N-CSRS 1 gicpx-ncsrs_063021.htm CERTIFIED SEMI-ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT

 

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      811-08560        

 

Gabelli International Growth 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, 2021

 

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.

 

(a)The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Semiannual Report — June 30, 2021 

 

Caesar M. P. Bryan

Portfolio Manager

 

To Our Shareholders,

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the net asset value (NAV) total return per Class AAA Share of the Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. was 6.4% compared with a total return of 9.2% for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe, Australasia, and the Far East (EAFE) 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, 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, 2021 (a) (Unaudited)

 

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price, reinvestment of distributions, and are net of expenses. Performance for periods of less than one year is not annualized.

 
     Six Months   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year   20 Year   Since
Inception
(6/30/95)
   
  Class AAA (GIGRX)   6.40%   27.20%   11.64%   6.32%   5.49%   6.09%   7.12%  
  MSCI EAFE Index (b)   9.17    32.92    10.79    6.38    4.89    6.25    5.93   
  Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification (b)   7.55    34.73    12.65    6.86    5.99    6.66    7.43   
  Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Fund Classification (b)   7.32    34.69    12.65    7.19    5.39    6.21    6.54   
  Class A (GAIGX)   5.87    25.84    10.83    5.95    5.27    5.99    7.04   
  With sales charge (c)   (0.22)   18.60    9.53    5.33    4.85    5.68    6.80   
  Class C (GCIGX)   5.54    24.93    10.02    5.16    4.46    5.07    6.31   
  With contingent deferred sales charge (d)   4.54    23.93    10.02    5.16    4.46    5.07    6.31   
  Class I (GIIGX)   6.52    27.49    12.28    6.95    5.97    6.45    7.40   
                                        
 

(a)  Returns for Class AAA and I Shares would have been lower had the Adviser not reimbursed certain expenses. The Class AAA Share NAVs are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares on July 25, 2001, December 17, 2000, and January 11, 2008, respectively. 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 Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares sold or exchanged within seven days of purchase. 

(b)  The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged indicator of international stock market performance, while the Lipper International Large-Cap Growth Fund Classification and the Lipper International Multi-Cap Growth Fund Classification reflect the average performance of mutual funds classified in these particular categories. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. 

(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 charge imposed on redemptions made within one year of purchase.

 

In the current prospectuses dated April 30, 2021, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, C, and I Shares are 2.44%, 2.44%, 3.19%, and 2.19%, respectively, and the net expense ratios for these share classes after contractual reimbursements by Gabelli Funds, LLC, (the “Adviser”) are 1.25%, 2.44%, 3.19%, and 1.00%, respectively. See page 9 for the expense ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The contractual reimbursements for Class AAA and Class I Shares are in effect through April 30, 2022. 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.

 

Investing in foreign securities involves risks not ordinarily associated with investments in domestic issues, including currency fluctuation, economic, and political risks. 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.

 

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. 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.

 
                                        

 

 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)  
For the Six Month Period from January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 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
01/01/21
   Ending
Account Value
06/30/21
   Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.        
Actual Fund Return     
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $1,064.00    1.25%  $6.40 
Class A  $1,000.00   $1,058.70    2.20%  $11.23 
Class C  $1,000.00   $1,055.40    2.95%  $15.03 
Class I  $1,000.00   $1,065.20    1.00%  $5.12 
Hypothetical 5% Return      
Class AAA  $1,000.00   $1,018.60    1.25%  $6.26 
Class A  $1,000.00   $1,013.88    2.20%  $10.99 
Class C  $1,000.00   $1,010.17    2.95%  $14.70 
Class I  $1,000.00   $1,019.84    1.00%  $5.01 

 

*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.


 

3 

 

 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)

 

The following table present portfolio holdings as a percent of net assets as of June 30, 2021:

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Consumer Discretionary   24.8%
Health Care   17.9%
Consumer Staples - Food, Beverage, and Tobacco   12.7%
Industrials   12.1%
Information Technology   11.2%
Materials   7.0%
Consumer Staples - Household and Personal Products   6.6%
Financials   6.1%
Communication Services   1.3%
U.S. Government Obligations   0.5%
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)   (0.2)%
    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-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 each 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 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Schedule of Investments — June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
    COMMON STOCKS — 99.7%        
     CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 24.8%          
 900   adidas AG  $295,998   $334,986 
 31,000   boohoo Group plc†   152,354    133,107 
 1,800   Christian Dior SE   149,827    1,449,224 
 7,150   Cie Financiere Richemont  SA, Cl. A   174,477    865,109 
 18,000   Entain plc†   189,083    434,619 
 700   Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.   137,571    526,945 
 30,000   Haidilao International Holding Ltd.   142,840    158,031 
 725   Hermes International   258,037    1,056,103 
 3,150   Naspers Ltd., Cl. N   379,977    661,366 
 3,150   Prosus NV   264,297    308,035 
 1,300   Shimano Inc   176,016    308,340 
 5,600   Sony Group Corp   145,489    545,155 
 1,958   Zalando SE†   199,040    236,697 
         2,665,006    7,017,717 
                
     HEALTH CARE — 17.9%          
 5,500   AstraZeneca plc   384,666    660,615 
 2,600   Coloplast A/S, Cl. B   205,267    426,613 
 1,500   EssilorLuxottica SA   192,211    276,825 
 2,300   Gerresheimer AG   254,505    254,314 
 1,500   Hoya Corp   195,839    198,884 
 6,500   Koninklijke Philips NV   351,384    322,091 
 275   Lonza Group AG   199,920    194,915 
 3,000   M3 Inc.   190,243    219,083 
 7,250   Novartis AG   317,787    660,708 
 7,000   Novo Nordisk A/S, Cl. B   334,311    586,454 
 2,200   Roche Holding AG, Genusschein   350,806    828,760 
 19,400   Smith & Nephew plc   223,802    419,313 
         3,200,741    5,048,575 
       
     CONSUMER STAPLES - FOOD, BEVERAGE, AND TOBACCO — 12.7% 
 4,170   Danone SA   274,009    293,560 
 15,000   Diageo plc   235,723    718,140 
 3,500   Heineken NV   198,510    424,143 
 11,000   Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.   159,813    346,550 
 8,600   Nestlé SA   485,960    1,070,945 
 4,500   Nomad Foods Ltd.†   113,098    127,215 
 2,750   Pernod Ricard SA   184,782    610,424 
         1,651,895    3,590,977 
                
     INDUSTRIALS — 12.1%          
 1,300   DSV PANALPINA A/S   256,584    303,169 
 15,000   Epiroc AB, Cl. B   164,076    294,370 
 2,400   FANUC Corp   292,105    578,856 
 2,500   IHS Markit Ltd.   138,470    281,650 
 7,000   Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.   372,445    447,440 
Shares      Cost   Market
Value
 
 3,600   Nidec Corp  $165,807   $417,211 
 1,500   SMC Corp.   258,607    886,404 
 500   Teleperformance   182,511    202,941 
         1,830,605    3,412,041 
           
     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 11.2%     
 415   ASML Holding NV   285,260    285,115 
 4,000   Edenred   215,508    227,901 
 10,000   GMO internet Inc.   288,757    272,739 
 2,780   Keyence Corp   184,507    1,403,075 
 6,800   Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.   262,311    519,174 
 940   SOITEC†   211,109    207,205 
 7,000   STMicroelectronics NV   258,202    254,029 
         1,705,654    3,169,238 
                
     MATERIALS — 7.0%          
 7,000   Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.   300,641    423,150 
 2,218   Air Liquide SA   223,719    388,345 
 24,512   Barrick Gold Corp.   288,918    506,908 
 8,125   Rio Tinto plc   308,704    668,627 
         1,121,982    1,987,030 
       
     CONSUMER STAPLES - HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL PRODUCTS — 6.6% 
 2,300   L’Oreal SA   246,959    1,024,891 
 1,300   Reckitt Benckiser Group plc   119,383    115,036 
 6,000   Shiseido Co. Ltd.   93,798    441,298 
 5,000   Unilever plc   229,896    292,673 
         690,036    1,873,898 
                
     FINANCIALS — 6.1%          
 30,000   AIA Group Ltd.   238,736    372,860 
 32,000   Investor AB, Cl. B   286,619    737,547 
 10,000   Kinnevik AB, Cl. B   252,114    400,322 
 11,700   Prudential plc   238,322    222,296 
         1,015,791    1,733,025 
                
     COMMUNICATION SERVICES — 1.3%          
 8,000   MonotaRO Co. Ltd   117,768    189,388 
 3,976   Nordic Entertainment Group  AB, Cl. B†   92,857    175,150 
         210,625    364,538 
     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS   14,092,335    28,197,039 
                
     WARRANTS — 0.0%          
     CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.0%          
 14,300   Cie Financiere Richemont  SA, expire 11/22/23†   0    9,582 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

5 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

 

Principal Amount      Cost   Market
Value
 
     U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 0.5%          
$135,000   U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.003%††, 07/29/21  $135,000   $134,996 
                
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.2%  $14,227,335    28,341,617 
                
     Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (0.2)%        (46,889)
                
     NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $28,294,728 

  

 

Non-income producing security.

††Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

 

 

Geographic Diversification  % of
Market
Value
   Market
Value
 
Europe   66.2%  $18,783,766 
Japan   24.2    6,853,101 
North America   3.8    1,065,054 
Asia/Pacific   3.5    978,331 
South Africa   2.3    661,365 
    100.0%  $28,341,617 


 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund,

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

Assets:    
Investments, at value (cost $14,227,335)  $28,341,617 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $6,584)   6,549 
Receivable for Fund shares sold   456 
Receivable from Adviser   18,945 
Dividends receivable   100,045 
Prepaid expenses   29,741 
Total Assets   28,497,353 
Liabilities:     
Payable to bank   37,685 
Payable for investment advisory fees   23,421 
Payable for distribution fees   3,493 
Payable for shareholder communications   47,055 
Payable for legal and audit fees   31,638 
Other accrued expenses   59,333 
Total Liabilities   202,625 
Net Assets     
(applicable to 983,127 shares outstanding)  $28,294,728 
Net Assets Consist of:     
Paid-in capital  $14,212,403 
Total distributable earnings   14,082,325 
Net Assets  $28,294,728 
      
Shares of Capital Stock, each at $0.001 par value:     
Class AAA:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($15,366,769 ÷ 537,443 shares outstanding; 375,000,000 shares authorized)  $28.59 
Class A:     
Net Asset Value and redemption price  per share ($851,431 ÷ 29,497 shares outstanding; 250,000,000 shares authorized)  $28.86 
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ 0.9425, based on maximum sales charge of  5.75% of the offering price)  $30.62 
Class C:     
Net Asset Value and offering price per share  ($172,438 ÷ 6,960 shares outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)  $24.78(a)
Class I:     
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price  per share ($11,904,090 ÷ 409,227 shares  outstanding; 125,000,000 shares authorized)  $29.09 

 

 

(a)Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.

Statement of Operations  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Income:    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $34,904)  $250,499 
Non-cash dividends   204,437 
Interest   61 
Total Investment Income   454,997 
Expenses:     
Investment advisory fees   134,931 
Distribution fees - Class AAA   18,830 
Distribution fees - Class A   947 
Distribution fees - Class C   921 
Legal and audit fees   33,492 
Registration expenses   25,399 
Shareholder communications expenses   23,000 
Shareholder services fees   9,295 
Directors’ fees   8,430 
Custodian fees   6,358 
Tax expense   656 
Miscellaneous expenses   21,417 
Total Expenses   283,676 
Less:     
Expense reimbursements (See Note 3)   (122,944)
Net Expenses   160,732 
Net Investment Income   294,265 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency:    
Net realized gain on investments   69,167 
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions   (2,564)
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions   66,603 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation:    
on investments   1,354,112 
on foreign currency translations   (3,720)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation  on investments and foreign currency translations   1,350,392 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on  Investments and Foreign Currency   1,416,995 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $1,711,260 


  

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

7 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
         
Operations:          
Net investment income  $294,265   $67,436 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions   66,603    (109,800)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translations   1,350,392    3,972,851 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations   1,711,260    3,930,487 
Distributions to Shareholders:          
Accumulated earnings          
Class AAA       (120,072)
Class A       (151)
Class C       (52)
Class I       (76,128)
Total Distributions to Shareholders       (196,403)
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Class AAA   (1,137,498)   (1,654,508)
Class A   151,175    53,226 
Class C   (29,863)   (64,670)
Class I   1,109,080    2,703,344 
           
Net Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions   92,894    1,037,392 
           
Redemption Fees   7     
Net Increase in Net Assets   1,804,161    4,771,476 
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   26,490,567    27,719,091 
End of period  $28,294,728   $26,490,567 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

8 

 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth 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 Gain (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 Before
Reimbursement
   Operating Expenses Net of
Reimbursement(c)
   Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
Class AAA                                                                           
2021(d)  $26.87   $0.28(e)  $1.44   $1.72   $   $   $   $0.00   $28.59    6.4%  $15,367    2.06%(e)(f)   2.20%(f)   1.25%(f)(g)   6%
2020   22.85    0.07    4.16    4.23    (0.20)   (0.01)   (0.21)       26.87    18.5    15,613    0.30    2.44    1.25(g)   8 
2019   19.67    0.60    4.23    4.83    (0.75)   (0.90)   (1.65)   0.00    22.85    24.5    15,021    2.68    2.43    1.26(g)   6 
2018   24.15    0.11    (2.79)   (2.68)   (0.09)   (1.71)   (1.80)       19.67    (11.0)   14,223    0.47    2.39    1.63(g)(h)   5 
2017   19.57    (0.05)   5.78    5.73    (0.03)   (1.12)   (1.15)   0.00    24.15    29.3    17,556    (0.20)   2.14    2.14(i)   4 
2016   20.43    0.29    (0.79)   (0.50)   (0.33)   (0.03)   (0.36)   0.00    19.57    (2.4)   16,112    1.44    2.07    2.07(i)   9 
Class A                                                                           
2021(d)  $27.26   $0.17(e)  $1.43   $1.60   $   $   $   $0.00   $28.86    5.9%  $851    1.27%(e)(f)   2.20%(f)   2.20%(f)   6%
2020   23.28    (0.21)   4.20    3.99        (0.01)   (0.01)       27.26    17.1    655    (0.92)   2.44    2.44    8 
2019   20.03    0.35    4.27    4.62    (0.47)   (0.90)   (1.37)   0.00    23.28    23.0    513    1.56    2.43    2.43    6 
2018   24.65    (0.09)   (2.82)   (2.91)       (1.71)   (1.71)       20.03    (11.7)   482    (0.39)   2.39    2.39(h)   5 
2017   19.95    (0.05)   5.90    5.85    (0.03)   (1.12)   (1.15)   0.00    24.65    29.3    594    (0.20)   2.14    2.14(i)   4 
2016   20.81    0.33    (0.84)   (0.51)   (0.32)   (0.03)   (0.35)   0.00    19.95    (2.4)   603    1.60    2.07    2.07(i)   9 
Class C                                                                           
2021(d)  $23.48   $0.05(e)  $1.25   $1.30   $   $   $   $0.00   $24.78    5.5%  $173    0.43%(e)(f)   2.95%(f)   2.95%(f)   6%
2020   20.21    (0.31)   3.59    3.28        (0.01)   (0.01)       23.48    16.2    193    (1.54)   3.19    3.19    8 
2019   17.48    0.13    3.74    3.87    (0.24)   (0.90)   (1.14)   0.00    20.21    22.1    238    0.66    3.18    3.18    6 
2018   21.92    (0.25)   (2.48)   (2.73)       (1.71)   (1.71)       17.48    (12.4)   429    (1.21)   3.14    3.14(h)   5 
2017   17.95    (0.21)   5.30    5.09        (1.12)   (1.12)   0.00    21.92    28.4    279    (0.99)   2.89    2.89(i)   4 
2016   18.73    0.12    (0.71)   (0.59)   (0.16)   (0.03)   (0.19)   0.00    17.95    (3.1)   226    0.64    2.82    2.82(i)   9 
Class I                                                                           
2021(d)  $27.31   $0.34(e)  $1.44   $1.78   $   $   $   $0.00   $29.09    6.5%  $11,904    2.44%(e)(f)   1.95%(f)   1.00%(f)(g)   6%
2020   23.16    0.11    4.25    4.36    (0.20)   (0.01)   (0.21)       27.31    18.8    10,030    0.47    2.19    1.00(g)   8 
2019   19.89    0.70    4.24    4.94    (0.77)   (0.90)   (1.67)   0.00    23.16    24.8    5,947    3.11    2.18    1.01(g)   6 
2018   24.45    0.27    (2.86)   (2.59)   (0.26)   (1.71)   (1.97)       19.89    (10.5)   4,326    1.11    2.14    1.01(g)(h)   5 
2017   19.81    0.24    5.85    6.09    (0.33)   (1.12)   (1.45)   0.00    24.45    30.8    6,842    1.03    1.89    1.00(g)(i)   4 
2016   20.69    0.53    (0.82)   (0.29)   (0.56)   (0.03)   (0.59)   0.00    19.81    (1.4)   7,183    2.58    1.82    1.00(g)(i)   9 

 

 

Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical 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 the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, if interest expense had not been incurred, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 1.25%, 1.62% (Class AAA), 2.42%, 2.38% (Class A), 3.17%, 3.13% (Class C), and 1.00%, 1.00% (Class I), respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2017, and 2016, there was no impact on the expense ratios.
(d)For the six months ended June 30, 2021, unaudited.
(e)Includes income resulting from special dividends. Without these dividends, the per share income (loss) amounts would have been $0.07 (Class AAA), $(0.03) (Class A), $(0.13) (Class C), and $0.13 (Class I), respectively, and the net investment income (loss) ratio would have been 0.54% (Class AAA), (0.25)% (Class A), (1.08)% (Class C), and 0.93% (Class I), respectively.
(f)Annualized.
(g)Under an expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Adviser reimbursed $71,111, $166,039, $174,521, and $131,548 in certain Class AAA expenses and $51,833, $83,405, $60,500, and $62,410 in certain Class I expenses to the Fund, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, the Fund reimbursed Class I expenses to the Fund of $63,160 and $64,752, respectively.
(h)The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. The 2018 reimbursement had no impact on the expense ratio.
(i)During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Fund received reimbursements of custody expenses paid in prior years. Had such reimbursements (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 0.79% (Class AAA), 0.63% (Class A), 1.61% (Class C), and (0.31)% (Class I), respectively. The 2017 reimbursement had no effect on the expense ratio.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

9 

 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

1. Organization. Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. (formerly GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc.) was incorporated on May 25, 1994 in Maryland and commenced investment operations on June 30, 1995. 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.

 

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.

 

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in the ASU provides optional temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. The ASU is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on the 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, 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

 

10 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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 of 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 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 and over-the-counter markets) at the time when net asset values of the Fund are determined. If the Fund’s valuation committee believes that a particular event would materially affect net asset value, further adjustment is considered. Such securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy presented below.

 

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, 2021 is as follows:

 

   Valuation Inputs     
   Level 1
Quoted Prices
   Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
   Total Market Value
at 06/30/21
 
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:            
ASSETS (Market Value):            
Common Stocks (a)  $28,197,039       $28,197,039 
Warrants (a)   9,582        9,582 
U.S. Government Obligations      $134,996    134,996 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS  $28,206,621   $134,996   $28,341,617 

 

 

 

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

 

The Fund held no Level 3 investments at June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

 

11 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth 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.

 

12 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth 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.

 

Investments in other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest, from time to time, in shares of other investment companies (or entities that would be considered investment companies but are excluded from the definition pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act) (the Acquired Funds) in accordance with the 1940 Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund would bear the pro rata port on of the periodic expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the periodic expenses charged by the Acquired Funds was less than one basis point.

 

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 or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. 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 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.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:

 

Distributions paid from:    
Ordinary income  $190,289 
Net long term capital gains   6,114 
Total distributions paid  $196,403 

 

13 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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

 

At December 31, 2020, 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  $60,592 
Long term capital loss carryforward with no expiration   40,625 
Total Capital Loss Carryforwards  $101,217 

 

The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at June 30, 2021:

 

   Cost  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
Investments  $14,227,335  $14,212,636  $(98,354)  $14,114,282

 

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. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund incurred $656 in excise tax expense. As of June 30, 2021, 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 Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses of Class AAA Shares and Class I Shares to the extent necessary to maintain the total operating expenses (excluding brokerage, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) until at least April 30, 2022 at no more than 1.25% and 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund in the amount of $122,944. In addition, the Fund has agreed, during the three year period following any waiver or reimbursement by the Adviser, to repay

 

14 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

such amount to the extent, that after giving the effect to the repayment, such adjusted annualized total operating expenses of the Fund would not exceed 1.25% and 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class AAA and Class I, respectively. The agreement is renewable annually. At June 30, 2021, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser, subject to the terms above, is $801,367.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2021   $193,958 
For the year ended December 31, 2019, expiring December 31, 2022    235,021 
For the year ended December 31, 2020, expiring December 31, 2023    249,444 
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, expiring December 31, 2024    122,944 
   $801,367 

 

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, 2021, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $2,383,571 and $1,591,584, respectively.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Other Arrangements. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Distributor retained a total of $1,099 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.

 

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, 2021.

 

The Fund pays retainer and per meeting fees to Directors not affiliated with the Adviser, plus specified amounts to the Lead Director and Audit Committee Chairman. Directors are also reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

 

7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit, which expires on March 2, 2022 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 135 basis points or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 135 basis points in effect on that day. This amount, if any, would be included in “Interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there were no borrowings under the line of credit.

 

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

 

15 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020, if any, can be found in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets under Redemption Fees.

 

Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount 
Class AAA                    
Shares sold   23,303   $635,534    47,562   $1,099,260 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions           4,361    117,792 
Shares redeemed   (66,885)   (1,773,032)   (128,238)   (2,871,560)
Net decrease   (43,582)  $(1,137,498)   (76,315)  $(1,654,508)
Class A                    
Shares sold   5,650   $155,734    6,430   $158,889 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions           5    151 
Shares redeemed   (169)   (4,559)   (4,465)   (105,814)
Net increase   5,481   $151,175    1,970   $53,226 
Class C                    
Shares sold           2,734   $57,904 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions           2    52 
Shares redeemed   (1,241)  $(29,863)   (6,287)   (122,626)
Net decrease   (1,241)  $(29,863)   (3,551)  $(64,670)
Class I                    
Shares sold   46,661   $1,241,697    131,335   $3,193,582 
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions           2,187    60,005 
Shares redeemed   (4,785)   (132,617)   (22,952)   (550,243)
Net increase   41,876   $1,109,080    110,570   $2,703,344 

 

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. Liquidity Risk Management Program. In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund has established a liquidity risk management program (the LRM Program) to govern its approach to managing liquidity risk. The LRM Program is administered by the Liquidity Committee

 

16 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc. 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

(the Committee), which is comprised of members of Gabelli Funds, LLC management. The Board has approved the designation of the Committee to administer the LRM Program.

 

The LRM Program’s principal objectives include supporting the Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The LRM Program also includes elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity and the monthly classification and re-classification of certain investments that reflect the Committee’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

 

At a meeting of the Board held on May 11, 2021, the Board received a written report from the Committee regarding the design and operational effectiveness of the LRM Program. The Committee determined, and reported to the Board, that the LRM Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively since its implementation. The Committee reported that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Committee noted that the Fund is primarily invested in highly liquid securities and, accordingly, continues to be exempt from the requirement to determine a “highly liquid investment minimum” as defined in the Rule 22e-4. Because of that continued qualification for the exemption, the Fund has not adopted a “highly liquid investment minimum” amount. The Committee further noted that while changes to the LRM Program were made during the Review Period and reported to the Board, no material changes were made to the LRM Program as a result of the Committee’s annual review.

 

There can be no assurance that the LRM Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for more information regarding its exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

11. 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.

 

17 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

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

 

Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act, as amended, contemplates that the Board of 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 the Adviser for the Fund.

 

More specifically, at a meeting held on May 11, 2021, 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 all of the Fund’s third party service providers as well as 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 regulations. 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 noted that the Adviser had engaged, at its expense, 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.

 

18 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (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 March 31, 2021, 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 all retail and institutional international large-cap growth funds regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution (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 below the median for the one year, three year, and ten year periods, and equal to the median for the five year period.

 

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 the comparative Broadridge expense peer group (“Expense Peer Group”). The Board Members also considered comparative non-management 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 the total expense ratio, with respect to the Expense Peer Group. The Board Members noted that the Fund’s advisory fee and expense ratio were below 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 (RICs) 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, 2020. The Board Members considered one analysis for the 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

 

19 

 

 

Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.

 

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

 

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 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.

 

20 

 

 

     
 

Gabelli Funds and Your Personal Privacy

 

 

Who are we?

 

The Gabelli Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc. that is a publicly held company with subsidiaries and affiliates that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.

 

What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a fund shareholder?

 

If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:

 

Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.

 

Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.

 

What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?

 

We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www. sec.gov.

 

What do we do to protect your personal information?

 

We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information.

 
     

 

 

 

 

This page was intentionally left blank.

 

 

 

 

 

GABELLI INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC. 

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

 

 

Portfolio Manager’s 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 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 contents of the portfolio manager’s commentary are unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolios of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

 

 

 

 

GABELLI INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INC.

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

 

t800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)
f914-921-5118
einfo@gabelli.com

GABELLI.COM

 

Net Asset Values 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.

 

Anthony J. Colavita 

President, 

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

 

Werner J. Roeder 

Former Medical Director, 

Lawrence Hospital

 

Anthonie C. van Ekris 

Chairman, 

BALMAC International, Inc.

 

Salvatore J. Zizza 

Chairman, 

Zizza & Associates Corp.

 

OFFICERS

 

Bruce N. Alpert 

President

 

John C. Ball 

Treasurer

 

Peter Goldstein 

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

 

Paul Hastings LLP 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAB009Q221SR

 

 



 

 

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

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 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)     Gabelli International Growth Fund, Inc.  

 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Bruce N. Alpert  
    Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer  

 

Date      September 3, 2021  

 

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 3, 2021  

 

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ John C. Ball  
    John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer  

 

Date      September 3, 2021  

 

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