N-CSRS 1 d393626dncsrs.htm GABELLI GOLD FUND INC. Gabelli Gold Fund Inc.

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         811-08518          

                          Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.                                  

(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, 2017

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.


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

 

Semiannual Report — June 30, 2017

  

LOGO

Caesar M. P. Bryan

Portfolio Manager

To Our Shareholders,

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the net asset value (“NAV”) per Class AAA Share of the Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc. increased 7.2% compared with increases of 2.4% and 5.4% for the Philadelphia Gold & Silver (“XAU”) Index and the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, respectively. See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments as of June 30, 2017.

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through June 30, 2017 (a) (Unaudited)   Since    
                         Inception    
     Six Months   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year   (7/11/94)    

Class AAA (GOLDX)

       7.21 %       (16.93 )%       (7.01 )%       (0.64 )%       6.56 %       4.57 %    

XAU Index

       2.43       (17.27 )       (12.51 )       (5.07 )       0.82       (1.45 )    

NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index

       5.39       (19.60 )       (11.94 )       (4.07 )       1.82       0.06 (b)    

Lipper Precious Metals Fund Classification

       5.92       (17.87 )       (9.71 )       (2.83 )       4.99       2.50    

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index

       9.34       17.90       14.63       7.18       8.34       9.73    

Class A (GLDAX)

       7.19       (16.91 )       (7.00 )       (0.61 )       6.58       4.58    

With sales charge (c)

       1.03       (21.69 )       (8.10 )       (1.20 )       6.16       4.31    

Class C (GLDCX)

       6.79       (17.53 )       (7.70 )       (1.38 )       5.80       4.08    

With contingent deferred sales charge (d)

       5.79       (18.35 )       (7.70 )       (1.38 )       5.80       4.08    

Class I (GLDIX)

       7.30       (16.69 )       (6.78 )       (0.40 )       6.73       4.68    

In the current prospectuses dated April 28, 2017, the expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 1.51%, 1.51%, 2.26%, and 1.26%, respectively. See page 8 for the expense ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2017. 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. 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. Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. Investing in gold is considered speculative and is affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial, and political factors. 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 23, 2002, and Class I Shares on January 11, 2008. The actual performance of the Class A Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower due to the additional fees and expenses associated with these classes of shares. The actual performance of the Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses related to this class of shares. The XAU Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance of large North American gold and silver companies. The NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved primarily in the mining for gold and silver. The Lipper Precious Metals Fund Classification reflects the average performance of mutual funds classified in this particular category. 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. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 
  (b)

NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index since inception performance results is as of June 30, 1994.

 
  (c)

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

 
  (d)

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

 


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.   
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)   

For the Six Month Period from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017

   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
01/01/17
     Ending
Account Value
06/30/17
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 

Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

 

       

Actual Fund Return

 

    

Class AAA

     $1,000.00        $1,072.10        1.51     $  7.76  

Class A

     $1,000.00        $1,071.90        1.51     $  7.76  

Class C

     $1,000.00        $1,067.90        2.26     $11.59  

Class I

     $1,000.00        $1,073.00        1.26     $  6.48  

Hypothetical 5% Return

 

    

Class AAA

     $1,000.00        $1,017.31        1.51     $  7.55  

Class A

     $1,000.00        $1,017.31        1.51     $  7.55  

Class C

     $1,000.00        $1,013.59        2.26     $11.28  

Class I

     $1,000.00        $1,018.55        1.26     $  6.31  

 

*

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 (181 days), then divided by 365.

 

 

2


Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of June 30, 2017:

Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

 

North America

     66.2      Africa      1.4

United Kingdom

     22.1      Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)      0.1
          

 

 

 

Australia

     10.2           100.0
          

 

 

 

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

Proxy Voting

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

 

3


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments — June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares         Cost     Market
Value
 
  COMMON STOCKS — 98.9%  
  Metals and Mining — 98.9%  
  Africa — 1.4%  
  366,200    

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., ADR

  $ 5,389,372     $ 3,559,464  
  250,000    

Gold Fields Ltd., ADR

    1,282,620       870,000  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      6,671,992       4,429,464  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  Australia — 10.2%  
  7,000,000    

Gold Road Resources Ltd.†

    2,952,005       3,604,725  
  947,079    

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    21,884,592       14,660,783  
  1,276,227    

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    1,925,823       4,659,302  
  4,450,000    

Perseus Mining Ltd.†

    3,579,845       1,012,299  
  3,745,000    

Perseus Mining Ltd.†

    975,234       834,736  
  4,827,272    

Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd.†

    1,627,378       4,340,972  
  1,956,756    

Westgold Resources Ltd.†

    2,302,849       2,767,285  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      35,247,726       31,880,102  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  North America — 65.2%  
  140,246    

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., New York

    1,861,020       6,327,899  
  322,186    

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Toronto

    4,607,237       14,529,177  
  1,300,000    

Alacer Gold Corp.†

    2,994,011       2,085,133  
  1,067,675    

Alamos Gold Inc., New York, Cl. A

    6,903,793       7,665,907  
  425,000    

Alamos Gold Inc., Toronto, Cl. A

    3,710,047       3,015,114  
  5,500,000    

Alexandria Minerals
Corp.†(a)

    965,100       318,091  
  1,100,000    

Amarillo Gold Corp.†

    318,969       288,402  
  950,000    

Asanko Gold Inc.†

    2,071,372       1,457,819  
  2,744,232    

AuRico Metals Inc.†

    1,758,451       2,412,419  
  120,000    

B2Gold Corp., New York†

    319,968       337,200  
  2,304,650    

B2Gold Corp., Toronto†

    6,663,921       6,486,715  
  348,700    

Barrick Gold Corp., New York

    4,661,890       5,547,817  
  122,661    

Barrick Gold Corp., Toronto

    3,309,806       1,951,339  
  4,600,000    

Belo Sun Mining Corp.†

    2,970,194       2,128,316  
  350,000    

Chesapeake Gold Corp.†

    1,099,856       850,170  
  55,000    

Contango ORE Inc.†

    1,134,322       1,050,500  
  1,500,000    

Continental Gold Inc.†

    2,720,201       4,418,569  
  750,000    

Detour Gold Corp.†

    9,450,347       8,779,303  
  125,000    

Eldorado Gold Corp., New York

    519,603       330,000  
  467,500    

Eldorado Gold Corp., New York(a)

    3,150,558       1,240,070  
  470,833    

Eldorado Gold Corp., Toronto

    3,173,324       1,249,030  
  100,000    

Endeavour Mining Corp.†

    1,750,457       1,725,787  
  575,000    

Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.†

    2,536,767       2,811,750  
  244,700    

Franco-Nevada Corp.(a)

    6,599,423       17,656,214  
  350,000    

Gold Standard Ventures Corp.†

    580,710       598,500  
  533,800    

Goldcorp Inc.

    3,173,050       6,882,431  
  1,500,000    

Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., New York†(a)

    959,844       809,323  
  2,477,000    

Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., Toronto†

    1,586,161       1,337,423  
  473,000    

Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., Toronto†

    231,169       255,321  
Shares         Cost     Market
Value
 
  4,000,000    

Integra Gold Corp.†

  $ 2,549,621     $ 2,899,445  
  250,000    

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd., Toronto

    1,646,418       2,365,438  
  460,000    

Klondex Mines Ltd.†

    1,709,675       1,550,123  
  400,000    

MAG Silver Corp.†

    3,085,784       5,222,085  
  5,050,000    

Mandalay Resources Corp.

    3,874,435       1,460,325  
  2,950,000    

Midas Gold Corp.†

    1,240,620       1,637,878  
  337,871    

Newmont Mining Corp.

    14,399,107       10,943,642  
  1,672,000    

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.†

    820,750       2,333,683  
  2,395,850    

OceanaGold Corp.

    7,227,560       7,223,761  
  306,860    

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.

    4,145,818       3,750,564  
  601,800    

Osisko Mining Inc.†

    1,306,359       1,902,668  
  200,000    

Pretium Resources Inc.†

    2,065,228       1,922,000  
  10,600,000    

Redstar Gold Corp.†

    463,869       1,226,095  
  560,000    

Richmont Mines Inc., New York†

    2,422,726       4,359,947  
  40,000    

Richmont Mines Inc., Toronto†(a)

    173,979       313,094  
  212,700    

Royal Gold Inc.

    11,756,719       16,626,759  
  600,000    

SEMAFO Inc., New York†(a)

    1,780,070       1,383,636  
  250,000    

SEMAFO Inc., Toronto†

    741,276       576,188  
  50,000    

Tahoe Resources Inc., New York

    770,085       431,000  
  850,000    

Tahoe Resources Inc., Toronto

    10,782,189       7,328,038  
  140,000    

TMAC Resources Inc.†

    1,899,579       1,567,551  
  50,000    

Torex Gold Resources Inc., New York†(a)

    543,060       953,501  
  410,000    

Torex Gold Resources Inc., Toronto†

    6,013,625       7,818,708  
  3,200,000    

Victoria Gold Corp.†

    1,552,561       1,431,215  
  3,041,000    

Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.†

    3,665,558       7,152,259  
  215,000    

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., New York

    4,649,611       4,276,350  
  30,000    

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., Toronto

    724,270       595,928  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      173,792,123       203,797,620  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  United Kingdom — 22.1%  
  1,190,000    

Acacia Mining plc

    5,037,184       4,617,221  
  2,349,000    

Centamin plc

    2,333,984       4,736,060  
  1,300,728    

Condor Gold plc†(a)

    1,006,434       940,249  
  1,160,500    

Fresnillo plc

    11,149,537       22,460,900  
  2,597,709    

Hochschild Mining plc

    5,111,367       9,277,290  
  3,000,000    

Hummingbird Resources plc†

    1,082,952       1,030,569  
  295,900    

Randgold Resources Ltd., ADR

    2,164,038       26,175,314  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      27,885,496       69,237,603  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS     243,597,337       309,344,789  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  WARRANTS — 0.5%  
  Metals and Mining — 0.5%  
  North America — 0.5%  
  475,000    

Golden Queen Mining Co. Ltd., expire 08/03/19†

    202,333       8,540  
  1,222,000    

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., expire 06/15/21†

    0       1,452,696  
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares         Cost    

Market

Value

 
  WARRANTS (Continued)    
  Metals and Mining (Continued)    
  North America (Continued)    
  2,175,000    

Redstar Gold Corp.,
expire 05/03/19†

  $ 51,378     $ 95,408  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      253,711       1,556,644  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  United Kingdom — 0.0%    
  650,364    

Condor Gold plc,
expire 02/28/19†(a) (b)

    0       40,310  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TOTAL WARRANTS     253,711       1,596,954  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
                 
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.5%  
  $ 1,482,000    

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.910% to 1.111%††, 08/24/17 to 12/21/17

    1,476,693       1,476,909  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%   $ 245,327,741       312,418,652  
   

 

 

   
  Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.1%       458,633  
     

 

 

 
  NET ASSETS — 100.0%     $ 312,877,285  
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At June 30, 2017, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $23,654,488 or 7.56% of net assets.

(b)

At June 30, 2017, the Fund held an investment in a restricted and illiquid security amounting to $40,310 or 0.01% of net assets., which was valued under methods approved by the Board of Directors as follows:

 

Acquisition
Shares

  

Issuer

   Acquisition
Date
   Acquisition
Cost
   06/30/17
Carrying
Value
Per
Share

650,364

  

Condor Gold plc warrants,
expire 02/28/19

   02/27/17    $0    $0.0620

 

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value (cost $245,327,741)

   $ 312,418,652  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $4)

     4  

Cash

     3,823  

Receivable for investments sold

     1,577,994  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     1,091,028  

Prepaid expenses

     57,587  

Dividends receivable

     9,684  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     315,158,772  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     214,909  

Payable for investments purchased

     1,622,048  

Payable for investment advisory fees

     263,062  

Payable for distribution fees

     53,826  

Payable for accounting fees

     11,250  

Other accrued expenses

     116,392  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,281,487  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

  

(applicable to 22,331,289 shares outstanding)

   $ 312,877,285  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Consistof:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 322,114,067  

Accumulated net investment loss

     (12,796,448

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (63,531,389

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     67,090,911  

Net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations

     144  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 312,877,285  
  

 

 

 

Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:

 

Class AAA:

  

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($166,761,171 ÷ 11,929,593 shares outstanding; 375,000,000 shares authorized)

     $13.98  
  

 

 

 

Class A:

  

Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($18,730,274 ÷ 1,337,045 shares outstanding; 250,000,000 shares authorized)

     $14.01  
  

 

 

 

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

     $14.86  
  

 

 

 

Class C:

  

Net Asset Value and offering price per share
($17,596,626 ÷ 1,364,130 shares outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)

     $12.90 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Class I:

  

Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($109,789,214 ÷ 7,700,521 shares outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)

     $14.26  
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.

Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $94,645)

   $ 1,740,136  

Interest

     3,875  
  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

     1,744,011  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Investment advisory fees

     1,602,233  

Distribution fees - Class AAA

     221,082  

Distribution fees - Class A

     22,505  

Distribution fees - Class C

     89,138  

Shareholder services fees

     128,347  

Shareholder communications expenses

     64,084  

Directors’ fees

     54,051  

Registration expenses

     45,045  

Custodian fees

     32,100  

Legal and audit fees

     25,374  

Accounting fees

     22,500  

Interest expense

     12,857  

Miscellaneous expenses

     32,499  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     2,351,815  
  

 

 

 

Less:

  

Expenses indirectly paid by broker (See Note 6)

     (1,619
  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     2,350,196  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Loss

     (606,185
  

 

 

 

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

  

Net realized loss on investments

     (6,299,702

Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions

     (5,326
  

 

 

 

Net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (6,305,028
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation:

  

on investments

     25,328,155  

on foreign currency translations

     75  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

     25,328,230  
  

 

 

 

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

     19,023,202  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 18,417,017  
  

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

Operations:

    

Net investment loss

   $ (606,185   $ (419,761

Net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (6,305,028     (2,375,392

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations

     25,328,230       68,552,679  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

     18,417,017       65,757,526  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

    

Net investment income

    

Class AAA

           (3,457,114

Class A

           (348,601

Class C

           (272,396

Class I

           (2,048,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

    Total Distributions to Shareholders

           (6,126,586
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Class AAA

     (5,309,585     22,520,166  

Class A

     1,702,402       7,030,802  

Class C

     842,357       8,686,946  

Class I

     18,665,027       38,904,819  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions

     15,900,201       77,142,733  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption Fees

     7,204       30,091  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets

     34,324,422       136,803,764  

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     278,552,863       141,749,099  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and $0, respectively)

   $ 312,877,285     $ 278,552,863  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

7


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Financial Highlights

 

 

Selected data for a share of capital stock 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
Loss
on
Investments
  Total from
Investment
Operations
  Net
Investment
Income
  Net
Realized
Gain on
Investments
  Total
Distributions
  Redemption
Fees(a)(b)
  Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
   Total
Return†
  Net Assets
End of Period
(in 000’s)
   Net
Investment
Income (Loss)
  Operating
Expenses(c)
  Portfolio
Turnover
Rate

Class AAA

                                                           

2017(d)

     $ 13.04      $ (0.03 )     $ 0.97     $ 0.94                       $ 0.00     $ 13.98        7.2 %     $ 166,761        (0.42 )%(e)       1.51 %(e)(f)       4 %

2016

       8.69        (0.03 )       4.66       4.63     $ (0.28 )           $ (0.28 )       0.00       13.04        53.5       160,659        (0.23 )       1.51 (g)       14

2015

       10.57        (0.06 )       (1.82 )       (1.88 )                         0.00       8.69        (17.8 )       93,630        (0.62 )       1.62 (f)       18

2014

       10.71        (0.10 )       (0.04 )       (0.14 )                         0.00       10.57        (1.3 )       123,456        (0.78 )       1.58       18

2013

       21.99        (0.00 )(b)       (11.28 )       (11.28 )                         0.00       10.71        (51.3 )       138,147        (0.03 )       1.57       4

2012

       23.54        (0.06 )       (0.95 )       (1.01 )           $ (0.54 )       (0.54 )       (0.00 )       21.99        (4.3 )       324,798        (0.27 )       1.48       5

Class A

                                                           

2017(d)

     $ 13.07      $ (0.03 )     $ 0.97     $ 0.94                       $ 0.00     $ 14.01        7.2 %     $ 18,730        (0.43 )%(e)       1.51 %(e)(f)       4 %

2016

       8.71        (0.02 )       4.67       4.65     $ (0.29 )           $ (0.29 )       0.00       13.07        53.5       16,006        (0.12 )       1.51 (g)       14

2015

       10.60        (0.06 )       (1.83 )       (1.89 )                         0.00       8.71        (17.8 )       6,590        (0.61 )       1.62 (f)       18

2014

       10.73        (0.10 )       (0.03 )       (0.13 )                         0.00       10.60        (1.2 )       11,334        (0.77 )       1.58       18

2013

       22.04        (0.00 )(b)       (11.31 )       (11.31 )                         0.00       10.73        (51.3 )       13,476        (0.03 )       1.57       4

2012

       23.60        (0.07 )       (0.95 )       (1.02 )           $ (0.54 )       (0.54 )       (0.00 )       22.04        (4.3 )       23,138        (0.28 )       1.48       5

Class C

                                                           

2017(d)

     $ 12.08      $ (0.08 )     $ 0.90     $ 0.82                       $ 0.00     $ 12.90        6.8 %     $ 17,597        (1.17 )%(e)       2.26 %(e)(f)       4 %

2016

       8.07        (0.11 )       4.33       4.22     $ (0.21 )           $ (0.21 )       0.00       12.08        52.5       15,748        (0.83 )       2.26 (g)       14

2015

       9.90        (0.13 )       (1.70 )       (1.83 )                         0.00       8.07        (18.5 )       5,466        (1.37 )       2.37 (f)       18

2014

       10.10        (0.18 )       (0.02 )       (0.20 )                         0.00       9.90        (2.0 )       5,899        (1.52 )       2.33       18

2013

       20.89        (0.11 )       (10.68 )       (10.79 )                         0.00       10.10        (51.7 )       5,386        (0.79 )       2.32       4

2012

       22.57        (0.22 )       (0.92 )       (1.14 )           $ (0.54 )       (0.54 )       (0.00 )       20.89        (5.0 )       14,642        (1.01 )       2.23       5

Class I

                                                           

2017(d)

     $ 13.29      $ (0.01 )     $ 0.98     $ 0.97                       $ 0.00     $ 14.26        7.3 %     $ 109,789        (0.17 )%(e)       1.26 %(e)(f)       4 %

2016

       8.85        0.03       4.73       4.76     $ (0.32 )           $ (0.32 )       0.00       13.29        54.0       86,140        0.20       1.26 (g)       14

2015

       10.74        (0.04 )       (1.85 )       (1.89 )                         0.00       8.85        (17.6 )       36,063        (0.37 )       1.37 (f)       18

2014

       10.85        (0.06 )       (0.05 )       (0.11 )                         0.00       10.74        (1.0 )       38,958        (0.51 )       1.33       18

2013

       22.23        0.03       (11.41 )       (11.38 )                         0.00       10.85        (51.2 )       12,866        0.21       1.32       4

2012

       23.74        (0.01 )       (0.96 )       (0.97 )           $ (0.54 )       (0.54 )       (0.00 )       22.23        (4.1 )       30,909        (0.03 )       1.23       5

 

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 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 the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2013. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratio of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 1.50%,1.62%, and 1.56% (Class AAA and Class A), 2.25%, 2.36%, and 2.31% (Class C), and 1.25%,1.36%, and 1.31% (Class I), respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, the effect of interest expense was minimal.

(d)

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, 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, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2015, there was no impact on the expense ratios.

(g)

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Fund received a one time reimbursement 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 this period, the annualized expense ratios would have been 1.43% (Class AAA and Class A), 2.18% (Class C), and 1.18% (Class I).

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

8


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization. Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc. was incorporated on May 13, 1994 in Maryland. 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 capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on July 11, 1994.

The Fund may invest a high percentage of its assets in specific sectors of the market in order to achieve a potentially greater investment return. As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, and regulatory developments in a particular sector of the market, positive or negative, and may experience increased volatility to the Fund’s NAV and a magnified effect in its total return.

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

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 Directors (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. Such debt obligations are valued through prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

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 Fund employs a fair value model to adjust prices to reflect events affecting the values of certain portfolio securities which occur between the close of trading on the principal market for such securities (foreign exchanges

 

9


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset value of the Fund is determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered.

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs  
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
     Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
     Total Market Value
at 6/30/17
 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

        

ASSETS (Market Value):

        

Common Stocks:

        

Metals and Mining

        

Africa

   $ 4,429,464               $    4,429,464  

Australia

     17,219,319      $ 14,660,783        31,880,102  

North America

     201,538,298        2,259,322        203,797,620  

United Kingdom

     68,297,354        940,249        69,237,603  

Total Common Stocks

     291,484,435        17,860,354        309,344,789  

Warrants:

        

Metals and Mining

        

North America

            1,556,644        1,556,644  

United Kingdom

            40,310        40,310  

Total Warrants

            1,596,954        1,596,954  

U.S. Government Obligations

            1,476,909        1,476,909  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

   $ 291,484,435        $20,934,217        $312,418,652  

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund did not have material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers among Levels as of the beginning of the reporting period.

 

10


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

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

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

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

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

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

 

11


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

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

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. For the restricted securities the Fund held at June 30, 2017, refer to the Schedule of Investments.

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 the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends 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 passive foreign investment companies and other investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.

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

 

12


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

At December 31, 2016, the Fund had net capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes which are available to reduce future required distributions of net capital gains to shareholders. The Fund is permitted to carry capital losses forward for an unlimited period. Capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short term or long term capital losses.

 

Short term capital loss carryforward with no expiration

   $ 2,607,811  

Long term capital loss carryforward with no expiration

     54,337,640  
  

 

 

 

Total capital loss carryforwards

   $ 56,945,451  
  

 

 

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized depreciation at June 30, 2017:

 

     Cost      Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation

Investments

   $ 245,608,648      $ 112,516,208      $ (45,706,204   $66,810,004

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, 2017, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of June 30, 2017, 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 Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.

The Fund pays each Director who is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $9,000 plus $2,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each Director is reimbursed by the Fund 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 Director each receives a $2,000 annual fee. A Director may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Directors 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

 

13


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

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, 2017, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $25,461,041 and $12,019,602, respectively.

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Distributor retained a total of $26,371 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

The Fund receives credits from a designated broker who agrees to pay certain Fund operating expenses. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the amount of such expenses paid through this directed brokerage arrangement during this period was $1,619.

The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Fund paid or accrued $22,500 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 8, 2018 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 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, 2017, there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.

The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $515,641 with a weighted average interest rate of 1.11%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $6,724,000.

8. Capital Stock. 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, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

14


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017

(Unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class AAA

        

Shares sold

     2,582,914     $ 37,775,886       10,744,574     $ 160,742,846  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                 269,501       3,379,541  

Shares redeemed

     (2,977,388     (43,085,471     (9,464,413     (141,602,221
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (394,474   $ (5,309,585     1,549,662     $ 22,520,166  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class A

        

Shares sold

     449,734     $ 6,581,026       1,174,245     $ 17,694,695  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                 23,888       300,272  

Shares redeemed

     (337,301     (4,878,624     (730,020     (10,964,165
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     112,433     $ 1,702,402       468,113     $ 7,030,802  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C

        

Shares sold

     165,458     $ 2,233,743       907,569     $ 12,666,506  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                 21,179       246,100  

Shares redeemed

     (105,022     (1,391,386     (301,924     (4,225,660
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     60,436     $ 842,357       626,824     $ 8,686,946  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

        

Shares sold

     2,403,759     $ 35,859,791       5,813,023     $ 87,794,087  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions

                 136,376       1,742,887  

Shares redeemed

     (1,187,041     (17,194,764     (3,539,632     (50,632,155
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     1,216,718     $ 18,665,027       2,409,767     $ 38,904,819  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

10. Subsequent Events. On July 5, 2017, the Fund began to offer for sale Class T Shares.

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

 

15


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

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

Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), contemplates that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of the Directors who have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Board Members”), are required annually to review and re-approve the terms of the Fund’s existing investment advisory agreement and approve any newly proposed terms therein. In this regard, the Board reviewed and re-approved, during the most recent six month period covered by this report, the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”) for the Fund.

More specifically, at a meeting held on February 22, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of the Adviser and the re-approval of the Advisory Agreement.

1) The nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Adviser.

The Board Members reviewed in detail the nature and extent of the services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and the quality of those services over the past year. The Board noted that these services included managing the investment program of the Fund, including the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, and overseeing the Fund’s third party service providers as well providing general corporate services. The Board Members considered that the Adviser also provided, at its expense, office facilities for use by the Fund and supervisory personnel responsible for supervising the performance of administrative, accounting, and related services for the Fund, including monitoring to assure compliance with stated investment policies and restrictions under the 1940 Act and related securities regulation. The Board Members noted that, in addition to managing the investment program for the Fund, the Adviser provided certain non-advisory and compliance services, including services for the Fund’s Rule 38a-1 compliance program.

The Board Members also considered that the Adviser paid for all compensation of officers and Board Members of the Fund that are affiliated with the Adviser and that the Adviser further provided services to shareholders of the Fund who had invested through various programs offered by third party financial intermediaries. The Board Members evaluated these factors based on its direct experience with the Adviser and in consultation with Fund Counsel. The Board Members noted that the Adviser had engaged, at its expense, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY”) to assist it in performing certain of its administrative functions. The Board Members concluded that the nature and extent of the services provided was reasonable and appropriate in relation to the advisory fee, that the level of services provided by the Adviser, either directly or through BNY, had not diminished over the past year, and that the quality of service continued to be high.

The Board Members reviewed the personnel responsible for providing services to the Fund and concluded, based on their experience and interaction with the Adviser, that (i) the Adviser was able to retain quality personnel, (ii) the Adviser and its agents exhibited a high level of diligence and attention to detail in carrying out their advisory and administrative responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, (iii) the Adviser was responsive to requests of the Board, (iv) the scope and depth of the Adviser’s resources was adequate, and (v) the Adviser had kept the Board apprised of developments relating to the Fund and the industry in general. The Board Members also focused on the Adviser’s reputation and long standing relationship with the Fund. The Board Members also believed that the Adviser had devoted substantial resources and made substantial commitments to address new regulatory compliance requirements applicable to the Fund.

 

16


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

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

 

2) The performance of the Fund and the Adviser.

The Board Members reviewed the investment performance of the Fund, on an absolute basis, as compared with its Broadridge peer group of other SEC registered funds, and against the Fund’s broad based securities market benchmark as reflected in the Fund’s prospectus and annual report. The Board Members considered the Fund’s one, three, five, and ten year average annual total return for the periods ended December 31, 2016, but placed greater emphasis on the Fund’s longer term performance. The peer group considered by the Board Members was developed by Broadridge and was comprised of the Fund and all retail and institutional precious metals equity funds (the “Performance Peer Group”). The Board considered these comparisons helpful in their assessment as to whether the Adviser was obtaining for the Fund’s shareholders the total return performance that was available in the marketplace, given the Fund’s objectives, strategies, limitations, and restrictions. In reviewing the performance of the Fund, the Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was above the median for the one year, three year, five year, and ten year periods. The Board Members concluded that the Fund’s performance was reasonable in comparison with that of the Performance Peer Group.

In connection with its assessment of the performance of the Adviser, the Board Members considered the Adviser’s financial condition and whether it had the resources necessary to continue to carry out its functions under the Advisory Agreement. The Board Members concluded that the Adviser had the financial resources necessary to continue to perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement and to continue to provide the high quality services that it has provided to the Fund to date.

3) The cost of the advisory services and the profits to the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund.

In connection with the Board Members’ consideration of the cost of the advisory services and the profits to the Adviser and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund, the Board Members considered a number of factors. First, the Board Members compared the level of the advisory fee for the Fund against comparative Broadridge expense peer group (“Expense Peer Group”). The Board Members also considered comparative non-advisory fee expenses and comparative total fund expenses of the Fund and the Expense Peer Group. The Board Members considered this information as useful in assessing whether the Adviser was providing services at a cost that was competitive with other similar funds. In assessing this information, the Board Members considered both the comparative contract rates as well as the level of advisory fees after waivers and/or reimbursements, with respect to the Expense Peer Group. The Board Members noted that the Fund’s advisory fee and expense ratio were higher than the median when compared with those of the Expense Peer Group.

The Board Members also reviewed the fees charged by the Adviser to provide similar advisory services to other registered investment companies or accounts with similar investment objectives, noting that the fees charged by the Adviser were the same or lower, than the fees charged to the Fund.

The Board Members also considered an analysis prepared by the Adviser of the estimated profitability to the Adviser of its relationship with the Fund and reviewed with the Adviser its cost allocation methodology in connection with its profitability. In this regard, the Board Members reviewed Pro-forma Income Statements of the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Board Members considered one analysis for the

 

17


Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.

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

 

Adviser as a whole, and a second analysis for the Adviser with respect to the Fund. With respect to the Fund analysis, the Board Members received an analysis based on the Fund’s average net assets during the period as well as a pro-forma analysis of profitability at higher and lower asset levels. The Board Members concluded that the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser under either analysis was not excessive.

4) The extent to which economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect those economies of scale.

With respect to the Board Members’ consideration of economies of scale, the Board Members discussed whether economies of scale would be realized by the Fund at higher asset levels. The Board Members also reviewed data from the Expense Peer Group to assess whether the Expense Peer Group funds had advisory fee breakpoints and, if so, at what asset levels. The Board Members also assessed whether certain of the Adviser’s costs would increase if asset levels rise. The Board Members noted the Fund’s current size and concluded that under foreseeable conditions, they were unable to assess at this time whether economies of scale would be realized if the Fund were to experience significant asset growth. In the event there were to be significant asset growth in the Fund, the Board Members determined to reassess whether the advisory fee appropriately took into account any economies of scale that had been realized as a result of that growth.

5) Other Factors.

In addition to the above factors, the Board Members also discussed other benefits received by the Adviser from their management of the Fund. The Board Members considered that the Adviser does use soft dollars in connection with its management of the Fund.

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 Members deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all important or controlling.

 

18


GABELLI GOLD FUND, INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Manager Biography

Caesar M. P. Bryan joined GAMCO Asset Management in 1994. He is a member of the global investment team of Gabelli Funds, LLC and portfolio manager of several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex. Prior to joining Gabelli, Mr. Bryan was a portfolio manager at Lexington Management. He began his investment career at Samuel Montagu Company, the London based merchant bank. Mr. Bryan graduated from the University of Southampton in England with a Bachelor of Law and is a member of the English Bar.

 

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


GABELLI GOLD FUND, INC.

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 DIRECTORS

 

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman and

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Executive Chairman,

Associated Capital Group Inc.

 

E. Val Cerutti

Chief Executive Officer,

Cerutti Consultants, Inc.

 

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

Werner J. Roeder, MD

Former Medical Director,

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris

Chairman,

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

 

Daniel E. Zucchi

President,

Daniel E. Zucchi Associates

 

 

 

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert

President

 

Agnes Mullady

Vice President

 

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary

 

John C. Ball

Treasurer

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance

Officer

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

G.distributors, LLC

 

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER

AGENT, AND DIVIDEND

DISBURSING AGENT

 

State Street Bank and Trust

Company

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Paul Hasting LLP

 

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

 

 
GAB008Q217SR    

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 Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

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

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)

Not applicable.

 

  (a)(2)

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

 

  (a)(3)

Not applicable.

 

  (b)

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


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)      Gabelli Gold Fund, Inc.                                                                                
By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Bruce N. Alpert                                                                    

 Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

Date      8/24/2017                                                                                                                   

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      8/24/2017                                                                                                                   
By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ John C. Ball                                                                          

 John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date      8/24/2017                                                                                                                   

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