june2017.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

Item 1.  Report to Shareholders

 


For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the net asset value per Common Share increased 8.53% while the investment return to our stockholders increased by 10.83%. By comparison, our benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (including income), increased 9.35%. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, the return on the net asset value per Common Share increased by 17.99%, and the return to our stockholders increased by 23.13%; these compare with an increase of 17.91% for the S&P 500. During both periods, the discount at which our shares traded continued to fluctuate and on June 30, 2017, it was 15.2%.

As detailed in the accompanying financial statements (unaudited), as of June 30, 2017, the net assets applicable to the Company’s Common Stock were $1,086,484,955 equal to $40.52 per Common Share.

The increase in net assets resulting from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $83,049,100. During this period, the net realized gain on investments sold was $71,117,600 and the increase in net unrealized appreciation was $11,851,459. Net investment income for the six months was $5,736,027. Distributions to preferred shareholders amounted to $5,655,986 and distributions to common shareholders totaled $5,423,646. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company also repurchased 409,677 of its shares at a cost of $13,675,191, an average discount to net asset value of 16.1%.

Equity markets around the world registered strong gains in the first half of 2017. With the exception of energy, most sectors participated with technology leading the way. The synchronized recovery referenced in our first quarter’s note remains intact. In the U.S., forecast growth has eased somewhat, however, owing to lagging new car and home sales, as well as modestly lower wage growth. Internationally, economic momentum is being sustained. Car sales in Europe have picked up, while Asia ex-Japan and China is performing well.

The Federal Reserve has raised rates again and contemplates reducing its securities holdings. Europe seems to be following a similar tack with the European Central Bank curbing its balance sheets and its Quantitative Easing (“QE”) program. In consequence, German Bund yields have risen from negative yields to a positive 56 basis points over the past 6 months. China, meanwhile, has been alternating financial reforms with central bank activity in an effort to reduce the growth of unproductive capacity in some industries and to slow capital flight. Thus, on a central bank basis, while QE continues, its rate of change appears to be slowing and despite the enormity of monetary stimulus, inflation has yet to appear outside of select asset prices. Wage growth in the U.S. remains contained, though this may be the

result of the exchange of older workers for new and the displacement of employees by automation. Outside of healthcare and housing, product prices remain muted with outright deflation to be found in food and energy. Capacity utilization in the U.S. remains low, historically, for this point in a recovery suggesting that there are stranded assets for which the product price is too low for production, as an example, in the energy sector. As a result, the Fed and central banks, generally, may have difficulty normalizing interest rates.

For most of the last five years, growth stocks have outperformed value as low interest rates have facilitated rising price-to-earnings ratios. A reversal of this trend, while widely anticipated, has failed to materialize owing to the persistence of pressure on interest rates. Fiscal policy change, notable lower taxes, may catalyze that transformation. While we remain optimistic regarding equities, some volatility is to be expected given the dif-ficulty of squaring slowing growth and robust valuations with a Federal Reserve that appears determined to continue to raise interest rates at least once more this year.

Information about the Company, including our investment objectives, operating policies and procedures, investment results, record of dividend and distribution payments, financial reports and press releases, is on our website and has been updated through June 30, 2017. It can be accessed on the internet at www.generalameri-caninvestors.com.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY, INC.

Jeffrey W. Priest

President and Chief Executive Officer

July 12, 2017


 


            Value
    Shares   COMMON STOCKS     (note 1a)
CONSUMER   AUTOMOBILESAND COMPONENTS (1.3%)      
DISCRETIONARY   1,264,063 Ford Motor Company (Cost $16,174,723) $14,144,865
(14.6%)          
    MEDIA(1.5%)          
    20,000 Charter Communications, Inc. (a)     6,737,000
    465,800 Regal Entertainment Group     9,530,268
        (Cost $13,362,579)   16,267,268
    RETAILING (11.8%)      
    20,000 Amazon.com, Inc. (a)     19,360,000
    335,779 Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc. (a)     18,138,782
    321,599 Liberty Interactive Corporation, Series A (a)   16,816,412
    345,000 Macy’s, Inc.     8,017,800
    919,768 The TJX Companies, Inc.     66,379,656
        (Cost $56,853,719)   128,712,650
          (Cost $86,391,021)   159,124,783
  
CONSUMER   FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO (11.8%)      
STAPLES   220,000 Danone     16,558,718
(15.0%) 128,948 Diageo plc ADR     15,451,839
    450,000 Nestle S.A.     39,178,404
    195,000 PepsiCo, Inc.     22,520,550
    625,000 Unilever N.V.     34,539,737
        (Cost $62,653,763)   128,249,248
    FOOD AND STAPLES RETAILING (3.2%)      
    118,781 Costco Wholesale Corporation     18,996,645
    197,280 CVS Health Corporation     15,873,149
        (Cost $21,155,745)   34,869,794
        (Cost $83,809,508)   163,119,042
 
ENERGY   173,000 Anadarko Petroleum Corporation     7,843,820
(4.8%) 1,140,947 Cameco Corporation     10,382,618
    1,200,000 Ensco plc - Class A     6,192,000
    3,830,440 Gulf Coast Ultra Deep Royalty Trust (a)     248,978
    420,000 Halliburton Company     17,938,200
    1,721,159 Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (a)     9,707,337
        (Cost $48,162,160)   52,312,953
   
FINANCIALS   BANKS (1.7%)          
(20.5%) 110,000 M&T Bank Corporation (Cost $560,176)   17,814,500
    DIVERSIFIED FINANCIALS (5.2%)      
    215,000 American Express Company     18,111,600
    205,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co.     18,737,000
    425,000 Nelnet, Inc.     19,979,250
        (Cost $18,398,635)   56,827,850
    INSURANCE (13.6%)      
    154,552 Aon plc     20,547,688
    400,000 Arch Capital Group Ltd. (a)     37,316,000
    187,500 Axis Capital Holdings Limited     12,123,750
    110 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A (a) (b)     28,017,000
    110,000 Everest Re Group, Ltd.     28,004,900
    400,000 MetLife, Inc.     21,976,000
        (Cost $35,488,813)   147,985,338
        (Cost $54,447,624)   222,627,688

 



 


          Value
  Shares COMMON STOCKS (continued)     (note 1a)
HEALTH CARE PHARMACEUTICALS, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LIFE SCIENCES      
(9.4%) 618,660 Arantana Therapeutics, Inc. (a)   $4,472,912
  165,000 Celgene Corporation (a)     21,428,550
  483,600 Gilead Sciences, Inc.     34,229,208
  284,942 Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (a)     3,538,980
  230,191 Merck & Co., Inc.     14,752,941
  307,213 Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)     7,403,833
  460,808 Pfizer Inc.     15,478,541
  519,829 Repros Therapeutics Inc. (a)     239,121
      (Cost $51,997,374)   101,544,086
 
INDUSTRIALS CAPITAL GOODS (6.6%)      
(11.2%) 189,131 Eaton Corporation plc     14,720,066
  820,000 General Electric Company     22,148,200
  270,000 Johnson Controls International plc     11,707,200
  190,000 United Technologies Corporation     23,200,900
      (Cost $57,564,425)   71,776,366
  COMMERCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (4.6%)      
  787,800 Republic Services, Inc. (Cost $11,167,520)   50,206,494
      (Cost $68,731,945)   121,982,860
  
INFORMATION SEMICONDUCTORS AND SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT (3.2%)      
TECHNOLOGY 260,000 Applied Materials, Inc.     10,740,600
(19.4%) 185,850 ASML Holding N.V.     24,218,114
      (Cost $11,269,875)   34,958,714
  SOFTWARE AND SERVICES (8.8%)      
  30,500 Alphabet Inc. (a)     27,716,265
  755,000 eBay Inc. (a)     26,364,600
  605,686 Microsoft Corporation     41,749,936
      (Cost $61,930,401)   95,830,801
  TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND EQUIPMENT (7.4%)      
  114,000 Apple Inc.     16,418,280
  790,000 Cisco Systems, Inc.     24,727,000
  341,200 QUALCOMM Incorporated     18,841,064
  185,709 Universal Display Corporation     20,288,708
      (Cost $38,645,966)   80,275,052
      (Cost $111,846,242)   211,064,567
 
 
MISCELLANEOUS   Other (c) (Cost $24,169,050)   25,504,018
(2.4%)          
TELECOMMUNICATION 521,252  Vodafone Group plc ADR (Cost $16,865,092)   14,975,570
SERVICES          
(1.4%)          
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (98.7%) (Cost $546,420,016)   1,072,255,567
 
  Warrant   WARRANT (a)      
TECHNOLOGY 281,409 Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (Cost $2,814)   112,564
HARDWARE AND          
EQUIPMENT          
(0.0%)          
 
      CALL OPTIONS      
  Contracts        
  (100 shares each)   COMMON STOCK/EXPIRATION DATE/EXERCISE PRICE    
ENERGY (0.0%) 1,000     Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.      
        September 15, 2017/$8.00 (Cost $79,043)   5,000
TECHNOLOGY 1,100     F5 Networks, Inc.      
HARDWARE AND       August 18, 2017/$140.00 (Cost $155,617)   106,700
EQUIPMENT (0.0%)        
    TOTAL CALL OPTIONS (0.0%) (Cost $234,660)   111,700

 



 


        Value
Shares SHORT-TERM SECURITY AND OTHER     (note 1a)
209,259,570 State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund,    
  Trust Class (19.3%) (Cost $209,259,570) $209,259,570
TOTAL INVESTMENTS (d) (118.0%) (Cost $755,917,060)   1,281,739,401
Liabilities in excess of receivables and other assets (-0.5%)     (5,137,271)
        1,276,602,130
PREFERRED STOCK (-17.5%)       (190,117,175)
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK (100%)   $1,086,484,955

 

ADR - American Depository Receipt
(a) Non-income producing security.
(b) Security is held as collateral for options written.
(c) Securities which have been held for less than one year, not previously disclosed, and not restricted.
(d) At June 30, 2017, the cost of investments for Federal income tax purposes was $756,124,353; aggregate gross unrealized appreciation was
$550,215,544; aggregate gross unrealized depreciation was $24,600,496; and net unrealized appreciation was $525,615,048.


    NET SHARES SHARES  
INCREASES   TRANSACTED HELD  
NEW POSITIONS        
Applied Materials, Inc.   10,000 260,000 (b)
Arantana Therapeutics, Inc.   94,201 618,660 (b)
Charter Communications, Inc. 20,000 (b)
Johnson Controls International plc   110,000 270,000 (b)
 
ADDITIONS        
Alphabet Inc.   2,500 30,500  
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation   60,000 173,000  
Cameco Corporation   76,000 1,140,947  
eBay Inc.   150,000 755,000  
Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc.   7,490 335,779  
MetLife, Inc.   20,000 400,000  
Nelnet, Inc.   25,000 425,000  
Regal Entertainment Group   26,300 465,800  
Vodafone Group plc ADR   65,000 521,252  
 
DECREASES        
ELIMINATIONS        
Apache Corporation   160,900  
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.   14,000  
Huntsman Corporation   476,422  
IMAX Corporation   349,496  
 
REDUCTIONS        
American Express Company   10,000 215,000  
Arch Capital Group Ltd.   45,000 400,000  
Costco Wholesale Corporation   50,000 118,781  
Diageo plc ADR   53,916 128,948  
Ensco plc - Class A   210,000 1,200,000  
Everest Re Group, Ltd.   15,000 110,000  
General Electric Company   80,000 820,000  
Halliburton Company   50,000 420,000  
Liberty Interactive Corporation, Series A   69,700 321,599  
Merck & Co., Inc.   35,000 230,191  
Repros Therapeutics Inc.   69,939 519,829  
Unilever N.V.   79,378 625,000  
Universal Display Corporation   10,000 185,709  

 

(a) Common shares unless otherwise noted; excludes transactions in Common Stocks - Miscellaneous - Other.
(b) Shares purchased in prior period and previously carried under Common Stocks - Miscellaneous - Other.

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)



 


The diversification of the Company’s net assets applicable to its Common Stock by industry group as of June 30,
2017 is shown in the table.

          PERCENT COMMON
INDUSTRY CATEGORY COST (000) VALUE (000) NET ASSETS*
Financials          
Banks $560 $17,814   1.7%
Diversified Financials 18,399   56,828   5.2    
Insurance 35,489   147,985   13.6    
  54,448   222,627   20.5    
Information Technology          
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 11,270   34,959   3.2    
Software & Services 61,930   95,831   8.8    
Technology Hardware & Equipment 38,804   80,494   7.4    
  112,004   211,284   19.4    
Consumer Staples          
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 62,654   128,249   11.8    
Food & Staples Retailing 21,156   34,870   3.2    
  83,810   163,119   15.0    
 
Consumer Discretionary          
Automobiles & Components 16,175   14,145   1.3    
Media 13,362   16,267   1.5    
Retailing 56,854   128,713   11.8    
  86,391   159,125   14.6    
Industrials          
Capital Goods 57,564   71,776   6.6    
Commercial & Professional Services 11,168   50,207   4.6    
  68,732   121,983   11.2    
Health Care          
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 51,997   101,544   9.4    
Energy 48,241   52,318   4.8    
Miscellaneous** 24,169   25,504   2.4    
Telecommunication Services 16,865   14,975   1.4    
  546,657   1,072,479   98.7    
Short-Term Securities 209,260   209,260   19.3    
Total Investments $755,917   1,281,739   118.0    
Other Assets and Liabilities - Net     (5,137) (0.5)  
Preferred Stock     (190,117) (17.5)  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock   $1,086,485   100.0%

 

* Net Assets applicable to the Company’s Common Stock.
** Securities which have been held for less than one year, not previously disclosed, and not restricted.
(see notes to unaudited financial statements)



 


ASSETS          
INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE (NOTE 1a)          
Common stocks (cost $546,420,016)       $1,072,255,567
Warrant (cost $2,814)         112,564
Purchased options (cost $234,660)         111,700
Money market fund (cost $209,259,570)         209,259,570
Total investments (cost $755,917,060)         1,281,739,401
 
RECEIVABLES AND OTHER ASSETS          
Receivable for securities sold $1,453,316      
Dividends, interest and other receivables   2,447,082      
Qualified pension plan asset, net excess funded (note 7)   2,426,501      
Prepaid expenses, fixed assets and other assets   611,239     6,938,138
TOTAL ASSETS         1,288,677,539
 
LIABILITIES          
Payable for securities purchased   509,817      
Outstanding options written, at value (premiums received $132,211) (note 4)   184,100      
Accrued preferred stock dividend not yet declared   219,955      
Accrued compensation payable to officers and employees   1,884,000      
Accrued supplemental pension plan liability (note 7)   5,545,901      
Accrued supplemental thrift plan liability (note 7)   3,284,701      
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   446,935      
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES         12,075,409
 
5.95% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES B -          
7,604,687 shares at a liquidation value of $25 per share (note 5)         190,117,175
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK - 26,811,438 shares (note 5)       $1,086,484,955
 
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE       $40.52
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK          
Common Stock, 26,811,438 shares at par value (note 5) $26,811,438      
Additional paid-in capital (note 5)   464,539,068      
Undistributed net investment income (note 5)   3,788,927      
Undistributed realized gain on common stocks, options and other   76,074,462      
Unallocated distributions on Preferred Stock   (5,875,941)    
Unrealized appreciation on common stocks, options and other   525,770,452      
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (note 7)   (4,623,451)    
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK       $1,086,484,955

 


  Contracts       Value
  (100 shares each)      COMMON STOCK/EXPIRATION DATE/EXERCISE PRICE   (note 1a)
ENERGY (0.0%) 1,000       Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. /September 15, 2017/$6.00 $95,000
TECHNOLOGY 1,100       F5 Networks, Inc. /August 18, 2017/$110.00   89,100
HARDWARE AND          
EQUPMENT (0.0%) TOTAL PUT OPTIONS (0.0%) (Premiums Received $132,211*) $184,100

 

* The maximum cash outlay if all put options are exercised is $12,700,000.

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)



 


INCOME          
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $544,401)       $11,894,335
Interest         474,036
 
EXPENSES         12,368,371
Investment research $3,391,538      
Administration and operations   1,846,101      
Office space and general   845,384      
Auditing and legal fees   191,945      
Directors’ fees and expenses   127,189      
Transfer agent, custodian and registrar fees and expenses   88,347      
State and local taxes   85,402      
Stockholders’ meeting and reports   56,438     6,632,344
NET INVESTMENT INCOME         5,736,027
 
REALIZED GAIN AND CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS (NOTES 1, 3 AND 4)      
Net realized gain on investments:          
Common stock and warrant transactions   69,095,061      
Purchased option transactions   1,097,960      
Written option transactions   924,579      
    71,117,600      
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation:          
Common stocks and warrant   14,166,356      
Purchased options   (2,060,401)    
Written options   (254,496)    
    11,851,459      
GAINS AND APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS         82,969,059
NET INVESTMENT INCOME, GAINS, AND APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS         88,705,086
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS         (5,655,986)
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS       $83,049,100

 


    Six Months Ended      
    June 30, 2017     Year Ended
OPERATIONS   (Unaudited)     December 31, 2016
Net investment income $5,736,027   $8,172,289
Net realized gain on investments   71,117,600     91,570,557
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation   11,851,459     (15,321,337)
    88,705,086     84,421,509
Distributions to Preferred Stockholders:          
From net investment income       (1,039,878)
From net capital gains       (10,272,094)
Unallocated distributions   (5,655,986)  
Decrease in net assets from Preferred distributions   (5,655,986)   (11,311,972)
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   83,049,100     73,109,537
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME          
Funded status of defined benefit plans (note 7)       624,419
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS          
From net investment income       (8,988,445)
From net capital gains   (5,423,646)   (75,933,325)
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM COMMON DISTRIBUTIONS   (5,423,646)   (84,921,770)
 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 5)          
Value of Common Shares issued in payment of dividends and distributions       33,686,020
Cost of Common Shares purchased   (13,675,191)   (67,991,719
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS - CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS   (13,675,191)   (34,305,699
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS   63,950,263     (45,493,513
 
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK          
BEGINNING OF PERIOD   1,022,534,692     1,068,028,205
END OF PERIOD (including under/over distributed net investment income of          
$3,788,927 and ($1,947,117), respectively) $1,086,484,955   $1,022,534,692
(see notes to unaudited financial statements)          

 



 


The following table shows per share operating performance data, total investment return, ratios and supplemental data for the six months
ended June 30, 2017 and for each year in the five-year period ended December 31, 2016. This information has been derived from information
contained in the financial statements and market price data for the Company’s shares.

    Six Months                              
    Ended                              
    June 30, 2017           Year Ended December 31,      
    (Unaudited)     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012
 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                                  
Net asset value, beginning of period $37.56   $37.74   $39.77   $41.07   $32.68   $29.78
 
Net investment income   .21     .30     .48     .32     .17     .24
Net gain (loss) on common stocks, options                                  
and other - realized and unrealized   3.16     3.10     (.99)   2.39     10.51     5.05
Other comprehensive income (loss)       .02     .02     (.13)   .20    
    3.37     3.42     (.49)   2.58     10.88     5.29
Distributions on Preferred Stock:                                  
Dividends from net investment income       (.04)   (.12)   (.04)   (.04)   (.04)
Distributions from net capital gains       (.38)   (.27)   (.34)   (.35)   (.35)
Unallocated   (.21)                  
    (.21)   (.42)   (.39)   (.38)   (.39)   (.39)
Total from investment operations   3.16     3.00     (.88)   2.20     10.49     4.90
Distributions on Common Stock:                                  
Dividends from net investment income       (.33)   (.34)   (.32)   (.18)   (.21)
Distributions from net capital gains   (.20)   (2.85)   (.81)   (3.18)   (1.92)   (1.79)
    (.20)   (3.18)   (1.15)   (3.50)   (2.10)   (2.00)
Net asset value, end of period $40.52   $37.56   $37.74   $39.77   $41.07   $32.68
Per share market value, end of period $34.35   $31.18   $31.94   $35.00   $35.20   $27.82

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN - Stockholder                        
return, based on market price per share   10.83%* 7.59% (5.34%) 9.32% 34.24% 19.77%
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                        
Net assets applicable to Common Stock,                        
end of period (000’s omitted) $1,086,485   $1,022,535 $1,068,028   $1,227,900    $1,229,470 $955,418
Ratio of expenses to average net assets                        
applicable to Common Stock   1.24%** 1.27% 1.17% 1.10% 1.27% 1.67%
Ratio of net income to average net assets                        
applicable to Common Stock   1.08%** 0.78% 1.17% 0.78% 0.47% 0.74%
Portfolio turnover rate   8.27%* 20.29% 14.41% 14.98% 17.12% 9.56%
 
PREFERRED STOCK                        
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s omitted) $190,117   $190,117 $190,117   $190,117   $190,117   $190,117
Asset coverage   671% 638% 662% 746% 747% 603%
Liquidation preference per share $25.00   $25.00   $25.00   $25.00   $25.00   $25.00
Market value per share $26.65   $25.77   $26.75   $26.01   $25.30   $25.54

 

* Not annualized
** Annualized

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)



 


1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - General American Investors Company, Inc. (the “Company”), established in 1927, is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a closed-end, diversified management investment company. It is internally managed by
its officers under the direction of the Board of Directors.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles
(“U.S. GAAP”) pursuant to the requirements for reporting; Accounting Standards Codification 946, Financial Services - Investment
Companies (“ASC946”), and Regulation S-X.

The preparation of
financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income, expenses
and gains and losses during the reported period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters
used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ, and these differences could be material.

a. SECURITY VALUATION Equity securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the
last business day of the period. Equity securities reported on the NASDAQ national market are valued at the official closing price on
that day. Listed and NASDAQ equity securities for which no sales are reported on that day and other securities traded in the over-
the-counter market are valued at the last bid price (asked price for options written) on the valuation date. Equity securities traded
primarily in foreign markets are valued at the closing price of such securities on their respective exchanges or markets. Corporate
debt securities, domestic and foreign, are generally traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The
Company utilizes the latest bid prices provided by independent dealers and information with respect to transactions in such securities
to determine current market value. If, after the close of foreign markets, conditions change significantly, the price of certain foreign
securities may be adjusted to reflect fair value as of the time of the valuation of the portfolio. Investments in money market funds
are valued at their net asset value. Special holdings (restricted securities) and other securities for which quotations are not readily
available are valued at fair value determined in good faith pursuant to specific procedures appropriate to each security as established
by and under the general supervision of the Board of Directors. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a
result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the price used by other investors or the price
that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.

b. O
PTIONS The Company may purchase and write (sell) put and call options. The Company purchases put options or writes call
options to hedge the value of portfolio investments while it purchases call options and writes put options to obtain equity market
exposure. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Company pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised.
Additionally, the Company bears the risk of loss of the premium and a change in market value should the counterparty not perform
under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. Premiums received
from writing options are reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Those that expire unexercised are treated
by the Company on the expiration date as realized gains on written option transactions in the Statement of Operations. The difference
between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions,
is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized
loss on written option transactions in the Statement of Operations. If a written call option is exercised, the premium is added to the
proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on investments in
the Statement of Operations. If a written put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis for the securities purchased by
the Company and is parenthetically disclosed under cost of investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Company
as writer of an option bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. See
Note 4 for option activity.

c. S
ECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Dividend income and
distributions to stockholders are recorded as of the ex-dividend dates. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of discount and pre-
mium on investments, is earned from settlement date and is recognized on the accrual basis. Cost of short-term investments represent
amortized cost.

d. F
OREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies versus U.S. dollars on the date of valuation.
Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at
the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used
to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using
procedures established and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company does not separately report the effect of
changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and
unrealized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade

and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign
withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and
losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities
held at the end of the reporting period.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S.

companies as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability or the level of governmental supervi-
sion and regulation of foreign securities markets.

e. D
IVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The Company expects to pay dividends of net investment income and distributions of net realized
capital and currency gains, if any, annually to common shareholders and quarterly to preferred shareholders. Dividends and distribu-
tions to common and preferred shareholders, which are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations are recorded
on the ex-dividend date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gains are reclassified to paid-in capital as they arise.

f. F
EDERAL INCOME TAXES The Company’s policy is to fulfill the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated
investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income to its stockholders. Accordingly, no provision for Federal
income taxes is required. In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, man-
agement has analyzed the Company’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on Federal and state income tax returns for all open
tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Company’s
financial statements.

g. C
ONTINGENT LIABILITIES Amounts related to contingent liabilities are accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred
and an amount is reasonably estimable. Management evaluates whether there are incremental legal or other costs directly associated
with the ultimate resolution of a matter that are reasonably estimable and, if so, they are included in the accrual.

h. I
NDEMNIFICATIONS In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications.
The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses
pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects the risk of loss thereunder to be remote.



 


2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Various data inputs are used in determining the value of the Company’s investments. These inputs are
summarized in a hierarchy consisting of the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical securities (including money market funds which are valued using amortized cost
and which transact at net asset value, typically $1.00 per share),

Level 2 - other signi
ficant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, credit risk, etc.), and

Level 3 - signi
ficant unobservable inputs (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those
securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Company’s net assets as of June 30, 2017:

Assets   Level 1   Level 2 Level 3   Total
Common stocks $1,072,255,567   $1,072,255,567
Warrant   112,564     112,564
Purchased options   111,700     111,700
Money market fund   209,259,570     209,259,570
Total $1,281,739,401   $1,281,739,401
 
Liabilities              
Options written ($184,100) ($184,100)

 

Transfers of Level 3 securities, if any, are reported as of the actual date of reclassification. No such transfers occurred during the six
months ended June 30, 2017.

3. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES - Purchases and sales of securities (other than short-term securities and options) for the six
months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $90,115,000 and $177,758,400, on long transactions, respectively.

4. OPTIONS - The level of activity in purchased and written options varies from year to year based upon market conditions.
Transactions in purchased calls and put options, as well as written call options and collateralized put options for the six months ended
June 30, 2017 were as follows:

PURCHASED OPTIONS Calls   Puts
  Contracts     Cost Basis   Contracts     Cost Basis
Outstanding, December 31, 2016 27,500   $1,347,996   2,068   $273,203
Purchased 2,600     425,682   0     0
Exercised (28,000)   (1,539,018) (68)   (8,579)
Expired 0     0   (2,000)   (264,624)
Outstanding, June 30, 2017 2,100   $234,660   0   $0
 
WRITTEN OPTIONS Covered Calls   Collateralized Puts
  Contracts     Premiums   Contracts     Premiums
Outstanding, December 31, 2016 2,068   $223,189   9,800   $462,617
Written 300     182,383   3,600     622,917
Terminated in closing purchase transactions (2,368)   (405,572) (9,300)   (855,407)
Expired 0     0   (2,000)   (97,916)
Outstanding, June 30, 2017 0   $0   2,100   $132,211

 

5. CAPITAL STOCK AND DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTIONS - The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $1.00 par value, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value. With respect to the Common Stock,
26,811,438 shares were issued and outstanding; 8,000,000 Preferred Shares were originally issued and 7,604,687 were outstanding on
June 30, 2017.

On September 24, 2003, the Company issued and sold 8,000,000 shares of its 5.95% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B in an
underwritten offering. The Preferred Shares were noncallable for the 5 year period ended September 24, 2008 and have a liquidation
preference of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. On December 10, 2008, the Board
of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million Preferred Shares in the open market at prices below $25.00 per share. This
authorization has been renewed annually thereafter. To date, 395,313 shares have been repurchased.

The Company allocates distributions from net capital gains and other types of income proportionately among holders of shares of

Common Stock and Preferred Stock. To the extent that dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock are not paid from net capital gains,
they will be paid from investment company taxable income or will represent a return of capital.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Company is required to maintain an asset coverage of at least 200% of the Preferred

Stock. In addition, pursuant to Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. Rating Agency Guidelines, the Company is required to maintain a
certain discounted asset coverage for its portfolio that equals or exceeds a Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Company fails to meet
these requirements in the future and does not cure such failure, the Company may be required to redeem, in whole or in part, shares
of Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. In addition, failure to meet the
foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends on shares of Common Stock and could lead
to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times.

The holders of Preferred Stock have voting rights equivalent to those of the holders of Common Stock (one vote per share) and, gener-

ally, vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class.

Holders of Preferred Stock will elect two members to the Company’s Board of Directors and the holders of Preferred and Common

Stock, voting as a single class, will elect the remaining directors. If the Company fails to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock in an
amount equal to two full years’ dividends, the holders of Preferred Stock will have the right to elect a majority of the directors. In
addition, the Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares,
voting separately as a class, would be required to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Stock
and (b) take any action requiring a vote of security holders, including, among other things, changes in the Company’s subclassification
as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment policies.



 


5. CAPITAL STOCK AND DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTIONS - (Continued from bottom of previous page.)
The Company presents its Preferred Stock, for which its redemption is outside of the Company’s control, outside of the net assets
applicable to Common Stock in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Transactions in Common Stock during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:

  Shares     Amount
  2017   2016     2017   2016
Par value of Shares issued in payment of dividends                
and distributions (issued from treasury)   1,073,658       $1,073,658
Increase in paid-in capital             32,612,362
Total increase             33,686,020
Par value of Shares purchased (at an average discount from                
net asset value of 16.1% and 17.7%, respectively) (409,677)   (2,149,240) ($409,677) (2,149,240)
Decrease in paid-in capital           (13,265,514) (65,842,479)
Total decrease           (13,675,191) (67,991,719)
Net decrease (409,677)   (1,075,582) ($13,675,191) ($34,305,699)

 

At June 30, 2017, the Company held in its treasury 5,169,434 shares of Common Stock with an aggregate cost of $169,339,169.

The tax basis distributions during the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows: ordinary distributions of $10,028,323 and net
capital gains distributions of $86,205,419. As of December 31, 2016, distributable earnings on a tax basis included $10,571,042
from undistributed net capital gains and $513,728,459 from net unrealized appreciation on investments if realized in future years.
Reclassifications arising from permanent “book/tax” difference reflect non-tax deductible expenses during the year ended December
31, 2016. As a result, additional paid-in capital was decreased by $1,741 and over-distributed net investment income was decreased by
$1,741. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

6.
OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION - The aggregate compensation accrued and paid by the Company during the six months ended June 30,
2017 to its officers (identified on back cover) amounted to $3,192,000.

7.
BENEFIT PLANS - The Company has funded (qualified) and unfunded (supplemental) noncontributory defined benefit pension plans
that are available to its employees. The pension plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary with
an offset for a portion of social security covered compensation. The components of the net periodic benefit cost (income) of the plans
for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were:

Service cost $246,355
Interest cost   446,563
Expected return on plan assets   (696,081)
Amortization of prior service cost   479
Amortization of recognized net actuarial loss   112,032
Net periodic benefi t cost $109,348

 

The Company recognizes the overfunded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset in the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities and recognizes changes in funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income.
The Company also has funded (qualified) and unfunded (supplemental) defined contribution thrift plans that are available to its employ-
ees. The aggregate cost of such plans for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $491,985. The qualified thrift plan acquired 8,700
shares and distributed 31,908 shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and held 594,697
shares of the Company’s Common Stock at June 30, 2017.

8.
OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENT - In September 2007, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for office space which
expires in February 2018 and provided for aggregate rental payments of approximately $10,755,000, net of construction credits. The
lease agreement contains clauses whereby the Company receives free rent for a specified number of months and credit towards construc-
tion of office improvements, and incurs escalations annually relating to operating costs and real property taxes and to annual rent charges
beginning in February 2013. The Company had the option, which was not exercised, to renew the lease after February 2018 for five
years at market rates. Rental expense approximated $646,600 for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Minimum rental commitments
under the operating lease are approximately $1,183,000 in 2017, and $99,000 in 2018.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02,

Leases (“Topic 842”), which requires lessees to reassess if a contract is or contains lease agreements and assess the lease classification
to determine if they should recognize an asset and offsetting liability on the statement of assets and liabilities that arises from entering
into a lease, including an operating lease. Existing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) does not require the lessee to
record an asset and offsetting liability associated with an operating lease. Generally consistent with existing GAAP, the annual cost of
an operating lease will continue to be reflected as an expense in the statements of operations and changes in net assets and disclosure
of the terms of a lease will continue to be reported in the footnotes to the financial statements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early applica-
tion is permitted and likely by the Company in conjunction with the expiration of its current operating lease on January 31, 2018 and
entrance into a new operating lease which is anticipated to be effective in the first quarter of 2018. This will necessitate reporting an
asset and offsetting liability on the statement of assets and liabilities of the Company at that time.



 

DIRECTORS*
Spencer Davidson, Chairman
Sidney R. Knafel, Lead Independent Director
Arthur G. Altschul, Jr. Betsy F. Gotbaum
Rodney B. Berens Rose P. Lynch
Lewis B. Cullman Jeffrey W. Priest
Clara E. Del Villar Henry R. Schirmer
John D. Gordan, III Raymond S. Troubh
 
(*The Company is a stand-alone fund.)

 

OFFICERS
Jeffrey W. Priest, President and Chief Executive Officer
Andrew V. Vindigni, Senior Vice-President
Craig A. Grassi, Vice-President
Sally A. Lynch, Vice-President
Anang K. Majmudar, Vice-President
Eugene S. Stark, Vice-President, Administration, Principal
Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer
Diane G. Radosti, Treasurer
Linda J. Genid, Corporate Secretary

 

SERVICE COMPANIES
COUNSEL TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP American Stock Transfer & Trust
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS      Company, LLC
Ernst & Young LLP 6201 15th Avenue
  Brooklyn, NY 11219
CUSTODIAN 1-800-413-5499
State Street Bank and www.amstock.com
     Trust Company  

 


Previous purchases of the Company’s Common and Preferred Stock are
set forth in Note 5 on pages 10 and 11. Prospective purchases of Common
and Preferred Stock may be made at such times, at such prices, in such
amounts and in suchmanner as the Board of  Directorsmay deem advisable.

The policies and procedures used by the Company to determine how
to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and the Company’s
proxy voting record for the twelve-month period ended June 30,
2017 are available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling
us at our toll-free telephone number (1-800-436-8401), (2) on the
Company’s website at www.generalamericaninvestors.com and (3) on
the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

In addition to distributing
financial statements as of the end of each
quarter, General American Investors files a Quarterly Schedule of
Portfolio Holdings (Form N-Q) with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) as of the end of the first and third calendar
quarters. The Company’s Forms N-Q are available at www.generalam-
ericaninvestors.com and on the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov. Copies
of Forms N-Q may also be obtained and reviewed at the SEC’s Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC or through the Company by call-
ing us at 1-800-436-8401. Information on the operation of the SEC’s
Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

On April 13, 2017, the Company submitted a CEO annual certi
fication
to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on which the Company’s
principal executive officer certified that he was not aware, as of that
date, of any violation by the Company of the NYSE’s Corporate
Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Company’s
principal executive and principal financial officer made quarterly cer-
tifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q
relating to, among other things, the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as applicable.



 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

To correct a prior reference, the Code of Ethics can be found at
http://www.generalamericaninvestors.com/governance/code-of-ethics.php.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included as

part of the report to stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

(a) General American Investors Company, Inc. Common Stock (GAM)

 

Period

(a) Total Number

(b) Average Price

(c) Total Number of Shares

(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate

2017

of shares (or Units)

Paid per Share

(or Units) Purchased as Part

Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units)

 

Purchased

(or Unit)

of Publicly Announced Plans

that May Yet Be Purchased Under

 

 

 

or Programs

the Plans or Programs

01/01-01/31

118,695

$31.9019

118,695

591,443

02/01-02/28

0

0.0000

0

591,443

03/01-03/31

64,913

33.4483

64,913

526,530

04/01-04/30

43,209

33.7855

43,209

483,321

05/01-05/31

85,476

34.1358

85,476

397,845

06/01-06/30

97,384

34.9232

97,384

300,461

 

 

 

 

 

Total for year

409,677

 

409,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note-

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of the registrant’s common stock when

 

the shares are trading at a discount from the underlying net asset value of at least 8%.

 

This represents a continuation of the repurchase program which began in March 1995.

 

As of the beginning of the period, January 1, 2017, there were  710,138 shares available for repurchase under the

 

aforementioned extension of such authorization.  As of the end of the period, June 30, 2017,

 

there were 300,461  shares available for repurchase under this program.

 

 

 

(b) General American Investors Company, Inc. Preferred Stock (GAMpB)

 

Period

(a) Total Number

(b) Average Price

(c) Total Number of Shares

(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate

2017

of shares (or Units)

Paid per Share

(or Units) Purchased as Part

Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units)

 

Purchased

(or Unit)

of Publicly Announced Plans

that May Yet Be Purchased Under

 

 

 

or Programs

the Plans or Programs

01/01-01/31

-

 

-

604,687

02/01-02/28

-

 

-

604,687

03/01-03/31

-

 

-

604,687

04/01-04/30

-

 

-

604,687

05/01-05/31

-

 

-

604,687

06/01-06/30

-

 

-

604,687

 

 

 

 

 

Total

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note-

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of the registrant's preferred stock

 

when the shares are trading at a price not in excess of $25.00 per share.

 

As of the beginning of the period, January 1, 2017, there were 604,687 shares available

 

for repurchase under such authorization.  As of the end of the period, June 30, 2017,

 

there were 604,687 shares available for repurchase under this program.

 

 ITEM 10.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may

recommend nominees to the registrant's  Board of Directors as set forth in the

registrant's Proxy Statement, dated February 21, 2017.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Conclusions of principal officers concerning controls and procedures

 

(a) As of June 30, 2017, an evaluation was performed  under the  supervision and with  the  participation  of the  officers  of  General  American  Investors Company,  Inc. (the  "Registrant"),  including the principal  executive  officer ("PEO") and principal  financial officer ("PFO"), to assess the effectiveness of the Registrant's  disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, the  Registrant's  officers,  including the PEO and PFO,  concluded  that, as of June 30, 2017, the  Registrant's  disclosure  controls and  procedures  were reasonably  designed  so as to  ensure:  (1)  that  information  required  to be disclosed  by the  Registrant  on  Form  N-CSR   is  recorded, processed,  summarized  and reported  within the time  periods  specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and (2) that material information  relating  to the  Registrant  is made  known  to the PEO and PFO as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) There have been no significant changes in the Registrant's internal control

over financial reporting  (as defined in Rule  30a-3(d)  under the  Investment

Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))  that occurred during the Registrant's

last fiscal quarter that has  materially  affected,  or is reasonably  likely to

materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS

 

(a)(1) The code of ethics disclosure required by Item 2 is not applicable to

this semi-annual report.

 

(a)(2)  Certifications  of the  principal  executive  officer and the  principal

financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a)under the Investment Company Act of

1940.

 

(a)(3) There were no written  solicitations  to purchase  securities  under Rule

23c-1 under the Investment  Company Act of 1940 during the period covered by the

report.

 

(b)  Certifications  of  the  principal  executive  officer  and  the  principal

financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act

of 1940.

 

 

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.

 

General American Investors Company, Inc.

 

By:       /s/Eugene S. Stark

Eugene S. Stark

Vice-President, Administration

 

Date: August 1, 2017

 

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and

the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the

following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the

dates indicated.

 

By:       /s/Jeffrey W. Priest

            Jeffrey W. Priest

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: August 1, 2017

 

By:       /s/Eugene S. Stark

Eugene S. Stark

Vice-President, Administration

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: August 1, 2017