As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2008

Securities Act File No. 333-146634

Investment Company Act File No. 811-04700

      

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-2

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

þ		REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
þ		Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
o		Post-Effective Amendment No.
and/or
þ		REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
þ		Amendment No. 43

THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Rye, New York 10580-1422

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Christopher Michailoff		Rose F. DiMartino, Esq.
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.		Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
One Corporate Center		787 Seventh Ave.
Rye, New York 10580-1422		New York, New York 10019
(914) 921-5100		(212) 728-8000

     Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. þ

     It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

     þ When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

     If appropriate, check the following box:

     o This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].

     o This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is                     .

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Amount Being

Proposed Maximum

Proposed Maximum

Amount of

Title of Securities

Registered

Offering Price Per Share

Aggregate Offering Price(1)

Registration Fee

Preferred Stock

o Shares

$

o

$500 million

$

15,350

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

Items in Part A of Form N-2				Location in Prospectus
Item 1.		Outside Front Cover		Front Cover Page
Item 2.		Cover Pages; Other Offering Information		Front Cover Page; Inside Front Cover Page
Item 3.		Fee Table and Synopsis		Not Applicable
Item 4.		Financial Highlights		Financial Highlights
Item 5.		Plan of Distribution		Prospectus Summary; Plan of Distribution
Item 6.		Selling Shareholders		Not Applicable
Item 7.		Use of Proceeds		Use of Proceeds
Item 8.		General Description of the Registrant		Outside Front Cover; Risk Factors and Special Considerations; Investment Objectives and Policies; Net Asset Value; Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent; Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; Additional Information
Item 9.		Management		Management of the Fund
Item 10.		Capital Stock, Long-Term Debt and Other Securities		Prospectus Summary; Dividends and Distributions; Taxation; Risk Factors and Special Considerations; Description of Capital Stock; Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents; Closed-End Fund Structure; Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan; Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent; Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; Additional Information
Item 11.		Defaults and Arrears on Senior Securities		Not Applicable
Item 12.		Legal Proceedings		Management of the Fund
Item 13.		Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information		Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information

  PART B — STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Items in Part B of Form N-2				Location in Prospectus
Item 14.		Cover Page		Cover Page
Item 15.		Table of Contents		Table of Contents
Item 16.		General Information and History		Not Applicable
Item 17.		Investment Objective and Policies		Investment Objectives and Policies
Item 18.		Management of the Company		Management of the Fund
Item 19.		Control Persons and Principal Shareholders		Management of the Fund
Item 20.		Investment Advisory and Other Services		Management of the Fund
Item 21.		Portfolio Managers		Management of the Fund
Item 22.		Brokerage, Allocation and Other Practices		Portfolio Transactions
Item 23.		Tax Status		Taxation
Item 24.		Financial Statements		Incorporation by Reference

PART C-OTHER INFORMATION

Items 25-34 have been answered in Part C of this Registration Statement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			1
USE OF PROCEEDS			12
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS			12
THE FUND			16
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES			16
RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS			22
HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK			32
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			33
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS			38
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS			38
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN			39
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			41
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS			55
CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE			57
NET ASSET VALUE			58
TAXATION			59
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT			61
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			62
LEGAL MATTERS			64
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			64
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			64
PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND			65
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			66

Subject to Completion,      

Preliminary Base Prospectus dated                     , 2008

PROSPECTUS

$500,000,000

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

Preferred Stock

     Investment Objectives. The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities. Income is a secondary investment objective. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities. The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on May 20, 1986 and commenced its investment operations on August 21, 1986. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors.  We cannot assure you that the Fund’s objectives will be achieved.

     We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.  Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”).  You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares.

     Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers.  The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated.  The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters.  We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares.

Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from net asset value.  This creates a risk of loss for an investor purchasing shares in a public offering.

     Investing in the Fund’s shares involves risks.  See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page      for factors that should be considered before investing in shares of the Fund.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of shares by us through agents, underwriters or dealers unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.

This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing.  You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the shares, and retain it for future reference.  A Statement of Additional Information, dated                     , 2008, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus.  You may request a free copy of our annual and semi-annual reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page      of this Prospectus, request other information about us and make shareholder inquiries by calling (800) GABELLI (422-3554) or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

     Our shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

     You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.  The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information.  The Fund is not making an offer to sell these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.  You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus.

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The Fund		The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. is a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation on May 20, 1986.  Throughout this Prospectus, we refer to The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. as the “Fund” or as “we.” See “The Fund.”
		The Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GAB.” As of December 31, 2007, the net assets of the Fund attributable to its common stock were $1,586,380,963. As of December 31, 2007, the Fund had outstanding 172,104,290 shares of common stock; 5,200 shares of Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the “Series C Auction Rate Preferred”); 2,949,700 shares of 5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25 per share (the “Series D Preferred”); 2,000 shares of Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the “Series E Auction Rate Preferred”); and 6,000,000 shares of 6.20% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25 per share (the “Series F Preferred”). The Fund completed its redemption of its 7.25% Tax Advantaged Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”) and its 7.20% Tax Advantaged Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred”) on June 17, 2003 and January 8, 2007, respectively. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred, Series D Preferred, Series E Auction Rate Preferred and Series F Preferred have the same seniority with respect to distributions and liquidation preference.
The Offering		We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, our preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. The shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in our shares. Our shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters, or among our underwriters, or the basis upon which such

		amount may be calculated. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any sale of preferred stock will set forth the liquidation preference and information about the dividend period, dividend rate, any call protection or non-call period and other matters. We may not sell any of our shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the particular offering of our shares.
Investment Objectives and Policies		The Fund’s primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities selected by the Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary investment objective.
		Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities (the “80% Policy”). The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.
		The Investment Adviser selects investments on the basis of fundamental value and, accordingly, the Fund typically invests in the securities of companies that are believed by the Investment Adviser to be priced lower than justified in relation to their underlying assets. Other important factors in the selection of investments include favorable price/earnings and debt/equity ratios and strong management.
		The Fund seeks to achieve its secondary investment objective of income, in part, by investing up to 10% of its total assets in a portfolio consisting primarily of high-yielding, fixed income securities, such as corporate bonds, debentures, notes, convertible securities, preferred stocks and domestic and foreign government obligations. Fixed income securities purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or D by Standard & Poor’s, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) or may be unrated securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date. These debt securities, which are often referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds,” are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.
		No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. See “Investment Objectives and Policies.”

Preferred Stock		Currently, 24,000,000 shares of the Fund’s capital stock, which includes the preferred stock being registered with this registration statement, have been classified by the Board of Directors of the Fund or any duly authorized committee thereof (the “Board”) as preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Fund’s Board of Directors may reclassify authorized and unissued shares of the Fund, previously classified as common stock, as preferred stock prior to the completion of any offering. The terms of each series of preferred stock may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of holders of the Fund’s common stock. If the Fund’s Board of Directors determines that it may be advantageous to the holders of the Fund’s common stock for the Fund to utilize additional leverage, the Fund may issue additional series of fixed rate preferred stock (“Fixed Rate Preferred Stock”) or additional series of variable rate preferred stock (“Variable Rate Preferred Stock”). Any Fixed Rate Preferred Stock or Variable Rate Preferred Stock issued by the Fund will pay, as applicable, distributions at a fixed rate or at rates that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates. (As of December 31, 2007, 5,200 shares of Series C Auction Rate Preferred, 2,949,700 shares of Series D Preferred, 2,000 shares of Series E Auction Rate Preferred and 6,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred were outstanding.) Leverage creates a greater risk of loss as well as a potential for more gains for the common shares than if leverage were not used. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Leverage Risk” and “Certain Investment Practices—Leveraging.” The Fund may also engage in investment management techniques which will not be considered senior securities if the Fund establishes in a segregated account cash or other liquid securities equal to the Fund’s obligations in respect of such techniques. The Fund may borrow money in accordance with its investment restrictions, including as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. The Fund will not borrow for investment purposes.
Dividends and Distributions		Preferred Stock Distributions. In accordance with the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation (together with any amendments or supplements thereto, including any articles supplementary of the Fund establishing a series of preferred stock (the “Articles Supplementary” and together with the Articles of Incorporation, the “Charter”), all preferred stock of the Fund must have the same seniority with respect to distributions. Accordingly, no full distribution will be declared or paid on any series of preferred stock of the Fund for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates for all series of outstanding preferred stock of the Fund are declared and paid. If full cumulative distributions due have not been declared and made on all outstanding preferred stock of the Fund, any distributions on such preferred stock will be made as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date.
		In the event that for any calendar year the total distributions on shares of the Fund’s preferred stock exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to such shares, the excess distributions will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital (to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the preferred stock, thereby increasing the shareholder’s potential gain or reducing the potential loss on the sale of the shares.
		Common Stock Distributions. In order to allow its common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred stock. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made distributions of $1.32 per share of common stock, of which $0.63543 per share was deemed a return of capital. The total 2007 distributions of $1.32 per common share consisted of $0.90 per share in the form of cash distributions and $0.42 per share in the form of shares of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust. The Fund has made quarterly distributions with respect to its common stock since 1987. A portion of the distributions to common shareholders during ten of the twenty-one fiscal years since the Fund’s inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s

		investment activity through December 31, 2007.
Use of Proceeds		The Fund will use the net proceeds from the offering to purchase portfolio securities in accordance with its Investment Objectives and Policies. See “Use of Proceeds.”
Exchange Listing		The Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), under the trading or “ticker” symbol “GAB.” Currently, the Series D Preferred and Series F Preferred are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB PrD” and “GAB PrF,” respectively. See “Description of Capital Stock.” Any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock issued by the Fund would also likely be listed on the NYSE.

Risk Factors and Special Considerations		Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing in the Fund’s preferred stock, you should consider the risks carefully.
		Leverage Risk. The Fund currently uses, and intends to continue to use, financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred stock. As of December 31, 2007, the amount of leverage represented approximately 20% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset coverage for preferred stock. Such volatility may increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the preferred stock, or to redeem preferred stock when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund is utilizing leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability of the Fund to make common stock distributions and such a failure to pay dividends or make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). See “Taxation.”
		Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. Prior to any offering, there will be no public market for Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. In

		the event any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, although they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.
		Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Stock.
		Auction Risk. You may not be able to sell your auction Variable Rate Preferred Stock at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Stock is offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Variable Rate Preferred Stock only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Variable Rate Preferred Stock. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment.
		Secondary Market Risk. If you try to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Variable Rate Preferred Stock are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Stock if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred Stock will not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period.
		Common Stock Distribution Policy Risk. The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains

		in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the preferred stock. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made distributions of $1.32 per share of common stock, of which $0.63543 was deemed a return of capital. The total 2007 distributions of $1.32 per common share consisted of $0.90 per share in the form of cash distributions and $0.42 per share in the form of shares of The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust. The Fund has made quarterly distributions with respect to its common stock since 1987. A portion of the distributions to holders of common stock during ten of the twenty-one fiscal years since the Fund’s inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.
		Non-Diversified Status. As a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund, and accordingly, an investment in the Fund may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Non-Diversified Status.”
		Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in the securities of companies principally engaged in a single industry. In the event the Fund makes substantial investments in a single industry, the Fund would become more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting that industry. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Industry Concentration Risk.”
		Interest Rate Transactions. The Fund may enter into swap transactions in connection with Variable Rate Preferred Stock. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “How the Fund Manages Risk—Interest Rate Transactions.”
		Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign companies (or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities not typically associated with investing in domestic companies and could cause the Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and revaluation of currencies. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Foreign Securities.”
		Lower Grade Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total

		assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.” Such securities are subject to greater risks than investment grade securities, which reflect their speculative character, including (i) greater volatility; (ii) greater credit risk; (iii) potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions; (iv) potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and (v) additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default. Fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by Moody’s or D by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Lower Grade Securities.”
		Derivative Transactions. The Fund may participate in certain derivative transactions. Such transactions entail certain execution, market, liquidity, hedging and tax risks. Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency or interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave it in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Special Risks of Derivative Transactions.”
		Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Management Risk.”
		Dependence on Key Personnel. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser. See “Risk Factors and Special Considerations—Dependence on Key Personnel.”

		Taxation. The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common stock if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred stock to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.
Management and Fees		Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Investment Adviser’s fee is computed weekly and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus assets attributable to any outstanding senior securities, with no deduction for the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. The fee paid by the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred stock is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the preferred stock during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of the common stock, including distributions and advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net asset value) on the Fund’s common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholder’s total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred stock for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets. See “Management of the fund.”
		For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of Series C Auction Rate Preferred, Series D Preferred, Series E Auction Rate Preferred and Series F Preferred. Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares did not exceed the stated dividend rate or the corresponding swap rate of Series B Preferred. Thus, management fees with respect to the liquidation value of the preferred stock assets were reduced by $23,733.
		A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the continuation of the investment advisory contract of the Fund is available

		in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2007.
		Over the past several years, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Staff”), the staff of the New York Attorney General’s office (the “NYAG”) and officials of other states have been conducting industry-wide inquiries into, and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding, trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates have received information requests and subpoenas from the Staff and the NYAG in connection with these inquiries and have been complying with these requests for documents and testimony. The Investment Adviser has implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in response to recent industry initiatives and its internal reviews of its mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. For further details regarding the Investment Adviser’s review in connection with these requests, see “Management of the Fund—Regulatory Matters.”
Repurchase of Common Stock		The Fund’s Board has authorized the Fund (and the Fund accordingly reserves freedom of action) to repurchase shares of its common stock in the open market when the shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from net asset value. Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its shares. The Board has not established a limit on the amount of common stock that could be repurchased. Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other requirements under the 1940 Act. Through December 31, 2007, the Fund has not repurchased shares of its common stock under this authorization. See “Repurchase of Common Stock.”
Anti-Takeover Provisions		Certain provisions of the Charter and the By-Laws of the Fund, as amended from time to time (the “By-Laws” and together with the Charter, the “Governing Documents”), may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, only one of the three classes of directors is elected each year, and the affirmative vote of the holders of 662/3% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of each class (voting separately) is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or generally to authorize any of the following transactions:
		(1) the merger or consolidation of the Fund with any entity;
		(2) the issuance of any securities of the Fund for cash to any entity or person;
		(3) the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000); or
		(4) the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for its securities, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000);

		if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of the Fund. However, such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board approves the transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control by, a principal shareholder, or the conversion of the Fund to open-end status. These provisions may have the effect of depriving Fund shareholders of an opportunity to sell their stock at a premium above the prevailing market price. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”
Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent		Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. (the “Custodian”), located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon the month end value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
		Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan (the “Plan”) and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common stock of the Fund.
		Computershare also serves as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series D Preferred and Series F Preferred.
		The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the auction agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred and the Series E Auction Rate Preferred. See “Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high quality short-term debt securities and instruments. The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to substantially be completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     The selected data below sets forth the per share operating performance and ratios for the period presented.  The financial information was derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements of the Fund and Notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the SAI. The financial information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003 has been audited by __________________________, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report on such Financial Statements is incorporated by reference into the SAI.

		Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2005				2004				2003
Operating Performance:
Net asset value, beginning of period		$	9.40			$	8.10			$	8.69			$	7.98			$	6.28
Net investment income			0.14				0.18				0.09				0.02				0.04
Net realized and unrealized gain  on investments			1.12				2.18				0.47				1.63				2.50
Total from investment operations			1.26				2.36				0.56				1.65				2.54
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: (a)
Net investment income			(0.02	)			(0.03	)			(0.01	)			(0.00	)(e)			(0.00	)(e)
Net realized gain on investments			(0.12	)			(0.12	)			(0.14	)			(0.14	)			(0.14	)
Total distributions to preferred shareholders			(0.14	)			(0.15	)			(0.15	)			(0.14	)			(0.14	)

		Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2005				2004				2003
Net Increase in Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations			1.14				2.21				0.41				1.51				2.40
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
Net investment income			(0.12	)			(0.16	)			(0.08	)			(0.01	)			(0.01	)
Net realized gain on investments			(0.57	)			(0.72	)			(0.77	)			(0.79	)			(0.68	)
Return of capital			(0.61	)			—				—				—				(0.00	)(e)
Total distributions to common shareholders			(1.30	)			(0.88	)			(0.85	)			(0.80	)			(0.69	)
Fund Share Transactions:
Increase (decrease) in net asset value from common stock share transactions			—				—				(0.00	)(e)			0.00	(e)			0.01
Decrease in net asset value from shares issued in rights offering			—				—				(0.15	)			—				—
Increase in net asset value from repurchase of preferred shares			—				—				—				0.00	(e)			—
Offering costs for preferred shares charged to paid-in capital			—				(0.03	)			(0.00	)(e)			0.00	(e)			(0.02	)
Offering costs for issuance of rights charged to paid-in capital			—				(0.00	)(e)			(0.00	)(e)			—				—
Total fund share transactions			0.00				(0.03	)			(0.15	)			0.00	(e)			(0.01	)
Net Asset Value Attributable to Common Shareholders, End of Period		$	9.22			$	9.40			$	8.10			$	8.69			$	7.98
NAV Total Return +			12.14	%			28.17	%			5.50	%			19.81	%			39.90	%
Market Value, End of Period		$	9.28			$	9.41			$	8.03			$	9.02			$	8.00
Investment Total Return ++			12.75	%			29.42	%			0.66	%			24.04	%			28.58	%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
Net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares, end of period (in 000’s)		$	1,990,123			$	2,114,399			$	1,764,634			$	1,638,225			$	1,514,525
Net assets attributable to common shares, end of period (in 000’s)		$	1,586,381			$	1,586,906			$	1,345,891			$	1,219,483			$	1,094,525

		Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2005				2004				2003
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets attributable to common shares before preferred distributions			1.16	%			2.12	%			1.27	%			0.64	%			0.67	%
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets attributable to common shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any (b)			1.46	%			1.43	%			1.39	%			1.57	%			1.62	%
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets including liquidation value of preferred shares net of advisory fee reduction, if any (b)			1.17	%			1.11	%			1.04	%			1.14	%			1.14	%
Portfolio turnover rate			17.2	%			29.5	%			22.4	%			28.6	%			19.2	%
Preferred Stock
7.20% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s)			—			$	123,750			$	165,000			$	165,000			$	165,000
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			—				4,950				6,600				6,600				6,600
Liquidation preference per share			—			$	25.00			$	25.00			$	25.00			$	25.00
Average market value (c)			—			$	25.27			$	25.92			$	26.57			$	27.06
Asset coverage per share			—			$	100.21			$	105.35			$	97.81			$	90.15
Auction Rate Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s)		$	130,000			$	130,000			$	130,000			$	130,000			$	130,000
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			5				5				5				5				5
Liquidation preference per share		$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000
Average market value (c)		$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000
Asset coverage per share		$	123,230			$	100,211			$	105,353			$	97,806			$	90,150
5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s)		$	73,743			$	73,743			$	73,743			$	73,743			$	75,000
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			2,950				2,950				2,950				2,950				3,000

		Year Ended December 31,
		2007				2006				2005				2004				2003
Liquidation preference per share		$	25.00			$	25.00			$	25.00			$	25.00			$	25.00
Average market value (c)		$	23.86			$	23.98			$	24.82			$	24.81			$	25.10
Asset coverage per share		$	123.23			$	100.21			$	105.35			$	97.81			$	90.15
Auction Rate Series E Cumulative Preferred Stock
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s)		$	50,000			$	50,000			$	50,000			$	50,000			$	50,000
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			2				2				2				2				2
Liquidation preference per share		$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000
Average market value (c)		$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000			$	25,000
Asset coverage per share		$	123,230			$	100,211			$	105,353			$	97,806			$	90,150
6.20% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
Liquidation value, end of period (000’s)		$	150,000			$	150,000				—				—				—
Total shares outstanding (in 000’s)			6,000				6,000				—				—				—
Liquidation preference per share		$	25.00			$	25.00				—				—				—
Average market value (c)		$	24.69			$	25.12				—				—				—
Asset coverage per share		$	123.23			$	100.21				—				—				—
Asset Coverage (d)			493	%			401	%			421	%			391	%			361	%

THE FUND

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on May 20, 1986. The Fund commenced its investment operations on August 21, 1986. The Fund’s principal office is located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Investment Objectives

     The Fund’s primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities selected by the Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary investment objective. The investment objectives of long-term growth of capital and income are fundamental policies of the Fund. These fundamental policies and the investment limitations described in the SAI under the caption “Investment Restrictions” cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of preferred stock voting as a separate class and the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Such majority votes require, in each case, the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s applicable shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the Fund’s applicable shares outstanding are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the applicable class.

     Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities. The 80% Policy may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund will provide shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.

     The Investment Adviser selects investments on the basis of fundamental value and, accordingly, the Fund typically invests in the securities of companies that are believed by the Investment Adviser to be priced lower than justified in relation to their underlying assets. Other important factors in the selection of investments include favorable price/earnings and debt/equity ratios and strong management.

     The Fund seeks to achieve its secondary investment objective of income, in part, by investing up to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated as low as C by Moody’s or D by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date. These debt securities, which are often referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds,” are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

     No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved.

Investment Methodology of the Fund

     In selecting securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser normally will consider the following factors, among others:

	•		the Investment Adviser’s own evaluations of the private market value (as defined below), cash flow, earnings per share and other fundamental aspects of the underlying assets and business of the company;
	•		the potential for capital appreciation of the securities;
	•		the interest or dividend income generated by the securities;
	•		the prices of the securities relative to other comparable securities;
	•		whether the securities are entitled to the benefits of call protection or other protective covenants;
	•		the existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of the security; and
	•		the diversification of the portfolio of the Fund as to issuers.

     The Investment Adviser’s investment philosophy with respect to equity securities is to identify assets that are selling in the public market at a discount to their private market value. The Investment Adviser defines private market value as the value informed purchasers are willing to pay to acquire assets with similar characteristics. The Investment Adviser also normally evaluates an issuer’s free cash flow and long-term earnings trends. Finally, the Investment Adviser looks for a catalyst, something indigenous to the company, its industry or country, that will surface additional value.

Certain Investment Practices

     Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in foreign securities. Among the foreign securities in which the Fund may invest are those issued by companies located in developing countries, which are countries in the initial stages of their industrialization cycles. Investing in the equity and debt markets of developing countries involves exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and less mature, and to political systems that may have less stability, than those of developed countries. The markets of developing countries historically have been more volatile than the markets of the more mature economies of developed countries, but often have provided higher rates of return to investors.

     The Fund may also invest in the debt securities of foreign governments. Although such investments are not a principal strategy of the Fund, there is no independent limit on its ability to invest in the debt securities of foreign governments.

     Temporary Defensive Investments. Subject to the Fund’s investment restrictions, when a temporary defensive period is believed by the Investment Adviser to be warranted (“temporary defensive periods”), the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in securities of United States government sponsored instrumentalities, in repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments, and in certain high-grade commercial paper instruments. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may also invest in money market mutual funds that invest primarily in securities of United States government sponsored instrumentalities and repurchase agreements

in respect of those instruments. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, such as the Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the “full faith and credit” of the United States government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the United States Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the United States government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the United States government would provide financial support to United States government sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. During temporary defensive periods, the Fund may be less likely to achieve its secondary investment objective of income.

     Lower Grade Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.”

     Generally, such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that, in the judgment of the rating organizations, are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and (ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher quality securities. In addition, such securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to default by these issuers is significantly greater because such lower grade securities and unrated securities of comparable quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will take various factors into consideration, which may include, as applicable, the issuer’s operating history, financial resources and its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the perceived ability and integrity of the issuer’s management and regulatory matters.

     In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated categories is more volatile than that of higher quality securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a liquid trading market may restrict the availability of securities for the Fund to purchase and may also have the effect of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value in response to changes in the economy or the financial markets.

     Lower grade securities also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption (often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, as the principal value of nonconvertible bonds and preferred stocks moves inversely with

movements in interest rates, in the event of rising interest rates, the value of the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities. Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates than bonds that pay regular income streams.

     As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Fund’s investment. By investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate.

     In addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the Investment Adviser also performs its own analysis of issues in seeking investments that it believes to be underrated (and thus higher yielding) in light of the financial condition of the issuer. Its analysis of issuers may include, among other things, current and anticipated cash flow and borrowing requirements, value of assets in relation to historical cost, strength of management, responsiveness to business conditions, credit standing, and current anticipated results of operations. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Investment Adviser may also consider general business conditions, anticipated changes in interest rates, and the outlook for specific industries.

     Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced. In addition, it is possible that statistical rating agencies may change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. Moreover, such ratings do not assess the risk of a decline in market value. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the Investment Adviser will consider these events in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the securities.

     The market for lower grade and comparable unrated securities has experienced several periods of significantly adverse price and liquidity, particularly at or around times of economic recessions. Past market recessions have adversely affected the value of such securities as well as the ability of certain issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon or to refinance such securities. The market for those securities may react in a similar fashion in the future.

     Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. On behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may, subject to the Fund’s investment restrictions and guidelines of the Board, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management purposes. These futures contracts and related options may be on debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, United States government securities and foreign currencies. A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery in the future.

     The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to the registration requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Fund’s

investments in derivative instruments are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Nevertheless, the Fund’s investment restrictions place certain limitations and prohibitions on its ability to purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts. In addition, investment in futures contracts and related options generally will be limited by the rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock.

     Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. Subject to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its portfolio against future changes in the level of currency exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a “spot” (i.e., cash) basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract. The Fund’s dealings in forward contracts generally will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. The Fund does not have an independent limitation on its investments in foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currency futures contracts.

     Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and non-bank dealers of United States government securities which are listed as reporting dealers of the Federal Reserve Bank and which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases a debt security from a seller who undertakes to repurchase the security at a specified resale price on an agreed future date. Repurchase agreements are generally for one business day and generally will not have a duration of longer than one week. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has taken the position that, in economic reality, a repurchase agreement is a loan by a fund to the other party to the transaction secured by securities transferred to the fund. The resale price generally exceeds the purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon market interest rate for the term of the repurchase agreement. The Fund’s risk is primarily that, if the seller defaults, the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities and other collateral for the seller’s obligation may be less than the repurchase price. If the seller becomes insolvent, the Fund might be delayed in or prevented from selling the collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller, the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the collateral. To the extent that the proceeds from any sale of the collateral upon a default in the obligation to repurchase is less than the repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss. If the financial institution that is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund could suffer a loss.

     Loans of Portfolio Securities. To increase income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions if (i) the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and (ii) no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of its total assets. If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value of the collateral. As with any extension of credit, there are risks

of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially.

     While these loans of portfolio securities will be made in accordance with guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board, there can be no assurance that borrowers will not fail financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the loan would inure to the Fund. If the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the Fund’s rights is unsettled. As a result, under these circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and it would suffer a loss.

     Borrowing. The Fund may borrow money in accordance with its investment restrictions, including as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. It may not borrow for investment purposes.

     Leveraging. As provided in the 1940 Act, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment limitations, the Fund may issue senior securities representing stock, such as preferred stock, so long as immediately following such issuance of stock, its total assets exceed 200% of the amount of such stock. The use of leverage magnifies the impact of changes in net asset value. For example, a fund that uses 33% leverage will show a 1.5% increase or decline in net asset value for each 1% increase or decline in the value of its total assets. In addition, if the cost of leverage exceeds the return on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, the use of leverage will diminish, rather than enhance, the return to the Fund. The use of leverage generally increases the volatility of returns to the Fund.

     Further information on the investment objectives and policies of the Fund is set forth in the SAI.

     Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental policies of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the Fund’s Articles Supplementary of each series of preferred stock, a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred stock of the Fund (voting separately as a single class) is also required to change a fundamental policy, as defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund’s investment restrictions are more fully discussed under “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI.

     Portfolio Turnover. The Fund does not engage in the trading of securities for the purpose of realizing short-term profits, but adjusts its portfolio as it deems advisable in view of prevailing or anticipated market conditions to accomplish its investment objectives. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses than a lower rate, and such expenses must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. High portfolio turnover may also result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains and any distributions resulting from such gains will be taxable at ordinary income rates for United States federal income tax purposes. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007 were 29.5% and 17.2%, respectively. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a fund’s portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude purchases and sales of debt securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less.

RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

     Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund:

Leverage Risk

     The Fund uses financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred stock. As of December 31, 2007, the amount of leverage represented approximately 20% of the Fund’s total assets. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred, Series D Preferred, Series E Auction Rate Preferred and Series F Preferred have the same seniority with respect to distributions and liquidation preference. Preferred stock has seniority over common stock.

     The Fund’s use of leverage, which can be described as exposure to changes in price at a ratio greater than the amount of equity invested, either through the issuance of preferred stock or other forms of market exposure, magnifies both the favorable and unfavorable effects of price movements in the investments made by the Fund. The Fund’s leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. The Fund cannot assure that the issuance of preferred stock will result in a higher yield or return to the holders of the common stock.

	•		Preferred Stock Risk. The issuance of preferred stock causes the net asset value and market value of the common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock approaches the net rate of return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of the common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock plus the management fee annual rate of 1.00% (as applicable) exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund’s portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if the Fund had not issued preferred stock.
			Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund’s investments would be borne entirely by the holders of common stock. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common stock than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common stock. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred stock or of losing its ratings on the preferred stock or, in an extreme case, the Fund’s current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred stock.
			In addition, the Fund would pay (and the holders of common stock will bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares, including the advisory fees on the incremental assets attributable to such shares.
			Holders of preferred stock may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over the Fund’s affairs. Holders of preferred stock, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the Board at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority

			of the Directors until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred shareholders have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion of the fund to open-end status, and accordingly can veto any such changes.
			Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Fund’s common stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Fund’s ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to redeem its preferred stock to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in time to meet the Code requirements.
	•		Portfolio Guidelines of Rating Agencies for Preferred Stock and/or Credit Facility. In order to obtain and maintain attractive credit quality ratings for preferred stock, the Fund must comply with investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by the relevant rating agencies. These guidelines could affect portfolio decisions and may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

Special Risks to Holders of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock

     Illiquidity Prior to Exchange Listing. Prior to the offering, there will be no public market for any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. In the event any additional series of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are issued, prior application will have been made to list such shares on a national securities exchange, which will likely be the NYSE. However, during an initial period, which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its initial issuance, such shares may not be listed on any securities exchange. During such period, the underwriters may make a market in such shares, though, they will have no obligation to do so. Consequently, an investment in such shares may be illiquid during such period.

     Market Price Fluctuation. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock may trade at a premium to or discount from liquidation value for various reasons, including changes in interest rates.

Special Risks for Holders of Variable Rate Preferred Stock

     Auction Risk. You may not be able to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more Variable Rate Preferred Stock is offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain Variable Rate Preferred Stock only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your Variable Rate Preferred Stock. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than the market rate. Finally, the dividend period may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment.

     Secondary Market Risk. If you try to sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the Variable Rate Preferred Stock are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem Variable Rate Preferred Stock if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The Variable Rate Preferred Stock will

not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your Variable Rate Preferred Stock to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special dividend period.

Common Stock Distribution Policy Risk

     The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the Fund’s preferred stock. Any return of capital should not be considered by investors as yield or total return on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made distributions of $1.32 per share of common stock, of which $0.63543 per share was deemed a return of capital. The total 2007 distributions of $1.32 per common share consisted of $0.90 per share in the form of cash distributions and $0.42 per share in the form of shares of The Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness^RX Trust. The Fund has made quarterly distributions with respect to its common stock since 1987. A portion of the distributions to common shareholders during ten of the twenty-one fiscal years since the Fund’s inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition of each of the current year’s distributions will be based on the Fund’s investment activity through the end of the calendar year.

Value Investing Risk

     The Fund invests in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks that the Investment Adviser believes are undervalued or inexpensive relative to other investments. These types of securities may present risks in addition to the general risks associated with investing in common and preferred stocks. These securities generally are selected on the basis of an issuer’s fundamentals relative to current market price. Such securities are subject to the risk of mis-estimation of certain fundamental factors. In addition, during certain time periods market dynamics may strongly favor “growth” stocks of issuers that do not display strong fundamentals relative to market price based upon positive price momentum and other factors. Disciplined adherence to a “value” investment mandate during such periods can result in significant underperformance relative to overall market indices and other managed investment vehicles that pursue growth style investments and/or flexible equity style mandates.

Non-Diversified Status

     The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means it is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in the securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a diversified investment company. As a result, the Fund may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and therefore subject to greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified company. To qualify as a “regulated investment company,” or “RIC,” for purposes of the Code, the Fund has in the past conducted and intends to conduct its operations in a manner that will relieve it of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. To so qualify as a “regulated investment company,” among other requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year:

	•		not more than 25% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the securities (other than United States government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, any two or more issuers in which the fund owns 20% or more of the voting securities and which are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined in the Code); and
	•		at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets will be represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, United States government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the its assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

Market Value and Net Asset Value

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the securities markets and may trade at either a premium to or discount from net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at discounts from net asset value. This characteristic of shares of a closed-end fund is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that its net asset value may decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its listed stock will trade at, below or above net asset value. Since inception, the Fund’s shares of common stock have traded at both premiums to and discounts from net asset value. As of December 31, 2007, the shares traded at a premium of 0.65%. Shareholders desiring liquidity may, subject to applicable securities laws, trade their Fund shares on the NYSE or other markets on which such shares may trade at the then-current market value, which may differ from the then-current net asset value. Shareholders will incur brokerage or other transaction costs to sell stock.

Industry Concentration Risk

     The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of a single industry. Should the Fund choose to do so, the net asset value of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those particular types of companies, which, depending on the particular industry, may include, among others: governmental regulation; inflation; cost increases in raw materials, fuel and other operating expenses; technological innovations that may render existing products and equipment obsolete; and increasing interest rates resulting in high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital investment, including costs associated with compliance with environmental and other regulations. In such circumstances, the Fund’s investments may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a broader range of industries.

Special Risks Related to Preferred Securities

     There are special risks associated with the Fund’s investing in preferred securities, including:

•

Deferral. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer dividends or distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its dividends or distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income.

	•		Non-Cumulative Dividends. Some preferred securities are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred security held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends or distributions on such security, the Fund’s return from that security may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.
	•		Subordination. Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security instruments.
	•		Liquidity. Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. government securities.
	•		Limited Voting Rights. Generally, preferred security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.
	•		Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws. A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund.

Market Disruption Risk

     Certain events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks, war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy. Lower rated securities and securities of issuers with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities and securities of issuers with larger market capitalizations so that these events and any actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of lower rated securities and securities of issuers with smaller market capitalizations than on higher rated securities and securities of issuers with larger market capitalizations.

Interest Rate Transactions

     The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in relation to all or a portion of its Variable Rate Preferred Stock in order to manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such stock. Through these transactions the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Variable Rate Preferred Stock that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to the Fund

including, among others, counterparty risk and early termination risk. See “How the Fund Manages Risk—Interest Rate Transactions.”

Foreign Securities

     The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers, determined at the time of purchase. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to United States companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Dividend income that the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for the special tax treatment applicable to qualified dividend income.

     There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a United States company. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than United States securities markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid than securities of otherwise comparable United States companies. A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may result in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes foreign securities can expect to have a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs on non-United States securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities.

     The Fund also may purchase sponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or United States dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by United States banks or trust companies in respect of securities of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the United States securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted, many of the risks associated with foreign securities may also apply to ADRs. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

Smaller Companies

     The Fund may invest in smaller companies that may benefit from the development of new products and services. These smaller companies may present greater opportunities for capital appreciation, and may also involve greater investment risk than larger, more established companies. For example, smaller companies may have more limited product lines, market or financial resources and their securities may trade less frequently and in lower volume than the

securities of larger, more established companies. As a result, the prices of the securities of such smaller companies may fluctuate to a greater degree than the prices of securities of other issuers.

Investment Companies

     The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted by law. To the extent the Fund invests in the common equity of investment companies, the Fund will bear its ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management fees. The Fund will also remain obligated to pay management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities of other investment companies. In these circumstances holders of the Fund’s common stock will be subject to duplicative investment expenses.

Lower Grade Securities

     The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in fixed income securities rated below investment grade by recognized statistical rating agencies or unrated securities of comparable quality. These securities, which may be preferred stock or debt, are predominantly speculative and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Debt securities that are not rated or that are rated lower than “BBB” by S&P or lower than “Baa” by Moody’s are referred to in the financial press as “junk bonds.” Such securities are subject to greater risks than investment grade securities, which reflect their speculative character, including the following:

	•		greater volatility;
	•		greater credit risk;
	•		potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry conditions;
	•		potential lack of attractive resale opportunities (illiquidity); and
	•		additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.

     Fixed income securities purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by Moody’s or D by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date.

     The market value of lower rated securities may be more volatile than the market value of higher rated securities and generally tends to reflect the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market developments to a greater extent than more highly rated securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general levels of interest rates.

     Ratings are relative and subjective, and are not absolute standards of quality. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition.

     As part of its investment in lower grade securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in default. The Fund will make an investment in securities of issuers in default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection under a plan pursuant to which the securities received by the Fund in exchange for its defaulted securities will have a value in excess of the Fund’s investment. By

investing in securities of issuers in default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy protection or that the value of the securities will not otherwise appreciate.

Special Risks of Derivative Transactions

     Participation in the options or futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the Investment Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency and interest rate markets are inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave it in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. Risks inherent in the use of options, foreign currency, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, securities indices and foreign currencies include:

	•		dependence on the Investment Adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of interest rates, securities prices and currency markets;
	•		imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities or currencies being hedged;
	•		the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different from those needed to select portfolio securities;
	•		the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at any time;
	•		the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences; and
	•		the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain “cover” or to segregate securities in connection with the hedging techniques.

Futures Transactions

     Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the following:

	•		no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable prices;
	•		possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the use of hedging;
	•		possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and the hedging instrument;
	•		possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price fluctuations;
	•		imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities being hedged; and
	•		losses from investing in futures transactions that are potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements for such transactions.

     For a further description, see “Investment Objectives and Policies—Investment Practices” in the SAI.

Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

     The use of forward currency exchange contracts may involve certain risks, including the failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations under the contract and that the use of forward contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for cover. For a further description of such investments, see “Investment Objectives and Policies—Investment Practices” in the SAI.

Counterparty Risk

     The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

Loans of Portfolio Securities

     Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described in the SAI) and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

     For a further description of such loans of portfolio securities, see “Investment Objectives and Policies—Certain Investment Practices—Loans of Portfolio Securities.”

Management Risk

     The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.

Dependence on Key Personnel

     Mario J. Gabelli serves as the Fund’s portfolio manager. The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with respect to the Fund’s investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment Adviser.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents

     The Fund’s Governing Documents include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

Status as a Regulated Investment Company

     The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory limitations on distributions on the common stock if the Fund fails to satisfy the 1940 Act’s asset coverage requirements could jeopardize the Fund’s ability to meet such distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however, to purchase or redeem preferred stock to the extent necessary in order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage requirements. See “Taxation” for a more complete discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK

Investment Restrictions

     The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations, some of which are fundamental policies of the Fund, designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the Articles Supplementary of each of the series of preferred stock, a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of the Fund (voting separately as a single class) is also required to change a fundamental policy. The Fund may become subject to guidelines that are more limiting than its current investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain ratings from Moody’s and S&P on its preferred stock.

Interest Rate Transactions

     The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in relation to all or a portion of its Variable Rate Preferred Stock in order to manage the impact on its portfolio of changes in the dividend rate of such stock. Through these transactions, the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for such Variable Rate Preferred Stock that is lower than the Fund would have to pay if it issued Fixed Rate Preferred Stock.

     The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) periodically a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on its Variable Rate Preferred Stock. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions introduce additional risk because the

Fund would remain obligated to pay preferred stock dividends or distributions when due in accordance with the Articles Supplementary of the relevant series of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock even if the counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Variable Rate Preferred Stock. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend or distribution payments on the Variable Rate Preferred Stock. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline in the asset coverage for the Variable Rate Preferred Stock. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the Articles Supplementary for each series of the preferred stock, if the Fund fails to maintain the required asset coverage on the outstanding preferred stock or fails to comply with other covenants, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of these shares. The Fund generally may redeem any series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transactions. Early termination of a swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.

     The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the value of the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. The Fund will monitor any such swap with a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

General

     The Board (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions of the Investment Adviser.

The Investment Adviser

     Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (described below in “—Advisory Agreement”). The Investment Adviser was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds, Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of September 30, 2007, the Investment Adviser acted as registered investment adviser to 24 management investment companies with aggregate net assets of $16.9 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with other affiliated investment advisers, had assets under management totaling approximately $31.6

billion as of September 30, 2007. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals, pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a sub-adviser to management investment companies having aggregate assets of $13.8 billion under management as of September 30, 2007. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of approximately $491 million under management as of September 30, 2007. Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate accounts having aggregate assets of approximately $27 million under management as of September 30, 2007. Gabelli Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, acts as investment manager to the Westwood Funds having aggregate assets of approximately $443 million under management as of September 30, 2007.

     The Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York corporation whose Class A Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GBL.” Mr. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed a “controlling person” of the Investment Adviser on the basis of his ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc., which owns a majority of the capital stock of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

     The Investment Adviser has sole investment discretion for the Fund’s assets under the supervision of the Fund’s Board and in accordance with the Fund’s stated policies. The Investment Adviser will select investments for the Fund and will place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund.

     The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the services contemplated by the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management and administration of the Fund (but excluding costs associated with the calculation of the net asset value and allocated costs of the chief compliance officer function and officers of the Fund that are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Investment Adviser), and the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated with the Investment Adviser.

     In addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund is responsible for the payment of all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, which include, among other things, offering expenses, expenses for legal and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm services, rating agency fees, costs of printing proxies, stock certificates and shareholder reports, charges of the custodian, any subcustodian, auction agent, transfer agent(s) and dividend disbursing agent expenses in connection with its respective automatic dividend reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan, SEC fees, fees and expenses of unaffiliated directors, accounting and pricing costs, including costs of calculating the net asset value of the Fund, membership fees in trade associations, fidelity bond coverage for its officers and employees, directors’ and officers’ errors and omission insurance coverage, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, stock exchange listing fees and expenses, expenses of qualifying its shares for sale in various states, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, and other expenses properly payable by the Fund.

Advisory Agreement

     Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the portfolio of the Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions for the Fund, and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund and manages the Fund’s other business and affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of its Board. In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs and provides, or arranges for others to provide, at the Investment Adviser’s expense, certain enumerated services, including maintaining the Fund’s books and records, preparing reports to its shareholders and supervising the calculation of the net asset value of its stock. All expenses of computing the Fund’s net asset value, including any equipment or services obtained solely for the purpose of pricing shares of stock or valuing the Fund’s investment portfolio, will be an expense of the Fund under the Advisory Agreement unless the Investment Adviser voluntarily assumes responsibility for such expense. During fiscal year 2007, the Fund reimbursed the Investment Adviser $45,000 in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s net asset value.

     The Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and administrative responsibilities in one agreement. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee computed weekly and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock. The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the preferred stock during the fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of the common stock, including distributions and management fees subject to reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net asset value) on the Fund’s common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate the negative impact of the leverage on the common shareholder’s total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of its common stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of its common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of outstanding preferred stock for the period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the management fee on those assets.

     For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of Series C Auction Rate Preferred, Series D Preferred, Series E Auction Rate Preferred and Series F Preferred. Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets. The Fund’s total return on the net asset value of the common shares did not exceed the stated dividend rate or the corresponding swap rate of Series B Preferred. Thus, management fees with respect to the liquidation value of the preferred stock assets were reduced by $23,733.

     The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name “Gabelli” is the

Investment Adviser’s property, and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including “Gabelli.”

     Pursuant to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year if approved annually (i) by the Fund’s Board or by the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and (ii) by a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

     A discussion regarding the basis of the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Selection of Securities Brokers

     The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”) or other broker-dealer affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay commissions to brokers other than Gabelli & Company that are higher than might be charged by another qualified broker to obtain brokerage and/or research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be useful or desirable for its investment management of the Fund and/or its other advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description of the advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of the Fund.

     Portfolio Managers

     Mario J. Gabelli is currently and has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors since 1976. Mr. Gabelli is the Chief Investment Officer — Value Portfolios for the Investment Adviser and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. Mr. Gabelli serves as portfolio manager for several funds in the Gabelli fund family and is a director of several funds in the Gabelli fund family. Because of the diverse nature of Mr. Gabelli’s responsibilities, he will devote less than all of his time to the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli is also Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc., as well as Chairman of the Board of Lynch Interactive Corporation, a multimedia and communication services company.

     Additionally, as of December 31, 2007, Caesar M.P. Bryan managed approximately $116 million of the Fund’s assets. Mr. Bryan has been a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager with GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc.) and Portfolio Manager of the GAMCO Gold Fund, Inc. since May 1994 and the GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. since June 1995, Co-Portfolio Manager of the GAMCO Global Opportunity Fund since May 1998, Gold Companies Portfolio Manager of the Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust since March 2005, and a member of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund portfolio management team since September 2000.

     The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

Sub-Administrator

     PFPC Inc., (“PFPC”) with its principal office located at 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, serves as sub-administrator for the Fund. For these services and the related expenses borne by PFPC, the Investment Adviser pays a prorated monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion of the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and all other funds advised by the Investment Adviser and administered by PFPC, 0.0125% of the aggregate average net assets exceeding $10 billion, and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets in excess of $15 billion.

Regulatory Matters

     The Fund has received the following information from the Investment Adviser:

     Over the past several years, the staff of the SEC (the “Staff”), the staff of the New York Attorney General’s office (the “NYAG”), and officials of other states have been conducting industry-wide inquiries into, and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding, trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates have received information requests and subpoenas for documents and testimony from the Staff and the NYAG in connection with these inquiries and have responded to these requests. The Investment Adviser has implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in response to recent industry initiatives and its internal reviews of its mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. The Investment Adviser has not found any information that it believes would be material to the ability of the Investment Adviser to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. More specifically, the Investment Adviser has found no evidence of arrangements for trading in the Gabelli mutual funds after the 4:00 p.m. pricing time and no evidence of improper short-term trading in these funds by its investment professionals or senior executives. The Investment Adviser did find that one investor, who had been engaged in short-term trading in one of the Gabelli mutual funds (the prospectus of which did not at that time impose limits on short-term trading) and who had subsequently made an investment in a hedge fund managed by an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, was banned from the mutual fund only after certain other investors were banned. The Investment Adviser believes that this relationship was not material to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser also found that certain discussions took place in 2002 and 2003 between the Investment Adviser’s staff and personnel of an investment advisor regarding possible frequent trading in certain Gabelli domestic equity funds. In June 2006, the Investment Adviser began discussions with the Staff regarding a possible resolution of their inquiry. In February 2007, the Investment Adviser made an offer of settlement to the Staff for communication to the SEC for its consideration to resolve this matter. This offer of settlement is subject to final agreement regarding the specific language of the SEC’s administrative order and other settlement documents. Since these discussions are ongoing, the Investment Adviser cannot determine whether they will ultimately result in a settlement of this matter and, if so, what the terms of the settlement might be. There can be no assurance that any resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment Adviser or on its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

     The Investment Adviser was informed by the Staff that they may recommend to the SEC that the Investment Adviser be held accountable for the actions of two of the closed-end funds managed by the Investment Adviser relating to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act. These provisions require registered investment companies to provide written statements to shareholders when a distribution is made from a source other than net investment income. While the two funds sent annual statements containing the required information and Form 1099-DIV statements as required by the IRS, the funds did not send written statements to shareholders with each distribution in 2002 and 2003. The then existing closed-end funds managed by the Investment Adviser changed their notification procedures in 2004 and the Investment Adviser believes that all of the funds have been in compliance with Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act since that time. The Staff’s notice to the Investment Adviser did not relate to the Fund. The Staff indicated that they may recommend to the SEC that administrative remedies be sought, including a monetary penalty. The Investment Adviser cannot predict whether an administrative proceeding will be instituted and, if so, what the ultimate resolution might be. The Investment Adviser currently expects that any resolution of this matter will not have a material effect on the Investment Adviser’s ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. If the SEC were to revoke the exemptive order that the Fund relies upon to make distributions of capital gains more frequently than annually, the Board may consider whether to modify or possibly eliminate the Fund’s current distribution policy.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute portfolio transactions on stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission therefor. For a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s brokerage allocation practices, see “Portfolio Transactions” in the SAI.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     The Fund has a policy, which may be modified at any time by its Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common shareholders. The Fund’s current quarterly distribution level is set at $0.20 per share in each of the first three quarters of the year. Each year the Fund pays an adjusting distribution in the fourth quarter of an amount sufficient to pay 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund, as of the last day of the four preceding calendar quarters, or to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of the Code, whichever is greater. Each quarter, the Board reviews the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital gain or capital available. This policy permits common shareholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically with respect to their shares of common stock without having to sell their shares. The Fund may retain for reinvestment, and pay the resulting federal income taxes on, its net capital gain, if any, although the Fund reserves the authority to distribute its net capital gain in any year. To avoid paying income tax at the corporate level, the Fund distributes substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain.

     If, for any calendar year, the total quarterly distributions to common shareholders and the amount of distributions on any preferred stock issued by the Fund exceed investment company

taxable income and net capital gain, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in the stock. Any distributions to the holders of common or preferred stock which constitute tax-free return of capital will reduce a shareholder’s tax basis in such stock, thereby increasing such shareholder’s potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the sale of the stock. Any amounts distributed to a shareholder in excess of the basis in the stock will generally be taxable to the shareholder as capital gain.

     In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, such distributions will decrease the Fund’s total assets and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing its expense ratio, as the Fund’s fixed expenses will become a larger percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action.

     The Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser, has obtained an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of the Fund with respect to its common stock calls for periodic (e.g., quarterly or semi-annually, but in no event more frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a fixed percentage of the Fund’s average net asset value over a specified period of time or market price per share of common stock at or about the time of distribution or payment of a fixed dollar amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make distributions with respect to its preferred stock in accordance with such stock’s terms. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan.”

AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN

     Under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), a shareholder whose common shares are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), which is agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own common shares registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by Computershare as dividend-disbursing agent.

Enrollment in the Plan

     It is the policy of the Fund to automatically reinvest dividends. As a “registered” shareholder, you automatically become a participant in the Fund’s Plan. The Plan authorizes the Fund to issue 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 Computershare to be held in their dividend reinvestment account. Registered shareholders wishing to receive their distribution in cash must submit this request in writing to:

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

c/o Computershare

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

     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 Computershare at (800) 336-6983.

     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 dividends 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, 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 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 shares from the Fund valued at market price. If the Fund should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable only in cash, Computershare will buy common shares in the open market, or on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts, except that Computershare 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 exceed 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 U.S. 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.

     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 Computershare on at least 90 days’ written notice to participants in the Plan.

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 Computershare for investments in the Fund’s shares at the then current market price. Shareholders may send an amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use these funds to purchase shares in the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each month. Computershare will charge each shareholder who participates $0.75, plus 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 Computershare, P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940-3010 such that Computershare receives such payments approximately 10 days before the 1st and 15th of the month. 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 Computershare at least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

     Shareholders wishing to liquidate shares held at Computershare 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. The cost to liquidate shares is $2.50 per transaction as well as the brokerage commission incurred. 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 Plans 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 Computershare on at least 90 days’ written notice to participants in the Plan.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     The following is a brief description of the terms of the Fund’s common stock and preferred stock.  This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Governing Documents.  For complete terms of the common stock and preferred stock, please refer to the actual terms of such series, which are set forth in the Governing Documents.

Common Stock

     Pursuant to an amendment to the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation that was approved by shareholders in 2004, the Board may increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue without shareholder approval. The Fund is currently authorized to issue 246,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote per share held. Holders of the common stock are entitled to share equally in distributions authorized by the Fund’s Board payable to the holders of such shares and in the net assets of the Fund available on liquidation for distribution to holders of such shares. The shares of common stock have noncumulative voting rights and no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and are not redeemable. In the event of liquidation, each share of Fund common stock is entitled to its proportion of the Fund’s assets after payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders of the Fund’s preferred stock ranking senior to the shares of common stock of the Fund as described below.

     Offerings of stock require approval by the Board of Directors. Any additional offering of common stock will be subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, which provides that common stock may not be issued at a price below the then current net asset value, exclusive of sales load, except in connection with an offering to existing holders of common stock or with the consent of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities.

     The Fund’s outstanding common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB.” The average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the NYSE during the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006 was 457,504 shares. The average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the NYSE during the period from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 was 304,064 shares.

     The Fund’s net asset value per share will be reduced immediately following the offering of common shares by the amount of the sales load and offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Use of Proceeds.” Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional common shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may do so by trading through a broker on the NYSE or otherwise.

     Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade on an exchange at prices lower than net asset value. The Fund’s shares of common stock have traded in the market at both premiums to and discounts from net asset value. Over the Fund’s twenty-one year history, the range fluctuated from a 38% premium in June 2002 to a 27% discount in December 1987. Beginning in early 2001, the market price of the Fund exceeded the net asset value and this premium continued through August 2005. The previous extended period over which the premium existed occurred during the twenty month period from August 1993 to March 1995. The market price of the Fund has exceeded the net asset value during 2007 with an average premium of 1%. Because the market value of the common shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend and distribution levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), dividend and distribution stability, net asset value, market liquidity, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, unrealized gains, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that common shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. The common shares are designed primarily for long-

term investors and you should not purchase the common shares if you intend to sell them soon after purchase.

     The Fund’s common shareholders vote as a single class to elect the Fund’s Board of Directors and on additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act, the Governing Documents or resolutions adopted by the Directors provide for a vote of the Fund’s common shareholders. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Fund’s Governing Documents.”

     The Fund may repurchase its shares of common stock from time to time as and when it deems such repurchase advisable, subject to maintaining required asset coverage for each series of outstanding preferred stock. The Board has adopted a policy to authorize such repurchases when the shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more (or such other percentage as the Board may determine from time to time) from the net asset value of the shares. Although the Board has authorized such repurchases, the Fund is not required to repurchase its shares. The policy does not limit the amount of common stock that can be repurchased. The percentage of the discount from net asset value at which share repurchases will be authorized may be changed at any time by the Board. Through December 31, 2007, the Fund has not repurchased shares of its common stock under this authorization.

Preferred Stock

     Currently, 24,000,000 shares of the Fund’s capital stock, which include the preferred stock being registered with this registration statement, have been classified by the Board as preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Fund’s Board of Directors may reclassify authorized and unissued shares of the Fund, previously classified as common stock, as preferred stock prior to the completion of any offering. The terms of each series of preferred stock may be fixed by the Board and may materially limit and/or qualify the rights of the holders of the Fund’s common stock. As of December 31, 2007, the Fund had 5,200 outstanding shares of Series C Auction Rate Preferred, 2,949,700 outstanding shares of Series D Preferred, 2,000 outstanding shares of Series E Auction Rate Preferred, and 6,000,000 outstanding shares of Series F Preferred.

     Distributions on the Series C Auction Rate Preferred accumulate at a variable rate, usually set at a weekly auction. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s and “AAA” by S&P. The liquidation preference of the Series C Auction Rate Preferred is $25,000 per share. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in part, at any time other than during a non-call period. The Series C Auction Rate Preferred is not traded on any public exchange.

     Distributions on the Series D Preferred accumulate at an annual rate of 5.875% of the liquidation preference of $25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The Series D Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s. The Fund’s outstanding Series D Preferred is redeemable at the liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) at the option of the Fund beginning October 7, 2008. The Series D Preferred is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB PrD.”

     Distributions on the Series E Auction Rate Preferred accumulate at a variable rate set at a weekly auction. The Series E Auction Rate Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s and “AAA” by S&P. The liquidation preference of the Series E Auction Rate Preferred is $25,000 per share. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding Series E Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in part, at any time other than during a non-call period. The Series E Auction Rate Preferred is not traded on any public exchange.

     Distributions on the Series F Preferred accumulate at an annual rate of 6.20% of the liquidation preference of $25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The Series F Preferred is rated “Aaa” by Moody’s. The Fund’s outstanding Series F Preferred is redeemable at the liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) at the option of the Fund beginning November 10, 2011. The Series F Preferred is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB PrF.”

     If the Fund issues any additional series of preferred stock, it will pay dividends to the holders at either a fixed rate or a rate that will be reset frequently based on short-term interest rates, as described in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying each preferred stock offering.

     The following table shows (i) the classes of capital stock authorized, (ii) the number of shares authorized in each class, and (iii) the number of shares outstanding in each class as of December 31, 2007.

		Amount				Amount
Title Of Class		Authorized *				Outstanding *
Common Stock			246,000,000				172,104,290
Series A Preferred			5,367,900				0
Series B Preferred			6,600,000				0
Series C Auction Rate Preferred			5,200				5,200
Series D Preferred			3,000,000				2,949,700
Series E Auction Rate Preferred			2,000				2,000
Series F Preferred			6,000,000				6,000,000
Preferred Stock			3,024,900				0

     As of December 31, the Fund does not hold any shares of capital stock for its account. Upon a liquidation, each holder of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders (after payment of claims of the Fund’s creditors but before any distributions with respect to the Fund’s common stock or any other class of capital stock of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred stock as to liquidation payments) an amount per share equal to such share’s liquidation preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest

thereon) to the date of distribution, and such shareholders shall be entitled to no further participation in any distribution or payment in connection with such liquidation. Each series of preferred stock ranks on a parity with any other series of preferred stock of the Fund as to the payment of distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, and is junior to the Fund’s obligations with respect to any outstanding senior securities representing debt. The preferred stock carries one vote per share on all matters on which such shares are entitled to vote. The preferred shares will, upon issuance, be fully paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or conversion rights. The Board of Directors may by resolution classify or reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of capital stock senior to the preferred stock.

     Rating Agency Guidelines. Upon issuance, the preferred shares may be rated or unrated. If rated, the preferred shares may have any credit quality, from “Aaa” to “C” by Moody’s and/or “AAA” to “D” by S&P or the equivalent from other statistical rating organizations. If the fund issues preferred shares rated by Moody’s or S&P, the Fund expects that it will be required under Moody’s and S&P guidelines to maintain assets having in the aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined below) for its outstanding preferred stock with respect to the separate guidelines Moody’s and S&P has each established for determining discounted value. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency’s guidelines, all or a portion of such holding’s value will not be included in the calculation of discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody’s and S&P guidelines also impose certain diversification requirements and industry concentration limitations on the Fund’s overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to securities held by the Fund (except certain money market securities). The “Basic Maintenance Amount” is equal to (i) the sum of (a) the aggregate liquidation preference of any preferred shares then outstanding plus (to the extent not included in the liquidation preference of such preferred stock) an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in respect of such preferred stock, (b) the total principal of any debt (plus accrued and projected interest), (c) certain Fund expenses and (d) certain other current liabilities (excluding any unmade distributions on the Fund’s common stock) less (ii) the Fund’s (a) cash and (b) assets consisting of indebtedness which (y) mature prior to or on the date of redemption or repurchase of the preferred stock and are U.S. government securities or evidences of indebtedness rated at least “Aaa,” “P-1”, “VMIG-1” or “MIG-1” by Moody’s or “AAA”, “SP-1+” or “A-1+” by S&P, and (z) is held by the Fund for distributions, the redemption or repurchase of preferred stock or the Fund’s liabilities.

     If the Fund does not cure in a timely manner a failure to maintain a discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount in accordance with the requirements of the applicable rating agency or agencies then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred stock, as described below under “— Redemption.”

     The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to the rating agency guidelines that may hereafter be established by Moody’s and S&P. Failure to adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the relevant rating agency’s ratings or a withdrawal of such ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the preferred stock at the request of the Fund may, at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board, without further action by the shareholders, may amend, alter, add to or repeal certain of the definitions and related provisions that have been adopted by the Fund

pursuant to the rating agency guidelines if the Board of Directors determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the preferred stock by Moody’s and S&P, as the case may be, is in the best interests of the holders of common stock and is not adverse to the holders of preferred stock in view of advice to the Fund by Moody’s and S&P (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund) that such modification would not adversely affect, as the case may be, its then current rating of the preferred stock.

     The Board may amend the Articles Supplementary definition of “Maximum Rate” (the “maximum rate” as defined below under “—Distributions on the Preferred Shares—Maximum Rate”) to increase the percentage amount by which the applicable reference rate is multiplied or to increase the applicable spread to which the reference rate is added to determine the maximum rate without the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred stock or any other shareholder of the Fund, but only after consultation with the broker-dealers and with confirmation from each applicable rating agency that the Fund could meet applicable rating agency asset coverage tests immediately following any such increase.

     As described by Moody’s and S&P, the ratings assigned to each series of preferred stock are assessments of the capacity and willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of each such series. The ratings on these series of preferred stock are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of any series, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the likelihood that an owner of preferred stock will be able to sell such shares on an exchange, in an auction or otherwise. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moody’s and S&P by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.

     The rating agency guidelines apply to each series of preferred stock only so long as such rating agency is rating such series at the request of the Fund. The Fund pays fees to Moody’s and S&P for rating the preferred stock.

     Asset Maintenance Requirements. In addition to the requirements summarized under “—Rating Agency Guidelines” above, the Fund must also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act with respect to its preferred stock. Under the 1940 Act, debt or additional preferred stock may be issued only if immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets (less ordinary course liabilities) is at least 300% of the amount of any debt outstanding and at least 200% of the amount of any preferred stock and debt outstanding. The Fund is required under the Articles Supplementary of each series of preferred stock to determine whether it has, as of the last business day of each March, June, September and December of each year, an “asset coverage” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act) with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund that are debt or stock, including any outstanding preferred stock. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, or 10 business days, in the case of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, the Fund may, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem shares of preferred stock sufficient to satisfy such asset coverage. See “—Redemption” below.

     Distributions. In connection with the offering of one or more additional series of preferred stock, an accompanying Prospectus Supplement will specify whether dividends on

such preferred stock will be based on a fixed or variable rate. If such Prospectus Supplement specifies that dividends will be paid at a fixed rate, holders of such Fixed Rate Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at an annual rate set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payable with such frequency as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such distributions will accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued.

     In the alternative, the Prospectus Supplement may state that the holders of one or more series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cash distributions at annual rates stated as a percentage of liquidation preference, that will vary from dividend period to dividend period. The liquidation preference per share and the dividend rate for the initial dividend period for any such series of preferred stock will be the rate set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such series. For subsequent dividend periods, each such series of preferred stock will pay distributions based on a rate set at an auction, normally held weekly, but not in excess of a maximum rate. Dividend periods generally will be seven days, and the dividend periods generally will begin on the first business day after an auction. In most instances, distributions are also paid weekly, on the business day following the end of the dividend period. The Fund, subject to some limitations, may change the length of the dividend periods, designating them as “special dividend periods,” as described below under “—Designation of Special Dividend Periods.”

     Distribution Payments. Except as described below, the dividend payment date for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will be the first business day after the dividend period ends. The dividend payment dates for special dividend periods of more (or less) than seven days will be set out in the notice designating a special dividend period. See “—Designation of Special Dividend Periods” for a discussion of payment dates for a special dividend period.

     If a dividend payment date for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock is not a business day because the NYSE is closed for business for more than three consecutive business days due to an act of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage, riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the dividend payable on such date can not be paid for any such reason, then:

	•		the dividend payment date for the affected dividend period will be the next business day on which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, are able to cause the distributions to be paid using their reasonable best efforts;
	•		the affected dividend period will end on the day it would have ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date had remained the scheduled date; and
	•		the next dividend period will begin and end on the dates on which it would have begun and ended had such event not occurred and the dividend payment date remained the scheduled date.

     Determination of Dividend Rates. The Fund computes the distributions per share for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock by multiplying the applicable rate determined at the auction by a fraction, the numerator of which normally is the number of days in such dividend period and the denominator of which is 360. This applicable rate is then multiplied by the liquidation preference per share of such series to arrive at the distribution per share.

     Maximum Rate. The dividend rate for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock that results from an auction for such shares will not be greater than the applicable “maximum rate.” The maximum rate for any standard dividend period will be the greater of the applicable percentage of the reference rate or the reference rate plus the applicable spread. The reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate (as defined below) for a dividend period of 365 days or more. The applicable percentage and the applicable spread will be determined based on the lower of the credit ratings assigned to such series of preferred shares by Moody’s and S&P on the auction date for such period (as set forth in the table below). If Moody’s and/or S&P do not make such rating available, the rate will be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rating agency. In the case of a special dividend period, (1) the Fund will communicate the maximum applicable rate in a notice of special rate period for such dividend payment period, (2) the applicable percentage and applicable spread will be determined on the date two business days before the first day of such special dividend period and (3) the reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days or the Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of 365 days or more.

     The “LIBOR Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Articles Supplementary, is the applicable London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the period most closely approximating the applicable dividend period for the preferred stock.

     The “Treasury Index Rate,” as described in greater detail in the Articles Supplementary, is the average yield to maturity for certain U.S. Treasury securities having substantially the same length to maturity as the applicable dividend period for the preferred stock.

Credit Ratings				Applicable		Applicable
Moody’s		S&P		Percentage		Spread
Aaa		AAA		150%		1.50%
Aa3 to Aa1		AA– to AA+		250%		2.50%
A3 to A1		A– to A+		350%		3.50%
Baa1 or lower		BBB+ or lower		550%		5.50%

     If the Fund maintains an “AAA” and/or “Aaa” rating on the preferred stock, the practical effect of the different methods used to determine the maximum rate is shown in the table below:

		Maximum
		Applicable				Method Used to
		Rate Using the		Maximum Applicable		Determine the
		Applicable		Rate Using the		Maximum Applicable
Reference Rate		Percentage		Applicable Spread		Rate
1%		1.50%		2.50%		Spread
2%		3.00%		3.50%		Spread
3%		4.50%		4.50%		Either
4%		6.00%		5.50%		Percentage
5%		7.50%		6.50%		Percentage
6%		9.00%		7.50%		Percentage

There is no minimum dividend rate in respect of any dividend period.

     Effect of Failure to Pay Distributions in a Timely Manner. If the Fund fails to pay the paying agent the full amount of any distribution or redemption price, as applicable, for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock in a timely manner, the dividend rate for the dividend period following such a failure to pay (such period referred to as the default period) and any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing will be the default rate. In the event that the Fund fully pays all default amounts due during a dividend period, the dividend rate for the remainder of that dividend period will be, as the case may be, the applicable rate (for the first dividend period following a dividend default) or the then maximum rate (for any subsequent dividend period for which such default is continuing).

     The default rate is 550% of the applicable LIBOR Rate for a dividend period of 364 days or fewer and 550% of the applicable Treasury Index Rate for a dividend period of longer than 364 days.

     Designation of Special Dividend Periods. The Fund may instruct the auction agent to hold auctions more or less frequently than weekly and may designate dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. The Fund may do this if, for example, the Fund expects that short-term rates might increase or market conditions otherwise change, in an effort to optimize the potential benefit of the Fund’s leverage for holders of its common stock. The Fund does not currently expect to hold auctions and pay distributions less frequently than weekly or establish dividend periods longer or shorter than one week. If the Fund designates a special dividend period, changes in interest rates could affect the price received if preferred shares are sold in the secondary market.

     Any designation of a special dividend period for a series of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will be effective only if (i) notice thereof has been given as provided for in the Governing Documents, (ii) any failure to pay in a timely manner to the auction agent the full amount of any distribution on, or the redemption price of, any preferred stock has been cured as provided for in the Governing Documents, (iii) the auction immediately preceding the special dividend period was not a failed auction, (iv) if the Fund has mailed a notice of redemption with respect to any preferred stock, the Fund has deposited with the paying agent all funds necessary for such redemption and (v) the Fund has confirmed that as of the auction date next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, it has assets with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the Fund has provided notice of such designation and a Basic Maintenance Report to each rating agency then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund.

     The dividend payment date for any such special dividend period will be set out in the notice designating the special dividend period. In addition, for special dividend periods of at least

91 days, dividend payment dates will occur on the first business day of each calendar month within such dividend period and on the business day following the last day of such dividend period.

     Before the Fund designates a special dividend period: (i) at least seven business days (or two business days in the event the duration of the dividend period prior to such special dividend period is less than eight days) and not more than 30 business days before the first day of the proposed special dividend period, the Fund will issue a press release stating its intention to designate a special dividend period and inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by telephonic or other means and confirm it in writing promptly thereafter and (ii) the Fund must inform the auction agent of the proposed special dividend period by 3:00 p.m., New York City time on the second business day before the first day of the proposed special dividend period.

Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Preferred Stock

     So long as any preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in common stock or in options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase common stock) in respect of the common stock or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any common stock (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking junior to the preferred stock as to the payment of dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless:

	•		the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant dividend paying agent) all cumulative distributions on the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock due on or prior to the date of such common stock dividend or distribution;
	•		the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision in the Fund’s Governing Documents; and
	•		after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset coverage requirements described under “—Rating Agency Guidelines” and “—Asset Maintenance Requirements.”

     No full distribution will be declared or made on any series of preferred stock for any dividend period, or part thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding series of preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series as to distributions have been or contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative distributions due have not been made on all outstanding preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to the payment of distributions, any distributions being paid on the preferred stock will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective amounts of distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date. The Fund’s obligation to make distributions on the preferred stock will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and principal, when due, on any senior securities representing debt.

Redemption

     Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage Requirements. The Fund may, at its option, consistent with its Governing Documents and the 1940 Act, and in certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred stock in the event that:

	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements specified under the 1940 Act on a quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or before 60 days, in the case of the Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, or 10 business days, in the case of the Variable Rate Preferred Stock, following such failure; or
	•		the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines as of any monthly valuation date, and such failure is not cured on or before 10 business days after such valuation date.

     The redemption price for preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption will be the liquidation preference, as stated in the Articles Supplementary of each existing series of preferred stock or the Prospectus Supplement accompanying the issuance of any additional series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption, plus (in the case of preferred stock having a dividend period of more than one year) any applicable redemption premium determined by the Board and included in the Articles Supplementary.

     The number of shares of preferred stock that will be redeemed in the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number of outstanding shares of preferred stock, the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored, all of the shares of preferred stock. In the event that shares of preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the 1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred stock so that the Fund’s assets exceed the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10% (that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that shares of preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred stock so that the Fund’s discounted portfolio value (as determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that is, 110% rating agency asset coverage).

     If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the shares of preferred stock to be redeemed on any redemption date, the Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed ratably on the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.

     If fewer than all shares of the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock are to be redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion and subject to the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act, and Maryland law, will select the one or more series of preferred stock from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of preferred stock to be redeemed from each such series. If fewer than all shares of a series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of shares of such series held by each such holder on the record date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as the Fund may determine). If fewer than all shares of preferred stock held by any holder are to be

redeemed, the notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable record date.

     Optional Redemption of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock are not subject to optional redemption by the Fund until the date, if any, specified in the applicable Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement, unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company under the Code. Commencing on such date and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem such Fixed Rate Preferred Stock in whole or in part for cash at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “—Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Maryland law.

     Optional Redemption of Variable Rate Preferred Stock. The Fund generally may redeem Variable Rate Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at its option at any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date), other than during a non-call period. The Fund may designate a non-call period during a dividend period of more than seven days. In the case of such preferred stock having a dividend period of one year or less, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to any accumulated but unpaid distributions thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to the redemption date, and in the case of such preferred stock having a dividend period of more than one year, the redemption price per share will equal the liquidation preference plus any redemption premium applicable during such dividend period. Such redemptions are subject to the notice requirements set forth under “—Redemption Procedures” and the limitations of the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Maryland law.

     Redemption Procedures. A notice of redemption with respect to an optional redemption will be given to the holders of record of preferred stock selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to NYSE requirements), in the case of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock, and not less than seven days, in the case of Variable Rate Preferred Stock, nor, in both cases, more than 40 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Preferred shareholders may receive shorter notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. Each notice of redemption will state (i) the redemption date, (ii) the number or percentage of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares, (iv) the redemption price (specifying the amount of accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the place or places where such shares are to be redeemed, (vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of the Articles Supplementary under which the redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.

     The holders of preferred shares, whether subject to a variable or fixed rate, will not have the right to redeem any of their shares at their option.

Liquidation Rights

     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred stock then outstanding will be entitled to receive a preferential

liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per preferred share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights

     Except as otherwise stated in this Prospectus, specified in the Fund’s Charter or resolved by the Board or as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of preferred stock shall be entitled to one vote per share held on each matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of common stock and of any other preferred stock then outstanding as a single class.

     In connection with the election of the Fund’s Directors, holders of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled at all times to elect two of the Fund’s Directors, and the remaining Directors will be elected by holders of common stock and holders of preferred stock, voting together as a single class. In addition, if (i) at any time dividends and distributions on outstanding shares of preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years’ dividends and distributions thereon and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited with the applicable paying agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii) at any time holders of any other series of preferred stock are entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund under the 1940 Act or the applicable Articles Supplementary creating such shares, then the number of Directors constituting the Board automatically will be increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two Directors elected exclusively by the holders of preferred stock as described above, would then constitute a simple majority of the Board as so increased by such smallest number. Such additional Directors will be elected by the holders of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, voting together as a single class, at a special meeting of shareholders which will be called as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor more than twenty days after the mailing date of the meeting notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to call such a special meeting, the meeting may be called by any preferred shareholder on like notice. The terms of office of the persons who are Directors at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter pays, or declares and sets apart for payment in full, all dividends and distributions payable on all outstanding shares of preferred stock for all past dividend periods or the holders of other series of preferred stock are no longer entitled to elect such additional Directors, the additional voting rights of the holders of the preferred stock as described above will cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional Directors elected by the holders of the preferred stock (but not of the Directors with respect to whose election the holders of common stock were entitled to vote or the two Directors the holders of preferred stock have the right to elect as a separate class in any event) will terminate automatically.

     So long as shares of preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, and present and voting on such matter, voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Fund’s Charter whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially adversely affect any of the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to such shares of preferred stock, unless the Fund obtains written confirmation from Moody’s, S&P or any such other rating agency then

rating the preferred stock that such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then assigned by such rating agency to the preferred stock, in which case the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred stock is not required. Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund will not approve any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely affect the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to such shares of a series of preferred stock differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of preferred stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of preferred stock of each series materially adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such materially adversely affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected differently). For purposes of this paragraph, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to such series.

     Under the Charter and applicable provisions of the 1940 Act or Maryland law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred stock. The approval of 66²/₃% of each class, voting separately, of the Fund’s outstanding voting stock is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The approval of a majority (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding preferred stock and a majority (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are required to approve any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act (other than a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company), including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under “Investment Objectives and Policies” in this Prospectus and the SAI, “How the Fund Manages Risk—Investment Restrictions” in this Prospectus and “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI. For purposes of this paragraph, except as otherwise required under the 1940 Act, the majority of the outstanding preferred stock means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the shareholders of the Fund duly called (i) of 66²/₃% or more of the shares of preferred stock present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of preferred stock are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of preferred stock described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of common stock, and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in question.

     The calculation of the elements and definitions of certain terms of the rating agency guidelines may be modified by action of the Board without further action by the shareholders if the Board determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of the shares of preferred stock by Moody’s and/or S&P (or such other rating agency then rating the preferred stock at the request of the Fund), as the case may be, or is in the best interests of the holders of common stock and is not adverse to the holders of preferred stock in view of advice to the Fund by the relevant rating agencies that such modification would not adversely affect its then-current rating of the preferred stock.

     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any series of preferred stock if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will be effected, such stock will have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption. The holders of preferred stock will have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting.

Limitation on Issuance of Preferred Stock

     So long as the Fund has preferred stock outstanding, subject to receipt of approval from the rating agencies of each series of preferred stock outstanding, and subject to compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, the Fund may issue and sell shares of one or more other series of additional preferred stock provided that the Fund will, immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such additional preferred stock and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the redemption of preferred stock to be redeemed out of such proceeds), have an “asset coverage” for all senior securities of the Fund which are stock, as defined in the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation preference of the shares of preferred stock of the Fund then outstanding and all indebtedness of the Fund constituting senior securities and no such additional preferred stock will have any preference or priority over any other preferred stock of the Fund upon the distribution of the assets of the Fund or in respect of the payment of dividends or distributions.

     The Fund will consider from time to time whether to offer additional preferred stock or securities representing indebtedness and may issue such additional securities if the Board concludes that such an offering would be consistent with the Fund’s Charter and applicable law, and in the best interest of existing common shareholders.

     Book Entry. Shares of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock sold through this offering will initially be held in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of such shares for all purposes. In accordance with the procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of Fixed Rate Preferred Stock will be deemed the beneficial owners of shares purchased for purposes of dividends, voting and liquidation rights.

     Shares of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will initially be held by the auction agent as custodian for Cede & Co., in whose name the shares of Variable Rate Preferred Stock will be registered. The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the such shares for all purposes.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF THE FUND’S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

     The Fund presently has provisions in its Charter and By-Laws which could have the effect of limiting, in each case:

	•		the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund;
	•		the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain transactions; or
	•		the ability of the Fund’s Directors or shareholders to amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management.

     These provisions of the Governing Documents may be regarded as “anti-takeover” provisions. The Board is divided into three classes, each having a term of no more than three years. Each year the term of one class of Directors will expire. Accordingly, only those Directors in one class may be changed in any one year, and it would require a minimum of

two years to change a majority of the Board. Further, one Director in each of two of the classes of the Fund is elected solely by the holders of the Fund’s preferred stock and cannot be removed or replaced by the holders of the common stock. Such system of electing Directors may have the effect of maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more difficult for the shareholders of the Fund to change the majority of Directors. A Director of the Fund may be removed with or without cause by a vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of such Director.

     In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of 66²/₃% of the outstanding shares of each class (voting separately) of the Fund is required to authorize its conversion from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or generally to authorize any of the following transactions:

	•		the merger or consolidation of the Fund with any entity;
	•		the issuance of any securities of the Fund for cash to any entity or person;
	•		the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000); or
	•		the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000);

if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, such vote would not be required when, under certain conditions, the Board approves the transaction. Further, unless a higher percentage is provided for under the Charter, the affirmative vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the Fund’s preferred stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting such stock or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changing the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company, changing the Fund’s investment objectives or changing its fundamental investment restrictions.

     Maryland corporations that are subject to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and have at least three outside directors, such as the Fund, may by board resolution elect to become subject to certain corporate governance provisions set forth in the Maryland corporate law, even if such provisions are inconsistent with the corporation’s charter and by-laws. Accordingly, notwithstanding the Fund’s Governing Documents, under Maryland law the Board may elect by resolution to, among other things:

	•		require that special meetings of shareholders be called only at the request of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting;
	•		reserve for the Board the right to fix the number of Fund Directors;
	•		provide that Directors are subject to removal only by the vote of the holders of two-thirds of the stock entitled to vote; and
	•		retain for the Board sole authority to fill vacancies created by the death, removal or resignation of a Director, with any Director so appointed to serve for the balance of the unexpired term rather than only until the next annual meeting of shareholders.

     The Board may make any of the foregoing elections without amending the Fund’s Governing Documents and without shareholder approval. Though a corporation’s charter or a resolution by its board may prohibit its directors from making the elections set forth above, the Fund’s Board currently is not prohibited from making any such elections.

     The provisions of the Governing Documents and Maryland law described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of shares in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a merger or the assumption of control by a principal shareholder. The Board has determined that the foregoing voting requirements, which are generally greater than the minimum requirements under Maryland law and the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the shareholders generally.

     The Governing Documents of the Fund are on file with the SEC.

CLOSED-END FUND STRUCTURE

     The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (commonly referred to as a closed-end fund).  Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (which are generally referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a stock exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the shareholder.  This means that if you wish to sell your shares of a closed-end fund you must trade them on the market like any other stock at the prevailing market price at that time.  In a mutual fund, if the shareholder wishes to sell shares of the Fund, the mutual fund will redeem or buy back the shares at “net asset value.” Also, mutual funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and closed-end funds generally do not.  The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in a mutual fund can make it difficult to manage the Fund’s investments.  By comparison, closed-end funds are generally able to stay more fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment objective, to have greater flexibility to make certain types of investments and to use certain investment strategies such as financial leverage and investments in illiquid securities.

     Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value.  Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Fund’s Board might consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, tender offers for shares or other programs intended to reduce a discount.  We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Fund’s Board will decide to engage in any of these actions.  Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal or close to net asset value per share.  The Board might also consider converting the Fund to an open-end mutual fund, which would also require a supermajority vote of the shareholders of the Fund and a separate vote of any outstanding preferred shares.  We cannot assure you that the Fund’s common shares will not trade at a discount.

NET ASSET VALUE

     For purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value per share, 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 such 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 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 the Investment Adviser.

     Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of 60 days or less that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not reflect the securities’ fair value, in which case these securities will be fair valued as determined by the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than 60 days for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.

     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 to the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities to the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR 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 Fund obtains valuation on the basis of prices provided by one or more pricing services approved by the Board. All other investment assets, including restricted and not readily marketable securities, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. In addition, whenever developments in one or more securities markets after the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines its net asset value would, if such developments had been reflected in such principal markets, likely have had more than a minimal effect on the Fund’s asset value per share, the Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available market information as of the time the Fund determines its net asset value.

TAXATION

     The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United States as of the date of this Prospectus, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS) retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning a large position in the Fund), and the discussions set forth herein do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

Taxation of the Fund

     The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things, meet the following requirements regarding the source of its income and the diversification of its assets:

	(i)		The Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from the following sources, which are referred to herein as “Qualifying Income”: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, and other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) interests in publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”).
	(ii)		The Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers in which the Fund owns 20% or more of the voting stock and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

     As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund distributes to its shareholders, provided that it distributes each taxable year at least the sum of (i) 90% of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss and other taxable income, other than any

net long-term capital gain, reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income at least annually. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporation rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders.

     The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to entirely avoid the imposition of the excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

     If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.

Taxation of Shareholders

     Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that the Fund designates as capital gains dividends (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund (including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary income.

     Special rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. If you are an individual, any such ordinary income dividend that you receive from the Fund generally will be eligible for taxation at the Federal rates applicable to long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that (i) the ordinary income dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend income” (i.e., generally dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii) you satisfy certain holding period and other requirements with respect to your shares. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s ordinary income dividends will constitute qualified dividend income.

     Any distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your shares, and thereafter as capital gain from the sale of shares. The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis

in your shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your shares.

     Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even if they are reinvested in additional common shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were the shareholder of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

     The Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.

     The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such shares for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you with respect to such shares. Any loss you realize on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed if you acquire other shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after your sale or exchange of the shares. In such case, your tax basis in the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

     The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT
AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT

     Mellon Trust of New England, N.A., located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based upon the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.

     Computershare, located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, as agent under the Fund’s Plan and as transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common stock of the Fund.

     Computershare also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series D Preferred and Series F Preferred.

     The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the auction agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred and Series E Auction Rate Preferred.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     We may sell shares through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale.  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will identify any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our shares, any sales loads, discounts, commissions, fees or other compensation paid to any underwriter, dealer or agent, the offering price, net proceeds and use of proceeds and the terms of any sale.

     The distribution of our shares may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share in the case of common shares, must equal or exceed the net asset value per share, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, of our common shares.

     We may sell our shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) for any resales of the securities.  In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.  We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

     In connection with the sale of our shares, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.  Underwriters may sell our shares to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.  Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our shares may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.  Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.  The maximum commission or discount to be received by any NASD member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed eight percent.  We will not pay any compensation to any underwriter or agent in the form of warrants, options, consulting or structuring fees or similar arrangements.

     If a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, we may grant the underwriters an option to purchase additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.

     Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our shares may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.  Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business.

     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, we will ourselves, or will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our shares from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date.  Institutions with which such contacts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us.  The obligation of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the shares shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject.  The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.  Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

     To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as brokers or dealers and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio transactions after the underwriters have ceased to be underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker while it is an underwriter.

     A Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by underwriters.  The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders.  Such allocations of securities for Internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations.  In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our shares offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019 in connection with the offering of the preferred stock. Counsel for the Fund will rely, as to certain matters of Maryland law, on Venable LLP, 1800 Mercantile Bank and Trust Building, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

      __________________________ serves as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Fund and audits the financial statements of the Fund. __________________________ is located at _____________________________________________________.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith files, or will file, reports and other information with the SEC.  Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Fund with the SEC pursuant to the informational requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the SEC.

     The Fund’s common stock, Series D Preferred and Series F Preferred are listed on the NYSE.  Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed with the SEC by the Fund will be available for inspection at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York, 10005.

     This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act.  This Prospectus omits certain of the information

contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby.  Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC.  Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.  The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations or free of charge through the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

PRIVACY PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND

     The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.

     Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party administrator).

     The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees of the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of its shareholders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     An SAI dated as of                     , 2008, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.  An SAI may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422 or by calling the Fund toll-free at (800) GABELLI (422-3554).  The Table of Contents of the SAI is as follows:

		Page
THE FUND		A-1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES		A-1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS		A-10
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND		A-12
AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK		A-24
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS		A-27
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER		A-28
TAXATION		A-28
BENEFICIAL OWNERS		A-35
GENERAL INFORMATION		A-35
Appendix A — Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		A-38

     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the underwriters.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.

$500,000,000

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
Preferred Stock

PROSPECTUS

                    , 2008

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497

Registration Statement No.                      -                                        

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated                                         , 2008)

                     Shares

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Series                       Preferred Stock

     We are offering for sale                      shares of our Series ___Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share.  Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GAB.”

     You should review the information set forth under “Risk Factors and Special Considerations” on page ___of the accompanying Prospectus before investing in our preferred stock.

		Per Share				Total (1)
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds, before expenses, to us		$				$

     The Series                      Preferred Stock will be ready for delivery on or about                      ,                       .

     You should read this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our preferred stock and retain it for future reference.  The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus contain important information about us.  Material that has been incorporated by reference and other information about us can be obtained from us by calling 1-800-GABELLI (422-3554) or from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov).

     Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement is truthful or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

                                        ,                     

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

		Page
TERMS OF THE SERIES – PREFERRED STOCK		P-3
USE OF PROCEEDS		P-4
UNDERWRITING		P-4
LEGAL MATTERS		P-4

TERMS OF THE SERIES—PREFERRED STOCK

Dividend Rate		The dividend rate [for the initial dividend period](1) will be                     %.
Dividend Payment Rate		[Dividends will be paid when, as and if declared on                     ,                     ,                     , and                      , commencing                     .](2) The payment date for the initial dividend period will be                     .](1)
[Regular Dividend Period		Regular dividend periods will be                      days.](1)
[Regular Auction Date		Auctions will be held on                     .](1)
Liquidation Preference		$                     per share
[Non-Call Period		The shares may not be called for redemption at the option of the Fund prior to                     .](2)
[Stock Exchange Listing](2)
[Rating		It is a condition of issuance that the preferred stock be rated [   ] by [   ].]

USE OF PROCEEDS

     We estimate the total net proceeds of the offering to be $                    , based on the public offering price of $                     per share and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

     The Investment Adviser expects that it will initially invest the proceeds of the offering in high-quality short-term debt securities and instruments.  The Investment Adviser anticipates that the investment of the proceeds will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies as appropriate investment opportunities are identified, which is expected to be substantially completed within three months; however, changes in market conditions could result in the Fund’s anticipated investment period extending to as long as six months.

UNDERWRITING

[To Come]

LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering of the preferred stock. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by                                         .

THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.  THE FUND MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE.  THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

     The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities. Income is a secondary investment objective. The Fund commenced investment operations on August 21, 1986. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

     This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus relating thereto dated                     , 2008, and as it may be supplemented.  This SAI does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund’s shares, and investors should obtain and read the Fund’s prospectus prior to purchasing such shares.  A copy of the Fund’s Registration Statement, including the prospectus and any supplement, may be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at no charge.

     This SAI is dated                     , 2008.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
THE FUND			A-1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES			A-1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS			A-10
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND			A-12
AUCTIONS FOR AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK			A-24
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS			A-27
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER			A-28
TAXATION			A-28
BENEFICIAL OWNERS			A-35
GENERAL INFORMATION			A-35
Appendix A — Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures			A-38

     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations in connection with this offering other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the underwriters. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful.

     The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained in the registration statement filed with the SEC, Washington D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the SEC’s office at no charge.

     The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on May 20, 1986 and is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The common stock of the Fund is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GAB.” The Fund’s 5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred”) is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB PrD.” The Fund’s 6.20% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series F Preferred”) is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “GAB PrF.”

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Investment Objectives

     The Fund’s primary investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities selected by the Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary investment objective. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities. See “Investment Objectives and Policies” in the Prospectus.

Investment Practices

     Special Situations. Although the Fund typically invests in the securities of companies on the basis of fundamental value, the Fund from time to time may, as a non-principal investment strategy, invest in companies that are determined by the Investment Adviser to possess “special situation” characteristics. In general, a special situation company is a company whose securities are expected to increase in value solely by reason of a development particularly or uniquely applicable to the company. Developments that may create special situations include, among others, a liquidation, reorganization, recapitalization or merger, material litigation, technological breakthrough or new management or management policies. The principal risk associated with investments in special situation companies is that the anticipated development thought to create

the special situation may not occur and the investment therefore may not appreciate in value or may decline in value.

     Options. The Fund may, subject to guidelines of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), purchase or sell (i.e., write) options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities exchange or in the United States over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets as a means of achieving additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

     The Fund may write covered call options on common stocks that it owns or has an immediate right to acquire through conversion or exchange of other securities in an amount not to exceed 25% of total assets or invest up to 10% of its total assets in the purchase of put options on common stocks that the Fund owns or may acquire through the conversion or exchange of other securities that it owns.

     A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy from the writer (seller) of the call option, in return for a premium paid, the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price during the option period.

     A put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the holder the right, in return for a premium, to sell the underlying security or currency to the writer, at a specified price, and obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security or currency from the holder at that price. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying security or currency upon exercise, at the exercise price during the option period.

     If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. There can be no assurance that a closing purchase transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

     An exchange-traded option may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option.

     A call option is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying instrument covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration upon conversion or exchange of another instrument held in its portfolio (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian). A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined under “Investment Restrictions”) or other high-grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its custodian. A put option is “covered” if the Fund maintains cash or other high grade short-term obligations with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or else holds a put on the same instrument as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written. If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an exercise notice, the

Fund will be unable to effect a closing purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.

     The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors affecting the market value of a put or call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio securities subject to the hedge.

     An option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, so the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or until the Fund delivers the underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.

     In addition to options on securities, the Fund may also purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices. A stock index reflects in a single number the market value of many different stocks.

     Relative values are assigned to the stocks included in an index and the index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks. The options give the holder the right to receive a cash settlement during the term of the option based on the difference between the exercise price and the value of the index. By writing a put or call option on a securities index, the Fund is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The Fund may offset its position in the stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange, or it may let the option expire unexercised.

     The Fund may also buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may

limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Over-the-counter options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are two-party contracts with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options. Over-the-counter options are considered illiquid securities.

     Use of options on securities indices entails the risk that trading in the options may be interrupted if trading in certain securities included in the index is interrupted. The Fund will not purchase these options unless the Investment Adviser is satisfied with the development, depth and liquidity of the market and the Investment Adviser believes the options can be closed out.

     Price movements in the portfolio of the Fund may not correlate precisely with the movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the use of options on indices cannot serve as a complete hedge and will depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the direction of the stock market generally or of a particular industry. Because options on securities indices require settlement in cash, the Fund may be forced to liquidate portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations.

     Although the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate measures to minimize the risks relating to the Fund’s writing of put and call options, there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed in any option writing program it undertakes.

     Futures Contracts and Options on Futures. A “sale” of a futures contract (or a “short” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the assets underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A “purchase” of a futures contract (or a “long” futures position) means the assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the assets underlying the contract at a specified price at a specified future time. Certain futures contracts, including stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the assets underlying the futures contracts. No consideration will be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as “initial margin” and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the index or security underlying the futures contracts fluctuates. At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, the Fund may close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract.

     An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures positions by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account attributable to that contract, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes