View Document Text
Form ADV Part 2A
Firm Brochure
GAMCO Asset Management Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 921-5000
www.gabelli.com
March 28, 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
GAMCO Asset Management Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this
brochure, please contact us at (914) 921-5000. The information in this brochure has not
been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(“Commission”) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about GAMCO Asset Management Inc. is also available on the
SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
GAMCO Asset Management Inc. is registered with the Commission as an investment adviser.
Registration with the Commission does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Item 2
Material Changes
There are no material changes to report since March 30, 2024, the date of the last update.
2
Item 3
Table of Contents
Contents
Item 1 Cover Page ....................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 Material Changes ............................................................................................................. 2
Item 3 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. 3
Item 4
Advisory Business........................................................................................................... 4
Item 5
Fees and Compensation .................................................................................................. 8
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................ 10
Item 7
Types of Clients ............................................................................................................ 13
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ..................................... 14
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................ 18
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ...................................................... 19
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading . 21
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................ 22
Item 13 Review of Accounts ....................................................................................................... 25
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..................................................................... 26
Item 15 Custody .......................................................................................................................... 27
Item 16 Investment Discretion .................................................................................................... 28
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................. 29
Item 18 Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 32
Item 19 Requirements for State-Registered Advisers ................................................................. 33
PERSONAL PRIVACY ............................................................................................................... 34
3
Item 4
Advisory Business
A. General Description of GAMCO
GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO Investors”) is known for its research-driven value
approach to equity investing (known as Private Market Value with a Catalyst™). This
investment philosophy has been utilized in client portfolios since GAMCO Investors,
Inc.’s inception in 1977.
The investment advisory business of GAMCO Investors is conducted through two
wholly-owned affiliates: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO” or the “Firm”),
and Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”). GAMCO was established in 1978 by
founder Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, and manages institutional and separate account
portfolios. As of December 31, 2024, GAMCO managed approximately $10.4 billion of
assets under management (AUM) for clients, including sub-advisory mandates.
GAMCO Investors is a Delaware corporation, whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the
OTCX under the symbol (“GAMI”). Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is deemed to be the controlling
person of GAMCO on the basis of his ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., a
privately held Wyoming corporation, which holds a controlling interest in GAMCO Investors.
B. Description of Advisory Services
GAMCO offers investment management services across numerous asset classes and
solutions, including: value, growth, sustainability, convertibles, industry sector-
specific funds, event-driven merger arbitrage, and fixed income. The firm manages
client-directed custom separate accounts for a variety of client types, including corporate
employee defined benefit and defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations, Taft-
Hartley plans, domestic and offshore investment companies (generally as a sub-advisor),
limited partnerships, trusts, estates, and private investors.
In addition to investment management services GAMCO provides limited asset allocation
services to a small number of clients. Clients that want GAMCO’s investment management
service may seek advice on how those assets should be allocated amongst GAMCO managed
products. GAMCO receives no fee for this service other than the fees charged by the
underlying investment product (i.e. Managed Account, Mutual fund, Private Fund). To the
extent GAMCO allocates to unaffiliated products GAMCO will receive a fee based on the
amount of underlying assets invested in those unaffiliated products. GAMCO may allocate to
ETF’s or other products managed by outside advisers to the extent GAMCO does not offer a
similar product.
4
The majority of the firm’s revenues are derived from investment management services. GAMCO
generally manages assets on a fully discretionary basis and revenues are based primarily on
GAMCO’s assets under management.
By asset class, GAMCO manages the following institutional separate account composites,
among others:
• All Cap Value – GAMCO Value*
• Sustainability – GAMCO SRI Value*
• Small Cap Value – GAMCO Small Cap Value*
• Small-Mid (SMID) Cap Value – GAMCO SMID Cap Value*
• Large Cap Value – GAMCO Large Cap Value
• Growth – GAMCO Large Cap Growth
• Specialty Funds – GAMCO Gold
• Convertible Securities – GAMCO Convertible
• Fixed Income – GAMCO High Yield
* Gabelli also manages institutional separate account composites with higher investment
minimums for Gabelli Value, Gabelli SRI Value, Gabelli Small Cap Value, Gabelli SMID Cap
Value
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA serves as CEO of GAMCO Investors and Chief Investment Officer,
Value, and founded GAMCO Investors in 1977. Mr. Gabelli serves as portfolio manager for
the following GAMCO institutional separate account composites: Gabelli Value, Gabelli
Socially Responsive, Gabelli SMID Cap Value, GAMCO Convertible. From time to time Mr.
Gabelli may allocate discretion over assets in portfolios he manages to other portfolio
managers to manage in a manner consistent with client investment guidelines.
Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi are GAMCO Investors co-Chief Investment
Officers, Value. Mr. Dreyer and Mr. Marangi serve together as a portfolio manager team for
the following institutional separate account composites: GAMCO Value, GAMCO SRI Value,
GAMCO SMID Cap Value, GAMCO Large Cap Value.
Howard Ward, CFA is GAMCO Investors Chief Investment Officer, Growth. Mr. Ward serves
as lead portfolio manager for GAMCO Large Cap Growth.
Caesar Bryan is a Portfolio Manager for Growth at GAMCO Investors, and serves as lead
portfolio manager for Gabelli International Growth.
Wayne Plewniak is a Portfolio Manager for Fixed Income at GAMCO Investors, and serves as
lead portfolio manager for GAMCO High Yield.
5
Value Philosophy
GAMCO is credited by the academic community with establishing the Private Market Value
(PMV) with a Catalyst™ investment philosophy and applying this to the analysis of public
equity securities. The Firm’s value-oriented stock selection process is based on the investment
principles first articulated in 1934 by Graham and Dodd, the founders of modern security
analysis, and further augmented by our Firm’s founder, Mario J. Gabelli, at the inception of
GAMCO Investors in 1977.
The PMV with a Catalyst philosophy, and our investment beliefs, have not changed since this
time. The Value team believes mispriced companies with strong businesses and the presence
of a catalyst to surface value lead to investment opportunities through fundamental research
and bottom-up stock selection.
Growth Philosophy
The Growth team seeks to invest in the innovative leaders of the world demonstrating sustainable
revenue and earnings growth and attractive valuations. Secular growth themes and fundamental
analysis is combined with a top-down macro overlay. Business cycle analysis is utilized as a
macro overlay to inform geographic and sector weightings.
C. Availability of Tailored Services for Clients
GAMCO will tailor an account to the needs of a client. Clients may furnish GAMCO with
investment guidelines that are aligned with their specific investment policies and objectives.
Clients may also impose restrictions on investing in certain securities or certain types of
securities.
As part of its willingness to tailor accounts to specific client needs, GAMCO may from time to
time agree to provide investment management services on a basis that includes payment of all
brokerage commissions by GAMCO. Such arrangements are atypical and will have fees that
reflect the size of the account, and the degree of active management given to the portfolio.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
GAMCO does not sponsor any “wrap-fee” programs, but participates as a non-discretionary
sub-adviser in “wrap fee” or unified managed account (“UMA”) arrangements in which a third
party program sponsor offers our firm’s strategies to its clients. GAMCO provides investment
advisory services either directly to the SMA Program Sponsor (“Single Contract SMA”) or
SMA Program participants (the agreement referred to herein as a “Dual Contract SMA”)
depending on the program (collectively the “SMA Program”).
GAMCO provides investment advice to UMA programs (“UMA Programs Sponsors”) through
model investment portfolio or unified managed account programs (“UMA Portfolio
Programs”). GAMCO receives a fee for investment advisory services from the wrap program
6
sponsor. Given that GAMCO delivers model portfolios to wrap sponsors, GAMCO does not
execute trades, monitor participant accounts or otherwise have a relationship with participants.
GAMCO manages such accounts in a substantially similar manner to its other
accounts, except that GAMCO does not execute trades for these accounts. In evaluating such
a program, a client should understand that brokerage commissions are not negotiated by
GAMCO. Transactions are effected “net” and a portion of the wrap fee is generally in lieu of
commissions. Trades will be generally executed only with the referring broker, so as to avoid
incurring the incremental brokerage costs that would be incurred by use of other brokers.
Clients in these wrap programs must look to the sponsor of the program to monitor best
execution. Clients should be aware of the potential conflicts of interest arising from referral
and directed brokerage practices. GAMCO recommends that a client in a wrap fee program
request and review the wrap sponsor's Form ADV.
E. Client Assets Under Management
At December 31, 2024, GAMCO managed approximately $10.4 billion, including sub-
advisory mandates, of client assets on a discretionary basis in approximately 1,600 accounts
and approximately $26 million on a non-discretionary basis in approximately 6 accounts.
7
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A. Investment Management Fees
The stated investment management fee for new clients is generally one percent per year, or a
minimum annual fee of $5,000, whichever is greater. GAMCO may negotiate its fees.
Certain GAMCO portfolios may be given break points based on the level of assets under
management or relationships with the firm. As noted, GAMCO will customize management
styles for accounts and fees for such accounts may vary. Advisory fees for new accounts often
exceed those prevailing historically. GAMCO also may be compensated with performance-
based fees in accordance with Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers
Act”). GAMCO requests clients wishing to liquidate a substantial portion of their assets or to
terminate their relationship to provide 30 days written notice.
B. Payment of Fees
Investment management fees are generally payable on the first day of each calendar quarter for
that quarter and are based on the total market value of the assets in the client’s account
(including net realized appreciation or depreciation of the investments and cash, cash
equivalents and accrued interest). Clients may authorize GAMCO to debit its advisory fees
directly from their accounts. For those clients that authorize GAMCO to debit fees from their
accounts, GAMCO will typically deduct its fees in advance for a quarter based on the market
value of the account on the last day of the previous quarter. Clients may request alternative
arrangements to pay their fees. All clients will receive quarterly bills from GAMCO for its
fees (unless otherwise directed by client). If a new client account is established during a
quarter or a client makes an addition to its account during a quarter, the investment
management fee will be prorated for the number of days remaining in the quarter. If a client’s
investment management agreement is terminated or a withdrawal is made from a client
account during a quarter, the fee payable to GAMCO will be calculated based on the value of
the assets on the termination date (including during the 30 day written notification period) or
withdrawal date and prorated for the number of days during the quarter in which the
investment management arrangement was in effect or such amount was in the account (except
during the last 15 days of the quarter where the fee will be charged for the entire quarter).
C. Other Fees and Expenses
In addition to paying investment management fees, client accounts may also be subject to
other expenses such as custodial charges, brokerage fees, commission and related costs,
interest expenses, taxes, and other portfolio expenses (including attorney fees should litigation
result from underlying securities in the portfolio).
D. Prepayment of Fees
As stated in Item 5B, a client may pay GAMCO’s fee in advance. A client may obtain a
refund of a pre-paid fee if their advisory agreement is terminated or a withdrawal is made from
the account 15 days or more before the end of the billing period (including the 30 day written
notification period). Clients who withdraw assets from their accounts 15 days or more before
8
the end of billing period will receive a credit for the advisory fee paid. The credit will be
applied to future advisory fees that will be paid to GAMCO.
E. Additional Compensation
GAMCO and its supervised persons receive compensation from those clients that authorize
GAMCO to effect account transactions though G.research. G.research is 100% owned by
Morgan Group Holdings a publicly traded company (OTC: MGHL) controlled by an affiliate
of GAMCO Investors. Clients that authorize GAMCO to place trades through G.research will
pay commissions which are in addition to the management fee that is paid to GAMCO.
Because of GAMCO Investors affiliation with G.research and the indirect ownership by an
affiliate of GAMCO Investors, GAMCO may have an incentive to use G.research to execute
portfolio transactions for GAMCO’s clients.
Current portfolio managers, relationship managers and/or professional staff of GAMCO and
its affiliated persons may receive a portion of GAMCO's advisory fee on client accounts
pursuant to incentive arrangements promulgated by GAMCO from time to time. GAMCO
client accounts may pay performance based fees as further describe in Item 6.
Additionally, if current professional staff of GAMCO who are registered representatives of
G.distributors serve as a relationship manager to clients that invest in any of the Gabelli or
GAMCO Mutual Funds or an affiliated investment partnership or offshore fund, such
professional staff and affiliates of GAMCO may be compensated with respect to the clients'
investments in a Gabelli or GAMCO Mutual Fund, investment partnership or offshore fund.
Subject to applicable rules and regulations, portions of GAMCO accounts may be invested in
the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund and other affiliated open-end and closed-end
Gabelli/GAMCO funds (“Gabelli/GAMCO Funds”) which may be a suitable and appropriate
investment for a portion of a client's account. Investments in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money
Market Fund (“GUSTO”) and other Gabelli/GAMCO Funds create a financial benefit to
GAMCO and its affiliates since GAMCO and its affiliates may both receive advisory fees on
monies invested in these funds. Fees paid to GAMCO for GUSTO balances are rebated to
clients on a quarterly basis. Refer to the respective funds’ prospectuses for complete disclosure
as to the fees and other expenses associated with investments in the funds. An investment in
the money market fund is not guaranteed by the US government and the Gabelli U.S. Treasury
Fund cannot assure that its $1.00 share price will be maintained.
9
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
GAMCO and its affiliates provide investment management services to multiple portfolios for
multiple clients. GAMCO and its affiliates are paid performance-based compensation for a
small number of its clients.
GAMCO and its affiliates, including investment personnel that share in performance-based
compensation, manage both client accounts that are charged performance-based compensation
and accounts that are charged an asset-based fee (which is a non-performance-based fee). In
addition, certain client accounts may have higher asset-based fees or more favorable
performance-based compensation arrangements than other accounts. When GAMCO and its
investment personnel manage more than one client account the potential exists for one client
account to be favored over another client account. GAMCO and its investment personnel have
a greater incentive to favor client accounts that pay GAMCO (and indirectly the portfolio
manager) performance-based compensation or higher fees. The portfolio manager also may be
motivated to favor accounts in which he has an investment interest, or in which GAMCO or its
affiliates have investment interests.
GAMCO's affiliates operating in the interests of their shareholders and/or partners may seek to
acquire majority interests in companies or acquire divisions of companies that are held by
GAMCO on behalf of its clients. If such majority interest is sought by a GAMCO affiliated
entity or entities, GAMCO will act on behalf of its clients in a manner which it, in its sole
discretion, believes is in the best interest of its clients. In this regard, GAMCO may, among
other alternatives, seek the advice of outside counsel, return shares to clients for clients to vote
their respective shares or remain neutral.
GAMCO has established various policies and procedures which are designed to ensure that
client accounts are treated in a manner which is equitable over time. These policies and
procedures include:
1. It is GAMCO's policy to allocate investment opportunities among its clients in a manner
that is equitable over time.
2. Under normal circumstances, the portfolio manager will assess a client's account and
determine whether a particular security should be purchased or sold for the account before an
order is placed for the account. Occasionally, a portfolio manager may buy a block of stock
that is, for example, available at an advantageous price and make determinations about its
appropriateness for particular accounts after placement of the order.
3. Ordinarily, GAMCO will attempt to place orders for clients with G.research managed by
the same portfolio management team in a manner that aggregates orders so as to ensure that
clients purchasing the same securities on the same day do so at the average price realized by
all similar clients. GAMCO orders will usually not be aggregated with orders for affiliated
investment advisers or hedge funds except as part of a written plan to buy the same securities
in specified amounts. As portfolio managers make buy and sell decisions over the course of
the day, those orders are usually added to aggregated orders already entered. The result will
10
often be that substantially all orders for accounts may be executed at the average price paid by
GAMCO accounts purchasing the security on the same day through G.research.
This aggregation of trades generally will not include orders placed for: (1) investment
companies for which GAMCO serves as investment adviser; (2) some institutional accounts;
and (3) any accounts where the client has directed that trades be executed by a broker of its
choosing. Each of these types of orders may be aggregated separately. For example, if several
clients have directed GAMCO to trade their accounts through a particular broker, those orders
may be aggregated either by GAMCO or by the broker.
Where orders are aggregated and executed at an average price, all clients will share in the
execution of that order. Moreover, all accounts participating in an aggregated order through
G.research will pay the same commission rate, which under ordinary circumstances will be the
standard commission rate. Where a different commission rate is being applied to the trade, all
accounts participating in that order will be charged the lowest rate charged to any participating
account. If an aggregated order is only partially filled, GAMCO may allocate shares so as to
completely fill as many of the orders of participating accounts as possible, rather than on a
pro-rata basis.
4. GAMCO, on behalf of its clients, may place a single aggregated buy or sell order with
G.research before determining which client accounts should participate in the order. If the
order is filled in whole or in part, the allocation will be done as soon as possible and no later
than the opening of the market on the next business day. In such cases, GAMCO will allocate
the securities bought or sold among its clients' accounts based on criteria which GAMCO
believes to be fair and equitable. Each GAMCO account is evaluated in light of these criteria
that include: the cash available, the account's investment objectives, any investment
guidelines or restrictions, and the amount and percentage of the securities or similar securities
already in the account. This allocation policy generally results in securities first being
allocated to new accounts and other accounts with available cash subject to the other stated
criteria.
GAMCO’s affiliates generally use different trading desks to effect transactions for their
managed accounts, investment companies and investment partnerships. Generally, neither
GAMCO nor its affiliates will bunch trades that are processed by different trading desks nor
will they cross trades between accounts that trade through different desks which may in certain
instances increase clients’ transactions costs. GAMCO may aggregate orders of GAMCO
clients with orders for the affiliated mutual funds or alternative investment partnerships,
including those with incentive fees, pursuant to a written allocation plan. No account will be
favored over any other account, and each account that participates in the order will participate
at the average share price of the aggregated order and receive the same commission rate.
Shares will be allocated as specified by the Investment Professional prior to entry of the
aggregated order. Orders that are partially filled will be allocated pro rata based on the
specified allocation. An order may be allocated on a basis different than specified as long as
GAMCO believes that all clients will receive fair and equitable treatment.
11
A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio
manager for GAMCO or one of its affiliates differ among the accounts that he manages. If the
structure of the management fee or the portfolio manager’s compensation differs among
accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or
performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager may be motivated to favor
certain accounts over others.
GAMCO generally does not purchase securities in initial public offerings for its clients, except
for certain designated accounts and sub-advised investment companies. The availability of
`shares of initial public offerings may be limited. To receive shares in an initial public
offering (“IPO”), an account must qualify to do so under the applicable regulatory rules.
GAMCO generally apportions IPO shares among eligible GAMCO clients based on several
factors including the size of each account in terms of assets under management, the particular
investment objectives and guidelines of each account, the contemplated holding period, the
risk characteristics of the security and the availability of cash for investment. GAMCO
personnel generally are prohibited from purchasing IPOs for their own accounts under the
Code of Ethics.
Sometimes, shares in IPOs are allocated by the lead underwriter for clients of GAMCO's
affiliated investment advisers, the affiliated mutual funds and affiliated alternative investment
products managed by Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers. In those instances, the shares
are generally apportioned among the clients taking into account factors such as assets under
management, investment objectives, risk characteristics, the contemplated holding period and
the availability of cash. Occasionally, particular affiliates are able to obtain separate
allocations of shares from other members of the syndicate. Depending on the circumstances,
those shares may not be subject to allocation among all clients of Gabelli-affiliated entities.
12
Item 7
Types of Clients
As noted in Item 4 above, GAMCO offers investment management services to, among others,
the following types of clients: employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations, corporations,
limited partnerships, trusts, estates, domestic and offshore investment companies (generally as
sub-adviser), and private investors.
Unless otherwise specified in its portfolio description, GAMCO generally requires a minimum
account size of five hundred thousand dollars for its standard full service discretionary
investment management account, which it may waive under certain circumstances, such as
when GAMCO perceives the potential for additional business from a client. If a client
account falls below the minimum requirement due to market fluctuations only, a client will not
be required to invest additional funds with GAMCO to meet the minimum account size.
Beginning January 1, 2011, new client portfolios managed in a value strategy of less than $10
million that seek to be managed in the All Cap Value Strategy will be team managed unless
otherwise determined by GAMCO in its sole discretion.
13
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. Method of Analysis
GAMCO’s approach to security analysis includes among other things fundamental research,
industry research, personal visits with management and company published data. GAMCO
also uses data published in the financial media. Some of the portfolio managers may make use
of third party sell-side brokerage research.
GAMCO’s value approach to investing is based on the value investing principles articulated
by Graham & Dodd in 1934 and further developed by Roger Murray and Bruce Greenwald.
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, developed Private Market Value (PMV) with a CatalystTM with his
introduction of a catalyst into the value investment methodology. PMV with a
CatalystTM investing is a disciplined, research-driven approach based on intensive security
analysis. In this process, we generally select stocks whose intrinsic value, based on our
estimate of current asset value and future growth and earnings power, is significantly different
from the value as reflected in the public market. We then calculate the firm’s PMV, which is
defined as the price an informed industrial buyer would be likely to pay to acquire the
business.
GAMCO’s value team generally looks for situations in which a catalyst is working to help
eliminate the premium or realize the discount between the public market price and the
estimated PMV. Company specific catalysts include: realization of hidden assets, recognition
of underperforming subsidiaries, share buybacks, spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions, balance
sheet changes, new products, accounting changes, new management and cross-shareholder
unwinding. Catalysts related to industry dynamics or macroeconomics include but are not
limited to: industry consolidation, deregulation, accounting, tax, pension and political reforms,
technological change and the macroeconomic backdrop. The time horizons for catalysts can
be short-term, medium-term or long-term.
Please see Item 4 for a full list of the investment strategies that GAMCO offers.
B. Material Risks Relating to Investment Strategies
Depending upon the strategy selected, GAMCO generally invests the entirety of a client’s
account in securities that bear risk and may fluctuate in price. When securities are sold from
an account, they may be worth less than the prices that were paid to acquire
them. Consequently, a client may lose money by investing in securities.
As part of its investment philosophy and methodology, GAMCO and its affiliates may hold for
their clients significant equity ownership positions in an issuer's class of stock (5% or more).
Any such position could be relatively illiquid if GAMCO were to determine or be required to
sell a large portion of the position in a short period. Such activity could result in sizable
losses. A list of these positions is available on request.
14
GAMCO and its affiliates may, in the ordinary course of their business, acquire for their own
accounts or for the accounts of their investment advisory clients, significant (and possibly
controlling) positions in the securities of companies that may also be suitable for investment
by a client. The securities in which a client might be able to invest may therefore be limited to
some extent. For instance, many companies have adopted so-called “poison pill” or other anti-
takeover measures designed to discourage or prevent the completion of non-negotiated offers
for control of the company. Such anti-takeover measures may have the effect of limiting the
number of shares of the company which GAMCO might otherwise be able to purchase for a
client if GAMCO or its affiliates have or acquire a significant position in the securities of the
company. Various laws, regulations and rules may also limit the securities of certain
industries that GAMCO may purchase for its clients.
Accounts managed by GAMCO in most of the value strategies will invest in stocks issued by
companies believed by GAMCO to be trading at a discount to their private market value
(value stocks). An account value may decline if the market favors other stocks. If GAMCO is
incorrect in its assessment of the private market values of the securities a client holds, then the
value of the client’s account may decline.
GAMCO may also engage in merger arbitrage. If the requisite elements of an arbitrage
strategy are not properly analyzed or unexpected events or price movements intervene, losses
can occur. Moreover, arbitrage strategies often can depend upon identifying favorable spreads
which can also be identified, reduced or eliminated by other market participants.
C. Risks Associated with Types of Securities that are Primarily Recommended
Equity Risk. The principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk. Equity risk is the risk
that the prices of the securities held by a client will fall due to general market and economic
conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the companies issuing the securities
participate, and the issuer company’s particular circumstances.
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in foreign securities involve risks relating to political,
social and economic developments abroad, as well as risks resulting from the differences
between the regulations to which U.S. and foreign issuers and markets are subject. These risks
include expropriation, differing accounting and disclosure standards, currency exchange risks,
settlement difficulties, market illiquidity, difficulties enforcing legal rights and greater
transaction costs.
Risks of Focusing on Corporate Reorganizations. GAMCO may invest a substantial portion
of clients’ assets in securities of companies that are involved or may become involved in
corporate transactions such as tender offers and corporate reorganizations. The principal risk
of this type of investing is that the anticipated transactions may not be completed at the
anticipated time or upon the expected terms, in which case a client may suffer a loss on its
investments.
Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be
more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the market as a
whole.
15
An account could lose all of its investment in a company’s securities.
Large-Capitalization Risk. Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond
quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.
Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful
smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Small-Capitalization Risk. Investing in securities of small capitalization companies may
involve greater risks than investing in larger, more established issuers. Smaller capitalization
companies typically have relatively lower revenues, limited product lines and lack of
management depth, and may have a smaller share of the market for their products or services,
than larger capitalization companies. The stocks of smaller capitalization companies tend to
have less trading volume than stocks of larger capitalization companies. Less trading volume
may make it more difficult for our portfolio managers to sell securities of smaller
capitalization companies at quoted market prices. There are periods when investing in smaller
capitalization stocks fall out of favor with investors and the stocks of smaller capitalization
companies underperform.
Interest Rate Risk. Generally, the value of fixed income securities will change inversely with
changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the market value of fixed income securities
tends to decrease. Conversely, as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed income
securities tends to increase. This risk will be greater for long-term securities than for short-
term securities.
High Yield Bonds. High yield bonds are those securities rated below investment grade (i.e.,
rated below "Baa3" by Moody's or below "BBB-" by S&P) and unrated securities of
comparable quality. Securities rated below investment grade and comparable unrated
securities involve greater risk, including greater price volatility and a greater risk of default in
the timely payment of principal and interest, than higher rated securities.
Socially Responsible Risk. Accounts investing in socially responsible investments (“SRI”)
invest substantially all of their assets in the securities of companies that meet its socially
responsible criteria. As a result, SRI accounts may forego opportunities to buy certain
securities when it might otherwise be advantageous for it to do so, or may sell securities when
it might otherwise be disadvantageous for it to do so.
Gold-Related Risks. The risk that the stock prices of companies involved in precious metals
related industries will experience greater volatility than companies not involved in precious
metals-related industries. Investments related to gold and other precious metals and minerals
are considered speculative and are affected by a variety of worldwide economic, financial, and
political factors.
Cybersecurity Risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access
to GAMCO client account assets, client data (including private shareholder information), or
proprietary information, or cause GAMCO or a client account and/or one of their service
providers (including, but not limited to, accountants, auditors, custodians, sub- custodians,
16
transfer agents, prime brokers, administrators, and financial intermediaries) to suffer data
breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.
17
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
Not applicable.
18
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
G.distributors, LLC, (G.distributors) a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., is
a limited purpose broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is
regulated by FINRA. G.distributors distributes open-end funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC,
Teton Advisors, LLC and Keeley-Teton Advisors, LLC, pursuant to distribution agreements
with each Fund. G.distributors receives fees for such services pursuant to distribution plans
adopted under provisions of Rule 12b-1 of the Company Act. Certain of Gabelli Funds, LLC,
Teton Advisers LLC, and Keeley-Teton Advisers, LLC management persons may also be
registered representatives of G.distributors.
G.research, an affiliate of GAMCO, is a registered broker-dealer. If GAMCO places trades
through G.research, it will do so in accordance with the standards set forth in this ADV.
G.research has clearing arrangements on a fully disclosed basis with Wells Fargo Clearing
Services, LLC, Pershing, LLC and Interactive Brokers LLC. Certain of GAMCO’s
management persons are registered representatives of G.research.
G.research may issue research reports which on occasion may be distributed to clients of
GAMCO. GAMCO does not charge its clients a separate fee for such research reports. The
research reports that G.research issues may contain recommendations on securities that are
held in client accounts. It is possible that the research reports may have recommendations that
are inconsistent with transactions for clients of GAMCO or its affiliates.
Gabelli Funds, LLC is an affiliated registered investment adviser that provides investment
management services to the Gabelli and GAMCO Mutual Funds. Teton Advisors, LLC is
financial services company which is publicly traded and under common control. Teton
Advisors, LLC has two wholly owned registered investment adviser subsidiaries that provides
investment management services to the TETON Westwood Mutual Funds and separate
accounts. Keeley-Teton Advisors, LLC is controlled by Teton Advisors, LLC and is a
registered investment adviser to mutual funds and SMAs.
Associated Capital, Inc., a NYSE listed company spun off in 2015 from GAMCO Investors,
Inc. GAMCO’s parent company. Associated Capital, Inc. may manage alternative investments
through Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers (“GCIA”) a registered investment adviser
and a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated Capital. These investments may include
offshore funds, partnerships and separate accounts. Gabelli & Partners serves as the general
partner to a number of the investment partnerships.
Additionally, certain officers, directors, or portfolio managers of GAMCO may from time to
time act as general partners of limited partnerships for which GAMCO acts as investment
adviser.
MJG Associates, Inc., an entity that is controlled by Mario Gabelli, is the investment manager
of Gabelli International Limited and Gabelli Fund, LDC. Mario Gabelli also serves as the
general partner of Gabelli Performance Partnership, LP. Please see GAMCO’s ADV Part 1
for a full list of investment partnerships.
19
Certain GAMCO clients that are qualified have been solicited to invest in, and some have
invested in, the private investment partnerships and companies that are managed by affiliates.
For a list of all these investment partnerships and companies, please refer to GCIA’s ADV.
Gabelli Securities International Limited (Bermuda) (“GSIL”) is a Bermuda limited company
wholly owned by GCIA.
Gabelli Securities International (UK) Ltd. is under common control with GCIA and is licensed
to advise on investments with the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Ltd (“GAMCO UK”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of
GAMCO Investors Inc. and is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. It
serves as a representative office in the United Kingdom which conducts research and
marketing for G.research. Certain investment professionals from GAMCO UK render portfolio
management and research services to clients of Gabelli Funds pursuant to a Memorandum of
Understanding with Gabelli Funds by which GAMCO UK is considered a “Participating
Affiliate” of Gabelli Funds as that term is used in relief granted by the staff of the Securities
and Exchange Commission allowing U.S. registered investment advisers to use portfolio
management and trading resources of advisory affiliates subject to the supervision of a
registered adviser.
20
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
GAMCO, its affiliates and other related persons, including Mario J. Gabelli and other
directors, officers and professional staff of GAMCO, may have direct or indirect interests in
securities being bought or sold for clients of GAMCO. In addition, on any given day,
securities being bought or sold for GAMCO’s clients may also be simultaneously bought or
sold for GAMCO, its affiliates or other related persons. Accordingly, GAMCO, its affiliates,
or other related persons may sell or recommend the sale of a particular security for certain
accounts, including accounts in which they have an interest, and GAMCO, its affiliates or
other related persons may buy or recommend the purchase of such security for other accounts,
including accounts in which they have an interest, and, thus, transactions in particular accounts
may not be consistent with transactions in other accounts or with the recommendation of
GAMCO, its affiliates or other related persons. It is therefore possible that the value of a
security bought by an account that is managed by GAMCO, its affiliates or related persons
may decrease if another account advised by GAMCO, its affiliates or related persons
subsequently sells or shorts the same security. Furthermore, some of the accounts that
GAMCO, its affiliates and other related persons manage may have special compensation.
GAMCO has established various policies and procedures that are designed to minimize the
possibility of conflicts of interest and, where such conflicts arise, to disclose their existence to
ensure that they are appropriately resolved, taking into account the interests of GAMCO's
clients without regard to their fee arrangements. However, there is no guarantee that the
policies and procedures will be able to detect and address every situation in which an actual or
potential conflict may arise.
A Code of Ethics is one of the policies that GAMCO has adopted to minimize the effects of
potential conflicts of interest. The Code of Ethics among other things provides:
1. GAMCO's procedures are intended to ensure that client accounts are given the priority of
economic opportunity over proprietary accounts, including professional staff accounts.
2. Staff of GAMCO and its affiliates, are required to maintain their securities brokerage
accounts at G.research, unless an outside account is specifically approved by the designated
compliance officer.
3. Staff of GAMCO and its affiliates, with certain limited exceptions, must receive prior
approval from the designated compliance or legal officer before placing an order for their own
account or for any other proprietary account.
4. Staff of GAMCO and its affiliates must submit initial holding reports when they begin
employment, annual holding reports and quarterly reports of their securities transactions.
The full text of the Code of Ethics is available upon request to GAMCO Asset Management
Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580.
21
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
GAMCO does not act as a broker-dealer for its clients. GAMCO, however, is affiliated with
G.research, a registered broker-dealer, which executes portfolio securities transactions for
clients of GAMCO under certain circumstances. GAMCO may have an incentive to use
G.research to execute portfolio transactions for GAMCO’s clients.
Where clients authorize G.research to execute portfolio transactions, it generally acts as agent
or broker rather than as principal or dealer in executing securities transactions for GAMCO's
clients to reduce the potential for conflicts of interest. In this regard, G.research executes
over-the-counter securities transactions on an agency basis for GAMCO's clients. G.research
may occasionally act as dealer or principal in buying or selling securities for GAMCO's
clients. In these principal transactions, purchases or sales are made for GAMCO's clients only
with their prior consent.
On occasion, GAMCO's clients may benefit from buying or selling a security in an agency
cross transaction involving another client of G.research that is not a client of GAMCO.
GAMCO will effectuate such a transaction for a client only when the client has given prior
written consent authorizing GAMCO to effect agency cross transactions, GAMCO has
determined that the transaction is in the best interest of the client, and the transaction is done in
compliance with the requirements of the Advisers Act and ERISA, if applicable. GAMCO
may also facilitate transactions between clients by crossing positions through custodians
without use of a broker-dealer.
In those instances when a client is referred to GAMCO by a broker-dealer, there is the
potential for a conflict of interest between receiving best execution and low commissions for
transactions effected through the referring broker-dealer and GAMCO’s interest in receiving
future referrals from the broker-dealer. Clients who direct brokerage to the referring broker-
dealer may incur transaction costs and/or commissions that are higher than if such direction
has not occurred as well as limiting their participation in aggregate orders and cross trades.
Furthermore, GAMCO cannot assume responsibility for seeking best execution for trades done
through the referring broker. Clients that are referred to GAMCO by a broker-dealer have the
option of utilizing: (1) the referring broker; (2) any other broker-dealer the client desires; or
(3) any firm retained generally by GAMCO to provide custody and execution services for its
clients.
Depending upon the trade in question, GAMCO may pay a brokerage commission in excess of
the lowest commission rate that another broker might have charged for effecting the same
transaction. The principal factor GAMCO considers in selecting brokers and dealers and
determining the reasonableness of their commissions is primarily best execution. GAMCO
will select a broker-dealer for each specific transaction with the objective of negotiating a
combination of the most favorable commission and the best price obtainable. The selection of
a broker-dealer will vary depending upon the nature of the transaction. Other factors utilized
in determining the broker-dealer to effect client transactions include: GAMCO's knowledge of
negotiated commission rates currently available and other current transaction costs; the nature
of the security being traded; the size of the transaction; the desired timing of the trade; the
existing and expected market activity for the particular security; confidentiality; the execution,
22
clearance and settlement capabilities of the broker-dealer; and the financial stability of the
broker-dealer. GAMCO may also utilize a broker-dealer in recognition of a particular research
idea or analysis. In addition, when in GAMCO's judgment several broker-dealers have equal
execution capability, GAMCO from time to time may place orders with firms which have
recommended or introduced GAMCO to prospective clients.
GAMCO believes that G.research, its affiliated registered broker-dealer, provides brokerage
services that are consistent with the above criteria. GAMCO, accordingly, may recommend
that its clients authorize it to place trades with G.research. G.research evaluates its
commission charges in light of its clients' total transaction costs. GAMCO clients that effect
equity securities transactions through G.research will generally pay commission rates as per an
agreed upon rate schedule that may change from time to time. Certain transactions are charged
a minimum ticket charge as specified on the rate card depending on the exchange, quantity
traded, price of the security. G.research may charge rates that are higher or lower than the rate
schedule on particular trades where there are special circumstances such as the difficulty of the
trade. Executing trades on behalf of clients through G.research will not necessarily result in
the lowest transaction costs available. These rates may change at any time and over time.
Agency cross or third market transactions, which are off-exchange transactions in listed
securities, may be effected by G.research if it determines that such transactions are
advantageous to clients. G.research charges commissions for agency cross or third market
transactions that are comparable to those for exchange transactions. GAMCO may place
substantially all orders through G.research when a client consents to the use of G.research.
Fixed income transactions effected by G.research on behalf of GAMCO clients are generally
executed on an agency basis at a commission of $5.00 or less per $1,000 par value. These
rates may change at any time or over time.
Clients may direct GAMCO to effect transactions through particular brokers-dealers in
recognition of custodial or other arrangements. Such a direction may cause the client account
to incur transaction costs and/or commissions that may be higher than if such direction had not
occurred. Clients may also direct that all trades be executed through brokers charging the
lowest commissions or through means such as internet execution services that result in lower
transaction fees. Such restrictions may limit GAMCO's ability to take into account the
judgmental factors in determining broker-dealer selection discussed above as well as limiting
such clients' participation in aggregate order purchases from a single broker-dealer. Absent
express agreement to the contrary, GAMCO generally cannot assume responsibility for
seeking best execution where a client instructs that trades be done through a particular broker-
dealer. For client accounts subject to ERISA, directed broker arrangements must be for the
exclusive benefit of participants and beneficiaries of the plan and must not constitute or cause
the account to be engaged in a prohibited transaction as defined by ERISA. Clients may wish
to compare the possible costs or disadvantages of such directed brokerage arrangements.
Where GAMCO is able to obtain best execution from multiple brokers, it may take into
account the extent to which that broker provides research or brokerage services in deciding
where to direct customer trades for execution. With respect to certain accounts, arrangements
23
may exist with broker-dealers whereby GAMCO obtains brokerage and research services
based on the amount of brokerage business that it directs to that firm. Services may include
stock quotation and news services, portfolio analysis services and other research services
(collectively, "soft dollar items"). Soft dollar items may be provided directly by brokers, by
third parties at the direction of brokers or purchased by GAMCO with credits or rebates
provided by brokers. In some instances the services may have non-research/execution
application. In those instances, GAMCO pays for whatever portion of these "mixed use" items
is not devoted to research or execution. Consistent with GAMCO's fiduciary duties to its
clients, and the safe harbor provided by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
brokerage will be directed to such broker-dealers only when GAMCO believes the
commissions charged are reasonable in relation to the value and overall quality of the
brokerage and research services provided.
When GAMCO directs brokerage business to firms in recognition of research services, the
commissions may exceed those that other firms would charge. Moreover, some of the
research services furnished by broker-dealers through whom GAMCO effects securities
transactions may be used in servicing accounts other than the account or accounts that placed
the trades. Where GAMCO receives services from a broker that include research as well as
other services, GAMCO only takes the research and execution services into account in
determining whether to direct brokerage business and the volume of business directed.
24
Item 13
Review of Accounts
GAMCO assigns an investment professional to all client accounts and the investment
professional has daily access to the portfolio. The assigned investment professional reviews
the accounts on a regular basis and at least quarterly. In addition, the portfolio managers may
review portfolios at their discretion. Portfolio reviews may result from client meetings, from
pending cash flows, and from material developments relating to portfolio holdings. Some of
the portfolios may be team managed with multiple managers having input into the portfolio
review services. Each investment professional may be responsible for multiple accounts.
GAMCO does not provide financial planning services.
At least each quarter, clients are provided with an account statement by GAMCO that includes
the market value of the portfolio holdings and a listing of the capital additions and withdrawals
during the period. Clients may also receive analyses which include commentary about the
securities markets in general. GAMCO also offers its clients on-line access to their accounts
which provides the following information: portfolio holdings, transactions and performance.
25
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Current professional staff of GAMCO and its affiliated persons may receive a portion of
GAMCO's advisory fee on client accounts pursuant to incentive arrangements promulgated by
GAMCO from time to time. Additionally, if current professional staff of GAMCO who are
registered representatives of G.distributors refer clients to any of the Gabelli or GAMCO
Mutual Funds or an affiliated investment partnership or offshore fund, such professional staff
and affiliates of GAMCO may be compensated with respect to the clients' investments in those
products.
GAMCO may place brokerage orders with brokers-dealers who have recommended or
introduced clients to GAMCO.
From time to time, GAMCO may enter into referral arrangements with unaffiliated persons or
entities in compliance with Rule 206(4)-3 under the Advisers Act and other applicable rules
and regulations. While these arrangements are unusual, GAMCO would generally pay a
portion of a client’s advisory fee to third parties contracted to assist with distribution.
26
Item 15
Custody
GAMCO does not serve as a custodian for its clients assets. In the absence of a specific
selection of custodian, GAMCO will establish a brokerage account through G.research with
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, G.research’s clearing broker. If an account with Wells Fargo
is established, Wells Fargo, as custodian, will hold and safe-keep the client’s securities and
funds in a segregated account in the name of the client. Wells Fargos’ address is One North
Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103. You may also contact Wells Fargo client Services
toll-free at (866) 786-4879.
The Client is encouraged to compare the statements that are delivered to the client by its
custodian to the account statements generated by GAMCO. The client should alert GAMCO
and the custodian of any discrepancies.
Certain professional staff of GAMCO may serve as the general partners to partnerships that
are clients of GAMCO. These partnerships will provide audited financial statements to the
investors in the partnerships in accordance with Rule 206(4)-2 under the Advisers Act.
27
Item 16
Investment Discretion
GAMCO provides investment advisory services on a discretionary basis to clients. Please see
Item 4 for a description of any limitations clients may place on GAMCO’s advisory services.
Prior to assuming discretion in managing a client’s assets, GAMCO enters into an investment
management agreement that sets forth the scope of its discretion.
Unless otherwise instructed or directed by a discretionary client, GAMCO has the authority to
determine: (i) the securities to be purchased and sold for the client account (subject to restrictions
on its activities set forth in the applicable investment management agreement and any written
investment guidelines) and (ii) the amount of securities to be purchased or sold for the client
account.
GAMCO submits an allocation statement to its trading desk describing the allocation of
securities to (or from) client accounts for each trade/order submitted. GAMCO may consider
the following factors, among others, in allocating securities among clients: (i) client investment
objectives and strategies; (ii) tax status and restrictions placed on a client's portfolio by the client
or by applicable law; (iii) size of the client account; (iv) nature and liquidity of the security to
be allocated; (v) size of available position; (vi) current market conditions; and (vii) account
liquidity, account requirements for liquidity and timing of cash flows.
GAMCO may not affect cross transactions between discretionary client accounts, except as
otherwise noted below and only after written approval. Cross transactions enable GAMCO to
effect a trade between two non-ERISA clients for the same security at a set price, thereby
possibly avoiding an unfavorable price movement that may be created through entrance into the
market and saving commission costs for both accounts. Cross transactions include rebalancing
transactions that are undertaken so that, after withdrawals or contributions have occurred, the
portfolio compositions of similarly managed accounts remain substantially similar. GAMCO
has a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities regarding both parties to
cross transactions. Cross transactions between client accounts are not permitted if they would
constitute principal trades or trades for which GAMCO or its affiliates are compensated as a
broker unless client consent has been obtained based upon written disclosure to the client of the
capacity in which GAMCO or its affiliates will act. In addition, cross transactions are not
permitted for benefit plan or other similar accounts that are subject to ERISA. Cross transactions
involving client’s that are registered investment companies for which GAMCO serves as adviser
are permitted only in accordance with the registered investment company’s rule 17a-7
procedures.
If a trade error occurrs, GAMCO will review the relevant facts and circumstances to
determine an appropriate course of action. To the extent that trade errors and breaches of
investment guidelines and restrictions occur, GAMCO's error correction procedure is to ensure
that clients are treated fairly. GAMCO will correct the error in a manner that seeks to put its
clients in the same position they would have been if the error had not occurred. GAMCO has
discretion to resolve a particular error in any appropriate manner that is consistent with the
above stated policy.
28
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
GAMCO, upon written authorization from the client, has the right to exercise any and all
voting rights pertaining to the securities held in clients' accounts. If the client is subject to
ERISA, decisions on voting of proxies will be made by GAMCO unless specifically reserved
to the trustee or named fiduciary of the client's account. It is the policy of GAMCO to vote
neither for nor against management, but for shareholders. To this effect, GAMCO has
published a "Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights", which is available upon written request. It
has incorporated this Magna Carta into its proxy voting procedures, which are also available
upon request.
Normally, GAMCO will exercise proxy-voting discretion on particular types of proposals in
accordance with guidelines (the “Proxy Guidelines”) set forth in the Proxy Voting Policy. The
Proxy Guidelines address, for example, proposals to elect the board of directors, to classify the
board of directors, to select auditors, to issue blank check preferred stock, to use confidential
ballots, to eliminate cumulative voting, to require shareholder ratification of poison pills, to
support fair price provisions, to require a supermajority shareholder vote for charter or bylaw
amendments, to provide for director and officer indemnification and liability protection, to
increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, to allow greenmail, to limit
shareholders’ rights to call special meetings, to consider non-financial effects of a merger, to
limit shareholders’ right to act by written consent, to approve executive and director
compensation plans (including golden parachutes), to limit executive and director pay, to
approve stock option plans, to opt in or out of state takeover statutes and to approve mergers,
acquisitions, corporate restructuring, spin-offs, buyouts, assets sales or liquidations.
Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share-blocking.” Shareholders wishing to vote their
proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated
depository. During the period in which the shares are held with a depository, shares that will be
voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned
to the client’s custodian. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, GAMCO believes that the
benefit to the client of exercising the vote is outweighed by the cost of voting and therefore,
GAMCO will not typically vote the securities of non-U.S. issuers that require share-blocking.
In addition, voting proxies of issuers in non-US markets may also give rise to a number of
administrative issues that prevent the Advisers from voting such proxies. For example, the
Advisers may receive the notices for shareholder meetings without adequate time to consider
the proposals in the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting. In these cases, the Advisers will
look to Glass Lewis or other third party service for recommendations on how to vote. Other
markets require the Advisers to provide local agents with power of attorney prior to
implementing their respective voting instructions on the proxy. Although it is the Advisers’
policies to vote the proxies for its clients for which they have proxy voting authority, in the case
of issuers in non-US markets, we vote client proxies on a best efforts basis.
A Proxy Committee comprised of senior representatives of GAMCO and its affiliated
investment advisers has the responsibility for the content, interpretation and application of the
Proxy Guidelines. In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy
29
Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service
(“ISS”), Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) and other third-party services and the analysts of
G.research, will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the
Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the
recommendations of the issuer's board of directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines;
(2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer's board of directors and is a non-
controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the
recommendations of the issuer’s board of directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines.
In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee
may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.
All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting
Services or the Adviser’s Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the
recommendations of ISS, Glass Lewis or other third party services and the analysts of
G.research, will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the
Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or GAMCO's Legal Department has
identified the matter as one that: (1) is controversial; (2) would benefit from deliberation by
the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between GAMCO
and its clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to
recommend that GAMCO and its affiliates should cast and the matter will go before the
Committee.
For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to
the meeting, copies of proxy statement, any relevant third party research, a summary of any
views provided by the Chief Investment Officers and any recommendations by G.research,
Inc. analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the G.research analysts may be invited to
present their viewpoints. If the Legal Department believes that the matter before the
Committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between GAMCO and
its clients, legal counsel may provide an opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If
legal counsel advises that the matter is one in which the interests of some clients may diverge
from those of other clients or of GAMCO, the Committee may make different
recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the recommendation may
trigger appraisal rights, counsel may advise concerning the likely risks and merits of such an
appraisal action.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the interests of GAMCO on the one
hand, and its clients on the other, the conflict will be brought to the Committee to determine a
resolution.
Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority of the
members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more recommendations
be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will break the tie. The
Committee will notify the proxy department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted
accordingly.
30
A full copy GAMCO's proxy guidelines and procedures is available on written request to
Proxy Department, GAMCO Asset Management Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580.
31
Financial Information
Item 18
Not applicable.
GAMCO will provide its most recent audited financial statements upon request.
32
Item 19 Requirements for State-Registered Advisers
Not applicable.
33
PERSONAL PRIVACY
What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a GAMCO
customer?
If you have engaged us to manage your money, you will be giving us some non-public
information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:
•
Information you give us. This could include your name, address, telephone number,
social security or tax identification number, your bank or brokerage 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 bought and sold for your account, and the deposits and
withdrawals that you make. If we hire someone else to provide services—like a
broker—we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through
them. We will also have access to the information they generate when they conduct
those services relating to transactions in your account.
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 web site, 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 perform their jobs or provide services to you 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 confidential.
34