UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number            811-22021                         

                                     The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust                                    

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                                           Rye, New York 10580-1422                                           

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                                    Rye, New York 10580-1422                                   

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  December 31, 2019

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Annual Report — December 31, 2019

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA      Kevin V. Dreyer     Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA
Chief Investment Officer       Co-Chief Investment Officer          Portfolio Manager
  BSE, University of Pennsylvania        BS, Boston College
  MBA, Columbia Business School  

To Our Shareholders,

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the net asset value (NAV) total return of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the Fund) was 25.2%, compared with a total return of 20.8% for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Health Care Index. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 31.2%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $13.10, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $11.52 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). See page 2 for additional performance information.

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2019.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.gabelli.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. To elect to receive all future reports on paper free of charge, please contact your financial intermediary, or, if you invest directly with the Fund, you may call 800-422-3554 or send an email request to info@gabelli.com.


Comparative Results

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2019 (a) (Unaudited)  
    

1 Year

 

3 Year

 

5 Year

 

10 Year

  Since
Inception
(06/28/07)

Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

          

NAV Total Return (b)

     25.22     11.27     6.78     12.71     9.89

Investment Total Return (c)

     31.16       12.49       7.29       12.61       8.56  

S&P 500 Health Care Index

     20.82       16.23       10.31       14.76       10.98  

S&P 500 Index

     31.49       15.27       11.70       13.56       8.58  

S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index

     27.61       9.89       8.31       12.13       10.07  

50% S&P 500 Health Care Index and 50% S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index

     24.22       13.06       9.31       13.45       10.53  
  (a)

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. The Fund’s use of leverage may magnify the volatility of net asset value changes versus funds that do not employ leverage. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The S&P 500 Health Care Index is an unmanaged indicator of health care equipment and services, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences stock performance. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. The S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index is an unmanaged indicator of food and staples retailing, food, beverage and tobacco, and household and personal products stock performance. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 
  (b)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date, and adjustments for rights offerings and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $8.00.

 
  (c)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE, reinvestment of distributions, and adjustments for rights offerings. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $8.00.

 

 

2


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of December 31, 2019:

The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

 

Food

     21.5

Pharmaceuticals

     17.3

Health Care Providers and Services

     16.8

Health Care Equipment and Supplies

     16.2

Biotechnology

     5.8

U.S. Government Obligations

     5.6

Beverages

     4.9

Household and Personal Products

     4.2

Food and Staples Retailing

     3.8

Electronics

     2.1

Specialty Chemicals

     1.6

Hotels and Gaming

     0.2
  

 

 

 
         100.0
  

 

 

 
 

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may obtain this information at www.gabelli.com or by calling the Fund at 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554). The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

Proxy Voting

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

 

3


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2019

 

 

                                                                          
Shares          Cost    

    Market    

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS — 94.0%

 

 
  

Beverages — 4.9%

   
  60,000     

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

  $ 134,296     $ 242,547  
  69,000     

Danone SA

    4,505,091       5,719,686  
  41,000     

ITO EN Ltd.

    971,431       2,067,829  
  34,500     

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    657,155       998,775  
  30,000     

Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group SpA

    361,307       197,196  
  7,000     

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

    121,875       286,687  
  20,000     

PepsiCo Inc.

    1,352,672       2,733,400  
  30,000     

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    1,001,275       1,254,889  
  424,000     

Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd.

    253,570       1,537,159  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       9,358,672       15,038,168  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Biotechnology — 5.8%

   
  21,000     

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    2,343,053       2,271,150  
  15,000     

Audentes Therapeutics Inc.†

    882,300       897,600  
  10,000     

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.,
Cl. A†

    2,926,130       3,700,300  
  20,000     

Charles River Laboratories

   
  

International Inc.†

    2,038,860       3,055,200  
  23,000     

Clovis Oncology Inc.†

    287,808       239,775  
  2,000     

Idorsia Ltd.†

    20,590       61,872  
  3,800     

Illumina Inc.†

    202,951       1,260,612  
  9,000     

Invitae Corp.†

    100,995       145,170  
  25,000     

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    3,279,995       2,607,250  
  10,000     

NeoGenomics Inc.†

    73,223       292,500  
  100,000     

Personalis Inc.†

    1,558,173       1,090,000  
  1,200     

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    420,992       450,576  
  15,000     

The Medicines Co.†

    1,256,999       1,274,100  
  1,600     

Waters Corp.†

    197,843       373,840  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       15,589,912       17,719,945  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Electronics — 2.1%

   
  20,000     

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    2,377,250       6,497,400  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Food — 21.5%

   
  50,000     

BellRing Brands Inc., Cl. A†

    700,000       1,064,500  
  15,000     

Calavo Growers Inc.

    498,575       1,358,850  
  35,000     

Campbell Soup Co.

    1,387,115       1,729,700  
  3,200     

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

    180,647       254,296  
  190,000     

Conagra Brands Inc.

    5,553,070       6,505,600  
  67,500     

Flowers Foods Inc.

    657,458       1,467,450  
  47,000     

General Mills Inc.

    2,019,922       2,517,320  
  5,400     

John B Sanfilippo & Son Inc.

    201,924       492,912  
  63,000     

Kellogg Co.

    3,548,901       4,357,080  
  35,000     

Kerry Group plc, Cl. A

    1,331,659       4,318,564  
  118,000     

Kikkoman Corp.

    1,435,911       5,831,853  
  33,000     

Lifeway Foods Inc.†

    289,156       65,670  
  23,000     

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

    410,536       458,388  
  15,000     

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    310,384       1,018,821  
  95,000     

Mondelēz International Inc., Cl. A

    2,686,564       5,232,600  
                                                                          
Shares          Cost    

    Market    

Value

 
  70,000     

Nestlé SA

  $ 4,386,867     $ 7,578,632  
  50,000     

Nomad Foods Ltd.†

    969,772       1,118,500  
  53,000     

Post Holdings Inc.†

    1,971,683       5,782,300  
  146,000     

The Hain Celestial Group Inc.†

    3,226,970       3,789,430  
  25,900     

The J.M. Smucker Co.

    1,497,598       2,696,967  
  110,000     

Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp.

    176,608       187,750  
  75,000     

Unilever plc, ADR

    2,456,359       4,287,750  
  70,000     

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    2,252,034       3,884,773  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       38,149,713       65,999,706  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Food and Staples Retailing — 3.8%

 

  81,000     

CVS Health Corp.

    2,964,575       6,017,490  
  30,000     

Ingles Markets Inc., Cl. A

    454,430       1,425,300  
  30,000     

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.†

    621,262       580,500  
  100,000     

The Kroger Co.

    1,307,173       2,899,000  
  8,000     

United Natural Foods Inc.†

    65,142       70,080  
  10,000     

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    626,338       589,600  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       6,038,920       11,581,970  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 16.2%

 

  45,000     

Baxter International Inc.

    1,701,248       3,762,900  
  12,000     

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

    2,662,815       3,263,640  
  32,000     

Boston Scientific Corp.†

    198,147       1,447,040  
  50,000     

Cardiovascular Systems Inc.†

    1,549,768       2,429,500  
  17,000     

Cutera Inc.†

    182,905       608,770  
  35,000     

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

    1,420,490       1,980,650  
  42,500     

Electromed Inc.†

    226,210       367,625  
  30,000     

Gerresheimer AG

    1,443,645       2,321,929  
  20,000     

Globus Medical Inc., Cl. A†

    477,686       1,177,600  
  20,000     

Henry Schein Inc.†

    403,019       1,334,400  
  15,400     

ICU Medical Inc.†

    3,563,054       2,881,648  
  245,000     

InfuSystem Holdings Inc.†

    734,718       2,089,850  
  40,000     

Integer Holdings Corp.†

    1,926,286       3,217,200  
  10,000     

IntriCon Corp.†

    186,850       180,000  
  40,000     

Medtronic plc

    3,063,278       4,538,000  
  10,000     

NuVasive Inc.†

    370,388       773,400  
  40,000     

Patterson Cos. Inc.

    1,010,543       819,200  
  9,000     

Semler Scientific Inc.†

    258,615       432,000  
  5,000     

Smith & Nephew plc, ADR

    168,590       240,350  
  50,000     

Stericycle Inc.†

    3,154,234       3,190,500  
  12,000     

Stryker Corp.

    678,145       2,519,280  
  40,000     

SurModics Inc.†

    1,427,802       1,657,200  
  8,000     

The Cooper Companies Inc.

    580,110       2,570,320  
  6,000     

Wright Medical Group NV†

    181,451       182,880  
  38,000     

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

    4,064,380       5,687,840  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       31,634,377       49,673,722  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Health Care Providers and Services — 16.5%

 

  55,000     

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    3,442,893       4,676,100  
  20,000     

Anthem Inc.

    3,574,400       6,040,600  
  50,000     

Avantor Inc.†

    738,875       907,500  
  60,000     

BioTelemetry Inc.†

    2,282,483       2,778,000  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2019

 

 

                                                                          
Shares          Cost    

    Market    

Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

 

  

Health Care Providers and Services (Continued)

 

  50,000     

DaVita Inc.†

  $ 3,019,441     $ 3,751,500  
  388,500     

Evolent Health Inc., Cl. A†

    5,554,842       3,515,925  
  50,000     

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    3,492,952       7,390,500  
  27,200     

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings†

    3,278,880       4,601,424  
  15,000     

McKesson Corp.

    1,044,224       2,074,800  
  785,256     

Option Care Health Inc.†

    1,619,698       2,929,005  
  49,574     

Orthofix Medical Inc.†

    1,529,302       2,289,327  
  100,000     

PetIQ Inc.†

    2,629,701       2,505,000  
  1,000     

Teladoc Health Inc.†

    46,201       83,720  
  100,000     

Tenet Healthcare Corp.†

    2,022,330       3,803,000  
  11,400     

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    1,343,758       3,351,372  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       35,619,980       50,697,773  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Hotels and Gaming — 0.2%

 

  7,500     

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc., REIT

    203,045       649,950  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Household and Personal Products — 4.2%

 

  50,000     

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

    1,654,365       3,517,000  
  30,000     

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    1,859,734       2,065,200  
  55,000     

Edgewell Personal Care Co.†

    2,083,329       1,702,800  
  30,000     

Energizer Holdings Inc.

    982,875       1,506,600  
  12,000     

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Cl. A

    804,725       2,478,480  
  13,000     

The Procter & Gamble Co.

    1,000,591       1,623,700  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       8,385,619       12,893,780  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Pharmaceuticals — 17.2%

 

  55,000     

Abbott Laboratories

    2,134,622       4,777,300  
  15,000     

Achaogen Inc.†

    6,945       150  
  36,000     

Allergan plc

    5,862,745       6,882,120  
  120,000     

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.†

    2,784,170       3,590,400  
  67,500     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co

    2,910,313       4,332,825  
  37,000     

Cigna Corp.

    5,288,089       7,566,130  
  40,000     

Johnson & Johnson

    4,073,502       5,834,800  
  54,000     

Merck & Co. Inc.

    2,543,101       4,911,300  
  60,000     

Mylan NV†

    1,813,540       1,206,000  
  10,000     

Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    74,914       40,300  
  60,000     

Perrigo Co. plc

    3,407,328       3,099,600  
  64,000     

Pfizer Inc.

    1,406,095       2,507,520  
  9,542     

Ra Pharmaceuticals Inc.†

    447,411       447,806  
  12,000     

Roche Holding AG, ADR

    250,095       487,920  
  151,020     

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., ADR

    2,920,727       2,979,625  
  30,000     

Zoetis Inc.

    1,313,659       3,970,500  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       37,237,256       52,634,296  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
                                                                    
Shares          Cost    

    Market    

Value

 
  

Specialty Chemicals — 1.6%

 

 
  37,000     

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

  $ 3,797,795     $ 4,773,740  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

    188,392,539       288,160,450  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (a) — 0.3%

 

  

Health Care Providers and Services — 0.3%

 

  14,000     

Avantor Inc., Ser. A 6.250%, 05/15/22

    719,665       882,000  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

RIGHTS — 0.1%

 

  

Biotechnology — 0.0%

 

  6,907     

Tobira Therapeutics Inc., CVR†(b)

    414       415  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%

 

  93,500     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., CVR†

    254,223       281,435  
  3,500     

Ipsen SA/Clementia,
CVR†(b)

    4,725       4,725  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
       258,948       286,160  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

TOTAL RIGHTS

    259,362       286,575  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

WARRANTS — 0.0%

 

  

Health Care Providers and Services — 0.0%

 

  420     

Option Care Health Inc., Cl. A, expire 07/27/25†

    384       202  
  420     

Option Care Health Inc., Cl. B, expire 07/27/25†

    363       170  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  

TOTAL WARRANTS

    747       372  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Principal                   
Amount                   
  

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 5.6%

 

  $17,265,000     

U.S. Treasury Bills,
1.490% to 1.637%††, 01/23/20 to 05/21/20

    17,212,295       17,214,221  
    

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%

  $ 206,584,608       306,543,618  
    

 

 

   
 

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

      (768,699
 

PREFERRED STOCK
(2,681,443 preferred shares outstanding)


 
    (67,036,075
 

 

 

 
 

NET ASSETS — COMMON STOCK
(18,224,460 common shares outstanding)


 
  $ 238,738,844  
 

 

 

 
 

NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE
($238,738,844 ÷ 18,224,460 shares outstanding)


 
  $ 13.10  
      

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2019

 

 

 

(a)

Mandatory convertible securities are required to be converted on the dates listed; they generally may be converted prior to these dates at the option of the holder.

(b)

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

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.

ADR

American Depository Receipt

CVR

Contingent Value Right REIT

Real

Estate Investment Trust

     % of Total   Market
Geographic Diversification    Investments   Value

North America

       82.5 %     $ 252,844,510

Europe

       11.2       34,407,175

Japan

       5.7       17,324,478

Asia/Pacific

       0.6       1,967,455
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments

       100.0 %     $ 306,543,618
    

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2019

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value (cost $206,584,608)

   $ 306,543,618  

Receivable for investments sold

     521  

Dividends receivable

     378,425  

Deferred offering expense

     109,878  

Prepaid expenses

     1,951  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     307,034,393  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable to custodian

     88,976  

Distributions payable

     54,220  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     151,040  

Payable for investments purchased

     516,633  

Payable for investment advisory fees

     258,023  

Payable for payroll expenses

     26,415  

Payable for accounting fees

     11,250  

Other accrued expenses

     152,917  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     1,259,474  
  

 

 

 

Preferred Shares:

  

Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (5.760%, $25 liquidation value, $0.001 par value, 1,200,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding)

     30,000,000  

Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (5.875%, $25 liquidation value, $0.001 par value, 1,481,443 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding)

     37,036,075  
  

 

 

 

Total Preferred Shares

     67,036,075  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders

   $ 238,738,844  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 139,099,606  

Total distributable earnings

     99,639,238  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 238,738,844  
  

 

 

 
Net Asset Value per Common Share:

 

($238,738,844 ÷ 18,224,460 shares outstanding at $0.001 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized)

     $13.10  
  

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $108,818)

   $ 3,633,345  

Interest

     314,506  
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     3,947,851  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment advisory fees

     2,903,886  

Shareholder communications expenses

     177,578  

Payroll expenses

     91,128  

Shareholder services fees

     89,293  

Trustees’ fees

     52,500  

Legal and audit fees

     46,796  

Accounting fees

     45,000  

Custodian fees

     24,743  

Miscellaneous expenses

     75,467  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     3,506,391  
  

 

 

 

Less:

  

Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 3)

     (1,859
  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     3,504,532  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     443,319  
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized gain on investments

     13,708,773  

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions

     (794
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

     13,707,979  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation: on investments

     39,001,855  

on foreign currency translations

     2,431  
  

 

 

 

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

     39,004,286  
  

 

 

 

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

     52,712,265  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     53,155,584  
  

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

     (3,903,870
  

 

 

 

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

   $ 49,251,714  
  

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Attributable To Common Shareholders

 

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Year Ended
December 31, 2018

Operations:

        

Net investment income

     $ 443,319     $ 1,397,900

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions

       13,707,979       13,351,930

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

       39,004,286       (17,028,973 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

       53,155,584       (2,279,143 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders

       (3,903,870 )       (3,903,869 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

       49,251,714       (6,183,012 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

        

Accumulated Earnings

       (10,181,150 )       (10,103,985 )

Return of capital

       (144,187 )      
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders

       (10,325,337 )       (10,103,985 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

        

Net decrease from repurchase of common shares

       (4,800,685 )       (11,746,403 )

Adjustment to offering costs for common shares

             2,197
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions

       (4,800,685 )       (11,744,206 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

       34,125,692       (28,031,203 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders:

        

Beginning of year

       204,613,152       232,644,355
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

     $ 238,738,844     $ 204,613,152
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Financial Highlights

 

 

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

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Operating Performance:

                         

Net asset value, beginning of year

                   $ 10.95                     $ 11.74                     $ 10.86                     $ 11.79                     $ 11.76  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

        0.02          0.07          (0.01        (0.02        (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, and foreign currency transactions

        2.87          (0.23        1.61          (0.21        0.75  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

        2.89          (0.16        1.60          (0.23        0.72  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:(a)

                         

Net investment income

        (0.01        (0.02        (0.01                  

Net realized short term/long term gain

        (0.20        (0.18        (0.19        (0.19        (0.19
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions to preferred shareholders

        (0.21        (0.20        (0.20        (0.19        (0.19
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

        2.68          (0.36        1.40          (0.42        0.53  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders:

                         

Net investment income

        (0.02        (0.05        (0.00 )(b)                   

Net realized short term/long term gain

        (0.53        (0.47        (0.51        (0.52        (0.51

Return of capital

        (0.01                 (0.01                  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total distributions to common shareholders

        (0.56        (0.52        (0.52        (0.52        (0.51
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Fund Share Transactions:

                         

Increase in net asset value from repurchase of common shares

        0.03          0.09          0.00 (b)                  0.01  

Offering costs and adjustment to offering costs for common shares charged to paid-in capital

                 0.00 (b)                           (0.00 )(b) 

Increase in net asset value from offering of preferred shares

                                   0.01           
                         

Total Fund share transactions

        0.03          0.09          0.00 (b)         0.01          0.01  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Year

      $ 13.10        $ 10.95        $ 11.74        $ 10.86        $ 11.79  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NAV total return †

        25.22        (2.65 )%         13.02        (3.63 )%         4.55
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Market value, end of year

      $ 11.52        $ 9.25        $ 10.33        $ 9.43        $ 10.25  
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investment total return ††

        31.16        (5.78 )%         15.17        (3.15 )%         3.14
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

 

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

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:

                                                                 

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

     $ 305,775        $ 271,649        $ 299,680        $ 282,611        $ 299,097  

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

     $ 238,739        $ 204,613        $ 232,644        $ 215,575        $ 234,097  

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets attributable to common shares before preferred share distributions

       0.20        0.60        (0.07 )%         (0.20 )%         (0.22 )% 

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares (c)(d)

       1.57        1.61        1.65        1.62        1.60

Portfolio turnover rate

       24.9        32.4        34.3        31.7        52.4

Cumulative Preferred Shares:

                        

5.760% Series A Preferred

                        

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

     $ 30,000        $ 30,000        $ 30,000        $ 30,000        $ 30,000  

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       1,200          1,200          1,200          1,200          1,200  

Liquidation preference per share

     $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00  

Average market value (e)

     $ 25.86        $ 25.43        $ 25.89        $ 26.12        $ 25.96  

Asset coverage per share (f)

     $ 114.03        $ 101.31        $ 111.76        $ 105.40        $ 115.04  

5.875% Series B Preferred

                        

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

     $ 37,036        $ 37,036        $ 37,036        $ 37,036        $ 35,000  

Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)

       1,481          1,481          1,481          1,481          1,400  

Liquidation preference per share

     $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00        $ 25.00  

Average market value (e)

     $ 26.03        $ 25.83        $ 26.67        $ 26.76        $ 26.09  

Asset coverage per share (f)

     $ 114.03        $ 101.31        $ 111.76        $ 105.40        $ 115.04  

Asset Coverage (g)

       456        405        447        422        460

 

Based on net asset value per share at commencement of operations of $8.00 per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at the net asset value per share on ex-dividend dates including the effect of shares issued pursuant to the rights offerings, assuming full subscription by shareholders.

††

Based on market value per share at initial public offering of $8.00 per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan including the effect of shares issued pursuant to the rights offerings, assuming full subscription by shareholders.

(a)

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

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. Had such payments not been made, this expense ratio for the year ended December 31, 2015 would have been 1.27%. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(d)

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 would have been 1.21%, 1.25%, 1.27%, 1.26%, and 1.26%, respectively.

(e)

Based on weekly prices.

(f)

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

(g)

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

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the Fund) currently operates as a diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 20, 2007 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the 1940 Act). Investment operations commenced on June 28, 2007.

The Fund’s investment objective is long term growth of capital. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in equity securities and income producing securities of domestic and foreign companies in the healthcare and wellness industries. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, and regulatory developments in this particular sector of the market, positive or negative, and may experience increased volatility to the Fund’s NAV and a magnified effect in its total return.

2. Significant Accounting Policies. As an investment company, the Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that may require the use of management estimates and assumptions in the preparation of its financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements. To improve the effectiveness of fair value disclosure requirements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), which adds, removes, and modifies certain aspects relating to fair value disclosure. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption of the additions relating to ASU 2018-13 is not required, even if early adoption is elected for the removals and modifications under ASU 2018-13. Management has early adopted the removals and modifications set forth in ASU 2018-13 in these financial statements and has not early adopted the additions set forth in ASU 2018-13.

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

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt obligations for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the

 

11


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.

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

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs    
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
  Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
  Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
  Total Market Value
at 12/31/19

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

                

ASSETS (Market Value):

                

Common Stocks (a)

     $ 288,160,450                 $ 288,160,450

Mandatory Convertible Securities (a)

       882,000                   882,000

Rights (a)

       281,435           $ 5,140       286,575

Warrants (a)

           $ 372             372

U.S. Government Obligations

             17,214,221             17,214,221

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

     $ 289,323,885     $ 17,214,593     $ 5,140(b )     $ 306,543,618

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

Level 3 securities are valued at last available closing price. At December 31, 2019, the value of these securities was $5,140. The inputs for these securities are not readily available and are derived based on the judgment of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund did not have transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

12


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

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

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

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

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

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

 

13


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

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

Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain/(loss) on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends.

Custodian Fee Credits and Interest Expense. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.” When cash balances are overdrawn, the Fund is charged an overdraft fee equal to 110% of the 90 day U.S. Treasury Bill rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in the Statement of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.

Distributions to shareholders of the Fund’s 5.76% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series A Preferred) and 5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series B Preferred) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as described in Note 5.

The Fund declares and pays quarterly distributions from net investment income, capital gains, and paid-in capital. The actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the year. Distributions during the year may be made in excess of required distributions. To the extent such distributions are made from current earnings and profits, they are considered ordinary income or long term capital gains. Distributions sourced from paid-in capital should not be considered as dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s NAV and the financial market environment. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board at any time.

 

14


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

    

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

    

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 
     Common      Preferred      Common      Preferred  

Distributions paid from:

           

Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)

   $ 3,882,301      $ 1,488,634      $ 5,550,538      $ 2,144,557  

Net long term capital gains

     6,298,849        2,415,236        4,553,447        1,759,312  

Return of capital

     144,187                       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

   $ 10,325,337      $ 3,903,870      $ 10,103,985      $ 3,903,869  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for Income Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

   $ 99,693,458  

Other temporary differences*

     (54,220
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 99,639,238  
  

 

 

 

 

*

Other temporary differences are due to preferred share class distributions payable.

At December 31, 2019, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation on investments were primarily due to deferral of losses on wash sales for tax purposes.

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2019:

 

     Cost    Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation

Investments

     $ 206,849,121      $ 107,448,345      $ (7,753,848 )      $ 99,694,497

The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of December 31, 2019, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. The Fund’s federal and state tax returns for the prior three years remain open, subject to examination. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.

3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed weekly and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 1.00% of the value of the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of preferred shares. In accordance with the Advisory

 

15


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio and oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid $19,134 in brokerage commissions on security trades to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. The amount of such expenses paid through this directed brokerage arrangement during this period was $1,859.

The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the sub-administration agreement with Bank of New York Mellon, the fees paid include the cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV. The Fund reimburses the Adviser for this service. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund accrued $45,000 in accounting fees in the Statement of Operations.

As per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund accrued $91,128 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.

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

4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2019, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated to $68,589,623 and $89,143,703, respectively.

5. Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (par value

$0.001). The Board has authorized the repurchase of its shares on the open market when the shares are trading on the NYSE at a discount of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the NAV of the shares. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund repurchased and retired 453,318 common shares in the open market at an investment of $4,800,685 and an average discount of approximately 13.18% from its NAV. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund repurchased and retired 1,130,986 common shares in the open market at an investment of $11,746,403 and an average discount of approximately 14.70% from its NAV.

 

16


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

    

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

   

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Net decrease from repurchase of common shares

     (453,318   $ (4,800,685     (1,130,986   $ (11,746,403

The Fund has an effective shelf registration authorizing the offering of an additional $200 million of common or preferred shares.

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Shares. The Preferred Shares are senior to the common shares and result in the financial leveraging of the common shares. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to common shareholders. Dividends on Preferred Shares are cumulative. The Fund is required by the 1940 Act and by the Statement of Preferences to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Preferred Shares. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Preferred Shares at redemption prices of $25 per share plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not declared on such shares in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The income received on the Fund’s assets may vary in a manner unrelated to the fixed rates, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on net investment income and gains available to common shareholders.

At any time the Fund, at its option, may redeem the Series A Preferred or Series B Preferred at their redemption prices per share plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not declared on such shares. The Board has authorized the repurchase of the Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred in the open market at prices less than the $25 liquidation values per share. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any of the Series A Preferred or Series B Preferred.

The following table summarizes the Preferred Share information:

 

Series    Issue Date    Authorized    Number of Shares
Outstanding at
12/31/19
   Net
Proceeds
   2019 Dividend
Rate Range
   Dividend
Rate at
12/31/19
  Accrued
Dividends at
12/31/19

A 5.760%

   August 20, 2010        1,200,000        1,200,000      $ 28,725,173    Fixed Rate        5.760 %     $ 24,000

B 5.875%

   September 24, 2014        1,400,000        1,400,000        33,564,647    Fixed Rate        5.875 %       28,559

B 5.875%

   Various dates in 2016        81,443        81,443        2,192,721    Fixed Rate        5.875 %       1,661

The holders of Preferred Shares generally are entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common stock as a single class. The holders of Preferred Shares voting together as a single class also have the right currently to elect two Trustees and under certain circumstances are entitled to elect a majority of the Board. In addition, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all outstanding shares of the Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the Preferred Shares, and the approval of two-thirds of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s outstanding voting stock must approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding Preferred Shares and a majority (as defined in

 

17


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve certain other actions, including changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or fundamental investment policies.

6. Industry Concentration. Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies in the health care, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage industries, its portfolio may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a portfolio of securities representing a broad range of investments.

7. Indemnifications. The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

8. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events of the Fund and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

18


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of

The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019, the statement of changes in net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian and broker; when replies were not received from the broker, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 1986.

 

19


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)

 

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

 

Name, Position(s)

Address1 and Age

  

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served2

  

Number of
Funds

in Fund

Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee3

INTERESTED TRUSTEES4:

        

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Trustee and

Chief Investment Officer Age: 77

   Since 2007*    33    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/Trustee or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc.    Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company) (2001-2019); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services company); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications); Director of ICTC Group Inc. (communications) (2013- 2018)

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA

Trustee and Portfolio Manager

Age: 38

   Since 2016***    1    Portfolio Manager for Gabelli Funds, LLC, GAMCO Asset Management Inc., and Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc.   

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES5:

        

James P. Conn6

Trustee

Age: 81

   Since 2007***    24    Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (1992-1998)   

Vincent D. Enright6

Trustee

Age: 76

   Since 2007*    17    Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KeySpan Corp. (public utility) (1994-1998)    Director of Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (therapeutics and diagnostics) (2008-2014); Director of The LGL Group, Inc. (diversified manufacturing) (2011-2014)

Robert Kolodny

Trustee

Age: 75

   Since 2007**    2    Physician; Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of the Behavioural Medicine Institute; Managing Member of KBS Management LLC (investment adviser); Managing General Partner of KBS Partnership, KBS III Investment Partnership, KBSIV Limited Partnership (1990-2016), KBS New Dimensions, L.P. (1993-2015), Kolodny Family Limited Partnership (private investment partnerships)   

Kuni Nakamura

Trustee

Age: 51

   Since 2012***    33    President of Advanced Polymer, Inc. (chemical manufacturing company); President of KEN Enterprises, Inc. (real estate)   

Anthonie C. van Ekris7

Trustee

Age: 85

   Since 2007*    23    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/export company)   

Salvatore J. Zizza8

Trustee

Age: 74

   Since 2007**    31    President of Zizza & Associates Corp. (private holding company); President of Bergen Cove Realty Inc.; Chairman of Harbor Diversified, Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018); Chairman of BAM (semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing)(2000-2018); Chairman of Metropolitan Paper Recycling Inc. (recycling) (2005-2014)    Director and Chairman of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Director and Chairman of Harbor Diversified Inc. (pharmaceuticals) (2009-2018)

 

20


The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Position(s)

Address1

and Age

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served2

       

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

OFFICERS:

              

Agnes Mullady

President

Age: 61

   Since 2006       Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2006; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015; Chief Executive Officer of G.distributors, LLC since 2010; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Executive Vice President of Associated Capital Group, Inc. since 2016

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Age: 43

   Since 2017       Treasurer of funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017; Vice President of State Street Corporation, 2007-2014

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary and Vice President

Age: 47

   Since 2013       Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2016; Counsel of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2013; Secretary of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2013; Vice President of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2014

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Age: 60

   Since 2013       Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2013

Bethany A. Uhlein

Vice President and Ombudsman

Age: 29

   Since 2017       Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President (since 2019); Assistant Vice President (2015-2018) and Associate (2013-2015) for GAMCO Asset Management Inc.

David I. Schachter

Vice President

Age: 66

   Since 2007       Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2015) and Vice President (1999-2015) of G.research, LLC

Adam E. Tokar

Vice President

Age: 39

   Since 2007       Vice President of the Fund; Vice President and Ombudsman of The Gabelli Global Utility and Income Trust since 2011

 

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

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

*   Term expires at the Fund’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

**  Term expires at the Fund’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

***   Term expires at the Fund’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

For officers, includes time served in prior officer positions with the Fund. Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

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

4  “Interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Messrs. Gabelli and Jonas are considered “interested persons” because of their affiliation with Gabelli Funds, LLC which acts as the Fund’s investment adviser.

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

6  This Trustee is elected solely by and represents the shareholders of the preferred shares issued by this Fund.

7  Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, Gama Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, all of which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and, in that event, would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser.

8  Mr. Zizza is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser. On September 9, 2015, Mr. Zizza entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry relating to an alleged violation regarding the making of false statements or omissions to the accountants of a company concerning a related party transaction. The company in question is not an affiliate of, nor has any connection to, the Fund. Under the terms of the settlement, Mr. Zizza, without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings and allegation, paid $150,000 and agreed to cease and desist committing or causing any future violations of Rule 13b2-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Board has discussed this matter and has determined that it does not disqualify Mr. Zizza from serving as an Independent Director.

 

21


THE GABELLI HEALTHCARE & WELLNESSRX TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2019

Cash Dividends and Distributions

 

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

           Date          

    Date     Income     Gains     Capital (a)      Per Share (b)      Price  
  Common Shares       
                    03/22/19       03/15/19       $    0.05340       $    0.08390       $0.00270        $    0.14000        $10.46310  
    06/21/19       06/14/19       0.05160       0.08570       0.00270        0.14000        10.53090  
    09/23/19       09/16/19       0.05160       0.08570       0.00270        0.14000        10.54720  
    12/20/19       12/13/19       0.05160       0.08570       0.00270        0.14000        11.47270  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    
        $    0.20820       $    0.34100       $0.01080        $    0.56000     
 

5.760% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

    
    03/26/19       03/19/19       $    0.13975       $    0.22025              $  0.36000     
    06/26/19       06/19/19       0.13528       0.22472              0.36000     
    09/26/19       09/19/19       0.13528       0.22472              0.36000     
    12/26/19       12/18/19       0.13528       0.22472              0.36000     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    
        $    0.54559       $    0.89441              $    1.44000     
 

5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares

       
    03/26/19       03/19/19       $0.1425381       $0.2246494              $0.3671875     
    06/26/19       06/19/19       0.1379765       0.2292110              0.3671875     
    09/26/19       09/19/19       0.1379765       0.2292110              0.3671875     
    12/26/19       12/18/19       0.1379765       0.2292110              0.3671875     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    
        $0.5564676       $0.9122824              $1.4687500     

A Form 1099-DIV has been mailed to all shareholders of record which sets forth specific amounts to be included in your 2019 tax returns. Ordinary distributions include net investment income and realized net short-term capital gains. Ordinary income is reported in box 1a of Form 1099-DIV. Capital gain distributions are reported in box 2a of Form 1099-DIV.

The long term gain distributions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 were $8,714,085 or the maximum amount.

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

In 2019, the Fund paid to common, 5.760% Series A Cumulative Preferred, and 5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred shareholders ordinary income dividends of $0.20820, $0.54559, and $0.55647 per share, respectively. For 2019, 51.54% of the ordinary dividend qualified for the dividend received deduction available to corporations, 71.85% of the ordinary income distribution was deemed qualified dividend income, and 41.94% of ordinary income distribution was qualified interest income. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified short-term capital gain pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund during 2019 derived from U.S. Government securities was 0.69%. Such income is exempt from state and local taxes in all states. However, many states, including New York and California, allow a tax exemption for a portion of the income earned only if a mutual fund has invested at least 50% of its assets at the end of each quarter of its fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2019. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2019 was 0.69%.

 

22


THE GABELLI HEALTHCARE & WELLNESSRX TRUST

INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)

December 31, 2019

 

Historical Distribution Summary

 

                                                                                                                                                                             
            Short Term      Long Term             Total      Adjustment  
     Investment      Capital      Capital      Return of      Distributions      to Cost  
     Income (c)      Gains (c)      Gains      Capital (a)      (b)      Basis (d)  

Common Shares

                 

2019

     $0.01750        $0.19070        $0.34100        $0.01080        $0.56000        $0.01080  

2018

     0.05004        0.23560        0.23436               0.52000         

2017

     0.00114        0.02873        0.48277        0.00736        0.52000        0.00736  

2016

            0.04890        0.47110               0.52000         

2015

            0.10070        0.40930               0.51000         

2014(e)

            0.11520        0.50480               0.62000         

2013(f)

     0.00890        0.22580        0.67530               0.91000         

2012

     0.04784        0.27724        0.76208        0.02284        1.11000        0.02284  

2011(g)

                                         

2010

                                         

5.760% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares

                 

2019

     $0.04565        $0.49994        $0.89441               $1.44000         

2018

     0.13856        0.65248        0.64896               1.44000         

2017

     0.00322        0.08075        1.35603               1.44000         

2016

            0.13560        1.30440               1.44000         

2015

            0.28380        1.15620               1.44000         

2014

            0.27160        1.16840               1.44000         

2013

     0.01400        0.35720        1.06880               1.44000         

2012

     0.06060        0.35160        1.02780               1.44000         

2011

                   1.44000               1.44000         

2010

            0.50800                      0.50800         

5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares

                 

2019

     $0.04655        $0.50992        $0.91228               $1.46875         

2018

     0.14134        0.66550        0.66190               1.46875         

2017

     0.00327        0.08237        1.38311               1.46875         

2016

            0.13821        1.33054               1.46875         

2015

            0.28937        1.17938               1.46875         

2014

            0.07337        0.30198               0.37535         

 

(a) Non-taxable.

(b) Total amounts may differ due to rounding.

(c) Taxable as ordinary income.

(d) Decrease in cost basis.

(e) On May 22, 2014, the Fund also distributed Rights equivalent to $0.77 per common share based upon full subscription of all issued shares.

(f) On May 28, 2013, the Fund also distributed Rights equivalent to $0.75 per common share based upon full subscription of all issued shares.

(g) On February 28, 2011, the Fund also distributed Rights equivalent to $0.72 per common share based upon full subscription of all issued shares.

 

All designations are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Fund to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

23


AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS

Under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), a shareholder whose shares of common stock are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), which is an 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 shares of common stock 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 Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the “Fund”) to automatically reinvest dividends. 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 shares certificates to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distribution in cash may submit this request through the Internet, by telephone or in writing to:

The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

c/o Computershare

P.O. Box 505000

Louisville, KY 40233-5000

Telephone: (800) 336-6983

Website: www.computershare.com/investor

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 the website or telephone number above.

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

The number of 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 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 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 per share fee (currently $0.02 per share). Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay and fees for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual fees for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to Computershare, P.O. Box 6006, Carol Stream, IL 60197-6006 such that Computershare receives such payments approximately two business days before the 1st and 15th of the month. Funds not received at least two business days before the investment date shall be held for investment

 

24


 

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS

(Continued)

 

until the next purchase date. A payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by Computershare at least two business days before such payment is to be invested.

Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare may do so through the Internet, in writing or by telephone to the above-mentioned website, address or telephone number. Include in your request your name, address, and account number. Computershare will sell such shares through a broker-dealer selected by Computershare within 5 business days of receipt of the request. The sale price will equal the weighted average price of all shares sold through the Plan on the day of the sale, less applicable fees brokerage commissions. Participants should note that Computershare is unable to accept instructions to sell on a specific date or at a specific price. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per transaction as well as the per share fee (currently $0.10 per share) Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions Computershare is required to pay and are expected to be less than the usual fees for such transactions.

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

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plans 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 30 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare on at least 30 days written notice to participants in the Plan.

 

25


    

THE GABELLI HEALTHCARE & WELLNESSRx TRUST

AND YOUR PERSONAL PRIVACY

Who are we?

The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust is a closed-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, that is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc., a publicly held company that has subsidiaries that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a Fund shareholder?

When you purchase shares of the Fund on the New York Stock Exchange, you have the option of registering directly with our transfer agent in order, for example, to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

 

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

 

Information about your transactions with us. This would include information about the shares that you buy or sell; it may also include information about whether you sell or exercise rights that we have issued from time to time. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www.sec.gov.

What do we do to protect your personal information?

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the Fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information confidential.




THE GABELLI HEALTHCARE & WELLNESSRx TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

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

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

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA, joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst focusing on companies across the healthcare industry. In 2006, he began serving as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Jonas was a Presidential Scholar at Boston College, where he received a BS in Finance and Management Information Systems.

 

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio due to corporate governance regulations stipulated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have done this to ensure that the content of the portfolio managers’ commentary is unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

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

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

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

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


 

THE GABELLI HEALTHCARE & WELLNESSRX TRUST

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

t

800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

 

f

914-921-5118

 

e

info@gabelli.com

  

GABELLI.COM

 

 

TRUSTEES

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group, Inc.

James P. Conn

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Financial Security Assurance

Holdings Ltd.

Vincent D. Enright

Former Senior Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer,

KeySpan Corp.

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA

Portfolio Manager,

Gabelli Funds, LLC

Robert C. Kolodny

Physician,

Principal of KBS

Management LLC

Kuni Nakamura

President,

Advanced Polymer, Inc.

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

Agnes Mullady

President

John C. Ball

Treasurer

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary & Vice President

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Bethany A. Uhlein

Vice President & Ombudsman

David I. Schachter

Vice President

Adam E. Tokar

Vice President

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

COUNSEL

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

TRANSFER AGENT AND

REGISTRAR

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

 

 

GRX Q4/2019

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

  (a)

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

  (c)

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

  (d)

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

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Vincent D. Enright is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Audit Fees

 

  (a)

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $32,623 for 2018 and $32,623 for 2019.

Audit-Related Fees

 

  (b)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2018 and $0 for 2019.


Tax Fees

 

  (c)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $3,680 for 2018 and $3,800 for 2019. Tax fees represent tax compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

All Other Fees

 

  (d)

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2018 and $0 for 2019. All other fees represent services provided in review of registration statements and preferred share offerings.

 

  (e)(1)

Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the registrant is responsible for pre-approving (i) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant and (ii) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, and any affiliate of Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli”) that provides services to the registrant (a “Covered Services Provider”) if the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. The Committee may delegate its responsibility to pre-approve any such audit and permissible non-audit services to the Chairperson of the Committee, and the Chairperson must report to the Committee, at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the Chairperson’s pre-approval of such services, his or her decision(s). The Committee may also establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such services in accordance with applicable laws, including the delegation of some or all of the Committee’s pre-approval responsibilities to the other persons (other than Gabelli or the registrant’s officers). Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the registrant at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (ii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee or Chairperson prior to the completion of the audit.

 

  (e)(2)

The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

(b) N/A

(c) 0%

(d) N/A

 

  (f)

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent.


  (g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 for 2018 and $0 for 2019.

 

  (h)

The registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

  (a)

The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of the following members: Kuni Nakamura, Vincent D. Enright, and Salvatore J. Zizza.

 

  (b)

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

Not applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

Item 7.

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

The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.


SECTION HH

The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients

(This section pertains to all affiliated SEC registered investment advisers)

Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.

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

 

  I.

Proxy Voting Committee

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

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

In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, and the analysts of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”), will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is: (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-1

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

 

  A.

Conflicts of Interest.

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

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

 

  B.

Operation of Proxy Voting Committee

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-2

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

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

Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. The Advisers subscribe to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co., LLC (“Glass Lewis”), which supply current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues. The information provided by ISS and GL is for informational purposes only.

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

 

  II.

Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines

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

Specific to the Gabelli ESG Fund, the Proxy Voting Committee will rely on the advice of the portfolio managers of the Gabelli ESG Fund to provide voting recommendations on the securities held in the portfolio.

 

  III.

Client Retention of Voting Rights

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-3

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

- Operations

- Proxy Department

- Investment professional assigned to the account

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

 

  IV.

Proxies of Certain Non-U.S. Issuers

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share-blocking.” Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depository. During the period in which the shares are held with a depository, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients’ custodian. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, the Advisers believe that the benefit to the client of exercising the vote is outweighed by the cost of voting and therefore, the Advisers will not typically vote the securities of non-U.S. issuers that require share-blocking.

In addition, voting proxies of issuers in non-U.S. markets may also give rise to a number of administrative issues or give rise to circumstances under which voting would impose a cost (real or implied) on its client which may cause the Advisers to abstain from voting such proxies. For example, the Advisers may receive the notices for shareholder meetings without adequate time to consider the proposals in the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting. Other markets require the Advisers to provide local agents with power of attorney prior to implementing their respective voting instructions on the proxy. Other markets may require disclosure of certain ownership information in excess of what is required to vote in the U.S. market. Although it is the Advisers’ policies to vote the proxies for its clients for which they have proxy voting authority, in the case of issuers in non-U.S. markets, we vote client proxies on a best efforts basis.

 

  V.

Voting Records

The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information on how they voted a client’s proxy upon request from the client.

The complete voting records for each registered investment company (the “Fund”) that is managed by the Advisers will be filed on Form N-PX for the twelve months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. A description of the

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-4

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to Gabelli Funds, LLC at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The Advisers’ proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.

 

  VI.

Voting Procedures

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

Proxies are received in one of two forms:

 

   

Shareholder Vote Instruction Forms (“VIFs”) - Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials.

   

Proxy cards which may be voted directly.

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

3. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee, the votes are cast and recorded for each account.

Records have been maintained on the ProxyEdge system.

ProxyEdge records include:

Security Name and CUSIP Number

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

Directors’ Recommendation (if any)

How the Adviser voted for the client on item

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

5. If a proxy card or VIF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote including:

 

   

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-5

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


   

In some circumstances VIFs can be faxed or sent electronically to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting.

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

7. Voting in Person

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

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge:

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

 

 

Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:

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

All legal proxies should appoint:

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

b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the limited power of attorney.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-6

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


Appendix A

Proxy Guidelines

PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

General Policy Statement

It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc, and its affiliated advisers (collectively “the Advisers”) to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.

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

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

Board of Directors

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Historical responsiveness to shareholders

This may include such areas as:

-Paying greenmail

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

 

Qualifications

 

Nominating committee in place

 

Number of outside directors on the board

 

Attendance at meetings

 

Overall performance

Selection of Auditors

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-7

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

Blank Check Preferred Stock

We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.

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

Classified Board

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

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

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

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

Increase Authorized Common Stock

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

 

 

Future use of additional shares

-Stock split

-Stock option or other executive compensation plan

-Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet

-Aid in restructuring

-Improve credit rating

-Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense

 

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-8

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


 

Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect

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

Confidential Ballot

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

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

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

Cumulative Voting

In general, we support cumulative voting.

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

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

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

Director Liability and Indemnification

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-9

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


Equal Access to the Proxy

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

Fair Price Provisions

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

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Golden Parachutes

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

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

Anti-Greenmail Proposals

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-10

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


Limit Shareholders’ Rights to Call Special Meetings

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Consideration of Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger

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

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Mergers, Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings

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

Military Issues

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

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

Northern Ireland

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

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-11

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

Opt Out of State Anti-Takeover Law

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

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

 

 

State of Incorporation

 

Management history of responsiveness to shareholders

 

Other mitigating factors

Poison Pill

In general, we do not endorse poison pills.

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

Reincorporation

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

Stock Incentive Plans

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

Method of payment.

 

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

 

The successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-12

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


Supermajority Vote Requirements

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Limit Shareholders Right to Act by Written Consent

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

“Say-on-Pay” / “Say-When-on-Pay” / “Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”

Required under the Dodd-Frank Act; these proposals are non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation. We will generally vote with the Board of Directors’ recommendation(s) on advisory votes on executive compensation (“Say-on-Pay”), advisory votes on the frequency of voting on executive compensation (“Say-When-on-Pay”) and advisory votes relating to extraordinary transaction executive compensation (“Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”). In those instances when we believe that it is in our clients’ best interest, we may abstain or vote against executive compensation and/or the frequency of votes on executive compensation and/or extraordinary transaction executive compensation advisory votes.

Proxy Access

Proxy access is a tool used to attempt to promote board accountability by requiring that a company’s proxy materials contain not only the names of management nominees, but also any candidates nominated by long-term shareholders holding at least a certain stake in the company. We will review proposals regarding proxy access on a case-by-case basis taking into account the provisions of the proposal, the company’s current governance structure, the successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value, as well as other applicable factors.

 

Revised: October 23, 2019

 

 

  

HH-13

  

INTERNAL USE ONLY


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

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

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

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

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA, joined Gabelli in 2003 as a research analyst focusing on companies across the healthcare industry. In 2006, he began serving as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Mr. Jonas was a Presidential Scholar at Boston College, where he received a BS in Finance and Management Information Systems.

MANAGEMENT OF OTHER ACCOUNTS

The table below shows the number of other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the total assets in each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other paid investment vehicles and other accounts as of December 31, 2019. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.

 

Name of
Portfolio
Manager or

Team Member

   Type of
Accounts
  

Total

No. of
Accounts
Managed

   Total
Assets
   No. of
Accounts
    where Advisory    
Fee is Based
on
Performance
   Total Assets
in Accounts
where
Advisory
Fee is Based
on
Performance
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA    Registered
Investment
Companies:
   24    $19.8

billion

   5    $5.6 billion
     Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:    11        $1.1billion        8    $904.3 million
     Other Accounts:    985    $8.1

billion

   1    $238.5 million


Kevin V. Dreyer

   Registered Investment Companies:    5    $7.1

billion

           2            $4.6 billion
     Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:    1    $56.3

    million    

   0    $0
     Other Accounts:            295            $1.8

billion

   0    $0

Jeffrey J. Jonas, CFA

   Registered Investment Companies:    3    $5.1

billion

   1    $2.7 billion
     Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:    1    $5.9

million

   1    $5.9 million
     Other Accounts:    77    $144.8

million

   0    $0

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager also has day to day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include:

ALLOCATION OF LIMITED TIME AND ATTENTION. Because the portfolio managers manage many accounts, they may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if they were to devote all of their attention to the management of only a few accounts.

ALLOCATION OF LIMITED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. If the portfolio managers identify an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts managed primarily by other portfolio managers of the Adviser, and their affiliates.

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

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


VARIATION IN COMPENSATION. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the accounts that they manage. If the structure of the Adviser’s management fee or the portfolio manager’s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio managers may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The portfolio managers also may be motivated to favor accounts in which they have an investment interest, or in which the Adviser, or its affiliates have investment interests. In Mr. Gabelli’s case, the Adviser’s compensation and expenses for the Fund are marginally greater as a percentage of assets than for certain other accounts and are less than for certain other accounts managed by Mr. Gabelli, while his personal compensation structure varies with near-term performance to a greater degree in certain performance fee based accounts than with on-performance based accounts. In addition, he has investment interests in several of the funds managed by the Adviser and its affiliates.

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

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR MARIO J. GABELLI

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

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF THE ADVISER OTHER THAN MARIO GABELLI

The compensation of the Portfolio Managers for the Fund is structure to enable the Adviser to attract and retain highly qualified professionals in a competitive environment. The Portfolio Managers receive a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base salary, equity-based incentive compensation via awards of restricted stock, and incentive-based variable compensation based on a


percentage of net revenue received by the Adviser for managing a Fund to the extent that the amount exceeds a minimum level of compensation. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees certain of the firm’s expenses (other than the respective Portfolio Manager’s compensation) allocable to the respective Fund (the incentive-based variable compensation for managing other accounts is also based on a percentage of net revenues to the investment adviser for managing the account). This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level of equity-based incentive and incentive-based variable compensation is based on an evaluation by the Adviser’s parent, GBL, of quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation criteria. This evaluation takes into account, in a broad sense, the performance of the accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, but the level of compensation is not determined with specific reference to the performance of any account against any specific benchmark. Generally, greater consideration is given to the performance of larger accounts and to longer term performance over smaller accounts and short-term performance.

OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE FUND

Mario J. Gabelli, Kevin V. Dreyer, and Jeffrey J. Jonas each owned over $1 million, $50,001- $100,000, and $100,001- $500,000, respectively, of shares of the Trust as of December 31, 2019.

(b)    Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

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

REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period   

(a) Total Number
of Shares (or
Units) Purchased

 

  

(b) Average Price
Paid per Share (or
Unit)

 

  

(c) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

 

  

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

 

Month #1
07/01/2019 through 07/31/2019

 

  

Common – 117,153

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A

 

  

Common – $10.65

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A

 

  

Common – 117,153

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A

 

  

Common – 18,543,423 - 117,153 = 18,426,270

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 


Month #2
08/01/2019 through 08/31/2019

 

   Common – 68,088

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 10.48

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A

   Common – 68,088

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 18,426,270 - 68,088 = 18,358,182

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 

Month #3
09/01/2019 through 09/30/2019

 

   Common – 27,500

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – $10.50

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – 27,500

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 18,358,182 - 27,500 = 18,330,682

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 

Month #4
10/01/2019 through 10/31/2019

 

   Common – 18,961

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – $10.22

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – 18,961

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 18,330,682 - 18,961 = 18,311,721

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 

Month #5
11/01/2019 through 11/30/2019

 

   Common – 34,613

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – $10.83

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – 34,613

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 18,311,721 - 34,613 = 18,277,108

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 


Month #6
12/01/2019 through

12/31/2019

 

   Common – 52,648

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – $11.30

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – 52,648

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
  

Common – 18,277,108 - 52,648 = 18,224,460

Preferred Series A – 1,200,000

Preferred Series B – 1,481,443

 

Total

 

   Common – 318,963

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – $10.70

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   Common – 318,963

Preferred Series A – N/A

Preferred Series B – N/A
   N/A

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

 

  a)

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

  b)

The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved – Any or all common shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares. Any or all preferred shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation values.

  c)

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

  d)

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

  e)

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

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

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

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the


 

report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

  (a)

If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide the following dollar amounts of income and fees/compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most recent fiscal year:

(1) Gross income from securities lending activities; $0

(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s) (“revenue split”); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees; $0

(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2); $0 and

(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)). $0

 

  (b)

If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrant’s most recent fiscal year. N/A

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)

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

 

  (a)(2)

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

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (a)(4)

Not applicable.

 

  (b)

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)

 

                               The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                             

          Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

    March 6, 2020                                                                                           

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                             

 

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

    March 6, 2020                                                                                           

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ John C. Ball                                      

          John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer

 

Date

 

    March 6, 2020                                                                                          

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

Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive

and Senior Financial Officers of the Gabelli/GAMCO/TETON Funds

 

 

Each affiliated registered investment company (each a “Company”) is committed to conducting business in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations and the highest standards of business ethics, and to full and accurate disclosure -- financial and otherwise -- in compliance with applicable law. This Code of Ethics, applicable to each Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (or persons performing similar functions) (together, “Senior Officers”), sets forth policies to guide you in the performance of your duties.

As a Senior Officer, you must comply with applicable law. You also have a responsibility to conduct yourself in an honest and ethical manner. You have leadership responsibilities that include creating a culture of high ethical standards and a commitment to compliance, maintaining a work environment that encourages the internal reporting of compliance concerns and promptly addressing compliance concerns.

This Code of Ethics recognizes that the Senior Officers are subject to certain conflicts of interest inherent in the operation of investment companies, because the Senior Officers currently or may in the future serve as Senior Officers of each of the Companies, as officers or employees of the investment advisor to the Companies or service providers thereof (the “Advisor”) and/or affiliates of the Advisor (the “Advisory Group”) and as officers or trustees/directors of other registered investment companies and unregistered investment funds advised by the Advisory Group. This Code of Ethics also recognizes that certain laws and regulations applicable to, and certain policies and procedures adopted by, the Companies or the Advisory Group govern your conduct in connection with many of the conflict of interest situations that arise in connection with the operations of the Companies, including:

 

   

the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules and regulation promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “1940 Act”);

 

   

the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Advisers Act”);

 

   

the Code of Ethics adopted by each Company pursuant to Rule 17j-1(c) under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Trust’s 1940 Act Code of Ethics”);

 

   

one or more codes of ethics adopted by the Advisory Group that have been reviewed and approved by those trustees/directors (the “Directors”) of each Company that are not “interested persons” of such Company (the “Independent Directors”) within the meaning of the 1940 Act (the

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   1   


 

Advisory Group’s 1940 Act Code of Ethics” and, together with such Company’s 1940 Act Code of Ethics, the “1940 Act Codes of Ethics”);

 

   

the policies and procedures adopted by each Company to address conflict of interest situations, such as procedures under Rule 10f-3, Rule 17a-7 and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Conflict Policies”); and

 

   

the Advisory Group’s policies and procedures to address, among other things, conflict of interest situations and related matters (collectively, the “Advisory Policies”).

The provisions of the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act Codes of Ethics, the Conflict Policies and the Advisory Policies are referred to herein collectively as the “Additional Conflict Rules”.

This Code of Ethics is different from, and is intended to supplement, the Additional Conflict Rules. Accordingly, a violation of the Additional Conflict Rules by a Senior Officer is hereby deemed not to be a violation of this Code of Ethics, unless and until the Directors shall determine that any such violation of the Additional Conflict Rules is also a violation of this Code of Ethics.

Senior Officers Should Act Honestly and Candidly

Each Senior Officer has a responsibility to each Company to act with integrity. Integrity requires, among other things, being honest and candid. Deceit and subordination of principle are inconsistent with integrity.

Each Senior Officer must:

 

   

act with integrity, including being honest and candid while still maintaining the confidentiality of information where required by law or the Additional Conflict Rules;

 

   

comply with the laws, rules and regulations that govern the conduct of each Company’s operations and report any suspected violations thereof in accordance with the section below entitled “Compliance With Code Of Ethics”; and

 

   

adhere to a high standard of business ethics.

Conflicts Of Interest

A conflict of interest for the purpose of this Code of Ethics occurs when your private interests interfere in any way, or even appear to interfere, with the interests of a Company.

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   2   


Senior Officers are expected to use objective and unbiased standards when making decisions that affect each Company, keeping in mind that Senior Officers are subject to certain inherent conflicts of interest because Senior Officers of a Company also are or may be officers of other Companies and/or the Advisory Group (as a result of which it is incumbent upon you to be familiar with and to seek to comply with the Additional Conflict Rules).

You are required to conduct the business of each Company in an honest and ethical manner, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and business relationships. When making any investment, accepting any position or benefits, participating in any transaction or business arrangement or otherwise acting in a manner that creates or appears to create a conflict of interest with respect to each Company where you are receiving a personal benefit, you should act in accordance with the letter and spirit of this Code of Ethics.

If you are in doubt as to the application or interpretation of this Code of Ethics to you as a Senior Officer of a Company, you should make full disclosure of all relevant facts and circumstances to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Advisory Group (the “CCO”) and obtain the approval of the CCO prior to taking action.

Some conflict of interest situations that should always be approved by the CCO, if material, include the following:

 

   

the receipt of any entertainment or non-nominal gift by the Senior Officer, or a member of his or her family, from any company with which a Company has current or prospective business dealings (other than the Advisory Group), unless such entertainment or gift is business related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety;

 

   

any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, of any of the Companies’ service providers, other than the Advisory Group; or

 

   

a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by a Company for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Senior Officer’s employment by the Advisory Group, such as compensation or equity ownership.

Disclosures

It is the policy of each Company to make full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in all reports and documents that such Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission or a national securities exchange and in all other public

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   3   


communications made by such Company. As a Senior Officer, you are required to promote compliance with this policy and to abide by such Company ’s standards, policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with this policy.    

Each Senior Officer must:

   

familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to each Company as well as the business and financial operations of each Company; and

 

   

not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about any Company to others, including to the Directors, such Company’s independent auditors, such Company’s counsel, any counsel to the Independent Directors, governmental regulators or self-regulatory organizations.

Compliance With Code Of Ethics

If you know of or suspect a violation of this Code of Ethics or other laws, regulations, policies or procedures applicable to the Company, you must report that information on a timely basis to the CCO or report it anonymously by following the “whistle blower” policies adopted by the Advisory Group from time to time. No one will be subject to retaliation because of a good faith report of a suspected violation.

Each Company will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code of Ethics, and in reporting on this Code of Ethics:

 

   

the CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any actual or potential violations reported to him or her;

 

   

violations and potential violations will be reported to the Board of Directors of each affected Company after such investigation;

 

   

if the Board of Directors determines that a violation has occurred, it will take all appropriate disciplinary or preventive action; and

 

   

appropriate disciplinary or preventive action may include a letter of censure, suspension, dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Waivers Of Code Of Ethics

Except as otherwise provided in this Code of Ethics, the CCO is responsible for applying this Code of Ethics to specific situations in which questions are presented to the CCO and has the authority to interpret this Code of Ethics in any particular situation. The CCO shall take all action he or she considers appropriate to investigate any actual or potential violations reported under this Code of Ethics.

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   4   


The CCO is authorized to consult, as appropriate, with counsel to the affected Company, the Advisory Group or the Independent Directors, and is encouraged to do so.

The Board of Directors of the affected Company is responsible for granting waivers of this Code of Ethics, as appropriate. Any changes to or waivers of this Code of Ethics will, to the extent required, be disclosed on Form N-CSR, or otherwise, as provided by Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Recordkeeping

Each Company will maintain and preserve for a period of not less than six (6) years from the date an action is taken, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place, a copy of the information or materials supplied to the Boards of Directors pursuant to this Code of Ethics:

 

   

that provided the basis for any amendment or waiver to this Code of Ethics; and

 

   

relating to any violation of this Code of Ethics and sanctions imposed for such violation, together with a written record of the approval or action taken by the relevant Board of Directors.

Confidentiality

All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code of Ethics, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Independent Directors and their counsel, the Companies and their counsel, the Advisory Group and its counsel and any other advisors, consultants or counsel retained by the Directors, the Independent Directors or any committee of Directors.

Amendments

This Code of Ethics may not be amended as to any Company except in written form, which is specifically approved by a majority vote of the affected Company’s Directors, including a majority of its Independent Directors.

No Rights Created

This Code of Ethics is a statement of certain fundamental principles, policies and procedures that govern each of the Senior Officers in the conduct of the Companies’ business. It is not intended to and does not create any rights in any employee, investor, supplier, competitor, shareholder or any other person or entity.

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   5   


ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

I have received and read the Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, and I understand its contents. I agree to comply fully with the standards contained in the Code of Ethics and the Company’s related policies and procedures. I understand that I have an obligation to report any suspected violations of the Code of Ethics on a timely basis to the Chief Compliance Officer or report it anonymously by following the “whistle blower” policies adopted by the Advisory Group from time to time.

 

 

 

 

 

Printed Name  
 

 

 

 

Signature  
 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

Revised: July 30, 2014

     
   6   

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, Bruce N. Alpert, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and


  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 6, 2020            

     

/s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                             

     

Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer


Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, John C. Ball, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and


  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 6, 2020            

     

/s/ John C. Ball                                        

     

John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer

 

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

  1.

The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

  2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Date: March 6, 2020                    

  

/s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                        

  

Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

I, John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust (the “Registrant”), certify that:

 

  1.

The Form N-CSR of the Registrant (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

  2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Date: March 6, 2020                    

  

/s/ John C. Ball                                                 

   John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer