Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) Declares $0.12 Quarterly Dividend; 10.3% Yield; Reaffrims Dividend Policy

The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE: GAB) reaffirmed its 10% distribution policy and declared a $0.12 per share cash distribution, $0.48 annualized. The dividend is payable on September 23, 2010 to common stock shareholders of record on September 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 14, 2010. Yield on the dividend is 10.3%. The Fund intends to pay a quarterly distribution of an amount determined each quarter by the Board of Directors. Under the Fund’s current distribution policy, the Fund intends to pay a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund within a calendar year or an amount sufficient to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, whichever is greater. The average net asset value of the Fund is based on the average net asset values as of the last day of the four preceding calendar quarters during the year. We note that 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund would be $0.50 based on the ending net asset values per share as of December 31, 2009, March 31, 2010, and June 30, 2010 of $5.02, $5.35, and $4.55, respectively. The net asset value per share fluctuates daily. Each quarter, the Board of Directors reviews the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital gain, or capital available. The Board of Directors will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund’s net asset value and the financial market environment. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board of Directors at any time. The distribution rate should not be considered the dividend yield or total return on an investment in the Fund. A portion of the distribution may be treated as long-term capital gain and qualified dividend income for individuals, each subject to the maximum federal income tax rate, which is currently 15% in taxable accounts for individuals. If the Fund does not generate earnings from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund’s investment income and net realized capital gains would be deemed a non-taxable return of capital. Long-term capital gains, qualified dividend income, ordinary income, and paid-in capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all distributions to common shareholders for the year. Based on the accounting records of the Fund as of August 17, 2010, each of the distributions paid in 2010 would be deemed 100% from paid-in capital. It should be noted that the Fund’s total assets include capital from preferred stock issued in prior years. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) does not receive a management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock unless the total return of the net asset value of the common stock during the year, including distributions and management fee subject to reduction, exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred stock for the fiscal year.... Read more

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