make it difficult to manage the Fund’s investments. By comparison, closed-end funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment objective, to have greater flexibility to make certain types of investments and to use certain investment strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities.

     Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their NAV. Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Board might consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender offers for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount. We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Board will decide to engage in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal or close to NAV per share. The Board might also consider converting the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a supermajority vote of the shareholders of the Fund and a separate vote of any outstanding preferred shares. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s common shares will not trade at a discount.

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end, management investment company and as such its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to redeem their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. Such repurchases will be made when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 10% (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) or more from NAV. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its common shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or as otherwise permitted in accordance with Rule 23c-1 under the 1940 Act. Under that Rule, certain conditions must be met regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund.

     When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below NAV, the NAV of the common shares that remains outstanding will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively.

RIGHTS OFFERINGS

     The Fund may in the future, and at its discretion, choose to make rights offerings. Any such future rights offering will be made in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the laws of Delaware, the Board is authorized to approve rights offerings without obtaining shareholder approval. The staff of the SEC has interpreted the 1940 Act as not requiring shareholder approval of a transferable rights offering at a price below the then current net asset value so long as certain conditions are met, including: (i) a good faith determination by a fund’s Board that such offering would result in a net benefit to existing shareholders; (ii) the offering fully protects shareholders’ preemptive rights and does not discriminate among shareholders

(except for the possible effect of not offering fractional rights); (iii) management uses its best efforts to ensure an adequate trading market in the rights for use by shareholders who do not exercise such rights; and (iv) the ratio of a transferable rights offering does not exceed one new share for each three rights held.

NET ASSET VALUE

     The net asset value of the Fund’s shares is computed based on the market value of the securities it holds and determined daily as of the close of the regular trading day on the NYSE. For purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value per share, 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 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 the Investment 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 60 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 60 days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.

     Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. 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 to the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities to 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 Fund obtains valuations on the basis of prices provided by one or more pricing services approved by the Board. All other investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued in good faith at fair value under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board. In addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if such developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have had more than a minimal effect on the Fund’s net asset value per share, the Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value.

      NYSE Closings . The holidays (as observed) on which the NYSE is closed, and therefore days upon which shareholders cannot purchase or sell shares, currently are: New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.

LIMITATION ON TRUSTEES’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY

     The Governing Documents provide that the Fund will indemnify its Trustees and officers and may indemnify its employees or agents against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their positions with the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted by law. However, nothing in the Governing Documents protects or indemnifies a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject in the event of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her position.

TAXATION

     The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United States as of the date of this Prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning a large position in the Fund), and the discussions set forth herein do not constitute tax advice.

      The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

     The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, meet the following requirements regarding the source of its income and the diversification of its assets:

	(i)		The Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following sources, which are referred to herein as “Qualifying Income”: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, securities or foreign currencies, and other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) interests in publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”).
	(ii)		The Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

     As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least the sum of (i) 90% of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other than any net long-term capital gain, reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income at least annually. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporation rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.

     The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to entirely avoid the imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

     In certain situations, the Fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses and currency losses realized after October and certain ordinary losses realized after December until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such

deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.

     If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.

Taxation of Shareholders

     Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that the Fund reports as capital gains dividends (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income.

     Special rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2012. If you are an individual, any such ordinary income dividend that you receive from the Fund generally will be eligible for taxation at the Federal rates applicable to long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that (i) the ordinary income dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend income” (i.e., generally dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii) you satisfy certain holding period and other requirements with respect to your shares. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s ordinary income dividends will constitute qualified dividend income.

     Any distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of shares. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your shares.

     Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even if they are reinvested in additional common shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were the shareholder of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

     Beginning in 2013, a 3.8 percent Medicare contribution tax will be imposed on net investment income, including interest, dividends, and capital gain, of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly), and of estates and trusts.

     The Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.

     The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such shares for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such shares. Any loss you realize on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed if you acquire other shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the shares. In such case, your tax basis in the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

     The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS.

     A 30% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends and redemption proceeds paid after December 31, 2012, to (i) foreign financial institutions including non-U.S. investment funds unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities unless they certify

certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to enter into agreements with the IRS regarding providing the IRS information including the name, address and taxpayer identification number of direct and indirect U.S. account holders, to comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, to report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, to agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information, and to determine certain other information as to their account holders. Other foreign entities will need to provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership unless certain exceptions apply.

Conclusion

     The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

     The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

     Computershare, located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Plan and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares of the Fund.

     Computershare also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series A Preferred.

     The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, also serves as the Fund’s auction agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend paying agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series B Preferred.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     We may sell shares through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will identify any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our shares, any sales loads, discounts, commissions, fees or other compensation paid to any underwriter, dealer or agent, the offering price, net proceeds and use of proceeds and the terms of any sale.

     The distribution of our shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share in the case of common shares, must equal or exceed the NAV per share, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares.

     We may sell our shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) for any resales of the securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

     In connection with the sale of our shares, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our shares to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our shares may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA

member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent. We will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements.

     If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any over-allotments.

     Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our shares may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.

     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will ourselves, or will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our shares from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contacts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligation of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the shares shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

     To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

     A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our shares offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019-6099, counsel to the Fund, in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares. Counsel for the Fund will rely, as to certain matters of Delaware law, on Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., One Rodney Square, 920 North King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     [                 ] serves as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Fund and audits the financial statements of the Fund. [                 ] is located at [                 ].

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the SEC. Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the SEC pursuant to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the SEC.

     The Fund’s common shares and Series A Preferred are listed on the NYSE. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed with the SEC by the Fund will be available for inspection at the NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York, 10005.

     This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND

     The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.

     Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).

     The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     An SAI dated as of [May 19], 2011, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. An SAI may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800) GABELLI (422-3554). The Table of Contents of the SAI is as follows:

		Page
The Fund		3
Investment Objectives and Policies		3
Investment Restrictions		12
Management of The Fund		12
Dividends and Distributions		25
Auctions for Auction Rate Preferred Shares		25
Portfolio Transactions		28
Portfolio Turnover		29
Taxation		29
Beneficial Owners		34
General Information		34
Appendix A—Proxy Voting Policy		A-1

     No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the underwriters. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.

$100,000,000

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

Notes

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

Subject to completion, dated May 19, 2011

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration Statement No. [     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated                      , 2011)

                     Shares

Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

     We are offering for sale                      of our common shares. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GUT.” The last reported sale price for our common shares on                      , ____ was $                      per share. The net asset value of the Fund’s common shares at the close of business on [     ], 2011 was $[     ] per share.

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page ___ of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our common shares.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

     The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional                      common shares from us at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any, within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement. If the over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund would be $            and the total underwriting discounts and commissions would be $            . The common shares will be ready for delivery on or about           ,       .

     You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our common shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 1-800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

     NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

____________ , 2011

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “Fund,” “us,” “our” and “we” refer to The Gabelli Utility Trust. This Prospectus Supplement also includes trademarks owned by other persons.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
TABLE OF FEES AND EXPENSES			S-4
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-4
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			S-5
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES			S-5
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			S-5
LEGAL MATTERS			S-5
Prospectus
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			[ ]
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES			[ ]
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			[ ]
USE OF PROCEEDS			[ ]
THE FUND			[ ]
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES			[ ]
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS			[ ]
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			[ ]
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS			[ ]
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS			[ ]
ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES			[ ]
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN			[ ]
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES			[ ]
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS			[ ]
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			[ ]
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES			[ ]
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			[ ]
NET ASSET VALUE			[ ]
LIMITATION ON TRUSTEES’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY			[ ]
TAXATION			[ ]
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT			[ ]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			[ ]
LEGAL MATTERS			[ ]
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			[ ]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[ ]
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND			[ ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[ ]

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus Supplement as well as in the accompanying Prospectus. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

     Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus are made as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus Supplement, any accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

     Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying Prospectus. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in our common shares.

Example

     The following example illustrates the expenses (including the maximum estimated sales load of $[ ] and estimated offering expenses of $[ ] from the issuance of $[ ] million in common shares) you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming a 5% annual portfolio total return.* The actual amounts in connection with any offering will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable.

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Total Expenses Incurred

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $                      ($                      if the over-allotment option is exercised in full), based on the public offering price of $                      per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to

be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

[To be provided.]

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES

     The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange per common share and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.

[To be provided.]

     The last reported price for our common shares on                      ,                      was $                      per share.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

[To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the common shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by                                            . Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and [  ] may rely as to certain matters of Delaware law on the opinion of [  ].

The Gabelli Utility Trust

_________ Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

, 2011

Until _________, 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to each dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration Statement No. [     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated                      , 2011)

                     Shares

Series [       ] Preferred Shares

(Liquidation Preference $[    ] per share)

     We are offering for sale                                  shares of our Series ___ Preferred Shares. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GUT.” The last reported sale price for our common shares on                      , ___was $ ___ per share.

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page ___ of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our preferred shares.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

     The Underwriters are expected to deliver the Series ___ Preferred Shares in book-entry form through the Depositary Trust Company on or about                      , __.

     You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our preferred shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

     NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                     , ____

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. Neither the Fund nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “Fund,” “us,” “our” and “we” refer to The Gabelli Utility Trust. This Prospectus Supplement also includes trademarks owned by other persons.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
TERMS OF THE SERIES [     ] PREFERRED SHARES		P-4
USE OF PROCEEDS		P-5
CAPITALIZATION		P-5
ASSET COVERAGE RATIO		P-5
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES [     ] PREFERRED SHARES		P-5
DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES [     ] PREFERRED SHARES		P-5
TAXATION		P-5
UNDERWRITING		P-5
LEGAL MATTERS		P-5
Prospectus
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY		[ ]
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES		[ ]
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS		[ ]
USE OF PROCEEDS		[ ]
THE FUND		[ ]
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES		[ ]
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS		[ ]
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND		[ ]
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS		[ ]
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS		[ ]
ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES		[ ]
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN		[ ]
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES		[ ]
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS		[ ]
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE		[ ]
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES		[ ]
RIGHTS OFFERINGS		[ ]
NET ASSET VALUE		[ ]
LIMITATION ON TRUSTEES’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY		[ ]
TAXATION		[ ]
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT		[ ]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		[ ]
LEGAL MATTERS		[ ]
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		[ ]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		[ ]
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND		[ ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		[ ]

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus Supplement as well as in the accompanying Prospectus. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

     Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus are made as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus Supplement, any accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

     Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying Prospectus. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in our preferred shares.

[Stock Exchange Listing] ²

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $                      , based on the public offering price of $ ____ per share and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

CAPITALIZATION

[To be provided.]

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

[To be provided.]

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES [ ] PREFERRED SHARES

[To be provided.]

DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES [ ] PREFERRED SHARES

[To be provided.]

TAXATION

[To be provided.]

UNDERWRITING

[To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the Series [     ] Preferred Shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by                                 . Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and [     ] may rely as to certain matters of Delaware law on the opinion of [     ].

The Gabelli Utility Trust

_____________ Shares

______% Series [    ] [    ] Preferred Shares
(Liquidation Preference $____ per share)

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

, 2011

Until _________, 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Preferred Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to each dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration Statement No. [     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated                      , 2011)

                     Rights for                      Shares

Subscription Rights for Common Shares

     The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is issuing subscription rights (the “Rights”) to our common shareholders to purchase additional common shares.

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund’s investment adviser is Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”).

     Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GUT.” On            , 2011 (the last trading date prior to the Common Shares trading ex-Rights), the last reported net asset value per Common Share was $____ and the last reported sales price per Common Share on the NYSE was $___.

     An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in common shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov). For additional information all holders of rights should contact the Information Agent, [     ], toll-free at [     ] or please send written request to: [     ].

      Investing in common shares through Rights involves certain risks that are described in the “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” section beginning on page S-[    ] of the Prospectus Supplement.

		Per Share				Total
Subscription price of Common Shares to shareholders exercising Rights		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions			[     ]				[     ]
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund (1)		$				$

     The common shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about ______, 2011. If the offer is extended, the common shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about ______, 2011.

The date of this Prospectus Supplement is ________, 2011

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “Fund,” “us,” “our” and “we” refer to The Gabelli Utility Trust. This Prospectus Supplement also includes trademarks owned by other persons.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-5
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-5
TABLE OF FEES AND EXPENSES			R-6
USE OF PROCEEDS			R-6
CAPITALIZATION			R-7
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES			R-7
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			R-7
TAXATION			R-7
LEGAL MATTERS			R-7
Prospectus
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			[     ]
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES			[     ]
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			[     ]
USE OF PROCEEDS			[     ]
THE FUND			[     ]
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES			[     ]
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS			[     ]
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			[     ]
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS			[     ]
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS			[     ]
ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES			[     ]
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN			[     ]
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES			[     ]
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS			[     ]
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			[     ]
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES			[     ]
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			[     ]
NET ASSET VALUE			[     ]
LIMITATION ON TRUSTEES’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY			[     ]
TAXATION			[     ]
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT			[     ]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			[     ]
LEGAL MATTERS			[     ]
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			[     ]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[     ]
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND			[     ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[     ]

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus Supplement as well as in the accompanying Prospectus. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.

     Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying Prospectus and “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” in this Prospectus Supplement. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus are made as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus Supplement, any accompanying Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

     Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” section of the accompanying Prospectus as well as in the “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” section of this Prospectus Supplement. We urge you to review carefully those sections for a more detailed discussion of the risks of an investment in the common shares.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

[To be provided.]

Example

     The following example illustrates the expenses (including the maximum estimated sales load of $[     ] and estimated offering expenses of $[     ] from the issuance of $[     ] million in common shares) you would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming a 5% annual portfolio total return.* The actual amounts in connection with any offering will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement if applicable.

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Total Expenses Incurred

USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Fund estimates the net proceeds of the Offer to be $[     ], based on the Subscription Price per share of $[     ], assuming all new Common Shares offered are sold and that the expenses related to the Offer estimated at approximately $[     ] are paid and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to

be substantially completed within three months; however, the identification of appropriate investment opportunities pursuant to the Fund’s investment style or changes in market conditions may cause the investment period to extend as long as six months.

CAPITALIZATION

[To be provided.]

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES

     The following table sets forth for the quarters indicated, the high and low sale prices on the NYSE per share of our common shares and the net asset value and the premium or discount from net asset value per share at which the common shares were trading, expressed as a percentage of net asset value, at each of the high and low sale prices provided.

[To be provided.]

     On ______, 2011, the last reported net asset value per Common Share was $_____ and the last reported sales price per Common Share on the NYSE was $__.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE RIGHTS

     [To be provided.]

TAXATION

     [To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel to the Fund, in connection with this rights offering. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP may rely as to certain matters of Delaware law on the opinion of [     ].

The Gabelli Utility Trust

_______ Shares

Issuable Upon Exercise of Rights to
Subscribe to Such Common Shares

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

, 2011

Until _________, 2011 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to each dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to its unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(c)
Registration Statement No. [     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated                      , 2011)

                Rights for                 Shares
Subscription Rights for _____% Series [    ] [       ] Preferred Shares
(Liquidation Preference $[       ] per share)

     The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is issuing subscription rights (the “Rights”) to our common shareholders to purchase shares of _____% Series [  ] [     ] Preferred Shares (the “Series [     ] Preferred Shares”).

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund’s investment adviser is Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”).

     Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GUT.” On _____, 2011 (the last trading date prior to the Common Shares trading ex-Rights), the last reported net asset value per Common Share was $____ and the last reported sales price per Common Share on the NYSE was $____.

     An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in preferred shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov). For additional information all holders of rights should contact the Information Agent, [     ], toll-free at [     ] or please send written request to: [     ].

      Investing in preferred shares through Rights involves certain risks that are described in the “Special Characteristics and Risks of the Rights Offering” section beginning on page S-[    ] of the Prospectus Supplement.

		Per Share				Total
Subscription price of Common Shares to shareholders exercising Rights		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions			[     ]				[     ]
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund (1)		$				$

     The preferred shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about ______, 2011. If the offer is extended, the preferred shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about ______, 2011.

The date of this Prospectus Supplement is ________, 2011

      You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, respectively. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. In this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “Fund,” “us,” “our” and “we” refer to The Gabelli Utility Trust. This Prospectus Supplement also includes trademarks owned by other persons.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			PR-5
TERMS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES			PR-6
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			PR-6
USE OF PROCEEDS			PR-6
CAPITALIZATION			PR-6
ASSET COVERAGE RATIO			PR-6
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING			PR-6
TAXATION			PR-7
UNDERWRITING			PR-7
LEGAL MATTERS			PR-7
Prospectus
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			[     ]
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES			[     ]
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			[     ]
USE OF PROCEEDS			[     ]
THE FUND			[     ]
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES			[     ]
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS			[     ]
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			[     ]
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS			[     ]
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS			[     ]
ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES			[     ]
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN			[     ]
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARES			[     ]
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS			[     ]
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			[     ]
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES			[     ]
RIGHTS OFFERINGS			[     ]
NET ASSET VALUE			[     ]
LIMITATION ON TRUSTEES’ AND OFFICERS’ LIABILITY			[     ]
TAXATION			[     ]
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT			[     ]
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			[     ]
LEGAL MATTERS			[     ]
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			[     ]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[     ]
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND			[     ]
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			[     ]