Gabelli Utility Trust Announces Rights Offering for Common Shares Record Date and Summary of Terms

Rhea-AI Summary

The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT) has announced a transferable rights offering for existing common shareholders as of March 11, 2021. Each shareholder will receive one transferable right for each common share held, enabling them to purchase additional shares at a subscription price of $5.50 for every seven rights. The offering will trade on the NYSE starting March 9, 2021, and will expire on April 14, 2021. Proceeds may be used for investments or to redeem preferred stock. However, any shares acquired will not be eligible for upcoming distributions on March 24 and April 23, 2021.

Positive

• Shareholders can acquire additional shares at a favorable subscription price of $5.50.
• The offering allows for an over-subscription privilege for shareholders who fully exercise their rights.

Negative

• New shares from the offering will not qualify for the upcoming monthly distributions, potentially impacting shareholder returns.

The Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT) (the “Fund”) has approved a transferable rights offering which would allow the Fund’s record date common shareholders to acquire additional common shares (the “Offering”). The Offering will be made only by means of a prospectus, and this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the Fund’s securities.

SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE OFFERING

• Each shareholder will receive one transferable right (the “Right”) for each common share held on the record date (March 11, 2021).

• Seven Rights plus $5.50 (the “Subscription Price”) will be required to purchase one additional common share (the “Primary Subscription”). The purchase price will be payable in cash.

• Record date shareholders who fully exercise their Primary Subscription Rights will be eligible for an over-subscription privilege entitling these shareholders to subscribe, subject to certain limitations and a pro-rata allotment, for any additional common shares not purchased pursuant to the Primary Subscription. Rights acquired in the secondary market may not participate in the over-subscription privilege.

• The Rights are expected to trade “when issued” on the New York Stock Exchange beginning on March 9, 2021, and the Fund’s common shares are expected to trade “Ex-Rights” on the New York Stock Exchange beginning on March 10 2021. The Rights are expected to begin trading for normal settlement on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GUT RT) on or about March 16, 2021.

• The Offering expires at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on April 14, 2021, unless extended.

The Fund expects to mail subscription certificates evidencing the Rights and a copy of the prospectus for the Offering to record date shareholders beginning on March 15, 2021. Financial Advisors will likely send notices to you shortly thereafter. Inquiries regarding the Offering should be directed to the Fund at 800-GABELLI or 914-921-5070.

The Offering is made pursuant to the Fund’s effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any common shares issued as a result of the Offering will not be record date shares for the Fund’s monthly distributions to be paid on March 24, 2021 and April 23, 2021, and will not be entitled to receive such distributions.

Depending on market conditions at the time of closing, the Fund may use the net proceeds from the offering for investment purposes consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives or, in the discretion of the Board, the proceeds may be used to redeem shares of the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock.

The information herein is not complete and is subject to change. This document is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. This document is not an offering, which can only be made by a final prospectus. Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The base prospectus contains this and additional information about the Fund and the prospectus supplement will contain this and additional information about the Offering, and should be read carefully before investing. For further information regarding the Offering, or to obtain a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, when available, please contact the Fund at 800-GABELLI or 914-921-5070.

About The Gabelli Utility Trust

The Gabelli Utility Trust is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with $323 million in total net assets whose primary investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital and income by investing primarily in utility companies involved in the generation and distribution of electricity, gas, and water. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (NYSE:GBL).

NYSE – GUT
CUSIP – 36240A101

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FAQ

What is the subscription price for the Gabelli Utility Trust rights offering?

The subscription price for the Gabelli Utility Trust rights offering is $5.50 for every seven rights.

When is the expiration date for the Gabelli Utility Trust rights offering?

The rights offering for the Gabelli Utility Trust is set to expire at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on April 14, 2021.

What are the trading dates for the rights associated with the Gabelli Utility Trust offering?

The rights are expected to begin trading 'when issued' on March 9, 2021, and will trade normally on March 16, 2021.

Will common shares from the rights offering be eligible for the upcoming distributions?

No, common shares issued from the rights offering will not be eligible for the upcoming distributions on March 24 and April 23, 2021.

What could the proceeds from the Gabelli Utility Trust offering be used for?

Proceeds may be used for investment purposes or to redeem shares of the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock.