nvq
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-Q
QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY
Investment Company Act file number 811-09243
The Gabelli Utility Trust
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Bruce N. Alpert
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
 
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-422-3554
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2009
Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
 
 

 


 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments.
The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.
(GABELLI LOGO)
The Gabelli Utility Trust
First Quarter Report
March 31, 2009
To Our Shareholders,
     The Gabelli Utility Trust’s (the “Fund”) net asset value (“NAV”) total return was (16.9)% during the first quarter of 2009, compared with declines of 10.8% and 11.5% for the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Utilities Index and the Lipper Utility Fund Average, respectively. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was (2.3)% during the first quarter. On March 31, 2009, the Fund’s NAV per share was $4.06, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $5.58 on the New York Stock Exchange.
     Enclosed is the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2009.
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2009 (a)
                                         
                                    Since
                                    Inception
    Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   (07/09/99)
Gabelli Utility Trust
                                       
NAV Total Return (b)
    (16.87 )%     (33.00 )%     (8.01 )%     (0.32 )%     3.59 %
Investment Total Return (c)
    (2.31 )     (32.84 )     (7.05 )     (2.64 )     5.40  
S&P 500 Index
    (10.98 )     (38.06 )     (13.05 )     (4.76 )     (3.92 )
S&P 500 Utilities Index
    (10.79 )     (29.66 )     (2.54 )     4.79       1.44  
Lipper Utility Fund Average
    (11.46 )     (34.25 )     (4.94 )     3.69       1.29  
 
(a)   Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. The S&P 500 Utilities Index is an unmanaged indicator of electric and gas utility stock performance. The Lipper Utility Fund Average reflects the average performance of open-end mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(b)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date, and adjustments for rights offerings and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $7.50.
 
(c)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the New York Stock Exchange, reinvestment of distributions, and adjustments for rights offerings. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $7.50.

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

 


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
        COMMON STOCKS — 93.0%
        ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 81.4%
        Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy — 0.3%
  20,000    
Ormat Industries Ltd.
  $ 135,608  
  12,500    
Ormat Technologies Inc.
    343,250  
  9,000    
Renegy Holdings Inc.†
    13,500  
       
 
     
       
 
    492,358  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Electric Integrated — 48.2%
  248,000    
Allegheny Energy Inc.
    5,746,160  
  23,000    
ALLETE Inc.
    613,870  
  75,000    
Alliant Energy Corp.
    1,851,750  
  20,000    
Ameren Corp.
    463,800  
  80,000    
American Electric Power Co. Inc.
    2,020,800  
  10,000    
Avista Corp.
    137,800  
  35,000    
Black Hills Corp.
    626,150  
  26,000    
Central Vermont Public Service Corp.
    449,800  
  30,000    
Cleco Corp.
    650,700  
  145,000    
CMS Energy Corp.
    1,716,800  
  160,000    
Constellation Energy Group Inc.
    3,305,600  
  33,000    
Dominion Resources Inc.
    1,022,670  
  160,000    
DPL Inc.
    3,606,400  
  24,000    
DTE Energy Co.
    664,800  
  190,000    
Duke Energy Corp.
    2,720,800  
  90,000    
Edison International
    2,592,900  
  191,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    2,691,190  
  3,000    
Entergy Corp.
    204,270  
  51,000    
FirstEnergy Corp.
    1,968,600  
  137,000    
Florida Public Utilities Co.
    1,338,490  
  95,000    
FPL Group Inc.
    4,819,350  
  254,080    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    3,422,458  
  55,000    
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.
    755,700  
  92,000    
Integrys Energy Group Inc.
    2,395,680  
  61,000    
Maine & Maritimes Corp.
    2,135,000  
  66,000    
MGE Energy Inc.
    2,070,420  
  48,000    
NiSource Inc.
    470,400  
  115,000    
NorthWestern Corp.
    2,470,200  
  35,000    
NV Energy Inc.
    328,650  
  100,000    
OGE Energy Corp.
    2,382,000  
  24,000    
Otter Tail Corp.
    529,200  
  48,000    
PG&E Corp.
    1,834,560  
  100,000    
PNM Resources Inc.
    826,000  
  100,000    
Progress Energy Inc.
    3,626,000  
  40,000    
Progress Energy Inc., CVO† (a)
    13,200  
  38,000    
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    1,119,860  
  60,500    
SCANA Corp.
    1,868,845  
  104,000    
TECO Energy Inc.
    1,159,600  
  22,000    
The Empire District Electric Co.
    317,680  
  150,000    
Unisource Energy Corp.
    4,228,500  
  35,000    
Unitil Corp.
    702,800  
  47,000    
Vectren Corp.
    991,230  
  260,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    4,557,800  
  90,000    
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
    3,705,300  
  195,000    
Xcel Energy Inc.
    3,632,850  
       
 
     
       
 
    84,756,633  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Electric Transmission and Distribution — 8.9%
  243    
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP
    3,212  
  50,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
    2,345,000  
  60,000    
Consolidated Edison Inc.
    2,376,600  
  135,000    
Northeast Utilities
    2,914,650  
  215,000    
NSTAR
    6,854,200  
  22,500    
Pepco Holdings Inc.
    280,800  
  36,666    
UIL Holdings Corp.
    818,385  
       
 
     
       
 
    15,592,847  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Global Utilities — 3.5%
  1,500    
Areva SA
    625,095  
  8,000    
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    175,380  
  40,000    
Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.
    1,179,977  
  37,000    
Endesa SA
    692,149  
  200,000    
Enel SpA
    959,916  
  300,000    
Hera SpA
    493,842  
  8,000    
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.
    160,024  
  8,000    
Hokuriku Electric Power Co.
    191,544  
  3,500    
Huaneng Power International Inc., ADR
    93,975  
  35,000    
Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†
    320,250  
  8,000    
Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    178,613  
  2,000    
Niko Resources Ltd.
    93,084  
  8,000    
Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    212,962  
  8,000    
The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    172,955  
  8,000    
The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.
    172,955  
  8,000    
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.
    198,818  
  15,000    
Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    328,080  
       
 
     
       
 
    6,249,619  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 1.3%
  35,810    
Dynegy Inc., Cl. A†
    50,492  
  8,130    
Mirant Corp.†
    92,682  
  300,000    
Mirant Corp. Escrow† (a)
    0  
  360,000    
The AES Corp.†
    2,091,600  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,234,774  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 5.3%
  205,000    
El Paso Corp.
    1,281,250  
  1,000    
Energen Corp.
    29,130  
  130,000    
National Fuel Gas Co.
    3,987,100  
  100,000    
ONEOK Inc.
    2,263,000  
  120,000    
Southern Union Co.
    1,826,400  
       
 
     
       
 
    9,386,880  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities — 7.0%
  26,000    
AGL Resources Inc.
    689,780  
  50,000    
Atmos Energy Corp.
    1,156,000  
  10,000    
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.
    304,800  
  10,000    
Corning Natural Gas Corp.†
    172,500  
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

2


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
        COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
        ENERGY AND UTILITIES (Continued)
        Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities (Continued)
  30,000    
Delta Natural Gas Co. Inc.
  $ 642,300  
  11,445    
GDF Suez
    393,072  
  11,445    
GDF Suez, Strips
    15  
  90,000    
Nicor Inc.
    2,990,700  
  35,000    
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    906,150  
  6,000    
RGC Resources Inc.
    144,390  
  150,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    3,160,500  
  120,000    
Spectra Energy Corp.
    1,696,800  
       
 
     
       
 
    12,257,007  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Natural Resources — 1.3%
  4,000    
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
    155,560  
  35,000    
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA, ADR
    839,300  
  16,000    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    1,089,600  
  3,000    
Peabody Energy Corp.
    75,120  
  4,000    
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR
    177,200  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,336,780  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Services — 0.4%
  50,000    
ABB Ltd., ADR
    697,000  
  2,000    
Tenaris SA, ADR
    40,340  
       
 
     
       
 
    737,340  
       
 
     
        Energy and Utilities: Water — 3.7%
  14,000    
American States Water Co.
    508,480  
  30,000    
American Water Works Co. Inc.
    577,200  
  21,833    
Aqua America Inc.
    436,660  
  24,750    
Artesian Resources Corp., Cl. A
    346,995  
  20,000    
California Water Service Group
    837,200  
  7,500    
Connecticut Water Service Inc.
    152,100  
  51,333    
Middlesex Water Co.
    739,195  
  33,000    
Pennichuck Corp.
    674,850  
  80,000    
SJW Corp.
    2,034,400  
  8,101    
Southwest Water Co.
    34,834  
  9,000    
York Water Co.
    111,240  
       
 
     
       
 
    6,453,154  
       
 
     
        Diversified Industrial — 1.1%
  2,400    
Alstom SA
    124,309  
  5,000    
Bouygues SA
    178,830  
  14,000    
Cooper Industries Ltd., Cl. A
    362,040  
  120,000    
General Electric Co.
    1,213,200  
       
 
     
       
 
    1,878,379  
       
 
     
        Equipment and Supplies — 0.0%
  50,000    
Capstone Turbine Corp.†
    36,000  
  2,000    
Mueller Industries Inc.
    43,380  
       
 
     
       
 
    79,380  
       
 
     
        Environmental Services — 0.0%
  3,000    
Suez Environnement SA†
    44,143  
       
 
     
                 
Shares/         Market  
Units         Value  
        Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders — 0.4%
  40,000    
NRG Energy Inc.†
  $ 704,000  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES
    143,203,294  
       
 
     
        COMMUNICATIONS — 9.8%
        Cable and Satellite — 2.9%
  100,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    1,294,000  
  5,000    
Cogeco Cable Inc.
    124,921  
  20,000    
Cogeco Inc.
    381,504  
  50,000    
DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†
    555,500  
  10,000    
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†
    148,300  
  35,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†
    509,600  
  20,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†
    282,600  
  8,000    
Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B
    182,640  
  65,000    
The DIRECTV Group Inc.†
    1,481,350  
  8,367    
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    207,502  
  2,112    
Zon Multimedia Servicos de Telecomunicacoes e Multimedia SGPS SA
    11,252  
       
 
     
       
 
    5,179,169  
       
 
     
        Communications Equipment — 0.5%
  3,000    
QUALCOMM Inc.
    116,730  
  260,000    
The Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
    730,212  
       
 
     
       
 
    846,942  
       
 
     
        Telecommunications — 4.3%
  45,000    
AT&T Inc.
    1,134,000  
  4,350    
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (a)(b)
    83,150  
  30,000    
BT Group plc, ADR
    335,100  
  2,000    
CenturyTel Inc.
    56,240  
  230,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc.†
    529,000  
  2,000    
Comstar United Telesystems OJSC, GDR†
    6,700  
  20,000    
D&E Communications Inc.
    107,400  
  60,000    
Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR
    741,000  
  2,000    
France Telecom SA, ADR
    45,320  
  10,000    
Frontier Communications Corp.
    71,800  
  200    
Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd.
    62  
  500    
Mobistar SA
    31,588  
  20,000    
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.
    753,650  
  15,000    
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA
    116,186  
  2,000    
PT Indosat Tbk
    818  
  500    
Rostelecom, ADR
    25,780  
  500    
Sistema JSFC, GDR (c)
    2,860  
  1,200    
Tele2 AB, Cl. B
    10,147  
  5,000    
Telecom Italia SpA, ADR
    63,950  
  40,000    
Touch America Holdings Inc.† (a)
    0  
  115,000    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    3,473,000  
       
 
     
       
 
    7,587,751  
       
 
     
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

3


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                 
            Market  
Shares         Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
       
       
COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)
       
       
Wireless Communications — 2.1%
       
  600    
America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR
  $ 16,248  
  2,000    
China Mobile Ltd., ADR
    87,040  
  2,000    
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., ADR
    20,820  
  3,000    
Millicom International Cellular SA
    111,120  
  4,500    
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, ADR
    134,640  
  171    
MobileOne Ltd.
    167  
  1,200    
NTT DoCoMo Inc.
    1,620,852  
  600    
SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR
    9,270  
  200    
SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.
    117  
  16,000    
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmet A/S, ADR
    196,640  
  30,000    
United States Cellular Corp.†
    1,000,200  
  75,000    
Vimpel-Communications, ADR
    490,500  
       
 
     
       
 
    3,687,614  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS
    17,301,476  
       
 
     
       
OTHER — 1.8%
       
       
Aerospace — 0.2%
       
  75,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc†
    316,383  
       
 
     
       
Agriculture — 0.0%
       
  2,000    
Cadiz Inc.†
    15,960  
       
 
     
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.1%
       
  1,000    
BERU AG
    101,638  
       
 
     
       
Entertainment — 1.4%
       
  33,333    
Time Warner Inc.
    643,333  
  66,000    
Vivendi
    1,747,180  
       
 
     
       
 
    2,390,513  
       
 
     
       
Publishing — 0.0%
       
  8,000    
Idearc Inc.†
    288  
       
 
     
       
Real Estate — 0.0%
       
  6,075    
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Cl. A
    83,713  
       
 
     
       
Transportation — 0.1%
       
  12,000    
GATX Corp.
    242,760  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL OTHER
    3,151,255  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    163,656,025  
       
 
     
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.7%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.7%
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 0.7%
       
  2,000    
El Paso Corp., 4.990% Cv. Pfd. (b)
    1,154,620  
       
 
     
       
WARRANTS — 0.1%
       
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%
       
       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 0.0%
       
  26,107    
Mirant Corp., Ser. A, expire 01/03/11†
    20,886  
       
 
     
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities — 0.0%
       
  3,000    
Corning Natural Gas Corp., expire 08/17/11†
    2,625  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES
    23,511  
       
 
     
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.1%
       
       
Wireless Communications — 0.1%
       
  8,000    
Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 09/19/13† (b)
    98,669  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    122,180  
       
 
     
                 
Principal              
Amount              
       
CORPORATE BONDS — 0.0%
       
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.0%
       
       
Telecommunications — 0.0%
       
$ 100,000    
Williams Communications Group Inc., Escrow, 10.875%, 10/01/09† (a)
    0  
       
 
     
       
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 6.2%
       
       
U.S. Treasury Bills — 1.0%
       
  1,677,000    
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.091% to 0.264%††, 04/02/09 to 06/18/09
    1,676,683  
       
 
     
       
U.S. Treasury Cash Management Bills — 0.1%
       
  225,000    
U.S. Treasury Cash Management Bill, 0.173%††, 06/24/09
    224,905  
       
 
     
       
U.S. Treasury Notes — 5.1%
       
  9,025,000    
4.500%, 04/30/09
    9,048,848  
       
 
     
       
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
    10,950,436  
       
 
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $212,434,593)
  $ 175,883,261  
       
 
     
       
Aggregate book cost
  $ 212,434,593  
       
 
     
       
Gross unrealized appreciation
  $ 8,877,224  
       
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (45,428,556 )
       
 
     
       
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
  $ (36,551,332 )
       
 
     
 
(a)   Security fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The procedures may include reviewing available financial information about the company and reviewing the valuation of comparable securities and other factors on a regular basis. At March 31, 2009, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $96,350 or 0.05% of total investments.
 
(b)   Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2009, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $1,336,439 or 0.76% of total investments.
 
(c)   At March 31, 2009, the Fund held an investment in a restricted security amounting to $2,860 or 0.00% of total investments, which was valued under methods approved by Board of Trustees as follows:
                                 
                            03/31/09
Acquisition       Acquisition   Acquisition   Carrying Value
Shares   Issuer   Date   Cost   Per Unit
  500    
Sistema JSFC, ADR
    10/10/07     $ 17,384     $ 5.7200  
     
  Non-income producing security.
 
   
††
  Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
 
   
ADR
  American Depositary Receipt
 
   
CVO
  Contingent Value Obligation
 
   
GDR
  Global Depositary Receipt
See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

4


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
1. Security Valuation. Portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC, the Adviser.
Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than 60 days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:
    Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;
 
    Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
 
    Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2009 is as follows:
                         
    Investments in     Other Financial Instruments     Other Financial Instruments  
    Securities     (Unrealized     (Unrealized  
    (Market Value)     Appreciation)*     Depreciation)*  
Valuation Inputs   Assets     Assets     Liabilities  
Level 1 — Quoted Prices
  $ 164,735,182              
Level 2 — Other Significant Observable Inputs
    11,134,879     $ 7,666     $ (722,679 )
Level 3 — Significant Unobservable Inputs
    13,200              
 
                 
Total
  $ 175,883,261     $ 7,666     $ (722,679 )
 
                 
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards, and swaps which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the investment.

5


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
         
    Investments in  
    Securities  
    (Market Value)  
Balance as of 12/31/08
  $ 13,200  
Accrued discounts/(premiums)
     
Realized gain/(loss)
     
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
    0  
Net purchase/(sales)
     
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
     
 
     
Balance as of 03/31/09
  $ 13,200  
 
     
 
       
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) during the period on Level 3 investments held at 03/31/09
  $ 0  
 
     
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” clarifies the financial reporting for derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosure that enables investors to understand how and why an entity uses derivatives, how derivatives are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position. As of March 31, 2009, the Fund did not hold any significant investments in derivatives.
2. Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity, contract for difference, and interest rate swap or cap transactions. The use of swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. Swap agreements may involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk, and exposure to loss in excess of the related amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on the Series B Preferred Shares. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. In an equity swap, a set of future cash flows are exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred stock dividends when due in accordance with the Statement of Preferences even if the counterparty defaulted. If there is a default by the counterparty to a swap contract, the Fund will be limited to contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no assurance that the swap contract counterparties will be able to meet their obligations pursuant to the swap contracts or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing contractual remedies. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to the swap contracts. The creditworthiness of the swap contract counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize this risk. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments.

6


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk in excess of the amount recognized below.
The Fund has entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Citibank N.A. Under the agreement, the Fund receives a floating rate of interest and pays a respective fixed rate of interest on the nominal value of the swap. Details of the swap at March 31, 2009 are as follows:
                 
Notional       Floating Rate*   Termination   Net Unrealized
Amount   Fixed Rate   (rate reset monthly)   Date   Depreciation
$25,000,000
  4.00%   0.49688%   06/02/10   $(722,679)
 
*   Based on LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate).
Effective March 16, 2008, Bear, Stearns International Limited entered into a Guaranty Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., whereby JPMorgan Chase & Co. unconditionally guaranteed the due and punctual payment of certain liabilities of Bear, Stearns International Limited, including the current liabilities of Bear, Stearns International Limited to the Fund. As of March 31, 2009, the Fund held a contract for difference swap with Bear, Stearns International Limited which is covered by the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Guaranty Agreement as of the date of the report. Details of the swap at March 31, 2009 are as follows:
                 
Notional   Equity Security   Interest Rate/   Termination   Net Unrealized
Amount   Received   Equity Security Paid   Date   Appreciation
$97,713 (25,000 Shares)   Market Value
Appreciation on:
  Overnight LIBOR plus 75 bps plus Market Value Depreciation on:        
  Rolls-Royce Group plc   Rolls-Royce Group plc   03/11/10   $7,666

7


 

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS
Enrollment in the Plan
     It is the policy of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common shareholders. As a “registered” shareholder you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Fund to credit common shares to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset value. All distributions to shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their share certificates to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distributions in cash must submit this request in writing to:
The Gabelli Utility Trust
c/o Computershare
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940-3010
     Shareholders requesting this cash election must include the shareholder’s name and address as they appear on the share certificate. Shareholders with additional questions regarding the Plan or requesting a copy of the terms of the Plan, may contact Computershare at (800) 336-6983.
     If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or nominee, you should contact such institution. If such institution is not participating in the Plan, your account will be credited with a cash dividend. In order to participate in the Plan through such institution, it may be necessary for you to have your shares taken out of “street name” and re-registered in your own name. Once registered in your own name your distributions will be automatically reinvested. Certain brokers participate in the Plan. Shareholders holding shares in “street name” at participating institutions will have dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders wishing a cash dividend at such institution must contact their broker to make this change.
     The number of common shares distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of cash dividends is determined in the following manner. Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the Fund’s common shares is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividends or capital gains distribution, participants are issued common shares valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then current market price of the Fund’s common shares. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive common shares from the Fund valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, Computershare will buy common shares in the open market, or on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that Computershare will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at net asset value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares exceeds the then current net asset value.
     The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions. A participant in the Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received, on a dividend payment date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash the participant could have received instead of shares.

8


 

Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
     The Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan is yet another vehicle for our shareholders to increase their investment in the Fund. In order to participate in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, shareholders must have their shares registered in their own name.
     Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to Computershare for investments in the Fund’s common shares at the then current market price. Shareholders may send an amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use these funds to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Computershare will charge each shareholder who participates $0.75, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to Computershare, P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940—3010 such that Computershare receives such payments approximately 10 days before the 1st and 15th of the month. Funds not received at least five days before the investment date shall be held for investment until the next purchase date. A payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by Computershare at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.
     Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare must do so in writing or by telephone. Please submit your request to the above mentioned address or telephone number. Include in your request your name, address, and account number. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per transaction as well as the brokerage commission incurred. Brokerage charges are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions.
     For more information regarding the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, brochures are available by calling (914) 921-5070 or by writing directly to the Fund.
     The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare on at least 90 days written notice to participants in the Plan.

9


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
AND YOUR PERSONAL PRIVACY
Who are we?
The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) 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, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc. GAMCO Investors, Inc. is a publicly held company that has subsidiaries that provide investment advisory or brokerage services for a variety of clients.
What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a 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.

 


 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422

 
Trustees
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer,
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Dr. Thomas E. Bratter
President & Founder, John Dewey Academy
Anthony J. Colavita
Attorney-at-Law,
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
James P. Conn
Former Managing Director &
Chief Investment Officer,
Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd.
Vincent D. Enright
Former Senior Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer,
KeySpan Corp.
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer,
American Gaming Association
John D. Gabelli
Senior Vice President,
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Robert J. Morrissey
Attorney-at-Law,
Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
Anthony R. Pustorino
Certified Public Accountant,
Professor Emeritus, Pace University
Salvatore J. Zizza
Chairman, Zizza & Co., Ltd.
 
Officers
Bruce N. Alpert
President
 
Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Agnes Mullady
Treasurer & Secretary
 
David I. Schachter
Vice President & Ombudsman
 
Investment Adviser
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
 
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon
 
Counsel
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
 
Stock Exchange Listing
         
        5.625%
    Common   Preferred
NYSE—Symbol:
  GUT   GUT PrA
Shares Outstanding:
  30,575,234   1,157,677


The Net Asset Value per share appears in the Publicly Traded Funds column, under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds,” in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. It is also listed in Barron’s Mutual Funds/Closed End Funds section under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds.”
The Net Asset Value per share may be obtained each day by calling (914) 921-5070 or visiting www.gabelli.com.

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

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

 


 

(GRAPHIC)
THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST One Corporate Center Rye, NY 10580-1422 (914) 921-5070 www.gabelli.com First Quarter Report March 31, 2009 GUT Q1/2009

 


 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.
  (a)   The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
 
  (b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 3. Exhibits.
Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) The Gabelli Utility Trust
         
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
 
Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
   
Date 5/30/09
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
 
Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
   
 
       
Date 5/30/09
       
 
       
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Agnes Mullady
 
Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer
   
 
       
Date 5/30/09
       
 
*   Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.