N-CSRS 1 d58370dncsrs.htm GABELLI DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND GABELLI DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number            811-09377                

              The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund              

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                                Rye, New York 10580-1422                               

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                           Rye, New York 10580-1422                            

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  June 30, 2020

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

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


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Semiannual Report — June 30, 2020

 

  LOGO    LOGO    LOGO   
  Sarah Donnelly    Robert D. Leininger, CFA    Justin Bergner, CFA   
  Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager    Portfolio Manager   
  BS, Fordham    BA, Amherst College    BA, Yale University   
  University    MBA, Wharton School,    MBA, Wharton School,   
     University of Pennsylvania    University of Pennsylvania   

To Our Shareholders,

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the net asset value (NAV) per Class AAA Share of The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund decreased 13.0% compared with a decrease of 3.1% for the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index. Other classes of shares are available. See page 2 for performance information for all classes of shares.

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of June 30, 2020.

 

 

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


Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through June 30, 2020 (a) (Unaudited)

 

     Since  
                                       Inception  
     Six Months      1 Year     5 Year      10 Year      15 Year      (8/26/99)  

Class AAA (GABBX)

     (13.01)%        (6.64 )%      2.54%        7.87%        5.27%        5.05%  

S&P 500 Index

     (3.08)           7.51       10.73           13.99           8.83           6.05     

Lipper Large Cap Value Fund Average

     (13.97)           (5.86     5.50           10.32           6.30           4.95     

Class A (GBCAX)

     (13.05)           (6.70     2.54           7.87           5.28           5.07     

With sales charge (b)

     (18.05)           (12.06     1.34           7.24           4.86           4.77     

Class C (GBCCX)

     (13.32)           (7.32     1.78           7.06           4.49           4.44     

With contingent deferred sales charge (c)

     (14.19)           (8.25     1.78           7.06           4.49           4.44     

Class I (GBCIX)

     (12.63)           (5.76     3.38           8.44           5.73           5.40     

In the current prospectuses dated April 29, 2020, the expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 2.18%, 2.18%, 2.93%, and 1.93%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for these share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the Adviser) are 2.00%, 2.00%, 2.75% and 1.00%, respectively. See page 9 for the expense ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The contractual reimbursement for Class I Shares is in effect through April 30, 2021. Class AAA and Class I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A Shares and Class C Shares is 5.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

  (a)

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Returns would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses of the Fund. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectuses contain information about these and other matters and should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus please visit our website at www.gabelli.com. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares and Class C Shares on December 31, 2003 and the Class I Shares on June 30, 2004. The actual performance of the Class A and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance for the Class I Shares would have been higher due to the lower expenses related to this class of shares. The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization weighted index of 500 large capitalization stocks commonly used to represent the U.S. equity market. The Lipper Large Cap Value Fund Average reflects the average performance of mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 
  (b)

Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.

 
  (c)

Assuming payment of the 1% maximum contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase.

 
 

 

2


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)

For the Six Month Period from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020    Expense Table

 

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:

Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000

= 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case – because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return – the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
   Ending
Account Value
     Annualized
Expense
    Expenses
Paid During
 
     01/01/20    06/30/20      Ratio     Period*  

The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

 

                

Actual Fund Return

       

Class AAA

   $1,000.00      $   869.90        2.01%       $  9.34  

Class A

   $1,000.00      $   869.50        2.01%       $  9.34  

Class C

   $1,000.00      $   866.80        2.76%       $12.81  

Class I

   $1,000.00      $   873.70        1.01%       $  4.71  

Hypothetical 5% Return

       

Class AAA

   $1,000.00      $1,014.87        2.01%       $10.07  

Class A

   $1,000.00      $1,014.87        2.01%       $10.07  

Class C

   $1,000.00      $1,011.14        2.76%       $13.80  

Class I

   $1,000.00      $1,019.84        1.01%       $  5.07  

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (182 days), then divided by 366.

 

 

3


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of June 30, 2020:

The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Health Care

     18.5

Financial Services

     17.4

Food and Beverage

     12.7

Computer Software and Services

     10.6

Diversified Industrial

     6.6

Specialty Chemicals

     5.4

Energy

     4.4

Business Services

     3.0

Consumer Products

     2.7

U.S. Government Obligations

     2.4

Metals and Mining

     2.1

Telecommunications

     2.0

Electronics

     1.5

Aerospace

     1.5

Hotels and Gaming

     1.3

Cable and Satellite

     1.2

Environmental Services

     1.1

Machinery

     1.1

Broadcasting

     1.0

Semiconductors

     0.9

Automotive: Parts and Accessories

     0.9

Retail

     0.6

Agriculture

     0.5

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     0.6
  

 

 

 
         100.0
  

 

 

 
 

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

Proxy Voting

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

 

4


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Schedule of Investments — June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

       

Cost

    

Market
Value

 
  

COMMON STOCKS — 97.0%

 

  

Aerospace — 1.5%

 

1,500   

The Boeing Co.

   $ 179,802      $ 274,950  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Agriculture — 0.5%

 

3,136   

Corteva Inc.

     84,145        84,013  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.9%

 

2,000   

Aptiv plc

     123,445        155,840  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Broadcasting — 1.0%

 

7,000   

ViacomCBS Inc., Cl. A

     293,441        179,200  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Business Services — 3.0%

 

8,000   

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.

     340,181        245,520  
1,500   

Visa Inc., Cl. A

     137,987        289,755  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        478,168        535,275  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Cable and Satellite — 1.2%

 

6,400   

DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†

     244,427        220,864  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Computer Software and Services — 10.6%

 

450   

Alphabet Inc., Cl. C†

     269,652        636,125  
1,200   

Apple Inc.

     89,234        437,760  
21,000   

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

     298,426        204,330  
2,000   

Microsoft Corp.

     50,240        407,020  
1,000   

Palo Alto Networks Inc.†

     189,092        229,670  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        896,644        1,914,905  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Consumer Products — 2.7%

 

5,000   

Edgewell Personal Care Co.†

     141,427        155,800  
7,000   

Energizer Holdings Inc.

     312,622        332,430  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        454,049        488,230  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Diversified Industrial — 6.6%

 

28,000   

General Electric Co.

     417,378        191,240  
4,800   

Honeywell International Inc.

     161,331        694,032  
5,600   

Textron Inc.

     207,022        184,296  
2,300   

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

     159,648        132,411  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        945,379        1,201,979  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Electronics — 1.5%

 

4,000   

Sony Corp., ADR

     221,413        276,520  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Energy — 4.4%

 

4,000   

Avangrid Inc.

     164,976        167,920  
2,500   

Chevron Corp.

     268,716        223,075  
4,400   

National Fuel Gas Co.

     228,692        184,492  
3,000   

Phillips 66

     237,740        215,700  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        900,124        791,187  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Environmental Services — 1.1%

 

2,400   

Republic Services Inc.

     190,500        196,920  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 17.4%

 

5,500   

American Express Co.

     435,478        523,600  
6,000   

American International Group Inc.

     328,506        187,080  

Shares

         

Cost

    

Market
Value

 
  9,000     

Bank of America Corp.

   $ 229,665      $ 213,750  
  11,000     

Citigroup Inc.

     626,844        562,100  
  3,000     

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     204,631        282,180  
  10,300     

Morgan Stanley

     314,282        497,490  
  2,000     

PayPal Holdings Inc.†

     63,202        348,460  
  1,113     

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

     107,847        137,456  
  5,000     

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

     153,009        193,250  
  1,000     

Willis Towers Watson plc

     140,954        196,950  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        2,604,418        3,142,316  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Food and Beverage — 12.7%

 

  10,000     

Conagra Brands Inc.

     365,167        351,700  
  1,900     

Diageo plc, ADR

     216,982        255,341  
  5,000     

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

     142,046        142,000  
  7,000     

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Cl. B

     442,186        240,520  
  17,000     

Mondelēz International Inc., Cl. A

     648,072        869,210  
  14,000     

The Hain Celestial Group Inc.†

     322,472        441,140  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        2,136,925        2,299,911  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Health Care — 18.5%

 

  6,000     

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     198,033        352,800  
  1,100     

Cigna Corp.

     159,818        206,415  
  2,000     

CVS Health Corp.

     129,829        129,940  
  4,500     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

     316,298        346,230  
  2,700     

Medtronic plc

     221,979        247,590  
  14,500     

Merck & Co. Inc.

     877,236        1,121,285  
  11,000     

Patterson Cos. Inc.

     262,066        242,000  
  13,000     

Pfizer Inc.

     445,953        425,100  
  2,000     

Zoetis Inc.

     58,614        274,080  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        2,669,826        3,345,440  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Hotels and Gaming — 1.3%

 

  14,000     

MGM Resorts International

     150,650        235,200  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Machinery — 1.1%

 

  3,000     

Xylem Inc.

     172,328        194,880  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Metals and Mining — 2.1%

 

  6,200     

Newmont Corp.

     209,437        382,788  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Retail — 0.6%

 

  17,000     

Macy’s Inc.

     364,568        116,960  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Semiconductors — 0.9%

 

  1,400     

NXP Semiconductors NV

     133,905        159,656  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Specialty Chemicals — 5.4%

 

  11,500     

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

     681,976        610,995  
  3,000     

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

     361,526        367,380  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        1,043,502        978,375  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Telecommunications — 2.0%

 

  3,500     

T-Mobile US Inc.†

     208,742        364,525  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
   TOTAL COMMON STOCKS      14,705,838        17,539,934  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

       

Cost

    

Market
Value

 
  

RIGHTS — 0.0%

 

  

Telecommunications — 0.0%

 

3,500   

T-Mobile US Inc., expire 07/27/20†

   $ 0      $ 588  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

                  
   U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 2.4%

 

$ 430,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.060% to 0.124%††,
08/20/20 to 09/24/20

     429,922        429,884  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
   TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.4%    $ 15,135,760        17,970,406  
     

 

 

    
   Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.6%

 

     114,407  
        

 

 

 
   NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $ 18,084,813  
        

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yields at dates of purchase.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value (cost $15,135,760)

   $ 17,970,406  

Cash

     4,816  

Receivable for investments sold

     163,105  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     1,059  

Receivable from Adviser

     10,780  

Prepaid expenses

     35,565  

Dividends receivable

     27,914  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     18,213,645  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     1,215  

Payable for investments purchased

     14,129  

Payable for investment advisory fees

     15,041  

Payable for distribution fees

     3,650  

Payable for shareholder communications expenses

     54,474  

Payable for legal and audit fees

     26,541  

Payable for shareholder services fees

     9,857  

Other accrued expenses

     3,925  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     128,832  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

  

    (applicable to 1,259,472 shares outstanding)

   $ 18,084,813  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 15,258,842  

Total distributable earnings

     2,825,971  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 18,084,813  
  

 

 

 
Shares of Beneficial Interest, each at $0.001 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized:   

Class AAA:

  

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($11,739,584 ÷ 813,169 shares outstanding)

   $ 14.44  
  

 

 

 

Class A:

  

Net Asset Value and redemption price per share

  

    ($2,317,720 ÷ 161,041 shares outstanding)

   $ 14.39  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)

   $ 15.27  
  

 

 

 

Class C:

  

Net Asset Value and offering price per share

  

    ($886,082 ÷ 69,129 shares outstanding)

   $ 12.82 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Class I:

  

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($3,141,427 ÷ 216,133 shares outstanding)

   $ 14.53  
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.

Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $271)

   $ 212,211  

Interest

     419  
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     212,630  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment advisory fees

     95,496  

Distribution fees - Class AAA

     15,474  

Distribution fees - Class A

     2,949  

Distribution fees - Class C

     5,070  

Shareholder communications expenses

     28,158  

Registration expenses

     23,028  

Legal and audit fees

     19,643  

Shareholder services fees

     16,265  

Trustees’ fees

     14,719  

Custodian fees

     3,306  

Interest expense

     873  

Miscellaneous expenses

     7,876  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     232,857  
  

 

 

 

Less:

  

Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 6)

     (703

Expenses reimbursed by Adviser (See Note 3)

     (53,219
  

 

 

 

Total Credits and Reimbursements

     (53,922
  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     178,935  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

     33,695  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on

  

Investments:

  

Net realized gain on investments

     5,666  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (3,089,448
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments

     (3,083,782
  

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ (3,050,087
  

 

 

 
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
December 31, 2019

Operations:

       

Net investment income

    $ 33,695       $ 126,644

Net realized gain on investments

      5,666       1,065,323

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

      (3,089,448 )       4,303,789
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      (3,050,087 )       5,495,756
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

       

Accumulated earnings

       

Class AAA

            (660,969 )

Class A

            (125,987 )

Class C

            (55,401 )

Class I

            (214,030 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

            (1,056,387 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest Transactions:

       

Class AAA

      (1,732,634 )       (844,414 )

Class A

      (202,808 )       72,431

Class C

      (233,344 )       (508,146 )

Class I

      (289,130 )       (1,197,690 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets from Shares of Beneficial Interest Transactions

      (2,457,916 )       (2,477,819 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption Fees

      133       9
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets

      (5,507,870 )       1,961,559

Net Assets:

       

Beginning of year

      23,592,683       21,631,124
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 18,084,813       $ 23,592,683
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Financial Highlights

 

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

 

        Income (Loss)
from Investment Operations
  Distributions               Ratios to Average Net Assets/
Supplemental Data
Year Ended
December 31
  Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Year
  Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(a)
  Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on
Investments
  Total from
Investment
Operations
  Net
Investment
Income
  Net
Realized
Gain on
Investments
  Total
Distributions
  Redemption
Fees(b)
 

Net

Asset
Value,
End of
Period

  Total
Return†
  Net Assets,
End of Period
(in 000’s)
  Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
  Operating
Expenses
Before
Reimbursement
 

Operating
Expenses
Net of

Reimbursement
and Credits(c)

  Portfolio
Turnover
Rate

Class AAA

                                                           

2020(d)

    $ 16.60     $ 0.02     $ (2.18 )     $ (2.16 )                       $ 0.00     $ 14.44       (13.0 )%     $ 11,740       0.22 %(e)       2.44 %(e)       2.01 %(e)(f)       16 %

2019

      13.71       0.06       3.56       3.62     $ (0.06 )     $ (0.67 )     $ (0.73 )       0.00       16.60       26.4       15,508       0.40       2.18       2.00 (f)       18

2018

      17.23       0.02       (1.93 )       (1.91 )       (0.00 )(b)       (1.61 )       (1.61 )       0.00       13.71       (11.0 )       13,533       0.13       2.16       2.01 (f)       25

2017

      17.93       0.11       2.07       2.18       (0.09 )       (2.79 )       (2.88 )             17.23       12.1       17,155       0.58       2.01       2.00       60

2016

      17.12       0.07       1.82       1.89       (0.08 )       (1.00 )       (1.08 )       0.00       17.93       11.0       17,454       0.40       2.00       2.00 (g)       14

2015

      18.74       0.06       (1.11 )       (1.05 )       (0.06 )       (0.51 )       (0.57 )       0.00       17.12       (5.6 )       19,536       0.32       1.91       1.91 (f)       15

Class A

                                                           

2020(d)

    $ 16.55     $ 0.01     $ (2.17 )     $ (2.16 )                       $ 0.00     $ 14.39       (13.1 )%     $ 2,318       0.20 %(e)       2.44 %(e)       2.01 %(e)(f)       16 %

2019

      13.67       0.06       3.56       3.62     $ (0.07 )     $ (0.67 )     $ (0.74 )       0.00       16.55       26.5       2,860       0.41       2.18       2.00 (f)       18

2018

      17.19       0.02       (1.93 )       (1.91 )       (0.00 )(b)       (1.61 )       (1.61 )       0.00       13.67       (11.0 )       2,298       0.13       2.16       2.01 (f)       25

2017

      17.89       0.11       2.08       2.19       (0.10 )       (2.79 )       (2.89 )             17.19       12.2       3,683       0.58       2.01       2.00       60

2016

      17.09       0.07       1.81       1.88       (0.08 )       (1.00 )       (1.08 )       0.00       17.89       10.9       3,673       0.41       2.00       2.00 (g)       14

2015

      18.70       0.06       (1.10 )       (1.04 )       (0.06 )       (0.51 )       (0.57 )       0.00       17.09       (5.6 )       3,432       0.33       1.91       1.91 (f)       15

Class C

                                                           

2020(d)

    $ 14.79     $ (0.04 )     $ (1.93 )     $ (1.97 )                       $ 0.00     $ 12.82       (13.3 )%     $ 886       (0.54 )%(e)       3.19 %(e)       2.76 %(e)(f)       16 %

2019

      12.32       (0.05 )       3.19       3.14           $ (0.67 )     $ (0.67 )       0.00       14.79       25.5       1,288       (0.33 )       2.93       2.75 (f)       18

2018

      15.79       (0.10 )       1.76       (1.86 )             (1.61 )       (1.61 )       0.00       12.32       (11.7 )       1,514       (0.63 )       2.91       2.76 (f)       25

2017

      16.68       (0.04 )       1.94       1.90             (2.79 )       (2.79 )             15.79       11.3       1,969       (0.21 )       2.76       2.75       60

2016

      16.05       (0.06 )       1.69       1.63             (1.00 )       (1.00 )       0.00       16.68       10.1       2,620       (0.36 )       2.75       2.75 (g)       14

2015

      17.67       (0.07 )       (1.04 )       (1.11 )             (0.51 )       (0.51 )       0.00       16.05       (6.3 )       1,616       (0.42 )       2.66       2.66 (f)       15

Class I

                                                           

2020(d)

    $ 16.63     $ 0.09     $ (2.19 )     $ (2.10 )                       $ 0.00     $ 14.53       (12.6 )%     $ 3,141       1.23 %(e)       2.19 %(e)       1.01 %(e)(f)       16 %

2019

      13.76       0.22       3.60       3.82     $ (0.28 )     $ (0.67 )     $ (0.95 )       0.00       16.63       27.8       3,937       1.41       1.93       1.00 (f)       18

2018

      17.33       0.20       (1.97 )       (1.77 )       (0.19 )       (1.61 )       (1.80 )       0.00       13.76       (10.2 )       4,286       1.13       1.91       1.01 (f)       25

2017

      18.01       0.31       2.09       2.40       (0.29 )       (2.79 )       (3.08 )             17.33       13.3       5,481       1.61       1.76       1.00       60

2016

      17.19       0.15       1.83       1.98       (0.16 )       (1.00 )       (1.16 )       0.00       18.01       11.4       5,110       0.85       1.75       1.55 (g)       14

2015

      18.82       0.11       (1.12 )       (1.01 )       (0.11 )       (0.51 )       (0.62 )       0.00       17.19       (5.4 )       4,597       0.57       1.65       1.65 (f)       15

 

Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the year and sold at the end of the period including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect the applicable sales charges. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.

(a)

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.

(b)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

The Fund incurred interest expense during six months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2018. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 2.00% (Class AAA and Class A), 2.75% (Class C), and 1.00% (Class I). For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2017, 2016, and 2015, the effect of interest expense was minimal.

(d)

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, unaudited.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2015, there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(g)

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Fund received reimbursements of custody expenses paid in prior years. Had such reimbursement (allocated by relative net asset values of the Fund’s share classes) been included in the 2016 calculation, the annualized expense ratios would have been 1.83% (Class AAA), 1.83% (Class A), 2.59% (Class C), and 1.39% (Class I). The 2017 reimbursement had no effect on the expense ratio.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization. The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund was organized on May 13, 1999 as a Delaware statutory trust and commenced operations on August 26, 1999. The Fund is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Fund’s primary objective is long term growth of capital with current income as a secondary objective.

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

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

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt obligations for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.

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

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

 

   

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

 

10


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

   

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

   

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

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2020 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs     
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
   Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Total Market Value
at 06/30/20

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

              

ASSETS (Market Value):

              

Common Stocks (a)

     $ 17,539,934               $17,539,934  

Rights (a)

       588               588

U.S. Government Obligations

              $429,884          429,884

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

     $ 17,540,522        $429,884          $17,970,406  

 

(a)

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

There were no Level 3 investments held at June 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

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

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

 

11


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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

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

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

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

Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.

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

 

12


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

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

 

Distributions paid from:*

  

Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains)

     $   135,501  

Net long term capital gains

     957,271  
  

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

     $1,092,772  
  

 

 

 

 

*

Total distributions paid differs from the Statement of Changes in Net Assets due to the utilization of equalization.

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

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at June 30, 2020:

 

     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Investments

     $15,229,108        $4,346,131        $(1,604,833)        $2,741,298  

The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of June 30, 2020, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. The Fund’s federal and state tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open, subject to examination. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.

3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Trustees of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

Through April 30, 2020, the Adviser has agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the Fund’s annualized total operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) at no more than 2.00%, 2.00%, 2.75%, and 1.00%, respectively, of Class AAA, Class A, Class C, and Class I Shares’ average daily net assets. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed expenses in the amount of $53,219. The Fund has agreed, during the two year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay such amount to the extent, that after giving effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed the foregoing respective percentage limitations, after giving

 

13


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

effect to the recovery by the Adviser. At June 30, 2020, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser is $206,834. The amended agreement is renewable annually.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2020

   $ 80,192  

For the year ended December 31, 2019, expiring December 31, 2021

     73,423  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, expiring December 31, 2022

     53,219  
  

 

 

 
   $ 206,834  
  

 

 

 

The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $3,000 plus $500 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 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Trustee each receive a $1,000 annual fee. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Trustees who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the Plan) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Class AAA, Class A, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to G.distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Adviser, at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.

5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the six months ended June 30, 2020, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $3,023,122 and $6,095,650, respectively.

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund paid $2,822 in brokerage commissions on security trades to G.research, LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser. Additionally, the Distributor retained a total of $1,009 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. The amount of such expenses paid through this directed brokerage arrangement during this period was $703.

The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the sub-administration agreement with Bank of New York Mellon, the fees paid include the cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV. The Fund reimburses the Adviser for this service. The Adviser did not seek a reimbursement during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 3, 2021 and may be renewed annually, of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at a floating rate equal to the higher of the overnight Federal Funds rate plus 125 basis points or the 30 day ICE LIBOR plus 125 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.

 

14


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $48,566 with a weighted average interest rate of 2.96%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $531,000.

8. Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers four classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares. Class AAA and Class I Shares are offered without a sales charge. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%, and Class C Shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge for one year after purchase.

The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund as an increase in paid-in capital. The redemption fees retained by the Fund during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020

(Unaudited)
          Year Ended
December 31, 2019
     Shares   Amount        Shares   Amount

Class AAA

                     

Shares sold

       92,253     $ 1,256,169            36,921     $ 583,385

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                        38,326       636,166

Shares redeemed

       (213,284 )       (2,988,803 )            (128,423 )       (2,063,965 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease

       (121,031 )     $ (1,732,634 )            (53,176 )     $ (844,414 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class A

                     

Shares sold

       10,251     $ 140,162            44,274     $ 697,843

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                        7,575       125,364

Shares redeemed

       (22,021 )       (342,970 )            (47,153 )       (750,776 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

       (11,770 )     $ (202,808 )            4,696     $ 72,431
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class C

                     

Shares sold

       4,919     $ 69,102            22,719     $ 315,389

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                        3,635       53,758

Shares redeemed

       (22,874 )       (302,446 )            (62,216 )       (877,293 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease

       (17,955 )     $ (233,344 )            (35,862 )     $ (508,146 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class I

                     

Shares sold

       14,064     $ 181,816            13,779     $ 217,988

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                        12,870       214,030

Shares redeemed

       (34,714 )       (470,946 )            (101,305 )       (1,629,708 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease

       (20,650 )     $ (289,130 )            (74,656 )     $ (1,197,690 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

15


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

10. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

16


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)

At its meeting on February 11, 2020, the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Fund approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (the Independent Board Members). The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio managers.

Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long term performance (as of December 31, 2019) of the Fund against a peer group of eight other comparable funds prepared by the Adviser (the “Adviser Peer Group”) and against a peer group prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Performance Peer Group”) consisting of all retail large cap value funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution, as represented by the Lipper Large-Cap Value Index. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the fifth quintile for the one year, three year and five year periods, as measured against the Adviser Peer Group. Against the Broadridge Performance Peer Group, the Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the second quintile for the one year period, fourth quintile for the three year period, and fifth quintile for the five year period. The Independent Board Members then discussed the Fund’s performance and noted the recent changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team. In connection with this discussion, the Independent Board Members noted that it may take some time for the impact of these portfolio management team changes to come to fruition and manifest in improved performance.

Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the lack of profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge. The Independent Board Members also noted that a substantial portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker, that the affiliated broker received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions and that the Adviser received a moderate amount of soft dollar benefits through the Fund’s portfolio brokerage.

Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund needed significantly more assets before any potential economies of scale could be realized.

Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment advisory fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop or any historical losses or diminished profitability to the Adviser in prior years.

Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment advisory fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund to similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and a peer group of nine other large cap value funds selected by Broadridge and noted that the advisory fee includes substantially all administrative services for the Fund as well as the investment advisory services of the Adviser. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s expense ratios were above average within each peer group and that the Fund’s size was above average within the Adviser Peer Group and above the median within the peer group of funds selected by Broadridge. The Independent Board Members also noted

 

17


The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued)

that the management fee structure was comparable to those in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members noted that an advisory fee waiver structure was in effect for the Fund and discussed possible strategies for increasing the Fund’s size. The Independent Board Members were presented with, but did not consider to be material to their decision, various information comparing the advisory fee to the fees for other types of accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser.

Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services, good ancillary services, and an acceptable performance record in light of the Adviser’s efforts to reshape the Fund’s portfolio management team. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and low profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund were reasonable, particularly in light of the small size of the Fund, the Fund’s performance and the Adviser’s commitment to waive advisory fees, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the Advisory Agreement to the full Board.

Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was fair and reasonable with respect to the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and the Fund’s Amended and Restated Contractual Fee Waiver and Expense Deferral Agreement. The Board Members based its decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all-important or controlling.

 

18


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

Sarah Donnelly joined Gabelli in 1999 as a junior research analyst working with the consumer staples and media analysts. Currently she is a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC, a Senior Vice President, and the Food, Household, and Personal Care products research analyst for Gabelli & Company. In 2013, she was named the Health & Wellness research platform leader. Ms. Donnelly received a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and minor in History from Fordham University.

Robert D. Leininger, CFA, joined GAMCO Investors, Inc. in 1993 as an equity analyst. Subsequently, he was a partner and portfolio manager at Rorer Asset Management before rejoining GAMCO in 2010 where he currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC. Mr. Leininger is a magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College with a degree in Economics and holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Justin Bergner, CFA, is a Vice President at Gabelli & Company and a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds LLC, the Adviser. Justin rejoined Gabelli & Company in 2013 as a research analyst covering Diversified Industrials, Home Improvement, and Transport companies. He began his investment career at Gabelli & Company in 2005 as a metals and mining analyst, and subsequently spent five years at Axiom International Investors as a senior analyst focused on industrial and healthcare stocks. Prior to business school, Mr. Bergner worked in management consulting at both Bain & Company and Dean & Company. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Bergner graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Economics & Mathematics and received an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

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

 


THE GABELLI DIVIDEND GROWTH FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

t   800-GABELLI    (800-422-3554)

f   914-921-5118

e   info@gabelli.com

      GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Value per share available daily

by calling 800-GABELLI after 7:00 P.M.

 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

Vincent D. Enright

Former Senior Vice

President and Chief

Financial Officer,

KeySpan Corp.

 

Mary E. Hauck

Former Senior Portfolio

Manager,

Gabelli-O’Connor Fixed

Income Mutual Fund

Management Co.

 

Kuni Nakamura

President,

Advanced Polymer, Inc.

 

Werner J. Roeder

Former Medical Director,

Lawrence Hospital

 

 

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

John C. Ball

Treasurer

 

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN

 

State Street Bank and Trust

Company

 

TRANSFER AGENT AND

DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

 

DST Asset Manager

Solutions, Inc.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &

Flom LLP

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.

 

GAB402Q220SR

 

LOGO

 


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

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

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.   Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.   Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

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

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

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-


 

3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  (b)

The registrant’s certifying officers are not aware of any changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.   Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)

Not applicable.

 

  (a)(2)

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

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (a)(4)

Not applicable.

 

  (b)

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


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)

 

                              The Gabelli Dividend Growth Fund

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

 
 

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

                                          September 4, 2020

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

 
 

        Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

                                          September 4, 2020

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

        /s/ John C. Ball

 
 

        John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date

 

                                          September 4, 2020

 

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