Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration Statement No. 333-149864

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated February 28, 2011)

5,760,726 Rights

The GDL Fund

Subscription Rights for Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares

     We are issuing subscription rights (the “Rights”) to our preferred shareholders who hold Series A Cumulative Callable Preferred Shares (the “Series A Preferred” or the “Existing Preferred Shares”) to purchase Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred” or the “New Preferred Shares”). Our Existing Preferred Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL-PrA.” The last reported NYSE sale price of our Existing Preferred Shares on February 25, 2011 was $51.91.

     You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the New Preferred Shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page 16 of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in the New Preferred Shares.

     Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Subscription price of Preferred Shares to shareholders exercising Rights		$	50.00			$	144,018,150
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)		$	0.10			$	288,036
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund (2)		$	49.90			$	143,730,114

     The New Preferred Shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about April 15, 2011. If the offer is extended, the New Preferred Shares are expected to be ready for delivery in book-entry form through the Depository Trust Company on or about April 27, 2011.

     February 28, 2011

     You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, respectively.

Prospectus Supplement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING		R-1
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES		R-3
DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING		R-4
USE OF PROCEEDS		R-11
CAPITALIZATION		R-11
ASSET COVERAGE RATIO		R-12
SPECIAL FEATURES AND RISKS OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES		R-12
TAXATION		R-14
UNDERWRITING		R-14
LEGAL MATTERS		R-15

SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING

Offering Subscription		Three transferable subscription rights (a “Right”) will be issued for each Series A Cumulative Callable Preferred Share (the “Existing Preferred”) of the Fund held on the record date and are expected to trade in the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”). These Rights will allow Existing Preferred shareholders to subscribe for new Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares (the “Series B Preferred” or “New Preferred”) of the Fund. 1,920,242 shares of Existing Preferred are outstanding as of February 28, 2011. Two Rights will be required to purchase one share of New Preferred. An over-subscription privilege will be offered. 2,880,363 shares of New Preferred will be issued if all Rights are exercised. See “Terms of the Offering.”
Amount of Offering		$144,018,150
Title		Subscription Rights to Purchase Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares
Subscription Price		Rights may be exercised at a price of $50.00 per New Preferred share (the “Subscription Price”). The purchase price will be payable in cash, by surrender of shares of Existing Preferred at liquidation preference or any combination of cash and such shares. Affiliated persons of the Fund will be permitted to purchase New Preferred through the surrender of Existing Preferred only to the extent permitted by law. See “Terms of the Offering.”
Record Date		Rights will be issued to holders of record of the Fund’s Existing Preferred on March 1, 2011 (the “Record Date”). See “Terms of the Offering.”
Number of Rights Issued		Three Rights will be issued in respect of each share of Existing Preferred outstanding on the Record Date. See “Terms of the Offering.”
Number of Rights Required to Purchase One New Preferred Share		A holder of Rights may purchase one New Preferred share of the Fund for every two Rights exercised. See “Terms of the Offering.”
Over-Subscription Privilege		Rights holders who are shareholders of Existing Preferred on the Record Date are entitled to subscribe for additional New Preferred shares at the same Subscription Price, subject to certain limitations and subject to allotment. To the extent sufficient shares of New Preferred are not available to fulfill all over-subscription requests, unsubscribed shares of New Preferred will be allocated pro-rata among those shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of the Fund’s shares of Existing Preferred owned on the Record Date. See “Over-Subscription Privilege.”
Transfer of Rights		The Rights will be transferable. See “Terms of the Offering,” “Sales by Rights Agent,” and “Method of Transferring Rights.”
Subscription Period		The Rights may be exercised at any time after issuance and prior to expiration of the Rights, which will be 5:00 PM Eastern Time on April 5, 2011. See “Terms of the Offering” and “Method of Exercise of Rights.”
Solicitation Fee		$0.10 per New Preferred share to broker-dealers that have executed and delivered a soliciting dealer agreement and have solicited the exercise of Rights, subject to a maximum payment of $5,000 to any single broker-dealer. See “Underwriting.”

Rights Agent		Computershare Trust Company, N.A. See “Rights Agent.”
Use of Proceeds		The Fund currently intends to call within three months after expiration of the Subscription Period all outstanding shares of Existing Preferred that are not surrendered by holders to purchase New Preferred in the offering. Amounts in excess of the redemption amount for all outstanding shares of Existing Preferred will be used for investment purposes consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Rating		The New Preferred will not be rated.

SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES

Issue		Series B Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred Shares
Mandatory Redemption		March 26, 2018.
Dividend Rate		The annual dividend rate will be 7.00% for the dividend periods ending on or prior to March 26, 2012 and thereafter will be reset and publicly announced in a notice at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for the four dividend periods ending March 26, 2013, at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for the eight dividend periods ending March 26, 2015, and at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for all remaining dividend periods prior to the mandatory redemption date of March 26, 2018. Each reset dividend rate will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or a committee thereof in its sole discretion at a rate not less than 3.00% per year ($0.375 per share per dividend period) and not greater than the annualized yield observed at or about the time of the reset process by the Fund for any issuance of a bond of a U.S. corporation rated A by at least one rating agency. See “Dividends.”
Dividend Payment Dates		Distributions will be made when, as and if declared on March 26, June 26, September 26, and December 26 of each year, commencing June 26, 2011. See “Dividends.”
Liquidation Preference		$50.00 per share.
Holder Put Options		The Fund will redeem all or any part of the New Preferred that holders have properly submitted for redemption and not withdrawn during the 30-day period prior to each of March 26, 2013 and March 26, 2015, at the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends. See “Puts and Redemptions.”
Optional Redemption		The Fund may redeem all or any part of the New Preferred, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, at any time on or after March 26, 2014. See “Puts and Redemptions.”
Stock Exchange Listing		An application will be made to list the New Preferred on the NYSE. The New Preferred is expected to commence trading on the NYSE within 60 days of the date of issuance. See “Stock Exchange Listing.”

     Terms of the Offering

     The Fund is issuing to shareholders of record of shares of Existing Preferred as of March 1, 2011 (“the Record Date”, and such shareholders, the “Record Date Preferred Shareholders”) Rights to subscribe for the New Preferred Shares. Each Record Date Preferred Shareholder is being issued three transferable Rights for each Existing Preferred share owned on the Record Date. The Rights entitle the holders to acquire for (i) $50.00 in cash, (ii) by surrender of shares of Existing Preferred at liquidation preference, or (iii) any combination of cash and such shares (the “Subscription Price”) one New Preferred Share for each two Rights. Fractional shares will not be issued upon the exercise of the Rights. Accordingly, New Preferred Shares may be purchased only pursuant to the exercise of Rights in integral multiples of two. Rights may be exercised at any time during the period which commences on March 1, 2011, and ends at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on April 5, 2011 (the “Subscription Period”). The right to acquire one additional New Preferred Share for two Rights held during the Subscription Period at the Subscription Price will be referred to in the remainder of this prospectus supplement as the “Subscription.”

     Rights will be evidenced by subscription certificates (“Subscription Certificates”). The number of Rights issued to each holder will be stated on the Subscription Certificate delivered to the holder. The method by which Rights may be exercised and shares paid for is set forth below in “Method of Exercise of Rights” and “Payment for Shares.” A Rights holder will have no right to rescind a purchase after Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Rights Agent”) has received payment. See “Payment for Shares” below. It is anticipated that the New Preferred Shares issued pursuant to an exercise of Rights will be listed on the NYSE.

     Rights holders who are Record Date Preferred Shareholders are entitled to subscribe for additional New Preferred Shares at the same Subscription Price pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, subject to certain limitations and subject to allotment. See “Over-Subscription Privilege” below.

     For purposes of determining the maximum number of shares a Record Date Preferred Shareholder may acquire pursuant to the offer, broker-dealers, trust companies, banks or others whose shares are held of record by Cede & Co. (“Cede”), as nominee for the Depository Trust Company or by any other depository or nominee will be deemed to be the holders of the Rights that are held by Cede or such other depository or nominee on their behalf.

     The Rights are transferable until 5:00 PM Eastern Time April 5, 2011 (the “Expiration Date”) and are expected to be admitted for trading through the NASDAQ Capital Market. Assuming a market exists for the Rights, the Rights may be purchased and sold through usual brokerage channels and sold through the Rights Agent. Although no assurance can be given that a market for the Rights will develop, trading in the Rights through the NASDAQ is expected to begin three business days before the Record Date and may be conducted until the close of trading through the last NASDAQ trading day prior to the Expiration Date. Trading of the Rights through the NASDAQ is expected to be conducted on a when-issued basis until and including the date on which the Subscription Certificates are mailed to Record Date Preferred Shareholders and thereafter is expected to be conducted on a regular way basis until and including the last NASDAQ trading day prior to the Expiration Date. The method by which Rights may be transferred is set forth below under “Method of Transferring Rights.” The Existing Preferred shares are expected to begin trading ex-Rights two business days prior to the Record Date as determined and announced by NYSE.

     Nominees who hold the Fund’s Existing Preferred shares for the account of others, such as banks, broker-dealers, trustees or depositories for securities, should notify the respective beneficial owners of such shares as soon as possible to ascertain such beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the Rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the nominee will complete the Subscription Certificate and submit it to the Rights Agent with proper payment. In addition, beneficial owners of the Existing Preferred shares or Rights held through such a nominee should contact the nominee and request the nominee to effect transactions in accordance with such beneficial owner’s instructions.

Important Dates to Remember

     Please note that the dates in the table below may change if the rights offering is extended.

EVENT		DATE
Record Date		March 1, 2011
Subscription Period		March 1, 2011 through April 5, 2011**
Expiration Date*		April 5, 2011**
Payment for Guarantees of Delivery Due*		April 8, 2011**
Confirmation Date		April 15, 2011**

     Over-Subscription Privilege

          Rights holders who are Record Date Preferred Shareholders and who fully exercise their Rights are entitled to subscribe for additional New Preferred Shares at the same Subscription Price pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, subject to certain limitations and subject to allotment.

          Record Date Preferred Shareholders who are fully exercising their Rights during the subscription period should indicate, on the Subscription Certificate which they submit with respect to the exercise of the Rights issued to them, how many New Preferred Shares they are willing to acquire pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.

          To the extent sufficient New Preferred Shares are not available to fulfill all over-subscription requests, unsubscribed New Preferred Shares will be allocated pro-rata among those Record Date Preferred Shareholders who over-subscribe based on the number of the Fund’s Existing Preferred shares owned on the Record Date. The allocation process may involve a series of allocations in order to assure that the total number of New Preferred Shares available for over-subscriptions is distributed on a pro rata basis.

          Banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders of rights will be required to certify to the Rights Agent, before any over-subscription privilege may be exercised with respect to any particular beneficial owner, as to the aggregate number of Rights exercised during the Subscription Period and the number of New Preferred Shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege by such beneficial owner and that such beneficial owner’s Subscription was exercised in full. Nominee holder over-subscription forms and beneficial owner certification forms will be distributed to banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders of rights with the Subscription Certificates. Nominees should also notify holders purchasing Rights in the secondary market that such Rights may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.

          The Fund will not offer or sell any New Preferred Shares that are not subscribed for during the Subscription Period or pursuant to the over-subscription privilege.

          The Fund has been advised that the Investment Adviser and each of the Fund’s Trustees may exercise some or all of the Rights initially issued to them, and may request additional New Preferred Shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. In addition, Mario J. Gabelli or his affiliated entities may also purchase New Preferred Shares during the Subscription Period and pursuant to the over-subscription privilege. However, due to the fact that the Fund is able to issue only an additional $143,987,900 of New Preferred Shares under its existing registration statement, which is $30,250 less than the amount of New Preferred Shares that would be issued if all Rights are exercised, the maximum aggregate liquidation preference of New Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to Subscriptions and the exercise of over-subscription rights will be $143,987,900, and Mario J. Gabelli and affiliated entities have agreed with

the Fund that they will not exercise a sufficient number of their Rights such that New Preferred Shares to be issued will have an aggregate liquidation preference not in excess of $143,987,900.

     Sales by Rights Agent

     Holders of Rights who are unable or do not wish to exercise any or all of their Rights may instruct the Rights Agent to sell any unexercised Rights. The Subscription Certificates representing the Rights to be sold by the Rights Agent must be received on or before April 1, 2011. Upon the timely receipt of the appropriate instructions to sell Rights, the Rights Agent will use its best efforts to complete the sale and will remit the proceeds of sale, net of any commissions, to the holders. If the Rights can be sold, sales of the Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on the day such Rights are sold. The selling Rights holder will pay all brokerage commissions incurred by the Rights Agent, although no commission will be charged if such Rights are sold through Gabelli & Company, Inc., (the “Dealer Manager”) a registered broker-dealer and an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. The Dealer Manager may also act on behalf of its clients to purchase or sell Rights in the open market. The Rights Agent will automatically attempt to sell any unexercised Rights that remain unclaimed as a result of Subscription Certificates being returned by the postal authorities as undeliverable as of the fourth business day prior to the Expiration Date. These sales will be made net of any commissions on behalf of the nonclaiming holders of Rights. Proceeds from those sales will be held by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, in its capacity as the Fund’s transfer agent, for the account of the nonclaiming holder of rights until the proceeds are either claimed or escheated. There can be no assurance that the Rights Agent will be able to complete the sale of any of these Rights and neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent has guaranteed any minimum sales price for the Rights. All of these Rights will be sold at the market price, if any, through an exchange or market trading the Rights.

     Method of Transferring Rights

     The Rights evidenced by a single Subscription Certificate may be transferred in whole by endorsing the Subscription Certificate for transfer in accordance with the accompanying instructions. A portion of the Rights evidenced by a single Subscription Certificate (but not fractional Rights) may be transferred by delivering to the Rights Agent a Subscription Certificate properly endorsed for transfer, with instructions to register the portion of the Rights evidenced thereby in the name of the transferee (and to issue a new Subscription Certificate to the transferee evidencing the transferred Rights). In this event, a new Subscription Certificate evidencing the balance of the Rights will be issued to the Rights holder or, if the Rights holder so instructs, to an additional transferee.

     Holders wishing to transfer all or a portion of their Rights (but not fractional Rights) should allow at least three business days prior to the Expiration Date for (i) the transfer instructions to be received and processed by the Rights Agent, (ii) a new Subscription Certificate to be issued and transmitted to the transferee or transferees with respect to transferred Rights, and to the transferor with respect to retained Rights, if any, and (iii) the Rights evidenced by the new Subscription Certificates to be exercised or sold by the recipients thereof. Neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to a transferee or transferor of Rights if Subscription Certificates are not received in time for exercise or sale prior to the Expiration Date.

     Except for the fees charged by the Rights Agent (which will be paid by the Fund as described below), all commissions, fees and other expenses (including brokerage commissions and transfer taxes) incurred in connection with the purchase, sale or exercise of Rights will be for the account of the transferor of the Rights, and none of these commissions, fees or expenses will be paid by the Fund or the Rights Agent.

     The Fund anticipates that the Rights will be eligible for transfer through, and that the exercise of the Subscription may be effected through, the facilities of DTC (Rights exercised through DTC are referred to as “DTC Exercised Rights”).

     Rights Agent

     The Rights Agent is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The Rights Agent will receive from the Fund an amount estimated to be $30,000 comprised of the fee for its services and the reimbursement for certain expenses related to the rights offering. INQUIRIES BY ALL HOLDERS OF RIGHTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: THE RIGHTS AGENT, COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. C/O VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS PO BOX 43011 PROVIDENCE, RI 02940-3011; HOLDERS MAY ALSO CONSULT THEIR BROKERS OR NOMINEES.

     Method of Exercise of Rights

     Rights may be exercised by completing and signing the reverse side of the Subscription Certificate and mailing it in the envelope provided, or otherwise delivering the completed and signed Subscription Certificate to the Rights Agent, together with payment for the New Preferred Shares (including any surrender of Existing Preferred shares) as described below under “Payment for Shares.” Rights may also be exercised through a Rights holder’s broker, who may charge the Rights holder a servicing fee in connection with such exercise.

     Completed Subscription Certificates must be received by the Rights Agent prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date (unless payment is effected by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery as described below under “Payment for Shares”). The Subscription Certificate and payment should be delivered to the Rights Agent at the following address:

If By Mail:		The GDL Fund Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
		Attn: Voluntary Corporate Actions
		PO Box 43011
		Providence, RI 02940-3011
If By Overnight Courier:		The GDL Fund Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
		Attn: Voluntary Corporate Actions
		250 Royall Street Suite V
		Canton, MA 02021

     Payment for Shares

     Holders of Rights who acquire New Preferred Shares in the Subscription may choose between the following methods of payment:

	(1)		A subscription will be accepted by the Rights Agent if, prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date, the Rights Agent has received a written notice of guaranteed delivery from a bank, a trust company, or a NYSE member, guaranteeing delivery of (i) payment of the full Subscription Price for the New Preferred Shares subscribed for in the Subscription and, if eligible, for any additional New Preferred Shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, and (ii) a properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate. The Rights Agent will not honor a notice of guaranteed delivery if a properly completed and executed Subscription Certificate and full payment is not received by the Rights Agent by the close of business on the third business day after the Expiration Date. The notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered to the Rights Agent in the same manner as Subscription Certificates at the addresses set forth above, or may be transmitted to the Rights Agent by facsimile transmission (fax number (617) 360-6810; telephone number to confirm receipt (781) 575-2332.
	(2)		Alternatively, a holder of Rights can send the Subscription Certificate together with payment in the form of (i) a check; (ii) by surrender of shares of Existing Preferred at liquidation preference; or (iii) any combination of a check and such shares for the New Preferred Shares subscribed for in the Subscription and, if eligible, for any additional New Preferred Shares subscribed for pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, to the Rights Agent based on the Subscription Price of $50.00 per New Preferred Share. To be accepted, the payment (including surrender of the number of Existing Preferred shares forming a portion of such payment), together with the executed Subscription.

Certificate, must be received by the Rights Agent at the addresses noted above prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Expiration Date. The Rights Agent will deposit all share purchase checks received by it prior to the final due date into a segregated interest-bearing account, and will hold any surrendered shares of Existing Preferred, in each case pending proration and distribution of New Preferred Shares. The Rights Agent will not accept cash as a means of payment for New Preferred Shares.

EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH BELOW AND EXCEPT FOR SURRENDERS OF EXISTING PREFERRED SHARES, A PAYMENT PURSUANT TO THIS METHOD MUST BE IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS BY MONEY ORDER OR CHECK DRAWN ON A BANK LOCATED IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, MUST BE PAYABLE TO THE GDL FUND AND MUST ACCOMPANY AN EXECUTED SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE TO BE ACCEPTED.

     Any payment required from a holder of Rights must be received by the Rights Agent prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the Expiration Date, or if the Rights holder has elected to make payment by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery, by the close of business on the third business day after the Expiration Date. All payments by a holder of Rights must be in United States dollars by money order or check drawn on a bank located in the continental United States and payable to The GDL Fund except that holders of Rights who are residents of Canada may make payment in United States dollars by money order or check drawn on a bank located in Canada. Whichever of the two methods of payment described above is used, issuance and delivery of certificates for the New Preferred Shares purchased are subject to collection of checks and Existing Preferred shares, as well as actual payment pursuant to any notice of guaranteed delivery.

     Within ten business days following the Expiration Date (the “Confirmation Date”), a confirmation will be sent by the Rights Agent to each holder of Rights (or, if the Existing Preferred shares are held by Cede or any other depository or nominee, to Cede or such other depository or nominee), showing (i) the number of New Preferred Shares acquired pursuant to the Subscription, (ii) the number of New Preferred Shares, if any, acquired pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, and (iii) the per share and total purchase price for the New Preferred Shares. Any payment required from a holder of Rights must be received by the Rights Agent on the Expiration Date, or if the Rights holder has elected to make payment by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery, on the third business day after the Expiration Date. Any excess payment (including any excess surrendered shares of Existing Preferred) to be refunded by the Fund to a holder of Rights, or to be paid to a holder of Rights as a result of sales of Rights on his behalf by the Rights Agent, and all interest accrued on the holder’s excess payment will be mailed by the Rights Agent to the holder within fifteen business days after the Expiration Date. Interest on the excess payment will accrue through the date that is one business day prior to the mail date of the reimbursement check. If any Rights holder exercises its right to acquire New Preferred Shares pursuant to the over-subscription privilege, any excess payment which would otherwise be refunded to the Rights holder will be applied by the Fund toward payment for New Preferred Shares acquired pursuant to exercise of the over-subscription privilege.

     A Rights holder will have no right to rescind a purchase after the Rights Agent has received payment either by means of a notice of guaranteed delivery, delivery of Existing Preferred shares, or a check.

     If a holder of Rights who acquires New Preferred Shares pursuant to the Subscription does not make payment of any amounts due, the Fund reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions: (i) find other purchasers for such subscribed-for and unpaid-for New Preferred Shares; (ii) apply any payment actually received by it toward the purchase of the greatest whole number of New Preferred Shares which could be acquired by such holder upon exercise of the Subscription or over-subscription privilege; (iii) sell all or a portion of the New Preferred Shares purchased by the holder in the open market and apply the proceeds to the amounts owed; and (iv) exercise any and all other rights or remedies to which it may be entitled, including, without limitation, the right to set off against payments actually received by it with respect to such subscribed New Preferred Shares and to enforce the relevant guaranty of payment.

     Holders, such as broker-dealers, trustees or depositories for securities, who hold Existing Preferred shares for the account of others, should notify the respective beneficial owners of the Existing Preferred shares as soon as possible to ascertain such beneficial owners’ intentions and to obtain instructions with respect to the Rights. If the beneficial owner so instructs, the record holder of the Rights should complete Subscription Certificates and submit them to the

Rights Agent with the proper payment. In addition, beneficial owners of Existing Preferred shares or Rights held through such a holder should contact the holder and request the holder to effect transactions in accordance with the beneficial owner’s instructions. Banks, broker-dealers, trustees and other nominee holders that hold Existing Preferred shares of the Fund for the accounts of others are advised to notify those persons that purchase Rights in the secondary market that such Rights may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.

     The instructions accompanying the Subscription Certificates should be read carefully and followed in detail. DO NOT SEND SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATES TO THE FUND.

     The method of delivery of Subscription Certificates and payment of the subscription price to the Rights Agent will be at the election and risk of the Rights holders, but if sent by mail it is recommended that the certificates and payments be sent by registered mail, properly insured, with return receipt requested, and that a sufficient number of days be allowed to ensure delivery to the Rights Agent and clearance of payment prior to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date. Because uncertified personal checks may take at least five business days to clear, you are strongly urged to pay, or arrange for payment, by means of a certified or cashier’s check or money order.

     All questions concerning the timeliness, validity, form and eligibility of any exercise of Rights will be determined by the Fund, whose determinations will be final and binding. The Fund in its sole discretion may waive any defect or irregularity, or permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected within such time as it may determine, or reject the purported exercise of any Right. Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as the Fund determines in its sole discretion. Neither the Fund nor the Rights Agent will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in connection with the submission of Subscription Certificates or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

     Foreign Restrictions

     Subscription Certificates will only be mailed to Record Date Preferred Shareholders whose addresses are within the United States and Canada (other than an APO or FPO address). Record Date Preferred Shareholders whose addresses are outside the United States and Canada or who have an APO or FPO address and who wish to subscribe to the rights offering either in part or in full should contact the Rights Agent by written instruction or recorded telephone conversation no later than three business days prior to the Expiration Date. The Fund will determine whether the offering may be made to any such shareholder. If the Rights Agent has received no instruction by the third business day prior to the Expiration Date or the Fund has determined that the rights offering may not be made to a particular shareholder, the Rights Agent will attempt to sell all of such shareholder’s Rights and remit the net proceeds, if any, to such shareholders. If the Rights can be sold, sales of these Rights will be deemed to have been effected at the weighted average price received by the Rights Agent on the day the Rights are sold, less any applicable brokerage commissions, taxes and other expenses.

     Under the securities laws of the Province of Ontario, investors residing in Ontario may, subject to compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, transfer either the Rights or the New Preferred Shares to be acquired upon the exercise of such Rights (i) through a dealer registered in Ontario that effects the transaction through the facilities of the NYSE or other exchange or market outside of Canada; (ii) to a person or company outside of Canada, or (iii) through certain other means as provided under and in compliance with Ontario securities laws.

     Employee Plan Considerations

     Rights holders that are employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), including corporate savings and 401(k) plans, Keogh Plans of self-employed individuals and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRA”) (each a “Benefit Plan” and collectively, “Benefit Plans”), should be aware that additional contributions of cash or Existing Preferred shares in order to exercise Rights may be treated as Benefit Plan contributions and, when taken together with contributions previously made, may subject a Benefit Plan to excise taxes for excess or nondeductible contributions. In the case of Benefit Plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), additional contributions could cause the maximum contribution limitations of Section 415 of the Code or other qualification rules to be violated. Benefit Plans contemplating making additional contributions to exercise Rights should consult with their counsel prior to making

such contributions.

     Benefit Plans and other tax exempt entities, including governmental plans, should also be aware that if they borrow in order to finance their exercise of Rights, they may become subject to the tax on unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) under Section 511 of the Code. If any portion of an IRA is used as security for a loan, the portion so used is also treated as distributed to the IRA depositor.

     ERISA contains prudence and diversification requirements and ERISA and the Code contain prohibited transaction rules that may impact the exercise of Rights. Among the prohibited transaction exemptions issued by the Department of Labor that may exempt a Benefit Plan’s exercise of Rights are Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 (governing purchases of shares in investment companies) and Prohibited Transaction Exemption 75-1 (covering sales of securities).

     Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties for noncompliance, Benefit Plans should consult with their counsel regarding the consequences of their exercise of Rights under ERISA and the Code.

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $143,299,864, based on the Subscription Price of $50.00 per share and after deduction of the underwriting discounts, solicitation fees and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund.

     The Investment Adviser currently intends to call within three months after expiration of the Subscription Period all outstanding shares of Existing Preferred that are not surrendered by holders to purchase New Preferred in the offering. Until such time, it expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. To the extent that proceeds exceed the liquidation preference of all such outstanding shares of Existing Preferred, the Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the excess proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Fund as of December 31, 2010, and its adjusted capitalization assuming the Series B Preferred offered in this Prospectus Supplement had been issued.

		As of December 31, 2010
		(unaudited)
		Actual				As adjusted
Preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share, unlimited shares authorized. (The “Actual” column reflects the Fund’s outstanding capitalization as of December 31, 2010; the “As adjusted” column assumes the issuance of 2,880,363 shares of Series B Preferred,$50 liquidation preference per share)		$	96,012,100			$	240,030,250
Shareholders’ equity applicable to common shares:
Common shares, $0.001 par value per share; unlimited shares authorized, 21,167,710 shares outstanding		$	21,168			$	21,168
Paid-in surplus*		$	323,187,695			$	322,499,659
Accumulated net investment loss		$	(40,486	)		$	(40,486	)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments		$	(1,872,777	)		$	(1,872,777	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		$	(3,314,637	)		$	(3,314,637	)
Net assets applicable to common shares		$	317,980,963			$	317,292,927
Liquidation preference of preferred shares		$	96,012,100			$	240,030,250
Net assets, plus the liquidation preference of preferred shares		$	413,993,063			$	557,323,177

     and estimated offering expenses of the Series B Preferred of $400,000.

     For financial reporting purposes, the Fund is required to deduct the liquidation preference of its outstanding preferred shares from “net assets,” so long as the senior securities have redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Fund. Thus for accounting purposes, the Fund’s preferred shares will be treated as debt (rather than equity). For all regulatory purposes, the Fund’s preferred shares will be treated as equity (rather than debt).

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

     Pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund will not be permitted to declare any dividend, or declare any other distribution, upon any outstanding common shares, unless, in every such case, all preferred shares issued by the Fund have at the time of declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase an asset coverage of at least 200% (“1940 Act Asset Coverage Requirement”) after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be. The Fund’s preferred shares are expected to have an initial asset coverage on the date of issuance of approximately 232%.

SPECIAL FEATURES AND RISKS OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED SHARES

     Dividends

     The Fund will pay dividends, calculated separately for each dividend period at the rate of 7.00% per annum, payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26, and December 26 in each year (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”) commencing on June 26, 2011 (or if any such day is not a Business Day, then on the next succeeding Business Day), and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, on the liquidation preference of $50.00 per New Preferred Shares for the dividend periods ending on or prior to March 26, 2012 and thereafter will be reset and publicly announced at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for the four dividend periods ending March 26, 2013, at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for the eight dividend periods ending March 26, 2015, and at least 60 days prior to the end of such period for all remaining dividend periods prior to the mandatory redemption date of March 26, 2018. Each reset dividend rate will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund or a committee thereof in its sole discretion at a rate not less than 3.00% per year ($0.375 per share per dividend period) and not greater than the annualized yield observed at or about the time of the reset process by the Fund for any issuance of a bond of a U.S. corporation rated A by at least one rating agency. Dividends and distributions will be paid to holders of record of New Preferred Shares as they appear on the stock register of the Fund at the close of business on the fifth preceding Business Day in preference to dividends and distributions on common shares and any other capital shares of the Fund ranking junior to the New Preferred Shares in payment of dividends and distributions. Dividends and distributions on New Preferred Shares shall accumulate from the date on which such shares are originally issued. Each period beginning on and including a Dividend Payment Date (or the date of original issue, in the case of the first dividend period after issuance of such shares) and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date is referred to herein as a “Dividend Period.”

     No full dividends and distributions shall be declared or paid on New Preferred Shares for any Dividend Period or part thereof unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates for all series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with the New Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates. If full cumulative dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all such outstanding preferred shares, any dividends and distributions being paid on such preferred shares (including the New Preferred Shares) will be paid as

nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant Dividend Payment Date.

     Voting Rights

     Except as otherwise provided in the Fund’s governing documents or a resolution of the Board of Trustees or its delegatee, or as required by applicable law, holders of New Preferred Shares shall have no power to vote on any matter except matters submitted to a vote of the Fund’s common shares. In any matter submitted to a vote of the holders of the common shares, each holder of New Preferred Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each New Preferred Share held and the holders of all outstanding preferred shares, including New Preferred Shares, and the common shares shall vote together as a single class; provided, however, that at any meeting of the shareholders of the Fund held for the election of Trustees, the holders of the outstanding preferred shares, including New Preferred Shares, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital shares of the Fund, to elect a number of Fund trustees, such that following the election of trustees at the meeting of the shareholders, the Fund’s Board of Trustees shall contain two trustees elected by the holders of the outstanding preferred shares, including the New Preferred Shares.

     During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a “Voting Period”), the number and/or composition of trustees constituting the Board of Trustees shall be adjusted as necessary to permit the holders of outstanding preferred shares, including the New Preferred Shares, voting separately as one class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital shares of the Fund) to elect the number of trustees that, when added to the two trustees elected exclusively by the holders of outstanding preferred shares, would constitute a simple majority of the Board of Trustees as so adjusted. The Fund and the Board of Trustees shall take all necessary actions, including effecting the removal of trustees or amendment of the Fund’s governing documents, to effect an adjustment of the number and/or composition of trustees as described in the preceding sentence. A Voting Period shall commence:

     (i) if at any time accumulated dividends and distributions on the outstanding New Preferred Shares equal to at least two full years’ dividends and distributions shall be due and unpaid; or

     (ii) if at any time holders of any other preferred shares are entitled to elect a majority of the Trustees of the Fund under the 1940 Act or Statement of Preferences creating such shares.

     Puts and Redemptions

     The Fund will redeem all or any part of the New Preferred Shares that holders have properly submitted for redemption and not withdrawn during the 30-day period prior to each of March 26, 2013 and March 26, 2015, at the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.

     The Fund may redeem all or any part of the New Preferred Shares, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, at the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, at any time on or after March 26, 2014.

     Stock Exchange Listing

     An application will be made to list the New Preferred Shares on the NYSE. The New Preferred Shares are expected to commence trading on the NYSE within 60 days of the date of issuance.

     Risks

     Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the New Preferred Shares you should consider the risks carefully. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” in the Prospectus. Primary risks specially associated with an investment in the Series B Preferred include:

     Market Price Risk. The market price for the Series B Preferred will be influenced by changes in interest rates, the perceived credit quality of the Series B Preferred and other factors, and may be higher or lower than the liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred.

     Interest Rate Risk. Shareholders of the Series B Preferred will receive dividends and distributions on a quarterly basis. During the first year, the annual dividend rate will be 7%. Thereafter, the Board of Trustees, or a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, will have sole discretion to set the dividend rate based on the annualized market yields for U.S. corporate bonds rated A by at least one rating agency, provided that the annual dividend rate must be at least 3%. The dividend reset dates occur at the end of the first, second, and fourth years of the term of the Series B Preferred Shares. If the current low interest rate environment continues, such dividend rates will be substantially less than 7%. For example, the current rate on at least some A-rated notes that have a remaining maturity of three years, which is the longest period to put or maturity, is as low as 4.5%. Accordingly, after the first year holders of Series B Preferred Shares will likely receive dividend payments at annual rates that may be substantially less than 7% and as low as 3%.

     Liquidity Risk. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Series B Preferred. As noted above, an application will be made to list the Series B Preferred on the NYSE. However, during an initial period which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its issuance, the Series B Preferred will not be listed on any securities exchange. The dealer-manager may make a market in the Series B Preferred; however, it has no obligation to do so. No assurances can be provided that listing on any securities exchange or market making by the dealer-manager will result in the market for Series B Preferred being liquid at any time.

     Reinvestment Risk. The Fund may at any time redeem shares of Series B Preferred to the extent necessary to meet regulatory asset coverage requirements. For example, if the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio declines, thereby reducing the asset coverage for the Series B Preferred, the Fund may be obligated under the terms of the Series B Preferred to redeem shares of the Series B Preferred. Investors may not be able to reinvest the proceeds of any redemption in an investment providing the same or a better rate than that of the Series B Preferred.

     Distribution Risk. The Fund may not meet the asset coverage requirements or earn sufficient income from its investments to make distributions on the Series B Preferred.

     Redemption Risk. The Series B Preferred is not an obligation of the Fund. The Series B Preferred is junior in respect of distributions and liquidation preference to any indebtedness incurred by the Fund, and is of the same ranking as the distributions and liquidation preference as the Existing Preferred shares. Although unlikely, precipitous declines in the value of the Fund’s assets could result in the Fund having insufficient assets to redeem all of the Series B Preferred for the full redemption price.

     The Investment Adviser and Mr. Gabelli have Certain Conflicts of Interest Relating to the Preferred Shares. As of December 31, 2010, Mario Gabelli was the beneficial owner of 646,916 Series A Preferred Shares, representing 33.69% of the Fund’s outstanding Series A Preferred Shares. The other Trustees collectively own less than 1% of the Series A Preferred Shares. Mr. Gabelli has advised the Fund that he may participate in the rights offering to purchase Series B Preferred Shares. The Trustees, or a committee thereof, determine the dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Shares at such times and in such manner as is specified in this Registration Statement. Because of the possible perception of a conflict of interest, Mr. Gabelli has agreed to recuse himself from all discussions by the Board of Trustees or committee thereof related to the determination of the dividend rate for the Series B Preferred Shares for any period following initial issuance.

     The Investment Adviser receives advisory compensation in respect of the total assets of the Fund, including assets representing the liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred Shares, without regard to whether the Fund earns an incremental return from such assets for the benefit of the common shareholders. In addition, Mr. Gabelli receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing the Fund, which will be greater to the extent that the Fund has preferred shares outstanding. Consequently, both the Investment Adviser, which is controlled by Mr. Gabelli, and Mr. Gabelli himself have a conflict of interest with respect to the Series B Preferred Shares inasmuch as each stands to benefit from the issuance of such shares whether or not such issuance benefits holders of the common shares.

TAXATION

     Please refer to the “Taxation” sections in the Fund Prospectus and Fund Statement of Additional Information for a description of the consequences of investing in the preferred shares of the Fund.

UNDERWRITING

     Gabelli & Company, Inc., which is a broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority will act as dealer manager for the rights offering (henceforth, the “Dealer Manager”). Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Dealer Manager Agreement among the Fund, the Investment Adviser, and the Dealer Manager (the “Dealer Manager Agreement”), the Dealer Manager will provide financial structuring services and marketing services in connection with the offering and will solicit the exercise of Rights and participation in the over-subscription privilege. The Fund has agreed to pay the Dealer Manager a fee for its financial structuring, marketing and soliciting services equal to $0.10 per 2 Rights exercised pursuant to the rights offering, subject to a maximum fee of $5,000. The Dealer Manager fee will be borne by the Fund and indirectly by all of the Fund’s common shareholders.

     The Dealer Manager will reallow to other broker-dealers that have executed and delivered a soliciting dealer agreement and have solicited the exercise of Rights solicitation fees equal to $0.10 for each New Preferred Share issued pursuant to exercise of Rights as a result of their soliciting efforts, subject to a maximum fee of $5,000 to any single broker-dealer. Fees will be paid to the broker-dealer designated on the applicable portion of the Subscription Certificates or, in the absence of such designation, will be retained by the Dealer Manager.

      The maximum underwriter compensation for the solicitation of rights, assuming all rights are exercised, is $288,036, or 0.20% of the maximum possible offering proceeds.

     The Fund and the Investment Adviser have each agreed to indemnify the Dealer Manager or contribute to losses arising out of certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Dealer Manager Agreement also provides that the Dealer Manager will not be subject to any liability to the Fund in rendering the services contemplated by the Dealer Manager Agreement except for any act of bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Dealer Manager or reckless disregard by the Dealer Manager of its obligations and duties under the Dealer Manager Agreement.

     Prior to the expiration of the rights offering, the Dealer Manager may independently offer for sale Rights or New Preferred Shares to be acquired by it through purchasing and exercising Rights, at prices it sets, although the Dealer Manager will not charge commissions for the sale of such Rights on behalf of holders of Rights. The Dealer Manager’s fee for its financial structuring, marketing and soliciting services is independent of any gains or losses that may be realized by the Dealer Manager through the purchase and exercise of Rights or purchase and sale of New Preferred Shares.

     In the ordinary course of their businesses, the Dealer Manager and/or its affiliates may engage in investment banking or financial transactions with the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their affiliates.

     The principal business address of Gabelli & Company, Inc. is One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422.

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with this rights offering. Certain legal matters in connection with this rights offering will be passed on for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

Prospectus dated February 28, 2011

PROSPECTUS

$200,000,000

The GDL Fund

Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, Notes and Subscription Rights

     Investment Objective. The GDL Fund, or the “Fund,” is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company, formed as a Delaware statutory trust, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. Absolute returns are defined as positive total returns, regardless of the direction of securities markets. The Fund will seek to achieve its objective by investing primarily in merger arbitrage transactions and, to a lesser extent, in corporate reorganizations involving stubs, spin-offs and liquidations. Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as “Investment Adviser” to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund will achieve its objective.

     We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share, our promissory notes, or our subscription rights to purchase our preferred shares, which we refer to collectively as the “securities.” Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.

     Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, including existing shareholders in a rights offering, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of notes will set forth the principal amount, interest rate, interest payment dates, prepayment protection (if any), and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of preferred shares issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our securities. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL”. On February 25, 2011, the last reported NYSE sale price of our common shares was $13.62. Our Series A Preferred Shares are also listed on the NYSE under the symbol GDL-PrA. On February 25, 2011, the last reported NYSE sale price of our Series A Preferred Shares was $51.91. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value. This creates a risk of loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering.

     Investing in the Fund’s securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” for factors that should be considered before investing in securities of the Fund.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

     This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

     This prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. You should read this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the securities, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated February 28, 2011, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of our annual and semi-annual reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, request other information about us and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554) or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

     Our securities and notes do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

     You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
Prospectus Summary			1
Financial Highlights			11
Use of Proceeds			13
The Fund			13
Investment Objective and Policies			13
Risk Factors and Special Considerations			20
How the Fund Manages Risk			28
Management of the Fund			29
Portfolio Transactions			33
Dividends and Distributions			33
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan			34
Description of the Securities			35
Taxation			46
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents			49
Closed-End Fund Structure			50
Repurchase of Shares			50
Net Asset Value			51
Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend-Disbursing Agent			51
Plan of Distribution			53
Legal Matters			55
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			55
Additional Information			55
Privacy Principles of the Fund			55
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			56
Appendix A Corporate Bond Ratings			S-A-1

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     This is only a summary. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, dated February 28, 2011 (the “SAI”).

The Fund		The GDL Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 17, 2006. Throughout this prospectus, we refer to The GDL Fund as the “Fund” or as “we.” See “The Fund.”
		The Fund’s outstanding common shares, par value $0.001 per share, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL.” On December 31, 2010, the last reported NYSE sale price of our common shares was $13.37. As of December 31, 2010, the net assets of the Fund attributable to its common shares were 317,980,963. As of December 31, 2010, the Fund had outstanding 21,167,710 common shares. The Fund’s outstanding preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol GDL-PrA. On December 31, 2010, the last reported NYSE sale price of our preferred shares was $51.40. As of December 31, 2010, the Fund had outstanding 1,920,242 preferred shares at a liquidation value of $50 per share for a total liquidation value of $96,012,100.
The Offering		We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred shares, $0.001 par value per share, our notes or our subscription rights to purchase our preferred shares, which we refer to collectively as the “securities.” The shares and notes may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, including existing shareholders in a rights offering, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred shares will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of notes will set forth information about the principal amount, interest rate, and call protection or non-call period and other matters. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any offering of subscription rights will set forth the number of preferred shares issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering.
Investment Objective		The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. Absolute returns are defined as positive total returns, regardless of the direction of securities markets. To achieve its investment objective, the Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest primarily in securities of companies (both domestic and foreign) involved in publicly announced mergers, takeovers, tender offers and leveraged buyouts and, to a lesser extent, in corporate reorganizations involving stubs, spin-offs and liquidations. The key determinants of the profitability of a merger arbitrage transaction are the probability that the deal will close, the length of time to closing, the likelihood that the deal price will be increased or decreased and the level of short-term interest rates.

		Merger arbitrage is a highly specialized investment approach generally designed to profit from the successful completion of proposed mergers, takeovers, tender offers and leveraged buyouts. Broadly speaking, an investor purchases the stock of a company in the process of being acquired by another company in anticipation of capturing the spread between the current market price and the acquisition price. A “stub” refers to a small stake in a target company division or subsidiary that is not purchased by an acquirer in a merger, takeover or leveraged buyout. The arbitrageur may buy the stub, and if the acquiring company is successful in boosting the target company’s appeal, the shares will benefit from a boost in price and the arbitrageur will profit. A spin-off occurs when an independent company is created from an existing part of another company through a distribution of new shares. An arbitrageur may benefit from the share price differential in the same manner as in traditional merger arbitrage if, upon completion of the spin-off, the separate securities trade for more in the aggregate than the former single security. Finally, when a company makes the decision to liquidate, or sell all of its assets, it is often worth more in liquidation than as an ongoing entity. An arbitrageur benefits when the company is able to distribute more than the price at which the stock is trading at the time the arbitrageur acquires its position. In order to minimize market exposure and volatility of such merger arbitrage strategies, the Fund may utilize hedging strategies, such as short selling and the use of options and futures. The Fund may hold a significant portion of its assets in liquid money market securities, which may include affiliated or unaffiliated money market mutual funds.
		As a non-diversified investment company, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) does not limit the proportion of the Fund’s assets it may invest in securities of a single issuer, however, certain tax diversification requirements will apply at the end of each quarter.
		The Investment Adviser believes that blending traditional merger arbitrage for announced deals with strategies that focus on stubs, spin-offs and liquidations will produce absolute returns in excess of short-term interest rates with less volatility than the returns typically associated with conventional equity investing. A systematic and disciplined arbitrage program may produce attractive rates of return even in flat or down markets. The Investment Adviser will consider a number of factors in selecting merger arbitrage transactions in which to invest, including, but not limited to, the credibility, strategic motivation, and financial resources of the participants and the liquidity of the securities involved in the transaction.
		Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in securities or hedging arrangements relating to companies involved in corporate transactions or reorganizations, giving rise to the possibility of realizing gains upon or within relatively short periods of time after the completion of such transactions, or reorganizations. This policy is not fundamental and may be changed by the Fund with notice of not less than 60 days to its shareholders. In market cycles with scarce transaction opportunities, the Fund may seek to accomplish its objective of achieving absolute returns by temporarily investing in other assets, including, but not limited to, short-term debt securities, which may make it less likely for the Fund to achieve an attractive rate of return. The Fund may invest without limitation in the securities of foreign and domestic issuers. The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest in merger arbitrage transactions and corporate reorganizations throughout the world. To the extent that the majority of mergers, takeovers, tender offers and leveraged buyouts and corporate reorganizations are concentrated in any given geographic region, such as Europe, North America or Asia, a relatively high proportion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in that particular region. The Investment Adviser believes that in the near term there may not be sufficient foreign deal activity to maintain, under normal circumstances, at least 40% of the Fund’s assets in at least three countries outside the United States. The Fund is accordingly changing its name to The GDL Fund to more accurately reflect this non-fundamental investment policy. See “Investment Objective and Policies.”

Payment on Notes		Under applicable state law and our Charter, we may borrow money without prior approval of holders of common and preferred shares. We may issue debt securities, including notes, or other evidence of indebtedness and may secure any such notes or borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security our assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any borrowings, including without limitation the notes, will rank senior to the preferred shares and the common shares. The prospectus supplement will describe the interest payment provisions relating to notes. Interest on notes will be payable when due as described in the related prospectus supplement. If we do not pay interest when due, it will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect to our common shares and preferred shares.
Dividends and Distributions		Preferred Share Distributions. Under current law, all preferred shares of the Fund must have the same seniority with respect to distributions. Accordingly, no full distribution will be declared or paid on any series of preferred shares of the Fund for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative dividends due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all series of outstanding preferred shares of the Fund are declared and paid. If full cumulative distributions due have not been declared and made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund, any distributions on such preferred shares will be made as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend date.
		In the event that for any calendar year the total distributions on the Fund’s preferred shares exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess distributions will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital (to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in his or her preferred shares, thereby increasing the shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale of the shares.
		Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. Distributions on fixed rate preferred shares, at the applicable annual rate of the per share liquidation preference, are cumulative from the original issue date and are payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”), out of funds legally available therefor.
		Variable Rate Preferred Shares. The holders of variable rate preferred shares are entitled to receive cash distributions, stated at annual rates of the applicable per share liquidation preference, that vary from dividend period to dividend period.
		Common Share Distributions. In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some periodic liquidity from their investment without having to sell shares, the Board has adopted a policy, which may be modified at any time, of paying quarterly distributions on its common shares. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share, all of which constituted a return of capital. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share. Based on the distribution allocations of the Fund as of December 31, 2010, the total distributions paid in 2010 to common shareholders represent approximately 2% from net capital gains and 98% from paid-in capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on earnings as of the record date for the distribution. The actual composition of each distribution may change based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital that is a component of a distribution is not sourced from realized or unrealized profits of the Fund and that portion should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that a distribution from the Fund is comprised exclusively of net profits.
		Limitations on Distributions. If at any time the Fund has notes outstanding, the Fund will be prohibited from paying any distributions on any of its preferred shares or common shares (other than in additional shares), and from repurchasing any of such shares, unless, as provided

		in the 1940 Act, the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount of debt and preferred shares outstanding.
Tax Treatment of Preferred Share Distributions		The Fund expects that distributions on the preferred shares may consist of (i) long-term capital gain (gain from the sale of a capital asset held longer than 12 months), (ii) qualified dividend income (dividend income from certain domestic and foreign corporations) and (iii) investment company taxable income (other than qualified dividend income), including interest income, short-term capital gain and income from certain hedging and interest rate transactions. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of its income will consist of short-term capital gains. For a more detailed discussion, see “Taxation.”
Use of Proceeds		The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to purchase additional portfolio securities in accordance with its investment objective and policies, and/or to redeem existing preferred shareholders. It is anticipated that the investment of proceeds and/or the redemption of preferred shares will be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Exchange Listing		The Fund’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the trading or “ticker” symbol “GDL.” The Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol GDL-PrA. See “Description of the Securities.” Future series of fixed rate preferred shares and subscription rights would also likely be listed on a stock exchange. Variable rate preferred shares and notes will not likely be listed on a stock exchange.
Market Price of Shares		Common shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at prices lower than their net asset value. Common shares of closed-end investment companies may trade during some periods at prices higher than their net asset value and during other periods at prices lower than their net asset value. The Fund cannot assure you that its common shares will trade at a price higher than or equal to net asset value. The Fund’s net asset value will be reduced immediately following this offering by the sales load and the amount of the offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.”
		In addition to net asset value, the market price of the Fund’s common shares may be affected by such factors as the Fund’s dividend and distribution levels (which are affected by expenses) and stability, market liquidity, market supply and demand, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations,” “Description of the Securities” and “Repurchase of Common Shares.”
Risk Factors and Special Considerations		Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in securities of the Fund, you should consider the risks carefully.
		Our Notes. An investment in our notes is subject to special risks. There may not be an established market for our notes. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any) on such notes and other factors. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks to Holders of Notes.”
		Our Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. Prior to the offering of any additional series of fixed rate preferred shares, there will be no public market for such shares. During an initial period, not

		expected to exceed 30 days after the date of initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation preference for a variety of reasons, including changes in interest rates. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares.”
		Our Variable Rate Preferred Shares. In the event any auction-rate preferred shares are issued, you may not be able to sell your auction-rate preferred shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more auction-rate preferred shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. In the event any auction-rate preferred shares are issued, if you try to sell your auction-rate preferred shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. Since 2008, most auction-rate preferred share auctions have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks to Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Shares.”
		Our Subscription Rights. There is a risk that changes in interest rates or changes in the credit quality of the Fund may result in the underlying preferred shares purchaseable upon exercise of the subscription rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the subscription rights. Investors who receive subscription rights may find that there is no market to sell rights they do not wish to exercise. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of preferred shares issued may be reduced, and the preferred shares may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities.
		Credit Quality Ratings. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred shares or borrowings, the Fund’s portfolio must satisfy over-collateralization tests established by the relevant rating agencies. These tests are more difficult to satisfy to the extent the Fund’s portfolio securities are of lower credit quality, longer maturity or not diversified by issuer and industry. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. A rating (if any) by a rating agency does not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our preferred shares, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all of the securities’ credit risks. A rating (if any) does not address liquidity or any other market risks of the securities being rated. A rating agency could downgrade the rating of our notes, which may make such securities less liquid in the secondary market. If a rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to notes, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the preferred securities under certain circumstances. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Credit Quality Ratings.”
		Common Share Repurchases. Repurchases of common shares by the Fund may reduce the net asset coverage of the notes and preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market prices. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Common Share Repurchases.”
		Preferred Shares Subordinated to Debt Securities. As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations, the Fund may issue debt securities. In the event the Fund were to issue such securities, the Fund’s obligations to make distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to the Fund’s obligations to make any principal and interest payments due and owing with respect to its outstanding debt securities. Accordingly, the Fund’s issuance of debt securities would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund’s preferred shareholders that would not be present in a capital structure that did not include such securities. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Special Risks of Debt Securities to Preferred Shares.”
		Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions. Restrictions imposed on the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund’s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies,

		might impair the Fund’s ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred shares or prepay its notes only to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements. See “Taxation” in the SAI.
		Common Share Distribution Policy Risk. The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying quarterly distributions on its common shares. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share, all of which constituted a return of capital. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share. Based on the distribution allocations of the Fund as of December 31, 2010, the total distributions paid in 2010 to common shareholders represent approximately 2% from net capital gains and 98% from paid-in capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.
		Leverage Risk. The Fund intends to use financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred shares or debt securities. A leveraged capital structure will create special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having a similar investment objective and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for the preferred shares. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred shares or principal or interest payments on debt securities, or to redeem preferred shares or repay debt, when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The use of leverage magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. To the extent that the Fund determines to employ leverage in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risk of loss. The Fund cannot assure you that borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common shares. Also, if the Fund is utilizing leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make common share distributions and such a failure to make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. See “Taxation.”
		Preferred Share and Note Risk. The issuance of preferred securities causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the interest rate on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the interest rate on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares.
		Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the notes or preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund’s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund

		might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred shares.
		In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including any additional advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such shares. Holders of notes and preferred shares may have different interests than holders of common shares and at times may have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. In the event the Fund fails to maintain the specified level of asset coverage of any notes outstanding, the holders of the notes will have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees. In addition, holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become in arrears for two full years would have the right (subject to the rights of note holders) to elect a majority of the Trustees until the arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the Fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Preferred Share and Note Risk.”
		Special Risks Related to Preferred Shares. Special risks associated with the Fund investing in preferred shares include deferral of distributions or dividend payments, in some cases the right of an issuer never to pay missed dividends, subordination to debt and other liabilities, illiquidity, limited voting rights and redemption by the issuer. Because the Fund has no limit on its investment in non-cumulative preferred shares, the amount of dividends the Fund pays may be adversely affected if an issuer of non-cumulative preferred shares held by the Fund determines not to pay dividends on such shares. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on preferred shares in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Special Risks Related to Preferred Shares.”
		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 be renegotiated, terminated or involve a longer time frame than originally contemplated, in which case losses may be realized. The investment policies of the Fund are expected to lead to frequent changes in investments, which increase transaction costs to the Fund, and may also result in accelerated recognition of short-term capital gain, which will be taxable to shareholders when distributed by the Fund. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risk of Investing in the Fund — Merger Arbitrage Risk.”
		Non-Diversified Status. As a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund, and accordingly, an investment in the Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Non-Diversified Status.”
		Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund has no limit on the amount of its net assets it may invest in foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities not typically associated with investing in domestic companies and could cause the Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and revaluation of currencies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Foreign Securities Risk.”
		Lower Grade Securities. The Fund has no limit on the amount of its net assets it may invest in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. However, the Fund does not expect these investments to exceed 10% of its total assets. The prices of these lower grade securities are

		more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Securities of below investment grade quality are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due and therefore involve a greater risk of default and are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Lower Grade Securities.”
		Derivative Transactions. The Fund may participate in certain derivative transactions. Such transactions entail certain execution, market, liquidity, hedging and tax risks. Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency or interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such strategies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Special Risks of Derivative Transactions.”
		Interest Rate Transactions. The Fund may enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with respect to all or a portion of any future series of variable rate preferred shares. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund —Swaps.”
		Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Management Risk.”
		Dependence on Key Personnel. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Risks of Investing in the Fund — Dependence on Key Personnel.”
		Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Fund’s Governing Documents (as defined herein) include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”
		The Fund has elected and has qualified for, and intends to remain qualified for, U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred shares to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other U.S. federal income tax considerations.
Management and Fees		Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its fee is calculated on the basis of the Fund’s managed assets, which includes all of the assets of the Fund without deduction for borrowings, repurchase transactions and other leveraging techniques, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares or other liabilities except for certain ordinary course expenses. The fee may be higher when leverage is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. The base rate will be an annual rate

		of 0.50% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets payable monthly in arrears. In addition, the Investment Adviser will be entitled to receive an annual performance fee as of the end of each calendar year if the total return of the Fund on its common shares during the calendar year in question exceeds the total return of an index of three-month U.S. Treasury bills (the “T-Bill Index”) during the same period. If the Fund’s total return for the calendar year equals the total return of the T-Bill Index for the same period plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), the Investment Adviser will receive a performance fee of 0.75% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets during the period. This performance fee will be increased by 0.01 percentage point (one basis point) for each 0.04 percentage point (four basis points) by which the Fund’s total return during the period exceeds the T-Bill Index total return plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), up to a maximum performance fee of 1.50% if the excess performance over the T-Bill Index is 6.0 percentage points (600 basis points) or greater and will be decreased at the same rate for the amount by which the Fund’s total return during the period is less than the T-Bill Index total return plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), until no performance fee is payable if the Fund’s total return is less than or equal to the T-Bill Index total return. See “Management of the Fund.”
		Under the performance fee arrangement, the annual rate of the total fees paid to the Investment Adviser can range from 0.50% to 2.00% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets.

Total Investment Advisory Fee Rate
(as a percentage of average weekly managed assets)

T-Bill Index		The Fund’s Total Return
Total Return		0% or less				1%				2%				3%				4%				5%				6%				7%				8%				9%				10%				11%				12%				13%				14%
2%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
3%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
4%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
5%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
6%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00
7%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00
8%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00

Repurchase of Common Shares and Anti-takeover Provisions		The Fund’s Board has authorized the Fund to repurchase its common shares in the open market when the common shares are trading at a discount of 7.5% or more from net asset value (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time). Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its common shares. The Board has not established a limit on the number of shares that could be purchased during such period. Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other requirements under the 1940 Act. See “Repurchase of Common Shares.”
		Certain provisions of the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”) may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only one of three classes of trustees is elected each year, and the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund is necessary to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a principal shareholder. These provisions may have the effect of depriving Fund common shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium to the prevailing market price. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”
Custodian		The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges.

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent		American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, located at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan, and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common shares of the Fund.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the periods presented. The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into the SAI.

     Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:

		Six Months												Period Ended
		Ended June 30, 2010				Year Ended December 31,								December 31,
		(Unaudited)				2009				2008				2007(g)
Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period		$	15.84			$	16.20			$	18.50			$	19.06	(h)
Net investment income/(loss)			(0.19	)			(0.54	)			0.18				0.37
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, swap contracts, securities sold short, and foreign currency transactions			(0.13	)			1.46				(0.89	)			0.27
Total from investment operations			(0.32	)			0.92				(0.71	)			0.64
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
Net investment income			—				—				(0.18	)			(0.30	)
Net realized gain			(0.01)	*			—				(0.43	)			(0.90	)
Return of capital			(0.63)	*			(1.28	)			(0.99	)			—
Total distributions to common shareholders			(0.64	)			(1.28	)			(1.60	)			(1.20	)
Common Share Transactions:
Increase in net asset value from common share transactions			—				—				0.01				0.00	(f)
Decrease in net asset value from repurchase of common shares			—				(0.00	)(f)			—				—
Total fund share transactions			—				0.00	(f)			0.01				0.00	(f)
Net Asset Value, End of Period		$	14.88			$	15.84			$	16.20			$	18.50
Net asset value total return†			(2.09	)%			5.90	%			(4.06	)%			3.35	%**
Market value, end of period		$	13.17			$	14.41			$	13.14			$	15.96
Total investment return††			(4.33	)%			20.03	%			(8.39	)%			(14.55)	%***
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end of period (in 000’s)		$	411,089			$	431,498				—				—
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of period (in 000’s)		$	315,077			$	335,486			$	343,657			$	394,017
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets attributable to common shares including interest and offering costs			(2.44)	%(e)			(3.35	)%			1.02	%			2.12	%(e)
Ratio of operating expenses including interest and offering costs to average net assets attributable to common shares(a)(b)			3.32	%(e)			4.67	%			0.67	%			0.64	%(e)
Ratio of operating expenses excluding interest and offering costs to average net assets attributable to common shares			0.82	%(e)			2.53	%			0.65	%			0.62	%(e)
Portfolio turnover rate			144	%			371	%			334	%			177	%†††
Preferred Stock:
8.500% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares(c)
Liquidation value, end of period (in 000’s)		$	96,012			$	96,012				—				—

		Six Months												Period Ended
		Ended June 30, 2010				Year Ended December 31,								December 31,
		(Unaudited)				2009				2008				2007(g)
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			1,920				1,920				—				—
Liquidation preference per share		$	50.00			$	50.00				—				—
Average market value(d)		$	53.59			$	53.40				—				—
Asset coverage per share		$	214.08			$	224.71				—				—
Asset coverage			428	%			449	%			—				—

USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that it will use the proceeds to invest in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, and/or to redeem existing preferred shareholders. It is anticipated that the investment of proceeds and/or the redemption of preferred shares is expected to substantially be completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

THE FUND

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on October 17, 2006, pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. The Fund commenced its investment operations on January 31, 2007. The Fund’s principal office is located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York, 10580-1422 and its telephone number is (800) 422-3554.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

Investment Objective

     The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. Absolute returns are defined as positive total returns, regardless of the direction of securities markets. The Fund will seek to achieve its objective by investing primarily in merger arbitrage transactions and, to a lesser extent, in corporate reorganizations involving stubs, spin-offs and liquidations. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in securities or hedging arrangements relating to companies involved in corporate transactions or reorganizations, giving rise to the possibility of realizing gains upon or within relatively short periods of time after the completion of such transactions or reorganizations. The Investment Adviser believes that in the near term there may not be sufficient foreign deal activity to maintain, under normal circumstances, at least 40% of the Fund’s assets in at least three countries outside the United States. The Fund is accordingly changing its name to The GDL Fund to more accurately reflect this non-fundamental investment policy.

     The Investment Adviser considers the Fund’s merger arbitrage investment results to be less volatile than overall stock price movements. While some periods will be more conducive to a merger arbitrage strategy than others, a systematic, disciplined arbitrage program may produce attractive rates of return over time even in flat or down markets. Except as otherwise stated, the Fund’s investment objective and policies are not fundamental and may be changed without obtaining approval from the Fund’s shareholders.

Investment Methodology of the Fund

     In selecting transactions in which the Fund will invest, the Investment Adviser normally will consider the following factors, among others:

	•		the probability that the targeted acquisition or other transaction will close;
	•		the length of time to closing;
	•		the credibility, strategic motivation and financial resources of the participants;
	•		the liquidity of the securities involved in the transaction;
	•		the issuer’s free cash flow and long-term earnings trends;
	•		the likelihood of an overbid; and
	•		the presence of a catalyst: something indigenous to the issuer, its industry, or country to surface additional value.

     The Investment Adviser believes that blending traditional merger arbitrage for announced deals with strategies that focus on stubs, spin-offs and liquidations will produce absolute returns in excess of short-term interest

rates with less volatility than the returns typically associated with equity investing. A systematic and disciplined arbitrage program may produce attractive rates of return even in flat or down markets.

Certain Investment Practices

     Merger Arbitrage. The Fund will invest primarily in the equity securities of companies which are involved in publicly announced mergers, takeovers and other corporate reorganizations. Merger arbitrage is a highly specialized investment approach generally designed to profit from the successful completion of proposed mergers, takeovers, tender offers and leveraged buyouts. Although a variety of strategies may be employed depending upon the nature of the reorganizations selected for investment, the most common merger arbitrage activity involves purchasing the shares of an announced acquisition target at a discount to their expected value upon completion of the acquisition. Although investors can utilize merger arbitrage techniques with respect to companies the investor believes may soon become subject to a merger proposal or negotiated transaction, the Fund intends to invest primarily in publicly announced transactions.

     In general, securities which are the subject of such an offer or proposal sell at a premium to their historic market price immediately prior to the announcement of the offer but at a discount to what the stated or appraised value of the securities would be if the contemplated transaction were completed. Investments in these securities may be advantageous when the discount overstates the risk of the contingencies involved; undervalues the securities, assets or cash to be received by shareholders of the prospective portfolio company as a result of the contemplated transaction; or fails adequately to recognize the possibility that the offer or proposal may be replaced or superseded by an offer or proposal of greater value. The evaluation of such contingencies requires unusually broad knowledge and experience on the part of the Investment Adviser, which must appraise not only the value of the issuer and its component businesses as well as the assets or securities to be received as a result of the contemplated transaction, but also the financial resources and business motivation of the offering party and/or the dynamics and business climate when the offer or proposal is in process. Since such investments are ordinarily short-term in nature, they will tend to increase the turnover ratio of the Fund (which may exceed 300%), thereby increasing its brokerage and other transaction expenses. The Investment Adviser intends to select investments of this type which, in its view, have reasonable prospects of capital appreciation which are significant in relation to both the risk involved and the potential of available alternative investments.

     Depending upon the level of merger activity and other economic and market conditions, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in other securities, including money market instruments such as Treasury bills and other short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; shares of one or more money market funds managed by the Investment Adviser or unaffiliated managers; negotiable bank certificates of deposit; prime commercial paper; and repurchase agreements with respect to the above securities.

     The Fund may use hedging arrangements, including investments in options and futures, in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in securities it holds, with the goal of consistently achieving absolute returns. The Fund does not anticipate that its investments in futures contracts will require aggregate initial margins and premiums in excess of 5% of its assets or that the option premiums paid with respect to outstanding options will exceed 10% of its assets at any particular time.

      The Fund may invest without limitation in the securities of foreign and domestic issuers. The Fund’s investment strategy is to invest primarily in merger arbitrage transactions and corporate reorganizations throughout the world. To the extent that the majority of mergers, takeovers, tender offers and leveraged buyouts and corporate reorganizations are concentrated in any given geographic region, such as Europe, North America or Asia, a relatively high proportion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in that particular region.

     Foreign Securities. The Fund may make unlimited investments in the securities of non-United States issuers, which are generally denominated in foreign currencies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Foreign Securities Risk.” The Fund may purchase sponsored American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) or United

States dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by U.S. banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the U.S. securities markets.

     Options. The Fund may purchase or sell, i.e., write, options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio. A call option is a contract that, in return for a premium, gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer of the call option the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the holder the right, in return for a premium, to sell the underlying security to the writer at a specified price and obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security from the holder at that price.

     If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, with respect to exchange-traded options, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction on an exchange. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

     The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, prevailing interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security, and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on investment in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.

     An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will persist for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options.

     The sale of covered call options may also be used by the Fund to reduce the risks associated with individual investments and to increase total investment return.

     In the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts, under current interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid securities equal to the market value of the contract must be deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian to collateralize the positions, in order for the Fund to avoid being treated as having issued senior security in the amount of its obligations. For short positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the Fund may establish a segregated account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker) with cash, U.S. Government Securities or other high grade debt securities that, when added to amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the instruments or currency underlying the futures contracts or call options, respectively (but are no less than the stock price of the call option or the market price at which the short positions were established).

     Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade for certain hedging and risk

management purposes. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the future. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, U.S. government securities and foreign currencies. The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in derivative instruments described in this prospectus and the SAI are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

     Swaps. The Fund may enter into total rate of return, credit default or other types of swaps and related derivatives for the purpose of hedging and risk management. These transactions generally provide for the transfer from one counterparty to another of certain risks inherent in the ownership of a financial asset such as a common stock or debt instrument. Such risks include, among other things, the risk of default and insolvency of the obligor of such asset, the risk that the credit of the obligor or the underlying collateral will decline or the risk that the common stock of the underlying issuer will decline in value. The transfer of risk pursuant to a derivative of this type may be complete or partial, and may be for the life of the related asset or for a shorter period. These derivatives may be used as a risk management tool for a pool of financial assets, providing the Fund with the opportunity to gain or reduce exposure to one or more reference securities or other financial assets (each, a “Reference Asset”) without actually owning or selling such assets in order, for example, to increase or reduce a concentration risk or to diversify a portfolio. Conversely, these derivatives may be used by the Fund to reduce exposure to an owned asset without selling it.

     Because the Fund would not own the Reference Assets, the Fund may not have any voting rights with respect to the Reference Assets, and in such cases all decisions related to the obligors or issuers of the Reference Assets, including whether to exercise certain remedies, will be controlled by the swap counterparties.

     Total rate of return swaps and similar derivatives are subject to many risks, including the possibility that the market will move in a manner or direction that would have resulted in gain for the Fund had the swap or other derivative not been utilized (in which case it would have been better had the Fund not engaged in the interest rate hedging transactions), the risk of imperfect correlation between the risk sought to be hedged and the derivative transactions utilized, the possible inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the swap and potential illiquidity of the hedging instrument utilized, which may make it difficult for the Fund to close out or unwind one or more hedging transactions.

     Total rate of return swaps and related derivatives are a relatively recent development in the financial markets. Consequently, there are certain legal, tax and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such arrangements. There is currently little or no case law or litigation characterizing total rate of return swaps or related derivatives, interpreting their provisions, or characterizing their tax treatment. In addition, additional regulations and laws may apply to these types of derivatives that have not previously been applied. There can be no assurance that future decisions construing similar provisions to those in any swap agreement or other related documents or additional regulations and laws will not have an adverse effect on the Fund that utilizes these instruments.

     Short Sales. The Fund may make short sales of securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. The market value of the securities sold short of any one issuer will not exceed either 25% of the Fund’s total assets or 5% of such issuer’s voting securities. The Fund also will not make a short sale, if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 50% of the value of its assets. The Fund may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns, or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost, the identical security.

     The Fund expects to make short sales both to obtain capital gains from anticipated declines in securities and as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in the same or similar securities. The short sale of a security is considered a speculative investment technique. Short sales “against the box” may be subject to special tax rules, one of the effects of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund.

     When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in order to satisfy its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the

sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to deliver any payments received on such borrowed securities, such as dividends.

     If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash, United States government securities or other highly liquid debt securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its custodian. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

     Derivatives. Investments in options, futures and swaps are often referred to as derivatives transactions. The Fund expects that it will invest in these types of instruments primarily for hedging and risk management purposes and that its investments in derivatives and short sales for purposes unrelated to corporate transactions or reorganizations will not exceed 5% of its total assets.

     There is no specific limit on the proportion of its assets that the Fund may use to invest in derivatives and conduct short sales in connection with its investments in corporate transactions and reorganizations, although the Fund expects that it will not be required to utilize more than 10% of the assets it has invested in a particular transaction to hedge its gains in such transaction.

     Lower Grade Securities. The Fund may make unlimited investments in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality, including securities of issuers in default, which are likely to have the lowest rating. However, the Fund does not expect these investments to exceed 10% of its total assets. These securities, which may be preferred shares or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are rated lower than “BBB” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”), or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or unrated securities considered by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality, are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.”

     Generally, such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher quality bonds. In addition, such securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the issuer’s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.

     In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated categories is more volatile than that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.

     Lower grade securities also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of nonconvertible bonds and preferred shares moves inversely with movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated

securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay regular income streams. Current interest rates are relatively low and, therefore, it is possible that they will rise in the future.

     As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Fund’s investment. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate.

     In addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser also performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions, credit standing, and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates and the outlook for specific industries.

     Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies may change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.

     The market for lower grade and comparable unrated securities has experienced periods of significantly adverse price and liquidity several times, particularly at or around times of economic recessions. Past market recessions have adversely affected the value of such securities as well as the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The market for those securities may react in a similar fashion in the future.

     Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. There is no limit on the Fund’s ability to invest in foreign currency exchange contracts, as the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in transactions involving securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund may hedge up to 100% of its currency exposure.

     The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot, i.e., cash, basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. The Fund expects to invest in forward currency contracts for hedging or currency risk management purposes and not in order to speculate on currency exchange rate movements. The Fund will only enter into forward currency contracts with parties which the Investment Adviser believes to be creditworthy. To ensure that its forward currency contracts are not used to achieve investment leverage, the Fund will segregate liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. Government Securities or other liquid securities with its custodian, or a designated sub-custodian, in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding its commitment with respect to the contracts.

     Repurchase Agreement Transactions. Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the Fund collateralized by underlying debt securities. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire an underlying debt obligation for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed price and time. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return to the Fund that is not subject to market fluctuations during the holding period. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed in or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these rights. The Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and

monitors on an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to ensure that the value is maintained at the required level. The Fund will not enter into repurchase agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates.

     Leverage. As provided in the 1940 Act and subject to certain exceptions, the Fund may issue debt or preferred shares with the condition that immediately after issuance the value of its total assets, less certain ordinary course liabilities, exceed 300% of the amount of the debt outstanding and exceed 200% of the sum of the amount of debt and preferred shares outstanding. Any such debt or preferred shares may be convertible in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, which may permit each fund to obtain leverage at attractive rates.

     The concept of leveraging is based on the premise that so long as the cost of the leverage on the assets to be obtained by the leverage is lower than the return earned by the Fund on these leveraged assets, the common shareholders will benefit from the incremental return. Should the differential between the return produced by the underlying assets and the cost of leverage narrow, the incremental return will be reduced.

     Furthermore, if the cost of the leverage on the leveraged assets exceeds the return earned by the Fund on these leveraged assets, the net asset value of the Fund will be diminished. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations — Leverage Risk.”

     An issuance of preferred shares may subject the Fund to certain restrictions on investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies that may issue ratings for any preferred securities issued by the Fund.

     Portfolio Turnover. The Fund will buy and sell securities to accomplish its investment objective. The investment policies of the Fund may lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest or currency exchange rates.

     Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities purchased or securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one year or less). Higher portfolio turnover may decrease the after-tax return to individual investors in the Fund to the extent it results in a decrease of the long term capital gains portion of distributions to shareholders.

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 365%. The Fund anticipates that its portfolio turnover rate will be substantial and may exceed 300%.

     The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding common shares and preferred shares, if any, voting together as a single class. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund. Should the Fund issue debt, preferred shares or other leverage instruments in the future, it may become subject to rating agency guidelines (if any) that are more limiting than its fundamental investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain a desired rating on such leverage.

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

     Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund.

Special Risks to Holders of Notes

     There may not be an established market for our notes. To the extent that our notes trade, they may trade at a price either higher or lower than their principal amount depending on interest rates, the rating (if any) on such notes and other factors.

Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares

     Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing. Prior to the offering of any additional series of fixed rate preferred shares, there will be no public market for such shares. In the event any fixed rate preferred shares are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on the NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, though, they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period.

     Market Price Fluctuation. Fixed rate preferred shares may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation preference for a variety of reasons, including changes in interest rates.

     Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Shares

     Auction Risk. In the event any auction-rate preferred shares are issued, you may not be able to sell your auction-rate preferred shares at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more auction-rate preferred shares are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if the auction is successful, and if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain auction-rate preferred shares only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your auction-rate preferred shares. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Moreover, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the auction-rate preferred shares, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment. Since 2008, most auction-rate preferred share auctions have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity.

     Secondary Market Risk. In the event any auction-rate preferred shares are issued, if you try to sell your auction-rate preferred shares between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the auction-rate preferred shares are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem auction-rate preferred shares if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The auction-rate preferred shares will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your auction-rate preferred shares to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period. Since 2008, most auction-rate preferred share auctions have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity.

Special Risks for Holders of Subscription Rights

     There is a risk that changes in interest rates or changes in the credit quality of the Fund may result in the underlying preferred shares purchaseable upon exercise of the subscription rights being less attractive to investors at the conclusion of the subscription period. This may reduce or eliminate the value of the subscription rights. Investors who receive subscription rights may find that there is no market to sell rights they do not wish to exercise. If investors exercise only a portion of the rights, the number of preferred shares issued may be reduced, and the preferred shares may trade at less favorable prices than larger offerings for similar securities.

Credit Quality Ratings

     In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings (if any) for preferred shares or borrowings, the Fund’s portfolio must satisfy over-collateralization tests established by the relevant rating agencies. These tests are more difficult to satisfy to the extent the Fund’s portfolio securities are of lower credit quality, longer maturity or not diversified by issuer and industry. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. A rating (if any) by a rating agency does not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in our preferred shares, and a rating may not fully or accurately reflect all of the securities’ credit risks. A rating (if any) does not address liquidity or any other market risks of the securities being rated. A rating agency could downgrade the rating of our notes, which may make such securities less liquid in the secondary market. If a rating agency downgrades the rating assigned to notes, we may alter our portfolio or redeem the preferred shares under certain circumstances.

Common Stock Repurchases

     Repurchases of common stock by the Fund may reduce the net asset coverage of the notes and preferred shares, which could adversely affect their liquidity or market prices.

Special Risks to Preferred Shares from Debt Securities Issuance

     As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations, the Fund may issue debt securities. In the event the Fund were to issue such securities, the Fund’s obligations to pay dividends or make distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to the Fund’s obligations to make any principal and interest payments due and owing with respect to its outstanding senior debt securities. Accordingly, the Fund’s issuance of debt securities would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund’s preferred shareholders that would not be present in a capital structure that did not include such securities.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions

     Restrictions imposed on the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund’s common shares and preferred shares, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Fund’s ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred shares or prepay its notes to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements. See “Taxation” in the SAI.

Common Share Distribution Policy Risk

     The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying quarterly distributions on its common shares. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred shares. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share, all of which constituted a return of capital. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the Fund made distributions of $1.28 per common share. Based on the distribution allocations of the Fund as of December 31, 2010, the total distributions paid in 2010 to common shareholders represent approximately 2% from net capital gains and 98% from paid-in capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.

Leverage Risk

     The use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio greater than the amount of equity invested, either through the issuance of preferred shares, borrowing or other forms of market

exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. To the extent the Fund determines to employ leverage in its investment operations, the Fund will be subject to substantial risks of loss. The Fund cannot assure that borrowings or the issuance of preferred shares will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common shares.

Preferred Share and Note Risk

     The issuance of preferred shares causes the net asset value and market value of the common shares to become more volatile. If the interest rate on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common shares would be reduced. If the interest rate on the notes or the dividend rate on the preferred shares exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common shares than if the Fund had not issued preferred shares.

     Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares. In such a case, the Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the notes or preferred shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund’s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred shares.

     In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common shares will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares and notes, including any additional advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such securities.

     Holders of notes and preferred shares may have different interests than holders of common shares and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. In the event the Fund fails to maintain 100% of asset coverage of any notes outstanding, the holders of the notes will have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees. In addition, holders of preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right (subject to the rights of note holders) to elect a majority of the Trustees until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes.

Risks of Investing in the Fund

Merger Arbitrage Risk

     The Fund’s investment strategy involves investment techniques and securities holdings that entail risks, in some cases different from the risks ordinarily associated with investments in equity securities. The principal risk associated with the Fund’s arbitrage investments is that certain of the proposed reorganizations in which the Fund invests may be renegotiated, terminated or involve a longer time frame than originally contemplated, in which case the Fund may realize losses. Among the factors that affect the level of risk with respect to the completion of the transaction are the deal spread and number of bidders, the friendliness of the buyer and seller, the strategic rationale behind the transaction, the existence of regulatory hurdles, the level of due diligence completed on the target company and the ability of the buyer to finance the transaction. If the spread between the purchase price and the current price of the seller’s stock is small, the risk that the transaction will not be completed may outweigh the potential return. If there is very little interest by other potential buyers in the target company, the risk of loss may be higher than where there are back-up buyers that would allow the arbitrageur to realize a similar return if the current deal falls through. Unfriendly management of the target company or change in friendly management in the middle of a deal increases the risk that the deal will not be completed even if the target company’s board has approved the transaction and may involve the risk of litigation expense if the target company pursues litigation in an attempt to prevent the deal from occurring. The underlying strategy behind the deal is also a risk consideration because the less a target company will benefit from a merger or acquisition, the greater the risk. There is also a risk that an acquiring

company may back out of an announced deal if, in the process of completing its due diligence of the target company, it discovers something undesirable about such company. In addition, merger transactions are also subject to regulatory risk because a merger transaction often must be approved by a regulatory body or pass governmental antitrust review. All of these factors affect the timing and likelihood that the transaction will close. Even if the Investment Adviser selects announced deals with the goal of mitigating the risks that the transaction will fail to close, such risks may still delay the closing of such transaction to a date later than the Fund originally anticipated, reducing the level of desired return to the Fund.

     In recapitalizations, a corporation may restructure its balance sheet by selling specific assets, significantly leveraging other assets and creating new classes of equity securities to be distributed, together with a substantial payment in cash or in debt securities, to existing shareholders. In connection with such transactions, there is a risk that the value of the cash and new securities distributed will not be as high as the cost of the Fund’s original investment or that no such distribution will ultimately be made and the value of the Fund’s investment will decline. To the extent an investment in a company that has undertaken a recapitalization is retained by the Fund, the Fund’s risks will generally be comparable to those associated with investments in highly leveraged companies, generally including higher than average sensitivity to (i) short-term interest rate fluctuations, (ii) downturns in the general economy or within a particular industry or (iii) adverse developments within the company itself.

     Merger arbitrage positions are also subject to the risk of overall market movements. To the extent that a general increase or decline in equity values affects the stocks involved in a merger arbitrage position differently, the position may be exposed to loss.

     Finally, merger arbitrage strategies depend for success on the overall volume of global merger activity, which has historically been cyclical in nature. During periods when merger activity is low, it may be difficult or impossible to identify opportunities for profit or to identify a sufficient number of such opportunities to provide balance among potential merger transactions. To the extent that the number of announced deals and corporate reorganizations decreases or the number of investors in such transactions increases, it is possible that merger arbitrage spreads will tighten, causing the profitability of investing in such transactions to diminish, which will in turn decrease the returns to the Fund from such investment activity.

Special Risks Related to Preferred Shares

     There are special risks associated with the Fund investing in preferred shares, including:

     Deferral. Preferred shares may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred security on which distributions are being deferred by the issuer, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such deferred distributions.

     Non-Cumulative Dividends. Some preferred shares are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred shares, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of non-cumulative preferred shares held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends on such shares, the Fund’s return from those securities may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred shares in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.

     Subordination. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security instruments.

     Liquidity. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. Government securities.

     Limited Voting Rights. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at

which time the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number of Trustees to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.

     Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred shares may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred shares, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws. As with call provisions, a redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.

     Non-Diversified Status. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. However, the Fund has in the past conducted and intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify as a “regulated investment company,” or RIC, for purposes of the Code, which will relieve it of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. To qualify as a “regulated investment company,” among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that, with certain exceptions, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year (a) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs) of (i) a single issuer, (ii) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) one or more qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined under “Taxation of the Fund”) and (b) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets will be represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

     As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment company. As a result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and therefore, subject to greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company.

     Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of a single industry. Should the Fund choose to do so, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies, which, depending on the particular industry, may include, among others: governmental regulation; inflation; cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses; technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete; and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital investment, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations. In such circumstances the Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of industries.

     Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund may invest without limit in the securities of foreign issuers. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Dividend income the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for the special tax treatment applicable to qualified dividend income.

     There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a U.S. company. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise comparable U.S. companies. A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may result in

the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes foreign securities can expect to have a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs on non-U.S. securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities.

     The Fund also may purchase ADRs or U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by U.S. banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the U.S. securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted, many of the risks associated with foreign securities may also apply to ADRs. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

     Lower Grade Securities. The Fund may invest without limit in nonconvertible preferred shares, convertible bonds or other debt securities rated in the lower rating categories of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (i.e., rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by S&P or Fitch) or unrated securities of comparable quality. These high yield securities, also sometimes referred to as “junk bonds,” generally pay a premium above the yields of U.S. government securities or debt securities of investment grade issuers because they are subject to greater risks than these securities. These risks, which reflect their speculative character, include the following:

	•		greater volatility;
	•		greater credit risk and risk of default;
	•		potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions;
	•		potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and
	•		additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.

     In addition, the prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Lower grade securities tend to be less liquid than investment grade securities. The market value of lower grade securities may be more volatile than the market value of investment grade securities and generally tends to reflect the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater extent than investment grade securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.

     Ratings are relative and subjective and not absolute standards of quality. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition.

     As a part of its investments in lower grade fixed-income securities, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in default. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations and emerge from bankruptcy protection and that the value of such issuers’ securities will appreciate. By investing in the securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of these securities will not otherwise appreciate.

     For a further description of lower grade securities and the risks associated therewith, see “Investment Objective and Policies — Certain Investment Practices — Lower Grade Securities.” For a description of the ratings categories of certain recognized statistical ratings agencies, see Appendix A to this prospectus.

     Special Risks of Derivative Transactions. Short sales and investments in options, futures and swaps are often referred to as derivatives transactions. The Fund expects that it will utilize these types of instruments primarily for hedging and risk management purposes and that its investments in derivatives and short sales for purposes unrelated to corporate transactions or reorganizations will not exceed 5% of its total assets. There is no specific limit

on the proportion of its assets that the Fund may use to invest in derivatives and conduct short sales in connection with its investments in corporate transactions and reorganizations, although the Fund expects that it will not be required to utilize more than 10% of the assets it has invested in a particular transaction to hedge its gains in such transaction.

     Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such strategies. Risks inherent in the use of options, foreign currency, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, securities indices and foreign currencies include:

	•		dependence on the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets;
	•		imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged;
	•		the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities;
	•		the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time;
	•		the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences;
	•		the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain “cover” or to segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques; and
	•		the creditworthiness of counterparties.

     Futures Transactions. The Fund may invest without limit in futures contracts. Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following:

	•		no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices;
	•		possible reduction of the return of the Fund due to the use of hedging;
	•		possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument;
	•		possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price fluctuations;
	•		imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged; and
	•		losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements for such transactions.

     Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. There is no limit on the Fund’s ability to invest in foreign currency exchange contracts. The use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover.

     Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in

obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

     Swaps. The Fund may enter into one or more swap transactions to attempt to protect itself from increasing distribution or interest expenses resulting from rising short-term interest rates or any outstanding leverage. A decline in interest rates may result in a decline in the value of the swaps which may result in a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the net asset value of the Fund. Swaps and certain other derivatives are a relatively recent development in the financial markets. Consequently, there are certain legal, tax and market uncertainties that present risks in entering into such swaps and other derivatives. There is currently little or no case law or litigation characterizing swaps or certain other derivatives, interpreting their provisions, or characterizing their tax treatment. In addition, additional regulations and laws may apply to swaps or other derivatives that have not heretofore been applied. Pending clarification of these uncertainties, the Fund intends to utilize these instruments primarily for hedging and risk management purposes.

     For a further description of such derivative investments, see “Investment Objective and Policies — Additional Investment Policies” in the SAI.

     Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.

     Dependence on Key Personnel. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser.

     Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Fund’s Governing Documents include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

     Status as a Regulated Investment Company. The Fund has elected and has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common shares if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred shares to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other U.S. federal income tax considerations.

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK

Investment Restrictions

     The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations, some of which are fundamental policies of the Fund, designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the Statement of Preferences of each of the series of preferred shares, a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund (voting separately as a single class) is also required to change a fundamental policy. The Fund may become subject to guidelines that are more limiting than its current investment restrictions if it decides to obtain and maintain ratings from Moody’s and S&P on its preferred shares.

Interest Rate Transactions

     The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on a series of the variable rate preferred shares. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred share dividends or distributions when due in accordance with the Statement of Preferences of the relevant series of the variable rate preferred shares even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the variable rate preferred shares. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap 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. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the variable rate preferred shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the asset coverage for the variable rate preferred shares. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the Statement of Preferences for each series of the preferred shares, if the Fund fails to maintain the required asset coverage on the outstanding preferred shares or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund may, at its option (and in certain circumstances will be required to), mandatorily redeem some or all of these shares. The Fund generally may redeem the auction-rate preferred shares, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transaction. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

     The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the value of the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. The Fund does not presently intend to enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions relating to any auction-rate preferred shares in a notional amount in excess of the outstanding amount of the auction-rate preferred shares. The Fund will monitor any such swap with a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

General

     The Fund’s Board (who, with the Fund’s officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the Investment Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, and the Sub-Administrator (as defined below). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Fund, the Investment Adviser, under the supervision of the Fund’s Board, provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio; provides investment research and makes and executes recommendations for the purchase and sale of securities; and provides all facilities and personnel, including officers required for its administrative management and pays the compensation of all officers and trustees of the Fund who are its affiliates.

The Investment Adviser

     Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund. The Investment Adviser is a New York limited liability company with principal offices located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of December 31, 2010, the Investment Adviser acts as registered investment adviser to 25 management investment companies with aggregate net assets of $18.3 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with the other affiliated investment advisers noted below had assets under management totaling approximately $33.3 billion as of December 31, 2010. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser to management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.7 billion under management as of December 31, 2010. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of approximately $515 million as of December 31, 2010. Teton Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to the GAMCO Westwood Funds and separately managed accounts having aggregate assets of approximately $819 million under management as of December 31, 2010.

     The Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York corporation, whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GBL.” Mr. Mario J. Gabelli is a “controlling person” of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his indirect ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Fees of the Investment Adviser

     Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser at an annual base rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets payable monthly in arrears. Managed assets consist of all of the assets of the Fund without deduction for borrowings, repurchase transactions and other leveraging techniques, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred shares or other liabilities except for certain ordinary course expenses. In addition, the Investment Adviser will be entitled to receive an annual performance fee as of the end of each calendar year if the total return of the Fund on its common shares during the calendar year in question exceeds the total return of the T-Bill Index compounded quarterly on the same dates as the Fund’s quarterly ex-dividend dates (or at the end of the quarter if no dividend is paid) during the same period. If the Fund’s total return for the calendar year equals the total return of the T-Bill Index for the same period plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), the Investment Adviser will receive a performance fee of 0.75% of the Fund’s average weekly managed assets during the period. This performance fee will be increased by 0.01 percentage point (one basis point) for each 0.04 percentage points (four basis points) by which the Fund’s total return during the period exceeds the T-Bill Index total return plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), up to a maximum performance fee of 1.50% if the excess performance over the T-Bill Index is 6.0 percentage points (600 basis points) or greater and will be decreased at the same rate for the amount by which the Fund’s total return during the period is less than the T-Bill Index total return plus 3.0 percentage points (300 basis points), until no performance fee is payable if the Fund’s total return is less than or equal to the T-Bill Index total return.

     For purposes of calculating the Fund’s performance fee, the Fund’s total return will be calculated as the sum of the Fund’s change in net asset value per common share from January 1 (or the date of the Fund’s commencement

of investment operations, in the case of the Fund’s first year of investment operations), through December 31 of each year plus the amount of distributions per common share in respect of such period (calculating the number of shares outstanding on a daily average weighted basis assuming reinvestment of such distributions at net asset value per share on the ex-dividend date and assuming solely for purposes of the Fund’s performance fee that all issuances and repurchases of shares are at net asset value). Increases and decreases in the investment management fee will be accrued as often as net asset value per common share is calculated and accordingly will affect the total return on which the rate of the fee is determined.

     For purposes of calculating the Fund’s performance fee, the T-Bill Index’s total return will be calculated as the sum of the change in the discount price of the three month Treasury bill from the first business day after January 1 of each year (or the date of the Fund’s commencement of investment operations, in the case of the Fund’s first year of investment operations) to the last business day of each year plus the weekly yield to maturity interest payments thereon implied by the discount price thereof and compounded quarterly on the same dates as the Fund’s quarterly ex-dividend dates (or at the end of the quarter if no dividend is paid).

     The following chart illustrates the variability of the Fund’s investment management fees in various circumstances.

The GDL Fund
Total Investment Advisory Fee Rate
(as a percentage of average weekly managed assets)

T-Bill Index		The Fund’s Total Return
Total Return		0% or less				1%				2%				3%				4%				5%				6%				7%				8%				9%				10%				11%				12%				13%				14%
2%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
3%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
4%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
5%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00				2.00
6%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00				2.00
7%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00				2.00
8%			0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.50				0.75				1.00				1.25				1.50				1.75				2.00

     A discussion regarding the basis for the Fund’s Board approval of the investment advisory agreement with the Investment Adviser is available in the Fund’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Payment of Expenses

     The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund (but excluding costs associated with the calculation of the net asset value and allocated costs of the chief compliance officer function and officers of the Fund that are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Investment Adviser although such officers may receive incentive-based variable compensation from affiliates of the Investment Adviser), as well as the fees of all Trustees of the Fund who are officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

     In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the payment of all its other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other things, expenses for legal and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s services, stock exchange listing fees, costs of printing proxies, share certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the Fund’s custodian, charges of the transfer agent and distribution disbursing agent, SEC fees, fees and expenses of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, accounting and printing costs, the Fund’s pro rata portion of membership fees in trade organizations, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation, fidelity bond coverage for the Fund’s officers and employees, Trustees and officers liability policy, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, expenses of qualifying the Fund for sale in various states, expenses of personnel performing shareholder servicing functions, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses and other expenses properly payable by the Fund.

Selection of Securities Brokers

     The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to Gabelli & Company, Inc. or other broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay commissions to brokers other than Gabelli & Company, Inc. that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable for its investment management of the Fund and/or its other advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description of the advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage provisions, and information on the brokerage practices of the Fund. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of its portfolio transactions may be executed through Gabelli & Company so long as the Investment Adviser and the Board conclude that Gabelli & Company is able to provide best execution at a favorable cost.

Portfolio Management

     Mr. Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors since 1976. Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Investment Officer—Value Products for the Investment Adviser and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. Mr. Gabelli serves as Portfolio Manager for several funds in the Gabelli fund family and is a director of most of the funds in the family. Mr. Gabelli is also the Chief Executive Officer and a director of GGCP, Inc., a private company owning the majority of the shares of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

     The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership of securities of the Fund.

Non-Resident Trustees

     Mario d’Urso, trustee of the Fund, resides outside the U.S. and all or a significant portion of his assets are located outside the U.S. Mr. d’Urso does not have an authorized agent in the U.S. to receive service of process. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the U.S. or to enforce against Mr. d’Urso in U.S. courts judgments predicated upon civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws. It may also not be possible to enforce against Mr. d’Urso in foreign courts judgments of U.S. courts or liabilities in original actions predicated upon civil liability provisions of the U.S.

Sub-Administrator

     The Investment Adviser has entered into a sub-administration agreement with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Sub-Administrator”) pursuant to which the Sub-Administrator provides certain administrative services necessary for the Fund’s operations that do not include the investment and portfolio management services provided by the Investment Adviser. For these services and the related expenses borne by the Sub-Administrator, the Investment Adviser pays a prorated monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion of the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and all other funds advised by the Investment Adviser and Teton Advisors, Inc. and administered by the Sub-Administrator, 0.0125% of the aggregate average net assets exceeding $10 billion and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets in excess of $15 billion. The Sub-Administrator has its principal office at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.

Regulatory Matters

     The Fund has received the following information from the Investment Adviser:

     On April 24, 2008, the Investment Adviser entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry regarding prior frequent trading activity in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. In the administrative settlement order, the SEC found that the Investment Adviser had willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had willfully aided and abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940 Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the Investment Adviser, while neither admitting nor denying the

SEC’s findings and allegations, paid $16 million (which included a $5 million civil monetary penalty), approximately $12.8 million of which is in the process of being paid to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and acceptable to the staff of the SEC, and agreed to cease and desist from future violations of the above-referenced federal securities laws and rule. The SEC order also noted the cooperation that the Investment Adviser had given the staff of the SEC during its inquiry. The settlement did not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser. On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. The officer is also an officer of the Fund, the Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denied the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Investment Adviser and the funds. The court dismissed certain claims and found that the SEC was not entitled to pursue various remedies against the officer while leaving one remedy in the event the SEC were able to prove violations of law. The court subsequently dismissed without prejudice the remaining remedy against the officer, which would allow the SEC to appeal the court’s rulings. On October 29, 2010, the SEC filed its appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit regarding the lower court’s orders. The Investment Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute portfolio transactions on stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefore. For a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s brokerage allocation practices, see “Portfolio Transactions” in the SAI.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net capital gain each year, but may determine to retain all or part of any net capital gain for reinvestment. In such event, the Fund will pay federal income tax on such retained gain and the Fund’s shareholders will receive a corresponding tax credit and increase in the basis of their shares. In the event that the Fund’s net investment company taxable income and net capital gains exceed the total of the Fund’s quarterly distributions on common shares and the amount of distributions on any preferred shares issued by the Fund, the Fund intends to pay such excess once a year. If, for any calendar year, the total quarterly distributions on common shares and the amount of distributions on any preferred shares issued by the Fund exceed net investment company taxable income and net capital gain, the excess will generally be treated as a tax free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares. Any distributions which (based upon the Fund’s full year performance) constitute tax free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares, thereby increasing such shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale of the common shares. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of the basis in the common shares will generally be taxable to the shareholder as capital gain. See “Taxation.” Quarterly distribution notices provided by the Fund to its shareholders will describe the portion of the quarterly distribution which, in the Fund’s current good faith judgment, constitutes investment company taxable income, capital gain, or a return of capital. The final determination of the source of such distributions for federal income tax purposes will be made shortly after year end based on the Fund’s actual net investment company taxable income and net capital gain for the year and will be communicated to shareholders promptly.

     In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio as the Fund’s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so.

     The Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser, is covered by an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting the Fund to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common shares calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average net asset value over a specified period of time or market price per common share at or about the time of distribution or payment of a fixed dollar amount. The Fund’s current policy is to make quarterly distributions to holders of its common shares. The exemption also permits the Fund to make such distributions with respect to its preferred shares, if any, in accordance with such shares’ terms.

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN

     Under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), a shareholder whose common shares are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by the transfer agent, which is agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own common shares registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by the transfer agent as dividend disbursing agent.

     Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the common shares is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividend or capital gains distribution, participants in the Plan are issued common shares, valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then-current market price of the common shares. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange trading day, the next preceding trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive shares from the Fund, valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan agent will buy the common shares for such Plan in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that the Plan agent will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at the greater of net asset value or 95% of market value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares exceeds net asset value.

     Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to the Plan agent, monthly, for investment in the shares as applicable. Such payments may be made in any amount from $250 to $10,000. The Plan agent will use all funds received from participants to purchase shares of the Fund in the open market on or about the 15th of each month. The Plan agent will charge each shareholder who participates $1.00, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions. It is suggested that participants send voluntary cash payments to the Plan agent in a manner that ensures that the Plan agent will receive these payments approximately 10 days before the 15th of the month. A participant may without charge withdraw a voluntary cash payment by written notice, if the notice is received by the Plan agent at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

     The Plan agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in the account, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan agent in noncertificated form in the name of the participant. A Plan participant may send its share certificates to the Plan agent so that the shares represented by such certificates will be held by the Plan agent in the participant’s shareholder account under the Plan.

     In the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate in the Plan.

     Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of such Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan agent on at least 90 days written notice to the participants in such Plan. See “Taxation” for details on the tax consequences to shareholders of automatic dividend reinvestment. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the transfer agent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES

     The following is a brief description of the terms of the Fund’s shares, notes and subscription rights. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and its By-Laws. For complete terms of the shares, please refer to the actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust. For complete terms of the notes, please refer to the actual terms of such notes, which will be set forth in an Indenture relating to such notes (the “Indenture.”) For complete terms of the subscription rights, please refer to the actual terms of such subscription rights which will be set forth in subscription rights agreement relating to such subscription rights (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”).

Common Shares

     The Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware pursuant to a Certificate of Trust dated as of October 17, 2006. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 per share. Each common share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable. Though the Fund expects to pay distributions quarterly on the common shares, it is not obligated to do so. All common shares are equal as to distributions, assets and voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial statements, to all holders of its shares.

     Offerings of shares require approval by the Fund’s Board. Any additional offering of common shares will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that common shares may not be issued at a price below the then current net asset value, exclusive of sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common shares or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

     The Fund’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GDL.”

     The Fund’s net asset value per share will be reduced immediately following the offering of common shares by the amount of the offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.” Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE or otherwise.

     Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than net asset value. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. The common shares are designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase.

     The Fund’s common shareholders will vote as a single class to elect the Fund’s Board and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws or resolutions adopted by the Trustees provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shareholders. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Book Entry

     The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the common shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of common shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of distributions, voting and liquidation rights. Purchasers of common shares may obtain registered certificates by contacting the transfer agent.

Preferred Shares

     Currently, an unlimited number of the Fund’s shares have been classified by the Board as preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share. The terms of such preferred shares may be fixed by the Board and would materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Fund’s common shares.

     If the Fund issues preferred shares, it will pay dividends to the holders of the preferred shares at either a fixed rate or a rate that will be reset, as described in a Prospectus Supplement accompanying each preferred share offering.

     Upon a liquidation, each holder of the preferred shares will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the Fund’s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund’s common shares or any other shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to liquidation payments) an amount per share equal to such share’s liquidation preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon) to the date of distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. Each series of the preferred shares will rank on a parity with any other series of preferred shares of the Fund as to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and will be junior to the Fund’s obligations with respect to any outstanding senior securities representing debt. The preferred shares carry one vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will, upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. The Board may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of shares senior to the preferred shares.

     Asset Maintenance Requirements. The Fund must satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred shares. Under the 1940 Act, such debt or preferred shares may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of any preferred shares and debt outstanding.

     The Fund will be required under the preferred shares’ Statement of Preferences (the “Statement of Preferences”) to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an “asset coverage” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or stock, including any outstanding preferred shares. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured within 60 calendar days, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem the number of preferred shares sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage. See “— Redemption” below.

     Distributions. In connection with the offering of one or more series of preferred shares, an accompanying Prospectus Supplement will specify whether dividends on such preferred shares will be based on a fixed or variable rate. If such Prospectus Supplement specifies that dividends will be paid at a rate that is either fixed or infrequently reset (“Fixed Rate Preferred Shares”), holders of such preferred shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate or pursuant to a given formula set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued.

     In the alternative, the Prospectus Supplement may state that the holders of one or more series of the preferred shares are entitled to receive cash distributions at annual rates stated as a percentage of liquidation preference, that will vary from dividend period to dividend period (“Variable Rate Preferred Shares”). The liquidation preference per share and the dividend rate for the initial dividend period for any such series of preferred shares will be the rate set out in the Prospectus Supplement for such series. For subsequent dividend periods, each such series of preferred shares will pay distributions based on a rate set at an auction, normally held weekly, but not in excess of a maximum rate. Dividend periods generally will be seven days, and the dividend periods generally will begin on the first business day after an auction. In most instances, distributions are also paid weekly, on the business

day following the end of the dividend period. The Fund, subject to some limitations, may change the length of the dividend periods, designating them as “special dividend periods,” as described below under “— Designation of Special Dividend Periods”.

     Distribution Payments. Except as described below, the dividend payment date for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares will be the first business day after the dividend period ends. The dividend payment dates for special dividend periods of more (or less) than seven days will be set out in the notice designating a special dividend period. See “ — Designation of Special Dividend Periods” for a discussion of payment dates for a special dividend period.

     If a dividend payment date for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares is not a business day because the NYSE is closed for business for more than three consecutive business days due to an act of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage, riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the dividend payable on such date can not be paid for any such reason, then:

	•		the dividend payment date for the affected dividend period will be the next business day on which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, are able to cause the distributions to be paid using their reasonable best efforts;
	•		the affected dividend period will end on the day it would have ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date had remained the scheduled date; and
	•		the next dividend period will begin and end on the dates on which it would have begun and ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date remained the scheduled date.

     Determination of Dividend Rates. The Fund computes the distributions per share for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares by multiplying the applicable rate determined at the auction by a fraction, the numerator of which normally is the number of days in such dividend period and the denominator of which is 360. This applicable rate is then multiplied by the liquidation preference per share of such series to arrive at the distribution per share.

     Maximum Rate. The dividend rate for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares that results from an auction for such shares will not be greater than the applicable “maximum rate.” The maximum rate for any standard dividend period will be the greater of the applicable percentage of the reference rate or the reference rate plus the applicable spread. The reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of 365 days or more. The applicable percentage and the applicable spread will be determined based on the lower of the credit ratings assigned to such series of preferred shares by Moody’s and S&P on the auction date for such period (as set forth in the table below). If Moody’s and/or S&P do not make such rating available, the rate will be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rating agency. In the case of a special dividend period, (1) the Fund will communicate the maximum applicable rate in a notice of special rate period for such dividend payment period, (2) the applicable percentage and applicable spread will be determined on the date two business days before the first day of such special dividend period and (3) the reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of 365 days or more.

     The “LIBOR Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Statement of Preferences, is the applicable London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the period most closely approximating the applicable dividend period for the preferred shares.

     The “Treasury Index Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Statement of Preferences, is the average yield to maturity for certain U.S. Treasury securities having substantially the same length to maturity as the applicable dividend period for the preferred shares.

Credit Ratings
Moody’s		S&P		Applicable Percentage		Applicable Spread
Aaa		AAA		150%		1.50 percentage points
Aa3 to Aa1		AA– to AA+		250%		2.50 percentage points

Credit Ratings

Applicable Percentage

Applicable Spread

Moody’s

S&P

A3 to A1

A– to A+

350

%

3.50 percentage points

Baa1 or lower

BBB+ or lower

550

%

5.50 percentage points

     Assuming the Fund maintains an “AAA” and “Aaa” rating on the preferred shares, the practical effect of the different methods used to determine the maximum rate is shown in the table below:

		Maximum Applicable								Method Used to
		Rate Using the				Maximum Applicable				Determine the
		Applicable				Rate Using the				Maximum Applicable
Reference Rate		Percentage				Applicable Spread				Rate
1%			1.50	%			2.50	%		Spread
2%			3.00	%			3.50	%		Spread
3%			4.50	%			4.50	%		Either
4%			6.00	%			5.50	%		Percentage
5%			7.50	%			6.50	%		Percentage
6%			9.00	%			7.50	%		Percentage

     There is no minimum dividend rate in respect of any dividend period.

     Effect of Failure to Pay Distributions in a Timely Manner. If the Fund fails to pay the paying agent the full amount of any distribution or redemption price, as applicable, for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares in a timely manner, the dividend rate for the dividend period following such a failure to pay (such period referred to as the default period) and any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing will be the default rate. In the event that the Fund fully pays all default amounts due during a dividend period, the dividend rate for the remainder of that dividend period will be, as the case may be, the applicable rate (for the first dividend period following a dividend default) or the then maximum rate (for any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing).

     The default rate is 550% of the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of 364 days or fewer and 550% of the applicable Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of longer than 364 days.

     Designation of Special Dividend Periods. The Fund may instruct the auction agent to hold auctions more or less frequently than weekly and may designate dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. The Fund may do this if, for example, the Fund expects that short-term rates might increase or market conditions otherwise change, in an effort to optimize the potential benefit of the Fund’s leverage for holders of its common shares. The Fund does not currently expect to hold auctions and pay distributions less frequently than weekly or establish dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. If the Fund designates a special dividend period, changes in interest rates could affect the price received if preferred shares are sold in the secondary market.

     Any designation of a special dividend period for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Shares will be effective only if (i) notice thereof has been given as provided for in the governing documents, (ii) any failure to pay in a timely manner to the auction agent the full amount of any distribution on, or the redemption price of, any preferred shares has been cured as provided for in the governing documents, (iii) the auction immediately preceding the special dividend period was not a failed auction, (iv) if the Fund has mailed a notice of redemption with respect to any preferred shares, the Fund has deposited with the paying agent all funds necessary for such redemption and (v) the Fund has confirmed that as of the auction date next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, it has assets with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Fund has provided notice of such designation and a Basic Maintenance Report to each rating agency then rating the preferred shares at the request of the Fund.

     The dividend payment date for any such special dividend period will be set out in the notice designating the special dividend period. In addition, for special dividend periods of at least 91 days, dividend payment dates will occur on the first business day of each calendar month within such dividend period and on the business day following the last day of such dividend period.

     Before the Fund designates a special dividend period: (i) at least seven business days (or two business days in the event the duration of the dividend period prior to such special dividend period is less than eight days) and not more than 30 business days before the first day of the proposed special dividend period, the Fund will issue a press

release stating its intention to designate a special dividend period and inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by telephonic or other means and confirm it in writing promptly thereafter and (ii) the Fund must inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the second business day before the first day of the proposed special dividend period.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Shares

     So long as any preferred shares are outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common shares or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common shares) in respect of the common shares or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common shares (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred shares as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:

	•		the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares due on or prior to the date of such common share dividend or distribution;
	•		the Fund has redeemed the full number of preferred shares to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s governing documents; and
	•		after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “— Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

     No full distribution will be declared or made on any series of the preferred shares for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding series of preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series as to distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred shares of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred shares as to the payment of distributions, any distributions being paid on the preferred shares will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred shares on the relevant dividend payment date. The Fund’s obligation to make distributions on the preferred shares will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and principal, when due, on any of the Fund’s senior securities representing debt.

Redemption

     Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements. The Fund may, at its option, consistent with its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred shares in the event that:

	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, or 10 business days, in the case of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares, following such failure; or
	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines (if any) as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date.

     The redemption price for preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption will be the liquidation preference, as stated in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying the issuance of such preferred shares, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption, plus (in the case of Variable Rate Preferred Shares having a dividend period of more than one year) any applicable redemption premium determined by the Board and included in the Statement of Preferences.

     The number of preferred shares that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding preferred shares, the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred

immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the preferred shares. In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that preferred shares are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines (if any), the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of preferred shares so that the Fund’s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage). In addition, as discussed under “— Optional Redemption of the Preferred Shares” below, the Fund generally may redeem Variable Rate Preferred Shares subject to a variable rate, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period.

     If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the preferred shares to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.

     If fewer than all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares are to be redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, will select the one or more series of preferred shares from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred shares to be redeemed from each such series. If less than all preferred shares of a series are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all the preferred shares held by any holder are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record date.

     Optional Redemption of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will not be subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code. Commencing on such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Shares in whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the initial liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “— Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the Governing Documents and 1940 Act.

     Optional Redemption of Variable Rate Preferred Shares. The Fund generally may redeem Variable Rate Preferred Shares, if issued, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. The Fund may designate a non-call period during a dividend period of more than seven days. In the case of such preferred shares having a dividend period of one year or less, the redemption price per share will equal the initial liquidation preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date, and in the case of such Preferred Shares having a dividend period of more than one year, the redemption price per share will equal the initial liquidation preference plus any redemption premium applicable during such dividend period. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “— Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the Governing Documents and 1940 Act.

     Redemption Procedures. A notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be given to the holders of record of preferred shares selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to Amex or NYSE requirements), in the case of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares, and not less than seven days in the case of Variable Rate Preferred Shares, nor, in both cases, more than 40 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number or percentage of preferred shares to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price

(specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the Statement of Preferences, as applicable, under which the redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

     The holders of any preferred shares, whether subject to a variable or fixed rate, will not have the right to redeem any of their shares at their option.

     Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, the holders of preferred shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per preferred share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations, the Fund may issue debt securities. In the event the Fund were to issue such securities, the Fund’s obligations to make distributions and, upon liquidation of the Fund, liquidation payments in respect of its preferred shares would be subordinate to the Fund’s obligations to make any principal and interest payments due and owing with respect to its outstanding debt securities. Accordingly, the Fund’s issuance of debt securities would have the effect of creating special risks for the Fund’s preferred shareholders that would not be present in a capital structure that did not include such securities.

     Voting Rights. The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any preferred shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two Trustees at all times. The remaining Trustees will be elected by holders of common shares and preferred shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any preferred shares have the right to elect a majority of the Trustees at any time two years’ dividends on any preferred shares are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company to an open-end company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any preferred shares outstanding. The Board presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred shares will have equal voting rights with holders of common shares (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class.

     The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred shares, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of preferred shares so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of preferred shares. The class vote of holders of preferred shares described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any preferred shares if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be effected, such shares will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption.

     Book Entry. Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of preferred shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of Fixed Rate Preferred Shares will be deemed the beneficial owners of stock purchased for purposes of dividends, voting and liquidation rights.

     Variable Rate Preferred Shares will initially be held by the auction agent as custodian for Cede & Co., in whose name the Variable Rate Preferred Shares will be registered. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the Variable Rate Preferred Shares for all purposes.

NOTES

     General. Under applicable state law and our Charter, we may borrow money without prior approval of holders of common and preferred shares. We may issue debt securities, including notes, or other evidence of indebtedness and may secure any such notes or borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security our assets to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or rating agency guidelines. Any borrowings, including without limitation the notes, will rank senior to the preferred shares and the common shares.

     Under the 1940 Act, we may only issue one class of senior securities representing indebtedness, which in the aggregate must have asset coverage immediately after the time of issuance of at least 300%. So long as notes are outstanding, additional debt securities must rank on a parity with notes with respect to the payment of interest and upon the distribution of our assets.

     A prospectus supplement relating to any notes will include specific terms relating to the offering. The terms to be stated in a prospectus supplement will include the following:

	•		the form and title of the security;
	•		the aggregate principal amount of the securities;
	•		the interest rate of the securities;
	•		whether the interest rate for the securities will be determined by auction or remarketing;
	•		the maturity dates on which the principal of the securities will be payable;
	•		the frequency with which auctions or remarketings, if any, will be held;
	•		any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
	•		any optional or mandatory redemption provisions;
	•		the credit rating of the notes; and
	•		any other terms of the securities.

     Interest. The prospectus supplement will describe the interest payment provisions relating to notes. Interest on notes will be payable when due as described in the related prospectus supplement. If we do not pay interest when due, it will trigger an event of default and we will be restricted from declaring dividends and making other distributions with respect to our common shares and preferred shares.

     Limitations. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, immediately after issuing any senior securities representing indebtedness, we must have an asset coverage of at least 300%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the value of our total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Other types of borrowings also may result in our being subject to similar covenants in credit agreements.

Events of Default and Acceleration of Maturity of Notes

     Unless stated otherwise in the related prospectus supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an “event of default” for that series under the Indenture relating to the notes:

	•		default in the payment of any interest upon a series of notes when it becomes due and payable and the continuance of such default for 30 days;
	•		default in the payment of the principal of, or premium on, a series of notes at its stated maturity;

	•		default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of ours in the Indenture, and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after written notice has been given to us by the trustee;
	•		certain voluntary or involuntary proceedings involving us and relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws;
	•		if, on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, the notes have a 1940 Act asset coverage of less than 100%; or
	•		any other “event of default” provided with respect to a series, including a default in the payment of any redemption price payable on the redemption date.

     Upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default, the holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of outstanding notes or the trustee will be able to declare the principal amount of that series of notes immediately due and payable upon written notice to us. A default that relates only to one series of notes does not affect any other series and the holders of such other series of notes will not be entitled to receive notice of such a default under the Indenture. Upon an event of default relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws, acceleration of maturity will occur automatically with respect to all series. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to a series of notes has been made, and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series, by written notice to us and the trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration of acceleration and its consequences if all events of default with respect to that series of notes, other than the non-payment of the principal of that series of notes which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and other conditions have been met.

     Liquidation Rights. In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to us or to our creditors, as such, or to our assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of us, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of ours, then (after any payments with respect to any secured creditor of ours outstanding at such time) and in any such event the holders of notes shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all notes (including any interest accruing thereon after the commencement of any such case or proceeding), or provision shall be made for such payment in cash or cash equivalents or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the holders of the notes, before the holders of any of our common or preferred shares are entitled to receive any payment on account of any redemption proceeds, liquidation preference or dividends from such shares. The holders of notes shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of ours being subordinated to the payment of the notes, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the notes in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up event.

     Unsecured creditors of ours may include, without limitation, service providers including our Investment Adviser, custodian, administrator, auction agent, broker-dealers and the trustee, pursuant to the terms of various contracts with us. Secured creditors of ours may include without limitation parties entering into any interest rate swap, floor or cap transactions, or other similar transactions with us that create liens, pledges, charges, security interests, security agreements or other encumbrances on our assets.

     A consolidation, reorganization or merger of us with or into any other company, or a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets in consideration for the issuance of equity securities of another company shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us.

     Voting Rights. The notes have no voting rights, except as mentioned below and to the extent required by law or as otherwise provided in the Indenture relating to the acceleration of maturity upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default. In connection with the notes or other borrowings (if any), the 1940 Act does in certain circumstances grant to the note holders or lenders certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment

of interest on or repayment of principal. In the event the Fund fails to maintain 100% asset coverage of any notes outstanding, the holders of the notes will have the right to elect a majority of the Fund’s trustees.

     Market. Our notes are not likely to be listed on an exchange or automated quotation system. The details on how to buy and sell such notes, along with the other terms of the notes, will be described in a prospectus supplement. We cannot assure you that any market will exist for our notes or if a market does exist, whether it will provide holders with liquidity.

     Book-Entry, Delivery and Form. Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, the notes will be issued in book-entry form and will be represented by one or more notes in registered global form. The global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC will maintain the notes in designated denominations through its book-entry facilities.

     Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose names any notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, so long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the global notes, DTC or such nominee will be considered the sole holder of outstanding notes under the Indenture. We or the trustee may give effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or its nominee.

     A global note may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the global note may be transferred or exchanged for definitive securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of DTC. In addition, a global note may be exchangeable for notes in definitive form if:

	•		DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository and we do not appoint a successor within 60 days;
	•		we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of notes in definitive form under the Indenture; or
	•		an event of default has occurred and is continuing.

     In each instance, upon surrender by DTC or its nominee of the global note, notes in definitive form will be issued to each person that DTC or its nominee identifies as being the beneficial owner of the related notes.

     Under the Indenture, the holder of any global note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including its participants and persons who may hold interests through DTC participants, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the Indenture.

     Trustee, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent and Redemption Agent. Information regarding the trustee under the Indenture, which may also act as transfer agent, registrar, paying agent and redemption agent with respect to our notes, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.

Subscription Rights

     General. We may issue subscription rights to holders of our common or preferred shares to purchase preferred shares. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to holders of our common or preferred shares, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our common or preferred shareholders as of the record date that we set for determining the shareholders eligible to receive subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

     The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

	•		the period of time the offering would remain open (which will be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and will not be open longer than 120 days);
	•		the title of such subscription rights;
	•		the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);
	•		the number of such subscription rights issued in respect of each common share;
	•		the number of rights required to purchase a single preferred share;
	•		the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;
	•		if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;
	•		the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights will commence, and the date on which such right will expire (subject to any extension);
	•		the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribcd securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;
	•		any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and
	•		any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

     Exercise of Subscription Rights. Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such number of preferred shares at such exercise price as in each case is set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby, Subscription rights would be exercisable at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

     Subscription rights would be exercisable as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon expiration of the rights offering and the receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we would issue, as soon as practicable, the preferred shares purchased as a result of such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

TAXATION

     The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders and note holders (as the case may be) and the purchase, ownership and disposition of the shares and notes. A more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund, its shareholders and note holders can be found in the SAI that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This discussion assumes you are a U.S. person and that you hold your shares and notes as capital assets. This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder and judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein. Counsel to the Fund has not rendered and will not render any legal opinion regarding any tax consequences related to the Fund or an investment in the Fund. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund) or note holders.

     The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

     The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified as, and intends to continue to qualify annually as, a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in clause (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (x) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (y) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities of (I) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies), (II) any two or more issuers (other than regulated investment companies) that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

     As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that it distributes each taxable year to shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of the Fund’s (i) investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income other than any net long-term capital gain (as defined below) reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and (ii) its net tax-exempt interest income (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all of such income. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate income tax rates on investment company taxable income and net capital gain that it does not distribute to its shareholders.

     Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s fiscal year), and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the federal excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% federal excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s ordinary income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

     If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.

Taxation of Shareholders

     Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) (together referred to hereinafter as “ordinary income dividends”) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may, however, qualify (provided holding periods and other requirements are met) (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, and (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s ordinary income dividends will constitute qualified dividend income. Distributions made to you from net realized long-term capital gain (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to you but retained by the Fund, are taxable to you as long-term capital gains if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time you have owned Fund shares. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of shares. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted basis in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of shares. Generally, not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide you with a written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions.

     The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

     Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they are reinvested in additional common shares of the Fund. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend or makes a distribution in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were the shareholder of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend or distribution will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend or distribution was declared.

     The Fund is required in certain circumstances to withhold, for U.S. backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the taxable dividends or distributions and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of the Fund’s shares who do not furnish the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of Note Holders

     Note holders will be required to include payments of interest on the notes in their gross income in accordance with their method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

     Any gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes will be treated as capital gain for note holders who hold the notes as capital assets and as long-term capital gain if the notes have been held for more than one year as of the date

of disposition. However, a portion of such gain may be required to be treated as ordinary income under special rules of the Code governing the treatment of market discount. A note holder who acquires a note at a market discount (i.e., at a price less than the principal amount or the “adjusted issue price” as determined for tax purposes, if relevant), such as a subsequent purchaser of the notes, will be required to treat as ordinary income a portion of any gain realized upon a disposition of the note equal to the amount of market discount deemed to have been accrued as of the date of disposition unless an election is made include such discount in income on a current basis. A note holder who acquires a note at a market discount and does not elect to include such discount in income on a current basis will be required to defer deduction of a portion of interest paid or accrued on debt incurred or continued to purchase or carry the note until the note holder disposes of the note. These rules may have an effect on the price that can be obtained upon the sale of a note. Amounts received upon a redemption of the notes will be subject to tax as ordinary income to the extent of any accrued and unpaid interest on the notes as of the date of redemption.

     The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold on interest distributions paid to non-corporate holders of the Fund’s notes who do not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Taxation of Holders of Subscription Rights

     As more fully described below, upon receipt of a subscription right, a preferred shareholder generally will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the subscription right the preferred shareholder receives.

     To the extent that the distribution is made out of the Fund’s earnings and profits, the subscription right will be a taxable dividend to the preferred shareholder. If the amount of the distribution received by the preferred shareholder exceeds such shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s earnings and profits, the excess will reduce the preferred shareholder’s tax basis in the preferred shares with respect to which the subscription right was issued (the old share). To the extent that the excess is greater than the preferred shareholder’s tax basis in the old shares, such excess will be treated as gain from the sale of the old shares. If the preferred shareholder held the old shares for more than one year, such gain will be treated as long-term capital gain.

     A preferred shareholder’s tax basis in the subscription rights received will equal the fair market value of the subscription rights on the date of the distribution.

     A preferred shareholder who allows the subscription rights received to expire generally will recognize a short-term capital loss. Capital losses are deductible only to the extent of capital gains (subject to an exception for individuals under which $3,000 of capital losses may be offset against ordinary income).

     A preferred shareholder who sells the subscription rights will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the preferred shareholder’s tax basis in the subscription rights as described above.

     A preferred shareholder will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exercise of the subscription rights received in the rights offering. The tax basis of the shares acquired through exercise of the subscription rights (the new shares) will equal the sum of the subscription price for the new shares and the preferred shareholder’s tax basis in the subscription rights as described above. The holding period for the new shares acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will begin on the day following the date on which the subscription rights are exercised.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

     The Fund presently has provisions in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws (together, its “Governing Documents”) which could have the effect of limiting, in each case:

	•		the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund;
	•		the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain transactions; or
	•		the ability of the Fund’s trustees or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management.

     These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. The Board of the Fund is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three years (except, to ensure that the term of a class of the Fund’s trustees expires each year, one class of the Fund’s trustees will serve an initial one-year term and three-year terms thereafter and another class of its trustees will serve an initial two-year term and three-year terms thereafter). Each year the term of one class of trustees will expire. Accordingly, only those trustees in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a minimum of two years to change a majority of the Board. Such system of electing trustees may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for the shareholders of the Fund to change the majority of trustees. See “Management of the Fund — Trustees and Officers” in the SAI. A Trustee of the Fund may be removed with or without cause by two-thirds of the remaining Trustees and, without cause, by 66⅔% of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of such Trustees.

     In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the outstanding voting shares (in addition to any required class votes) applies to mergers into or a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets, liquidation, conversion of the Fund into an open-end fund or interval fund and amendments to several provisions of the Declaration of Trust, including the foregoing provisions. In addition, 80% of the holders of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting as a class is generally required in order to authorize any of the following transactions:

	•		merger or consolidation of the Fund with or into any other entity;
	•		issuance of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, other than pursuant to the dividend and reinvestment plan or any offering if such person or entity acquires no greater percentage of the securities offered than the percentage beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering or, in the case of a class or series not then beneficially owned by such person or entity, the percentage of common shares beneficially owned by such person or entity immediately prior to such offering;
	•		sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000);
	•		sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000); or
	•		the purchase of the Fund’s common shares by the Fund from any person or entity other than pursuant to a tender offer equally available to other shareholders in which such person or entity tenders no greater percentage of common shares than are tendered by all other shareholders;

if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. However, such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board approves the transaction. In addition, shareholders have no authority to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws. The trustees have authority to adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws consistent with the Declaration of Trust (including to require approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election of trustees). Reference is made to the Governing Documents of the Fund, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the full text of these provisions.

     The provisions of the Governing Documents described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal shareholder.

     The Governing Documents of the Fund are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For the full text of these provisions see the SAI.

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (commonly referred to as a closed-end fund). Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a stock exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the shareholder. This means that if you wish to sell your shares of a closed-end fund you must trade them on the market like any other stock at the prevailing market price at that time. In a mutual fund, if the shareholder wishes to sell shares of the fund, the mutual fund will redeem or buy back the shares at “net asset value.” Also, mutual funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and closed-end funds generally do not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in a mutual fund can make it difficult to manage the fund’s investments. By comparison, closed-end funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment objectives, to have greater flexibility to make certain types of investments and to use certain investment strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities.

     Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Fund’s Board might consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender offers for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount. We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Fund’s Board will decide to engage in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal or close to net asset value per share. The Board might also consider converting the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a supermajority vote of the shareholders of the Fund and a separate vote of any outstanding preferred shares. We cannot assure you that the Fund’s common or preferred shares will not trade at a discount.

REPURCHASE OF SHARES

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company and as such its shareholders do not, and will not, have the right to require the Fund to repurchase their shares. The Fund, however, may repurchase its common shares from time to time as and when it deems such a repurchase advisable. The Board has authorized such repurchases to be made when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount from net asset value of 7.5% or more (or such other percentage as the Board of the Fund may determine from time to time). The Fund may also repurchase any preferred shares it issues. Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its shares. The Board has not established a limit on the number of shares that could be purchased during such period. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund may repurchase its shares on a securities exchange (provided that the Fund has informed its shareholders within the preceding six months of its intention to repurchase such shares) or pursuant to tenders and may also repurchase shares privately if the Fund meets certain conditions regarding, among other things, distribution of net income for the preceding fiscal year, status of the seller, price paid, brokerage commissions, prior notice to shareholders of an intention to purchase shares and purchasing in a manner and on a basis that does not discriminate unfairly against the other shareholders through their interest in the Fund.

     When the Fund repurchases its common shares for a price below net asset value, or preferred shares at a price below net asset value, the net asset value of the common shares that remain outstanding shares will be enhanced, but this does not necessarily mean that the market price of the outstanding common shares will be affected, either positively or negatively. The repurchase of common shares will reduce the total assets of the Fund available for investment and may increase the Fund’s expense ratio.

NET ASSET VALUE

     The net asset value of the Fund’s shares is computed based on the market value of the securities it holds and determined daily as of the close of the regular trading day on the NYSE. For purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value per share, 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 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 the Investment 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 60 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 60 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. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.

     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 to the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities to the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of the value of the security.

     The Fund obtains valuations on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. All other investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued in good faith at fair value under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Fund’s Board.

     In addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if such developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have more than a minimal effect on the Fund’s net asset value per share, the Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value.

     NYSE Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the NYSE is closed, and therefore days upon which shareholders cannot purchase or sell shares, currently are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and on the preceding Friday or subsequent Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND-DISBURSING AGENT

     Bank of New York Mellon, located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

     American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, located at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s Plan and as transfer agent and registrar for the common shares of the Fund.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, including existing holders of our common shares in a rights offering, through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will identify any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our securities, any sales loads, discounts, commissions, fees or other compensation paid to any underwriter, dealer or agent, the offering price, net proceeds and use of proceeds and the terms of any sale. In the case of a rights offering to existing holders of our common shares, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of rights required to purchase a single preferred share and the other terms of such rights offering.

     The distribution of our securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share in the case of common shares, must equal or exceed the net asset value per share, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares.

     We may sell our securities directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the 1933 Act for any resales of the securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

     In connection with the sale of our securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell our securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent. We will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements.

     If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.

     To facilitate an offering of securities in an underwritten transaction and in accordance with industry practice, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. Those transactions may include overallotment, entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and reclaiming selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer.

	•		An overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short position in the securities for the underwriter’s own account.
	•		An underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the shares for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the securities.
	•		Underwriters may engage in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities subject to the offering by bidding for, and purchasing, the securities or any other securities in the open market in order to reduce a short position created in connection with the offering.
	•		The managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to reclaim a selling concession in connection with an offering when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in syndicate covering transactions or otherwise.

     Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

     Any underwriters to whom the offered securities are sold for offering and sale may make a market in the offered securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. The offered securities may or may not be listed on a securities exchange. We cannot assure you that there will be a liquid trading market for the offered securities.

     Any fixed rate preferred shares sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will likely be listed on the NYSE.

     Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.

     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will ourselves, or will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contacts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligation of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

     To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

     A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and audits the financial statements of the Fund. Ernst & Young LLP is located at Suite 4000, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     The Fund’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GDL.” Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Fund will be available for inspection at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, as the case may be.

     This prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act. This prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the preferred shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the Security and Exchange Commission’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND

     The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.

     Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).

     The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees of the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     Certain statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Fund to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, those listed under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” and elsewhere in this prospectus. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given as to the future results, levels of activity or achievements, and neither the Fund nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of such statements.

     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the underwriters. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.

APPENDIX A

CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

Aaa		Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa		Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa Securities.
A		Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present that suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa		Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba		Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B		Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small. Moody’s applies numerical modifiers (1, 2, and 3) with respect to the bonds rated Aa through B. The modifier 1 indicates that the company ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the company ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
Caa		Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. These issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.
Ca		Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations that are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C		Bonds that are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
STANDARD & POOR’S RATINGS SERVICES
AAA		This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
AA		Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in small degree.

A		Principal and interest payments on bonds in this category are regarded as safe. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB		This is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB has an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

Speculative Grade

     Debt rated BB, CCC, CC, and C are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation, and C the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated C 1 is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid and debt rated D is in payment default.

     In July 1994, S&P initiated an “r” symbol to its ratings. The “r” symbol is attached to derivatives, hybrids and certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high variability in expected returns due to noncredit risks created by the terms of the obligations.

     AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major categories.

     “NR” indicates that no public rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

The GDL Fund
Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, Notes and Subscription Rights

PROSPECTUS

February 28, 2011

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration Statement No. 333-[     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated ____, 2008)

__________ Shares

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Series [     ] Preferred Shares

     We are offering for sale ________ shares of our Series __ Preferred Shares, par value $0.001 per share. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL. “On      , the last reported sale price of our common shares was $     .

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page __ of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our preferred shares.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

The Series __ Preferred Shares will be ready for delivery on or about __________, ____.

You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our preferred shares and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

____________, ____

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
Terms of the Series ___ Preferred Shares			P-1
Use of Proceeds			P-2
Capitalization			P-2
Asset Coverage Ratio			P-2
Special Characteristics and Risks of the Preferred Shares			P-2
Taxation			P-2
Underwriting			P-2
Legal Matters			P-2

TERMS OF THE SERIES ___ PREFERRED SHARES

Dividend Rate		The dividend rate [for the initial dividend period]1 will be ___%.
Dividend Payment Rate		[Dividends will be paid when, as and if declared on __________, __________, __________, and __________, commencing __________.]1 The payment date for the initial dividend period will be __________.]2
[Regular Dividend Period		Regular dividend periods will be ____ days.]2
[Regular Auction Date		Auctions will be held on __________.]2
Liquidation Preference		$______ per share
[Non-Call Period		The shares may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to __________.]1
[Stock Exchange Listing]2		[      ]

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $_________ , based on the public offering price of $_____ per share and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

CAPITALIZATION

     [To be provided.]

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

     [To be provided.]

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

     [To be provided.]

TAXATION

     Please refer to the “Taxation” sections in the Fund Prospectus and Fund Statement of Additional Information for a description of the consequences of investing in the preferred shares of the Fund.

UNDERWRITING

     [To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the Series __ Preferred Shares. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed on for the underwriters by __________________________.

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration Statement No. 333-[     ]

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated __________, 2008)

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Notes [Specify Title]

     We are offering for sale our notes at a principal amount per note of $________. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL. “On      , the last reported sale price of our common shares was $      .

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page __ of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our notes.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

     The notes will be ready for delivery on or about __________, ____.

     You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our notes and retain it for future reference. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us. Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

     Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

____________, ____

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
Terms of the Notes			N-1
Use of Proceeds			N-2
Capitalization			N-2
Asset Coverage Ratio			N-2
Special Characteristics and Risks of the Notes			N-2
Terms of the Notes			N-2
Taxation			N-2
Underwriting			N-2
Legal Matters			N-2

TERMS OF THE NOTES

Principal Amount		The principal amount of the notes is $______ in the aggregate and $______ per note.
Maturity		The principal amount of the notes will become due and payable on _______, ___.
Interest Rate		The interest rate will be ___%.
Frequency of payment		Interest will be paid __________commencing __________.
Prepayment Protections
Rating		It is a condition of issuance that the notes be rated [“AAA” by S&P and “Aaa” by Moody’s].

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $_________ , based on the public offering price of $_____ per note and after deduction of the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term income securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

CAPITALIZATION

     [To be provided.]

ASSET COVERAGE RATIO

     [To be provided.]

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF THE NOTES

     [To be provided.]

TERMS OF THE NOTES

     [To be provided.]

TAXATION

     [To be provided.]

UNDERWRITING

     [To be provided.]

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the notes. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed on for the underwriters by __________________________.

Dated February 28, 2011

THE GDL FUND

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

     The GDL Fund, or the “Fund,” is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. Absolute returns are defined as positive total returns, regardless of the direction of securities markets. The Fund will seek to achieve its objective by investing primarily in merger arbitrage transactions and, to a lesser extent, in corporate reorganizations involving stubs, spin-offs and liquidations. Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as “Investment Adviser” to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund will achieve its objective.

     This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus dated February 28, 2011 and as it may be supplemented (the “Prospectus”). This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund’s common shares, and investors should obtain and read this prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. This SAI incorporates by reference the entire Prospectus. You may request a free copy of this prospectus by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554) or by writing to the Fund. A copy of the Fund’s Registration Statement, including this prospectus, may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s office or via its web site (http://www.sec.gov) at no charge.

     This Statement of Additional Information is dated February 28, 2011.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
The Fund			S-1
Investment Objective And Policies			S-1
Investment Restrictions			S-8
Management of the Fund			S-9
Auctions for Auction Rate Preferred Shares			S-20
Dividends and Distributions			S-23
Portfolio Transactions			S-24
Portfolio Turnover			S-24
Taxation			S-25
Net Asset Value			S-31
Beneficial Owners			S-31
General Information			S-32
Financial Statements			S-33
Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients			A-1

THE FUND

     The GDL Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Fund’s investment operations commenced on January 31, 2007. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GDL.”

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

Investment Objective

     The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve absolute returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital. Absolute returns are defined as positive total returns, regardless of the direction of securities markets. The Fund will seek to achieve its objective by investing primarily in merger arbitrage transactions and, to a lesser extent, in corporate reorganizations involving stubs, spin-offs and liquidations. Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as “Investment Adviser” to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the Fund will achieve its objective.

Additional Investment Policies

Derivative Instruments

     Options. The Fund may, from time to time, subject to guidelines of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the limitations set forth in the Prospectus and this SAI, purchase or sell, i.e., write, options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market, as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

     A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer of the call option, the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.

     A put option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right, in return for a premium, to sell to the seller the underlying security at a specified price. The seller of the put option has the obligation to buy the underlying security upon exercise at the exercise price.

     A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call option on the same instrument as the call option written where the exercise price of the call option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call option written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call option written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. government securities or other high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its custodian. A put option is “covered” if the Fund maintains cash or other liquid securities with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or else holds a put option on the same instrument as the put option written where the exercise price of the put option held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put option written.

     If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

     The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium received from

writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security, and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.

     An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.

     To the extent that the Fund purchases options pursuant to a hedging strategy, the Fund will be subject to the following additional risks. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option.

     Where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in that or a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the security. If restrictions on exercise are imposed, the Fund may be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. If the Fund is unable to close out an option that it has purchased on a security, it will have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless.

     Options on Securities Indices. The Fund may purchase and sell securities index options. One effect of such transactions may be to hedge all or part of the Fund’s securities holdings against a general decline in the securities market or a segment of the securities market. Options on securities indices are similar to options on stocks except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call option, or less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option.

     The Fund’s successful use of options on indices depends upon its ability to predict the direction of the market and is subject to various additional risks. The correlation between movements in the index and the price of the securities being hedged against is imperfect and the risk from imperfect correlation increases as the composition of the Fund diverges from the composition of the relevant index. Accordingly, a decrease in the value of the securities being hedged against may not be wholly offset by a gain on the exercise or sale of a securities index put option held by the Fund.

     Options on Foreign Currencies. Instead of purchasing or selling currency futures (as described below), the Fund may attempt to accomplish similar objectives by purchasing put or call options on currencies or by writing put +options or call options on currencies either on exchanges or in OTC markets. A put option gives the Fund the right to sell a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option gives the Fund the right to purchase a currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Both types of options serve to insure against adverse currency price movements in the underlying portfolio assets designated in a given currency. The Fund’s use of options on currencies will be subject to the same limitations as its use of options on securities, described above and in the Prospectus. Currency options may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of the Fund to fully hedge its positions by purchasing the options.

     As in the case of interest rate futures contracts and options thereon, described below, the Fund may hedge against the risk of a decrease or increase in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency denominated debt security which the Fund owns or intends to acquire by purchasing or selling options contracts, futures contracts or options thereon with respect to a foreign currency other than the foreign currency in which such debt security is denominated, where the values of such different currencies (vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar) historically have a high degree of positive correlation.

     Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade for certain hedging and risk management purposes. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the future. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, U.S. government securities and foreign currencies.

     A “sale” of a futures contract (or a “short” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A “purchase” of a futures contract (or a “long” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the securities underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. Certain futures contracts, including stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the securities underlying the futures contracts.

     No consideration will be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as the “initial margin” and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index or security underlying the futures contract fluctuates. At any time prior to the expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract.

     An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account attributable to that contract, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does change daily and that change would be reflected in the net assets of the Fund.

     Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following: no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging, possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument, possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits on price fluctuations, imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements described below.

     In the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts, under current interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities equal to the market value of the contract must be deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian (the “Custodian”) to collateralize the positions, in order for the Fund to avoid being treated as having issued a senior security in the amount of its obligations. For short positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the Fund may establish a segregated account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker) with cash, U.S. government securities or other high grade debt securities that, when added to amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the instruments or currency underlying the futures contracts or call

options, respectively (but are no less than the stock price of the call option or the market price at which the short positions were established).

     Interest Rate Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell interest rate futures contracts to take advantage of or to protect the Fund against fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of debt securities which the Fund holds or intends to acquire. For example, if interest rates are expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities, the values of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation to the values of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such a sale would have an effect similar to selling an equivalent value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. If interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities will decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will increase at approximately an equivalent rate thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling debt securities with longer maturities and investing in debt securities with shorter maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.

     Similarly, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when it is expected that interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for this purpose constitutes a hedge against increases in the price of debt securities (caused by declining interest rates) which the Fund intends to acquire. Since fluctuations in the value of appropriately selected futures contracts should approximate that of the debt securities that will be purchased, the Fund can take advantage of the anticipated rise in the cost of the debt securities without actually buying them. Subsequently, the Fund can make its intended purchase of the debt securities in the cash market and currently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts for this purpose, it will maintain in a segregated asset account with the Fund’s Custodian, assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s obligations with respect to such futures contracts, which will consist of cash or other liquid securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial margin deposited by the Fund with its Custodian with respect to such futures contracts.

     The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance due to declining interest rates.

     The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates and a consequent reduction in the value of portfolio securities.

     The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities that are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of debt securities that the Fund intends to purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has written is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the value of its futures positions, the Fund’s losses from options on futures it has written may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the value of its portfolio securities.

     Currency Futures and Options Thereon. Generally, foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon are similar to the interest rate futures contracts and options thereon discussed previously. By entering into currency futures and options thereon, the Fund will seek to establish the rate at which it will be entitled to exchange U.S. dollars for another currency at a future time. By selling currency futures, the Fund will seek to establish the number of dollars it will receive at delivery for a certain amount of a foreign currency. In this way, whenever the

Fund anticipates a decline in the value of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund can attempt to “lock in” the U.S. dollar value of some or all of the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated in that currency. By purchasing currency futures, the Fund can establish the number of dollars it will be required to pay for a specified amount of a foreign currency in a future month. Thus, if the Fund intends to buy securities in the future and expects the U.S. dollar to decline against the relevant foreign currency during the period before the purchase is effected, the Fund can attempt to “lock in” the price in U.S. dollars of the securities it intends to acquire.

     The purchase of options on currency futures will allow the Fund, for the price of the premium and related transaction costs it must pay for the option, to decide whether or not to buy (in the case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option) a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the period before the option expires. If the Investment Adviser, in purchasing an option, has been correct in its judgment concerning the direction in which the price of a foreign currency would move against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may exercise the option and thereby take a futures position to hedge against the risk it had correctly anticipated or close out the option position at a gain that will offset, to some extent, currency exchange losses otherwise suffered by the Fund. If exchange rates move in a way the Fund did not anticipate, however, the Fund will have incurred the expense of the option without obtaining the expected benefit; any such movement in exchange rates may also thereby reduce rather than enhance the Fund’s profits on its underlying securities transactions.

     Securities Index Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund may sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities may be offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities market and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase securities index futures contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in part or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are made, the corresponding positions in securities index futures contracts will be closed out. The Fund may write put and call options on securities index futures contracts for hedging purposes.

     Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against uncertainty in the level of future currency exchange rates between a particular foreign currency and the U.S. dollar or between foreign currencies in which its securities are or may be denominated. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a spot, (i.e., cash,) basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. Forward currency contracts (i) are traded in a market conducted directly between currency traders (typically, commercial banks or other financial institutions) and their customers, (ii) generally have no deposit requirements and (iii) are typically consummated without payment of any commissions. The Fund, however, may enter into forward currency contracts requiring deposits or involving the payment of commissions. To assure that its forward currency contracts are not used to achieve investment leverage, the Fund will segregate liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its Custodian, or a designated subcustodian, in an amount at all times equal to or exceeding its commitment with respect to the contracts.

     It is anticipated that the dealings of the Fund in forward foreign currency exchange will be limited to hedging, involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions and other risk management purposes.

     Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward foreign currency for another currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities or its payment of dividends and distributions. Position hedging is the purchase or sale of one forward foreign currency for another currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in the foreign currency to offset the effect of an anticipated substantial appreciation or depreciation, respectively, in the value of the currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In this situation, the Fund also may, for example, enter into a forward contract to sell or purchase a different foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount where it is believed that the U.S. dollar value of the currency to be sold or bought pursuant to the forward contract will fall or rise, as the case may be, whenever there is a decline or increase, respectively, in the U.S. dollar value of the currency in which its portfolio securities are denominated (this practice being referred to as a “cross-hedge”).

     In hedging a specific transaction, the Fund may enter into a forward contract with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser. The amount the Fund may invest in forward currency contracts is limited to the amount of its aggregate investments in foreign currencies. The use of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract, and such use may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover. The Fund will only enter into forward currency contracts with parties which the Investment Adviser believes to be creditworthy institutions.

     Special Risk Considerations Relating to Futures and Options Thereon. The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in futures contracts and options thereon will be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid markets. Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only those futures contracts and options thereon for which there appears to be a liquid market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract or option thereon at any particular time. In the event no liquid market exists for a particular futures contract or option thereon in which the Fund maintains a position, it will not be possible to effect a closing transaction in that contract or to do so at a satisfactory price and the Fund would have to either make or take delivery under the futures contract or, in the case of a written option, wait to sell the underlying securities until the option expires or is exercised or, in the case of a purchased option, exercise the option. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon which the Fund has written and which the Fund is unable to close, the Fund would be required to maintain margin deposits on the futures contract or option thereon and to make variation margin payments until the contract is closed.

     Successful use of futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts by the Fund is subject to the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest and foreign currency rates. If the Investment Adviser’s expectations are not met, the Fund will be in a worse position than if a hedging strategy had not been pursued. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in interest rates that would adversely affect the price of securities in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet the requirements. These sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so.

     Additional Risks of Foreign Options, Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and Forward Contracts. Options, futures contracts and options thereon and forward contracts on securities and currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, securities of foreign issuers (“Foreign Securities”). The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in the foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) less trading volume.

     Exchanges on which options, futures and options on futures are traded may impose limits on the positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances.

     Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest without limit in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio.

     The Fund and the Investment Adviser Are Not Registered as Commodity Pool Operators. The Fund and the Investment Adviser have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act relating to registered investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund and its investments in derivative instruments described in the Prospectus and this SAI are not limited by or subject to

regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

     Risks of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are also subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be adversely affected by government exchange controls, limitations or restrictions on repatriation of currency, and manipulation, or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These forms of governmental action can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs.

     Loans of Portfolio Securities. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash, cash equivalents or other liquid securities which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund’s ability to lend portfolio securities may be limited by rating agency guidelines (if any).

     A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day notice, or by the Fund on five business days notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Investment Adviser to be creditworthy and when the income which can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The Board will oversee the creditworthiness of the contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder’s, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.

     When Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on a “when issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases, a forward commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring (i.e., a when, as and if issued security). When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place in the future, generally a month or more after the date of the commitment. While it will only enter into a forward commitment with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the Fund may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable by the Investment Adviser.

     Securities purchased under a forward commitment are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to the Fund prior to the settlement date. The Fund will segregate with its Custodian cash or other liquid securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of its outstanding forward commitments.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     The Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental policies that, except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund voting together as a single class. In addition, pursuant to the Statements of Preferences, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding preferred shares of the Fund voting as a separate class is also required to change a fundamental policy. Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. The Fund may not:

	(1)		invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry. This restriction does not apply to investments in U.S. government securities;
	(2)		purchase commodities or commodity contracts if such purchase would result in regulation of the Fund as a commodity pool operator;
	(3)		purchase or sell real estate, provided the Fund may invest in securities and other instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein;
	(4)		make loans of money or other property, except that (i) the Fund may acquire debt obligations of any type (including through extensions of credit), enter into repurchase agreements and lend portfolio assets and (ii) the Fund may, with respect to up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets, lend money or other property to other investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser pursuant to a common lending program to the extent permitted by applicable law;
	(5)		borrow money, except to the extent permitted by applicable law;
	(6)		issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by applicable law; or
	(7)		underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under applicable law in selling portfolio securities; provided, however, this restriction shall not apply to securities of any investment company organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro rata as a dividend to its shareholders.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

     Overall responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund rests with its Board. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund and the companies that furnish the Fund with services, including agreements with the Investment Adviser, the Fund’s custodian and the Fund’s transfer agent. The day-to-day operations of the Fund are delegated to the Investment Adviser.

     The names and business addresses of the Trustees and principal officers of the Fund are set forth in the following table, together with their positions and their principal occupations during the past five years and, in the case of the trustees, their positions with certain other organizations and companies.

								Number Of
		Term of Office And				Other Directorships		Portfolios In Fund
Name, Position(s)		Length Of Time		Principal Occupation(s)		Held By Trustee		Complex(3) Overseen
Address(1) And Age		Served(2)		During Past Five Years		During Past Five Years		By Trustee
INTERESTED TRUSTEES (4):
Mario J. Gabelli Trustee and Chief Investment Officer Age: 68		Since 2006***		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer — Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/Trustee and/or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.		Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Chairman of the Board of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications)			26
Edward T. Tokar Trustee Age: 63		Since 2006**		Senior Managing Director of Beacon Trust Company (trust services) since 2004; Chief Executive Officer of Allied Capital Management LLC (1997-2004); Vice President of Honeywell International Inc. (1977-2004)		Director of CH Energy Group (energy services); Trustee of Levco Series Trust Mutual Funds through 2005; Director of DB Hedge Strategies Fund through March 2007; Director of Topiary Fund for Benefit Plan Investors (BPI) LLC through December 2007; Director Teton Advisors, Inc. (financial services 2008-2010)			2
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES(5):
Anthony J. Colavita(6) Trustee Age: 75		Since 2006**		President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.		—			35
James P. Conn(6) Trustee Age: 73		Since 2006*		Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (insurance holding company (1992-1998)		Director of First Republic Bank (banking) through January 2008; Director of La Quinta Corp. (hotels) through Jan 2006			18
Clarence A. Davis Trustee Age: 69		Since 2006*		Former Chief Executive Officer of Nestor, Inc. (2007-2009); Former Chief Operating Officer (2000-2005) and Chief Financial Officer (1999-2000) of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants		Director of Oneida Ltd. (kitchenware) (2005-2006); Director of Telephone & Data Systems, Inc. (telephone services); Director of Pennichuck Corp. (water supply); Director of Sonesta International Hotels Corp. (hotels) (2005-2006);			2

								Number Of
		Term of Office And				Other Directorships		Portfolios In Fund
Name, Position(s)		Length Of Time		Principal Occupation(s)		Held By Trustee		Complex(3) Overseen
Address(1) And Age		Served(2)		During Past Five Years		During Past Five Years		By Trustee
Mario d’Urso Trustee Age: 70		Since 2006***		Chairman of Mittel Capital Markets S.p.A. (2001-2008); Senator in the Italian Parliament (1996-2001)		—			5
Arthur V. Ferrara Trustee Age:		Since 2006*		Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (1992-1995)		—			8
Michael J. Melarkey Trustee Age: 61		Since 2006***		Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie		Director of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)			5
Salvatore J. Zizza Trustee Age: 65		Since 2006**		Chairman of Zizza & Co., Ltd. (financial consulting) since 1978; Chairman of Metropolitan Paper Recycling Inc. (recycling) since 2006; Chairman of BAM Inc. (manufacturing); Chairman of E-Corp English (Global English instruction for corporate personnel) since 2009		Non-Executive Chairman and Director of Harbor Biosciences, Inc. (biotechnology); Vice-Chairman and Director of Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Employment Enterprises, Inc. (staffing); Director of Bion Environmental Technologies (technology) (2005-2008); Director of Earl Scheib Inc. (automotive painting) through April 2009			28

Name (and Age),
Position with the Fund and		Term of Office and		Principal Occupation During
Business Address(1)		Length of Time Served		Past Five Years
Officers(7):
Bruce N. Alpert President Age: 59		Since 2006		Executive Vice President (since 1999) and Chief Operating Officer (since 1988) of Gabelli Funds, LLC, Chairman (2008-2010) of Teton Advisors, Inc., Director (since 2008), and President (1998-2008); Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008; Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex
Carter W. Austin Vice President Age: 44		Since 2006		Vice President of the Fund since 2006; Vice President of other registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1996
Peter D. Goldstein Chief Compliance Officer Age: 58		Since 2006		Director of Regulatory Affairs for GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2004; Chief Compliance Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex
Laurissa Martire Ombudsman Age: 34		Since February 2010		Ombudsman of the Fund since 2010; Vice President or Ombudsman of other registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Assistant Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2003
Agnes Mullady Treasurer and Secretary Age: 52		Since 2006		Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex; Senior Vice President of U.S. Trust Company, N.A. and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Excelsior Funds from 2004-2005

Name (and Age),
Position with the Fund and		Term of Office and		Principal Occupation During
Business Address(1)		Length of Time Served		Past Five Years
David I. Schachter Vice President Age: 57		Since 2006		Vice President of the Fund since 2006; Vice President of other registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex; Vice President of Gabelli & Company, Inc. since 1999

     The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of other Trustees lead to the conclusion that each Trustee should serve in such capacity. Among the attributes or skills common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically and to evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, the Adviser, the sub-administrator, other service providers, counsel and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. Each Trustee’s ability to perform his duties effectively has been attained in large part through the Trustee’s business, consulting or public service positions and through experience from service as a member of the Board and one or more of the other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex, public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations as set forth above and below. Each Trustee’s ability to perform his duties effectively also has been enhanced by his education, professional training and other life experiences.

     Anthony J. Colavita, Esq. Mr. Colavita is a practicing attorney with over 49 years of experience. He is the Chair of the Fund’s Nominating Committee and is a member of the Fund’s Audit Committee. Mr. Colavita also serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. Mr. Colavita also serves as a Trustee of a charitable remainder unitrust. He formerly served as a Commissioner of the New York State Thruway Authority and as a Commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority. He served for ten years as the elected Supervisor of the Town of Eastchester, New York, responsible for ten annual municipal budgets of approximately eight million dollars per year. Mr. Colavita formerly served as special counsel to the New York State Assembly for five years and as a Senior Attorney with the New York State Insurance Department. He was also formerly Chairman of the Westchester County Republican Party and the New York State Republican Party. Mr. Colavita received his Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University and his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.

     James P. Conn. Mr. Conn is the lead independent Trustee of the Fund, is a member of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee and also serves on comparable or other board committees for other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. He was a senior business executive of an insurance holding company for much of his career, including service as Chief Investment Officer, and has been a director of several public companies in banking and other industries, for some of which he was lead Director and/or Chair of various committees. Mr. Conn received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Santa Clara University.

     Clarence A. Davis. Mr. Davis was the Chief Executive Officer of Nestor, Inc. until January 2009 and was a director of the company until it went into receivership in June 2009. He is a member of the Fund’s Audit Committee and also serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Davis formerly served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Davis also has served as an Audit Committee member and Director of Oneida Ltd; Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.; Pennichuck Corp. (a water supply company); and Sonesta International Hotels Corp. Mr. Davis founded Clarence A. Davis Enterprises, Inc., which provided financial and organizational consulting, due diligence for acquisitions and forensic accounting for various industries for eight years. Mr. Davis was a Senior Audit Partner for 12 years, which encompassed a career of 23 years in public accounting for Spicer & Oppenheim. He is a former Chairman of the Accountants for Public Interest/Support Center of New York and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Minority Recruitment Committee. Mr. Davis was appointed to the American Red Cross Liberty Fund and September 11 Recovery Oversight Commission; the New York State Board of Public Accountancy; and the Future Issues Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has served as a Consultant for the American Red Cross National Office. Also, Mr. Davis was a faculty member of the Long Island University Brooklyn Center; the New York Institute of Finance; and the Foundation for Accounting Education. Mr. Davis received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Long Island University. Mr. Davis received his CPA license in 1975.

     Mario d’Urso. Mr. d’Urso was formerly a Senator and Undersecretary of Commerce in the Italian government. He is a member of the board of other funds in the Fund Complex. He is a former Chairman of Mittel Capital Market S.p.A., a boutique investment bank headquartered in Italy, and a former Partner and Managing Director of Kuhn Loeb & Co. and Shearson Lehman Brothers Co. He previously served as President of The Italy Fund, a closed-end fund investing mainly in Italian listed and non-listed companies. Mr. d’Urso received his Masters Degree in comparative law from George Washington University and was formerly a practicing attorney in Italy.

     Arthur V. Ferrara. Mr. Ferrara is the Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and formerly served on the boards of The Guardian Insurance and Annuity Company and funds managed by Guardian Investor Services Corporation. He also is a former Chairman of the Life Insurance Council of New York Inc. He is also Chairman of the Fund’s ad hoc Pricing Committee and a member of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee and also serves on comparable or other board committees with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex, on whose boards he sits. Mr. Ferrara also is a member of the multi-fund Compensation Committee (described below under “Trustees — Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities”) relating to certain offices of the closed end funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Ferrara received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of the Holy Cross.

     Mario J. Gabelli. Mr. Gabelli is Chief Investment Officer of the Fund. He also currently serves as Chairman of the boards of other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Gabelli is presently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”), a NYSE-listed investment advisory firm. He is also the Chief Investment Officer of Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC, and GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., which are each asset management subsidiaries of GAMCO. In addition, Mr. Gabelli is Chief Executive Officer and a director and the controlling shareholder of GGCP, Inc., an investment holding company that holds a majority interest in GAMCO. Mr. Gabelli also sits on the boards of other publicly traded companies and private firms, and various charitable foundations and educational institutions, including as a Trustee of Boston College and as a member of the Board of Overseers of Columbia University School of Business. Mr. Gabelli received his Bachelors degree from Fordham University and his Masters of Business Administration from Columbia University School of Business.

     Michael J. Melarkey. Mr. Melarkey is a practicing attorney specializing in business, estate planning, and gaming regulatory work with over 34 years of experience. He serves as a member of the Nominating Committee with respect to some of the other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. He is currently a Director of a natural gas utility company and chairs its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Melarkey also is a member of the multi-fund Compensation Committee relating to certain offices of the closed end funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Melarkey also acts as a Trustee and officer for several private charitable organizations, is an owner of two northern Nevada casinos and an officer of a private oil and gas company. Mr. Melarkey received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Reno, his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and his Masters of Law in Taxation from New York University Law School.

     Edward T. Tokar. Mr. Tokar has been the Senior Managing Director of Beacon Trust Company, a trust services company since 2004. He serves as Chairman of the Fund’s ad hoc Pricing and Proxy Voting Committees. He has been a Director of Teton Advisors, Inc. since 2008. Mr. Tokar also serves as a Director of an energy services company. He was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Allied Capital Management LLC and Vice President — Investments of Honeywell International Inc. (“Honeywell”). Mr. Tokar formerly served as a Director or Trustee of DB Hedge Strategies Fund, Topiary Fund for Benefit Plan Investors (BPI) LLC and Levco Series Trust Mutual Funds. Mr. Tokar has over 36 years of investment experience in managing and directing investments in public and private securities involving stocks, bonds, high yield securities, private placements, international investments, and various partnership participations. As the former Vice President of Investments of Honeywell and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Capital Management LLC, he was responsible for the investment of employee benefit fund assets worldwide, where his operations were widely recognized for excellence. He is Trustee Emeritus of the College of William & Mary, and currently serves on the Board of the William & Mary School of Business Foundation. Mr. Tokar has served on numerous advisory boards and professional organizations throughout his career. He is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Tokar graduated from the University of Maryland, with a Bachelor of Science degree with High Honors, and received a Masters in Business Administration from the College of William & Mary.

     Salvatore J. Zizza. Mr. Zizza is the Chairman of a private holding company. He also serves as Chairman to other companies involved in manufacturing, recycling, and real estate. He is the Chair of the Fund’s Audit Committee and has been designated the Fund’s Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. Zizza is also a member of the Fund’s Nominating and Pricing Committees and both multi-fund ad hoc Compensation Committees. In addition, he serves on comparable or other board committees, including as lead independent director, with respect to other funds in the Fund Complex on whose boards he sits. Besides serving on the boards of many funds within the Fund Complex, he is currently a Director of two other public companies and has previously served on the boards of several other public companies. He also previously served as the Chief Executive of a large construction company which was a NYSE-listed company. Mr. Zizza received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Business Administration in Finance from St. John’s University, which also has awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Commercial Sciences.

Trustees — Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

     Overall responsibility for general oversight of the Fund rests with the Board. The Board does not have a Chairman. The Board has appointed Mr. Conn as the lead independent Trustee. The lead independent Trustee presides over executive sessions of the Trustees and also serves between meetings of the Board as a liaison with service providers, officers, counsel and other Trustees on a wide variety of matters including agenda items for Board meetings. Designation as such does not impose on the lead independent Trustee any obligations or standards greater than or different from other Trustees. The Board has established a Nominating Committee and an Audit Committee to assist the Board in the oversight of the management and affairs of the Fund. The Board also has an ad hoc Proxy Voting Committee that exercises beneficial ownership responsibilities on behalf of the Fund in selected situations. From time to time the Board establishes additional committees or informal working groups, such as pricing committees related to securities offerings by the Fund, to deal with specific matters or assigns one of its members to participate with Trustees or directors of other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex on special committees or working groups that deal with complex-wide matters, such as the multi-fund ad hoc Compensation Committee relating to compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer for all the funds in the Fund Complex and a separate multi-fund Compensation Committee relating to certain officers of the closed-end funds in the Fund Complex.

     All of the Fund’s Trustees other than Mr. Gabelli and Mr. Tokar are independent Trustees, and the Board believes they are able to provide effective oversight of the Fund’s service providers. In addition to providing feedback and direction during Board meetings, the Trustees meet regularly in executive session and chair all committees of the Board.

     The Fund’s operations entail a variety of risks including investment, administration, valuation and a range of compliance matters. Although the Adviser, the sub-administrator and the officers of the Fund are responsible for managing these risks on a day-to-day basis within the framework of their established risk management functions, the Board also addresses risk management of the Fund through its meetings and those of the committees and working groups. In particular, as part of its general oversight, the Board reviews with the Adviser at Board meetings the levels and types of risks being undertaken by the Fund, and the Audit Committee discusses the Fund’s risk management and controls with the independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Fund. The Board reviews valuation policies and procedures and the valuations of specific illiquid securities. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding compliance matters relating to the Fund and its major service providers, including results of the implementation and testing of the Fund’s and such providers’ compliance programs. The Board’s oversight function is facilitated by management reporting processes that are designed to provide visibility to the Board about the identification, assessment and management of critical risks and the controls and policies and procedures used to mitigate those risks. The Board reviews its role in supervising the Fund’s risk management from time to time and may make changes in its discretion at any time.

     The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate for the Fund because it enables the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, allocates responsibility among committees in a manner that fosters effective oversight and allows the Board to devote appropriate resources to specific issues in a flexible manner as they arise. The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure as well as its overall structure, composition and functioning and may make changes in its discretion at any time.

		Dollar Range of Common Equity		Dollar Range of Preferred Equity		Aggregate dollar Range of Equity
		Securities Held		Securities Held		Securities Held in the
Name of Trustee		in the Fund*(1)		in the Fund*(1)		Family of Investment Companies*(1)(2)
INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
Mario J. Gabelli		E		E		E
Edward T. Tokar		D		A		E
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
Anthony J. Colavita		B		B		E
James P. Conn		E		D		E
Clarence A. Davis		A		A		B
Mario d’Urso		A		A		E
Arthur V. Ferrara		C		B		E
Michael J. Melarkey		D		D		E
Salvatore J. Zizza		A		A		E