Edgar Filing: GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST

n2-112107.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2007

Securities Act File No. 333-_____

Investment Company Act File No. 811-21529

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

___________________

Form N-2

____________________

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

[X]	REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

[ ]	Pre-Effective Amendment No.

[ ]	Post-Effective Amendment No.
	and/or

[X]	REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

[X]	Amendment No. 3

____________________

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

____________________

One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

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

____________________

Bruce N. Alpert

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

(914) 921-5100

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

____________________

Copies to:
Michael Rosella, Esq. Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP 75 East 55^th Street New York, New York 10022 (212) 318-6800	James E. McKee, Esq. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust One Corporate Center Rye, New York 10580-1422 (914) 921-5100

____________________

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

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

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

[X] When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

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

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Title of Securities Being Registered	Amount Being Registered	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)	Amount of Registration Fee
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest	[ ] Shares	$[ ]	$100 million	$3,070

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all shares offered from time to time pursuant to the prospectus included as a part of this Registration Statement exceed $100 million.

____________________

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

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

PART A-THE PROSPECTUS

Items in Part A of Form N-2		Location in Prospectus
Item 1.	Outside Front Cover	Front Cover Page
Item 2.	Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages	Front Cover Page; Inside Front Cover Page
Item 3.	Fee Table and Synopsis	Not Applicable
Item 4.	Financial Highlights	Financial Highlights
Item 5.	Plan of Distribution	Prospectus Summary; Plan of Distribution
Item 6.	Selling Shareholders	Not Applicable
Item 7.	Use of Proceeds	Use of Proceeds
Item 8.	General Description of the Registrant	Outside Front Cover; Risk Factors and Special Considerations; Investment Objectives and Policies; Net Asset Value; Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent; Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; Additional Information
Item 9.	Management	Management of the Fund
Item 10.	Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt and Other Securities	Prospectus Summary; Dividends and Distributions; Taxation; Risk Factors and Special Considerations; Description of Capital Shares; Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents; Closed-End Fund Structure; Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan; Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent; Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; Additional Information
Item 11.	Defaults and Arrears on Senior Securities	Not Applicable
Item 12.	Legal Proceedings	Management of the Fund
Item 13.	Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information	Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information

PART B — STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Items in Part B of Form N-2		Location in Prospectus
Item 14.	Cover Page	Cover Page
Item 15.	Table of Contents	Table of Contents
Item 16.	General Information and History	Not Applicable
Item 17.	Investment Objective and Policies	Investment Objectives and Policies
Item 18.	Management	Management of the Fund
Item 19.	Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities	Management of the Fund
Item 20.	Investment Advisory and Other Services	Management of the Fund
Item 21.	Portfolio Managers	Management of the Fund
Item 22.	Brokerage, Allocation and Other Practices	Portfolio Transactions
Item 23.	Tax Status	Taxation
Item 24.	Financial Statements	Incorporation by Reference


PART C-OTHER INFORMATION
Items 25-34 have been answered in Part C of this Registration Statement.

Subject to Completion,

Preliminary Base Prospectus dated _________, 2007

PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

Preferred Shares

Investment Objectives. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a consistent level of after-tax total return for its investors with an emphasis currently on tax-advantaged dividend income under current tax law. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s objective will be achieved. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of domestic and foreign companies involved in the “utilities industry” and other industries that are expected to periodically pay dividends. Under current tax law, dividends on most stocks issued by publicly traded companies may qualify through 2010 for U.S. federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which currently are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Such dividends are referred to in this prospectus as “tax-advantaged qualified dividend income” or “qualifying dividends.” Companies in the “utilities industry” are those companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (i) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water, (ii) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and (iii) telecommunications services such as telephone, telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet. Under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of equity securities of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent in the “utilities industry.” In making stock selections, the Fund’s Investment Adviser looks for companies that have proven dividend records and sound financial structures. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 8, 2004 and commenced its investment operations on May 28, 2004. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors.

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

Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares.

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

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

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

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

This Prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, separately or together in one or more offerings, up to $100,000,000 of our preferred shares on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this Prospectus. This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this Prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. This Prospectus, together with any Prospectus Supplement, sets forth concisely the information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing. You should read this Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement before deciding whether to invest and retain them for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated ______, 2007 (“SAI”), containing additional information about us, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of our shareholder reports and our SAI, the table of contents of which is on page ___ of this Prospectus, by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554) or by writing to us. You may also obtain copies of these documents (and other information regarding us) from the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

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

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement is accurate only as of the respective dates on their front covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY		1

USE OF PROCEEDS		14

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS		15

THE FUND		16

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES		16

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS		24

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK		38

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND		39

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS		42

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS		42

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN		43

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES		44

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS		54

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE		55

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES		55

TAXATION		55

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT		58

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		58

LEGAL MATTERS		59

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		59

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		59

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND		60

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		60

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION		61

CORPORATE BOND RATINGS		62

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, dated _______, 2007 (the “SAI”).

The Fund	The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 8, 2004. Throughout this Prospectus, we refer to The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust as the “Fund” or as “we.” See “The Fund.”

	The Fund’s outstanding common shares, par value $0.001 per share, are listed on the American Stock Exchange (“Amex”) under the symbol “GLU.” On ________, 2007, the last reported sale price of our common shares was $_______. As of September 30, 2007, the net assets of the Fund attributable to its common shares was $77,279,269. As of September 30, 2007, the Fund had outstanding 3,050,236 common shares.

The Offering	We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share. The shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares. Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters.

	While the aggregate number and amount of securities we may issue pursuant to this registration statement is limited to $100,000,000 of securities, our Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may, without any action by the shareholders, amend our Agreement and Declaration of Trust from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series that we have authority to issue. We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares.

Investment Objectives and Policies	The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a consistent level of after-tax total return with an emphasis currently on tax-advantaged qualified dividend income. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective under current tax law by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in (i) equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (a) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water, (b) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and (c) telecommunications services such as telephone,

	telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet (collectively, the “Utilities Industry”) and (ii) equity securities (including preferred securities) of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to periodically pay dividends. In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent in the Utilities Industry. The remaining Fund assets will generally be invested in other securities that the Investment Adviser views as not being correlated with the Fund’s Utilities Industry investments. Such investments may include convertible securities, securities of issuers subject to reorganization or other risk arbitrage investments, certain derivative instruments, debt (including obligations of the U.S. Government) and money market instruments. See “Investment Objectives and Policies.”

	The Fund is intended for investors seeking a consistent level of after-tax total return consisting of income (with a current emphasis on qualifying dividends) and long-term capital gain. It is not intended for those who wish to play short-term swings in the stock market.

	The Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to selecting investments in the Utilities Industry is to emphasize quality. The Investment Adviser will seek companies that have proven dividend records and sound financial structures. In addition, in making stock selections, the Fund’s Investment Adviser looks for securities that have a superior yield, as well as capital gains potential. The Investment Adviser seeks to identify assets that are selling in the public market at a discount to their private market value. The Investment Adviser defines private market value as the value informed purchasers are willing to pay to acquire assets with similar characteristics. The Investment Adviser also normally evaluates an issuer’s free cash flow and long-term earnings trends. Finally, the Investment Adviser looks for a catalyst, something indigenous to the company, its industry or country that will surface additional value.

Preferred Shares	The terms of each series of preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund’s common shares. If the Fund’s Board determines that it may be advantageous to the holders of the Fund’s common shares for the Fund to utilize additional leverage, the Fund may issue series of fixed rate preferred shares (“Fixed Rate Preferred Shares”) or series of variable rate preferred shares (“Variable Rate Preferred Shares”). Any Fixed Rate Preferred Shares or Variable Rate Preferred Shares issued by the Fund will pay, as applicable, distributions at a fixed rate or at rates that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates. Leverage creates a greater risk of loss as well as a potential for more gains for the common shares than if leverage were not used. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Leverage Risk.” The Fund may also determine in the future to issue other forms of senior securities, such as securities representing debt, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act. The Fund may also engage in investment management techniques which will not be considered senior securities if the Fund establishes in a segregated account cash or other liquid securities equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of such techniques. The Fund may also borrow money, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

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

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

	Common Shares Distributions. In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 6% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Fund made distributions of $1.20 per common share, none of which constituted a return of capital. The Fund has made monthly distributions with respect to its common shares since September 2004. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through December 31, 2007.

Use of Proceeds	The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its Investment Objectives and Policies. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Exchange Listing	The Fund’s outstanding common shares are listed on the Amex, under the trading or “ticker” symbol “GLU.” See “Description of Capital Shares.” Any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares issued by the Fund would also likely be listed on the Amex.

Risk Factors and Special Considerations	Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the Fund’s preferred shares, you should consider the risks carefully.

	Industry Concentration Risk. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 50% of its assets in foreign and domestic companies in the Utilities Industry (as described under “Investment Objective and Policies”). As a result of this policy of concentrating its investments in a particular industry, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies, such as government regulation, inflation, cost increases in fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for product development, capital investment and construction programs, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations. In addition, the Fund’s concentration policy may subject it to greater risk of market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of investment alternatives. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Industry Risk.”

	Leverage Risk. The Fund intends to use financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares. The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred shares. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares, or to redeem preferred shares when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund is utilizing leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make common share distributions and such a failure to pay dividends or make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). See “Taxation.”

	Leveraging through the issuance of preferred shares requires that the holders of the preferred shares have class voting rights on various matters that could make it more difficult for the holders of the common shares to change the investment objective or fundamental policies of the Fund, to convert the Fund to an open-end fund or to make certain other changes. Finally, if the asset coverage for preferred shares or senior debt securities declines to less than 200% or 300% as determined in accordance with the 1940 Act, respectively (as a result of market fluctuations or otherwise), the Fund may be required to sell a portion of its investments to redeem the preferred shares or repay the senior debt securities when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

	Leverage entails two primary risks. The first risk is that the use of leverage magnifies the impact on the holders of common shares from changes in net asset value by creating greater volatility in the net asset value and market price of the shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage. For example, if the Fund were to use leverage equal to 50% of its common shares, it would show a 1.5% increase or decline in net asset value for each 1% increase or decline in the value of its total assets. The second risk is that the cost of leverage will exceed the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, thereby diminishing rather than enhancing the return to holders of common shares. In a rising interest rate environment,

	this second risk is more prevalent in the case of variable rate securities. These two risks would generally make the Fund’s total return to holders of common shares more volatile were it to use leverage. See “Risk Factors and Specific Considerations — Leverage Risk.”

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

	Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Shares.

	· Auction Risk. You may not be able to sell your auction Variable Rate Preferred Shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Variable Rate Preferred Shares only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Variable Rate Preferred Shares. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment.

	· Secondary Market Risk. If you try to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Variable Rate Preferred Shares are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Shares if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred Shares will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Variable Rate Preferred Shares to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period.

	Tax Risk. The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution

	requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred shares to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations. We cannot assure you what percentage of the distributions paid on the common shares, if any, will consist of tax-advantaged qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years. The favorable rates on qualifying dividends and capital gains are currently scheduled to increase for income received or gains realized after December 31, 2010. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Tax Risk.”

	Foreign Securities. Subject to the Fund’s other policies including investing at least 50% of its assets in the Utilities Industry, the Fund may invest without limitation in securities of foreign issuers and will generally be invested in securities of issuers located in at least three countries, including the United States. Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities not typically associated with investing in domestic companies. Foreign companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements as those applicable to U.S. companies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Foreign Securities Risk.”

	Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund expects to invest in companies whose securities are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars or have operations outside of the U.S. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars (in which the Fund’s shares are denominated) and such foreign currencies and the risk of currency devaluations. Certain non- U.S. currencies, primarily in developing countries, have been devalued in the past and might face devaluation in the future. Currency devaluations generally have a significant and adverse impact on the devaluing country’s economy in the short and intermediate term and on the financial condition and results of companies’ operations in that country. Currency devaluations may also be accompanied by significant declines in the values and liquidity of equity and debt securities of affected governmental and private sector entities generally. To the extent that affected companies have obligations denominated in currencies other than the devalued currency, those companies may also have difficulty in meeting those obligations under such circumstances, which in turn could have an adverse effect upon the value of the Fund’s investments in such companies. There can be no assurance that current or future developments with respect to foreign currency devaluations will not impair the Fund’s investment flexibility, its ability to achieve its investment objective or the value of certain of its foreign currency denominated investments. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Foreign Currency Risk.”

	Equity Risk. A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are for the most part traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets.

	The market value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the shareholder invested in the Fund, even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Equity Risk.”

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

	Market Discount Risk. The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the securities markets and may trade at either a premium to or discount from net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at discounts from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value may decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its listed shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Market Discount Risk.”

	Common Stock Risk. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price for a variety of reasons including if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock in which the Fund will invest is structurally subordinated to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while common stock has historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stock has also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of common stock of an issuer held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stock of an issuer is sensitive to general movements in the overall stock market. A drop in stock market indices may depress the price of many or all of the common stocks held by the Fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Common Stock Risk.”

	Long-Term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program. The Fund is intended for investors seeking a consistent level of after-tax total return consisting of income (with a current emphasis on qualifying dividends) and long-term capital gains. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short-term swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment in the Fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Long-term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program.”

	Common Shares Distribution Policy Risk. The Board has adopted a distribution policy, which may be changed at any time, to pay monthly distributions on the Fund’s common shares equal to an annual rate of 6% of the offering price per share. To the extent its total distributions for a year exceed its net investment company taxable income and net realized capital gain for that year, the excess would generally constitute a return of capital which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the preferred shares. Return of capital distributions are generally tax-free up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the shares and thereafter are treated as capital gains and should not be considered by investors as an element of yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. See “Taxation.” In addition, such excess distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and may increase the Fund’s expense ratio. In order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not dictate such action. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Common Shares Distribution Policy Risk.”

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

	Distribution Risk for Equity Income Portfolio Securities. The Fund will invest a portion of its assets in the shares of issuers that pay dividends. Such dividends are not guaranteed and in the event an issuer does not realize sufficient income in a particular period to both service its liabilities and to pay dividends, it may forgo paying dividends. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Distribution Risk for Equity Income Portfolio Securities.”

	Special Risks Related to Investing in Preferred Securities. Special risks associated with investing in preferred securities include deferral of distributions or dividend payments, in some cases the right of an issuer never to pay missed dividends, subordination, illiquidity, limited voting rights and redemption by the issuer. Because the Fund has no limit on its investment in non-cumulative preferred securities, the amount of dividends the Fund pays may be adversely affected if an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred stock held by the Fund determines not to pay dividends on such stock. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on preferred stock in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks Related to Preferred Securities.”

	Income Risk. The income shareholders receive from the Fund is expected to be based primarily on dividends and interest the Fund earns from its investments, which can vary widely over the short and long-term. If prevailing market interest rates drop, distribution rates of the Fund’s holdings in preferred stock and any bond holdings could decline and shareholders’ income from the Fund could drop as well. The Fund’s income also would likely be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates increase and the Fund is utilizing leverage. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Income Risk.”

	Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed-income securities and to a lesser extent common stocks issued by some companies in the Utilities Industry will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. The Fund’s investment in such securities means that the net asset value and market price of common stock will tend to decline if market interest rates rise.

	During periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a security may exercise an option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call or prepayment risk. Preferred stock and debt securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to redeem the securities prior to their stated maturities. An issuer may redeem such a security if the issuer can refinance it at a lower cost due to declining interest rates or an improvement in the credit standing of the issuer. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the security’s duration and reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension risk.

	Market interest rates for investment grade fixed-income securities of the type in which the Fund will invest have recently declined significantly below the historical average rates for such securities. This decline may have increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future (which would cause the value of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed income securities to decline) and the degree to which asset values may decline in such event; however, historical interest rate levels are not necessarily predictive of future interest rate levels. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Interest Rate Risk.”

	Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of any variable rate preferred shares or debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to common shareholders. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Inflation Risk.”

	Dilution Risk for Convertible Securities. In the absence of adequate anti-dilution provisions in a convertible security, dilution in the value of the Fund’s holding may occur in the event the underlying shares are subdivided, additional equity securities are issued for below market value, a stock dividend is declared, or the issuer enters into another type of corporate transaction that has a similar effect. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Dilution Risk for Convertible Securities.”

	Value Investing Risk. The Fund invests in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks in the Utilities Industry that the Investment Adviser believes are undervalued or inexpensive relative to other investments. These types of securities may present risks in addition to the general risks associated with investing in common and preferred stocks. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Value Investing Risk.”

	Non-Diversified Status. As a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not limited in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer, and accordingly, an investment in the Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Non-Diversified Status.” See also “Taxation.”

	Illiquid Securities. The Fund has no limit on the amount of its net assets it may invest in unregistered or otherwise illiquid investments. Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United States without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). Unregistered securities generally can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided for, the Fund’s proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Fund’s inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Illiquid Securities.”

	Risk Arbitrage. To the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, the Fund may invest in securities pursuant to “risk arbitrage” strategies or in other investment funds managed pursuant to such strategies. Risk arbitrage strategies attempt to exploit merger activity to capture the spread between current market values of securities and their values after successful completion of a merger, restructuring or similar corporate transaction. A merger or other restructuring or tender or exchange offer anticipated by the Fund and in which it holds an arbitrage position may not be completed on the terms contemplated or within the time frame anticipated, resulting in losses to the Fund. Such losses would be magnified to the extent that the Fund uses leverage to increase its stake in an arbitrage position. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risk Arbitrage.”

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

	Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. The prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Securities of below investment grade quality – those securities rated below Baa by Moody’s or below BBB by S&P – are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due and therefore involve a greater risk of default and are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Lower Rated Securities.”

	Special Risks of Derivative Transactions. The Fund may participate in certain derivative transactions. Such transactions entail certain execution, market, liquidity, hedging and tax risks. Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such strategies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks of Derivative Transactions.”

	Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities violates the terms of the loan or fails financially. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Loans of Portfolio Securities.”

	Current Developments. As a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, some of the U.S. Securities Markets were closed for a four-day period. These terrorists attacks, the war in Iraq and its aftermath and other geopolitical events have led to, and may in the future lead to, increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. The nature, scope and duration of the war and occupation cannot be predicted with any certainty. Similar events in the future or other disruptions of financial markets could affect interest rates, securities exchanges, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, energy prices and other factors relating to the common shares. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Current Developments.”

	Interest Rate Transactions. The Fund may enter into swap transactions in connection with Variable Rate Preferred Shares. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “How the Fund Manages Risk—Interest Rate Transactions.”

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

Management and Fees	Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser and is compensated for its services and its related expenses at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly total assets. This fee will be reduced each year following the fifth anniversary of the investment advisory agreement by 10 basis points until the eighth anniversary, after which time the Investment Adviser will be compensated at an annual rate of .50% of the Fund’s average weekly total assets. The Fund’s total assets for purposes of calculating the level of the management fee will typically include assets attributable to any outstanding senior securities, such as preferred shares. However, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed that in the event the Fund issues senior securities, it will waive investment management fees on assets attributable to such senior securities for any calendar year except to the extent the Fund’s rate of total return allocable to common shareholders, including distributions and the management fee subject to potential waiver, is equal to or exceeds the cost of such leverage for that year. In other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any series of preferred shares exceeds the total return (based on net asset value) on the Fund’s common shares, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred shares to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholder’s total return. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares will be monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of the common shares exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred shares for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred shares is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets. The Investment Adviser is responsible for administration of the Fund and currently utilizes and pays the fees of a third party sub-administrator. See “Management of the Fund.”

	During periods when the Fund has outstanding senior securities (such as our preferred shares), the fees paid to the Investment Adviser for its services to the Fund may be higher than if the Fund did not issue senior securities because such fees will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s average weekly total assets (subject to the fee waiver described above). Consequently, the Fund and the Investment Adviser may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the Fund’s assets by issuing senior securities. The Board will monitor this potential conflict.

	A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the continuation of the investment advisory contract of the Fund is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2007.

	The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the New York Attorney General and officials of other states have been conducting inquiries into, and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding, trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The Investment Adviser has received information requests and subpoenas from the SEC and the New York Attorney General in connection with these inquiries. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates have been complying with these requests and have implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in response to recent industry initiatives and their internal reviews of their mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. In February

	2007, the Investment Adviser made an offer of settlement to the SEC staff for communication to the SEC for consideration to resolve this matter. This offer of settlement is subject to final agreement regarding the specific language of the SEC’s administrative order and other settlement documents. For further details, see “Management of the Fund—Regulatory Matters.”

Repurchase of Common Shares	The Fund’s Board has authorized the Fund to repurchase its common shares in the open market when the common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from net asset value (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time). Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other requirements under the 1940 Act. See “Repurchase of Common Shares.

Anti-Takeover Provisions	Certain provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only one of three classes of trustees is elected each year, and the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are necessary to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a principal shareholder. These provisions may have the effect of depriving Fund common shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium to the prevailing market price. See “Anti-takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent	State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at One Heritage Drive, Palmer 2N, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon the month end value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

	Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), located at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan (the “Plan”) and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares and preferred shares of the Fund.

USE OF PROCEEDS

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

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the period presented. The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the fiscal period from inception through December 31, 2004 has been audited by ______________, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into the SAI.

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

	Six Months Ended June 30,	Year Ended December 31,	Year Ended December 31,	Period Ended December 31,
	2007 (Unaudited)	2006	2005	2004(d)

Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period	$ 24.52	$ 20.45	$ 21.03	$ 19.06(e)

Net investment income	0.28	0.64	0.64	0.28
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions	0.89	4.63	0.23	2.29

Total from investment operations	1.17	5.27	0.87	2.57

Distributions to Common Shareholders:
Net investment income	(0.28)(a)	(0.65)	(0.63)	(0.28)
Net realized gain on investments	(0.32)(a)	(0.55)	(0.82)	(0.06)
Return of capital	—	—	—	(0.26)

Total distributions to common shareholders	(0.60)	(1.20)	(1.45)	(0.60)

Net Asset Value, End of Period	$25.09	$ 24.52	$ 20.45	$ 21.03

NAV Total Return *	4.81%	26.66%	4.2%	13.9%^***

Market Value, End of Period	$21.80	$ 22.17	$ 17.76	$ 19.63

Total investment return **	0.98%	32.83%	(2.3)%	1.3%^****

Ratios and Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)	$76,517	$ 74,807	$ 62,381	$ 64,160
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets	2.26%(b)	2.92%	2.99%	2.23%(b)
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets	1.52%(b)(c)	1.66%(c)	1.56%(c)	1.49%(b)
Portfolio turnover rate	9.6%^****	21.8%^****	21.0%	16.9%

___________________________

(a)	Based on fiscal year to date book income. Amounts are subject to change and recharacterization at fiscal year end.

(b)	Annualized.

(c)	For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the effect of the custodian fee credits was minimal.

(d)	The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust commenced investment operations on May 28, 2004.

(e)	The beginning of period NAV reflects a $0.04 reduction for costs associated with the initial public offering.

*	Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at the net asset value per share on the ex-dividend dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

**	Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

***	Based on net asset value per share at commencement of operations of $19.06 per share.

****	Based on market value per share at initial public offering of $20.00 per share.

THE FUND

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 8, 2004. The Fund commenced its investment operations on May 28, 2004. The Fund’s principal office is located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Investment Objectives

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a consistent level of after-tax total return over the long-term with an emphasis currently on qualifying dividends. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in (i) equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (a) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water and (b) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and telecommunications services such as telephone, telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet (collectively, the “Utilities Industry”) and (ii) in equity securities (including preferred securities) of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to periodically pay dividends. In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in the Utilities Industry. The remaining Fund assets will generally be invested in other securities that the Investment Adviser views as not being correlated with the Fund’s Utilities Industry investments. Such investments may include convertible securities, securities of issuers subject to reorganization or other risk arbitrage investments, certain derivative instruments, debt (including obligations of the U.S. Government) and money market instruments.

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

Investment Methodology of the Fund

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

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

·	the potential for capital appreciation of the securities;

·	the interest or dividend income generated by the securities;

·	the prices of the securities relative to other comparable securities;

·	whether the securities are entitled to the benefits of call protection or other protective covenants;

·	the existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of the security; and

·	the number and size of investments of the portfolio.

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

Certain Investment Practices

Utilities Industry Concentration. Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest at least 50% of its assets in foreign and domestic companies involved to a substantial extent in the Utilities Industry. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Industry Risks.”

Tax-Advantaged Qualified Dividends. The Fund’s investments will emphasize securities that will pay what under current law through 2010 are tax-advantaged qualified dividends. For the Fund to receive tax-advantaged qualified dividends, the Fund must, in addition to other requirements, hold the otherwise qualified stock for more than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date (or, in the case of preferred stock, more than 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the ex-dividend date). Although current law only provides a 60-day, 90-day, 120-day and 180-day period for holding such stock, a proposed technical correction to the law would extend such periods to 61 days, 91 days, 121 days and 181 days, respectively. The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Services (the “IRS”) have announced that taxpayers may apply the extended periods as if the legislation were already enacted in filing their federal income tax returns. The “ex-dividend date” is the date which is established by a stock exchange (usually two business days before the record date) whereby the owner of a security at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such security, even if the security is sold by such owner on the ex-dividend date or thereafter. In addition, the Fund cannot be obligated to make payments (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) with respect to substantially similar or related property. For an individual shareholder to be taxed at the rates applicable to tax-advantaged qualified dividends on dividends received from the Fund that are attributable to tax-advantaged qualified dividends received by the Fund, the shareholder must hold its common shares for more than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date for the Fund’s common shares. Consequently, short-term investors in the Fund may not realize the benefits of tax-advantaged qualified dividends. There can be no assurance as to the portion of the Fund’s dividends that will be tax-advantaged. The provisions of the Code applicable to tax-advantaged qualified dividends are currently effective through December 31, 2010 but may be changed at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Thereafter, higher tax rates will apply unless further legislative action is taken.

Foreign Securities. Subject to the Fund’s other policies including investing at least 50% of its assets in the Utilities Industry, the Fund may invest without limit in securities of foreign issuers, which are generally denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund expects to generally be invested in securities of issuers located in at least three countries including the U.S and possibly including developing countries. The Fund currently anticipates that its investment strategy will cause it to invest approximately 30% of its assets in approximately 11 countries throughout the world, but the actual number of such countries and amount of such assets in the Fund’s portfolio will vary over time. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Foreign Securities.”

The Fund may also purchase sponsored American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) or U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by United States banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the United States securities markets.

Income Securities. Although it is the Fund’s policy to invest in securities of companies in the Utilities Industry to the extent attractive opportunities are available, the Fund may also invest in income securities other than Utilities Industry securities that are expected to periodically accrue or generate income for their holders. Such income securities include (i) fixed income securities such as bonds, debentures, notes, stock, short-term discounted Treasury Bills or certain securities of the U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities, as well as money market mutual funds that invest in those securities, which, in the absence of an applicable exemptive order, will not be affiliated with the Investment Adviser, and (ii) common and preferred stocks of issuers that have historically paid periodic dividends. Fixed income securities obligate the issuer to pay to the holder of the security a specified return,

which may be either fixed or reset periodically in accordance with the terms of the security. Fixed income securities generally are senior to an issuer’s common stock and their holders generally are entitled to receive amounts due before any distributions are made to common stockholders. Common stocks, on the other hand, generally do not obligate an issuer to make periodic distributions to holders.

The market value of fixed income securities, especially those that provide a fixed rate of return, may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates and in general is affected by the credit rating of the issuer, the issuer’s performance and perceptions of the issuer in the market place. The market value of callable or redeemable fixed income securities may also be affected by the issuer’s call and redemption rights. In addition, it is possible that the issuer of fixed income securities may not be able to meet its interest or principal obligations to holders. Further, holders of non-convertible fixed income securities do not participate in any capital appreciation of the issuer.

The Fund may also invest in obligations of government sponsored instrumentalities. Unlike non-U.S. government securities, obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. Although the Fund may invest in all types of obligations of agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, the Fund currently intends to invest only in obligations that are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government.

The Fund also may invest in common stock of issuers that have historically paid periodic dividends or otherwise made distributions to common stockholders. Unlike fixed income securities, dividend payments generally are not guaranteed and so may be discontinued by the issuer at its discretion or because of the issuer’s inability to satisfy its liabilities. Further, an issuer’s history of paying dividends does not guarantee that it will continue to pay dividends in the future. In addition to dividends, under certain circumstances the holders of common stock may benefit from the capital appreciation of the issuer.

Risk Arbitrage. Subject to the Fund’s other policies including investing at least 50% of its assets in the Utilities Industry, the Fund may invest without limit in securities pursuant to “risk arbitrage” strategies or in other investment funds managed pursuant to such strategies. Risk arbitrage investments are made in securities of companies for which a tender or exchange offer has been made or announced and in securities of companies for which a merger, consolidation, liquidation or reorganization proposal has been announced if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of total return significantly greater than the brokerage and other transaction expenses involved. Risk arbitrage strategies attempt to exploit merger activity to capture the spread between current market values of securities and their values after successful completion of a merger, restructuring or similar corporate transaction. Transactions associated with risk arbitrage strategies typically involve the purchases or sales of securities in connection with announced corporate actions which may include, but are not limited to, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, transfers of assets, tender offers, exchange offers, re-capitalizations, liquidations, divestitures, spin-offs and similar transactions.

In general, securities which are the subject of such an offer or proposal sell at a premium to their historic market price immediately prior to the announcement of the offer or may trade at a discount or premium to what the stated or appraised value of the security would be if the contemplated transaction were approved or consummated.

Such investments may be advantageous when the discount significantly overstates the risk of the contingencies involved; significantly undervalues the securities, assets or cash to be received by shareholders as a result of the contemplated transaction; or fails adequately to recognize the possibility that the offer or proposal may be replaced or superseded by an offer or proposal of greater value. The evaluation of such contingencies requires unusually broad knowledge and experience on the part of the Investment Adviser which must appraise not only the value of the issuer and its component businesses as well as the assets or securities to be received as a result of the contemplated transaction but also the financial resources and business motivation behind the offer and/or the

dynamics and business climate when the offer or proposal is in process. Since such investments are ordinarily short-term in nature, they will tend to increase the turnover ratio of the Fund, thereby increasing its brokerage and other transaction expenses. Risk arbitrage strategies may also involve short selling, options hedging and other arbitrage techniques to capture price differentials. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risk Arbitrage.”

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Subject to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot, i.e., cash, basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. The Fund expects to invest in forward currency contracts for hedging or currency risk management purposes and not in order to speculate on currency exchange rate movements. The Fund will only enter into forward currency contracts with parties which it believes to be creditworthy.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Subject to the Fund’s other policies including investing at least 50% of its assets in the Utilities Industry, the Fund may invest without limit in securities for which there is no readily available trading market or are otherwise illiquid. Illiquid securities may include securities legally restricted as to resale, such as commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be treated as liquid by the Investment Adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, which require consideration of factors such as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the extent that eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities.

It may be more difficult to sell such securities at an attractive price until such time as such securities may be sold publicly. Where registration is desired, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when registration is complete. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the time of the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire securities with contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable.

Leverage. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue senior securities (which may be stock, such as preferred shares, or securities representing debt) so long as its total assets (including such senior security), less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 200% of the sum of any preferred shares and debt outstanding and 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding. Any such senior securities may be convertible in accordance with SEC staff guidelines, which may permit the Fund to obtain leverage at more attractive rates.

The issuance of senior securities would leverage the common shares. Although the timing and other terms of the offering of senior securities and the terms of the senior securities would be determined by the Fund’s Board, the Fund expects to primarily invest the proceeds of any senior securities offering in dividend paying or income producing equity or debt securities. See “Use of Proceeds.”

The use of leverage magnifies the impact in changes in net asset value. For example, a fund that uses 33% leverage will show a 1.5% increase or decrease in net asset value for each 1% increase or decrease in the value of its total assets other than leverage. The concept of leveraging is based on the premise that so long as the cost of the leverage on the assets to be obtained by the leverage is lower than the return earned by the Fund on such leveraged assets, the common shareholders will benefit from the incremental return. Should the differential between the return produced by the underlying assets and the cost of leverage narrow, the incremental return will be reduced. Furthermore, if the cost of the leverage on the leveraged assets exceeds the return earned by the Fund on such leveraged assets, the net asset value of the Fund will be diminished. The use of leverage generally increases the volatility of returns to the Fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Leverage Risk.”

Lower Rated Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated in the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating agencies, such as securities rated “CCC” or lower by

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) or “Caa” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or non-rated securities of comparable quality. These debt securities are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s (or unrated securities of comparable quality) are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.”

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

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

Lower-rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of bonds moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently. Interest rates are at historical lows and, therefore, it is likely that they will rise in the future.

As part of its investments in lower rated securities (i.e., subject to the 10% cap), the Fund may invest without limit in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these securities will appreciate. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not appreciate.

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

Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies might change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market

value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.

Fixed-income securities, including lower rated securities and comparable unrated securities, frequently have call or buy-back features that permit their issuers to call or repurchase the securities from their holders, such as the Fund. If an issuer exercises these rights during periods of declining interest rates, the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, thus resulting in a decreased return for the Fund.

The market for lower rated and comparable unrated securities has at various times, particularly during times of economic recession, experienced substantial reductions in market value and liquidity. Past recessions have adversely affected the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon. The market for those securities could react in a similar fashion in the event of any future economic recession.

Options. The Fund may purchase or sell, i.e., write, options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market, as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio. A call option is a contract that, in return for a premium, gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer of the call option the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the holder the right, in return for a premium, to sell the underlying security to the writer, at a specified price, and obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security from the holder at that price. The Fund may purchase call or put options as long as the aggregate initial margins and premiums, measured at the time of such investment, do not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund’s total assets.

If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.

An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options.

Although the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate measures to minimize the risks relating to the Fund’s writing of put and call options, there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed in any option-writing program it undertakes.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management purposes. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the future. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, U.S. government securities and foreign currencies. The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in derivative instruments described in this Prospectus and the SAI are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Nonetheless, the Fund’s aggregate initial margins and premiums with respect to futures contracts, measured at the time of such investment, will not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund’s total assets.

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

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

Short Sales. The Fund may make short sales of securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. The market value of the securities sold short of any one issuer will not exceed either 10% of the Fund’s total assets or 5% of such issuer’s voting securities. The Fund also will not make a short sale, if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its assets or the Fund’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Fund may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns, or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost, the identical security.

The Fund expects to make short sales both to obtain capital gains from anticipated declines in securities and as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in the same or similar securities. The short sale of a security is considered a speculative investment technique. Short sales “against the box” may be subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund.

When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to satisfy its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities.

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash, U.S. government securities or other highly liquid debt securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its custodian. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the Fund collateralized by underlying debt securities. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire an underlying debt obligation for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an obligation of the seller to

repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed price and time. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return to the Fund that is not subject to market fluctuations during the holding period. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these rights. The Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of the Fund, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and monitors on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to ensure that the value is maintained at the required level. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates.

Swaps. The Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for various purposes, including to gain economic exposure to an asset or group of assets that may be difficult or impractical to acquire or for hedging and risk management. These transactions generally provide for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a financial asset such as a common stock or debt instrument. Such risks include, among other things, the risk of default and insolvency of the obligor of such asset, the risk that the credit of the obligor or the underlying collateral will decline or the risk that the common stock of the underlying issuer will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a derivative of this type may be complete or partial, and may be for the life of the related asset or for a shorter period. These derivatives may be used as a risk management tool for a pool of financial assets, providing the Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce exposure to one or more reference securities or other financial assets (each, a “Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in order, for example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to diversify a portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be used by the Fund to reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling it.

Because the Fund would not own the Reference Assets, the Fund may not have any voting rights with respect to the Reference Assets, and in such cases all decisions related to the obligors or issuers of the Reference Assets, including whether to exercise certain remedies, will be controlled by the swap counterparties.

Total rate of return swaps and similar derivatives are subject to many risks, including the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for the Fund had the swap or other derivative not been utilized (in which case it would have been had the Fund not engaged in the transactions), nearly unlimited exposure to changes in the value of the Reference Assets, total loss to the Fund of the entire notional amount of the swap, the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the derivative transactions utilized, the possible inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the swap and potential illiquidity of the instrument utilized, which may make it difficult for the Fund to close out or unwind one or more transactions.

Total rate of return swaps and related derivatives are a relatively recent development in the fillancia1 markets. Consequently, there are certain legal, tax and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such arrangements. There is currently little or no case law or litigation characterizing total rate of return swaps or related derivatives, interpreting their provisions, or characterizing their tax treatment. In addition, additional regulations and laws may apply to these types of derivatives that have not previously been applied. There can be no assurance that future decisions construing similar provisions to those in any swap agreement or other related documents or additional regulations and laws will not have an adverse effect on the Fund that utilizes these instruments. The Fund will monitor these risks and seek to utilize these instruments in a manner that does not lead to undue risk regarding the tax or other structural elements of the Fund. The Fund will not invest in these types of instruments if the Reference Assets are commodities except for bona fide hedging or risk management purposes.

Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, stock or other similar security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible debt securities in that they ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities are senior in rank to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large

measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Dilution Risk for Convertible Securities.”

Temporary Defensive Investments. Although under normal market conditions at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will consist of common stock and other debt or equity securities of foreign and domestic companies involved in the Utilities Industry and securities of companies in other industries that are expected to periodically generate or accrue income, when a temporary defensive posture is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (“temporary defensive periods”), the Fund may without limitation hold cash or invest its assets in money market instruments and repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. The money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s; and certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the FDIC. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may also invest to the extent permitted by applicable law in shares of money market mutual funds, which, under current law, in the absence of an exemptive order will not be affiliated with the Investment Adviser. Money market mutual funds are investment companies and the investments in those companies by the Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions and applicable law. See “Investment Restrictions.” As a shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of its expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Investment Adviser, with respect to assets so invested. See “Management of the Fund — General.” The Fund may find it more difficult to achieve the long-term growth of capital component of its investment objective during temporary defensive periods.

Loans of Portfolio Securities. To increase income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions if the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value of the collateral. As with any extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower of the securities violate the terms of the loan or fail financially. There can be no assurance that borrowers will not fail financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the loan would inure to the Fund. If the other party to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss. See “Investment Objective and Policies — Loans of Portfolio Securities” in the SAI.

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund will buy and sell securities to accomplish its investment objective. The investment policies of the Fund may lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest or currency exchange rates. The portfolio turnover may be higher than that of other investment companies, but is not expected to be higher than 100%.

Portfolio turnover generally involves expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities purchased or securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less). Higher portfolio turnover may decrease the after-tax return to individual investors in the Fund to the extent it results in a decrease of the long-term capital gains portion of distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 were 21.0% and 21.8%, respectively. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude purchases and sales of debt securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

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

Industry Risks

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest 80% or more of its assets in foreign and domestic companies involved in the Utilities Industry, and in debt or equity securities of companies in other industries that are expected to periodically accrue or generate income for their holders. In addition under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of debt or equity of securities of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e. at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in the Utilities Industry. As a result of this policy of concentrating its investments in a particular industry, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies, including governmental regulation, inflation, cost increases in fuel and other operating expenses, technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete, and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for product development, infrastructure and capital construction programs, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations.

Sector Risk. The Fund concentrates its investments in the Utilities Industry. As a result, the Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of investment alternatives. The prices of equity securities issued by certain types of utility companies may change more in response to interest rate changes than the equity securities of other companies. Generally, when interest rates go up, the value of securities issued by these companies goes down. Conversely, when interest rates go down, the value of securities issued by these companies goes up. There is no guarantee that this relationship will hold in the future.

Government Regulation. Companies in certain sectors of the Utilities Industry (such as power generation and distribution) are subject to extensive governmental regulatory requirements. Certain of these regulations that are intended to limit the concentration of ownership and control of companies in these industries may prevent companies in which the Fund invests from making certain investments that they would otherwise make. Other regulations may cause Utilities Industry companies to incur substantial additional costs or lengthy delays in connection with the completion of capital investments or the introduction of new products or services to market. There are substantial differences between the regulatory practices and policies in various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, permit companies to implement rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on such issuer’s common stocks. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for companies in the Utilities Industry to obtain adequate relief from rate regulation.

Regulatory considerations limit the percentage of the shares of a public utility held by a fund or by an adviser and its affiliates on behalf of all their clients. Specifically, to avoid regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Fund along with other funds advised by the Investment Adviser will not, in the aggregate, own more than 10% of the voting securities of a public utility company. Also, various types of ownership restrictions are imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), on investment in media companies and cellular licensees. These rules limit the number of broadcast stations both locally and nationally that a single entity is permitted to own, operate, or control and prohibit ownership of certain competitive communications providers in the same location. The FCC also applies limited ownership restrictions on cellular licensees serving rural areas. Attributable interests that may result from the role of the Investment Adviser and its principals in connection with other funds, managed accounts and companies may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in certain mass media and cellular companies. These limitations may unfavorably restrict the ability of the Fund to make certain investments.

Deregulation. Changing regulation constitutes one of the key industry-specific risks for the Fund, especially with respect to its investments in traditionally regulated public utilities and partially regulated utility or telecommunications companies. Domestic and foreign regulators may monitor and control such companies’ revenues and costs, and therefore may limit utility profits and dividends paid to investors, which could result in reduced income to the Fund. Regulatory authorities also may restrict a company’s access to new markets, thereby diminishing the company’s long-term prospects. In some jurisdictions certain portions of various utilities functions have been deregulated. Deregulation may eliminate restrictions on profits and dividends of companies, but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss. Thus, deregulation could have a positive or negative impact on the

Fund. The Investment Adviser believes that certain Utilities Industry companies’ fundamentals should continue to improve as the industry undergoes deregulation. In recent years, changes in regulation in the United States increasingly have allowed companies in the Utilities Industry to provide services and products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of business, creating new areas of competition within these industries. However, a number of companies have failed in their efforts to take advantage of the deregulated environment and are seeking to refocus in their primary business. Nonetheless, because of trends toward deregulation and the evolution of independent producers as well as new entrants to the field of telecommunications, non-regulated providers of utility and telecommunications services have become a significant part of their respective industries. The emergence of competition and deregulation may result in certain companies in the Utilities Industry being able to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return, while others may be forced to defend their core business from increased competition and may be less profitable. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses of funds (such as for expansion, operations or stock buybacks) could result in cuts in dividend payout rates.

Environmental and Other Regulatory Matters. Companies in the Utilities Industry in which the Fund will invest may be subject to a number of host country statutory and regulatory standards and required approvals relating to energy, labor and environmental laws. Certain permits and regulatory approvals may be required to be obtained for certain investments by companies in which the Fund will invest and failure by such companies to obtain such permits and regulatory approvals could adversely affect the Fund’s investment. Companies also face considerable costs associated with environmental compliance, nuclear waste clean-up and safety regulation. Increasingly, regulators are calling upon electric utilities to bear these added costs, and there is a risk that these costs will not be fully recovered through an increase in revenues.

The adoption by a host country of new laws, policies or regulations or changes in the interpretation or application of existing laws, policies and regulations that modify the present regulatory environment could also have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investments. Regulatory risk affects companies in the Utilities Industry in part because governments may be party to private Utilities Industry investments as lessors, customers, regulators or partners. Moreover, for political reasons, governments may control the prices at which companies in the Utilities Industry can sell their products, which can adversely affect the Fund’s investment in such a company.

Under the laws of certain countries that are host to Utilities Industry companies in which the Fund may invest, such companies may be required to comply with a number of statutes and regulations during their operation pertaining to environmental controls or restrictions, and the storage, handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous and toxic material, waste or other substances. Compliance with such requirements may be costly and may materially affect the profitability of such companies. Further, failure by such a company to comply with any such statutes or regulations could have adverse effects on its business results and prospects, which could have negative consequences for investors such as the Fund.

Foreign Utility Companies. Foreign companies in the Utilities Industry are also subject to regulation, although such regulation may or may not be comparable to regulation in the United States. Foreign companies in the Utilities Industry may be more heavily regulated by their respective governments than companies in the United States and, as in the United States, generally are required to seek government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utilities use fuels that may cause more pollution than those used in the United States, which may require such utilities to invest in pollution control equipment to meet any proposed pollution restrictions. Foreign regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the United States. Additionally, because the effectiveness of the judicial systems in non-U.S. countries varies, the Fund or companies in which it may invest may have difficulty in successfully pursuing claims in the courts of such countries.

Financing. At certain times, companies in the Utilities Industry encounter difficulties in obtaining financing for product development, infrastructure and construction programs. Issuers experiencing such difficulties may also experience lower profitability, which can result in reduced income to the Fund. Historically, companies in the Utilities Industry have also encountered such financing difficulties during inflationary periods, although we cannot assure you that such a relationship will continue and that companies in the Utilities Industry will not encounter financing difficulties during non-inflationary periods.

Equipment and Supplies. Companies in the Utilities Industry may face the risk of lengthy delays and increased costs associated with the design, development, construction, licensing and operation of their facilities or sale of their products. Moreover, technological innovations may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete.

Increased costs and a reduction in the availability of fuel (such as oil, coal, nuclear or natural gas) also may adversely affect the profitability of utility companies. Electric utilities may be burdened by unexpected increases in fuel and other operating costs. They may also be negatively affected when long-term interest rates rise. Long-term borrowings are used to finance most utility investments, and rising interest rates lead to higher financing costs and reduced earnings. Investments in certain kinds of utility companies are also subject to certain additional risks.

Electric. Certain of the issuers of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may own or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time to time review existing policies and impose additional requirements governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric and gas utility as well as its expenses.

The construction and operation of nuclear power facilities are subject to increased scrutiny by, and evolving regulations of, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state agencies having comparable jurisdiction. Increased scrutiny might result in higher operating costs and higher capital expenditures, with the risk that the regulators may disallow inclusion of these costs in rate authorizations or the risk that a company may not be permitted to operate or complete construction of a facility. In addition, operators of nuclear power plants may be subject to significant costs for disposal of nuclear fuel and for decommissioning such plants.

The rating agencies are taking a closer look at the business profile of utilities. Ratings for companies are expected to be affected to a greater extent in the future by how their asset base is utilized. Electric utility companies that focus more on the generation of electricity may be assigned less favorable ratings as this business is expected to be competitive and the least regulated. On the other hand, companies that focus on transmission and distribution, which is expected to be the least competitive and the more regulated part of the business, may see higher ratings given the greater predictability of cash flow.

Several states have enacted enabling deregulation legislation. The introduction of competition into the industry as a result of deregulation may result in lower revenue, lower credit ratings, increased default risk and lower electric utility security prices. Such increased competition may also cause long-term contracts, which electric utilities previously entered into to buy power, to become “stranded assets,” which have no economic value. Any loss associated with such contracts must be absorbed by ratepayers and investors. In addition, in anticipation of increasing competition, some electric utilities have acquired electric utilities overseas to diversify, enhance earnings and gain experience in operating in a deregulated environment. In some instances, such acquisitions have involved significant borrowings, which have burdened the acquirer’s balance sheet. There is no assurance that current deregulation proposals will be adopted. However, deregulation in any form could significantly impact the electric utilities industry.

Following deregulation of the energy markets in certain states, a number of companies have engaged in energy trading and incurred substantial losses. Certain of these energy trading businesses have been accused of employing improper accounting practices and have been required to make significant restatements of their financial results. In addition, several energy companies have been accused of attempting to manipulate the price and availability of energy in certain states.

Telecommunications. The telecommunications industry today includes both traditional telephone companies with a history of broad market coverage and highly regulated businesses and cable companies, which began as small, lightly regulated businesses focused on limited markets. Today these two historically different businesses are converging in an industry which is trending toward larger, competitive, national and international markets with an emphasis on deregulation. Companies that distribute telephone services and provide access to the telephone networks still comprise the greatest portion of this segment, but non-regulated activities such as cellular telephone services, paging, data processing, equipment retailing, computer software and hardware services are becoming increasingly significant components as well. The presence of unregulated companies in this industry and

the entry of traditional telephone companies into unregulated or less regulated businesses provide significant investment opportunities with companies which may increase their earnings at faster rates than had been allowed in traditional regulated businesses. Still, increasing competition, technological innovations and other structural changes could adversely affect the profitability of such utilities and the growth rate of their dividends. Given mergers, certain marketing tests currently underway and proposed legislation and enforcement changes, it is likely that both traditional telephone companies and cable companies will soon provide a greatly expanded range of utility services, including two-way video and informational services to residential, corporate and governmental customers.

In February 1996, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the “Act”) became law. The Act removed regulatory restrictions on entry that prevented local and long-distance telephone companies and cable television companies from competing against one another. The Act also removed most cable rate controls and allows broadcasters to own more radio and television stations. Litigation concerning the constitutionality of certain major provisions of the Act has slowed the implementation of such provisions.

Gas. Gas transmission companies and gas distribution companies are also undergoing significant changes. In the United States, interstate transmission companies are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is reducing its regulation of the industry. Many companies have diversified into oil and gas exploration and development, making returns more sensitive to energy prices. In the recent decade, gas utility companies have been adversely affected by disruptions in the oil industry and have also been affected by increased concentration and competition. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues and expenses of a gas utility.

Water. In the case of the water utility sector, the industry is highly fragmented, and most water supply companies find themselves in mature markets, although upgrading of fresh water and waste water systems is an expanding business.

There can be no assurance that the positive developments noted above, including those relating to privatization and changing regulation, will occur or that risk factors other than those noted above will not develop in the future.

Leveraged Capital Structures. It is expected that Utilities Industry companies in which the Fund will invest may employ considerable leverage, a significant portion of which may be at floating interest rates. As a result, a Utilities Industry company may be subject to increased exposure to adverse economic factors such as a significant rise in interest rates, a severe downturn in the economy or deterioration in the condition of such company or its industry.

Leverage Risk

The Fund uses financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares. Preferred shares have seniority over common shares.

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

Preferred Shares Risk. The issuance of preferred shares causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares.

Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred shares or of losing its ratings on the preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund’s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred shares.

In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including any advisory fees payable in connection with the incremental assets attributable to such shares.

Holders of preferred shares may have different interests than holders of common shares and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. Holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the Trustees until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes.

Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund’s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Fund’s ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred shares to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements.

Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies for Preferred Shares and/or Credit Facility. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred shares, the Fund must comply with investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by the relevant rating agencies. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares

Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing. Prior to the offering, there will be no public market for any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. In the event any series of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the Amex. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, though they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period.

Market Price Fluctuation. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.

Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Shares

Auction Risk. In the event any Variable Rate Preferred Shares are issued, you may not be able to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Variable Rate Preferred Shares only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Variable Rate Preferred Shares. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below

which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment.

Secondary Market Risk. In the event any Variable Rate Preferred Shares are issued, if you try to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Variable Rate Preferred Shares are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Shares if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred Shares will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Variable Rate Preferred Shares to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period.

Tax Risk

We cannot assure you what percentage of the distributions paid on the common shares, if any, will consist of tax-advantaged qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains or what the tax rates on various types of income will be in future years. The favorable rates on qualifying dividends and capital gains are currently scheduled to expire for income received or gains realized after December 31, 2010. See “Taxation.”

Foreign Securities Risk

The Fund may invest without limitation in securities of foreign issuers and will generally be invested in securities of issuers located in at least three countries including the U.S. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements as those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries.

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

Investments in foreign securities, especially in emerging market countries, will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. Certain countries in which the Fund may invest, especially emerging market countries, have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty and instability. The cost of servicing external debt will generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates.

Investing in securities of companies in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to potential political and economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments and restrictions on repatriation of capital invested. Emerging securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets. The limited size of emerging securities markets and limited trading value compared to the volume of trading in U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions. Adverse publicity and investors’ perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these markets. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates and corresponding currency devaluations have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Typically, the Fund will not hold any foreign securities of emerging market issuers and, if it does, such securities will not comprise more than 10% of the Fund’s managed assets.

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

Foreign Currency Risk

The Fund expects to invest in companies whose securities are denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars or have operations outside of the U.S. In such instances, the Fund will be exposed to currency risk, including the risk of fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars (in which the Fund’s shares are denominated) and such foreign currencies, the risk of currency devaluations and the risks of non-exchangeability and blockage.

As non-U.S. securities may be purchased with and payable in currencies of countries other than the U.S. dollar, the value of these assets measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Fluctuations in currency rates may adversely affect the ability of the Investment Adviser to acquire such securities at advantageous prices and may also adversely affect the performance of such assets.

Certain non-U.S. currencies, primarily in developing countries, have been devalued in the past and might face devaluation in the future. Currency devaluations generally have a significant and adverse impact on the devaluing country’s economy in the short and intermediate term and on the financial condition and results of companies’ operations in that country. Currency devaluations may also be accompanied by significant declines in the values and liquidity of equity and debt securities of affected governmental and private sector entities generally. To the extent that affected companies have obligations denominated in currencies other than the devalued currency, those companies may also have difficulty in meeting those obligations under such circumstances, which in turn could have an adverse effect upon the value of the Fund’s investments in such companies. There can be no assurance that current or future developments with respect to foreign currency devaluations will not impair the Fund’s investment flexibility, its ability to achieve its investment objective or the value of certain of its foreign currency denominated investments.

Equity Risk

A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the securities held by the Fund will fall in market value due to adverse market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are for the most part traded on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. The market value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down,

sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The net asset value of the Fund may at any point in time be worth less than the amount at the time the shareholder invested in the Fund, even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions.

Dependence on Key Personnel

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

Market Discount Risk

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the securities markets and may trade at either a premium to or discount from net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at discounts from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value may decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its listed shares will trade at, below or above net asset value. As of September 30, 2007, the shares traded at a discount of 12.79%. Shareholders desiring liquidity may, subject to applicable securities laws, trade their Fund shares on the Amex or other markets on which such shares may trade at the then-current market value which may differ from the then current net asset value. Shareholders will incur brokerage or other transaction costs to sell shares.

Common Stock Risk

Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price for a variety of reasons, including if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock in which the Fund will invest is structurally subordinated to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stock or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while common stock has historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stock has also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of common stock of an issuer held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stock of an issuer is sensitive to general movements in the overall stock market. A drop in stock market indices may depress the price of many or all of the common stocks held by the Fund.

Long-term Objective; Not a Complete Investment Program

The Fund is intended for investors seeking a consistent level of after-tax total return consisting of income (with a current emphasis on qualifying dividends) and long-term capital gains. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short-term swings in the stock market. An investment in shares of the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Each shareholder should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment in the Fund.

Common Shares Distribution Policy Risk

Pursuant to its adopted distribution policy, the Fund intends to make monthly distributions on its common shares. To the extent its total monthly distributions for a year exceed its net investment company taxable income and net realized capital gain for that year, the excess would generally constitute a return of capital. Return of capital distributions are generally tax-free up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the shares after which they are treated as capital gains. See “Taxation.” In addition, such excess distributions may have the effect of decreasing the Fund’s total assets and may increase the Fund’s expense ratio as the Fund’s fixed expenses may become a larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not dictate such action.

Management Risk

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

Distribution Risk for Equity Income Portfolio Securities

In selecting equity income securities in which the Fund will invest, the Investment Adviser will consider the issuer’s history of making regular periodic distributions (i.e., dividends) to its equity holders. An issuer’s history of paying dividends, however, does not guarantee that the issuer will continue to pay dividends in the future. The dividend income stream associated with equity income securities generally is not guaranteed and will be subordinate to payment obligations of the issuer on its debt and other liabilities. Accordingly, in the event the issuer does not realize sufficient income in a particular period both to service its liabilities and to pay dividends on its equity securities, it may forgo paying dividends on its equity securities. In addition, because in most instances issuers are not obligated to make periodic distributions to the holders of their equity securities, such distributions or dividends generally may be discontinued at the issuer’s discretion.

Special Risks Related to Investments in Preferred Securities

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

Deferral. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer dividends or distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its dividends or distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income.

Non-Cumulative Dividends. Some preferred securities are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred security held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends or distributions on such security, the Fund’s return from that security may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.

·	Subordination. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security instruments.

·	Liquidity. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities.

Limited Voting Rights. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number of trustees to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.

Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.

Income Risk

The income investors in the Fund receive is based primarily on dividends and interest the Fund earns from its investments, which can vary widely over the short and long-term. If prevailing market interest rates drop, distribution rates of the Fund’s preferred shares and any bond holdings could drop as well. The Fund’s income also would likely be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates increase while the Fund is utilizing leverage.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed-income securities, and to a lesser extent common stocks issued by some companies in the Utilities Industry, will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. The value of the Fund’s investment in such securities will tend to decline if market interest rates rise. Further, while longer term fixed rate securities may pay higher interest rates than shorter term securities, longer term fixed rate securities also tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes and, accordingly, tend to experience larger changes in value as a result of interest rate changes.

During periods of declining interest rates, the issuer of a security may exercise an option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call or prepayment risk. Fixed income securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to redeem the securities prior to their stated maturities. An issuer may seek to redeem an obligation if the issuer can refinance the debt at a lower cost due to declining interest rates or an improvement in the credit standing of the issuer. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the security’s duration and reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension risk.

Market interest rates for investment grade fixed-income securities of the type in which the Fund will invest have recently declined significantly below the historical average rates for such securities. This decline has increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future (which would cause the value of the Fund’s assets invested in fixed income securities to decline) and the degree to which net asset values may decline in such event; however, historical interest rate levels are not necessarily predictive of future interest rate levels.

Inflation Risk

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Fund’s shares and distributions thereon can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend or interest rates of any variable rate preferred shares or debt securities issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to common shareholders.

Dilution Risk for Convertible Securities

In the absence of adequate anti-dilution provisions in a convertible security, dilution in the value of the Fund’s holding may occur in the event the underlying stock is subdivided, additional equity securities are issued for below market value, a stock dividend is declared or the issuer enters into another type of corporate transaction that has a similar effect.

Value Investing Risk

The Fund invests in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks in the Utilities Industry that the Investment Adviser believes are undervalued or inexpensive relative to other investments. These types of securities may present risks in addition to the general risks associated with investing in common and preferred stocks. These securities generally are selected on the basis of an issuer’s fundamentals relative to current market price. Such securities are subject to the risk of mis-estimation of certain fundamental factors. In addition, during certain time

periods market dynamics may strongly favor “growth” stocks of issuers that do not display strong fundamentals relative to market price based upon positive price momentum and other factors. Disciplined adherence to a “value” investment mandate during such periods can result in significant underperformance relative to overall market indices and other managed investment vehicles that pursue growth style investments and/or flexible equity style mandates.

Non-Diversified Status

The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment company. As a result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and therefore, subject to greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Taxation.”

Illiquid Securities

The Fund has no limit on the amount of its net assets it may invest in unregistered or otherwise illiquid investments. Unregistered securities are securities that cannot be sold publicly in the United States without registration under the Securities Act. Unregistered securities generally can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions with a limited number of purchasers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act. Considerable delay could be encountered in either event and, unless otherwise contractually provided for, the Fund’s proceeds upon sale may be reduced by the costs of registration or underwriting discounts. The difficulties and delays associated with such transactions could result in the Fund’s inability to realize a favorable price upon disposition of unregistered securities, and at times might make disposition of such securities impossible.

Risk Arbitrage

The Fund may invest in securities pursuant to “risk arbitrage” strategies or in other investment funds managed pursuant to such strategies. Risk arbitrage strategies attempt to exploit merger activity to capture the spread between current market values of securities and their values after successful completion of a merger, restructuring or similar corporate transaction. A merger or other restructuring or tender or exchange offer anticipated by the Fund and in which it holds an arbitrage position may not be completed on the terms contemplated or within the time frame anticipated, resulting in losses to the Fund. Such losses would be magnified to the extent that the Fund uses leverage to increase its stake in an arbitrage position.

Investment Companies

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

Lower Rated Securities

The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in nonconvertible fixed-income securities rated in the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality, and an unlimited percentage of it assets in convertible bonds of such quality. These high yield securities, also sometimes referred to as “junk bonds,” generally pay a premium above the yields of U.S. government securities or debt securities of investment grade issuers because they are subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks, which reflect their speculative character, include the following:

·	greater volatility;

·	greater credit risk and risk of default;

·	potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions;

·	potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and

·	additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.

In addition, the prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Lower grade securities tend to be less liquid than investment grade securities. The market value of lower grade securities may be more volatile than the market value of investment grade securities and generally tends to reflect the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater extent than investment grade securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.

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

As a part of its investments in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations, emerge from bankruptcy protection and the value of these securities will appreciate. By investing in the securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of these securities will not otherwise appreciate.

For a further description of lower grade securities and the risks associated therewith, see “Investment Objectives and Policies — Certain Investment Practices — Lower Rated Securities.” For a description of the ratings categories of certain recognized statistical ratings agencies, see Appendix A to this prospectus.

Special Risks of Derivative Transactions

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

·	dependence on the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets;

·	imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged;

·	the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities;

·	the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time;

·	the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences;

·	the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time

due to a need for the Fund to maintain “cover” or to segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques; and

·	the creditworthiness of counterparties.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. There is no independent limit on the Fund’s ability to invest in foreign currency exchange contracts. The use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover. For a further description, see “Investment Objectives and Policies — Additional Investment Policies” in the SAI.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. For a further description, see “Investment Objectives and Policies — Additional Investment Policies” in the SAI.

Futures Transactions. The Fund may invest in futures contracts as long as the aggregate initial margins and premiums do not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the Fund’s assets. Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following:

·	no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices;

·	possible reduction of the return of the Fund due to the use of hedging;

·	possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument;

·	possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price fluctuations;

·	imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged; and

·	losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements for such transactions.

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

Loans of Portfolio Securities

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

For a further description of such loans of portfolio securities, see “Investment Objective and Policies — Additional Investment Policies — Loans of Portfolio Securities” in the SAI.

Current Developments

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

Interest Rate Transactions

The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in relation to all or a portion of its Variable Rate Preferred Shares in order to manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such shares. Through these transactions the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Variable Rate Preferred Shares that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “How the Fund Manages Risk—Interest Rate Transactions.”

Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents

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

Status as a Regulated Investment Company

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

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK

Investment Restrictions

The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund. The Fund may become subject to rating agency guidelines that are more limiting than its current investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on its preferred shares.

Interest Rate Transactions

The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the

Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on its Variable Rate Preferred Shares. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred share dividends or distributions when due in accordance with the Statement of Preferences of the relevant series of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Variable Rate Preferred Shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Variable Rate Preferred Shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the asset coverage for the Variable Rate Preferred Shares. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the Statement of Preferences for each series of the preferred shares, if the Fund fails to maintain the required asset coverage on the outstanding preferred shares or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of these shares. The Fund generally may redeem any series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

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

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

General

The Fund’s Board (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, and the Sub-Administrator (as defined below). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Fund, the Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Fund’s Board, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment research and makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides all facilities and personnel, including officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are its affiliates. As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, equal, on an annual basis, to 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly total assets. This fee will be reduced each year following the fifth anniversary of the investment advisory agreement by 10 basis points until the eighth anniversary, after which time the Investment Adviser will be compensated at an annual rate of .50% of the Fund’s average weekly total assets. The Fund’s total assets for purposes of calculating the level of the management fee will typically include assets attributable to any outstanding senior securities, such as preferred shares. However, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed that in the event the Fund issues senior securities, it will waive investment management fees on assets attributable to such senior securities for any calendar year except to the extent the Fund’s rate of total return allocable to common shareholders, including distributions and the management fee subject to potential waiver, is equal to or exceeds the cost of the leverage for that year. This waiver will apply as long as any such senior securities are outstanding.

The Investment Adviser

Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of September 30, 2007, the Investment Adviser acted as registered investment adviser to 24 management investment companies with aggregate net assets of $16.9 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with other affiliated investment advisers, had assets under management totaling approximately $31.6 billion as of September 30, 2007. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser to management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.8 billion under management as of September, 2007. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of approximately $491 million under management as of September 30, 2007. Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having aggregate assets of approximately $27 million under management as of September 30, 2007. Gabelli Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to the GAMCO Westwood Funds having aggregate assets of approximately $443 million under management as of September 30, 2007.

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

Payment of Expenses

The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund (but excluding costs associated with the calculation of the net asset value and allocated costs of the chief compliance officer function and officers of the Fund that are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Investment Adviser although such officers may receive incentive-based variable compensation from affiliates of the Investment Adviser), as well as the fees of all Trustees of the Fund who are officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the payment of all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other thing, expenses for legal and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s services, stock exchange listing fees, costs of printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges to the Fund’s custodian, charges of the transfer agent and distribution disbursing agent, SEC fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, accounting and printing costs, the Fund’s pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation, fidelity bond coverage for the Fund’s officers and employees, Trustees and officers liability policy, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, expenses of qualifying the Fund for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing shareholder servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the Fund.

The Investment Adviser is responsible for administration of the Fund and currently utilizes and pays the fees of a third party sub-administrator. See “Management of the Fund – General.”

Selection of Securities Brokers

The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to Gabelli & Company, Inc. or other broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay commissions to brokers other than Gabelli & Company, Inc. that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or

desirable for its investment management of the Fund and/or its other investment advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description of the investment advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the Fund.

Portfolio Manager

Mario J. Gabelli is currently and has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors since 1976. Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Investment Officer — Value Portfolios for the Investment Adviser and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. Mr. Gabelli serves as portfolio manager for several funds in the Gabelli fund family and is a director of several funds in the Gabelli fund family. Because of the diverse nature of Mr. Gabelli’s responsibilities, he will devote less than all of his time to the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli is also Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc., a private company owning the majority of the shares of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

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

Sub-Administrator

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

Regulatory Matters

The Fund has received the following information from the Investment Adviser:

Over the past several years, the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”), the staff of the New York Attorney General’s office (the “NYAG”), and officials of other states have been conducting industry-wide inquiries into, and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding, trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates have received information requests and subpoenas for documents and testimony from the Staff and the NYAG in connection with these inquiries and have responded to these requests. The Investment Adviser has implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in response to recent industry initiatives and its internal reviews of its mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. The Investment Adviser has not found any information that it believes would be material to the ability of the Investment Adviser to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. More specifically, the Investment Adviser has found no evidence of arrangements for trading in the Gabelli mutual funds after the 4:00 p.m. pricing time and no evidence of improper short-term trading in these funds by its investment professionals or senior executives. The Investment Adviser did find that one investor, who had been engaged in short-term trading in one of the Gabelli mutual funds (the prospectus of which did not at that time impose limits on short-term trading) and who had subsequently made an investment in a hedge fund managed by an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, was banned from the mutual fund only after certain other investors were banned. The Investment Adviser believes that this relationship was not material to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser also found that certain discussions took place in 2002 and 2003 between the Investment Adviser’s staff and personnel of an investment advisor regarding possible frequent trading in certain Gabelli domestic equity funds. In June 2006, the Investment Adviser began discussions with the Staff regarding a possible resolution of their inquiry. In February 2007, the Investment Adviser made an offer of settlement to the Staff for communication to the SEC for its consideration to resolve this matter. This offer of settlement is subject to final agreement regarding the specific language of the SEC’s administrative order and other

settlement documents. Since these discussions are ongoing, the Investment Adviser cannot determine whether they will ultimately result in a settlement of this matter and, if so, what the terms of the settlement might be. There can be no assurance that any resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or on its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

The Investment Adviser was informed by the Staff that they may recommend to the SEC that the Investment Adviser be held accountable for the actions of two of the closed-end funds managed by the Investment Adviser relating to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act. These provisions require registered investment companies to provide written statements to shareholders when a distribution is made from a source other than net investment income. While the two funds sent annual statements containing the required information and Form 1099-DIV statements as required by the IRS, the funds did not send written statements to shareholders with each distribution in 2002 and 2003. The then existing closed-end funds managed by the Investment Adviser changed their notification procedures in 2004 and the Investment Adviser believes that all of the funds have been in compliance with Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act since that time. The Staff’s notice to the Investment Adviser did not relate to the Fund. The Staff indicated that they may recommend to the SEC that administrative remedies be sought, including a monetary penalty. The Investment Adviser cannot predict whether an administrative proceeding will be instituted and, if so, what the ultimate resolution might be. The Investment Adviser currently expects that any resolution of this matter will not have a material effect on the Investment Adviser’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. If the SEC were to revoke the exemptive order that the Fund relies upon to make distributions of capital gains more frequently than annually, the Board may consider whether to modify or possibly eliminate the Fund’s current distribution policy.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

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

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Board has adopted a dividend policy, which may be changed at any time, to pay monthly distributions on its common shares equal to an annual rate of 6% of the offering price per share. The Board has also determined to pay distributions on an annual basis equal to any realized income in excess of the monthly distributions as may be necessary to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s taxable income for that year. The Fund’s distribution policy permits holders of common shares to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically with respect to their common shares without having to sell shares. To avoid paying income tax at the corporate level, the Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gain, although the Fund may retain for reinvestment, and pay the resulting federal income taxes on its net capital gain, if any, each year. To the extent the Fund’s total monthly distributions for a year distributions to common shareholders and the amount of distributions on any preferred shares issued by the Fund exceed its net investment company taxable income (interest, dividends and net short-term capital gains in excess of expenses) and net realized long-term capital gain for that year, the excess would generally constitute a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares. Any distributions to the holders of common or preferred shares which (based upon the Fund’s full year performance) constitute a tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares, thereby increasing such shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale of the common shares. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of the basis in the common shares will generally be taxable to the shareholder as capital gain. See “Taxation.” Quarterly distribution notices provided by the Fund to its shareholders will describe the portion of the monthly distributions which, in the Fund’s current good faith judgment, constitutes capital gain, investment company taxable income or a return of capital. The final determination of the source of such distributions for federal income tax purposes will be made shortly after year end based on the Fund’s actual net investment company taxable income and net capital gain for the year and will be communicated to shareholders promptly.

In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing the

Fund’s expense ratio as the Fund’s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment may not dictate such action.

The Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser, has obtained an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common shares calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average net asset value over a specified period of time or market price per common share at or about the time of distribution or payment of a fixed dollar amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make distributions with respect to its preferred shares in accordance with such share’s terms. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan.”

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN

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

Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the 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 distribution, participants in the Plan will receive newly issued common shares. The number of shares to be issued will be computed at a per share rate equal to the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then-current market price of the common shares. The valuation date is the distribution payment date or, if that date is not an Amex trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive shares purchased by the Plan agent in the open market. If the Fund should declare a distribution payable only in cash, the Plan agent will buy the common shares for such Plan in the open market, on the Amex or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that the Plan agent will terminate purchases in the open market and instead the Fund will distribute newly issued shares at a per share rate equal to the greater of net asset value or 95% of market value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares plus estimated brokerage commissions exceeds net asset value.

Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to the Plan agent, semi-monthly, for investment in the shares as applicable. Such payments may be made in any amount from $250 to $10,000. The Plan agent will use all funds received from participants to purchase shares of the Fund in the open market on or about the 1st or 15th of each month. The Plan agent will charge each shareholder who participates $1.00, 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 participants send voluntary cash payments to the Plan agent in a manner that ensures that the Plan agent will receive these payments approximately ten days before the investment date. A participant may without charge withdraw a voluntary cash payment by written notice, if the notice is received by the Plan agent at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

The Plan agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in the account, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan agent in noncertificated form in the name of the participant. A Plan participant may send its share certificates to the Plan agent so that the shares represented by such certificates will be held by the Plan agent in the participant’s shareholder account under the Plan.

In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends or other distributions.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any distribution paid with at least 90 days written notice to the participants in such Plan. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan agent, with the Fund’s prior written consent, on at least 90 days written notice to the participants in such Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the transfer agent.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL SHARES

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

Common Shares

The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Certificate of Trust dated as of March 8, 2004. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per share. Each common share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Though the Fund expects to pay distributions monthly on the common shares, it is not obligated to do so. All common shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its shares. In the event of liquidation, each of the Fund’s common shares is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund’s preferred shares ranking senior to the Fund’s common shares as described below.

Any additional offerings of shares will require approval by the Fund’s Board. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that common shares may not be issued at a price below the then current net asset value, exclusive of sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

The Fund’s outstanding common shares are listed and traded on the Amex under the symbol “GLU.” The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the Amex during the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 was 37,267 shares. The average weekly trading volume of the common shares on the Amex during the period from January 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007 was 50,004 shares.

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the Amex or otherwise.

Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund’s common shares have traded in the market at a discount from net asset value. As of September 30, 2007, the closing market price of the Fund represented a 12.79% discount to net asset value. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net

asset value in the future. The common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase.

The Fund’s common shareholders vote as a single class to elect the Fund’s Board and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the Governing Documents or resolutions adopted by the Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shareholders. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

The Fund is a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company and as such its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable, subject to maintaining required asset coverage for each series of outstanding preferred shares. The Board has authorized such repurchases to be made when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount from net asset value of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board of the Fund may determine from time to time). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its common shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the Fund meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund.

When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below net asset value, the net asset value of the common shares that remain outstanding will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total assets of the Fund available for investment and may increase the Fund’s expense ratio. Through September 30, 2007, the Fund has not repurchased its common shares under this authorization.

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

Preferred Shares

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund’s Board may authorize and issue senior securities with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the Board without the approval of the holders of the common shares. Holders of common shares have no preemptive right to purchase any senior securities that might be issued.

Currently an unlimited number of the Fund’s shares have been classified by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of such preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and would materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund’s common shares.

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

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares By the Trust. The terms of any preferred shares are expected to provide that (i) they are redeemable by the Fund at any time in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends per share, (ii) the Fund may tender for or purchase preferred shares and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of preferred shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to the common shares, while any resale of preferred shares by the Fund will increase that leverage.

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

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

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

The Board may amend the Statement of Preferences definition of “Maximum Rate” (the “maximum rate” as defined below under “—Maximum Rate”) to increase the percentage amount by which the applicable reference rate is multiplied or to increase the applicable spread to which the reference rate is added to determine the maximum rate without the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred shares or any other shareholder of the Fund, but only after consultation with the broker-dealers and with confirmation from each applicable rating agency that the Fund could meet applicable rating agency asset coverage tests immediately following any such increase.

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

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

Asset Maintenance Requirements. In addition to the requirements summarized under “—Rating Agency Guidelines” above, the Fund must also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred shares. Under the 1940 Act, debt or additional preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of any preferred shares and debt outstanding.

The Fund will be required under the Statement of Preferences of each series of preferred shares to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an “asset coverage” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or stock, including any outstanding preferred shares. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured within 60 calendar days, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem shares of preferred sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage. See “Redemption” below.

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

In the alternative, the Prospectus Supplement may state that the holders of one or more series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares are entitled to receive cash distributions at annual rates stated as a percentage of liquidation preference, that will vary from dividend period to dividend period. The liquidation preference per share and the dividend rate for the initial dividend period for any such series of preferred shares will be the rate set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such series. For subsequent dividend periods, each such series of preferred shares will pay distributions based on a rate set at an auction, normally held weekly, but not in excess of a maximum rate. Dividend periods generally will be seven days, and the dividend periods generally will begin on the first business day after an auction. In most instances, distributions are also paid weekly, on the business day following the end of the dividend period. The Fund, subject to some limitations, may change the length of the dividend periods, designating them as “special dividend periods,” as described below under “—Designation of Special Dividend Periods.”

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

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

·	the dividend payment date for the affected dividend period will be the next business day on which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, are able to cause the distributions to be paid using their reasonable best efforts;

·	the affected dividend period will end on the day it would have ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date had remained the scheduled date; and

·	the next dividend period will begin and end on the dates on which it would have begun and ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date remained the scheduled date.

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

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

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

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

Credit Ratings		Applicable	Applicable
Moody’s	S&P	Percentage	Spread

Aaa	AAA	150%	1.50%
Aa3 to Aa1	AA– to AA+	250%	2.50%
A3 to A1	A– to A+	350%	3.50%
Baa1 or lower	BBB+ or lower	550%	5.50%

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

	Maximum
	Applicable		Method Used to
	Rate Using the	Maximum Applicable	Determine the
Reference	Applicable	Rate Using the	Maximum Applicable
Rate	Percentage	Applicable Spread	Rate

1%	1.50%	2.50%	Spread
2%	3.00%	3.50%	Spread
3%	4.50%	4.50%	Either
4%	6.00%	5.50%	Percentage
5%	7.50%	6.50%	Percentage
6%	9.00%	7.50%	Percentage

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

Effect of Failure to Pay Distributions in a Timely Manner. If the Fund fails to pay the paying agent the full amount of any distribution or redemption price, as applicable, for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares in a timely manner, the dividend rate for the dividend period following such a failure to pay (such period referred to as the default period) and any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing will be the default rate.

In the event that the Fund fully pays all default amounts due during a dividend period, the dividend rate for the remainder of that dividend period will be, as the case may be, the applicable rate (for the first dividend period following a dividend default) or the then maximum rate (for any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares

So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common shares) in respect of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to

the preferred shares as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:

·	the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common shares dividend or distribution;

·	the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of preferred to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and

·	after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “Preferred Shares—Rating Agency Guidelines” and “Preferred Shares—Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

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

Redemption

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

the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, or 10 business days, in the case of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares, following such failure; or

·	the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date.

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

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

failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred shares so that the Fund’s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liquidation Rights

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

Voting Rights

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

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

So long as shares of preferred are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of preferred outstanding at the time, and present and voting on such matter, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially adversely affect any of the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Governing Documents with respect to such shares of preferred, unless the Fund obtains written confirmation from Moody’s, S&P or any such other rating agency then rating the preferred shares that such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then assigned by such rating agency to the preferred shares, in which case the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred shares is not required. Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund will not approve any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely affect the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Governing Documents with respect to such shares of a series of preferred shares differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of preferred without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of preferred of each series materially adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such materially adversely affected series voting

separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected differently). For purposes of this paragraph, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to such series.

Under the Governing Documents and applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the preferred, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred shares. The approval of 66⅔% of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval of a majority (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares and a majority (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act (other than a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company), including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Objectives and Policies” in this Prospectus and the SAI, “How the Fund Manages Risk—Investment Restrictions” in this Prospectus and “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. For purposes of this paragraph, except as otherwise required under the 1940 Act, the majority of the outstanding preferred shares means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund duly called (i) of 66⅔% or more of the shares of preferred shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of preferred shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of preferred shares, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of common shares, and any other preferred shares, voting together as a single class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in question.

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

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

Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Shares

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

The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred shares or securities representing indebtedness and may issue such additional securities if the Board concludes that such an offering

would be consistent with the Fund’s Governing Documents and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

The Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the effect of limiting, in each case, (i) the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain transactions or (iii) the ability of the Fund’s Trustees or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management. These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. The Board of the Fund is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three years (except, to ensure that the term of a class of the Fund’s Trustees expires each year, one class of the Fund’s Trustees will serve an initial one-year term and three-year terms thereafter and another class of its trustees will serve an initial two-year term and three-year terms thereafter). Each year the term of one class of Trustees will expire. Accordingly, only those Trustees in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a minimum of two years to change a majority of the Board. Such system of electing trustees may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for the shareholders of the Fund to change the majority of trustees. See “Management of the Fund - Trustees and Officers” in the SAI. A Trustee of the Fund may be removed with or without cause by two-thirds of the remaining trustees and, with cause, by 66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of such Trustees. Special voting requirements of 75% of the outstanding voting shares (in addition to any required class votes) apply to certain mergers or a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets, liquidation, conversion of the Fund into an open-end fund or interval fund and amendments to several provisions of the Declaration of Trust, including the foregoing provisions. In addition, after completion of the offering, 80% of the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting as a class is generally required in order to authorize any of the following transactions:

·	merger or consolidation of the Fund with or into any other entity;

issuance of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, other than pursuant to the Dividend and Reinvestment Plan or any offering if such person or entity acquires no greater percentage of the securities offered than the percentage beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering or, in the case of a class or series not then beneficially owned by such person or entity, the percentage of common shares beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering;

·	sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000);

·	sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000); or

·	the purchase of the Fund’s common shares by the Fund from any person or entity other than pursuant to a tender offer equally available to other shareholders in which such person or entity tenders no greater percentage of common shares than are tendered by all other shareholders;

if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. However, such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board approves the transaction. In addition, shareholders have no authority to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws. The Trustees have authority to adopt, amend and. repeal By-Laws consistent with the Declaration of Trust (including to require approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election of Trustees). Reference is made to the Governing Documents of the Fund, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the full text of these provisions.

The provisions of the Governing Documents described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The

overall effect of the provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal shareholder. For the full text of these provisions see “Additional Information.”

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

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

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

REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES

The Fund is a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company and as such its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Board has authorized such repurchase to be made when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount from net asset value of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board of the Fund may determine from time to time). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its common shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the Fund meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commission, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund.

When the Fund repurchase its common shares for a price below net asset value, the net asset value of the common shares that remain outstanding shares will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total assets of the Fund available for investment and may increase the Fund’s expense ratio.

TAXATION

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

Taxation of the Fund

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

(i)

The Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following sources, which are referred to herein as “Qualifying Income”: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) interests in publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”).

(ii)

The Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

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

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

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

Taxation of Shareholders

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

Special rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. If you are an individual, any such ordinary income dividend that you receive from the Fund generally will be eligible for taxation at the Federal rates applicable to long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that (i) the ordinary income dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend income” (i.e., generally dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii) you satisfy certain holding period and other requirements with respect to your shares. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s ordinary income dividends will constitute qualified dividend income.

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

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

The Fund will send you information within 60 days after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.

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

The Fund may be required to withhold as backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT

AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

State Street Bank and Trust (the “Custodian”), located at One Heritage Drive, Palmer 2N, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

Computershare, located at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s Plan and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares of the Fund.

Computershare also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the preferred shares.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

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

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

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

In connection with the sale of our shares, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our shares to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our shares may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent. We will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 75 E. 55th Street, New York, New York 10022 in connection with the offering of the preferred shares.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

___________ serves as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Fund and audits the financial statements of the Fund. ____________ is located at ____________________.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

The Fund’s common shares are listed on the Amex. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed with the SEC by the Fund will be available for inspection at the Amex, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York, 10006.

This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act. This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each such statement is qualified in

its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND

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

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

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

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Fund to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, those listed under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” and elsewhere in this Prospectus. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to the future results, levels of activity or achievements, and neither the Fund nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

An SAI dated as of , 2007, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. An SAI may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800) GABELLI (422-3554). The Table of Contents of the SAI is as follows:

Page

THE FUND	A-1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES	A-1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS	A- 8
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND	A-10
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS	A-18
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER	A-19
AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED SHARES	A-20
TAXATION	A-22
NET ASSET VALUE	A-26
GENERAL INFORMATION	A-27
APPENDIX A — PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES	A-30

Appendix A

CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Aaa

Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa Securities.

A	Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present that suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa

Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. Moody’s applies numerical modifiers (1, 2, and 3) with respect to the bonds rated Aa through B. The modifier 1 indicates that the company ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the company ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

Caa	Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. These issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca	Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations that are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C	Bonds that are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

STANDARD & POOR’S RATINGS SERVICES

AAA	This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

AA	Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in small degree.

Principal and interest payments on bonds in this category are regarded as safe. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB

This is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB has an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

Speculative Grade

Debt rated BB, CCC, CC and C are regarded, on balance as. predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation, and C the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated C I is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid and debt rated D is in payment default.

In July 1994, S&P initiated an “r” symbol to its ratings. The “r” symbol is attached to derivatives, hybrids and certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high variability in expected returns due to noncredit risks created by the terms of the obligations.

AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.

“NR” indicates that no public rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

$100,000,000

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

Preferred Shares

PROSPECTUS

, 2007

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497

Registration Statement No. 333-________

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated , 2007)

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Series Preferred Shares

We are offering for sale shares of our Series ___Preferred Shares, par value $0.001 per share. Our common shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “GLU.” The last reported sale price for our common shares on , was $ per share.

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

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

(1) The aggregate expenses of the offering (excluding underwriting discount) are estimated to be $ .

The Underwriters are expected to deliver the Series __ Preferred in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about _____________.

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

P-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Page

TERMS OF THE SERIES __ PREFERRED SHARES		P-3

USE OF PROCEEDS		P-4

CAPITALIZATION		P-4

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO		P-4

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES ___ PREFERRED		P-4

TAXATION		P-4

UNDERWRITING		P-4

LEGAL MATTERS		P-4

P-2

TERMS OF THE SERIES ____ PREFERRED SHARES

Dividend Rate	The dividend rate [for the initial dividend period]⁽¹⁾ will be __________ %.
Dividend Payment Rate	[Dividends will be paid when, as and if declared on __________, __________, __________, and __________, commencing __________.⁽²⁾ The payment date for the initial dividend period will be __________.⁽¹⁾]
[Regular Dividend Period	Regular dividend periods will be __________ days.⁽¹⁾]
[Regular Auction Date	Auctions will be held on __________.⁽¹⁾]
Liquidation Preference	$__________ per share
[Non-Call Period	The shares may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to __________.⁽²⁾]
[Stock Exchange Listing]⁽²⁾
Rating	It is a condition of issuance that the preferred shares be rated “AAA” by S&P and⁽¹⁾“Aaa” by Moody’s.

(1) Applicable only if the preferred shares being offered is Auction Rate Preferred.

(2) Applicable only if the preferred shares being offered is Fixed Rate Preferred.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

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

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

CAPITALIZATION

[To Come]

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

[To Come]

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE SERIES ___ PREFERRED

[To Come]

TAXATION

[To Come]

UNDERWRITING

[To Come]

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters will be passed on by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, 75 E. 55th Street, New York, New York 10022, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the preferred shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by ____________________.

P-4

Dated __________, 2007

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve a consistent level of after-tax total return with an emphasis currently on tax-advantaged qualified dividend income. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective under current tax law by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in (i) equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (a) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water and (b) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and telecommunications services such as telephone, telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet (collectively, the “Utilities Industry”) and (ii) in equity securities (including preferred securities) of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to periodically pay dividends. In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of debt or equity of securities of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in the Utilities Industry. The Fund commenced investment operations on May 28, 2004. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus relating thereto dated __________, 2007, and as it may be supplemented. This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund’s shares, and investors should obtain and read the Fund’s prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Fund’s Registration Statement, including the prospectus and any supplement, may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge.

This Statement of Additional Information is dated __________, 2007.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

THE FUND	A-1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES	A-1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS	A- 8
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND	A-10
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS	A-18
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER	A-19
AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED SHARES	A-20
TAXATION	A-22
NET ASSET VALUE	A-26
GENERAL INFORMATION	A-27
APPENDIX A — PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES	A-30

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

The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained in the registration statement filed with the SEC, Washington D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office at no charge. This Statement of Additional Information is dated __________, 2007.

THE FUND

The Fund was organized as a statutory trust in Delaware on March 8, 2004 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The common shares of the Fund are listed on the American Stock Exchange (the “Amex”) under the symbol “GLU.”

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Investment Objectives

The objective of the Fund is to provide a consistent level of after-tax total return with an emphasis currently on tax-advantaged qualified dividend income. No assurance can be given that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in (i) equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent (i.e., at least 50% of the assets, gross income or net profits of a company is committed to or derived from) in providing (a) products, services or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas or water and (b) infrastructure operations such as airports, toll roads and municipal services and telecommunications services such as telephone, telegraph, satellite, cable, microwave, radiotelephone, mobile communication and cellular, paging, electronic mail, videotext, voice communications, data communications and internet (collectively, the “Utilities Industry”) and (ii) in equity securities (including preferred securities) of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to periodically pay dividends, which will in large part qualify under current tax law for U.S. federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which currently are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. (Such dividends are referred to in this SAI as “tax-advantaged qualified dividend income” or “qualifying dividends.”) In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of debt or equity of securities of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent in the Utilities Industry. In making stock selections, the Fund’s Investment Adviser (as hereinafter defined) looks for companies that have proven dividend records and sound financial structures.

Additional Investment Policies

Derivative Instruments.

Options. The Fund may, from time to time, subject to guidelines of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the limitations set forth in the Prospectus and applicable rating agency guidelines, purchase or sell, i.e., write, options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the OTC market, as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer of the call option, in return for a premium, the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during

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the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.

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

A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government Obligations or other high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its custodian. A put option is “covered” if the Fund maintains cash or other high grade short-term obligations with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or else holds a put on the same instrument as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.

An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.

Options on Securities Indices. The Fund may purchase and sell securities index options. One effect of such transactions may be to hedge all or part of the Fund’s securities holdings against a general decline in the securities market or a segment of the securities market. Options on securities indices are similar to options on stocks except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option.

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The Fund’s successful use of options on indices depends upon its ability to predict the direction of the market and is subject to various additional risks. The correlation between movements in the index and the price of the securities being hedged against is imperfect and the risk from imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the Fund diverges from the composition of the relevant index. Accordingly, a decrease in the value of the securities being hedged against may not be wholly offset by a gain on the exercise or sale of a securities index put option held by the Fund.

Options on Foreign Currencies. Instead of purchasing or selling currency futures (as described below), the Fund may attempt to accomplish similar objectives by purchasing put or call options on currencies or by writing put options or call options on currencies either on exchanges or in over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets. A put option gives the Fund the right to sell a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option gives the Fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Both types of options serve to insure against adverse currency price movements in the underlying portfolio assets designated in a given currency. The Fund’s use of options on currencies will be subject to the same limitations as its use of options on securities, described above and in the Prospectus. Currency options may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of the Fund to fully hedge its positions by purchasing the options.

As in the case of interest rate futures contracts and options thereon, described below, the Fund may hedge against the risk of a decrease or increase in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency denominated debt security which the Fund owns or intends to acquire by purchasing or selling options contracts, futures contracts or options thereon with respect to a foreign currency other than the foreign currency in which such debt security is denominated, where the values of such different currencies (vis-a-vis the U.S. dollar) historically have a high degree of positive correlation.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund will not enter into futures contracts or options on futures contracts unless (i) the aggregate initial margins and premiums do not exceed 5% of the fair market value of its assets and (ii) the aggregate market value of its outstanding futures contracts and the market value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by the Fund, as the case may be, do not exceed 50% of its total assets. It is anticipated that these investments, if any, will be made by the Fund solely for the purpose of hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase. Such investments will only be made if they are economically appropriate to the reduction of risks involved in the management of the Fund. In this regard, the Fund may enter into futures contracts or options on futures for the purchase or sale of securities indices or other financial instruments including but not limited to U.S. Government Obligations.

A “sale” of a futures contract (or a “short” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A “purchase” of a futures contract (or a “long” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. Certain futures contracts, including stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the securities underlying the futures contracts.

No consideration will be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as the “initial margin” and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index or security underlying the futures contract fluctuates. At any time prior to the expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract.

An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account attributable to that contract, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than,

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in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does change daily and that change would be reflected in the net assets of the Fund.

Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following: no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging, possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument, possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits on price fluctuations, imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements described below.

In the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts, under current interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash, U.S. Government Obligations or other liquid securities equal to the market value of the contract must be deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the custodian of the Fund to collateralize the positions, in order for the Fund to avoid being treated as having issued a senior security in the amount of its obligations. For short positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the Fund may establish a segregated account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker) with cash, U.S. Government Obligations or other high grade debt securities that, when added to amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the instruments or currency underlying the futures contracts or call options, respectively (but are no less than the stock price of the call option or the market price at which the short positions were established).

Interest Rate Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts to take advantage of or to protect the Fund against fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of debt securities which the Fund holds or intends to acquire. For example, if interest rates are expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities, the values of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation to the values of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such a sale would have an effect similar to selling an equivalent value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. If interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities will decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will increase at approximately an equivalent rate thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling debt securities with longer maturities and investing in debt securities with shorter maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.

Similarly, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when it is expected that interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for this purpose constitutes a hedge against increases in the price of debt securities (caused by declining interest rates) which the Fund intends to acquire. Since fluctuations in the value of appropriately selected futures contracts should approximate that of the debt securities that will be purchased, the Fund can take advantage of the anticipated rise in the cost of the debt securities without actually buying them. Subsequently, the Fund can make its intended purchase of the debt securities in the cash market and currently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts for this purpose, it will maintain in a segregated asset account with the Fund’s custodian, assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s obligations with respect to such futures contracts, which will consist of cash or other liquid securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial margin deposited by the Fund with its custodian with respect to such futures contracts.

The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining interest rates.

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The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates and consequent reduction in the value of portfolio securities.

The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of debt securities that the Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Fund’s losses from options on futures it has written may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of its portfolio securities.

Currency Futures and Options Thereon. Generally, foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon are similar to the interest rate futures contracts and options thereon discussed previously. By entering into currency futures and options thereon, the Fund will seek to establish the rate at which it will be entitled to exchange U.S. dollars for another currency at a future time. By selling currency futures, the Fund will seek to establish the number of dollars it will receive at delivery for a certain amount of a foreign currency. In this way, whenever the Fund anticipates a decline in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund can attempt to “lock in” the U.S. dollar value of some or all of the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated in that currency. By purchasing currency futures, the Fund can establish the number of dollars it will be required to pay for a specified amount of a foreign currency in a future month. Thus, if the Fund intends to buy securities in the future and expects the U.S. dollar to decline against the relevant foreign currency during the period before the purchase is effected, the Fund can attempt to “lock in” the price in U.S. dollars of the securities it intends to acquire.

The purchase of options on currency futures will allow the Fund, for the price of the premium and related transaction costs it must pay for the option, to decide whether or not to buy (in the case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option) a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period before the option expires. If the Investment Adviser, in purchasing an option, has been correct in its judgment concerning the direction in which the price of a foreign currency would move as against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may exercise the option and thereby take a futures position to hedge against the risk it had correctly anticipated or close out the option position at a gain that will offset, to some extent, currency exchange losses otherwise suffered by the Fund. If exchange rates move in a way the Fund did not anticipate, however, the Fund will have incurred the expense of the option without obtaining the expected benefit; any such movement in exchange rates may also thereby reduce rather than enhance the Fund’s profits on its underlying securities transactions.

Securities Index Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund may sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities market and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase securities index futures contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding positions in securities index futures contracts will be closed out. The Fund may write put and call options on securities index futures contracts for hedging purposes.

Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Subject to the guidelines of the Board, the Fund may engage in transactions in futures contracts and options hereon only for bona fide hedging, yield enhancement and risk management purposes, in each case in accordance with the rules and regulations of the CFTC.

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Regulations of the CFTC currently applicable to the Fund permit the Fund’s futures and options on futures transactions to include (i) bona fide hedging transactions without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and option premiums and (ii) non-hedging transactions, provided that the Fund not enter into such non-hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions and option premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions.

In addition, investment in future contracts and related options generally will be limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Fund’s outstanding senior securities.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. Subject to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates between a particular foreign currency and the U.S. dollar or between foreign currencies in which its securities are or may be denominated. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot, i.e., cash, basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. Forward currency contracts (i) are traded in a market conducted directly between currency traders (typically, commercial banks or other financial institutions) and their customers, (ii) generally have no deposit requirements and (iii) are typically consummated without payment of any commissions. The Fund, however, may enter into forward currency contracts requiring deposits or involving the payment of commissions. To assure that its forward currency contracts are not used to achieve investment leverage, the Fund will segregate liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. Government Obligations or other liquid securities with its custodian, or a designated sub-custodian, in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding its commitment with respect to the contracts.

The dealings of the Fund in forward foreign exchange are limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward foreign currency for another currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities or its payment of dividends and distributions. Position hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward foreign currency for another currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in the foreign currency to offset the effect of an anticipated substantial appreciation or depreciation, respectively, in the value of the currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In this situation, the Fund also may, for example, enter into a forward contract to sell or purchase a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount where it is believed that the U.S. dollar value of the currency to be sold or bought pursuant to the forward contract will fall or rise, as the case may be, whenever there is a decline or increase, respectively, in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated (this practice being referred to as a “cross-hedge”).

In hedging a specific transaction, the Fund may enter into a forward contract with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser. The amount the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts is limited to the amount of its aggregate investments in foreign currencies.

The use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract, and such use may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover. The Fund will only enter into forward currency contracts with parties which it believes to be creditworthy institutions.

Special Risk Considerations Relating to Futures and Options Thereon. The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in futures contracts and options thereon will be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid markets. Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only those futures contracts and options thereon for which there appears to be a liquid market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract or option thereon at any particular time. In the event no liquid market exists for a particular futures contract or option thereon in which the Fund maintains a position, it will not be possible to effect a closing transaction in that contract or to do so at a satisfactory price and the Fund would have to either make or take

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delivery under the futures contract or, in the case of a written option, wait to sell the underlying securities until the option expires or is exercised or, in the case of a purchased option, exercise the option. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon which the Fund has written and which the Fund is unable to close, the Fund would be required to maintain margin deposits on the futures contract or option thereon and to make variation margin payments until the contract is closed.

Successful use of futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts by the Fund is subject to the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest and foreign currency rates. If the Investment Adviser’s expectations are not met, the Fund will be in a worse position than if a hedging strategy had not been pursued. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates that would adversely affect the price of securities in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet the requirements. These sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so.

Additional Risks of Foreign Options, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts. Options, futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts on securities and currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in the foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser trading volume.

Exchanges on which options, futures and options on futures are traded may impose limits on the positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances.

Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are also subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be adversely affected by government exchange controls, limitations or restrictions on repatriation of currency, and manipulation, or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These forms of governmental action can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements as set forth in the Prospectus. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the purchaser, i.e., the Fund, acquires a debt security and the seller agrees, at the time of the sale, to repurchase the obligation at a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during such period. The underlying securities are ordinarily U.S. Treasury or other government obligations or high quality money market instruments. The Fund will require that the value of such underlying securities, together with any other collateral held by the Fund, always equals or exceeds the amount of the repurchase obligations of the counter party. The Fund’s risk is primarily that, if the seller defaults, the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities and other collateral for the seller’s obligation are less than the repurchase price. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might be delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of such collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase are less than the repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss.

If the financial institution which is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss.

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Loans of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund’s ability to lend portfolio securities will be limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Fund’s outstanding senior securities.

A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day notice, or by the Fund on five business days notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Fund’s management to be creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The Board will oversee the creditworthiness of the contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if the counter party to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder’s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.

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

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

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental policies that, except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund were to issue any preferred shares, the approval of a majority of such shares voting as a separate class would also be required. Such majority vote requires the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s applicable shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the applicable shares outstanding are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s applicable shares outstanding. Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. The Fund may not:

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(1) invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry. This restriction does not apply to investments in U.S. government securities and investments in the Utilities Industry;

(2) purchase commodities or commodity contracts if such purchase would result in regulation of the Fund as a commodity pool operator;

(3) purchase or sell real estate, provided the Fund may invest in securities and other instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein;

(4) make loans of money or other property, except that (i) the Fund may acquire debt obligations of any type (including through extensions of credit), enter into repurchase agreements and lend portfolio assets and (ii) the Fund may lend money or other property to other investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser pursuant to a common lending program to the extent permitted by applicable law;

(5) borrow money, except to the extent permitted by applicable law;

(6) issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by applicable law; or

(7) underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under applicable law in selling portfolio securities; provided, however, this restriction shall not apply to securities of any investment company organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro rata as a dividend to its shareholders.

In addition, it is a fundamental policy of the Fund to invest 25% or more of its assets in the Utilities Industry.

Unless specifically stated as such, no policy of the Fund is fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of its Board, and the day-to-day operations are conducted through or under the direction of its officers.

The names and business addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the Fund are set forth in the following table, together with their positions and their principal occupations during the past five years and, in the case of the Trustees, their positions with certain other organizations and companies. Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined by the 1940 Act, are listed under the caption “Interested Trustee.”

Trustees

Name, Position with the Fund, Age and Business Address⁽¹⁾ Interested Trustee⁽³⁾	Term of Office and Length of Time Served⁽²⁾	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Other Directorships Held by Director	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director
Salvatore M. Salibello Trustee Age: 61	Since 2004**	Certified Public Accountant and Managing Partner of the public accounting firm Salibello & Broder, LLP since 1978.	None	3
Independent Trustees
Anthony J. Colavita Trustee Age: 71	Since 2004*	Partner in the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.	None	34
James P. Conn Trustee Age: 69	Since 2004**	Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (insurance holding company) (1992-1998).	Director of First Republic Bank (banking)	15
Mario D’Urso Trustee Age: 66	Since 2004***	Chairman of Mittel Capital Markets S.p.A., since 2001; Senator in the Italian Parliament (1996-2001)	None	4
Vincent D. Enright Trustee Age: 63	Since 2004***	Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KeySpan Energy Corporation (public utility) (1994-1998)	None	13

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Michael J. Melarkey Trustee Age: 57	Since 2004***	Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel & Mulligan	Director of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)	4
Salvatore J. Zizza Director Age: 61	Since 2004*	Chairman of Zizza & Co., Ltd. (consulting).	Director of Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals (biotechnology) and Earl Scheib, Inc. (automotive services)	25

Officers

Name, Position with the Fund, Age, and Business Address⁽¹⁾	Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Bruce N. Alpert President Age: 55	Since 2004	Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Director and President of Gabelli Advisers, Inc. since 1998; Officer of all registered investment companies in the Gabelli Funds complex, except the Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness^Rx Trust.
David I. Schachter Vice President Age: 53	Since 2004	Vice President of the Fund since 2004; Vice President of The Gabelli Utility Trust since 1999 and The Gabelli Global Deal Fund since 2006; Vice President of Gabelli & Company, Inc. since 1999.
Peter D. Goldstein Chief Compliance Officer Age: 53	Since 2004	Director of Regulatory Affairs for GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2004; Chief Compliance Officer of all registered investment companies in the Gabelli Funds complex; Vice President of Goldman Sachs Asset Management from 2000 to 2004.
James E. McKee Secretary Age: 43	Since 2004	Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 1999 and of GAMCO Asset Management, Inc. since 1993; Secretary of all registered investment companies advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC and Gabelli Advisers, Inc.
Agnes Mullady Treasurer Age: 48	Since 2006	President and Chief Operating Officer of Closed-End Funds for Gabelli Funds, LLC since April 2007; Officer of all registered investment companies in the Gabelli Funds complex; Senior Vice President of U.S. Trust Company, N.A. and Treasurer and Chief Financial Office of Excelsior Funds from 2004-2005; Chief Financial Officer of AMIC Distribution Partners from 2002-2004; Controller of Reserve Management, Inc. and Reserve Partners, Inc. and Treasurer of Reserve Funds from 2000-2002.

_________________________

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

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

*	Term continues until the Fund’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

**	Term continues until the Fund’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

***	Term continues until the Fund’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

(3)	“Interested person” of the Fund is defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Salibello is considered an “interested person” of the Fund as a result of being a partner in an accounting firm that provides professional services to affiliates of the investment adviser.

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Beneficial Ownership of Shares Held in the Fund and the Fund Complex for Each Trustee

Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund complex beneficially owned by each Trustee.

Name of Trustee	Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held *in the Fund ⁽¹⁾**	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in Fund Complex*^{(1) (2)}
INTERESTED TRUSTEE:
Salvatore M. Salibello	A	E
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
Anthony J. Colavita**	C	E
James P. Conn	E	E
Mario d’Urso	C	E
Vincent D. Enright	B	E
Michael J. Melarkey	A	E
Salvatore J. Zizza	A	E

_________________________

*	Key to Dollar Ranges

A. None

B. $1 – $10,000

C. $10,001 – $50,000

D. $50,001 – $100,000

E. Over $100,000

All shares were valued as of December 31, 2006

**	Mr. Colavita beneficially owns less than 1% of the common stock of The LGL Group, Inc., having a value of $9,338 as of December 31, 2006. The LGL Group, Inc. may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and in that event would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser.

(1)	This information has been furnished by each Trustee as of December 31, 2006. “Beneficial Ownership” is determined in accordance with Section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).

(2)	The “Fund Complex” includes all the funds that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers.

The Trustees serving on the Fund’s Nominating Committee are Messrs. Colavita, Enright and Zizza. The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending qualified candidates to the Board in the event that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating Committee would consider recommendations by shareholders if a vacancy were to exist. Such recommendations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Fund. The Fund does not have a standing compensation committee. The Nominating Committee met once during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Anthony J. Colavita, Vincent D. Enright and Salvatore J. Zizza, who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, serve on the Fund’s Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for reviewing and evaluating issues related to the accounting and financial reporting policies and internal controls of the Fund and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers, overseeing the quality and objectivity of the Fund’s financial statements and the audit thereof and to act as a liaison between the Board and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee met twice during the year ended December 31, 2006.

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Remuneration of Trustees and Officers

The Fund pays each Trustee that is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $3,000 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and they are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended. Trustees who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

The following table shows the compensation that the Trustees earned in their capacity as Trustees during the year ended December 31, 2006. The table also shows, for the year ended December 31, 2006, the compensation Trustees earned in their capacity as Directors/Trustees for other funds in the Gabelli Fund Complex.

COMPENSATION TABLE

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006

Name of Person and Position	Aggregate Compensation from the Fund	Aggregate Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees and Officers*
INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
Salvatore M. Salibello	$7,500	$33,000	(3)
TRUSTEES:
Anthony J. Colavita	$8,500	$199,383	(34)◊
James P. Conn	$7,000	$88,500	(14)
Mario d’Urso	$7,000	$32,000	(3)
Vincent D. Enright	$8,500	$77,883	(14)◊
Michael J. Melarkey	$7,500	$32,500	(3)
Salvatore J. Zizza	$8,500	$139,383	(25)◊
OFFICER:
David I. Schachter Vice President	$75,000	$195,000	(2)

_________________________

* Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during the calendar year ended December 31, 2006 by investment companies (including the Fund) or portfolios thereof from which such person receives compensation that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers. The number in parenthesis represents the number of such investment companies and portfolios.

◊ Includes compensation for serving as Trustee of Ned Davis Research Funds, Inc., which was liquidated on February 10, 2006.

Limitation of Trustees’ and Officers’ Liability

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

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Investment Advisory and Administrative Arrangements

Affiliates of the Investment Adviser may, in the ordinary course of their business, acquire for their own account or for the accounts of their investment advisory clients, significant (and possibly controlling) positions in the securities of companies that may also be suitable for investment by the Fund. The securities in which the Fund might invest may thereby be limited to some extent. For instance, many companies in the past several years have adopted so-called “poison pill” or other defensive measures designed to discourage or prevent the completion of non-negotiated offers for control of the company. Such defensive measures may have the effect of limiting the shares of the company which might otherwise be acquired by the Fund if the affiliates of the Investment Adviser or their investment advisory accounts have or acquire a significant position in the same securities. However, the Investment Adviser does not believe that the investment activities of its affiliates will have a material adverse effect upon the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Securities purchased or sold pursuant to contemporaneous orders entered on behalf of the investment company accounts of the Investment Adviser or the investment advisory accounts managed by its affiliates for their unaffiliated clients are allocated pursuant to principles believed to be fair and not disadvantageous to any such accounts. In addition, all such orders are accorded priority of execution over orders entered on behalf of accounts in which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates have a substantial pecuniary interest. The Investment Adviser may on occasion give advice or take action with respect to other clients that differs from the actions taken with respect to the Fund. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies which are investment management clients of GAMCO Investors Inc. In addition, portfolio companies or their officers or directors may be minority shareholders of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

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

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

The Investment Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one agreement. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average weekly total assets of the Fund (which includes for this purpose assets attributable to outstanding senior securities, if any, with no deduction for the liquidation preference or principal amount, as applicable). This fee will be reduced each year following the fifth anniversary of the Investment Advisory Agreement by 10 basis points until the

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eighth anniversary, after which time the Investment Adviser will be compensated at an annual rate of .50% of the Fund’s average weekly total assets.

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

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

The Investment Advisory Agreement was approved by the Fund’s Board at a meeting in person of the Board held on May 16, 2007, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or interested persons of any such party (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act).

In the course of agreeing in principle to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund’s non-interested Trustees focused primarily on (i) the services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and the sub-administrator, (ii) the Fund’s fee and expense data as compared to various benchmarks, a peer group of closed-end funds and the other registered investment companies managed by the Investment Adviser and (iii) the experience and breadth of the investment advisory team expected to be utilized by the Investment Adviser.

The Investment Advisory Agreement terminates automatically on its assignment and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice at the option of either party thereto or by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

Portfolio Manager Information

Other Accounts Managed

The information below lists other accounts for which each portfolio manager was primarily responsible for the day-to-day management during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Name of Portfolio Manager or Team Member	Type of Accounts	Total # of Accounts Managed	Total Assets	# of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance	Total Assets with Advisory Fee Based on Performance
Mario J. Gabelli	Registered Investment Companies:	21	$13.9B	6	$5.4B
	Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:	17	$714.9M	16	$624.3M
	Other Accounts:	1818	$11.0B	6	$1.5B

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Potential Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when the portfolio manager also has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include:

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. Because the portfolio manager manages many accounts, he may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as if he were to devote substantially more attention to the management of only a few accounts.

Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If the portfolio manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may need to be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts primarily managed by other portfolio managers of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates.

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, the portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transactions, or both, to the detriment of one or more of his accounts.

Selection of Broker/Dealers. Portfolio managers may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds or accounts that they supervise. In addition to providing execution of trades, some brokers and dealers provide portfolio managers with brokerage and research services which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might otherwise be available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the portfolio manager determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a portfolio manager’s decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds or other accounts that he or she manages. In addition, with respect to certain types of accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals) the Investment Adviser may be limited by the client concerning the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades to particular brokers. In these cases, the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous transactions in the same security for a fund and another account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the fund or the other accounts. Because of Mr. Gabelli’s position with, and his indirect majority ownership interest in, an affiliated broker dealer, Gabelli & Company, he may have an incentive to use Gabelli & Company to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund even if using Gabelli & Company is not in the best interest of the Fund.

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

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

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Compensation Structure

Mr. Gabelli receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing the fund. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees the firm’s expenses (other than Mr. Gabelli’s compensation) allocable to the Fund. Additionally, he receives similar incentive-based variable compensation for managing other accounts within the firm. This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. One of the other registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli has a performance (fulcrum) fee arrangement for which his compensation is adjusted up or down based on the performance of the investment company relative to an index. Five closed-end registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli have arrangements whereby the Adviser will only receive its investment advisory fee attributable to the liquidation value of outstanding preferred shares (and Mr. Gabelli would only receive his percentage of such advisory fee) if certain performance levels are met. Mr. Gabelli manages other accounts with performance fees. Compensation for managing these accounts has two components. One component of his compensation is based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Adviser for managing the account. The second component is based on absolute performance of the account, with respect to which a percentage of such performance fee is paid to Mr. Gabelli. As an executive officer of the Adviser’s parent company, GAMCO Investors, Inc., Mr. Gabelli also receives ten percent of the net operating profits of the parent company. Mr. Gabelli receives no base salary, no annual bonus and no stock options.

Portfolio Holdings Information

Employees of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will often have access to information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures that require all employees to safeguard proprietary information of the Fund, which includes information relating to the Fund’s portfolio holdings as well as portfolio trading activity of the Investment Adviser with respect to the Fund (collectively, “Portfolio Holdings Information”). In addition, the Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted policies and procedures providing that Portfolio Holdings Information may not be disclosed except to the extent that it is (a) made available to the general public by posting on the Fund’s website or filed as a part of a required filing on Form N-Q or N-CSR or (b) provided to a third party for legitimate business purposes or regulatory purposes, that has agreed to keep such data confidential under forms approved by the Investment Adviser’s legal department or outside counsel, as described below. The Investment Adviser will examine each situation under (b) with a view to determine that release of the information is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and, if a potential conflict between the Investment Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests arises, to have such conflict resolved by the Chief Compliance Officer or the independent Board. These policies further provide that no officer of the Fund or employee of the Investment Adviser shall communicate with the media about the Fund without obtaining the advance consent of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or General Counsel of the Investment Adviser.

Under the foregoing policies, the Fund currently may disclose Portfolio Holdings Information in the circumstances outlined below. Disclosure generally may be either on a monthly or quarterly basis with no time lag in some cases and with a time lag of up to 60 days in other cases (with the exception of proxy voting services which require a regular download of data):

(1) To regulatory authorities in response to requests for such information and with the approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund;

(2) To mutual fund rating and statistical agencies and to persons performing similar functions where there is a legitimate business purpose for such disclosure and such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential at least until it has been made public by the Investment Adviser;

(3) To service providers of the Fund, as necessary for the performance of their services to the Fund and to the Board; the Fund’s anticipated service providers are its administrator, transfer agent, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, and legal counsel;

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(4) To firms providing proxy voting and other proxy services, provided such entity has agreed to keep such data confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser;

(5) To certain broker dealers, investment advisers, and other financial intermediaries for purposes of their performing due diligence on the Fund and not for dissemination of this information to their clients or use of this information to conduct trading for their clients. Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information in these circumstances requires the broker, dealer, investment adviser, or financial intermediary to agree to keep such information confidential and is further subject to prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and to reporting to the Board at the next quarterly meeting; and

(6) To consultants for purposes of performing analysis of the Fund, which analysis (but not the Portfolio Holdings Information) may be used by the consultant with its clients or disseminated to the public, provided that such entity shall have agreed to keep such information confidential until at least it has been made public by the Investment Adviser.

Disclosures made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement are subject to periodic confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund that the recipient has utilized such information solely in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Neither the Fund nor the Investment Adviser, nor any of the Investment Adviser’s affiliates will accept on behalf of itself, its affiliates, or the Fund any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings of the Fund. The Board will review such arrangements annually with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Ownership of Shares in the Fund

As of December 31, 2006, the portfolio manager of the Fund own the following amounts of equity securities of the Fund.

Name	Dollar Range of Equity Securities Held in Fund
Mario J. Gabelli	$3,800,736

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Subject to policies established by the Board of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and the allocation of brokerage on behalf of the Fund. Transactions in equity securities are in most cases effected on U.S. stock exchanges and involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. In general, there may be no stated commission in the case of securities traded in over-the-counter markets, but the prices of those securities may include undisclosed commissions or markups. Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, Inc. may execute transactions in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefrom. To the extent consistent with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and exemptions adopted by the SEC thereunder, as well as other regulatory requirements, the Fund’s Board have determined that portfolio transactions may be executed through Gabelli & Company, Inc. and its broker-dealer affiliates if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the use of those broker-dealers is likely to result in price and execution at least as favorable as those of other qualified broker-dealers, and if, in particular transactions, the affiliated broker-dealers charge the Fund a rate consistent with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in similar transactions and comparable to rates charged by other broker-dealers for similar transactions. The Fund has no obligations to deal with any broker or group of brokers in executing transactions in portfolio securities. In executing transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission available.

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Subject to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who provide supplemental research, market and statistical information, or other services (e.g., wire services) to the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. The term “research, market and statistical information” includes advice as to the value of securities, and advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the expenses of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Such information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in providing services to clients other than the Fund, and not all such information is used by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be useful to the Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund.

Although investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those for the other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, investments of the kind made by the Fund may also be made for those other accounts. When the same securities are purchased for or sold by the Fund and any of such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales in a manner deemed fair and equitable to all of the accounts, including the Fund.

For the fiscal period ending December 31, 2004 and the fiscal years ending December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, the Fund paid a total of $121,218, $42,112 and $18,727, respectively, in brokerage commissions, of which Gabelli & Company and its affiliates received, $99,079, $19,698 and $12,777, respectively. The amount received by Gabelli & Company and its affiliates from the Fund in respect of brokerage commissions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 represented approximately 68.23% of the aggregate dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for such period and approximately 49.06% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions by the Fund for such period.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of an investment company’s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the monthly average value of securities in its portfolio during the year, excluding portfolio securities the maturities of which at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expense than a lower rate, which expense must be borne by the Fund and indirectly by its shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate may vary from year to year and will not be a factor when the Investment Adviser determines that portfolio changes are appropriate.

For example, an increase in the Fund’s participation in risk arbitrage situations would increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A higher rate of portfolio turnover may also result in taxable gains being passed to shareholders sooner than would otherwise be the case. The Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 100%. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006 were 21.0% and 21.8%, respectively.

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AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED SHARES

Summary of Auction Procedures

The following is a brief summary of the auction procedures for preferred shares that are auction rate preferred shares. These auction procedures are complicated, and there are exceptions to these procedures. Many of the terms in this section have a special meaning. Accordingly, this description does not purport to be complete and is qualified, in its entirety, by reference to the Fund’s Governing Documents, including the provisions of the Statement of Preferences establishing any series of auction rate preferred shares.

The auctions determine the dividend rate for auction rate preferred shares, but each dividend rate will not be higher than the maximum rate. If you own auction rate preferred shares, you may instruct your broker-dealer to enter one of three kinds of orders in the auction with respect to your shares: sell, bid and hold.

·	If you enter a sell order, you indicate that you want to sell auction rate preferred shares at their liquidation preference per share, no matter what the next dividend period’s rate will be.

·	If you enter a bid (or “hold at a rate”) order, which must specify a dividend rate, you indicate that you want to sell auction rate preferred shares only if the next dividend period’s rate is less than the rate you specify.

·	If you enter a hold order you indicate that you want to continue to own auction rate preferred shares, no matter what the next dividend period’s rate will be.

You may enter different types of orders for different portions of your auction rate preferred shares. You may also enter an order to buy additional auction rate preferred shares. All orders must be for whole shares. All orders you submit are irrevocable. There is a fixed number of auction rate preferred shares, and the dividend rate likely will vary from auction to auction depending on the number of bidders, the number of shares the bidders seek to buy, the rating of the auction rate preferred shares and general economic conditions including current interest rates. If you own auction rate preferred shares and submit a bid for them higher than the then-maximum rate, your bid will be treated as a sell order. If you do not enter an order, the broker-dealer will assume that you want to continue to hold auction rate preferred shares, but if you fail to submit an order and the dividend period is longer than 28 days, the broker-dealer will treat your failure to submit a bid as a sell order.

If you do not then own auction rate preferred shares, or want to buy more shares, you may instruct a broker-dealer to enter a bid order to buy shares in an auction at the liquidation preference per share at or above the dividend rate you specify. If your bid for shares you do not own specifies a rate higher than the then-maximum rate, your bid will not be considered.

Broker-dealers will submit orders from existing and potential holders of auction rate preferred shares to the auction agent. Neither the Fund nor the auction agent will be responsible for a broker-dealer’s failure to submit orders from existing or potential holders of auction rate preferred shares. A broker-dealer’s failure to submit orders for auction rate preferred shares held by it or its customers will be treated in the same manner as a holder’s failure to submit an order to the broker-dealer. A broker-dealer may submit orders to the auction agent for its own account. The Fund may not submit an order in any auction.

The auction agent after each auction for the auction rate preferred shares will pay to each broker-dealer, from funds provided by the Fund, a service charge equal to, in the case shares of any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of less than 365 days, the product of (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such dividend period and the denominator of which is 365, times (ii) 1/4 of 1%, times (iii) the liquidation preference per share, times (iv) the aggregate number of auction rate preferred shares placed by such broker-dealer at such auction or, in the case of any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of one year or longer, a percentage of the purchase price of the auction rate preferred shares placed by the broker-dealer at the auction agreed to by the Fund and the broker-dealers.

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If the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to bid orders by potential holders with a dividend rate equal to or lower than the then-maximum rate is at least equal to the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to sell orders, then the dividend rate for the next dividend period will be the lowest rate submitted which, taking into account that rate and all lower rates submitted in order from existing and potential holders, would result in existing and potential holders owning all the auction rate preferred shares available for purchase in the auction.

If the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to bid orders by potential holders with a dividend rate equal to or lower than the then-maximum rate is less than the number of auction rate preferred shares subject to sell orders, then the auction is considered to be a failed auction, and the dividend rate will be the maximum rate. In that event, existing holders that have submitted sell orders (or are treated as having submitted sell orders) may not be able to sell any or all of the auction rate preferred shares offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares.

If broker-dealers submit or are deemed to submit hold orders for all outstanding auction rate preferred shares, the auction is considered an “all hold” auction and the dividend rate for the next dividend period will be the “all hold rate,” which is 80% of the “AA” Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate, as determined in accordance with procedures set forth in the Statement of Preferences establishing the auction rate preferred shares.

The auction procedures include a pro rata allocation of auction rate preferred shares for purchase and sale. This allocation process may result in an existing holder continuing to hold or selling, or a potential holder buying, fewer shares than the number of shares of auction rate preferred shares in its order. If this happens, broker-dealers will be required to make appropriate pro rata allocations among their respective customers.

Settlement of purchases and sales will be made on the next business day (which also is a dividend payment date) after the auction date through DTC. Purchasers will pay for their auction rate preferred shares through broker-dealers in same-day funds to DTC against delivery to the broker-dealers. DTC will make payment to the sellers’ broker-dealers in accordance with its normal procedures, which require broker-dealers to make payment against delivery in same-day funds. As used in this SAI, a business day is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading, and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or obligated by law to close.

The first auction for a series of auction rate preferred shares will be held on the date specified in the Prospectus Supplement for such series, which will be the business day preceding the dividend payment date for the initial dividend period. Thereafter, except during special dividend periods, auctions for such series auction rate preferred shares normally will be held within the frequency specified in the Prospectus Supplement for such series, and each subsequent dividend period for such series auction rate preferred shares normally will begin on the following day.

If an auction is not held because an unforeseen event or unforeseen events cause a day that otherwise would have been an auction date not to be a business day, then the length of the then-current dividend period will be extended by seven days (or a multiple thereof if necessary because of such unforeseen event or events), the applicable rate for such period will be the applicable rate for the then-current dividend period so extended and the dividend payment date for such dividend period will be the first business day immediately succeeding the end of such period.

The following is a simplified example of how a typical auction works. Assume that the Fund has 1,000 outstanding shares of auction rate preferred shares and three current holders. The three current holders and three potential holders submit orders through broker-dealers at the auction.

Current Holder A	Owns 500 shares, wants to sell all 500 shares if auction rate is less than 4.6%	Bid order at 4.6% rate for all 500 shares
Current Holder B	Owns 300 shares, wants to hold	Hold order will take the auction rate

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Current Holder C	Owns 200 shares, wants to sell all 200 shares if auction rate is less than 4.4%	Bid order at 4.4% rate for all 200 shares
Potential Holder D	Wants to buy 200 shares	Places order to buy at or above 4.5%
Potential Holder E	Wants to buy 300 shares	Places order to buy at or above 4.4%
Potential Holder F	Wants to buy 200 shares	Places order to buy at or above 4.6%

The lowest dividend rate that will result in all 1,000 shares of auction rate preferred shares continuing to be held is 4.5% (the offer by D). Therefore, the dividend rate will be 4.5%. Current holders B and C will continue to own their shares. Current holder A will sell its shares because A’s dividend rate bid was higher than the dividend rate: Potential holder D will buy 200 shares and potential holder E will buy 300 shares because their bid rates were at or below the dividend rate. Potential holder F will not buy any shares because its bid rate was above the dividend rate.

Secondary Market Trading and Transfer of Auction Rate Preferred Shares

The underwriters shall not be required to make a market in the auction rate preferred shares. The broker-dealers (including the underwriters) may maintain a secondary trading market for outside of auctions, but they are not required to do so. There can be no assurance that a secondary trading market for the auction rate preferred shares will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide owners with liquidity of investment. The auction rate preferred shares will not be registered on any stock exchange. Investors who purchase auction rate preferred shares in an auction for a special dividend period should note that because the dividend rate on such shares will be fixed for the length of that dividend period, the value of such shares may fluctuate in response to the changes in interest rates and may be more or less than their original cost if sold on the open market in advance of the next auction thereof, depending on market conditions.

You may sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the auction rate preferred shares only in whole shares and only pursuant to a bid or sell order placed with the auction agent in accordance with the auction procedures, to the Fund or its affiliates or to or through a broker-dealer that has been selected by the Fund or to such other persons as may be permitted by the Fund. However, if you hold your auction rate preferred shares in the name of a broker-dealer, a sale or transfer of your auction rate preferred shares to that broker dealer, or to another customer of that broker-dealer, will not be considered a sale or transfer or purposes of the foregoing if the shares remain in the name of the broker-dealer immediately after your transaction. In addition, in the case of all transfers other than through an auction, the broker-dealer (or other person, if the Fund permits) receiving the transfer must advise the auction agent of the transfer.

TAXATION

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

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (a “RIC”). Accordingly, the Fund will, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options,

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futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities of (I) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other RICs) or (II) any two or more issuers in which the Fund owns more than 20% or more of the voting securities and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses.

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

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the fund’s fiscal year), and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which a fund paid no federal income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

A distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year if it is paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of the year, payable to shareholders of record on a date during such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distributions paid during January of the following year will be deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions are received.

If the Fund were unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any year, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to the Fund’s shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. To qualify again to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years. In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than one taxable year, then the Fund would be subject to corporate-level tax upon the disposition of certain assets over a ten-year period on any net built-in gain inherent in the basis of such assets or, alternatively, could elect to currently recognize and pay corporate-level tax, such built-in gain, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year.

Gain or loss on the sales of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be short-term capital gain or loss.

Foreign currency gain or loss on non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities and on any non-U.S. dollar-denominated futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not section 1256 contracts (as defined below) generally will be treated as ordinary income and loss.

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Investments by the Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject such fund to federal income tax (including interest charges) on certain distributions or dispositions with respect to those investments which cannot be eliminated by making distributions to shareholders. Elections may be available to a fund to mitigate the effect of this tax provided that the PFIC complies with certain reporting requirements, but such elections generally accelerate the recognition of income without the receipt of cash. Dividends paid by PFICs will not qualify for the reduced tax rates discussed below under “Taxation of Shareholders.”

The Fund may invest in debt obligations purchased at a discount with the result that the Fund may be required to accrue income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before amounts due under the obligations are paid. The Fund may also invest in securities rated in the medium to lower rating categories of nationally recognized rating organizations, and in unrated securities (“high yield securities”). A portion of the interest payments on such high yield securities may be treated as dividends for certain U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act and the Statement of Preferences, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to the holders of common shares until the asset coverage is restored. Such a suspension of distributions might prevent the Fund from distributing 90% of its investment company taxable income as is required in order to avoid fund-level federal income taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the fund from distributing enough income and capital gain net income to avoid completely imposition of the excise tax.

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause a fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the fund as a regulated investment company.

Foreign Taxes

Since the Fund may invest in foreign securities, its income from such securities may be subject to non-U.S. taxes. If the Fund invests more than 50% of its total assets in foreign securities, the Fund will elect to have its foreign tax deduction or credit for foreign taxes paid with respect to qualifying taxes to be taken by its shareholders instead of on its own return. In that case, each shareholder shall include in gross income, and also treat as paid by him, his proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund makes this election, it will furnish its shareholders with a written notice after the close of the taxable year.

Taxation of Shareholders

The Fund will determine either to distribute or to retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a tax of 35% of such amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of whom (i) will be required to include in income for tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its shares of the Fund by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gain included in such shareholder’s gross income.

Distributions paid by the Fund from its investment company taxable income, which includes net short-term capital gain, generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits. Such distributions, if designated by the Fund, may, however, qualify (provided holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and its shareholders) (i) for the dividends received deduction available to corporations, but only to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations and (ii) for taxable years

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through December 31, 2010, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced maximum federal tax rate to individuals of generally 15% (currently 5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose shares with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation does not include a foreign corporation which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a “passive foreign investment company,” as defined in the Code. If the Fund engages in certain securities lending transactions, the amount received by the Fund that is the equivalent of the dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment. Distributions of net capital gain designated as capital gain distributions, if any, are taxable to shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gain, whether paid in cash or in shares, and regardless of how long the shareholder has held the Fund’s shares. Capital gain distributions are not eligible for the dividends received deduction. The maximum federal tax rate on net long-term capital gain of individuals is reduced generally from 20% to 15% (currently 5% for individuals in lower brackets) for such gain realized before January 1, 2011. Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain distributions, if any, will be subject to a 25% tax. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). For non-corporate taxpayers, investment company taxable income (other than qualified dividend income) will currently be taxed at a maximum rate of 35%, while net capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. For corporate taxpayers, both investment company taxable income and net capital gain are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%.

If an individual receives a dividend that is eligible for qualified dividend income treatment, and such dividend constitutes an “extraordinary dividend,” any loss on the sale or exchange of shares in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An “extraordinary dividend” for this purpose is generally a dividend (i) in an amount greater than or equal to 5% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period.

The IRS currently requires that a registered investment company that has two or more classes of shares allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) and qualified dividend income) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, the Fund intends each year to allocate capital gain dividends, dividends qualifying for the DRD and dividends that constitute qualified dividend income, if any, between its common shares and preferred shares in proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the common shares and preferred shares. Since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on its preferred shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of common shares.

Shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain distributions (but not distributions eligible for qualified dividend income treatment) with capital loss. There are a number of statutory provisions affecting when capital loss may be offset against capital gain, and limiting the use of loss from certain investments and activities. Accordingly, shareholders with capital loss are urged to consult their tax advisers.

The price of shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing shares just prior to a distribution will receive a distribution which will be taxable to them even though it represents in part a return of invested capital.

Upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of shares, a shareholder will generally realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be

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disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced by substantially identical shares within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received by the shareholder (or amounts credited to the shareholder as an undistributed capital gain) with respect to such shares.

Ordinary income distributions and capital gain distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific questions about federal (including the application of the alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or foreign tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

Backup Withholding

The Fund may be required to backup withhold, currently at a rate of 28%, on all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action, either prospectively or retroactively. Persons considering an investment in shares of the Fund should consult their own tax advisers regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of the Fund.

NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value of the Fund’s shares will be computed based on the market value of the assets it holds and will generally be determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the American Stock Exchange. The net asset value of the Fund’s shares is reported to the financial press on a weekly basis.

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

Portfolio securities primarily traded on foreign markets are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued by or under the direction of the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than 60 days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.

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

The Fund obtains valuations on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. All other investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued in good faith at fair value under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Fund’s Board.

In addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio securities and before the time as of which the fund determines its net asset value would, if such developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have more than a minimal effect on the Fund’s net asset value per share, the Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value.

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

Book-Entry-Only Issuance

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as securities depository for the securities offered pursuant to the Prospectus. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system is based upon information obtained from DTC. The securities offered hereby initially will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (as nominee for DTC). One or more fully-registered global security certificates initially will be issued, representing in the aggregate the total number of securities, and deposited with DTC.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilities the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly through other entities.

Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of a security, a beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct or indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities, except as provided herein.

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DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities being offered pursuant to the prospectus; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Payments on the securities will be made to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or the Fund, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the responsibility of the Fund, disbursement of such payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights under the securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificates representing the securities will be printed and delivered.

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the Investment Adviser and has directed the Investment Adviser to vote all proxies relating to the Fund’s voting securities in accordance with such procedures. The proxy voting procedures are attached. They are also on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 202-551-8090. The proxy voting procedures are also available on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov) and copies of the proxy voting procedures may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the follow E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

Code of Ethics

The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of ethics. This code of ethics sets forth restrictions on the trading activities of Trustees/directors, officers and employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their affiliates. For example, such persons may not purchase any security for which the Fund has a purchase or sale order pending, or for which such trade is under consideration. In addition, those trustees/directors, officers and employees that are principally involved in investment decisions for client accounts are prohibited from purchasing or selling for their own account for a period of seven days a security that has been traded for a client’s account, unless such trade is executed on more favorable terms for the client’s account and it is determined that such trade will not adversely affect the client’s account. Short-term trading by such Trustee/directors, officers and employees for their own accounts in securities held by a Fund client’s account is also restricted. The above examples are subject to certain exceptions and they do not represent all of the trading restrictions and policies set forth by the code of ethics. The code of ethics is on file with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090. The code of ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and copies of the code of ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

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Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers

The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a joint Code of Ethics that serves as a code of conduct. The Code of Ethics sets forth policies to guide the chief executive and senior financial officers in the performance of their duties. The Code of Ethics is on file with the SEC and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202-551-8090. The Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov), and copies of the Code of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

Financial Statements

The audited financial statements included in the annual report to the Fund’s shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2006, and the unaudited financial statements included in the semi-annual report to the Fund’s shareholders for the period ended June 30, 2007, together with the report of __________ for the Fund’s annual report, are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund’s annual report and semi-annual report to shareholders. All other portions of the annual report and semi-annual report to shareholders are not incorporated herein by reference and are not part of the registration statement.

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APPENDIX A

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND AFFILIATES

THE VOTING OF PROXIES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS

Rules 204(4)-2 and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.

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

I. Proxy Voting Committee

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

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

In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service (“ISS”), other third-party services, and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.

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

A. Conflicts of Interest.

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

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

B. Operation of Proxy Voting Committee

For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, any relevant third party research, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any recommendations by Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel will provide an opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of Advisers may diverge, counsel will so advise and the Committee may make different recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel will provide an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action.

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

Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all Proxy Voting Committee meetings will be maintained. The Advisers subscribe to ISS, which supplies current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues.

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

II. Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines

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

III. Client Retention of Voting Rights

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

·	Operations

·	Legal Department

·	Proxy Department

·	Investment professional assigned to the account

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

IV. Voting Records

The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers’ staff may request proxy-voting records for use in presentations to current or prospective clients. Requests for proxy voting records should be made at least ten days prior to client meetings.

If a client wishes to receive a proxy voting record on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, please notify the Proxy Voting Department. The reports will be available for mailing approximately ten days after the quarter end of the period. First quarter reports may be delayed since the end of the quarter falls during the height of the proxy season.

A letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the Advisers have voting responsibility instructing them to forward all proxy materials to:

[Adviser name]

Attn: Proxy Voting Department, One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1433

The sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along with the trading/DTC instructions. Proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.

V. Voting Procedures

1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and First Clearing Corporation are responsible for forwarding proxies directly to GAMCO.

Proxies are received in one of two forms:

·	Vote Authorization Forms (VAFs)—Issued by ADP. VAFs must be voted through the issuing institution causing a time lag. ADP is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials.

·	Proxy cards which may be voted directly.

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

3. In the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number of shares, an improperly signed or dated card, wrong class of security, etc., the issuing custodian is notified by phone. A corrected proxy is requested. Arrangements are made to insure that a proper proxy is received in time to be voted (overnight delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on record date, the custodian is requested to supply written verification.

4. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee (see Administrative), the votes are cast and recorded for each account on an individual basis.

Since January 1, 1992, records have been maintained on the Proxy Edge system. The system is backed up regularly. From 1990 through 1991, records were maintained on the PROXY VOTER system and in hardcopy format. Prior to 1990, records were maintained on diskette and in hardcopy format.

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PROXY EDGE RECORDS INCLUDE:

Security Name and Cusip Number

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

Adviser or Fund Account Number

Directors’ Recommendation

How GAMCO voted for the client on each issue

The rationale for the vote when it appropriate

RECORDS PRIOR TO THE INSTITUTION OF THE PROXY EDGE SYSTEM INCLUDE:

Security name

Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)

Date of Meeting

Name of Custodian

Name of Client

Custodian Account Number

Adviser or Fund Account Number

Directors’ recommendation

How the Adviser voted for the client on each issue

Date the proxy statement was received and by whom

Name of person posting the vote

Date and method by which the vote was cast

·	From these records individual client proxy voting records are compiled. It is our policy to provide institutional clients with a proxy voting record during client reviews. In addition, we will supply a proxy voting record at the request of the client on a quarterly, semiannual or annual basis.

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

6. Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms issued by ADP are always sent directly to a specific individual at ADP.

7. If a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote on one of the following manners:

·	VAFs can be faxed to ADP up until the time of the meeting. This is followed up by mailing the original form.

·	When a solicitor has been retained, that person is called. At the solicitor’s direction, the proxy is faxed.

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

9. Voting in Person

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

·	Banks and brokerage firms using the services at ADP:

The back of the VAF is stamped indicating that we wish to vote in person. The forms are then sent overnight to ADP. ADP issues individual legal proxies and sends them back via overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). Lead time of at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures detailed below for banks not using ADP may be implemented.

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Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:

The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested. All legal proxies should appoint: “REPRESENTATIVE OF [ADVISER NAME] WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION.”

b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the following supplemental material:

·	A limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser representative.

A list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names and account numbers are not included. This list must be presented, along with the proxies, to the Inspectors of Elections and/or tabulator at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. The tabulator must “qualify” the votes (i.e. determine if the votes have previously been cast, if the votes have been rescinded, etc.).

·	A sample ERISA and Individual contract.

·	A sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies form.

·	A copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if applicable).

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PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc. to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.

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

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

Board of Directors

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

·	Historical responsiveness to shareholders.

This may include such areas as:

·	Paying greenmail

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

·	Qualifications

·	Nominating committee in place

·	Number of outside directors on the board

·	Attendance at meetings

·	Overall performance

Selection of Auditors

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

Blank Check Preferred Stock

We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.

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

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Classified Board

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

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

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

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

Increase Authorized Common Stock

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

Factors taken into consideration include:

·	Future use of additional shares

·	Stock split

·	Stock option or other executive compensation plan

·	Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet

·	Aid in restructuring

·	Improve credit rating

·	Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense

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

·	Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect

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

Confidential Ballot

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

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

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

Cumulative Voting

In general, we support cumulative voting.

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

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

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

Director Liability And Indemnification

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

Equal Access to the Proxy

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

Fair Price Provisions

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

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Golden Parachutes

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

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

Note: Congress has imposed a tax on any parachute that is more than three times the executive’s average annual compensation.

Anti-Greenmail Proposals

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

Limit Shareholders’ Rights to Call Special Meetings

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

Consideration Of Nonfinancial Effects Of A Merger

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

A-37

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Mergers, Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings

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

Military Issues

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

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

Northern Ireland

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

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

Opt Out Of State Anti-Takeover Law

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

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

·	State of Incorporation

·	Management history of responsiveness to shareholders

·	Other mitigating factors

Poison Pill

In general, we do not endorse poison pills.

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

Reincorporation

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

A-38

Stock Option Plans

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

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

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

·	Method of payment

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

Supermajority Vote Requirements

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

Limit Shareholders Right To Act By Written Consent

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

Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A-39

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(1) Financial Statements

Part A

None

Part B

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2006

Statement of operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2006

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(2) Exhibits

(a) Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant (1)

(b) By-Laws of Registrant (1)

(d) Form of Specimen Common Share Certificate (1)

(e)

Included in Prospectus [Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan of Registrant] (1)

(f)

Not applicable

(g)

Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gabelli Funds, LLC (1)

(h)

Form of Underwriting Agreement (3)

(i)

Not applicable

(j)

Form of Custodian Agreement (1)

(k)

Form of Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (1)

(l)

Opinion and Consent of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP with respect to legality (3)

(m)

Not applicable

(n)

(i)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (3)

(ii) Powers of Attorney (2)

(o)

Not applicable

(p)

Form of Initial Subscription Agreement (1)

(q)

Not applicable

(r)

(i)

Code of Ethics of the Fund and the Investment Adviser (1)

(ii) Joint Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers (1)

_____________________

(1) Previously filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on May 25, 2004 (333-113621).

(2) Filed herewith.

(3) To be filed by Amendment.

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

The information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page __ of the Prospectus is incorporated by reference, and any information concerning any underwriters will be contained in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, if any.

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

SEC registration fees	$_____
American Stock Exchange listing fee	$_____
Rating Agency fees	$_____
Printing/engraving expenses	$_____
Auditing fees and expenses	$_____
Legal fees and expenses	$_____
FINRA fees	$_____
Miscellaneous	$_____
Total	$_____

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

None.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities as of September 30, 2007:

Class of Shares	Number of Record Holders
Common Shares	11

Item 30. Indemnification

Article IV of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides as follows:

4.1 No personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated under the general corporation law of the State of Delaware. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection with Trust Property or the affairs of the Trust, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability.

4.2 Mandatory Indemnification. (a) The Trust shall indemnify the Trustees and officers of the Trust (each such person being an “indemnitee”) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise (other than, except as authorized by the Trustees, as the plaintiff or complainant) or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth above in this Section 4.2 by reason of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which he shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (negligence in the case of Affiliated Indemnitees), or (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “disabling conduct”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the Trustees.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (2) in the absence of such a decision by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding (“Disinterested Non-Party Trustees”), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion conclude that the indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph (c) below.

(c) The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to

such indemnification and if a majority of the Trustees determine that the applicable standards of conduct necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met. (1) the indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees, or if a majority vote of such quorum so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

(d) The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and this Declaration, the Trust shall have the power and authority to indemnify Persons providing services to the Trust to the full extent provided by law as if the Trust were a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the Trustees.

4.3 No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing with the Trustees or with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust. The Trustees may maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.

4.4 Reliance on experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of its duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any of the Trust’s officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor selected dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or other person may also be a Trustee.

Section 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement provides as follows:

(a) The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify the Adviser and each of the Adviser’s trustees, officers, employees, and agents (including any individual who serves at the Adviser’s request as director, officer, partner, trustee or the like of another corporation) and controlling persons (each such person being an “indemnitee’) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees (all as provided in accordance with applicable corporate law) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth above in this paragraph or thereafter by reason of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Fund and furthermore, in the case of any criminal proceeding, so long as he had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that (1) no indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence, (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “disabling conduct”), (2) as to any matter disposed of by settlement or a compromise payment by such indemnitee, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless there has been a determination that such settlement or compromise is in the

best interests of the Fund and that such indemnitee appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Fund and did not involve disabling conduct by such indemnitee and (3) with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the full Board of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Fund shall not be obligated to provide any such indemnification to the extent such provision would waive any right which the Fund cannot lawfully waive.

(b) The Fund shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Fund receives a written affirmation of the indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Fund unless it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to such indemnification and if the trustees of the Fund determine that the facts then known to them would not preclude indemnification. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (A) the indemnitee shall provide a security for his undertaking, (B) the Fund shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (C) a majority of a quorum of trustees of the Fund who are neither “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act) nor parties to the proceeding (“Disinterested Non-Party Trustees”) or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

(c) All determinations with respect to indemnification hereunder shall be made (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that such indemnitee is not liable by reason of disabling conduct or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees of the Fund, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable or even, if obtainable, if a majority vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.

Underwriter indemnification provisions to be filed by Amendment.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

The Investment Adviser, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of New York, acts as investment adviser to the Registrant. The Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 31 to provide a list of the officers and directors of the Investment Adviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the Investment Adviser or those officers and directors during the past two years, by incorporating by reference the information contained in the Form ADV of the Investment Adviser filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1940 Act (Commission File No. 801-26202).

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained in part at the office of the Investment Adviser at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, in part at the offices of the Registrant’s custodian, State Street Bank and Trust, ______________, ___, ______, in part at the offices of the Registrant’s sub-administrator, PFPC Inc., 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, 19809, and in part at the offices of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43025, Providence, RI 02940-3025.

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

1. Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

2. Not applicable.

3. Not applicable.

4. Registrant undertakes:

(a)

to file, during and period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(1)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(2)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and

(3)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.

(b)

that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(c)

to remove from registration by means of a pos-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

(d)

that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(e)

that for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities:

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

(1)

any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act.

(2)

the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(3)

any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

5. Registrant undertakes:

(a)

that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) will be deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(b)

that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

6. Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.

SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Registrant’s Registration Statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the City of Rye, State of New York, on the 21st day of November, 2007.

	THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST


	By: /s/ Bruce N. Alpert
	Bruce N. Alpert
	President and Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the 21st day of November, 2007.

NAME	TITLE
* Anthony J. Colavita	Trustee
* James P. Conn	Trustee
* Mario d’Urso	Trustee
* Vincent D. Enright	Trustee
Michael J. Melarkey	Trustee
* Salvatore M. Salibello	Trustee
* Salvatore J. Zizza	Trustee
/s/ Bruce N. Alpert Bruce N. Alpert	Attorney-in-Fact
_______________ * Pursuant to Powers of Attorney

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
Ex. 99 (n) (ii)		Powers of Attorney