Gabelli Utility Trust Continues Monthly Distributions, Declares Distributions of $0.05 Per Share

Rhea-AI Summary

Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT) will continue its fixed monthly cash distribution policy and declared $0.05 per share for each of July, August, and September 2026, with record dates on July 17, August 17, and September 16 and payments one week later.

The Board reviews distributions quarterly and may pay an additional December distribution to meet tax requirements. Shares currently trade at a premium to net asset value, which the Board believes is unlikely to be sustainable. For 2026, distributions are currently estimated as 9% net investment income, 15% net capital gains, and 76% return of capital on a book basis.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Positive

• Monthly cash distributions of $0.05 per share through September 2026
• Distribution policy reviewed quarterly with potential year-end adjusting payment
• Fund has paid monthly distributions continuously since October 1999

Negative

• Shares currently trade at a premium to net asset value
• Board believes current premium to net asset value may not be sustainable
• 2026 distributions estimated to be 76% return of capital on a book basis
• Dividend reinvestment currently occurs at a premium to net asset value

News Market Reaction – GUT

+1.45%

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+1.45% News Effect

On the day this news was published, GUT gained 1.45%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

RYE, N.Y., May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT) (the “Fund”) approved the continuation of its policy of paying fixed monthly cash distributions. The Board of Trustees declared cash distributions of $0.05 per share for each of July, August, and September 2026.

	Distribution Month	Record Date	Payable Date		Distribution Per Share
	July	July 17, 2026	July 24, 2026		$0.05
	August	August 17, 2026	August 24, 2026		$0.05
	September	September 16, 2026	September 23, 2026		$0.05

Each quarter, the Board of Trustees reviews the amount of any potential distribution from the income, realized capital gain, or capital available. The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s net asset value and the financial market environment. If necessary, the Fund will pay an adjusting distribution in December which includes any additional income and net realized capital gains in excess of the monthly distributions for that year to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code for regulated investment companies. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board of Trustees at any time, and there can be no guarantee that the policy will continue. The distribution rate should not be considered the dividend yield or total return on an investment in the Fund. The Gabelli Utility Trust has paid a distribution to shareholders every month since October 1999.

The Fund’s shares are currently trading at a premium to net asset value. The Board of Trustees believes that the premium at which the Fund shares trade relative to net asset value is not likely to be sustainable. Shareholders participating in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan should note that at the current market price, the reinvestment of distributions occurs at a premium to net asset value.

All or part of the distribution may be treated as long-term capital gain or qualified dividend income (or a combination of both) for individuals, each subject to the maximum federal income tax rate for long term capital gains, which is currently 20% in taxable accounts for individuals (or less depending on an individual’s tax bracket). In addition, certain U.S. shareholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surcharge on their "net investment income", which includes dividends received from the Fund and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund.

If the Fund does not generate sufficient earnings (dividends and interest income, less expenses, and realized net capital gain) equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund’s earnings would be deemed a return of capital. Since this would be considered a return of a portion of a shareholder’s original investment, it is generally not taxable and would be treated as a reduction in the shareholder’s cost basis.

Long-term capital gains, qualified dividend income, investment company taxable income, and return of capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all distributions to common shareholders for the year. Based on the accounting records of the Fund currently available, each of the distributions paid to common shareholders in 2026 would include approximately 9% from net investment income, 15% from net capital gains and 76% would be deemed a return of capital on a book basis. This does not represent information for tax reporting purposes. The estimated components of each distribution are updated and provided to shareholders of record in a notice accompanying the distribution and are available on our website (www.gabelli.com). The final determination of the sources of all distributions in 2026 will be made after year end and can vary from the monthly estimates. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution. All individual shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification regarding the components and tax treatment for all 2026 distributions in early 2027 via Form 1099-DIV.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Fund’s distribution policy and other information about the Fund, call:

David Schachter
(914) 921-5057

About The Gabelli Utility Trust
The Gabelli Utility Trust is a diversified, closed-end management investment company with $338 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. (OTCQX: GAMI).

NYSE – GUT
CUSIP – 36240A101

THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
Investor Relations Contact: 
David Schachter
(914) 921-5057
dschachter@gabelli.com

FAQ

What monthly distribution did Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE:GUT) declare for Q3 2026?

Gabelli Utility Trust declared monthly cash distributions of $0.05 per share for July, August, and September 2026. According to the fund, these payments follow record dates on July 17, August 17, and September 16, with payable dates approximately one week after each record date.

When are the record and payment dates for GUT’s July, August, and September 2026 distributions?

The record dates are July 17, August 17, and September 16, 2026, with payments on July 24, August 24, and September 23. According to the fund, shareholders of record on each date receive the corresponding $0.05 per share cash distribution.

How sustainable is the current premium to net asset value for Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT)?

The fund’s shares are trading at a premium to net asset value, and the Board believes this premium is not likely to be sustainable. According to the fund, dividend reinvestment plan participants currently reinvest distributions at this premium level.

What portion of Gabelli Utility Trust’s (GUT) 2026 distributions is return of capital?

Based on current accounting records, approximately 76% of 2026 distributions to common shareholders is estimated as return of capital on a book basis. According to the fund, 9% is from net investment income and 15% from net capital gains, subject to year-end adjustment.

How are Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) distributions taxed for 2026 shareholders?

Distributions may be treated as long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, or return of capital. According to the fund, certain individuals may also owe a 3.8% Medicare surcharge on net investment income. Final tax character will be reported on Form 1099-DIV in early 2027.

What is Gabelli Utility Trust’s (GUT) policy on adjusting December distributions?

If necessary, the fund may pay an adjusting December distribution to distribute additional income and net realized capital gains. According to the fund, this helps satisfy Internal Revenue Code minimum distribution requirements for regulated investment companies while complementing the fixed monthly payments.

Has Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) maintained a consistent monthly distribution history?

Gabelli Utility Trust has paid a distribution every month since October 1999. According to the fund, the current policy of fixed monthly cash distributions continues this long-established pattern, though the Board may modify the policy at any time without guarantee of continuation.