UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-04656
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
James A. Dinsmore
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: September 30
Date of reporting period: September 30, 2020
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR 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 Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Annual Report — September 30, 2020
(Y)our Portfolio Management Team
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Thomas H. Dinsmore, CFA | | Jane D. O’Keeffe | | James A. Dinsmore, CFA | | |
| | BS, Wharton School
of Business MA, Fairleigh Dickinson University | | BA, University of
New Hampshire | | BA, Cornell University
MBA, Rutgers University | | |
To Our Shareholders,
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the net asset value (NAV) total return of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. was 23.6% compared with total returns of 31.2% and 23.9% for the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index and the Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index, respectively. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 18.6%. The Fund’s NAV per share was $13.15, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $11.55 on the NYSE American. See page 2 for additional performance information.
Enclosed are the financial statements, including the schedule of investments, as of September 30, 2020.
|
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.gabelli.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. To elect to receive all future reports on paper free of charge, please contact your financial intermediary, or, if you invest directly with the Fund, you may call 800-422-3554 or send an email request to info@gabelli.com. |
Comparative Results
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average Annual Returns through September 30, 2020 (a)(b) (Unaudited) | |
| | 1 Year | | 3 Year | | 5 Year | | 10 Year | | Since Inception (06/30/86) |
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NAV Total Return (c) | | | 23.56 | % | | | 14.92 | % | | | 13.24 | % | | | 10.57 | % | | | 8.55 | % |
Investment Total Return (d) | | | 18.60 | | | | 14.10 | | | | 15.42 | | | | 10.67 | | | | 8.81 | |
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index | | | 31.20 | | | | 15.24 | | | | 13.79 | | | | 11.38 | | | | N/A | (e) |
Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index | | | 23.88 | | | | 11.42 | | | | 9.73 | | | | 8.24 | | | | N/A | (f) |
(a) Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. The Fund’s use of leverage may magnify the volatility of net asset value changes versus funds that do not employ leverage. 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. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index is a market value weighted index of all dollar denominated convertible securities that are exchangeable into U.S. equities that have a market value of more than $50 million. The Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index is a market value weighted index that tracks the performance of publicly placed, dollar denominated convertible securities that are between 40% and 80% sensitive to movements in their underlying common stocks. Dividends and interest income are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index. | |
(b) The Fund’s fiscal year ends on September 30. | |
(c) Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date for the period beginning November 2015, and are net of expenses. Total returns and average annual returns were not adjusted for the 2004 rights offering. For the period from December 2008 through October 2015, the distributions were reinvested on the payable date using market prices. From inception through November 2008, distributions were reinvested on the payable date using NAV. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $9.30. | |
(d) Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE American and reinvestment of distributions. Total returns and average annual returns were not adjusted for the 2004 rights offering. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $10.00. | |
(e) The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index inception date is December 31, 1994. | |
(f) The Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index inception date is January 1, 2003. | |
2
Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of September 30, 2020:
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
| | | | |
Computer Software and Services | | | 24.8 | % |
Health Care | | | 17.3 | % |
Real Estate Investment Trusts | | | 6.6 | % |
Financial Services | | | 6.5 | % |
Energy and Utilities | | | 6.4 | % |
Telecommunications | | | 6.0 | % |
Security Software | | | 5.6 | % |
Consumer Services | | | 4.7 | % |
Consumer Products | | | 2.8 | % |
Communications Equipment | | | 2.8 | % |
U.S. Government Obligations | | | 2.7 | % |
Business Services | | | 2.6 | % |
Diversified Industrial | | | 2.1 | % |
| | | | |
Semiconductors | | | 1.8 | % |
Aerospace | | | 1.6 | % |
Automotive: Parts and Accessories | | | 1.1 | % |
Transportation | | | 1.0 | % |
Cable and Satellite | | | 1.0 | % |
Entertainment | | | 0.8 | % |
Equipment and Supplies | | | 0.7 | % |
Airlines | | | 0.6 | % |
Food and Beverage | | | 0.5 | % |
| | | | |
| | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | |
The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may obtain this information at www.gabelli.com or by calling the Fund at 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554). The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of each year. A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to The Gabelli Funds at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
3
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Schedule of Investments — September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| | | | CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS — 66.4% | |
| | | | Aerospace — 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
| $ 1,000,000 | | | Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., 2.250%, 12/15/23 | | $ | 1,017,395 | | | $ | 1,590,625 | |
| 1,638,000 | | | Kaman Corp., 3.250%, 05/01/24 | | | 1,649,421 | | | | 1,631,008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,666,816 | | | | 3,221,633 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Airlines — 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
| 930,000 | | | Southwest Airlines Co., 1.250%, 05/01/25 | | | 957,382 | | | | 1,218,300 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Business Services — 1.1% | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Perficient Inc., 1.250%, 08/01/25(a) | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 2,133,106 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Cable and Satellite — 1.0% | |
| 2,000,000 | | | DISH Network Corp., 3.375%, 08/15/26 | | | 1,902,921 | | | | 1,840,993 | |
| 1,525,000 | | | Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., 2.750%, 02/15/35 | | | 1,043,232 | | | | 130,924 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,946,153 | | | | 1,971,917 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Communications Equipment — 2.8% | |
| 750,000 | | | Harmonic Inc., 2.000%, 09/01/24 | | | 741,101 | | | | 702,668 | |
| 1,870,000 | | | InterDigital Inc., 2.000%, 06/01/24 | | | 1,862,288 | | | | 1,935,843 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Lumentum Holdings Inc., Ser. QIB, 0.500%, 12/15/26(a) | | | 1,312,014 | | | | 1,333,510 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Vocera Communications Inc., 1.500%, 05/15/23 | | | 1,575,803 | | | | 1,679,063 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,491,206 | | | | 5,651,084 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Computer Software and Services — 21.6% | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Bandwidth Inc., 0.250%, 03/01/26(a) | | | 1,517,115 | | | | 3,003,054 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Blackline Inc., 0.125%, 08/01/24 | | | 1,001,545 | | | | 1,380,482 | |
| 1,375,000 | | | Cardlytics Inc., 1.000%, 09/15/25(a) | | | 1,408,309 | | | | 1,507,313 | |
| 695,000 | | | Cloudflare Inc., 0.750%, 05/15/25(a) | | | 695,000 | | | | 939,190 | |
| | | | Coupa Software Inc., | | | | | | | | |
| 870,000 | | | 0.125%, 06/15/25 | | | 892,073 | | | | 1,589,381 | |
| 1,375,000 | | | 0.375%, 06/15/26(a) | | | 1,371,325 | | | | 1,626,797 | |
| 2,500,000 | | | CSG Systems International Inc., 4.250%, 03/15/36 | | | 2,536,135 | | | | 2,600,273 | |
| 1,035,000 | | | Datadog Inc., 0.125%, 06/15/25(a) | | | 1,058,348 | | | | 1,371,375 | |
| 2,030,000 | | | Everbridge Inc., 0.125%, 12/15/24(a) | | | 2,055,181 | | | | 2,700,436 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| $ 1,000,000 | | | Evolent Health Inc., 1.500%, 10/15/25 | | $ | 715,808 | | | $ | 771,875 | |
| 515,000 | | | HubSpot Inc., 0.375%, 06/01/25(a) | | | 532,463 | | | | 655,411 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | i3 Verticals LLC, 1.000%, 02/15/25(a) | | | 1,962,999 | | | | 1,752,455 | |
| 585,000 | | | Limelight Networks Inc., 3.500%, 08/01/25(a) | | | 585,000 | | | | 592,792 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | LivePerson Inc., 0.750%, 03/01/24 | | | 1,256,767 | | | | 1,895,313 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Match Group Financeco 3 Inc., 2.000%, 01/15/30(a) | | | 2,004,326 | | | | 3,044,887 | |
| 515,000 | | | Medallia Inc., 0.125%, 09/15/25(a) | | | 515,000 | | | | 519,268 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | MercadoLibre Inc., 2.000%, 08/15/28 | | | 1,234,318 | | | | 3,150,313 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | PAR Technology Corp., 2.875%, 04/15/26(a) | | | 1,914,840 | | | | 2,402,641 | |
| 2,125,000 | | | Pluralsight Inc., 0.375%, 03/01/24 | | | 1,945,859 | | | | 1,887,000 | |
| 1,330,000 | | | PROS Holdings Inc., 2.250%, 09/15/27(a) | | | 1,330,000 | | | | 1,357,142 | |
| 1,735,000 | | | Q2 Holdings Inc., 0.750%, 06/01/26 | | | 1,816,768 | | | | 2,133,808 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | RealPage Inc., 1.500%, 05/15/25 | | | 1,067,450 | | | | 1,033,750 | |
| | | | Splunk Inc., | | | | | | | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | 1.125%, 09/15/25 | | | 1,509,716 | | | | 2,168,594 | |
| 685,000 | | | 1.125%, 06/15/27(a) | | | 691,504 | | | | 740,441 | |
| 1,045,000 | | | Varonis Systems Inc., 1.250%, 08/15/25(a) | | | 1,056,277 | | | | 1,491,540 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Workiva Inc., 1.125%, 08/15/26 | | | 1,451,859 | | | | 1,501,595 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 34,125,985 | | | | 43,817,126 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Consumer Products — 2.1% | |
| 1,050,000 | | | Farfetch Ltd., 3.750%, 05/01/27(a) | | | 1,076,418 | | | | 1,923,927 | |
| 1,045,000 | | | National Vision Holdings Inc., 2.500%, 05/15/25(a) | | | 1,057,971 | | | | 1,489,125 | |
| 695,000 | | | Under Armour Inc., 1.500%, 06/01/24(a) | | | 695,000 | | | | 871,988 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,829,389 | | | | 4,285,040 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Consumer Services — 4.7% | |
| 525,000 | | | Callaway Golf Co., 2.750%, 05/01/26(a) | | | 528,039 | | | | 715,489 | |
| 680,000 | | | Chegg Inc., Zero Coupon, 09/01/26(a) | | | 691,884 | | | | 681,020 | |
| 855,000 | | | K12 Inc., 1.125%, 09/01/27(a) | | | 855,000 | | | | 717,283 | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
4
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| | | | CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (Continued) | |
| | | | Consumer Services (Continued) | |
| | | | NCL Corp. Ltd., | | | | | | | | |
$ | 695,000 | | | 6.000%, 05/15/24(a) | | $ | 714,080 | | | $ | 1,020,095 | |
| 720,000 | | | 5.375%, 08/01/25(a) | | | 736,528 | | | | 846,486 | |
| 430,000 | | | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., 4.250%, 06/15/23(a) | | | 484,029 | | | | 503,932 | |
| 685,000 | | | Shopify Inc., 0.125%, 11/01/25 | | | 685,000 | | | | 767,928 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Square Inc., 0.500%, 05/15/23 | | | 1,603,131 | | | | 3,253,216 | |
| 1,030,000 | | | Wayfair Inc., 0.625%, 10/01/25(a) | | | 1,050,544 | | | | 1,052,853 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,348,235 | | | | 9,558,302 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Diversified Industrial — 0.7% | |
| 750,000 | | | Chart Industries Inc., 1.000%, 11/15/24(a) | | | 751,858 | | | | 1,043,232 | |
| 175,000 | | | Sea Ltd., 2.375%, 12/01/25(a) | | | 175,000 | | | | 328,028 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 926,858 | | | | 1,371,260 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Energy and Utilities — 2.6% | |
| 1,030,000 | | | Bloom Energy Corp., 2.500%, 08/15/25(a) | | | 1,035,015 | | | | 1,313,857 | |
| 1,700,000 | | | Cheniere Energy Inc., 4.250%, 03/15/45 | | | 1,112,568 | | | | 1,232,949 | |
| 2,850,000 | | | SunPower Corp., 4.000%, 01/15/23 | | | 2,596,305 | | | | 2,731,882 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,743,888 | | | | 5,278,688 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Financial Services — 3.9% | |
| 875,000 | | | Chimera Investment Corp., 7.000%, 04/01/23 | | | 926,510 | | | | 1,083,470 | |
| 775,000 | | | Colony Capital Operating Co. LLC, 5.750%, 07/15/25(a) | | | 815,758 | | | | 1,146,402 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Encore Capital Group Inc., 3.250%, 03/15/22 | | | 963,195 | | | | 1,089,237 | |
| 750,000 | | | GOL Equity Finance SA, 3.750%, 07/15/24(a) | | | 749,656 | | | | 471,888 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | IIP Operating Partnership LP, 3.750%, 02/21/24(a) | | | 1,000,000 | | | | 1,973,259 | |
| | | | LendingTree Inc., | | | | | | | | |
| 641,000 | | | 0.625%, 06/01/22 | | | 645,512 | | | | 1,005,621 | |
| 1,210,000 | | | 0.500%, 07/15/25(a) | | | 1,258,953 | | | | 1,183,575 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,359,584 | | | | 7,953,452 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care — 13.1% | | | | | | | | |
| 1,545,000 | | | 1Life Healthcare Inc., 3.000%, 06/15/25(a) | | | 1,562,943 | | | | 1,542,976 | |
| 735,000 | | | Coherus Biosciences Inc., 1.500%, 04/15/26(a) | | | 741,081 | | | | 865,018 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc., 2.625%, 02/15/26 | | | 960,442 | | | | 995,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| $ 1,000,000 | | | CONMED Corp., 2.625%, 02/01/24 | | $ | 1,013,564 | | | $ | 1,124,543 | |
| | | | DexCom Inc., | | | | | | | | |
| 575,000 | | | 0.750%, 12/01/23 | | | 575,000 | | | | 1,454,031 | |
| 520,000 | | | 0.250%, 11/15/25(a) | | | 520,000 | | | | 550,875 | |
| 1,960,000 | | | Exact Sciences Corp., 0.375%, 03/15/27 | | | 1,988,591 | | | | 2,303,763 | |
| 250,000 | | | Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., 6.500%, 03/01/24 | | | 250,000 | | | | 536,049 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Insulet Corp., 0.375%, 09/01/26(a) | | | 1,554,650 | | | | 1,917,662 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2.000%, 05/15/26 | | | 951,292 | | | | 871,749 | |
| 500,000 | | | Invacare Corp., 4.500%, 06/01/22 | | | 418,758 | | | | 455,737 | |
| 1,045,000 | | | Livongo Health Inc., 0.875%, 06/01/25(a) | | | 1,211,105 | | | | 2,052,119 | |
| 1,171,000 | | | Neurocrine Biosciences Inc., 2.250%, 05/15/24 | | | 1,197,675 | | | | 1,621,835 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Pacira BioSciences Inc., 2.375%, 04/01/22 | | | 1,512,462 | | | | 1,727,219 | |
| 1,390,000 | | | PetIQ Inc., 4.000%, 06/01/26(a) | | | 1,390,000 | | | | 1,872,461 | |
| 500,000 | | | Retrophin Inc., 2.500%, 09/15/25 | | | 419,346 | | | | 427,477 | |
| 1,254,000 | | | Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc., 0.625%, 04/01/23 | | | 1,244,707 | | | | 1,161,303 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc., 1.750%, 02/15/26(a) | | | 1,512,205 | | | | 1,399,053 | |
| 1,870,000 | | | Teladoc Health Inc., 1.250%, 06/01/27(a) | | | 1,897,362 | | | | 2,347,877 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Theravance Biopharma Inc., 3.250%, 11/01/23 | | | 1,510,263 | | | | 1,320,323 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 22,431,446 | | | | 26,547,070 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Security Software — 5.6% | |
| 1,395,000 | | | 2U Inc., 2.250%, 05/01/25(a) | | | 1,378,214 | | | | 2,009,173 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | CyberArk Software Ltd., Zero Coupon, 11/15/24(a) | | | 1,521,045 | | | | 1,471,591 | |
| 515,000 | | | Nice Ltd., Zero Coupon, 09/15/25(a) | | | 515,000 | | | | 521,747 | |
| 782,000 | | | Nice Systems Inc., 1.250%, 01/15/24 | | | 805,389 | | | | 2,127,765 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Okta Inc., 0.125%, 09/01/25 | | | 1,001,982 | | | | 1,321,847 | |
| 2,040,000 | | | Proofpoint Inc., 0.250%, 08/15/24 | | | 2,102,919 | | | | 2,041,275 | |
| 1,515,000 | | | Zscaler Inc., 0.125%, 07/01/25(a) | | | 1,536,308 | | | | 1,795,428 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,860,857 | | | | 11,288,826 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
5
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| | | | CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (Continued) | |
| | | | Semiconductors — 0.1% | |
$ | 175,000 | | | Inphi Corp., 0.750%, 04/15/25(a) | | $ | 175,000 | | | $ | 210,342 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | Telecommunications — 3.9% | |
| 1,560,000 | | | 8x8 Inc., 0.500%, 02/01/24 | | | 1,587,983 | | | | 1,459,312 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Infinera Corp., 2.500%, 03/01/27(a) | | | 1,443,677 | | | | 1,580,816 | |
| 1,345,000 | | | PagerDuty Inc., 1.250%, 07/01/25(a) | | | 1,346,167 | | | | 1,366,948 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Twilio Inc., 0.250%, 06/01/23 | | | 1,002,226 | | | | 3,487,923 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 5,380,053 | | | | 7,894,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | Transportation — 1.0% | |
| 1,700,000 | | | Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc., 1.875%, 06/01/24 | | | 1,557,222 | | | | 2,053,813 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS | | | 108,800,074 | | | | 134,454,958 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Shares | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 2.0% | |
| | | | Business Services — 0.2% | |
| 809,253 | | | Amerivon Holdings LLC, 4.000% (b) | | | 1,294,693 | | | | 436,035 | |
| 272,728 | | | Amerivon Holdings LLC, common equity units (b) | | | 0 | | | | 16,364 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,294,693 | | | | 452,399 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | Financial Services — 0.7% | |
| 1,000 | | | Bank of America Corp., 7.250%, Ser. L | | | 1,125,153 | | | | 1,488,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Real Estate Investment Trusts —1.1% | |
| 15,000 | | | QTS Realty Trust Inc., 6.500%, Ser. B | | | 1,500,000 | | | | 2,121,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS | | | 3,919,846 | | | | 4,061,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (c) — 11.7% | |
| | | | Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 1.1% | |
| 19,100 | | | Aptiv plc, Ser. A 5.500%, 06/15/23 | | | 1,935,577 | | | | 2,166,322 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Diversified Industrial — 1.4% | | | | | | | | |
| 15,000 | | | Colfax Corp., 5.750%, 01/15/22 | | | 1,554,980 | | | | 2,013,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| 7,250 | | | Stanley Black & Decker Inc., 5.250%, 11/15/22 | | $ | 743,560 | | | $ | 731,525 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,298,540 | | | | 2,744,675 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Energy and Utilities — 3.8% | | | | | | | | |
| 11,102 | | | American Electric Power Co. Inc., 6.125%, 03/15/22 | | | 564,072 | | | | 538,558 | |
| 29,000 | | | DTE Energy Co., 6.250%, 11/01/22 | | | 1,322,166 | | | | 1,309,640 | |
| 3,645 | | | Essential Utilities Inc., 6.000%, 04/30/22 | | | 182,250 | | | | 195,007 | |
| | | | NextEra Energy Inc., | | | | | | | | |
| 49,025 | | | 4.872%, 09/01/22 | | | 2,406,593 | | | | 2,655,194 | |
| 27,900 | | | 5.279%, 03/01/23 | | | 1,360,125 | | | | 1,302,372 | |
| 27,465 | | | 6.219%, 09/01/23 | | | 1,334,799 | | | | 1,311,454 | |
| 5,000 | | | Sempra Energy, Ser. B, 6.750%, 07/15/21 | | | 508,649 | | | | 490,050 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 7,678,654 | | | | 7,802,275 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | Equipment and Supplies — 0.7% | |
| 1,000 | | | Danaher Corp., Ser. A 4.750%, 04/15/22 | | | 1,008,250 | | | | 1,475,850 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | Financial Services — 1.9% | |
| 1,730 | | | 2020 Cash Mandatory Exchangeable Trust, 5.250%, 06/01/23 | | | 1,771,550 | | | | 1,865,424 | |
| 690 | | | 2020 Mandatory Exchangeable Trust, 6.500%, 05/16/23 | | | 696,038 | | | | 920,180 | |
| 24,000 | | | New York Community Capital Trust V, 6.000%, 11/01/51 | | | 1,043,554 | | | | 1,061,040 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,511,142 | | | | 3,846,644 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Health Care — 1.6% | | | | | | | | |
| 25,445 | | | Avantor Inc., Ser. A 6.250%, 05/15/22 | | | 1,405,621 | | | | 1,850,869 | |
| 30,900 | | | Elanco Animal Health Inc., 5.000%, 02/01/23 | | | 1,438,926 | | | | 1,370,724 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,844,547 | | | | 3,221,593 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — September 30, 2020
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| | | | MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (c) (Continued) | |
| | | | Semiconductors — 1.2% | |
| 1,945 | | | Broadcom Inc., Ser. A 8.000%, 09/30/22 | | $ | 1,983,484 | | | $ | 2,424,929 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | TOTAL MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES | | | 21,260,194 | | | | 23,682,288 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | COMMON STOCKS — 17.2% | |
| | | | Business Services — 1.3% | |
| 13,000 | | | PayPal Holdings Inc.† | | | 532,383 | | | | 2,561,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Computer Software and Services — 3.2% | |
| 12,194 | | | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR† | | | 1,824,222 | | | | 3,584,792 | |
| 14,300 | | | Microsoft Corp. | | | 388,674 | | | | 3,007,719 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,212,896 | | | | 6,592,511 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Consumer Products — 0.7% | |
| 24,000 | | | Unilever NV | | | 1,015,518 | | | | 1,449,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Energy and Utilities — 0.0% | |
| 132 | | | Goodrich Petroleum Corp.† | | | 1,489 | | | | 1,015 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Entertainment — 0.8% | |
| 12,500 | | | The Walt Disney Co. | | | 904,911 | | | | 1,551,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Food and Beverage — 0.5% | |
| 30,000 | | | Conagra Brands Inc. | | | 744,389 | | | | 1,071,300 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Health Care — 2.6% | |
| 12,960 | | | Eli Lilly and Co. | | | 691,431 | | | | 1,918,339 | |
| 22,651 | | | Merck & Co. Inc. | | | 839,335 | | | | 1,878,900 | |
| 40,000 | | | Pfizer Inc. | | | 923,760 | | | | 1,468,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,454,526 | | | | 5,265,239 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Real Estate Investment Trusts — 5.5% | |
| 10,000 | | | American Tower Corp | | | 900,500 | | | | 2,417,300 | |
| 16,100 | | | Crown Castle International Corp. | | | . 1,232,711 | | | | 2,680,650 | |
| 5,000 | | | Equinix Inc. | | | 1,308,172 | | | | 3,800,650 | |
| 7,000 | | | SBA Communications Corp. | | | 710,771 | | | | 2,229,360 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 4,152,154 | | | | 11,127,960 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Semiconductors — 0.5% | |
| 20,000 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 546,600 | | | | 1,035,600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Telecommunications — 2.1% | |
| 30,000 | | | AT&T Inc. | | | 829,600 | | | | 855,300 | |
| 16,119 | | | T-Mobile US Inc.† | | | 573,400 | | | | 1,843,369 | |
| 25,000 | | | Verizon Communications Inc. | | | 937,353 | | | | 1,487,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,340,353 | | | | 4,185,919 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | | 14,905,219 | | | | 34,841,534 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Cost | | | Market Value | |
| | | | WARRANTS — 0.0% | |
| | | | Energy and Utilities — 0.0% | |
| 1,131 | | | Goodrich Petroleum Corp., expire 10/12/26†(b) | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Principal Amount | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 2.7% | |
$ | 5,545,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.090%††, 12/24/20 to 12/31/20 | | | 5,543,772 | | | | 5,543,790 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% | | $ | 154,429,105 | | | | 202,584,569 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) | | | | 1,011,119 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| PREFERRED STOCK (1,200,000 preferred shares outstanding) | | | | (30,000,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| NET ASSETS (13,205,057 common shares outstanding) | | | $ | 173,595,688 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ($173,595,688 ÷ 13,205,057 shares outstanding) | | | $ | 13.15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | 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. |
(b) | Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. |
(c) | Mandatory convertible securities are required to be converted on the dates listed; they generally may be converted prior to these dates at the option of the holder. |
† | Non-income producing security. |
†† | Represents annualized yield at dates of purchase. |
ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2020
| | | | |
Assets: | | | | |
Investments, at value (cost $154,429,105) | | $ | 202,584,569 | |
Cash | | | 298 | |
Receivable for investments sold | | | 768,531 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 594,014 | |
Deferred offering expense | | | 12,007 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 1,006 | |
| | | | |
Total Assets | | | 203,960,425 | |
| | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | |
Distributions payable | | | 21,875 | |
Payable for investment advisory fees | | | 111,434 | |
Payable for payroll expenses | | | 34,564 | |
Payable for accounting fees | | | 3,750 | |
Payable for legal and audit fees | | | 85,945 | |
Payable for shareholder communications expenses | | | 59,011 | |
Other accrued expenses | | | 48,158 | |
| | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 364,737 | |
| | | | |
Preferred Shares: | | | | |
Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (5.250%, $25 liquidation value, $0.01 par value, unlimited shares authorized with 1,200,000 shares issued and outstanding) | | | 30,000,000 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders | | $ | 173,595,688 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Consist of: | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 113,377,712 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 60,217,976 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 173,595,688 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net Asset Value per Common Share: | | | | |
($173,595,688 ÷ 13,205,057 shares outstanding at $0.01 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized) | | $ | 13.15 | |
| | | | |
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended September 30, 2020
| | | | |
Investment Income: | | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $6,542) | | $ | 2,307,220 | |
Interest | | | 1,750,520 | |
| | | | |
Total Investment Income | | | 4,057,740 | |
| | | | |
Expenses: | | | | |
Investment advisory fees | | | 1,275,002 | |
Shelf registration expense | | | 141,462 | |
Trustees’ fees | | | 123,000 | |
Legal and audit fees | | | 88,153 | |
Shareholder communications expenses | | | 83,129 | |
Payroll expenses | | | 71,285 | |
Accounting fees | | | 45,000 | |
Shareholder services fees | | | 33,489 | |
Custodian fees | | | 18,447 | |
Interest expense | | | 224 | |
Miscellaneous expenses | | | 49,948 | |
| | | | |
Total Expenses | | | 1,929,139 | |
| | | | |
Expenses paid indirectly by broker (See Note 3) | | | (2,346 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Expenses | | | 1,926,793 | |
| | | | |
Net Investment Income | | | 2,130,947 | |
| | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments: | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | 17,428,197 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation: on investments | | | 15,480,172 | |
| | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments | | | 32,908,369 | |
| | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | | 35,039,316 | |
| | | | |
Total Distributions to Preferred Shareholders | | | (1,575,000 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations | | $ | 33,464,316 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended September 30, 2020 | | | Year Ended September 30, 2019 | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | $ | 2,130,947 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,540,971 | | | | | |
Net realized gain on investments | | | | | | | 17,428,197 | | | | | | | | | | | | 8,729,919 | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | | | | | | | 15,480,172 | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,428,104 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | | | | | | | 35,039,316 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12,698,994 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders from accumulated earnings | | | | | | | (1,575,000 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (1,575,000 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations | | | | | | | 33,464,316 | | | | | | | | | | | | 11,123,994 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Distributions to Common Shareholders from accumulated earnings | | | | | | | (10,619,702 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (6,369,875 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions | | | | | | | 2,058,986 | | | | | | | | | | | | 745,968 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | 2,058,986 | | | | | | | | | | | | 745,968 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders | | | | | | | 24,903,600 | | | | | | | | | | | | 5,500,087 | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | | | | | 148,692,088 | | | | | | | | | | | | 143,192,001 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of year | | | | | | $ | 173,595,688 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 148,692,088 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended September 30, | |
| 2020 | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | |
Operating Performance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of year | | | | | | $ | 11.42 | | | | | | | $ | 11.07 | | | | | | | $ | 10.18 | | | | | | | $ | 9.60 | | | | | | | $ | 9.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | 0.16 | | | | | | | | 0.20 | | | | | | | | 0.17 | | | | | | | | 0.18 | | | | | | | | 0.20 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | | | | | | | 2.50 | | | | | | | | 0.77 | | | | | | | | 1.33 | | | | | | | | 0.93 | | | | | | | | 0.76 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | | | | 2.66 | | | | | | | | 0.97 | | | | | | | | 1.50 | | | | | | | | 1.11 | | | | | | | | 0.96 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: (a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | — | |
Net realized gain | | | | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions to preferred shareholders | | | | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations | | | | | | | 2.54 | | | | | | | | 0.85 | | | | | | | | 1.38 | | | | | | | | 1.11 | | | | | | | | 0.96 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions to Common Shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | | | | | (0.26 | ) |
Net realized gain | | | | | | | (0.67 | ) | | | | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | | | | | (0.53 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions to common shareholders | | | | | | | (0.81 | ) | | | | | | | (0.49 | ) | | | | | | | (0.48 | ) | | | | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | | | | | (0.79 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in net asset value from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.04 | ) |
Increase in net asset value from repurchase of common shares (includes transaction costs) | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | 0.01 | | | | | | | | 0.02 | |
Offering costs for preferred shares charged to paid-in capital | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Fund share transactions | | | | | | | (0.00 | )(b) | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | | | | | (0.02 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Year | | | | | | $ | 13.15 | | | | | | | $ | 11.42 | | | | | | | $ | 11.07 | | | | | | | $ | 10.18 | | | | | | | $ | 9.60 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NAV total return† | | | | | | | 23.56 | % | | | | | | | 7.89 | % | | | | | | | 13.85 | % | | | | | | | 10.89 | % | | | | | | | 10.64 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Market value, end of year | | | | | | $ | 11.55 | | | | | | | $ | 10.49 | | | | | | | $ | 10.31 | | | | | | | $ | 9.26 | | | | | | | $ | 8.19 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment total return†† | | | | | | | 18.60 | % | | | | | | | 6.98 | % | | | | | | | 17.08 | % | | | | | | | 18.89 | % | | | | | | | 15.98 | % |
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end of year (in 000’s) | | | | | | $ | 203,596 | | | | | | | $ | 178,692 | | | | | | | $ | 173,192 | | | | | | | $ | 161,015 | | | | | | | | — | |
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of year (in 000’s) | | | | | | $ | 173,596 | | | | | | | $ | 148,692 | | | | | | | $ | 143,192 | | | | | | | $ | 131,015 | | | | | | | $ | 123,905 | |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets attributable to common shares | | | | | | | 1.36 | % | | | | | | | 1.80 | % | | | | | | | 1.64 | % | | | | | | | 1.92 | % | | | | | | | 2.19 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares(c) | | | | | | | 1.23 | %(d) | | | | | | | 1.20 | %(d) | | | | | | | 1.18 | %(d) | | | | | | | 1.08 | %(d) | | | | | | | 1.10 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | | | | | 51.6 | % | | | | | | | 52.1 | % | | | | | | | 34.6 | % | | | | | | | 32.0 | % | | | | | | | 38.0 | % |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Financial Highlights (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended September 30, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016 | |
Cumulative Preferred Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
5.250% Series A Preferred | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liquidation value, end of year (in 000’s) | | | $30,000 | | | | $30,000 | | | | $30,000 | | | | $30,000 | | | | — | |
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s) | | | 1,200 | | | | 1,200 | | | | 1,200 | | | | 1,200 | | | | — | |
Liquidation preference per share | | | $ 25.00 | | | | $ 25.00 | | | | $ 25.00 | | | | $ 25.00 | | | | — | |
Average market value(e) | | | $ 25.59 | | | | $ 24.64 | | | | $ 24.56 | | | | $ 25.14 | | | | — | |
Asset coverage per share | | | $169.66 | | | | $148.91 | | | | $144.33 | | | | $134.18 | | | | — | |
Asset Coverage. | | | 679 | % | | | 596 | % | | | 577 | % | | | 537 | % | | | — | |
† | Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at net asset value on the ex-dividend date. |
†† | Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. |
(a) | Calculated based on average common shares outstanding on the record dates throughout the year. |
(b) | Amount represents less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | The Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. For all fiscal years presented there was no impact on the expense ratios. |
(d) | Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 would have been 1.03%, 0.99%, 0.96%, and 1.07%, respectively. |
(e) | Based on weekly prices. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Organization. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd., organized as a Delaware statutory trust, operates as a diversified closed-end management investment company, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). Investment operations commenced in July 1986.
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide income and the potential for capital appreciation, which objectives the Fund considers to be relatively equal over the long term due to the nature of the securities in which it invests. The Fund invests primarily in convertible and equity securities.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. 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 financial statements. 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 financial statements.
The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations, and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.
New Accounting Pronouncements. To improve the effectiveness of fair value disclosure requirements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), which adds, removes, and modifies certain aspects relating to fair value disclosure. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption of the additions relating to ASU 2018-13 is not required, even if early adoption is elected for the removals under ASU 2018-13. Management has early adopted the removals set forth in ASU 2018-13 in these financial statements and has not early adopted the additions set forth in ASU 2018-13.
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 obligations 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 securities are valued using the closing bid price, unless the Board determines such amount
12
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded. OTC futures and options on futures for which market quotations are readily available will be valued by quotations received from a pricing service or, if no quotations are available from a pricing service, by quotations obtained from one or more dealers in the instrument in question by the Adviser.
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). |
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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2020 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Valuation Inputs | | | Total Market Value at 9/30/20 | |
| Level 1 Quoted Prices | | | Level 2 Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs (a) | |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ASSETS (Market Value): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Convertible Corporate Bonds (b) | | | — | | | | $134,454,958 | | | | — | | | | $134,454,958 | |
| |
Convertible Preferred Stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Business Services | | | — | | | | — | | | | $452,399 | | | | 452,399 | |
Other Industries (b) | | | $ 3,609,600 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 3,609,600 | |
| |
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks | | | 3,609,600 | | | | — | | | | 452,399 | | | | 4,061,999 | |
| |
Mandatory Convertible Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financial Services | | | 1,061,040 | | | | 2,785,604 | | | | — | | | | 3,846,644 | |
Other Industries (b) | | | 19,835,644 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 19,835,644 | |
| |
Total Mandatory Convertible Securities | | | 20,896,684 | | | | 2,785,604 | | | | — | | | | 23,682,288 | |
| |
Common Stocks (b) | | | 34,841,534 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 34,841,534 | |
Warrants (b) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
U.S. Government Obligations | | | — | | | | 5,543,790 | | | | — | | | | 5,543,790 | |
| |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES | | | $59,347,818 | | | | $142,784,352 | | | | $452,399 | | | | $202,584,569 | |
| |
(a) | The inputs for these securities are not readily available and are derived based on the judgment of the Adviser according to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. |
(b) | Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings. |
13
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund did not have transfers into or out of Level 3.
The following table reconciles Level 3 investments for the Fund for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund | | Balance as of 09/30/19 | | | 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 09/30/20 | | | Net change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation during the period on Level 3 investments still held at 09/30/20† | |
| |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets (Market Value): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EQUITY CONTRACTS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Convertible Preferred Stocks (a) | | $ | 452,373 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | $26 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | 452,399 | | | | $26 | |
Warrants (a) | | | 0 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0 | | | | — | |
| |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES | | $ | 452,373 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | $26 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | $ | 452,399 | | | | $26 | |
| |
(a) | Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings. |
† | Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments is included in the related amounts in the Statement of Operations. |
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 are 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 or preferred equities, warrants, options, rights, or 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.
14
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These may include backtesting the prices realized in subsequent trades of these fair valued securities to fair values previously recognized.
Investments in Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest, from time to time, in shares of other investment companies (or entities that would be considered investment companies but are excluded from the definition pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act) (the Acquired Funds) in accordance with the 1940 Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund would bear the pro rata portion of the periodic expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund did not incur periodic expenses charged by Acquired Funds.
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.
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 20% 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 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. For the restricted security held as of September 30, 2020, please refer to the Schedule of Investments.
15
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain/(loss) on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method or amortized to earliest call date, if applicable. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. For certain securities known as “contingent payment debt instruments,” Federal tax regulations require the Fund to record non-cash, “contingent” interest income in addition to interest income actually received.
Custodian Fee Credits. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.”
Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The characterization of distributions to shareholders is based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. Permanent differences were primarily due to redesignation of dividends paid and reclassification of convertible bond premiums at disposition. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.
Under the Fund’s current common share distribution policy, the Fund declares and pays quarterly distributions from net investment income, capital gains, and paid-in capital. The actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the year. Pursuant to this policy, distributions during the year may be made in excess of required distributions. To the extent such distributions are made from current earnings and profits, they are considered ordinary income or long term capital gains. The Fund’s current distribution policy may restrict the Fund’s ability to pass through to shareholders all of its net realized long term capital gains as a Capital Gain Dividend and may cause such gains to be treated as ordinary income, subject to the maximum federal income tax rate. Distributions sourced from paid-in capital should not be considered as dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s NAV and the financial market environment. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board at any time.
Distributions to shareholders of the Fund’s 5.250% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (Series A Preferred) are recorded on a daily basis and are determined as described in Note 5.
16
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended September 30, 2020 | | | Year Ended September 30, 2019 | |
| Common | | | Preferred | | | Common | | | Preferred | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ordinary income (inclusive of short term capital gains) | | $ | 4,755,492 | | | $ | 705,283 | | | $ | 3,240,288 | | | $ | 801,186 | |
Net long term capital gains | | | 5,864,210 | | | | 869,717 | | | | 3,129,587 | | | | 773,814 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 10,619,702 | | | $ | 1,575,000 | | | $ | 6,369,875 | | | $ | 1,575,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for Income Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
As of September 30, 2020, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation on investments | | $ | 47,817,739 | |
Undistributed long term capital gains | | | 12,422,112 | |
Current year dividends payable. | | | (21,875 | ) |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | 60,217,976 | |
| | | | |
At September 30, 2020, the temporary differences between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation on investments were primarily due to amortization of bond premium and investments in partnerships.
The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Appreciation | | Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | Net Unrealized Appreciation |
Investments | | $154,766,830 | | $52,001,214 | | $(4,183,475) | | $47,817,739 |
The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of September 30, 2020, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. The Fund’s federal and state tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open, subject to examination. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.
3. Agreements and Other Transactions. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to 0.80% of the first $100,000,000 of the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of preferred stock and 0.55% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets including the liquidation value of preferred stock in excess of $100,000,000. In accordance with the Advisory
17
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio and oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs.
As per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser). During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund accrued $71,285 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund paid $2,407 in brokerage commissions on security trades to G.research, LLC, Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund received credits from a designated broker who agreed to pay certain Fund operating expenses. The amount of such expenses paid through this directed brokerage arrangement during this period was $2,346.
The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund accrued $45,000 in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.
The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $8,500 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each Trustee is reimbursed by the Fund for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended. The Lead Independent Trustee receives an annual fee of $1,000 and the Audit and Nominating Committee Chairman each receives an annual fee of $2,000. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Trustees who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, other than short term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $94,965,179 and $105,441,641, respectively.
5. Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.01) . The Board has authorized the repurchase of its common shares in the open market when the shares are trading at a discount of 10.0% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the NAV of the shares. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
Transactions in common shares of beneficial interest for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended September 30, 2020 | | Year Ended September 30, 2019 |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount |
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions. | | 181,890 | | $2,058,986 | | 88,281 | | $745,968 |
18
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
On September 18, 2017, the Fund issued 1,200,000 shares of Series A Preferred, receiving $28,855,381, after the deduction of offering expenses of $199,619 and underwriting fees of $945,000. The liquidation value of the Series A Preferred is $25 per share. The Series A Preferred has an annual dividend rate of 5.250%. The Series A Preferred is noncallable before September 18, 2022. At September 30, 2020, 1,200,000 shares of Series A Preferred were outstanding and accrued dividends amounted to $21,875. The Board has authorized the repurchase of the Series A Preferred in the open market at prices less than the $25 liquidation value per share.
The Fund’s Declaration of Trust, as amended, authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Series A Preferred, par value $0.01. The Series A Preferred are senior to the common shares and result in the financial leveraging of the common shares. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to common shareholders. Dividends on the Series A Preferred are cumulative. The Fund is required by the 1940 Act and by the Statement of Preferences to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Series A Preferred. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, the Series A Preferred at the redemption price of $25 per share plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends whether or not declared on such shares in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times. The income received on the Fund’s assets may vary in a manner unrelated to the fixed rate, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on net investment income and gains available to common shareholders.
The holders of Series A Preferred generally are entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common shares as a single class. The holders of Series A Preferred voting together as a single class also have the right currently to elect two Trustees and under certain circumstances are entitled to elect a majority of the Board of Trustees. In addition, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred, voting as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the Series A Preferred, and the approval of two-thirds of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s outstanding voting stock must approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding Series A Preferred and of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve certain other actions, including changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or fundamental investment policies.
6. Convertible Securities Concentration. It is the Fund’s policy to invest at least 65% of its assets in convertible securities. Although convertible securities derive part of their value from that of the securities into which they are convertible, they are not considered derivative financial instruments. However, the Fund’s mandatory convertible securities include features which render them more sensitive to price changes of their underlying securities. Thus they expose the Fund to greater downside risk than traditional convertible securities, but generally less than that of the underlying common stock.
7. Indemnifications. The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or
19
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)
losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
8. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.
20
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (the “Fund”) as of September 30, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended September 30, 2020, the statement of changes in net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2020 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of September 30, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets attributable to common shareholders for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The financial Statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended September 30, 2017 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to September 30, 2017 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated November 21, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of September 30, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
November, 25, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Fund Complex since 1986.
21
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Additional Fund Information (Unaudited)
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554) or by writing to Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Position(s) Address1 and Age | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served2 | | Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee3 | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | Other Directorships Held by Trustee4 |
| | | | |
INTERESTED TRUSTEES5 : | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA Trustee and Chairman Age: 78 | | Since 2015* | | 33 | | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer– Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer– Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc.; Director/ Trustee or Chief Investment Officer of other registered investment companies within the Fund Complex; Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.; Executive Chairman of Associated Capital Group, Inc. | | Director of Morgan Group Holdings, Inc. (holding company); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corp. (multimedia and communication services company); Director of CIBL, Inc. (broadcasting and wireless communications); Director of ICTC Group Inc. (communications) (2013-2018) |
| | | | |
James A. Dinsmore, CFA Trustee and President Age: 37 | | Since 2013** | | 1 | | Portfolio Manager for Gabelli Funds, LLC; President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.; Executive Vice President of the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2013-2015); Executive Vice President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (January 2013-February 2014); Vice President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. and the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2009- 2012) | | — |
| | | | |
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES6 : | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Kinchen C. Bizzell Trustee Age: 66 | | Since 2008*** | | 2 | | Private Investor; Managing Director of CAVU Securities (securities broker-dealer) (2013- 2016); Investor Relations Managing Director (1998-2013) and Senior Counselor (after 2013) at Burson-Marsteller (global public relations and communications) | | — |
| | | | |
Elizabeth C. Bogan Trustee Age: 76 | | Since 1986** | | 8 | | Senior Lecturer in Economics at Princeton University | | — |
| | | | |
James P. Conn Trustee Age: 82 | | Since 2015*** | | 23 | | Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (1992-1998) | | — |
| | | | |
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.7 Trustee Age: 81 | | Since 2015*** | | 12 | | Co-Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; Former President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Gaming Association (1995-2013); Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee (1983- 1989) | | Director of First Republic Bank (banking); Director of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (casino entertainment company) |
22
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Name, Position(s) Address1 and Age | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served2 | | Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee3 | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | Other Directorships Held by Trustee4 |
| | | | |
Daniel D. Harding Trustee Age: 68 | | Since 2007* | | 3 | | Managing General Partner of the Global Equity Income Fund (private investment fund); Director of TRC (private asset management); General Partner of Latitude Capital Partners, LLC (private investment) | | Atlantic Health Systems, Ocean Reef Community Foundation and Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation |
| | | | |
Michael J. Melarkey8 Trustee Age: 70 | | Since 2015*** | | 20 | | Of Counsel in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP; Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie (1980-2015) | | Chairman of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility) |
| | | | |
Kuni Nakamura8 Trustee Age: 52 | | Since 2015* | | 32 | | President of Advanced Polymer, Inc. (chemical manufacturing company); President of KEN Enterprises, Inc. (real estate); Trustee on Long Island University Board of Trustees | | — |
| | | | |
Nicolas W. Platt Trustee Age: 67 | | Since 1997* | | 2 | | Private Investor; Member of NYSE American LLC Committee on Securities; Township Committee Member, Harding, New Jersey; Former Mayor of Township of Harding, New Jersey (2013-2016); Managing Director of FTI Consulting Inc. (international consulting company) (March 2009-May 2011) | | — |
| | | | |
Anthonie C. van Ekris7 Trustee Age: 86 | | Since 2015** | | 23 | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BALMAC International, Inc. (global import/ export company) | | — |
23
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
Additional Fund Information (Continued) (Unaudited)
| | | | |
Name, Position(s) Address1 and Age | | Term of Office and Length of Time Served9 | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
| | |
OFFICERS: | | | | |
| | |
James A. Dinsmore, CFA President Age: 37 | | Since 2013 | | Portfolio Manager for Gabelli Funds, LLC; President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.; Executive Vice President of the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2013-2015); Executive Vice President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (January 2013-February 2014); Vice President of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. and the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (2009-2012) |
| | |
John C. Ball Treasurer Age: 44 | | Since 2017 | | Treasurer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2017; Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of AMG Funds, 2014-2017 |
| | |
Peter Goldstein Secretary and Vice President Age: 67 | | Since 2020 | | General Counsel, Gabelli Funds, LLC since July 2020; General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Buckingham Capital Management, Inc. (2012-2020); Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, The Buckingham Research Group, Inc. (2012-2020) |
| | |
Richard J. Walz Chief Compliance Officer Age: 61 | | Since 2015 | | Chief Compliance Officer of registered investment companies within the Fund Complex since 2013; Chief Compliance Office for Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2015 |
| | |
Laurissa M. Martire Vice President and Ombudsman Age: 44 | | Since 2015 | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Fund Complex; Senior Vice President (since 2019) and other positions (2003-2019) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. |
| | |
Bethany A. Uhlein Vice President and Ombudsman Age: 30 | | Since 2017 | | Vice President and/or Ombudsman of closed-end funds within the Fund Complex since 2017; Assistant Vice President (2015) and Associate (2013-2015) for GAMCO Asset Management Inc. |
1 | Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted. |
2 | The Fund’s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a three year term. The three year term for each class expires as follows: |
* Term expires at the Fund’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
** Term expires at the Fund’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
*** Term expires at the Fund’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
3 | The “Fund Complex” includes all the U.S. registered investment companies that are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because they have common or affiliated investment advisers. |
4 | This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, i.e., public companies, or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. |
5 | “Interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Messrs. Gabelli and Dinsmore are each considered to be an “interested person” of the Fund because of their affiliation with the Fund’s Adviser. |
6 | Trustees who are not considered to be “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act are considered to be “Independent” Trustees. |
7 | Mr. Fahrenkopf’s daughter, Leslie F. Foley, serves as a director of other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. van Ekris is an independent director of Gabelli International Ltd., Gabelli Fund LDC, Gama Capital Opportunities Master Ltd., and GAMCO International SICAV, all of which may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J. Gabelli and/or affiliates and, in that event, would be deemed to be under common control with the Fund’s Adviser. |
8 | This Trustee is elected solely by and represents the shareholders of the preferred shares issued by this Fund. |
9 | Includes time served in prior officer positions with the Fund. |
24
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (Unaudited)
At its meeting on August 19, 2020, the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Fund approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund (the Independent Board Members). The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services.
The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio managers, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio managers, the scope of supervisory, administrative, shareholder and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio managers as well as the Independent Board Members’ satisfaction with the performance of the portfolio managers since the Adviser assumed control of the Fund in 2015.
The Independent Board Members also noted that they were impressed with the overall quality of the materials relating to the Board’s consideration of the Advisory Agreement.
Investment Performance.
The Independent Board Members reviewed the performance of the Fund for the one, three, and five year periods (as of June 30, 2020) against a peer group of 12 convertible funds prepared by the Adviser (the Adviser Peer Group) and against a larger peer group of 25 closed-end funds constituting the Fund’s Lipper category (Closed-End Core, Convertible and Value Equity Funds) (the Lipper Peer Group). The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the third quartile for the one year period (7 out of 13 funds), the second quartile for the three year and five year periods and first quartile for the ten year period for the Adviser Peer Group, and in the second quartile for the one year period, the first quartile for the three year and five year periods and the third quartile for the ten year period for the Lipper Peer Group.
Profitability.
The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge and noted the Adviser’s estimated pre-tax operating margin attributable to the Fund in both scenarios.
Economies of Scale.
The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund was a closed-end fund and unlikely to realize any economies of scale potentially available through growth in the absence of additional offerings.
Sharing of Economies of Scale.
The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s advisory fee contained a reduction for assets in excess of $100 million, which would indicate a sharing even if economies of scale were not experienced at such a low asset level.
25
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd..
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (Unaudited) (Continued)
Service and Cost Comparisons.
The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund to similar expense ratios of the Adviser Peer Group and the Lipper Peer Group. The Independent Board Members noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services for the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted that within the Adviser Peer Group, the Fund’s investment management fee and total expense ratio were above the Adviser Peer Group average. It was noted that within the peer group, none of the other funds employ leverage. The Independent Board Members further noted that both the Fund’s investment management fee and total expense ratio were above the Lipper Peer Group average. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management fee structure was different from that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds, in that it contains a reduction for assets in excess of $100 million and is lower than the management fees in effect for most other Gabelli funds due to the retention of the Fund’s historical fee structure when the Adviser assumed the management of the Fund in 2015.
Conclusions.
The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services and good ancillary services, and that the Fund’s performance record has been acceptable since the Adviser assumed control of the Fund in 2015. The Independent Board Members concluded that the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund was acceptable and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this point. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the Advisory Agreement to the full Board.
Based on a consideration of all these factors in their totality, the Board Members, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s advisory fee was appropriate in light to the quality of services provided and in light of the other factors described above that the Board deemed relevant. Accordingly, the Board Members determined to approve the continuation of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement. The Board Members based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all-important or controlling.
26
ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.
INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
September 30, 2020
Cash Dividends and Distributions
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payable Date | | | Record Date | | | Total Amount Paid Per Share (a) | | | Ordinary Investment Income (a) | | | Long Term Capital Gains (a) | | | Dividend Reinvestment Price | |
Common Stock | |
| | | 12/27/19 | | | | 11/26/19 | | | | $0.42000 | | | | $0.18808 | | | | $0.23192 | | | | $11.32000 | |
| | | 03/24/20 | | | | 03/17/20 | | | | 0.13000 | | | | 0.05821 | | | | 0.07179 | | | | 8.37860 | |
| | | 06/23/20 | | | | 06/16/20 | | | | 0.13000 | | | | 0.05821 | | | | 0.07179 | | | | 11.60740 | |
| | | 09/23/20 | | | | 09/16/20 | | | | 0.13000 | | | | 0.05821 | | | | 0.07179 | | | | 11.39600 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | $0.81000 | | | | $0.36271 | | | | $0.44729 | | | | | |
5.250% Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares | |
| | | 12/26/19 | | | | 12/18/19 | | | | $0.32812 | | | | $0.14693 | | | | $0.18119 | | | | | |
| | | 03/26/20 | | | | 03/19/20 | | | | 0.32812 | | | | 0.14693 | | | | 0.18119 | | | | | |
| | | 06/26/20 | | | | 06/19/20 | | | | 0.32813 | | | | 0.14694 | | | | 0.18119 | | | | | |
| | | 09/28/20 | | | | 09/21/20 | | | | 0.32813 | | | | 0.14694 | | | | 0.18119 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | $1.31250 | | | | $0.58774 | | | | $0.72476 | | | | | |
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction, Qualified Dividend Income, and U.S. Government Securities Income
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund paid to common shareholders and 5.250% Series A preferred shareholders ordinary income distributions (inclusive of short term capital gains) totaling $0.36271 and $0.58774 per share, respectively, and long term capital gains totaling $6,733,927, or the maximum allowable. The distribution of long term capital gains has been designated as a capital gain dividend by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, 35.66% of the ordinary income distribution qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. The Fund designates 36.32% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The Fund designates 43.06% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified interest income pursuant to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified short term capital gain pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
U.S. Government Income:
The percentage of the ordinary income distribution paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 which was derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.34%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax in all states. However, many states, including New York and California, allow a tax exemption for a portion of the income earned only if a mutual fund has invested at least 50% of its assets at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. did not meet this strict requirement in 2020. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of September 30, 2020 was 2.7%. Due to the diversity in state and local tax law, it is recommended that you consult your personal tax adviser as to the applicability of the information provided to your specific situation.
27
ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.
INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
September 30, 2020
Historical Distribution Summary
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Investment Income (b) | | | Short Term Capital Gains (b) | | | Long Term Capital Gains | | | Total Distributions (a) | |
Common Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2020 | | | $0.19826 | | | | $0.16445 | | | | $0.44729 | | | | $0.81000 | |
2019 | | | 0.20397 | | | | 0.04528 | | | | 0.24075 | | | | 0.49000 | |
2018 | | | 0.19370 | | | | 0.07520 | | | | 0.21120 | | | | 0.48010 | |
2017 | | | 0.22827 | | | | 0.00173 | | | | 0.21000 | | | | 0.44000 | |
2016 | | | 0.25610 | | | | 0.00870 | | | | 0.53220 | | | | 0.79700 | |
| | | | |
Preferred Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2020 | | | $0.32127 | | | | $0.26647 | | | | $0.72476 | | | | $1.31250 | |
2019 | | | 0.54998 | | | | 0.12128 | | | | 0.64124 | | | | 1.31250 | |
2018 | | | 0.54510 | | | | 0.22027 | | | | 0.57630 | | | | 1.34167 | |
(a) | Total amounts may differ due to rounding. |
(b) | Taxable as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes. |
All designations are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Fund to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
28
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLANS
Enrollment in the Plan
It is the policy of Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund Ltd. to automatically reinvest dividends payable to common shareholders. As a “registered” shareholder you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the Fund to credit common shares to participants upon an income dividend or a capital gains distribution regardless of whether the shares are trading at a discount or a premium to net asset value. All distributions to shareholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be automatically reinvested pursuant to the Plan in additional shares of the Fund. Plan participants may send their share certificates to American Stock Transfer (“AST”) to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distributions in cash must submit this request in writing to:
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
c/o American Stock Transfer
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Shareholders requesting this cash election must include the shareholder’s name and address as they appear on the share certificate. Shareholders with additional questions regarding the Plan or requesting a copy of the terms of the Plan, may contact AST at (888) 888-0314.
If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, or nominee, you should contact such institution. If such institution is not participating in the Plan, your account will be credited with a cash dividend. In order to participate in the Plan through such institution, it may be necessary for you to have your shares taken out of “street name” and re-registered in your own name. Once registered in your own name your distributions will be automatically reinvested. Certain brokers participate in the Plan. Shareholders holding shares in “street name” at participating institutions will have dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders wishing a cash dividend at such institution must contact their broker to make this change.
The number of common shares distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of cash dividends is determined in the following manner. Under the Plan, for the first three calendar quarter distributions, whenever the market price of the Fund’s common shares is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time shares are valued for purposes of determining the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividends or capital gains distribution, participants are issued common shares valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the then current market price of the Fund’s common shares. The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a NYSE American trading day, the next trading day. If the net asset value of the common shares at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the common shares, participants will receive common shares from the Fund valued at market price. For the fourth calendar quarter distribution when the market price is lower, the Fund will issue shares at the market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, AST will buy common shares in the open market, or on the NYSE American, or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that AST will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue shares at net asset value if, following the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the common shares exceeds the then current net asset value.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions. A participant in the Plan will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received, on a dividend payment date, a dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the cash the participant could have received instead of shares.
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
The Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan is yet another vehicle for our shareholders to increase their investment in the Fund. In order to participate in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, shareholders must have their shares registered in their own name.
Participants in the Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan have the option of making additional cash payments to AST for investments in the Fund’s common shares at the then current market price. Shareholders may send an amount from $100 to $10,000. AST will use these funds to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 15th of each month. AST will charge each shareholder who participates a pro rata share of the brokerage commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions. It is suggested that any voluntary cash payments be sent to American Stock Transfer, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 such that AST receives such payments approximately 10 days before the investment date. Funds not received at least five days before the investment date shall be held for investment until the next purchase date. A payment may be withdrawn without charge if notice is received by AST at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.
Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at AST must do so in writing or by telephone. Please submit your request to the above mentioned address or telephone number. Include in your request your name, address, and account number. Brokerage charges are expected to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such transactions.
For more information regarding the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan, brochures are available by calling (914) 921-5070 or by writing directly to the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to the members of the Plan at least 90 days before the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by AST on at least 90 days written notice to participants in the Plan.
29
ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.
AND YOUR PERSONAL PRIVACY
Who are we?
The Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. is a closed-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc. GAMCO Investors, Inc. is a publicly held company that has subsidiaries that provide investment advisory services for a variety of clients.
What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a Fund shareholder?
When you purchase shares of the Fund on the NYSE American, you have the option of registering directly with our transfer agent in order, for example, to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.
● | | Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information. |
● | | Information about your transactions with us. This would include information about the shares that you buy or sell; it may also include information about whether you sell or exercise rights that we have issued from time to time. If we hire someone else to provide services — like a transfer agent — we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them. |
What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www.sec.gov.
What do we do to protect your personal information?
We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the Fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information confidential.
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422
(Y)our Portfolio Management Team Biographies
Thomas H. Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Fund Complex. Previously Mr. Dinsmore was Chairman and CEO of Dinsmore Capital Management; CEO and Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd; and CEO, Portfolio Manager, and co-founder of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. He received a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and an MA degree in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Jane D. O’Keeffe joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. She currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Fund Complex. Previously Ms. O’Keeffe was President and Director of Dinsmore Capital Management where she was also a Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd. and Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. Prior to joining Dinsmore Capital Management, Ms. O’Keeffe held positions of increasing responsibilities at IDS Progressive Fund, Soros Fund Management Company, Simms Capital Management, and Fiduciary Trust International. She earned a BA from the University of New Hampshire and attended the Lubin Graduate School of Business at Pace University.
James A. Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Fund Complex. Mr. Dinsmore received a BA in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA degree from Rutgers University.
We have separated the portfolio managers’ 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 managers’ 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 “Convertible Securities 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 “XECFX.”
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 10.0% 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.
ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422
t | 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554) |
GABELLI.COM
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TRUSTEES Mario J. Gabelli, CFA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GAMCO Investors, Inc. Executive Chairman, Associated Capital Group Inc. Kinchen C. Bizzell Former Managing Director, CAVU Securities Elizabeth C. Bogan Senior Lecturer, Economics Princeton University James P. Conn Former Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer, Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. James A. Dinsmore, CFA Portfolio Manager, Gabelli Funds, LLC Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. Former President & Chief Executive Officer, American Gaming Association Daniel D. Harding Managing General Partner, Global Equity Income Fund Michael J. Melarkey Of Counsel, McDonald Carano Wilson LLP Kuni Nakamura President, Advanced Polymer, Inc. | | Nicolas W. Platt Former Managing Director, FTI Consulting Inc. Anthonie C. van Ekris Chairman, BALMAC International Inc. OFFICERS James A. Dinsmore, CFA President John C. Ball Treasurer Peter Goldstein Secretary & Vice President Richard J. Walz Chief Compliance Officer Laurissa M. Martire Vice President & Ombudsman Bethany A. Uhlein Vice President & Ombudsman INVESTMENT ADVISER Gabelli Funds, LLC CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company COUNSEL Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR American Stock Transfer and Trust Company |
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Item 2. Code of Ethics.
| (a) | The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. |
| (c) | There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description. |
| (d) | The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions. |
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that Daniel D. Harding is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Audit Fees
| (a) | The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $32,000 for 2019 and $37,500 for 2020. |
Audit-Related Fees
| (b) | The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2019 and $0 for 2020. |
Tax Fees
| (c) | The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $4,100 for 2019 and $4,750 for 2020. |
All Other Fees
| (d) | The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2019 and $7,500 for 2020. This relates to updating the registrant’s registration statement. |
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(e)(1) | | Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the registrant is responsible for pre-approving (i) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant and (ii) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, and any affiliate of Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli”) that provides services to the registrant (a “Covered Services Provider”) if the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. The Committee may delegate its responsibility to pre-approve any such audit and permissible non-audit services to the Chairperson of the Committee, and the Chairperson must report to the Committee, at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the Chairperson’s pre-approval of such services, his or her decision(s). The Committee may also establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such services in accordance with applicable laws, including the delegation of some or all of the Committee’s pre-approval responsibilities to the other persons (other than Gabelli or the registrant’s officers). Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the registrant at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (ii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee or Chairperson prior to the completion of the audit.
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(e)(2) | | The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows: |
(b) N/A
(c) 0%
(d) 0%
| (f) | The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than fifty percent. |
| (g) | The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $4,100 for 2019 and $12,250 for 2020. |
| (h) | The registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
| (a) | The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of the following members: Kinchen C. Bizzell, Elizabeth C. Bogan, Daniel D. Harding, and Kuni Nakamura. |
Item 6. Investments.
(a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
Item 7. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.
SECTION HH
The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients
(This section pertains to all affiliated SEC registered investment advisers)
Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.
These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., and Teton Advisors, Inc. (collectively, the “Advisers”) to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the procedures that the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of the Advisers; the principal underwriter; or any affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or the principal underwriter. These procedures will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the client’s proxies in accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the extent permitted by ERISA).
I. Proxy Voting Committee
The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within the parameters set by the substantive proxy voting guidelines originally published in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of which are appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research, Administration, Legal, and the Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire Committee.
Meetings are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers should vote proxies on behalf of their clients.
In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, and the analysts of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”), will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is: (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.
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All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the recommendations of the analysts of GBL, will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department has identified the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.
The Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting decisions. By following the Proxy Guidelines and the analysts of GBL, the Advisers are able to avoid, wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, circumstances may arise in which one or more of the Advisers are faced with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may arise when an Adviser knowingly does business with an issuer, and may appear to have a material conflict between its own interests and the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers regarding how the proxy is to be voted. A conflict also may exist when an Adviser has actual knowledge of a material business arrangement between an issuer and an affiliate of the Adviser.
In practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers, such as GAMCO Asset Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers has made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of the Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the Legal Department, will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may give rise to a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies.
| B. | Operation of Proxy Voting Committee |
For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any recommendations by GBL analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the GBL analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel may provide an
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opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of the Advisers may diverge, counsel may so advise and the Committee may make different recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel may provide an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action.
Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly.
Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. The Advisers subscribe to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis & Co., LLC (“Glass Lewis”), which supply current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues. The information provided by ISS and GL is for informational purposes only.
If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the issuer, the matter may be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is appropriate.
II. Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines
If a client has provided and the Advisers have accepted special instructions relating to the voting of proxies, they should be noted in the client’s account file and forwarded to the proxy department. This is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor guidelines, the Advisers’ policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in the best interest of the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact. Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent with any individual investment/voting guidelines provided by the client. Otherwise the Advisers may abstain with respect to those shares.
Specific to the Gabelli ESG Fund, the Proxy Voting Committee will rely on the advice of the portfolio managers of the Gabelli ESG Fund to provide voting recommendations on the securities held in the portfolio.
III. Client Retention of Voting Rights
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If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change in voting authority, the following should be notified by the investment professional or sales assistant for the client.
- Operations
- Proxy Department
- Investment professional assigned to the account
In the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee thereof) of one or more of the investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board Member (or Committee member) with a copy of the proxy statement together with any other relevant information.
IV. Proxies of Certain Non-U.S. Issuers
Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share-blocking.” Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depository. During the period in which the shares are held with a depository, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients’ custodian. Absent a compelling reason to the contrary, the Advisers believe that the benefit to the client of exercising the vote is outweighed by the cost of voting and therefore, the Advisers will not typically vote the securities of non-U.S. issuers that require share-blocking.
In addition, voting proxies of issuers in non-U.S. markets may also give rise to a number of administrative issues or give rise to circumstances under which voting would impose a cost (real or implied) on its client which may cause the Advisers to abstain from voting such proxies. For example, the Advisers may receive the notices for shareholder meetings without adequate time to consider the proposals in the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting. Other markets require the Advisers to provide local agents with power of attorney prior to implementing their respective voting instructions on the proxy. Other markets may require disclosure of certain ownership information in excess of what is required to vote in the U.S. market. Although it is the Advisers’ policies to vote the proxies for its clients for which they have proxy voting authority, in the case of issuers in non-U.S. markets, we vote client proxies on a best efforts basis.
V. Voting Records
The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information on how they voted a client’s proxy upon request from the client.
The complete voting records for each registered investment company (the “Fund”) that is managed by the Advisers will be filed on Form N-PX for the twelve months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. A description of the
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Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to Gabelli Funds, LLC at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The Advisers’ proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.
VI. Voting Procedures
1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and clearing firms are responsible for forwarding proxies directly to the Advisers.
Proxies are received in one of two forms:
| ● | | Shareholder Vote Instruction Forms (“VIFs”) – Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”). Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials. |
| ● | | Proxy cards which may be voted directly. |
2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form represents is logged into the proxy system, electronically or manually, according to security.
3. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee, the votes are cast and recorded for each account.
Records have been maintained on the ProxyEdge system.
ProxyEdge records include:
Security Name and CUSIP Number
Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Directors’ Recommendation (if any)
How the Adviser voted for the client on item
4. VIFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are located in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files are transferred to an offsite storage facility during January/February.
5. If a proxy card or VIF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote including:
| ● | | When a solicitor has been retained, the solicitor is called. At the solicitor’s direction, the proxy is faxed or sent electronically. |
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| ● | | In some circumstances VIFs can be faxed or sent electronically to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting. |
6. In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing entity.
7. Voting in Person
a) At times it may be necessary to vote the shares in person. In this case, a “legal proxy” is obtained in the following manner:
● | | Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge: |
Broadridge is notified that we wish to vote in person. Broadridge issues individual legal proxies and sends them back via email or overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). A lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures detailed below for banks not using Broadridge may be implemented.
● | | Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly: |
The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested.
All legal proxies should appoint:
“Representative of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.”
b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the limited power of attorney.
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Appendix A
Proxy Guidelines
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
General Policy Statement
It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc, and its affiliated advisers (collectively “the Advisers”) to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.
At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy statement should be evaluated on its own merits within the framework first established by our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework.
We do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration all of our research on the company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for the company. In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals.
Board of Directors
We do not consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue. Each slate of directors is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
● | | Historical responsiveness to shareholders |
This may include such areas as:
-Paying greenmail
-Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder votes
● | | Nominating committee in place |
● | | Number of outside directors on the board |
Selection of Auditors
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In general, we support the Board of Directors’ recommendation for auditors.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.
Blank check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends, voting rights, etc. without further shareholder approval.
Classified Board
A classified board is one where the directors are divided into classes with overlapping terms. A different class is elected at each annual meeting.
While a classified board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range planning, we feel directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look at this proposal on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the board’s historical responsiveness to the rights of shareholders.
Where a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change to an annually elected board.
When an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to classify the board.
Increase Authorized Common Stock
The request to increase the amount of outstanding shares is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
● | | Future use of additional shares |
-Stock split
-Stock option or other executive compensation plan
-Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet
-Aid in restructuring
-Improve credit rating
-Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense
● | | Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock option plans |
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● | | Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect |
We will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the additional shares is contained in the proxy statement.
Confidential Ballot
We support the idea that a shareholder’s identity and vote should be treated with confidentiality.
However, we look at this issue on a case-by-case basis.
In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we endorse the use of independent Inspectors of Election.
Cumulative Voting
In general, we support cumulative voting.
Cumulative voting is a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors being elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total number for one candidate or allocate the voting among two or more candidates.
Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this shareholder right.
Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the board. When a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the proposal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority shareholders an opportunity to have their views represented.
Director Liability and Indemnification
We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability and increasing the indemnification of directors, except in the case of insider dealing.
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Equal Access to the Proxy
The SEC’s rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are limited in scope and there is a 500 word limit on proponents’ written arguments. Management has no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy, we would look at such variables as length of time required to respond, percentage of ownership, etc.
Fair Price Provisions
Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended to prevent two-tier tender offers that may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to board-approved transactions.
We support fair price provisions because we feel all shareholders should be entitled to receive the same benefits.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Golden Parachutes
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted after a takeover.
We support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that they may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the company and shareholders even if the decision results in them losing their job. We do not, however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal will be decided on a case-by- case basis.
Anti-Greenmail Proposals
We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be extended to all shareholders equally across the board.
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Limit Shareholders’ Rights to Call Special Meetings
We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Consideration of Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger
This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a merger and allows them the opportunity to consider the merger’s effects on employees, the community, and consumers.
As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. In general, this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this proposal.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Mergers, Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings
Each of the above is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the Department of Labor, we are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering price is at a premium to the current market price. We may take into consideration the long term interests of the shareholders.
Military Issues
Shareholder proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to the client’s direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.
Northern Ireland
Shareholder proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to client direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.
Opt Out of State Anti-Takeover Law
This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the state’s takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer must acquire at least 85% of the company’s stock before the buyer can exercise control unless the board approves.
We consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be based on the following:
● | | Management history of responsiveness to shareholders |
● | | Other mitigating factors |
Poison Pill
In general, we do not endorse poison pills.
In certain cases where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of shareholders and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this position.
Reincorporation
Generally, we support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose reincorporation if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value of the stock.
Stock Incentive Plans
Director and Employee Stock incentive plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and employees. However, each incentive plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into consideration the following:
● | | Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10%. |
● | | Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much. |
● | | Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock plans. |
● | | The successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value. |
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Supermajority Vote Requirements
Supermajority vote requirements in a company’s charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of shareholder participation. We support proposals’ approvals by a simple majority of the shares voting.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Limit Shareholders Right to Act by Written Consent
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action without having to wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed action at a shareholder meeting.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
“Say-on-Pay” / “Say-When-on-Pay” / “Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”
Required under the Dodd-Frank Act; these proposals are non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation. We will generally vote with the Board of Directors’ recommendation(s) on advisory votes on executive compensation (“Say-on-Pay”), advisory votes on the frequency of voting on executive compensation (“Say-When-on-Pay”) and advisory votes relating to extraordinary transaction executive compensation (“Say-on-Golden-Parachutes”). In those instances when we believe that it is in our clients’ best interest, we may abstain or vote against executive compensation and/or the frequency of votes on executive compensation and/or extraordinary transaction executive compensation advisory votes.
Proxy Access
Proxy access is a tool used to attempt to promote board accountability by requiring that a company’s proxy materials contain not only the names of management nominees, but also any candidates nominated by long-term shareholders holding at least a certain stake in the company. We will review proposals regarding proxy access on a case-by-case basis taking into account the provisions of the proposal, the company’s current governance structure, the successful steps taken by management to maximize shareholder value, as well as other applicable factors.
Revised: October 23, 2019
INTERNAL USE ONLY
HH-13
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Portfolio Managers
Ms. Jane O’Keeffe, Mr. Thomas Dinsmore, and Mr. James Dinsmore serve as Portfolio Managers of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund.
Portfolio Management
Jane O’Keeffe joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. Ms. O’Keeffe currently serves as a portfolio manager of the Fund and several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex. From 1996 to 2015, Ms. O’Keeffe was President and Director of Dinsmore Capital. She has a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and attended the Lubin Graduate School of Business at Pace University.
Thomas Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. Mr. T. Dinsmore currently serves as a portfolio manager of the Fund and several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex. Mr. T. Dinsmore was Chairman and CEO of Dinsmore Capital from 1996 to 2015. He has a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business, and an M.A. in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
James Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. Mr. J. Dinsmore currently serves as a portfolio manager of the Fund and several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex. Mr. J. Dinsmore received a BA in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from Rutgers University.
Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund (As of September 30, 2020)
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Name of Portfolio Manager or Team Member | | Type of Accounts | | Total No. of Accounts Managed | | Total Assets | | No. of Accounts where Advisory Fee is Based on Performance | | Total Assets in Accounts where Advisory Fee is Based on Performance |
1. Jane D. O’Keeffe | | Registered Investment Companies: | | 3 | | $399.3 million | | 1 | | $142.0 million |
| | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: | | 0 | | $0 | | 0 | | $0 |
| | Other Accounts: | | 9 | | $15.4 million | | 0 | | $0 |
2. Thomas H. Dinsmore | | Registered Investment Companies: | | 3 | | $399.3 million | | 1 | | $142.0 million |
| | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: | | 0 | | $0 | | 0 | | $0 |
| | Other Accounts: | | 11 | | $12.6 million | | 0 | | $0 |
3. James A. Dinsmore | | Registered Investment Companies: | | 3 | | $399.3 million | | 1 | | $142.0 million |
| | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: | | 0 | | $0 | | 0 | | $0 |
| | Other Accounts: | | 8 | | $9.1 million | | 0 | | $0 |
Potential Conflicts of Interests
As reflected above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts in addition to the Fund. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager also has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. As indicated above, the Portfolio Managers manage multiple accounts. As a result, they will not be able to devote all of their time to the management of the Fund. The Portfolio Managers, therefore, may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he/she were to devote all of their attention to the management of only the Fund.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. As indicated above, the Portfolio Managers manage managed accounts with investment strategies and/or policies that are similar to the Fund. In these cases, if the Portfolio Manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, a fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts managed primarily by other Portfolio Managers of the Investment Adviser, and their affiliates. In addition, in the event a Portfolio Manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, the Portfolio Managers may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he/she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Portfolio Manager may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the Portfolio Manager differs among the accounts that he/she manages. If the structure of the Investment Adviser’s management fee or the Portfolio Manager’s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance based management fees), the Portfolio Manager may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager also may be motivated to favor accounts in which they have an investment interest, or in which the Investment Adviser, or their affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance a Portfolio Manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected above, if the Portfolio Manager manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements, certain portions of their compensation will depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. The Portfolio Manager could be incented to afford preferential
treatment to those accounts and thereby be subject to a potential conflict of interest. The Investment Adviser, and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address the various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Investment Adviser and their staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to detect and prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise.
Compensation Structure for the Portfolio Managers The compensation for the Portfolio Managers for the Fund is structured to enable the Investment Adviser to attract and retain highly qualified professionals in a competitive environment. The Portfolio Managers receive a compensation package that includes a minimum draw or base salary and incentive based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenue received by the Investment Adviser for managing the Fund to the extent that the amount exceeds a minimum level of compensation. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees certain of the firm’s expenses (other than the Portfolio Managers’ compensation) allocable to the Fund (the incentive based variable compensation for managing other accounts is also based on a percentage of net revenues to the investment adviser for managing the account). These methods of compensation are based on the premise that superior long term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level of incentive based variable compensation is based on an evaluation by the Investment Adviser’s parent, GBL, of quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation criteria.
Ownership of Shares in the Fund
Jane O’Keeffe, Thomas Dinsmore, and James Dinsmore each own $100,001 – $500,000, $500,001 – $1,000,000, and $50,001 – $100,000, respectively, of shares in the Fund as of September 30, 2020.
Item 9. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
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Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased) | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
Month #1 04/01/2020 through 04/30/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common –13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Month #2 05/01/2020 through 05/31/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – 13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Month #3 06/01/2020 through 06/30/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – 13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Month #4 07/01/2020 through 07/31/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – 13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Month #5 08/01/2020 through 08/31/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – 13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Month #6 09/01/2020 through 09/30/2020 | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – 13,205,057 Preferred Series A – 1,200,000 |
Total | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | Common – N/A Preferred Series A – N/A | | |
Footnote columns (c) and (d) of the table, by disclosing the following information in the aggregate for all plans or programs publicly announced:
a. | The date each plan or program was announced – The notice of the potential repurchase of common and preferred shares occurs semi-annually in the Fund’s reports to shareholders in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
b. | The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved – Any or all common shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares. |
Any or all preferred shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value of $25.00.
c. | The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing. |
d. | Each plan or program that has expired during the period covered by the table – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing. |
e. | Each plan or program the registrant has determined to terminate prior to expiration, or under which the registrant does not intend to make further purchases. – The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing. |
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
Item 11. 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 period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
| (a) | If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, provide the following dollar amounts of income and fees/compensation related to the securities lending activities of the registrant during its most recent fiscal year: |
(1) Gross income from securities lending activities; N/A
(2) All fees and/or compensation for each of the following securities lending activities and related services: any share of revenue generated by the securities lending program paid to the securities lending agent(s) (“revenue split”); fees paid for cash collateral management services (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split; administrative fees that are not included in the revenue split; fees for indemnification that are not included in the revenue split; rebates paid to borrowers; and any other fees relating to the securities lending program that are not included in the revenue split, including a description of those other fees; N/A
(3) The aggregate fees/compensation disclosed pursuant to paragraph (2); N/A and
(4) Net income from securities lending activities (i.e., the dollar amount in paragraph (1) minus the dollar amount in paragraph (3)). N/A
| (b) | If the registrant is a closed-end management investment company, describe the services provided to the registrant by the securities lending agent in the registrant’s most recent fiscal year. N/A |
Item 13. Exhibits.
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.
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(Registrant) | | Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. | | |
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By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ James A. Dinsmore | | |
| | James A. Dinsmore, Principal Executive Officer | | |
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.
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By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ James A. Dinsmore | | |
| | James A. Dinsmore, Principal Executive Officer | | |
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By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ John C. Ball | | |
| | John C. Ball, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer | | |
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.