As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2022
Securities
Act File No. 333-236449
Investment Company Act File No. 811-09243
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
N-2
(Check
Appropriate Box or Boxes)
☒
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
☐ Pre-Effective Amendment No.
☒ Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
and/or
☒ Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
☒ Amendment No. 35
THE
GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Certificate
of Trust)
One
Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 422-3554
Bruce
N. Alpert
The Gabelli Utility Trust
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(914) 921-5100
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies
to:
Peter
Goldstein, Esq.
The
Gabelli Utility Trust
One
Corporate Center
Rye,
New York 10580-1422
(914)
921-5100 |
P.
Jay Spinola, Esq.
Willkie
Farr & Gallagher LLP
787
Seventh Avenue
New
York, New York 10019-6099
(212)
728-8000
|
Approximate
Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If
the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check
the following box ☐
If
any securities being registered on this Form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment
plan, check the following box. ☒
If
this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 or a post-effective amendment thereto, check the following
box ☒
If
this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction B or a post-effective amendment thereto that will become
effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐
If
this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction B to register additional
securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box ☐
It
is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
| ☐ |
when
declared effective pursuant to section 8(c) of the Securities Act |
If
appropriate, check the following box:
| ☐ |
This
[post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration
statement]. |
| ☐ |
This
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: |
| ☐ |
This
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: |
| ☒ |
This
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, and the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is: 333-236449. |
Check
each box that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
| ☒ |
Registered
Closed-End Fund (closed-end company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company
Act”)). |
| ☐ |
Business
Development Company (closed-end company that intends or has elected to be regulated as a business development company under
the Investment Company Act. |
| ☐ |
Interval
Fund (Registered Closed-End Fund or a Business Development Company that makes periodic repurchase offers under Rule 23c-3
under the Investment Company Act). |
| ☒ |
A.2
Qualified (qualified to register securities pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of this Form). |
| ☐ |
Well-Known
Seasoned Issuer (as defined by Rule 405 under the Securities Act). |
| ☐ |
Emerging
Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934). |
| ☐ |
If
an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities
Act. |
| ☐ |
New
Registrant (registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act for less than 12 calendar months preceding this filing). |
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243) of The Gabelli Utility
Trust (the “Registration Statement”) is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”), solely for the purpose of filing exhibits to the Registration Statement. Accordingly, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 consists only of a facing sheet, this explanatory note and Part C of the Registration Statement
setting forth the exhibits to the Registration Statement. This Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 does not modify any other part of
the Registration Statement. Pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 shall become
effective immediately upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents
of the Registration Statement are hereby incorporated by reference.
PART
C
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
| 1. Financial Statements |
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Included
in Part A: |
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Audited
financial highlights for the operating performance of the Registrant. |
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Included
in Part B: |
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The
following statements of the Registrant are incorporated by reference in Part B of the Registration Statement: |
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Schedule
of Investments at December 31, 2019 |
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Statement
of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2019 |
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Statement
of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
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Statement
of Changes in Net Assets for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
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Notes
to Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
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Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
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Schedule
of Investments at June 30, 2020 |
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Statement
of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2020 |
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Statement
of Operations for the Year Ended June 30, 2020 |
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Statement
of Changes in Net Assets for the Period Ended June 30, 2020 |
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Notes
to Financial Statements for the Period Ended June 30, 2020 |
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| 2. Exhibits |
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(a)(1) |
Third
Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 19, 2011. |
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(a)(2) |
Amended
and Restated Statement of Preferences with respect to the 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File
Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2013. |
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(a)(3) |
Second
Amended and Restated Statement of Preferences with respect to the Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2015. |
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(a)(4) |
Statement
of Preferences with respect to the 5.375% Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(4)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2016. |
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(b) |
Second
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) to the Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19,
2011. |
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(c) |
Not
applicable |
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(d)(1) |
Form
of Registrant’s Common Share Certificate is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) to Pre-Effective Amendment No.
1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-118701 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 14, 2004. |
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(d)(2) |
Form
of Registrant’s 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Share Certificate is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-105500 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2003. |
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(d)(3) |
Form
of Registrant’s Series B Auction Market Preferred Share Certificate is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(ii)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-105500 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2003. |
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(d)(4) |
Form of Subscription Certificate is filed herewith. |
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(d)(5) |
Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is filed herewith. |
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(d)(6) |
Instrument of Designation of Rights is filed herewith. |
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(e) |
Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan of Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 17(d) to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14, File No. 333-72983, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999. |
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(f) |
Not
applicable |
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(g) |
Form
of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gabelli Funds, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14, File No. 333-72983, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 31, 1999. |
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(h) |
Not
applicable |
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(i) |
Not
applicable |
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(j) |
Mutual
Fund Custody and Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2016. |
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(k)(1) |
Form
of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit (k)(1) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2011. |
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(k)(1)(i) |
Amendment
No. 1 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
18, 2012. |
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(k)(1)(ii) |
Amendment
No. 2 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
18, 2012. |
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(k)(1)(iii) |
Amendment
No. 3 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(iii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-203475 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2015. |
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(k)(1)(iv) |
Amendment
No. 4 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(iv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-203475 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2015. |
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(k)(1)(v) |
Amendment
No. 5 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(v) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-203475 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2015. |
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(k)(1)(vi) |
Amendment
No. 6 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(vi) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 19,
2016. |
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(k)(1)(vii) |
Amendment
No. 7 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(vii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2016. |
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(k)(1)(viii) |
Amendment
No. 8 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(viii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26,
2016. |
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(k)(1)(ix) |
Amendment
No. 9 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(ix) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2018. |
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(k)(1)(x) |
Amendment
No. 10 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(x) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2018. |
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(k)(1)(xi) |
Amendment
No. 11 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xi) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2018. |
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(k)(1)(xii) |
Amendment
No. 12 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(k)(1)(xiii) |
Amendment
No. 13 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xiii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(k)(1)(xiv) |
Amendment
No. 14 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xiv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(k)(1)(xv) |
Amendment
No. 15 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xv) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(k)(1)(xvi) |
Amendment
No. 16 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(1)(xvi) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos.
333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(k)(1)(xvii) |
Amendment No. 17 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(5)(xviii) to The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust’s Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (File No. 005- 84324), filed on March 17, 2021.
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(k)(1)(xviii) |
Amendment No. 18 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(i)(r) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-259726 and 811-21423, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2021.
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(k)(1)(xix) |
Amendment No. 19 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(i)(s) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to The Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-259726 and 811-21423, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2021.
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(k)(2) |
Fee
and Service Schedule for Stock Transfer Services among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(2) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-174333
and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 19, 2011. |
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(k)(3) |
Form
of Auction Agency Agreement for the Series B Auction Rate Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(ii)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-105500 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2003. |
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(k)(4) |
Form
of Broker-Dealer Agreement for the Series B Auction Rate Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(iii)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-105500 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2003. |
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(k)(5) |
Form
of DTC Agreement for the Series B Auction Rate Preferred Shares is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (k)(iv) to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-105500 and 811-09243, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2003. |
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(k)(6) |
Form of Subscription Agent Agreement among Registrant, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc. is filed herewith. |
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(k)(7) |
Form of Administrative Agent Agreement between Registrant and Morrow Sodali LLC is filed herewith. |
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(l)(1) |
Opinion
and Consent of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (l)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2020. |
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(l)(2) |
Opinion and Consent of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP with respect to the legality of the Common Shares and the Rights is filed herewith. |
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(m) |
Not
applicable |
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(n)(1)(i) |
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Registration Statement on Form N-2) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(1)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2020. |
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(n)(1)(ii) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Annual Report dated December 31, 2020) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(1)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2021. |
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(n)(2)(i) |
Powers
of Attorney are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2,
File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. |
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(n)(2)(ii) |
Power of Attorney of Leslie F. Foley is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n)(2)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-236449 and 811-09243, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 23, 2021. |
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(o) |
Not
applicable |
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(p) |
Not
applicable |
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(q) |
Not
applicable |
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(r)(1) |
Code
of Ethics of the Investment Adviser and of the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (r)(1) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2, File Nos. 333-203475 and 881-09243, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2018. |
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(r)(2) |
Joint
Code of Ethics of the Investment Adviser and of the Registrant for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers of the Gabelli
Funds is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR, File No. 811-09243,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2015. |
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(s) |
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables (Final Prospectus Dated March 10, 2022) is filed herewith.
|
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
The
information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on page 70 of the Prospectus is incorporated by reference.
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The
following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration
Statement:
| SEC registration fees | |
$ | 38,430 | |
| NYSE listing fees | |
$ | 46,000 | |
| Printing expenses | |
$ | 500,000 | |
| Accounting fees | |
$ | 80,000 | |
| Legal fees | |
$ | 555,000 | |
| Rating agency fees | |
$ | 100,000 | |
| Miscellaneous | |
$ | 349,070 | |
| Total | |
$ | 1,699,000 | |
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
None.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities as of December 31, 2021:
| Class of Securities | |
| |
| Common Shares of Beneficial Interest | |
| 5,644 | |
| Series B Auction Market Preferred Shares | |
| 2 | |
| 5.375% Series C Cumulative Shares | |
| 1 | |
Item 30. Indemnification
Article
IV of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides as follows:
ARTICLE
IV
LIMITATIONS
OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION
4.1. No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Trustees, etc. No Shareholder of the Trust shall be subject in such capacity
to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person in connection with Trust Property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the
Trust. Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to stockholders of a private corporation
for profit incorporated under the general corporation law of the State of Delaware. No Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be
subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, other than the Trust or its Shareholders, in connection
with Trust Property or the affairs of the Trust, save only liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising from bad faith,
willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception,
all such Persons shall look solely to the Trust Property for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the
affairs of the Trust. If any Shareholder, Trustee or officer, as such, of the Trust, is made a party to any suit or proceeding
to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception, he shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability.
SECTION
4.2. Mandatory Indemnification.
(a)
The Trust shall indemnify the Trustees and officers of the Trust (each such person being an “indemnitee”) against
any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and
reasonable counsel fees reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit
or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which he may be or
may have been involved as a party or otherwise (other than, except as authorized by the Trustees, as the plaintiff or complainant)
or with which he may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth above in this Section 4.2 by reason
of his having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which he shall not have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as
to which he shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful, provided, however, that no indemnitee shall
be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any person or any expense of such indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful
misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence (negligence in the case of Affiliated Indemnitees), or (iv) reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of his position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes
referred to herein as “disabling conduct”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit or other
proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of
such action, suit or other proceeding by such indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the Trustees.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (1) by a final
decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification
hereunder was brought that such indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (2) in the absence of such a decision,
by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding
(“Disinterested Non-Party Trustees”), that the indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (ii) if such
quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion conclude
that the indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder. All determinations to make advance payments in connection
with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized and made in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph
(c) below.
(c)
The Trust shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification
might be sought hereunder if the Trust receives a written affirmation by the indemnitee of the indemnitee’s good faith belief
that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust unless
it is subsequently determined that he is entitled to such indemnification and if a majority of the Trustees determine that the
applicable standards of conduct necessary for indemnification appear to have been met. In addition, at least one of the following
conditions must be met: (1) the indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his undertaking, (2) the Trust shall be insured
against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees,
or if a majority vote of such quorum so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review
of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the indemnitee
ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(d)
The rights accruing to any indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled.
(e)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and this Declaration, the Trust shall have
the power and authority to indemnify Persons providing services to the Trust to the full extent provided by law as if the Trust
were a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law provided that such indemnification has been approved by
a majority of the Trustees.
SECTION
4.3. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other person dealing
with the Trustees or with any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity
of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application
of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every
obligation, contract, undertaking, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust, and every other act or thing whatsoever
executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively taken to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only
in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust. The Trustees
may maintain insurance for the protection of the Trust Property, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents in
such amount as the Trustees shall deem adequate to cover possible liability, and such other insurance as the Trustees in their
sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.
SECTION
4.4. Reliance on Experts, etc. Each Trustee and officer or employee of the Trust shall, in the performance of its duties,
be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith
upon the books of account or other records of the Trust, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Trust by any
of the Trust’s officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, selected dealer, accountant,
appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless
of whether such counsel or other person may also be a Trustee.
Section
5 of the Registrant’s Investment Advisory Agreement provides as follows:
5.
Standard of Care
The
Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering the services described in paragraphs 2 and 3 above. The Adviser shall not
be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters of which
this Agreement relates, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect the Adviser against
any liability to the Fund or to its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The
Investment Adviser, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of New York, acts as investment adviser
to the Registrant. The Registrant is fulfilling the requirement of this Item 31 to provide a list of the officers and directors
of the Investment Adviser, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial
nature engaged in by the Investment Adviser or those officers and directors during the past two years, by incorporating by reference
the information contained in the Form ADV of the Investment Adviser filed with the SEC pursuant to the 1940 Act (Commission File
No. 801-37706).
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
The
accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained in part at the office of the Investment Adviser at One Corporate Center,
Rye, New York 10580-1422, in part at the offices of the Custodian, BNY Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286, at the
offices of the Fund’s Administrator, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware,
19809, and in part at the offices of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.
Item 33. Management Services
Not
applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
1.
Not applicable.
2.
Not applicable.
3.
Registrant undertakes:
(a) to
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(1) to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(2) to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth
in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(3) to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(4) if
(i) it determines to conduct one or more offerings of the Fund’s common shares (including rights to purchase its common
shares) at a price below its net asset value per common share at the date the offering is commenced, and (ii) such offering
or offerings will result in greater than a 15% dilution to the Fund’s net asset value per common share.
(b) that,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(c) to
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering; and
(d) that,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(1) if the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to
be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration
statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as
part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (x), or
(xi) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of
and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after
effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided
in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed
to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement
or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part
of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede
or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement
or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(2) if
the Registrant is relying on Rule 430C: each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act as part of a registration
statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in
reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first
used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of
the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement
or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such
first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration
statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(e) that
for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution
of securities:
The
undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration
Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or
sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:
| (1) | any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering
required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; |
| (2) | free
writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned
Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrants; |
| (3) | the
portion of any other free writing prospectus or advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under
the Securities Act relating to the offering containing material information about the
undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned
Registrant; and |
| (4) | any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant
to the purchaser. |
4.
Registrant undertakes:
| |
(a) |
that,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act the information omitted from the form of prospectus
filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the
Registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) under the Securities Act will be deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement as of the
time it was declared effective. |
| |
(b) |
that,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
of prospectus will be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering
of the securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
5.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 that is incorporated by reference into the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
6.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
7.
Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business
days of receipt of a written or oral request, any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of this
Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES
As
required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Rye, State of New York, on the 11th day of March, 2022.
| |
THE
GABELLI UTILITY TRUST |
| |
|
|
| |
By: |
/s/
Bruce N. Alpert |
| |
|
Name:
Bruce N. Alpert |
| |
|
Title:
President and Principal Executive Officer |
As
required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Form N-2 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
set forth below on the 11th day of March, 2022.
| |
|
|
|
|
NAME |
|
|
|
TITLE |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| Mario
J. Gabelli |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| John
D. Gabelli |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| John
Birch |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| Elizabeth
C. Bogan |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| James
P. Conn |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| Vincent
D. Enright |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| Frank
J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| Michael
J. Ferrantino |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
| * |
|
|
|
|
| Leslie F. Foley |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| Michael
J. Melarkey |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| Robert
J. Morrissey |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| Kuni
Nakamura |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
| Salvatore
J. Zizza |
|
|
|
Trustee |
| |
|
|
/s/
Bruce N. Alpert |
|
|
|
|
| Bruce
N. Alpert |
|
|
|
President
and Principal Executive Officer |
| |
|
|
/s/
John C. Ball |
|
|
|
|
| John
C. Ball |
|
|
|
Treasurer
and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |
| |
|
|
| /s/
Bruce N. Alpert |
|
|
|
|
| Bruce
N. Alpert |
|
|
|
Attorney-in-Fact |
| * |
Pursuant
to a Power of Attorney |
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Grafico Azioni Gabelli Utility (NYSE:GUT-C)
Storico
Da Feb 2025 a Mar 2025
Grafico Azioni Gabelli Utility (NYSE:GUT-C)
Storico
Da Mar 2024 a Mar 2025
