The GDL Fund's SEC filings document the governance, securities and material-event disclosures of a Delaware statutory trust operating as a diversified closed-end management investment company. The fund's records include proxy materials for annual shareholder meetings and trustee elections, as well as registration and exchange information for its common shares of beneficial interest listed on the New York Stock Exchange under GDL.
Form 8-K disclosures cover other events affecting fund oversight, including adviser-parent succession planning and portfolio-management continuity. The filings also provide a formal record of board matters, shareholder voting procedures, capital structure and fund governance tied to its closed-end investment company status.
The GDL Fund reports that longtime trustee and Chief Investment Officer Mario J. Gabelli was hospitalized on March 19, 2026 after a medical incident and is recovering, though his return date remains undetermined. GAMCO’s long-standing succession plan was activated on March 22, 2026, naming Christopher J. Marangi as President of GAMCO. Day-to-day operations of GAMCO will continue to be led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Mr. Marangi, while portfolio manager Willis Brucker remains responsible for the Fund’s daily portfolio management during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.
The GDL Fund has called its annual shareholder meeting for May 11, 2026 in Greenwich, Connecticut. Holders of common and preferred shares at the close of business on March 12, 2026 can vote.
Shareholders are being asked to elect two Trustees, James P. Conn and Colin J. Kilrain, to three-year terms ending at the 2029 annual meeting. Preferred shareholders also vote separately on Mr. Conn. The Board, including all independent Trustees, unanimously recommends voting “FOR” each nominee. The filing details the Board’s structure, committee responsibilities, Trustee and officer biographies, compensation, and beneficial ownership, as well as the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. It also explains how Delaware’s control share statute may limit voting rights above certain ownership levels unless approved by other shareholders.
GDL Fund’s major holders have updated their ownership report, showing a large, stable position in the fund. The Gabelli-affiliated reporting group now beneficially owns 5,043,647 common shares, representing 46.02% of the 10,959,574 shares outstanding as reported by the issuer on March 9, 2026. The filing explains that the higher ownership percentage comes solely from a decrease in GDL Fund’s shares outstanding, not from significant new buying. Within the group, Mario Gabelli reports 2,795,978 shares, or 25.51% of the fund, and Associated Capital Group holds 1,846,636 shares, or 16.85%. The only recent transaction disclosed is Mario Gabelli’s sale of 800 shares at $8.52 on February 23, 2026.
GDL submitted a Form N-CEN annual report providing standard fund governance, service-provider and operational disclosures for a registered investment company.
The filing itemizes aggregate brokerage commissions of $209,005 and lists principal transaction volumes with dealers including $173,533,243 and $108,112,401 among other reported counterparty values.
The GDL Fund files its Form N-CSR reporting audited financials and annual shareholder report for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The Fund reported a NAV total return of 7.74% and an investment (market) total return of 11.74% for 2025. Net asset value per common share was $10.56 and the NYSE market price closed at $8.47. Net assets attributable to common shareholders were $115,692,190 with 10,959,574 common shares outstanding.
The report describes the Fund’s merger‑arbitrage strategy, portfolio composition (notably U.S. Treasury bills at 51.1% of investments), performance contributors and detractors, preferred share activity (Series C redeemed; Series E and Series G issued/returned), and audited statements with a clean opinion from the independent auditor.
GDL Fund director and ten percent owner Mario J. Gabelli reported an open-market sale of 800 common shares at $8.52 per share. After this sale, his direct holdings total 2,747,977 common shares. He also reports indirect holdings through entities including Associated Capital Group, Inc., Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., GGCP, Inc., GPJ Retirement Partners, LLC, and GAMCO Investors, Inc., while disclaiming beneficial ownership beyond his indirect pecuniary interests.
Focus Partners Wealth, LLC reported a significant ownership position in GDL Fund common shares. As of the event date, the firm beneficially owned 591,856 common shares, representing 5.4% of the class, with sole voting and dispositive power over all these shares.
The shares, identified by CUSIP 361570104, are held in the ordinary course of business. Focus Partners Wealth certified that the position was not acquired for the purpose of changing or influencing control of GDL Fund and is not part of a control-seeking group.
GDL Fund director and 10% owner Mario J. Gabelli reported a small open-market sale of the fund’s common shares. On January 9, 2026, he sold 800 common shares at a price of $8.39 per share. After this transaction, he directly held 2,748,777 common shares of GDL Fund.
The Form 4 also lists additional GDL Fund shares held indirectly through several related entities, including Associated Capital Group, Inc., Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., GGCP, Inc., GPJ Retirement Partners, LLC, and GAMCO Investors, Inc. The filing notes that the share counts for these entities represent their total holdings and that Mr. Gabelli has less than a 100% interest in each entity, disclaiming beneficial ownership of any shares beyond his indirect pecuniary interest.