nvcsrs
 
 
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 811-09243
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: June 30, 2010
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, 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. Reports to Stockholders.
The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
The Gabelli Utility Trust
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2010
(PHOTO OF MARIO J. GABELLI )
   Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
To Our Shareholders,
     The Gabelli Utility Trust’s (the “Fund”) net asset value (“NAV”) total return was (5.6)% during the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010, compared with returns of (7.1)% and (7.8)% 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 (7.8)% during first half of the year. For the one year period ended June 30, 2010, the Fund’s NAV total return was 17.4% and the total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 24.9%, compared with returns of 5.7% and 6.5% for the S&P 500 Utilities Index and the Lipper Utility Fund Average, respectively. On June 30, 2010, the Fund’s NAV per share was $4.57, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $7.94 on the NYSE.
    Enclosed are the financial statements and the investment portfolio as of June 30, 2010.
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through June 30, 2010 (a) (Unaudited)
                                                         
                                                    Since
            Year to                                   Inception
    Quarter   Date   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   10 Year   (07/09/99)
Gabelli Utility Trust
                                                       
NAV Total Return (b)
    (7.31 )%     (5.58 )%     17.41 %     (6.46 )%     1.78 %     5.89 %     6.08 %
Investment Total Return (c)
    5.17       (7.78 )     24.86       3.29       4.80       9.14       9.44  
S&P 500 Index
    (11.41 )     (6.64 )     14.43       (9.80 )     (0.79 )     (1.59 )     (0.96 )
S&P 500 Utilities Index
    (3.74 )     (7.14 )     5.73       (6.81 )     1.56       2.78       2.69  
Lipper Utility Fund Average
    (6.03 )     (7.79 )     6.47       (8.70 )     2.09       2.10       2.86  
 
(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/funds.

 


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of June 30, 2010:
         
Energy and Utilities: Electric Integrated
    49.2 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated
    8.8 %
Energy and Utilities:
       
Electric Transmission and Distribution
    8.2 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities
    8.1 %
Telecommunications
    4.4 %
Cable and Satellite
    4.0 %
Energy and Utilities: Global Utilities
    3.7 %
Energy and Utilities: Water
    3.3 %
Wireless Communications
    2.3 %
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
    1.6 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Resources
    1.3 %
Diversified Industrial
    1.3 %
Entertainment
    0.9 %
Communications Equipment
    0.6 %
Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders
    0.4 %
U.S. Government Obligations
    0.4 %
Energy and Utilities: Services
    0.4 %
Aerospace
    0.3 %
Transportation
    0.3 %
Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy
    0.2 %
Environmental Services
    0.1 %
Real Estate
    0.1 %
Equipment and Supplies
    0.1 %
Investment Companies
    0.0 %
Agriculture
    0.0 %
Publishing
    0.0 %
 
       
 
    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-Q, the last of which was filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. 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-Q 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 1-800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
     The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st 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.
Shareholder Meeting – May 17, 2010 – Final Results
     The Fund’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 17, 2010 at the Greenwich Library in Greenwich, Connecticut. At that meeting, common and preferred shareholders, voting together as a single class, elected Mario J. Gabelli, Thomas E. Bratter, and Vincent D. Enright as Trustees of the Fund. A total of 24,610,291 votes, 24,505,604 votes, and 24,556,979 votes were cast in favor of each Trustee and a total of 717,774 votes, 822,461 votes, and 771,086 votes were withheld for each Trustee, respectively.
     Anthony J. Colavita, James P. Conn, Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., John D. Gabelli, Robert J. Morrissey, Anthony R. Pustorino, and Salvatore J. Zizza continue to serve in their capacities as Trustees of the Fund.
     We thank you for your participation and appreciate your continued support.

2


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 98.5%
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 85.6%
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy — 0.2%
               
  13,000    
Ormat Industries Ltd.
  $ 177,043     $ 96,641  
  11,000    
Ormat Technologies Inc.
    234,175       311,190  
  8,100    
Renegy Holdings Inc.†
    57,108       4,172  
       
 
           
       
 
    468,326       412,003  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Electric Integrated — 49.2%
               
  210,000    
Allegheny Energy Inc.
    6,095,647       4,342,800  
  23,000    
ALLETE Inc.
    728,776       787,520  
  75,000    
Alliant Energy Corp.
    1,824,382       2,380,500  
  20,000    
Ameren Corp.
    691,088       475,400  
  78,000    
American Electric Power Co. Inc.
    2,568,822       2,519,400  
  10,000    
Avista Corp.
    199,636       195,300  
  50,000    
Black Hills Corp.
    1,431,322       1,423,500  
  26,000    
Central Vermont Public Service Corp.
    482,572       513,240  
  27,000    
Cleco Corp.
    524,506       713,070  
  125,000    
CMS Energy Corp.
    1,418,407       1,831,250  
  160,000    
Constellation Energy Group Inc.
    6,078,680       5,160,000  
  32,000    
Dominion Resources Inc.
    1,402,789       1,239,680  
  136,000    
DPL Inc.
    2,860,019       3,250,400  
  24,000    
DTE Energy Co.
    978,366       1,094,640  
  140,000    
Duke Energy Corp.
    2,697,529       2,240,000  
  86,000    
Edison International
    3,727,375       2,727,920  
  185,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    3,347,782       3,579,750  
  1,000    
Emera Inc.
    21,639       23,127  
  3,000    
Entergy Corp.
    75,249       214,860  
  45,000    
FirstEnergy Corp.
    1,847,638       1,585,350  
  215,000    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    5,675,890       3,659,300  
  55,000    
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.
    1,335,289       1,252,900  
  92,000    
Integrys Energy Group Inc.
    4,632,153       4,024,080  
  60,000    
Maine & Maritimes Corp.
    1,894,682       2,658,600  
  64,000    
MGE Energy Inc.
    1,887,100       2,306,560  
  95,000    
NextEra Energy Inc.
    4,094,308       4,632,200  
  48,000    
NiSource Inc.
    1,020,000       696,000  
  110,000    
NorthWestern Corp.
    3,338,803       2,882,000  
  35,000    
NV Energy Inc.
    312,248       413,350  
  100,000    
OGE Energy Corp.
    2,406,346       3,656,000  
  24,000    
Otter Tail Corp.
    637,145       463,920  
  48,000    
PG&E Corp.
    1,280,160       1,972,800  
  100,000    
PNM Resources Inc.
    1,119,082       1,118,000  
  95,000    
Progress Energy Inc.
    4,127,681       3,725,900  
  40,000    
Progress Energy Inc., CVO†
    20,800       6,000  
  38,000    
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    996,629       1,190,540  
  60,500    
SCANA Corp.
    1,918,305       2,163,480  
  104,000    
TECO Energy Inc.
    1,548,928       1,567,280  
  25,000    
The Empire District Electric Co.
    515,057       469,250  
  150,000    
UniSource Energy Corp.
    4,583,635       4,527,000  
  18,000    
Unitil Corp.
    466,141       376,380  
  47,000    
Vectren Corp.
    1,162,166       1,112,020  
  260,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    5,973,605       5,618,600  
  90,000    
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
    3,273,387       4,566,600  
  190,000    
Xcel Energy Inc.
    3,268,325       3,915,900  
       
 
           
       
 
    96,490,089       95,272,367  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities:
               
       
Electric Transmission and Distribution — 8.2%
               
  243    
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP
    5,103       3,856  
  50,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
    2,261,677       1,962,000  
  60,000    
Consolidated Edison Inc.
    2,684,666       2,586,000  
  135,000    
Northeast Utilities
    2,670,943       3,439,800  
  190,000    
NSTAR
    4,627,451       6,650,000  
  22,500    
Pepco Holdings Inc.
    449,918       352,800  
  36,666    
UIL Holdings Corp.
    966,693       917,750  
       
 
           
       
 
    13,666,451       15,912,206  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Global Utilities — 3.7%
               
  1,500    
Areva SA
    613,197       627,323  
  8,000    
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    189,551       199,242  
  40,000    
Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.
    1,440,584       1,273,087  
  45,000    
Endesa SA
    1,676,497       962,721  
  300,000    
Enel SpA
    1,862,753       1,280,327  
  300,000    
Hera SpA
    433,286       495,622  
  8,000    
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.
    156,870       172,821  
  8,000    
Hokuriku Electric Power Co.
    146,449       176,079  
  3,500    
Huaneng Power International Inc., ADR
    135,552       82,355  
  35,000    
Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†
    565,727       450,800  
  8,000    
Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    167,818       180,060  
  2,000    
Niko Resources Ltd.
    113,769       186,013  
  8,000    
Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    155,987       229,463  
  8,000    
The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    150,761       165,492  
  8,000    
The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.
    158,472       195,532  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

3


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES (Continued)
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Global Utilities (Continued)
               
  8,000    
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.
  $ 191,450     $ 218,153  
  15,000    
Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    284,854       323,192  
       
 
           
       
 
    8,443,577       7,218,282  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 1.6%
               
  7,162    
Dynegy Inc.†
    175,000       27,574  
  8,130    
Mirant Corp.†
    37,373       85,853  
  300,000    
Mirant Corp., Escrow† (a)
    0       0  
  320,000    
The AES Corp.†
    3,899,717       2,956,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,112,090       3,070,227  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 7.8%
               
  185,000    
El Paso Corp.
    1,612,843       2,055,350  
  1,000    
Energen Corp.
    66,090       44,330  
  130,000    
National Fuel Gas Co.
    4,434,268       5,964,400  
  100,000    
ONEOK Inc.
    2,674,346       4,325,000  
  120,000    
Southern Union Co.
    2,059,886       2,623,200  
       
 
           
       
 
    10,847,433       15,012,280  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities — 8.1%
               
  26,000    
AGL Resources Inc.
    643,173       931,320  
  40,000    
Atmos Energy Corp.
    993,963       1,081,600  
  26,000    
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.
    619,308       816,400  
  12,500    
Corning Natural Gas Corp.
    196,189       274,063  
  30,000    
Delta Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    502,057       877,500  
  11,445    
GDF Suez
    387,206       328,895  
  11,445    
GDF Suez, Strips
    0       14  
  90,000    
Nicor Inc.
    3,094,353       3,645,000  
  35,000    
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    553,257       885,500  
  6,000    
RGC Resources Inc.
    128,344       186,000  
  145,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    4,030,376       4,277,500  
  120,000    
Spectra Energy Corp.
    3,280,847       2,408,400  
       
 
           
       
 
    14,429,073       15,712,192  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Resources — 1.3%
               
  6,000    
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
    265,940       216,540  
  34,000    
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA, ADR
    381,326       1,306,960  
  12,000    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    673,693       684,840  
  3,000    
Peabody Energy Corp.
    112,025       117,390  
  4,000    
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR
    237,320       200,880  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,670,304       2,526,610  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Services — 0.4%
               
  40,000    
ABB Ltd., ADR
    436,920       691,200  
  3,000    
Tenaris SA, ADR
    136,820       103,830  
       
 
           
       
 
    573,740       795,030  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Water — 3.3%
               
  14,000    
American States Water Co.
    312,701       463,960  
  28,000    
American Water Works Co. Inc.
    602,000       576,800  
  21,833    
Aqua America Inc.
    221,008       386,008  
  24,750    
Artesian Resources Corp., Cl. A
    257,250       456,885  
  20,000    
California Water Service Group
    555,152       714,000  
  7,500    
Connecticut Water Service Inc.
    146,455       157,650  
  51,333    
Middlesex Water Co.
    801,882       813,628  
  33,000    
Pennichuck Corp.
    680,437       726,990  
  80,000    
SJW Corp.
    1,482,532       1,875,200  
  8,101    
Southwest Water Co.
    51,035       84,898  
  9,000    
The York Water Co.
    108,269       127,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,218,721       6,383,819  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Diversified Industrial — 1.3%
               
  2,200    
Alstom SA
    201,640       100,832  
  1,000    
Bouygues SA
    43,572       39,040  
  6,000    
Cooper Industries plc
    129,352       264,000  
  140,000    
General Electric Co.
    2,798,299       2,018,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    3,172,863       2,422,672  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Equipment and Supplies — 0.1%
               
  50,000    
Capstone Turbine Corp.†
    83,080       49,000  
  2,000    
Mueller Industries Inc.
    88,019       49,200  
       
 
           
       
 
    171,099       98,200  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Environmental Services — 0.0%
               
  3,000    
Suez Environnement Co. SA
    0       49,837  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders — 0.4%
               
  40,000    
NRG Energy Inc.†
    966,620       848,400  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES
    160,230,386       165,734,125  
       
 
           
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 11.3%
               
       
Cable and Satellite — 4.0%
               
  82,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    1,669,288       1,968,820  
  5,000    
Cogeco Cable Inc.
    105,008       161,195  
  20,000    
Cogeco Inc.
    389,461       563,618  
  43,000    
DIRECTV, Cl. A†
    685,202       1,458,560  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
                         
Shares/                 Market  
Units         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)
               
       
Cable and Satellite (Continued)
               
  55,000    
DISH Network Corp., Cl. A
  $ 1,115,262     $ 998,250  
  10,000    
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†
    280,860       190,800  
  35,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†
    739,454       909,650  
  20,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†
    421,966       519,800  
  8,000    
Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B
    119,139       262,080  
  12,000    
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    515,102       624,960  
       
 
           
       
 
    6,040,742       7,657,733  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Communications Equipment — 0.6%
               
  260,000    
Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.
    1,199,164       1,152,746  
  2,000    
QUALCOMM Inc.
    76,300       65,680  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,275,464       1,218,426  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
Telecommunications — 4.4%
               
  45,000    
AT&T Inc.
    1,132,914       1,088,550  
  2,000    
Belgacom SA
    69,509       63,258  
  4,350    
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (a)
    117,218       103,913  
  16,000    
BT Group plc, ADR
    487,541       307,360  
  210,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc.†
    863,487       632,100  
  2,000    
Comstar United Telesystems OJSC, GDR
    13,882       12,200  
  56,000    
Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR
    939,497       653,520  
  2,000    
France Telecom SA, ADR
    22,799       34,620  
  200    
Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.
    19       42  
  500    
Mobistar SA
    41,057       26,680  
  19,000    
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.
    883,158       782,220  
  11,800    
Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, GDR
    74,146       51,920  
  15,000    
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA
    210,165       150,044  
  2,000    
PT Indosat Tbk
    1,061       1,092  
  1,000    
Rostelecom, ADR
    52,268       21,600  
  500    
Sistema JSFC, GDR (b)
    17,384       11,860  
  1,200    
Tele2 AB, Cl. B
    14,604       18,037  
  27,000    
Telekom Austria AG
    403,751       301,610  
  40,000    
Touch America Holdings Inc.† (a)
    38,488       0  
  110,000    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    4,091,829       3,082,200  
  75,000    
VimpelCom Ltd., ADR†
    720,805       1,213,500  
  2,000    
Windstream Corp.
    20,120       21,120  
       
 
           
       
 
    10,215,702       8,577,446  
       
 
           
                         
       
Wireless Communications — 2.3%
               
  600    
America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR
    9,424       28,500  
  2,000    
China Mobile Ltd., ADR
    33,988       98,820  
  2,000    
China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd., ADR
    16,278       26,600  
  171    
M1 Ltd.
    210       262  
  13,500    
Millicom International Cellular SA
    976,373       1,094,445  
  11,250    
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, ADR
    175,074       215,550  
  1,000    
NTT DoCoMo Inc.
    1,438,659       1,521,235  
  600    
SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR
    12,374       8,838  
  200    
SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.
    207       208  
  22,000    
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S, ADR
    378,706       285,560  
  29,000    
United States Cellular Corp.†
    1,356,795       1,193,350  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,398,088       4,473,368  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS
    21,929,996       21,926,973  
       
 
           
       
OTHER — 1.6%
               
       
Aerospace — 0.3%
               
  75,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc†
    555,067       630,323  
  6,750,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc, Cl. C†
    10,363       10,085  
       
 
           
       
 
    565,430       640,408  
       
 
           
       
Agriculture — 0.0%
               
  3,000    
Cadiz Inc.†
    30,211       36,210  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 0.9%
               
  8,000    
Time Warner Inc.
    210,076       231,280  
  70,000    
Vivendi
    2,489,254       1,439,359  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,699,330       1,670,639  
       
 
           
       
Investment Companies — 0.0%
               
  3,000    
Kinnevik Investment AB, Cl. B
    41,537       48,440  
       
 
           
       
Publishing — 0.0%
               
  8,000    
Idearc Inc.† (a)
    404       26  
       
 
           
       
Real Estate — 0.1%
               
  6,075    
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Cl. A
    65,353       137,417  
       
 
           
       
Transportation — 0.3%
               
  20,000    
GATX Corp.
    569,753       533,600  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL OTHER
    3,972,018       3,066,740  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    186,132,400       190,727,838  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.0%
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 1.0%
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 1.0%
               
  2,000    
El Paso Corp., 4.990% Cv. Pfd. (c)
  $ 1,945,987     $ 1,982,400  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
WARRANTS — 0.0%
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.0%
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy — 0.0%
               
  26,107    
Mirant Corp., Ser. A, expire 01/03/11†
    51,616       1,621  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.0%
               
       
Wireless Communications — 0.0%
               
  16,000    
Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 09/19/13† (c)
    108,378       90,523  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    159,994       92,144  
       
 
           
                         
Principal                      
Amount                      
       
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS — 0.1%
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 0.1%
               
       
Environmental Services — 0.1%
               
$ 100,000    
Covanta Holding Corp., Cv., 3.250%, 06/01/14
    100,000       107,000  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.4%
               
       
U.S. TREASURY BILLS — 0.4%
               
  801,000    
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.127% to 0.162%††, 07/08/10 to 11/26/10
    800,741       800,707  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
    800,741       800,707  
       
 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%   $ 189,139,122       193,710,089  
       
 
             
       
 
               
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)             12,733  
       
 
               
PREFERRED STOCK
(1,154,188 preferred shares outstanding)
            (51,332,200 )
       
 
             
       
 
               
NET ASSETS — COMMON SHARES
(31,161,829 common shares outstanding)
          $ 142,390,622  
       
 
             
       
 
               
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE
($142,390,622 ÷ 31,161,829 shares outstanding)
          $ 4.57  
       
 
             
 
(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 June 30, 2010, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $103,939 or 0.05% of total investments.
 
(b)   Security purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States. Such a security cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. At June 30, 2010, the market value of the Regulation S security amounted to $11,860 or 0.01% of total investments, which was valued under methods approved by Board of Trustees as follows:
                                 
                            06/30/10
Acquisition       Acquisition   Acquisition   Carrying Value
Shares   Issuer   Date   Cost   Per Unit
  500    
Sistema JSFC, GDR
    10/10/07     $ 17,384     $ 23.7200  
 
(c)   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 June 30, 2010, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $2,072,923 or 1.07% of total investments.
 
  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 financial statements.

6


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
         
Assets:
       
Investments, at value (cost $189,139,122)
  $ 193,710,089  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $11,065)
    11,008  
Dividends and interest receivable
    494,903  
Deferred offering expense
    122,544  
Prepaid expense
    3,754  
 
     
Total Assets
    194,342,298  
 
     
Liabilities:
       
Payable to custodian
    22,587  
Distributions payable
    14,501  
Payable for investment advisory fees
    118,906  
Payable for payroll expenses
    26,915  
Payable for accounting fees
    7,500  
Payable for shareholder communications expenses
    180,008  
Payable for auction agent fees
    142,993  
Payable for legal and audit fees
    31,900  
Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts
    12,484  
Other accrued expenses
    61,682  
 
     
Total Liabilities
    619,476  
 
     
Preferred Shares:
       
Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (5.625%, $25 liquidation value, $0.001 par value 1,200,000 shares authorized with 1,153,288 shares issued and outstanding)
    28,832,200  
Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (Auction Market, $25,000 liquidation value, $0.001 par value, 1,000 shares authorized with 900 shares issued and outstanding)
    22,500,000  
 
     
Total Preferred Shares
    51,332,200  
 
     
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
  $ 142,390,622  
 
     
 
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Consist of:
       
Paid-in capital
  $ 140,993,894  
Accumulated net investment income
    695,373  
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (3,857,408 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
    4,570,967  
Net unrealized depreciation on swap contracts
    (12,484 )
Net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations
    280  
 
     
Net Assets
  $ 142,390,622  
 
     
Net Asset Value per Common Share:
       
($142,390,622 ÷ 31,161,829 shares outstanding, at $0.001 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 4.57  
 
     
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
         
Investment Income:
       
Dividends (net of foreign taxes of $66,597)
  $ 4,045,674  
Interest
    2,391  
 
     
Total Investment Income
    4,048,065  
 
     
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    1,020,571  
Shareholder communications expenses
    135,550  
Shareholder services fees
    84,102  
Payroll expenses
    72,977  
Legal and audit fees
    39,474  
Trustees’ fees
    37,205  
Auction agent fees
    31,860  
Accounting fees
    22,500  
Custodian fees
    15,097  
Interest expense
    53  
Miscellaneous expenses
    55,268  
 
     
Total Expenses
    1,514,657  
 
     
Less:
       
Advisory fee reduction
    (254,551 )
Advisory fee reduction on unsupervised assets
(See Note 3)
    (10,565 )
 
     
Total Reductions
    (265,116 )
 
     
Net Expenses
    1,249,541  
 
     
Net Investment Income
    2,798,524  
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency:
       
Net realized loss on investments
    (1,120,064 )
Net realized loss on swap contracts
    (450,048 )
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions
    (893 )
 
     
Net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (1,571,005 )
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:
       
on investments
    (9,647,950 )
on swap contracts
    449,119  
on foreign currency translations
    (651 )
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (9,199,482 )
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency
    (10,770,487 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    (7,971,963 )
 
     
Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
    (976,355 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations
  $ (8,948,318 )
 
     
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
                 
    Six Months Ended        
    June 30, 2010     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     December 31, 2009  
Operations:
               
Net investment income
  $ 2,798,524     $ 5,230,299  
Net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (1,571,005 )     (2,250,710 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (9,199,482 )     23,660,404  
 
           
 
               
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    (7,971,963 )     26,639,993  
 
           
 
               
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:
               
Net investment income
    (976,355 )*     (1,965,939 )
 
           
 
               
Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
    (976,355 )     (1,965,939 )
 
           
 
               
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations
    (8,948,318 )     24,674,054  
 
           
 
               
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
               
Net investment income
    (1,117,280 )*     (2,413,479 )
Return of capital
    (10,055,516 )*     (19,676,599 )
 
           
 
               
Total Distributions to Common Shareholders
    (11,172,796 )     (22,090,078 )
 
           
 
               
Fund Share Transactions:
               
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    1,664,858       3,328,163  
Net increase in net assets from repurchase of preferred shares
          36,704  
 
           
 
               
Net Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions
    1,664,858       3,364,867  
 
           
 
               
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
    (18,456,256 )     5,948,843  
 
               
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders:
               
Beginning of period
    160,846,878       154,898,035  
 
           
 
               
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $695,373 and $0, respectively)
  $ 142,390,622     $ 160,846,878  
 
           
 
*   Based on year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at year end.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

8


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                 
    Six Months Ended        
Selected data for a share of beneficial   June 30, 2010     Year Ended December 31,  
interest outstanding throughout each period:   (Unaudited)     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
Operating Performance:
                                               
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 5.20     $ 5.09     $ 8.18     $ 8.19     $ 6.98     $ 7.14  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net investment income
    0.09       0.17       0.18       0.19       0.17       0.18  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (0.35 )     0.69       (2.48 )     0.61       1.84       0.45  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total from investment operations
    (0.26 )     0.86       (2.30 )     0.80       2.01       0.63  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: (a)
                                               
Net investment income
    (0.03 )(g)     (0.06 )     (0.06 )     (0.03 )     (0.02 )     (0.02 )
Net realized gain
                (0.03 )     (0.07 )     (0.08 )     (0.07 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total distributions to preferred shareholders
    (0.03 )     (0.06 )     (0.09 )     (0.10 )     (0.10 )     (0.09 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations
    (0.29 )     0.80       (2.39 )     0.70       1.91       0.54  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
                                               
Net investment income
    (0.04 )(g)     (0.08 )     (0.10 )     (0.16 )     (0.16 )     (0.14 )
Net realized gain
                (0.04 )     (0.33 )     (0.56 )     (0.58 )
Paid-in capital
    (0.32 )(g)     (0.64 )     (0.58 )     (0.23 )            
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total distributions to common shareholders
    (0.36 )     (0.72 )     (0.72 )     (0.72 )     (0.72 )     (0.72 )
 
                                   
 
                                               
Fund Share Transactions:
                                               
Increase in net asset value from common share transactions
    0.02       0.03       0.02       0.01       0.02       0.02  
Increase in net asset value from repurchase of preferred shares
          0.00 (i)     0.00 (i)     0.00 (i)            
Offering costs for preferred shares charged to paid-in capital
                                  0.00 (i)
Offering costs for issuance of rights charged to paid-in capital
                (0.00 )(i)           0.00 (i)     (0.00 )(i)
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total fund share transactions
    0.02       0.03       0.02       0.01       0.02       0.02  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Period
  $ 4.57     $ 5.20     $ 5.09     $ 8.18     $ 8.19     $ 6.98  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Net asset value total return †
    (7.93 )%     14.19 %     (31.68 )%     8.08 %     27.46 %     5.71 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Market value, end of period
  $ 7.94     $ 9.02     $ 5.90     $ 9.50     $ 9.94     $ 9.27  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Investment total return ††
    (7.78 )%     70.88 %     (31.81 )%     3.42 %     16.47 %     7.79 %
 
                                   
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

9


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
                                                 
    Six Months Ended                
Selected data for a share of beneficial   June 30, 2010   Year Ended December 31,
interest outstanding throughout each period:   (Unaudited)   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end of period (in 000’s)
  $ 193,723     $ 212,179     $ 206,724     $ 300,210     $ 297,511     $ 259,303  
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of period (in 000’s)
  $ 142,391     $ 160,847     $ 154,898     $ 245,617     $ 242,906     $ 204,698  
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets attributable to common shares before preferred share distributions
    3.64 %(h)     3.68 %     2.68 %     2.03 %     2.24 %     2.42 %
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares before fee waived
    1.96 %(h)     2.04 %     1.77 %                  
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any (b)(c)
    1.62 %(h)     2.04 %     1.50 %     1.63 %     1.75 %     1.85 %
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares before fee waived
    1.48 %(h)     1.50 %     1.39 %                  
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any (b)(c)
    1.22 %(h)     1.50 %     1.18 %     1.33 %     1.40 %     1.47 %
Portfolio turnover rate †††
    0 %     4 %     14 %     13 %     33 %     19 %
Preferred Shares:
                                               
5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares
                                               
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s)
  $ 28,832     $ 28,832     $ 29,326     $ 29,593     $ 29,605     $ 29,605  
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)
    1,153       1,153       1,173       1,184       1,184       1,184  
Liquidation preference per share
  $ 25.00     $ 25.00     $ 25.00     $ 25.00     $ 25.00     $ 25.00  
Average market value (d)
  $ 24.90     $ 23.86     $ 22.76     $ 23.36     $ 23.80     $ 25.02  
Asset coverage per share
  $ 94.35     $ 103.34     $ 99.72     $ 137.48     $ 136.21     $ 118.72  
Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares
                                               
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s)
  $ 22,500     $ 22,500     $ 22,500     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)
    1       1       1       1       1       1  
Liquidation preference per share
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Average market value (e)
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Asset coverage per share
  $ 94,348     $ 103,336     $ 99,721     $ 137,478     $ 136,210     $ 118,718  
Asset Coverage (f)
    377 %     413 %     399 %     550 %     545 %     475 %
 
  Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
 
††   Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
 
†††   Effective in 2008, a change in accounting policy was adopted with regard to the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate to include cash proceeds due to mergers. Had this policy been adopted retroactively, the portfolio turnover rate for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, would have been 29%, 34%, and 29%, respectively.
 
(a)   Calculated based upon average common shares outstanding on the record dates throughout the period.
 
(b)   The ratios include a reduction for custodian fee credits on cash balances maintained with the custodian (“Custodian Fee Credits”). Historically, the ratios reflected operating expenses before the reduction for Custodian Fee Credits. If the ratios did not reflect a reduction for Custodian Fee Credits for the year ended December 31, 2007, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares net of advisory fee reduction would have been 1.63% and the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares net of fee reduction would have been 1.34%. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2006, and 2005, the effect of Custodian Fee Credits was minimal.
 
(c)   The Fund incurred interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2007. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common stock would have been 1.62% and the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares would have been 1.33%. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the effect of interest expense was minimal.
 
(d)   Based on weekly prices.
 
(e)   Based on weekly auction prices. Since February 2008, the weekly auctions have failed. Holders that have submitted orders have not been able to sell any or all of their shares in the auctions.
 
(f)   Asset coverage is calculated by combining all series of preferred shares.
 
(g)   Based on year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at year end.
 
(h)   Annualized.
 
(i)   Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

10


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1. Organization. The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 25, 1999 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Investment operations commenced on July 9, 1999.
     The Fund’s primary objective is long-term growth of capital and income. The Fund will invest 80% of its assets, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in providing products, services, or equipment for (i) the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, and water and (ii) telecommunications services or infrastructure operations (the “80% Policy”). The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Fund has adopted a policy to provide shareholders with notice at least sixty days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) has become the exclusive reference of authoritative United States of America (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The ASC has superseded all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
     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 sixty days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than sixty days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. U.S. government obligations with maturities greater than sixty days are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
     Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar

11


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.
     The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:
    Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;
 
    Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
 
    Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).
     The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2010 is as follows:
                                 
    Valuation Inputs    
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
    Quoted   Other Significant   Significant   Market Value
    Prices   Observable Inputs   Unobservable Inputs   at 6/30/10
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
                               
ASSETS (Market Value):
                               
Common Stocks:
                               
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                               
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
  $ 3,070,227     $     $ 0     $ 3,070,227  
COMMUNICATIONS
                               
Telecommunications
    8,473,533       103,913       0       8,577,446  
OTHER
                               
Aerospace
    630,323       10,085             640,408  
Publishing
                26       26  
Other Industries (a)
    178,439,731                   178,439,731  
 
Total Common Stocks
    190,613,814       113,998       26       190,727,838  
 
Convertible Preferred Stocks (a)
    1,982,400                   1,982,400  
 
Warrants:
                               
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                               
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
    1,621                   1,621  
COMMUNICATIONS
                               
Wireless Communications
          90,523             90,523  
 
Total Warrants
    1,621       90,523             92,144  
 
Convertible Corporate Bonds
          107,000             107,000  
U.S. Government Obligations
          800,707             800,707  
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS
  $ 192,597,835     $ 1,112,228     $ 26     $ 193,710,089  
 
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
                               
LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation): *
                               
EQUITY CONTRACT:
                               
Contract for Difference Swap Agreement
  $     $ (12,484 )   $     $ (12,484 )
 
 
(a)   Please refer to the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”) for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivatives not reflected in the SOI, such as futures, forwards, and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation of the instrument.
     The Fund did not have significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the reporting period.

12


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
     The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
                                                                         
                                                                    Net change
                                                                    in unrealized
                                                                    appreciation/
                                                                    depreciation
                            Change in                                   during the
    Balance   Accrued   Realized   unrealized   Net   Transfers   Transfers   Balance   period on Level 3
    as of   discounts/   gain/   appreciation/   purchases/   into   out of   as of   investments held
    12/31/09   (premiums)   (loss)   depreciation†   (sales)   Level 3††   Level 3††   6/30/10   at 6/30/10†
 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
                                                                       
ASSETS (Market Value):
                                                                       
Common Stocks:
                                                                       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
                                                                       
Energy and Utilities: Merchant Energy
  $ 0     $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 0     $  
COMMUNICATIONS
                                                                       
Telecommunications
    0                                           0        
OTHER
                                                                       
Publishing
                                  26             26        
 
Total Common Stocks
    0                               26             26        
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES
  $ 0     $     $     $     $     $ 26     $     $ 26     $  
 
 
  Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments is included in the related amounts in the Statement of Operations.
 
††   The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers into and transfers out of Level 3 as of the beginning of the reporting period.
     In January 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance to improve disclosure about fair value measurements which requires additional disclosures about transfers between Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). It also clarifies existing disclosure requirements relating to the levels of disaggregation of fair value measurement and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the implications of this guidance on the Fund’s financial statements. The remainder of the amended guidance is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management has evaluated the impact of this guidance on the Fund’s financial statements and determined that there is no impact as of June 30, 2010.
Derivative Financial Instruments.
The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in a number of derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging or protecting its exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities markets, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or that, in the event of default, the Fund may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments or other contractual remedies owed to it under derivative contracts. The creditworthiness of the counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize these risks. Participation in derivative transactions involves investment risks, transaction costs, and potential losses to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The consequences of these risks, transaction costs, and losses may have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to pay distributions.

13


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
The Fund’s derivative contracts held at June 30, 2010, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP.
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity, contract for difference, and interest rate swap or cap transactions for the purpose of hedging or protecting its exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities markets. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay periodically to the other party (which is known as the “counterparty”) 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 Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series B Stock”). 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 that counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Swaps 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. In a swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time a swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction.
Unrealized gains related to swaps are reported as an asset and unrealized losses are reported as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in the value of swaps, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements.
The Fund held an interest rate swap agreement through June 2, 2010, with an average monthly notional amount of approximately $25,000,000. At June 30, 2010, there were no open interest rate swap agreements.
The Fund has entered into an equity contract for difference swap agreement with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Details of the swap at June 30, 2010 are as follows:
                 
Notional   Equity Security   Interest Rate/   Termination   Net Unrealized
Amount   Received   Equity Security Paid   Date   Depreciation
 
  Market Value   One month LIBOR plus 90 bps plus        
    Appreciation on:   Market Value Depreciation on:        
$222,545 (25,000 Shares)   Rolls-Royce Group plc   Rolls-Royce Group plc   6/27/11   $(12,484)
The Fund’s volume of activity in equity contract for difference swap agreements during the six months ended June 30, 2010 had an average monthly notional amount of approximately $213,046.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may engage in futures contracts for the purpose of hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

14


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts as a hedging instrument. The change in value of futures contracts primarily corresponds with the value of their underlying instruments, which may not correlate with the change in value of the hedged investments. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market. During the the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund had no investments in futures contracts.
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for the purpose of hedging a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency translations. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund had no investments in forward foreign exchange contracts.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of June 30, 2010:
The following table presents the value of derivatives held as of June 30, 2010, by their primary underlying risk exposure and respective location on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
             
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
Derivative Contract   Location   Fair Value
 
Liabilities:
           
Equity Contracts
  Liabilities, Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts   $ (12,484 )
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations during the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010:
The following table presents the effect of derivatives on the Statement of Operations during the six months ended June 30, 2010, by primary risk exposure:
                 
            Change in Unrealized  
            Appreciation or  
            Depreciation on  
    Realized Gain or (Loss) on     Derivatives Recognized  
Derivative Contracts   Derivatives Recognized in Income     in Income  
 
Equity Contracts
  $ 25,024     $ (8,318 )
Interest Rate Contracts
    (475,072 )     457,437  
 
           
Total
  $ (450,048 )   $ 449,119  
 
           
     Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with primary government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, or with other brokers or dealers that meet credit guidelines established by the Adviser and reviewed by the Board. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund takes possession of an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation of the seller to

15


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. It is the policy of the Fund to receive and maintain securities as collateral whose market value is not less than repurchase price. The Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer of the collateral to the account of the custodian. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to maintain the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. At June 30, 2010, there were no open repurchase agreements.
     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 the 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 those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.
     Foreign Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
     Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain or loss on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on the 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 which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend.
     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 Treasury Bill rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. There were no custodian fee credits earned during the six months ended June 30, 2010.
     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

16


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
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 net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund.
     Distributions to shareholders of the Fund’s 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares and Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares (“Cumulative Preferred Shares”) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as described in Note 5.
     The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2009 was as follows:
                 
    Common     Preferred  
Distributions paid from:
               
Ordinary income
(inclusive of net short-term capital gains)
  $ 2,413,479     $ 1,965,939  
Return of capital
    19,676,599        
 
           
Total distributions paid
  $ 22,090,078     $ 1,965,939  
 
           
     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.
     At December 31, 2009, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:
         
Accumulated capital loss carryforwards
  $ (890,826 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    12,295,676  
Other temporary differences*
    57,476  
 
     
Total
  $ 11,462,326  
 
     
 
*   Other temporary differences are primarily due to adjustments on preferred share class distributions payables, income from investments in hybrid securities, and mark-to-market and accrual adjustments on investments in swap contracts.
     At December 31, 2009, the Fund had net capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $890,826 which are available to reduce future required distributions of net capital gains to shareholders through 2017.
     The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation/depreciation at June 30, 2010:
                                 
            Gross   Gross    
            Unrealized   Unrealized   Net Unrealized
    Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   Appreciation
Investments
  $ 190,519,107     $ 23,477,987     $ (20,287,005 )   $ 3,190,982  
     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. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. As of June 30, 2010, 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. Tax years ended December 31, 2007 through

17


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
December 31, 2009 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.
3. Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates. 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 its average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of the preferred stock. In accordance with the Advisory 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. The Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the Cumulative Preferred Shares if the total return of the NAV of the common shares of the Fund, including distributions and advisory fee subject to reduction, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of the Cumulative Preferred Shares for the year.
     The Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the NAV of the common shares exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of Cumulative Preferred Shares for the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund’s total return on the NAV of the common shares did not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap of the outstanding Preferred Shares. Thus, advisory fees with respect to the liquidation value of the Preferred Share assets were reduced by $254,551.
     During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $10,605 to Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Co.”), an affiliate of the Adviser.
     The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund paid or accrued $22,500 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.
     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) and pays its allocated portion of the cost of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund paid or accrued $72,977 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.
     The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $6,000 plus $500 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, 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.
     There was a reduction in the advisory fee paid to the Adviser relating to certain portfolio holdings, i.e., unsupervised assets, of the Fund with respect to which the Adviser has transferred dispositive and voting control to the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee exercised control and discretion over all rights to vote or consent with respect to such securities and the Adviser reduced its fee with respect to such securities by $10,565.
4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010, other than short-term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $184,917 and $7,374,857, respectively.
     Sales of U.S. Government obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2010, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $117,206.
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 common shares on the open market when the shares are trading 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.

18


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
During the six months ended June 30, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund did not repurchase any common shares of beneficial interest in the open market.
    Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
                                 
    Six Months Ended    
    June 30, 2010   Year Ended
    (Unaudited)   December 31, 2009
    Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount
Net increase from shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    215,921     $ 1,664,858       515,887     $ 3,328,163  
     A shelf registration authorizing the offering of preferred shares was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2008.
     The Fund is authorized to issue up to 2,005,000 shares of $0.001 par value Cumulative Preferred Shares. The Cumulative 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 shares of the Cumulative 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 Cumulative 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 5.625% Series A and Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares at a redemption price of $25.00 and $25,000, respectively, 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 and variable rates, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on net investment income and gains available to common shareholders.
     On July 31, 2003, the Fund received net proceeds of $28,895,026 (after underwriting discounts of $945,000 and offering expenses of $159,974) from the public offering of 1,200,000 shares of 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares. Commencing July 31, 2008 and thereafter, the Fund, at its option, may redeem the 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares in whole or in part at the redemption price at any time. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Fund did not repurchase any shares of 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares. At June 30, 2010, 1,153,288 shares of 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares were outstanding and accrued dividends amounted to $13,515.
     On July 31, 2003, the Fund received net proceeds of $24,590,026 (after underwriting discounts of $250,000 and offering expenses of $159,974) from the public offering of 1,000 shares of Series B Shares. The dividend rate, as set by the auction process, which is generally held every seven days, is expected to vary with short-term interest rates. The dividend rates of Series B Shares ranged from 1.458% to 1.581% for the six months ended June 30, 2010. Since February 2008, the number of Series B Shares subject to bid orders by potential holders has been less than the number of Series B Shares subject to sell orders. Therefore, the weekly auctions have failed, and the dividend rate since then has been the maximum rate. Holders that have submitted sell orders have not been able to sell any or all of the Series B Shares for which they have submitted sell orders. The current maximum rate is 125% of the seven day Telerate/British Bankers Association LIBOR rate on the day of such auction. Existing shareholders may submit an order to hold, bid, or sell such shares on each auction date. Shareholders of the Series B Shares may also trade their shares in the secondary market. The Fund, at its option, may redeem the Series B Auction Market Cumulative Preferred Shares in whole or in part at the redemption price at any time. There were no redemptions of Series B Shares during the six months ended June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2010, 900 shares of Series B Shares were outstanding with an annualized dividend rate of 1.578% per share and accrued dividends amounted to $986.
     The holders of Cumulative 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 Cumulative Preferred Shares voting together as a single class also have the right currently to elect two Trustees and under

19


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) (Unaudited)
certain circumstances are entitled to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees. 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 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 utility industry, 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. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Investment Adviser entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry regarding prior frequent trading activity in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. In an administrative order that was entered in connection with the settlement, the SEC found that the Investment Adviser had willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had willfully aided and abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940 Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the Investment Adviser, while neither admitting nor denying the SEC’s findings and allegations, paid $16 million (which included a $5 million civil monetary penalty), approximately $12.8 million of which is in the process of being paid to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and acceptable to the staff of the SEC, and agreed to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal securities laws. The SEC’s order also noted the cooperation that the Investment Adviser gave the staff of the SEC. The settlement will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement. On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. The officer is also an officer of the Fund, the Global Growth Fund, and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denied the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Investment Adviser and the funds. The court dismissed certain claims, finding that the SEC was not entitled to pursue various remedies against the officer while leaving one remedy in the event the SEC were able to prove violations of law. The court, in response to a motion by the SEC, subsequently dismissed the remaining remedy without prejudice against the officer, which would allow the SEC to appeal the court’s rulings. The Investment Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
9. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
Certifications
     The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer has certified to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that, as of June 30, 2010, he was not aware of any violation by the Fund of applicable NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The Fund reports to the SEC on Form N-CSR which contains certifications by the Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that relate to the Fund’s disclosure in such reports and that are required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act.

20


 

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
At its meeting on February 24, 2010, the Board of Trustees (“Board”) of the Fund approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (the “Independent Board Members”). The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio managers, the scope of administrative, shareholder and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser, and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio managers.
Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the performance of the Fund since inception against a peer group of sector equity closed-end funds prepared by Lipper. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance had been excellent prior to a very poor last quarter of 2008 and was at the time in the bottom quintile of funds in its peer group for the prior one and three year period since inception.
Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge.
Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund was a closed-end fund and unlikely to realize any economies of scale potentially available through growth.
Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential sharing of economies of scale.
Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the peer group of sector equity closed-end funds and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted that within this group, the Fund’s expense ratios were lower than average and the Fund’s size was average. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds, except for the presence of leverage and fees chargeable as assets attributable to leverage in certain circumstances.
Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services, and that the performance record, which at this point was relatively short-term only, had been both excellent and poor during various reporting periods and that the Independent Board Members would review performance carefully as the Fund’s performance record lengthened. The Independent Board Members concluded that the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund was reasonable and that, in part due to the Fund’s structure as a closed-end fund, economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the Advisory Agreement to the full Board.

21


 

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.
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.

22


 

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
       
President,
       
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 & Acting Treasurer
       
 
Peter D. Goldstein
       
Chief Compliance Officer & Acting 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:
  31,161,829   1,153,288
 
*   Agnes Mullady, Treasurer and Secretary, is on a leave of absence.
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.

23


 

(GRAPHIC)
THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST One Corporate Center Rye, NY 10580-1422 (914) 921-5070 www.gabelli.com Semi Annual Report June 30, 2010 GUT Q2/2010

 


 

Item 2.   Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3.   Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5.   Audit Committee of Listed registrants.
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.
Item 7.   Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8.   Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 


 

There has been no change, as of the date of this filing, in any of the portfolio managers identified in response to paragraph (a)(1) of this Item in the registrant’s most recently filed annual report on Form N-CSR.
Item 9.   Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                 
            (c) Total Number of   (d) Maximum Number (or
            Shares (or Units)   Approximate Dollar Value) of
    (a) Total Number of       Purchased as Part of   Shares (or Units) that May
    Shares (or Units)   (b) Average Price Paid per   Publicly Announced   Yet Be Purchased Under the
Period   Purchased   Share (or Unit)   Plans or Programs   Plans or Programs
Month #1
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 30,980,272
01/01/10 through 01/31/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Month #2
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 31,016,283
02/01/10 through 02/28/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Month #3
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 31,053,583
03/01/10 through 03/31/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Month #4
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 31,088,683
04/01/10 through 04/30/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Month #5
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 31,125,663
05/01/10 through 05/31/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Month #6
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – 31,161,829
06/01/10 through 06/30/10
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – 1,153,288
 
               
Total
  Common – N/A   Common – N/A   Common – N/A   N/A
 
  Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series A – N/A   Preferred Series 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 quarterly in the Fund’s quarterly report 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 value of $25.00.
 
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.
On January 15, 2010, the Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Utility Trust (the “Fund”) approved and adopted an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Fund. The Amendment was effective as of January 15, 2010. The Amendment sets forth the processes and procedures that shareholders of the Fund must follow, and specifies additional information that shareholders of the Fund must provide, when proposing trustee nominations at any annual or special meeting of shareholders or other business to be considered at an annual meeting of shareholders.
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 registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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. Exhibits.
  (a)(1)   Not applicable.

 


 

  (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.
 
  (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 Utility Trust    
 
       
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
 
Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer
   
 
       
Date 9/1/10
       
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 & Principal Financial Officer
   
 
       
Date 9/1/10
       
 
*   Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.