GDL Fund

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number             811-21969            

                                                       The GDL Fund                                    

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Corporate Center

                                 Rye, New York 10580-1422                                     

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Bruce N. Alpert

Gabelli Funds, LLC

One Corporate Center

                         Rye, New York 10580-1422                                   

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2015

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

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


Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.


The GDL Fund

 

First Quarter Report — March 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO  

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

  

  

  

 

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of The GDL Fund was 2.1%, compared with a total return of 0.00% for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 2.5%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $12.19, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $10.33 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed is the schedule of investments as of March 31, 2015.

Comparative Results

 

Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2015 (a) (Unaudited)   
     Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   Since
Inception
(01/31/07)

GDL Fund

                    

NAV Total Return (b)

       2.07 %       2.32 %       3.48 %       3.47 %       2.81 %

Investment Total Return (c)

       2.53         (0.60 )       3.68         3.07         1.26  

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

       0.00         0.03         0.07         0.09         0.88  

 

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

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

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

 


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

        

Market
Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS — 78.1%   
  Aerospace and Defense — 0.2%   
  33,000      Exelis Inc.    $ 804,210   
  4,000     

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc.†

     22,120   
    

 

 

 
       826,330   
    

 

 

 
  Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 6.1%   
  58,500      Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.      2,506,140   
  196,000      The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack†      1,885,520   
  175,000      TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.†(a)      18,348,750   
    

 

 

 
       22,740,410   
    

 

 

 
  Building and Construction — 0.4%   
  23,000      Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.      1,092,040   
  40,000      Vicwest Inc.      396,984   
    

 

 

 
       1,489,024   
    

 

 

 
  Business Services — 1.0%   
  27,108      Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Cl. B†      963,689   
  92,138     

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Cl. A

     932,437   
  3,000      Funespana SA†      23,741   
  205,000      GrainCorp Ltd., Cl. A      1,469,259   
  1,000      PubliGroupe AG      218,152   
    

 

 

 
       3,607,278   
    

 

 

 
  Cable and Satellite — 4.0%   
  9,000      AMC Networks Inc., Cl. A†      689,760   
  30,000      Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A      549,000   
  14,000     

DIRECTV†

     1,191,400   
  27,628     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. A†

     1,422,013   
  60,000     

Liberty Global plc, Cl. C†

     2,988,600   
  389,900     

Sky Deutschland AG†

     2,842,855   
  200,000     

Sky plc

     2,946,019   
  10,000     

Time Warner Cable Inc.

     1,498,800   
  8,000     

Time Warner Inc.

     675,520   
    

 

 

 
       14,803,967   
    

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment — 2.2%   
  400,000     

Riverbed Technology Inc.†

     8,364,000   
    

 

 

 
  Computer Hardware — 0.0%   
  500     

Data Modul AG

     15,188   
    

 

 

 
  Computer Software and Services — 3.9%   
  200,000      Advent Software Inc.      8,822,000   
  224,600      BMC Software Stub†      11,230   
  26,648      Covisint Corp.†      54,095   
  200      InterXion Holding NV†      5,640   
  43,400      Kofax Ltd.†      475,230   
  200,000      Mavenir Systems Inc.†      3,548,000   
  40,000      Yahoo! Inc.†      1,777,400   
    

 

 

 
       14,693,595   
    

 

 

 
  Consumer Products and Services — 0.8%   
  100,000      Avon Products Inc.(a)      799,000   

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  8,000      Blyth Inc.    $ 60,720   
  32,000      Lorillard Inc.      2,091,200   
  2,100      Norcraft Companies Inc.†      53,697   
  10,000      Orbitz Worldwide Inc.†      116,600   
    

 

 

 
       3,121,217   
    

 

 

 
  Diversified Industrial — 1.5%   
  268,500      Eltek ASA      389,966   
  15,000      ITT Corp.      598,650   
  45,000      Myers Industries Inc.      788,850   
  65,400      Polypore International Inc.†      3,852,060   
  10,000      United Envirotech Ltd.      12,023   
    

 

 

 
       5,641,549   
    

 

 

 
  Educational Services — 0.0%   
  44,000      Corinthian Colleges Inc.†      620   
    

 

 

 
  Electronics — 2.4%   
  190,000      Alliance Semiconductor Corp.†      152,019   
  85,900      Axis Communications AB      3,393,250   
  76,000      Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A      1,393,840   
  350,000      Laird plc      1,743,951   
  64,269      Vacon Oyj†      2,299,122   
    

 

 

 
       8,982,182   
    

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities — 12.9%   
  170,000      Alvopetro Energy Ltd.†      55,031   
  3,300      Baker Hughes Inc.      209,814   
  153,800      Cleco Corp.      8,385,176   
  224,475      Dragon Oil plc      1,986,253   
  100,000      Dresser-Rand Group Inc.†(a)      8,035,000   
  72,000      Endesa SA      1,393,518   
  460,000      Gulf Coast Ultra Deep Royalty Trust†      327,520   
  2,000      Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.      64,240   
  238,000      Integrys Energy Group Inc.(a)      17,140,760   
  10,000      NRG Energy Inc.      251,900   
  92,000      Pepco Holdings Inc.      2,468,360   
  2,000      Silverwillow Energy Corp.†      87   
  1,000,000      Talisman Energy Inc.      7,680,000   
  6,000      UIL Holdings Corp.      308,520   
  100,000      WesternZagros Resources Ltd.†      27,634   
    

 

 

 
       48,333,813   
    

 

 

 
  Entertainment — 1.9%   
  65,300      Life Time Fitness Inc.†      4,633,688   
  140,254      Media General Inc.†      2,312,788   
  1,000      SFX Entertainment Inc.†      4,090   
    

 

 

 
       6,950,566   
    

 

 

 
  Equipment and Supplies — 0.1%   
  2,500      The Middleby Corp.†      256,625   
    

 

 

 
  Financial Services — 4.3%   
  15,000      Brit plc(b)      61,813   
  1,000      City National Corp.      89,080   
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

2


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

        

Market
Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Financial Services (Continued)   
  55,000      First Niagara Financial Group Inc.    $ 486,200   
  12,480      Hilltop Holdings Inc.†      242,611   
  500      Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd.      8,270   
  900,000      Hudson City Bancorp Inc.      9,432,000   
  112,949      National Interstate Corp.      3,171,608   
  60,000      Navient Corp.      1,219,800   
  4,000     

Schweizerische National-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG

     359,539   
  60,000      SLM Corp.      556,800   
  10,000      The Bank of Kentucky Financial Corp.      490,500   
    

 

 

 
       16,118,221   
    

 

 

 
  Food and Beverage — 1.3%   
  210,000      China Huiyuan Juice Group Ltd.†(b)      70,157   
  4,067      Nutreco NV      197,879   
  1,310,000      Parmalat SpA      3,504,527   
  3,200,000      Yashili International Holdings Ltd.      1,159,862   
    

 

 

 
       4,932,425   
    

 

 

 
  Health Care — 17.9%   
  9,500      Alere Inc.†      464,550   
  550,000      ArthroCare Corp. Stub†      192,500   
  34,000      AstraZeneca plc, ADR      2,326,620   
  10,400      Auspex Pharmaceuticals Inc.†      1,042,808   
  142,000      Catamaran Corp.†      8,454,680   
  17,000      Cellular Dynamics International Inc.†      279,310   
  150,000      Hospira Inc.†      13,176,000   
  81,000      Hyperion Therapeutics Inc.†      3,717,900   
  1,600      ICU Medical Inc.†      149,024   
  4,000      Illumina Inc.†      742,560   
  1,000      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings†      126,090   
  1,000      Optos plc†      5,118   
  12,400      Pharmacyclics Inc.†      3,173,780   
  20,000      Rhoen Klinikum AG      497,409   
  110,000      Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.†      19,009,100   
  90,000      Sigma-Aldrich Corp.      12,442,500   
  30,000      Smith & Nephew plc      509,101   
  7,500      Smith & Nephew plc, ADR      256,275   
  1,000      Synageva BioPharma Corp.†      97,530   
  13,000      WuXi PharmaTech Cayman Inc., ADR†      504,140   
    

 

 

 
       67,166,995   
    

 

 

 
  Hotels and Gaming — 3.8%   
  28,000      Belmond Ltd., Cl. A†      343,840   
  17,000      Eldorado Resorts Inc.†      85,510   
  800,000      International Game Technology(a)      13,928,000   
  1,000      MGM Resorts International†      21,030   
    

 

 

 
       14,378,380   
    

 

 

 
  Machinery — 0.4%   
  3,000      CNH Industrial NV      24,580   

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  42,000      Xylem Inc.    $ 1,470,840   
    

 

 

 
       1,495,420   
    

 

 

 
  Metals and Mining — 0.9%   
  160,000      AuRico Gold Inc.      443,200   
  3,000      Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.      39,651   
  4,000      Pan American Silver Corp.      35,119   
  16,500      Vulcan Materials Co.      1,390,950   
  46,000      Whiting Petroleum Corp.†      1,421,400   
    

 

 

 
       3,330,320   
    

 

 

 
  Paper and Forest Products — 0.0%   
  25,000      Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.†      68,888   
    

 

 

 
  Publishing — 1.8%   
  244,900      Courier Corp.      5,995,152   
  50,000      Journal Communications Inc., Cl. A†      741,000   
  136,000      SCMP Group Ltd.      33,067   
    

 

 

 
       6,769,219   
    

 

 

 
  Real Estate — 0.0%   
  1,000      Conwert Immobilien Invest SE      12,527   
  0 (c)    Deutsche Annington Immobilien SE      5   
    

 

 

 
       12,532   
    

 

 

 
  Retail — 2.5%   
  13,000      Family Dollar Stores Inc.      1,030,120   
  12,000      Office Depot Inc.†      110,400   
  33,500      World Duty Free SpA†      361,288   
  380,557      Zale Corp.†      7,991,697   
    

 

 

 
       9,493,505   
    

 

 

 
      Semiconductors — 1.8%       
  200,000      Aruba Networks Inc.†      4,898,000   
  35,000      Emulex Corp.†      278,950   
  307,231      Vitesse Semiconductor Corp.†      1,631,397   
    

 

 

 
       6,808,347   
    

 

 

 
  Specialty Chemicals — 0.2%   
  2,000      Ashland Inc.      254,620   
  10,000      Auriga Industries A/S, Cl. B†      449,728   
  7,200      SGL Carbon SE†      117,520   
    

 

 

 
       821,868   
    

 

 

 
  Telecommunications — 4.8%   
  690,000     

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Ltd.

     2,536,552   
  450,000      Jazztel plc†      6,137,771   
  200,000      Koninklijke KPN NV      679,340   
  1,000      Loral Space & Communications Inc.†      68,440   
  58,926      Sprint Corp.†      279,309   
  150,000      Telenet Group Holding NV†      8,253,048   
    

 

 

 
       17,954,460   
    

 

 

 
  Transportation — 0.8%   
  410,000      TNT Express NV      2,610,277   
  60,000      Toll Holdings Ltd.      404,893   
    

 

 

 
       3,015,170   
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

3


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  COMMON STOCKS (Continued)   
  Transportation (Continued)   
  Wireless Communications — 0.2%   
  25,000      T-Mobile US Inc.†    $ 792,250   
    

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS      292,984,364   
    

 

 

 
  RIGHTS — 0.6%   
  Energy and Utilities — 0.0%   
  1,000,000      Fortune Oil plc, CVR†      0   
    

 

 

 
  Health Care — 0.2%   
  187,200     

Adolor Corp., CPR, expire 07/01/19†

     97,344   
  79,391     

Ambit Biosciences Corp., CVR†

     47,635   
  201,600     

American Medical Alert Corp.†

     2,016   
  18,000     

Chelsea Therapeutics International Ltd., CVR†

     1,980   
  270,000     

Durata Therapeutics Inc., CVR†

     43,200   
  3,800     

Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc., CVR†

     37,126   
  100     

Omthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., expire 12/31/20†

     60   
  217,620     

Prosensa Holding, CVR†

     215,444   
  346,322     

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., CPR, expire 02/20/23†

     183,551   
  186,000     

Trius Therapeutics, CVR†

     24,180   
    

 

 

 
       652,536   
    

 

 

 
  Retail — 0.1%   
  400,000     

Safeway Casa Ley, CVR, expire 01/30/19†

     190,000   
  400,000     

Safeway PDC, CVR, expire 01/30/17†

     19,520   
    

 

 

 
       209,520   
    

 

 

 
  Wireless Communications — 0.3%   
  470,000     

Leap Wireless International Inc., CVR, expire 03/14/16†

     1,184,400   
    

 

 

 
  TOTAL RIGHTS      2,046,456   
    

 

 

 
  WARRANTS — 0.0%   
  Energy and Utilities — 0.0%   
  35,000     

Kinder Morgan Inc., expire 05/25/17†

     143,500   
    

 

 

 
  Metals and Mining — 0.0%   
  850     

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

     792   
    

 

 

 
  TOTAL WARRANTS      144,292   
    

 

 

 

 

Principal

Amount

        

Market

Value

 
  U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 21.3%   
  $79,860,000     

U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.000% to 0.095%††,
04/09/15 to 09/10/15(d)

   $ 79,841,392   
    

 

 

 
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $371,335,394)

   $ 375,016,504   
    

 

 

 
 

Aggregate tax cost

   $ 372,362,426   
    

 

 

 
 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 19,041,519   
 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (16,387,441
    

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

   $ 2,654,078   
    

 

 

 

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  SECURITIES SOLD SHORT — (6.4)%   
  Business Services — (0.9)%   
  171,220     

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

   $ 3,285,712   
    

 

 

 
  Communications Equipment — (0.4)%   
  512     

Harris Corp.

     40,325   
  135,000     

Mitel Networks Corp.

     1,371,600   
    

 

 

 
       1,411,925   
    

 

 

 
  Consumer Products and Services — (0.2)%   
  9,250     

Reynolds American Inc.

     637,418   
    

 

 

 
  Energy and Utilities — (3.4)%   
  1,000     

Halliburton Co.

     43,880   
  482     

NextEra Energy Inc.

     50,152   
  255,400     

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

     12,642,300   
    

 

 

 
       12,736,332   
    

 

 

 
  Financial Services — (1.3)%   
  39,500     

M&T Bank Corp.

     5,016,500   
    

 

 

 
  Health Care — (0.2)%   
  13,172     

AbbVie Inc.

     771,089   
    

 

 

 
  Retail — 0.0%   
  2,625     

Staples Inc.

     42,748   
    

 

 

 
 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds received $24,794,456)

   $ 23,901,724   
    

 

 

 
 

Aggregate proceeds

   $ (24,794,456
    

 

 

 
 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,025,139   
 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (132,407
    

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

   $ 892,732   
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

4


The GDL Fund

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

 

Principal

Amount

       

Settlement
Date

   

Unrealized
Appreciation

 
 

FORWARD FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

   

 
  4,900,000 (e)   

Deliver British Pounds in exchange for United States Dollars 7,267,420(f)

    04/24/15      $ 16,127   
  33,500,000 (g)   

Deliver Euros in exchange for United States Dollars 36,032,819(f)

    04/24/15        692,292   
  21,000,000 (h)   

Deliver Swedish Krona in exchange for United States Dollars 2,439,314(f)

    04/24/15        27,570   
     

 

 

 
 

TOTAL FORWARD FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

    $  735,989   
     

 

 

 

 

Notional

Amount

       

Termination
Date

    

Unrealized
Depreciation

 
 

EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS

    

  
  $ 39,226     

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.(i)

    06/29/15       $ (1,334
      

 

 

 

 

(70,000 Shares)

 

(a)

At March 31, 2015, securities, or a portion thereof, with a value of $50,633,745 were reserved and/or pledged for collateral with the custodian for securities sold short, equity contract for difference swap agreements, and forward foreign exchange contracts.

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At March 31, 2015, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $131,970 or 0.04% of total investments.

(c)

Amount represents less than 0.5 Shares.

(d)

At March 31, 2015, $21,000,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for securities sold short, equity contract for difference swap agreements, and forward foreign exchange contracts.

(e)

Principal amount denoted in British Pounds.

(f)

At March 31, 2015, the Fund had entered into forward foreign exchange contracts with State Street Bank and Trust Co.

(g)

Principal amount denoted in Euros.

(h)

Principal amount denoted in Swedish Krona.

(i)

At March 31, 2015, the Fund had entered into equity contract for difference swap agreements with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Non-income producing security.

††

Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

CVR

Contingent Value Right

CPR

Contingent Payment Right

 

Geographic Diversification

  

% of
Market
Value

   

Market

Value

 

Long Positions

    

North America

     85.4   $ 320,441,808   

Europe

     12.3        46,046,380   

Asia/Pacific

     1.7        6,189,952   

Africa/Middle East

     0.5        1,986,254   

Latin America

     0.1        352,110   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

     100.0   $ 375,016,504   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short Positions

    

North America

     (6.4 )%    $ (23,901,724
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

     (6.4 )%    $ (23,901,724
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

5


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

 

6


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

     Valuation Inputs     
     Level 1
Quoted Prices
  Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
  Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
   Total Market Value
at 3/31/15

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

                 

ASSETS (Market Value):

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Computer Software and Services

     $ 14,682,365               $ 11,230        $ 14,693,595  

Electronics

       6,683,060       $ 2,299,122                  8,982,182  

Health Care

       66,974,495                 192,500          67,166,995  

Publishing

       6,736,152                 33,067          6,769,219  

Retail

       1,501,808                 7,991,697          9,493,505  

Other Industries (a)

       185,878,868                          185,878,868  

Total Common Stocks

       282,456,748         2,299,122         8,228,494          292,984,364  

Rights (a)

                       2,046,456          2,046,456  

Warrants (a)

       144,292                          144,292  

U.S. Government Obligations

               79,841,392                  79,841,392  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES – ASSETS

     $ 282,601,040       $ 82,140,514       $ 10,274,950        $ 375,016,504  

LIABILITIES (Market Value):

                 

Common Stocks Sold Short (a)

     $ (23,901,724 )                      $ (23,901,724 )

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES - LIABILITIES

     $ (23,901,724 )                      $ (23,901,724 )

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

                 

ASSETS (Unrealized Appreciation):*

                 

FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

                 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

             $ 735,989                $ 735,989  

LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation):*

                 

EQUITY CONTRACT

                 

Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

               (1,334 )                (1,334 )

TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

             $ 734,655                $ 734,655  

 

(a)

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

*

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

The Fund did not have material transfers among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 during the period ended March 31, 2015. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers among Levels as of the beginning of the reporting period.

 

7


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The following table reconciles Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:

 

    

Balance

as of

12/31/14

  Accrued
discounts/
(premiums)
  Realized
gain/
(loss)
  Change in
unrealized
appreciation/
depreciation
  Purchases   Sales   Transfers
into
Level 3†
  Transfers
out of
Level 3†
 

Balance

as of

03/31/15

  Net change
in
unrealized
appreciation/
depreciation
during the
period on
Level 3
investments
still held at
03/31/15

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

                                       

ASSETS (Market Value):

                                       

Common Stocks:

                                       

Computer Software and Services

    $ 11,230                                                               $ 11,230          

Health Care

      192,500                                                                 192,500          

Publishing

      33,059                       $ 8                                         33,067       $ 8  

Retail

      7,991,697                                                                 7,991,697          

Total Common Stocks

      8,228,486                         8                                         8,228,494         8  

Rights:

                                       

Energy and Utilities

                                    $ 0                                 0          

Health Care

      707,092               $ 270,000         (270,230 )       215,674       $ (270,000 )                       652,536         42,970  

Retail

                              135,171         74,349                                 209,520         135,171  

Wireless Communications

      1,184,400                                                                 1,184,400          

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES

    $ 10,119,978               $ 270,000       $ (135,051 )     $ 290,023       $ (270,000 )                     $ 10,274,950       $ 178,149  

 

The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers into and out of Level 3 as of the beginning of the reporting period.

The following tables summarize the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs utilized to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of March 31, 2015:

 

Description

   Balance at 03/31/15    Valuation Technique    Unobservable Input    Range

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

             

ASSETS (Market Value):

             

Retail

     $   7,991,697      Acquisition price    Discount Range    0%

Other Industries (a)

       236,797      Last available closing price    Discount Range    0%

Rights (a)

           2,046,456      Last available closing price    Discount Range    0%
    

 

 

                
     $ 10,274,950           
    

 

 

                

 

(a)

Includes fair value securities of investments developed using various valuation techniques and unobservable inputs.

 

Unobservable Input

   Impact to Value if Input Increases    Impact to Value if Input Decreases

Discount Range

   Decrease    Increase

 

8


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

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

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

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

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

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

 

9


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The Fund’s derivative contracts held at March 31, 2015, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments together with the related counterparty.

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

The Fund has entered into equity contract for difference swap agreement with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Details of the swap at March 31, 2015 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments and further details are as follows:

 

Notional Amount

  

Equity Security Received

  

Interest Rate/Equity Security Paid

  

Termination Date

  

Net Unrealized
Depreciation

   Market Value
Appreciation on:
   One Month LIBOR plus 90 bps plus
Market Value Depreciation on:
     
  $39,226 (70,000 Shares)    Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.    Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd.    6/29/15    $(1,334)

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

The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. Forward foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2015 are presented within the Schedule of Investments.

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

 

10


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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

If a written call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether there has been a realized gain or loss. If a written put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the security. In the case of call options, the exercise prices are referred to as “in-the-money,” “at-the-money,” and “out-of-the-money,” respectively. The Fund may write (a) in-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the price of the underlying security will remain stable or decline during the option period, (b) at-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the price of the underlying security will remain stable, decline, or advance moderately during the option period, and (c) out-of-the-money call options when the Adviser expects that the premiums received from writing the call option will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying security above the exercise price. By writing a call option, the Fund limits its opportunity to profit from any increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. Out-of-the-money, at-the-money, and in-the-money put options (the reverse of call options as to the relation of exercise price to market price) may be utilized in the same market environments that such call options are used in equivalent transactions. At March 31, 2015, the Fund did not hold any written options contracts.

The following table summarizes the net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of derivatives held at March 31, 2015 by primary risk exposure:

 

Asset Derivatives:    Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

   $ 735,989   

Liability Derivatives:

        

Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

   $ (1,334

Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts, Certain Options, and Swaps. Subject to the guidelines of the Board, the Fund may engage in “commodity interest” transactions (generally, transactions in futures, certain options, certain currency transactions, and certain types of swaps) only for bona fide hedging or other permissible transactions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC to Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund. The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. In addition, certain trading restrictions are now applicable to the Fund as of January 1, 2013. These trading restrictions permit the Fund to engage in commodity interest transactions that include (i) “bona fide hedging” transactions, as that term is defined and interpreted by the CFTC and its staff, without regard to the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to margin and options premiums and (ii) non-bona fide hedging transactions, provided that the Fund does not enter into such non-bona fide hedging

 

11


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

transactions if, immediately thereafter, either (a) the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund’s existing futures positions or swaps positions and option or swaption premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions, or (b) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s commodity interest transactions would not exceed 100% of the market value of the Fund’s liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. Therefore, in order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options, and certain types of swaps (including securities futures, broad based stock index futures, and financial futures contracts). As a result, in the future, the Fund will be more limited in its ability to use these instruments than in the past, and these limitations may have a negative impact on the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund, and on the Fund’s performance.

Securities Sold Short. The Fund may enter into short sale transactions. Short selling involves selling securities that may or may not be owned and, at times, borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace such borrowed securities at a later date. The proceeds received from short sales are recorded as liabilities and the Fund records an unrealized gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received and the value of an open short position on the day of determination.

The Fund records a realized gain or loss when the short position is closed out. By entering into a short sale, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security sold short. Dividends on short sales are recorded as an expense by the Fund on the ex-dividend date and interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis. The broker retains collateral for the value of the open positions, which is adjusted periodically as the value of the position fluctuates. Securities sold short at March 31, 2015 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments.

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

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

 

12


The GDL Fund

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. At March 31, 2015, the Fund held no investments in restricted securities.

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

 

13


THE GDL FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Manager Biography

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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


 

THE GDL FUND

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

t  800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f  914-921-5118

e  info@gabelli.com

    GABELLI.COM

 

 

 

TRUSTEES OFFICERS

Mario J. Gabelli, CFA

Bruce N. Alpert

Chairman &

President

Chief Executive Officer,

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Andrea R. Mango
Secretary & Vice President

Anthony J. Colavita

President,

Agnes Mullady

Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.

Treasurer
Richard J. Walz

James P. Conn

Chief Compliance Officer

Former Managing Director &

Chief Investment Officer,

Frank M. Yodice

Financial Security Assurance

Assistant Vice President

Holdings Ltd.

and Ombudsman

Clarence A. Davis

Carter W. Austin

Former Chief Executive Officer,

Vice President

Nestor, Inc.

David I. Schachter

Mario d’Urso

Vice President

Former Italian Senator

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Arthur V. Ferrara

Former Chairman &

Gabelli Funds, LLC

Chief Executive Officer,

One Corporate Center

Guardian Life Insurance

Rye, New York 10580-1422

Company of America

CUSTODIAN

Michael J. Melarkey

Partner,

The Bank of New York Mellon

Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel,

Mulligan & McKenzie

COUNSEL
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &

Edward T. Tokar

Flom LLP

Senior Managing Director,

Beacon Trust Company

TRANSFER AGENT AND
REGISTRAR

Salvatore J. Zizza

Chairman,

American Stock Transfer and

Zizza & Associates Corp.

Trust Company

 

 

 

 

GDL Q1/2015

LOGO

 


Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

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

 

  (b)

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

Item 3. Exhibits.

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


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)

    The GDL Fund

By (Signature and Title)*

   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

    5/18/2015

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

 

By (Signature and Title)*

   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert

       Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

    5/18/2015

 

By (Signature and Title)*

   /s/ Agnes Mullady

       Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date

    5/18/2015

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