Gabelli Asset Management
Rye, NY, August 10, 2005 --The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE: GAB) authorized an increase in the quarterly cash distribution pursuant to its 10% Distribution Policy to $0.19 per share from $0.18 per share and reaffirmed the Gabelli Equity Trust's 10% Distribution Policy.
Pursuant to the 10% Distribution Policy, the Board of Directors declared a $0.19 per share cash distribution payable on September 26, 2005 to common stock shareholders of record on September 16, 2005.
Under the Gabelli Equity Trust's payout policy, the Fund pays a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund. The Fund's current quarterly distribution level was raised to $0.19 per share for the third quarter, a 6% increase from the previous quarter's $0.18 per share distribution. The Fund anticipates an adjusting distribution in the fourth quarter of a sufficient amount 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 Internal Revenue Code, whichever is greater. Each quarter, the Board of Directors reviews the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital gains or capital available.
We note that 10% of the current average net asset value per share would be $0.86 based on the ending net asset values per share for the previous three quarters, December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, of $8.69, $8.40, and $8.38, respectively, and the net asset value per share on July 28, 2005, of $8.87. The average net asset value per share is subject to change as of year-end.
A portion of the distribution may be treated as long-term capital gain and qualifying dividend income for individuals, each subject to the maximum Federal income tax rate, which is currently 15% in taxable accounts for individuals. If the Fund does not generate earnings from dividends, interest and net realized capital gains equal to or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund for the year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund's investment income and net realized capital gains will be deemed a non-taxable return of capital. Long-term capital gain, qualifying dividend income, ordinary income and non-taxable return of capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all distributions to common shareholders for the year. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2005 will be made after year-end.
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with $1.6 billion in total assets whose primary investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. (NYSE: GBL), which is a publicly traded NYSE listed company.
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