GDL Fund

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

  

Investment Company Act file number            811-21969                  

 

                                                 The GDL Fund                                                 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

One Corporate Center

                                       Rye, New York 10580-1422                                      

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                                 Rye, New York 10580-1422                                

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

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

Date of fiscal year end:  December 31

Date of reporting period:  March 31, 2016

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.


The GDL Fund

First Quarter Report — March 31, 2016

   LOGO
  
   Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of The GDL Fund was 1.5%, compared with a total return of 0.07% for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 1.4%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $11.95, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $9.99 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed is the schedule of investments as of March 31, 2016.

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2016 (a) (Unaudited)

     Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   Since
Inception
(01/31/07)

GDL Fund

          

NAV Total Return (b)

   1.52%   3.39%   3.66%   2.96%   2.87%

Investment Total Return (c)

   1.40   2.97   2.39   2.87   1.45

Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

   0.07   0.12   0.07   0.08   0.80

(a) Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is comprised of a single issue purchased at the beginning of the month and held for a full month. At the end of the month, that issue is sold and rolled into the outstanding Treasury Bill that matures closest to, but not beyond three months from the re-balancing date. To qualify for selection, an issue must have settled on or before the re-balancing (month end) date. Dividends are not reinvested for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

(b) Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share and reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $19.06.

(c)  Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE and reinvestment of distributions. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $20.00.


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS — 59.9%   
   Aerospace and Defense — 0.0%   
  4,000       Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.†      $ 19,800   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.0%

  

  3,100       Federal-Mogul Holdings Corp.†      30,628   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Building and Construction — 1.7%

  
  23,000       Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.      1,288,920   
  400,000       Italcementi SpA      4,688,158   
  2,800       Norbord Inc.      55,709   
     

 

 

 
        6,032,787   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Business Services — 2.7%

  
  27,108       Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc.†      929,804   
  92,138       Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Cl. A      433,049   
  92,398       exactEarth Ltd.†      197,069   
  3,000       Funespana SA†      24,237   
  190,000       GrainCorp Ltd., Cl. A      1,098,156   
  2,000       KBC Advanced Technologies plc      6,011   
  22,500       Penna Consulting plc      117,467   
  21,853       R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co.      358,389   
  327,200       USG People NV      6,470,950   
     

 

 

 
        9,635,132   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Cable and Satellite — 4.4%

  
  9,000       AMC Networks Inc., Cl. A†      584,460   
  100,000       Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A      3,300,000   
  76,527       Crown Media Holdings Inc., Cl. A†      388,757   
  27,628       Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†      1,063,678   
  60,000       Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†      2,253,600   
  1,381       Liberty Global plc LiLAC, Cl. A†      48,418   
  3,000       Liberty Global plc LiLAC, Cl. C†      113,640   
  200,000       Sky plc      2,941,430   
  23,000       Time Warner Cable Inc.      4,706,260   
  4,000       Time Warner Inc.      290,200   
     

 

 

 
        15,690,443   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Computer Hardware — 0.0%

  
  500       Data Modul AG      22,474   
  17,000       Hutchinson Technology Inc.†      62,220   
     

 

 

 
        84,694   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Computer Software and Services — 0.6%

  
  15,000       EMC Corp.      399,750   
  2,000       Engineering SpA      149,065   
  200       InterXion Holding NV†      6,916   
  500       Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd., ADR†      37,775   
  40,000       Yahoo! Inc.†      1,472,400   
     

 

 

 
        2,065,906   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Consumer Products and Services — 3.2%

  

  90,000       Avon Products Inc.(a)      432,900   
  1,000       Bang & Olufsen A/S†      10,842   
  80,000       Jarden Corp.†      4,716,000   

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
  1,500       Kuoni Reisen Holding AG, Class B    $ 562,763   
  1,799       Sequential Brands Group Inc.†      11,496   
  140,000       The ADT Corp.      5,776,400   
  2,000       Tumi Holdings Inc.†      53,640   
     

 

 

 
        11,564,041   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Diversified Industrial — 1.2%

  
  300,000       Blount International Inc.†      2,994,000   
  15,000       ITT Corp.      553,350   
  45,000       Myers Industries Inc.      578,700   
     

 

 

 
        4,126,050   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Educational Services — 0.0%

  
  12,000       Apollo Education Group Inc.†      98,580   
  44,000       Corinthian Colleges Inc.†      42   
     

 

 

 
        98,622   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Electronics — 2.8%

  
  190,000       Alliance Semiconductor Corp.†      133,000   
  85,900       Axis Communications AB      3,566,888   
  76,000       Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A      1,062,860   
  5,000       Checkpoint Systems Inc.†      50,600   
  75,000       Newport Corp.†      1,725,000   
  50,000       Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.†      1,611,000   
  50,000       Tyco International plc      1,835,500   
     

 

 

 
        9,984,848   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Energy and Utilities — 12.8%

  
  10,000       AGL Resources Inc.      651,400   
  170,000       Alvopetro Energy Ltd.†      39,269   
  7,000       Avangrid Inc.      280,770   
  5,000       Baker Hughes Inc.      219,150   
  273,000       Cameron International Corp.†      18,304,650   
  201,000       Cleco Corp.      11,097,210   
  67,000       Columbia Pipeline Group Inc.      1,681,700   
  72,000       Endesa SA      1,382,142   
  460,000       Gulf Coast Ultra Deep Royalty Trust†      39,100   
  6,000       Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.      194,400   
  2,000       ITC Holdings Corp.      87,140   
  76,000       Noble Energy Inc.      2,387,160   
  10,000       NRG Energy Inc.      130,100   
  25,000       Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.      1,495,750   
  219,000       PowerSecure International Inc.†      4,093,110   
  60,000       Questar Corp.      1,488,000   
  25,000       TECO Energy Inc.      688,250   
  31,200       The Empire District Electric Co.      1,031,160   
  50,000       WesternZagros Resources Ltd.†      2,695   
  36,000       Whiting Petroleum Corp.†      287,280   
     

 

 

 
        45,580,436   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Entertainment — 1.3%

  
  30,000       Carmike Cinemas Inc.†      901,200   
  225,000       Media General Inc.†      3,669,750   
  2,000       SFX Entertainment Inc.†      78   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

2


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Entertainment (Continued)   
  3,000       Youku Tudou Inc., ADR†    $ 82,470   
     

 

 

 
        4,653,498   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Equipment and Supplies — 0.1%

  
  1,500       SL Industries Inc.†      51,000   
  2,500       The Middleby Corp.†      266,925   
     

 

 

 
        317,925   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Financial Services — 2.1%

  
  30,000       Astoria Financial Corp.      475,200   
  8,000       BB&T Corp.      266,160   
  51,000       First Niagara Financial Group Inc.      493,680   
  170,000       National Interstate Corp.      5,086,400   
  200       National Penn Bancshares Inc.      2,128   
  60,000       Navient Corp.      718,200   
  60,000       SLM Corp.†      381,600   
  1,000       The Phoenix Companies Inc.†      36,840   
  1,501       Willis Towers Watson plc      178,109   
     

 

 

 
        7,638,317   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Food and Beverage — 2.3%

  
  1,310,000       Parmalat SpA      3,625,266   
  939,500       Premier Foods plc†      769,131   
  8,000       SABMiller plc      489,013   
  19,375       Snyder’s-Lance Inc.      609,925   
  69,000       The Fresh Market Inc.†      1,968,570   
  3,000,000       Yashili International Holdings Ltd.      676,778   
     

 

 

 
        8,138,683   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Health Care — 5.5%

  
  347,900       Affymetrix Inc.†      4,870,600   
  108,000       Alere Inc.†      5,465,880   
  332,000       Allenex AB†      102,239   
  2,000       Allergan plc†      536,060   
  550,000       ArthroCare Corp. Stub†      192,500   
  68,000       AstraZeneca plc, ADR      1,914,880   
  75,000       Baxalta Inc.      3,030,000   
  5,500       Cigna Corp.      754,820   
  2,800       Humana Inc.      512,260   
  1,000       ICU Medical Inc.†      104,100   
  4,000       Illumina Inc.†      648,440   
  6,000       Mylan NV†      278,100   
  18,000       Rhoen Klinikum AG      560,189   
  15,000       Smith & Nephew plc      247,321   
  7,500       Smith & Nephew plc, ADR      249,900   
     

 

 

 
        19,467,289   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Hotels and Gaming — 0.9%

  
  28,000       Belmond Ltd., Cl. A†      265,720   
  1,000       MGM Resorts International†      21,440   

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
  35,000       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.    $ 2,920,050   
     

 

 

 
        3,207,210   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Machinery — 0.5%

  
  3,000       Bolzoni SpA      14,501   
  6,000       CNH Industrial NV      40,794   
  42,000       Xylem Inc.      1,717,800   
     

 

 

 
        1,773,095   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Metals and Mining — 0.6%

  
  75,001       Alamos Gold Inc., Cl. A      396,755   
  35,504       AuRico Metals Inc.† .      20,503   
  3,000       Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.      32,039   
  16,000       Vulcan Materials Co.      1,689,120   
     

 

 

 
        2,138,417   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Publishing — 1.8%

  
  460,000       Journal Media Group Inc.      5,501,600   
  10,000       Meredith Corp.      475,000   
  136,000       SCMP Group Ltd.      33,047   
  27,000       The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A      420,930   
     

 

 

 
        6,430,577   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Real Estate — 0.0%

  
  3,000       Conwert Immobilien Invest SE†      48,099   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Retail — 2.0%

  
  12,000       Office Depot Inc.†      85,200   
  415,000       Rite Aid Corp.†      3,382,250   
  200,000       RONA Inc.      3,645,043   
     

 

 

 
        7,112,493   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Semiconductors — 2.3%

  
  108,145       Atmel Corp.†      878,137   
  356,432       Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc.†      7,128,640   
  3,000       KLA-Tencor Corp.      218,430   
  2,000       Mattson Technology Inc.†      7,300   
     

 

 

 
        8,232,507   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Specialty Chemicals — 5.8%

  
  95,000       Airgas Inc.      13,455,800   
  2,000       Ashland Inc.      219,920   
  50,000       Axiall Corp.      1,092,000   
  10,000       SGL Carbon SE†      102,787   
  1,500       Syngenta AG, ADR      124,230   
  52,000       The Valspar Corp.      5,565,040   
     

 

 

 
        20,559,777   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Telecommunications — 2.7%

  
  690,000      

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.

     946,406   
  10,000       Axia NetMedia Corp.      32,262   
  200,000       Koninklijke KPN NV      838,179   
  1,000       Loral Space & Communications Inc.†      35,130   
  58,000       Sprint Corp.†      201,840   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

3


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
   COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
   Telecommunications (Continued)   
  150,000       Telenet Group Holding NV†    $ 7,592,938   
     

 

 

 
        9,646,755   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Transportation — 2.3%

  
  852,050       TNT Express NV†      7,645,869   
  2,000       XPO Logistics Europe SA      460,509   
     

 

 

 
        8,106,378   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Wireless Communications — 0.3%

  
  25,000       T-Mobile US Inc.†      957,500   
     

 

 

 
  

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

     213,341,907   
     

 

 

 
  

 

RIGHTS — 0.6%

  
   Health Care — 0.2%   
  187,200       Adolor Corp., CPR, expire 07/01/19†      97,344   
  79,391       Ambit Biosciences Corp., CVR†      47,635   
  201,600       American Medical Alert Corp.†      2,016   
  18,000       Chelsea Therapeutics International Ltd., CVR†      1,980   
  270,000       Durata Therapeutics Inc., CVR, expire 12/31/20†      0   
  229,178       Dyax Corp., CVR, expire 12/31/19†      254,388   
  100       Omthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., expire 12/31/20†      60   
  217,620       Prosensa Holding, CVR†      215,444   
  206,000       Synergetics USA Inc., CVR†      20,600   
  346,322       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., CCCP, expire 02/20/23†      183,551   
  186,000       Trius Therapeutics, CVR†      24,180   
     

 

 

 
        847,198   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Retail — 0.1%

  
  400,000       Safeway Casa Ley, CVR, expire 01/30/19†      180,000   
  400,000       Safeway PDC, CVR, expire 01/30/17†      19,520   
     

 

 

 
        199,520   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Wireless Communications — 0.3%

  
  470,000       Leap Wireless International Inc., CVR, expire 03/14/17†      1,184,400   
     

 

 

 
  

 

TOTAL RIGHTS

     2,231,118   
     

 

 

 
  

 

WARRANTS — 0.0%

  
   Energy and Utilities — 0.0%   
  35,000       Kinder Morgan Inc., expire 05/25/17†      1,276   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Metals and Mining — 0.0%

  
  850       HudBay Minerals Inc., expire 07/20/18†      196   
     

 

 

 
  

 

TOTAL WARRANTS

     1,472   
     

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

         

Market
Value

 
   U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 39.5%   
  $141,006,000       U.S. Treasury Bills,   
  

0.070% to 0.552%††, 04/07/16 to 09/22/16(b)

   $ 140,896,873   
     

 

 

 
  

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $354,416,150)

   $ 356,471,370   
     

 

 

 
   Aggregate tax cost    $ 356,159,271   
     

 

 

 
   Gross unrealized appreciation    $ 14,447,100   
   Gross unrealized depreciation      (14,135,001
     

 

 

 
   Net unrealized appreciation    $ 312,099   
     

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
   SECURITIES SOLD SHORT — (6.0)%   
   Broadcasting — (0.1)%   
  10,334       Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc., Cl. A    $ 457,486   
     

 

 

 
   Cable and Satellite — (0.4)%   
  6,184       Charter Communications Inc., Cl. A†      1,251,827   
     

 

 

 
   Consumer Products and Services — (0.8)%   
  66,977       Newell Rubbermaid Inc.      2,966,411   
     

 

 

 
   Energy and Utilities — (4.1)%   
  1,000       Halliburton Co.      35,720   
  1,447       NextEra Energy Inc.      171,238   
  195,468       Schlumberger Ltd.      14,415,765   
     

 

 

 
        14,622,723   
     

 

 

 
  

 

Financial Services — 0.0%

  
  6,000       New York Community Bancorp Inc.      95,400   
     

 

 

 
   Health Care — (0.6)%   
  11,115       Shire plc, ADR.      1,910,669   
     

 

 

 
   Retail — 0.0%   
  2,625       Staples Inc.      28,954   
     

 

 

 
  

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds received $20,081,313)

   $ 21,333,470   
     

 

 

 
   Aggregate proceeds    $ (20,081,313
     

 

 

 
   Gross unrealized appreciation    $ 164,629   
   Gross unrealized depreciation      (1,416,786
     

 

 

 
   Net unrealized depreciation    $ (1,252,157
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

4


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

        Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
 
 

FORWARD FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (c) — (0.1)%

   

 
  10,200,000(d)     

Deliver British Pounds in exchange for United States Dollars 14,683,216

    04/29/16      $ 32,092   
  4,500,000(e)     

Deliver Canadian Dollars in exchange for British Pounds 3,442,841

    04/29/16        (22,158
  29,200,000(f)     

Deliver Euros in exchange for United States Dollars 33,004,118

    04/29/16        (251,531
  29,000,000(g)     

Deliver Swedish Kronor in exchange for United States Dollars 3,541,920

    04/29/16        (33,932
     

 

 

 
 

TOTAL FORWARD FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

    $ (275,529
     

 

 

 

Notional
Amount

        Termination
Date
       
 

EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS (h) — 0.1%

   

 
$ 6,092      Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.     06/28/16      $ 1,871   

 

    (70,000 Shares)

   
  432,608      Premier Foods plc     03/31/17        (15,091

 

    (510,000 Shares)

   
  10,320,815      SABMiller plc     10/14/16        192,958   

 

    (172,000 Shares)

   
  13,430      XChanging plc     10/18/16        286   

 

    (5,000 Shares)

   
     

 

 

 
 

TOTAL EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS

    $ 180,024   
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

At March 31, 2016, securities, or a portion thereof, with a value of $177,970 were reserved and/or pledged for collateral with the custodian for securities sold short, equity contract for difference swap agreements, and forward foreign exchange contracts.

(b)

At March 31, 2016, $86,200,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for securities sold short, equity contract for difference swap agreements, and forward foreign exchange contracts.

(c)

At March 31, 2016, the Fund had entered into forward foreign exchange contracts with State Street Bank and Trust Co.

(d)

Principal amount denoted in British Pounds.

(e)

Principal amount denoted in Canadian Dollars.

(f)

Principal amount denoted in Euros.

(g)

Principal amount denoted in Swedish Kronor.

(h)

At March 31, 2016, the Fund had entered into equity contract for difference swap agreements with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Non-income producing security.
†† Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
ADR American Depositary Receipt
CCCP Contingent Cash Consideration Payment
CVR Contingent Value Right
CPR Contingent Payment Right

 

Geographic Diversification

 

% of
Market
Value

 

Market

Value

Long Positions

       

North America

      84.8 %     $ 302,248,725  

Europe

      14.3         51,082,293  

Latin America

      0.6         2,042,196  

Asia/Pacific

      0.3         1,098,156  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments

      100.0 %     $ 356,471,370  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Short Positions

       

Latin America

      (4.0 )%     $ (14,415,765 )

North America

      (1.4 )       (5,007,036 )

Europe

      (0.6 )       (1,910,669 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments

      (6.0 )%     $ (21,333,470 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

5


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

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

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

Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market, but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of sixty days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than sixty days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. U.S. government obligations with maturities greater than sixty days are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations.

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

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

 

6


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs         
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
    Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
    Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
     Total Market Value
at 3/31/16
 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

         

ASSETS (Market Value):

         

Common Stocks:

         

Educational Services

   $ 98,580             $ 42       $ 98,622      

Electronics

     8,921,988      $ 1,062,860                9,984,848      

Health Care

     14,404,189        4,870,600        192,500         19,467,289      

Publishing

     6,397,530               33,047         6,430,577      

Telecommunications

     8,700,349        946,406                9,646,755      

Transportation

     7,645,869        460,509                8,106,378      

Other Industries (a)

     159,607,438                       159,607,438      

 

 

Total Common Stocks

     205,775,943        7,340,375        225,589         213,341,907      

 

 

Rights (a)

                   2,231,118         2,231,118      

Warrants (a)

     1,472                       1,472      

U.S. Government Obligations

            140,896,873                140,896,873      

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

   $ 205,777,415      $ 148,237,248      $ 2,456,707       $ 356,471,370       

 

 

LIABILITIES (Market Value):

         

Common Stocks Sold Short (a)

   $ (21,333,470                  $ (21,333,470)      

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES - LIABILITIES

   $ (21,333,470                  $ (21,333,470)     

 

 

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:*

         

ASSETS (Unrealized Appreciation):

         

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

         

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

          $ 32,092              $ 32,092      

 

 

EQUITY CONTRACTS

         

Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

            195,115              $ 195,115      

 

 

LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation):

         

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

         

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

            (307,621             (307,621)     

 

 

EQUITY CONTRACTS

         

Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

       (15,091        (15,091)     

 

 

TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

          $ (95,505           $ (95,505)     

 

 

 

(a)

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

*

Other financial instruments are derivatives reflected in the SOI, such as options, futures, forwards, and swaps, which may be valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation of the instrument.

During the period ended March 31, 2016, common stock transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 due to a decline in market activity (e.g. frequency of trades) which resulted in a lack in available market inputs to determine price. The beginning of the period value of the securities that transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 during the period amounted to $2,422,320 or 1.04% of net assets as of December 31, 2015. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers among Levels as of the beginning of the reporting period.

 

7


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

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

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

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

Merger Arbitrage Risk. The principal risk associated with the Fund’s investment strategy is that certain of the proposed reorganizations in which the Fund invests may involve a longer time frame than originally contemplated or be renegotiated or terminated, in which case losses may be realized. The Fund invests all or a portion of its assets to seek short term capital appreciation. This can be expected to increase the portfolio turnover rate and cause increased brokerage commission costs.

Derivative Financial Instruments. The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in a number of derivative financial instruments for the purposes of increasing the income of the Fund, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or that, in the event of default, the Fund may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments or other contractual remedies owed to it under derivative contracts. The creditworthiness of the counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize these risks. Participation in derivative transactions involves investment risks, transaction costs, and potential losses to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The consequences of these risks, transaction costs, and losses may have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to pay distributions.

 

8


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

The Fund’s derivative contracts held at March 31, 2016, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.

Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an equity contract for difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time an equity contract for difference swap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction.

The Fund has entered into equity contract for difference swap agreement with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Details of the swap at March 31, 2016 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments and further details are as follows:

 

                    Net Unrealized  
                    Appreciation/  

Notional Amount

   Equity Security Received   

Interest Rate/Equity Security Paid

   Termination Date    Depreciation  
   Market Value    One Month LIBOR plus 90 bps plus      
   Appreciation on:    Market Value Depreciation on:      

$6,092(70,000 Shares)

   Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.    Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.    06/28/16      $1,871       

$432,608 (510,000 Shares)

   Premier Foods plc    Premier Foods plc    03/31/17      (15,091)      

$10,320,815 (172,000 Shares)

   SABMiller plc    SABMiller plc    10/14/16      192,958       

$ 13,430 (5,000 Shares)

   XChanging plc    XChanging plc    10/18/16               286       
              $180,024       

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for the purpose of hedging a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency translations. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. Forward foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2016 are presented within the Schedule of Investments.

Options. The Fund may purchase or write call or put options on securities or indices for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. As a writer of put options, the Fund receives a premium at the outset and then bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the financial instrument underlying the option. The Fund would incur a loss if the price of the underlying financial instrument decreases between the date the option is written and the date on which the option is terminated. The Fund would realize a gain, to the extent of the premium, if the price of the financial instrument increases between those dates.

 

9


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

As a purchaser of put options, the Fund pays a premium for the right to sell to the seller of the put option the underlying security at a specified price. The seller of the put has the obligation to purchase the underlying security upon exercise at the exercise price. If the price of the underlying security declines, the Fund would realize a gain upon sale or exercise. If the price of the underlying security increases or stays the same, the Fund would realize a loss upon sale or at expiration date, but only to the extent of the premium paid.

If a written call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether there has been a realized gain or loss. If a written put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security. In the case of call options, the exercise prices are referred to as “in-the-money,” “at-the-money,” and “out-of-the-money,” respectively. The Fund may write (a) in-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the price of the underlying security will remain stable or decline during the option period, (b) at-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the price of the underlying security will remain stable, decline, or advance moderately during the option period, and (c) out-of-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the premiums received from writing the call option will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying security above the exercise price. By writing a call option, the Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. Out-of-the-money, at-the-money, and in-the-money put options (the reverse of call options as to the relation of exercise price to market price) may be utilized in the same market environments that such call options are used in equivalent transactions. At March 31, 2016, the Fund did not hold any written options contracts.

The following table summarizes the net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of derivatives held at March 31, 2016 by primary risk exposure:

 

Asset Derivatives:    Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
    

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

     $ 32,092    

Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

       195,115    
    

 

 

     

Total

     $ 227,207    
    

 

 

     

Liability Derivatives:

              

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

     $ (307,621 )  

Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

       (15,091 )  
    

 

 

     

Total

     $ (322,712 )  
    

 

 

     

Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts, Certain Options, and Swaps. Subject to the guidelines of the Board, the Fund may engage in “commodity interest” transactions (generally, transactions in futures, certain options, certain currency transactions, and certain types of swaps) only for bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading

 

10


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

Commission (“CFTC”). Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now applicable to the Fund as of January 1, 2013. These trading restrictions permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions, provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future, the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.

Securities Sold Short. The Fund may enter into short sale transactions. Short selling involves selling securities that may or may not be owned and, at times, borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace such borrowed securities at a later date. The proceeds received from short sales are recorded as liabilities and the Fund records an unrealized gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received and the value of an open short position on the day of determination. The Fund records a realized gain or loss when the short position is closed out. By entering into a short sale, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security sold short. Dividends on short sales are recorded as an expense by the Fund on the ex-dividend date and interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis. The broker retains collateral for the value of the open positions, which is adjusted periodically as the value of the position fluctuates. Securities sold short at March 31, 2016 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments.

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

 

11


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

 

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

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

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. At March 31, 2016, the Fund did not hold restricted securities.

Tax Information. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

12


THE GDL FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Manager Biography

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. that he founded in 1977, and Chief Investment Officer - Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. He is also Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Associated Capital Group, Inc. Mr. Gabelli is a summa cum laude graduate of Fordham University and holds an MBA degree from Columbia Business School and Honorary Doctorates from Fordham University and Roger Williams University.

 

 

 

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

The Net Asset Value per share appears in the Publicly Traded Funds column, under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds,” in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. It is also listed in Barron’s Mutual Funds/Closed End Funds section under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds.”

The Net Asset Value per share may be obtained each day by calling (914) 921-5070 or visiting www.gabelli.com.

The NASDAQ symbol for the Net Asset Value is “XGDLX.”

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may from time to time purchase its common shares in the open market when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount of 7.5% or more from the net asset value of the shares. The Fund may also from time to time purchase its preferred shares in the open market when the preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value.


THE GDL FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

t   800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f   914-921-5118

e  info@gabelli.com

    GABELLI.COM

 

 

TRUSTEES

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Chairman & Chief

Executive Officer,

Associated Capital

Group Inc.

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

James P. Conn

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Financial Security

Assurance Holdings Ltd.

Clarence A. Davis

Former Chief Executive

Officer,

Nestor, Inc.

Arthur V. Ferrara

Former Chairman &

Chief Executive Officer,

Guardian Life Insurance

Company of America

Michael J. Melarkey

Of Counsel,

McDonald Carano

Wilson LLP

Edward T. Tokar

Senior Managing Director,

Beacon Trust Company

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

Zizza & Associates Corp.

OFFICERS

Bruce N. Alpert

President

Andrea R. Mango

Secretary & Vice President

Agnes Mullady

Treasurer

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

Carter W. Austin

Vice President

Vincent Brasesco

Ombudsman

David I. Schachter

Vice President

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

Rye, New York 10580-1422

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

COUNSEL

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

TRANSFER AGENT AND

REGISTRAR

American Stock Transfer and

Trust Company

 

 

 

 

 

GDL Q1/2016

LOGO

 

 


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

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

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

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


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)  

    The GDL Fund

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

 
 

       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Date  

    5/27/2016

 

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

 
 

       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Date  

    5/27/2016

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

   /s/ Agnes Mullady

 
 

       Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

Date  

    5/27/2016

 

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