nvcsr
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-21529
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Bruce N. Alpert
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(Name and address of agent for service)
registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-422-3554
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2010
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
 
 

 


 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
Annual Report
December 31, 2010
(PHOTO OF MARIO J. GABELLI)
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
To Our Shareholders,
     The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires a fund’s principal executive and financial officers to certify the entire contents of the semi-annual and annual shareholder reports in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-CSR. This certification would cover the portfolio manager’s commentary and subjective opinions if they are attached to or a part of the financial statements. Many of these comments and opinions would be difficult or impossible to certify.
     Because we do not want our portfolio manager to eliminate his opinions and/or restrict his commentary to historical facts, we have separated his commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio and have sent it to you separately. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.
    Enclosed are the audited financial statements including the investment portfolio as of December 31, 2010.
Investment Performance
     For the year ended December 31, 2010, The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust’s (the “Fund”) net asset value (“NAV”) total return was 9.6% and the total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 11.2%, compared with gains of 5.5% and 10.2% for the S&P 500 Utilities Index and the Lipper Utility Fund Average, respectively.
     On December 31, 2010, the Fund’s NAV per share was $20.49, while the price of the Fund’s publicly traded shares closed at $20.31 on the NYSE Amex.
     
 
  Sincerely yours,
 
  (SIGNATURE)
 
  Bruce N. Alpert
February 25, 2011
  President
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2010 (a) (Unaudited)
                                         
                                    Since
                                    Inception
    Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   (05/28/04)
Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
                                       
NAV Total Return (b)
    3.54 %     9.60 %     (1.14 )%     6.22 %     7.40 %
Investment Total Return (c)
    2.34       11.24       2.43       9.70       7.08  
S&P 500 Index
    10.76       15.08       (2.84 )     2.29       3.87  
S&P 500 Utilities Index
    1.09       5.46       (5.71 )     3.90       8.57  
Lipper Utility Fund Average
    4.99       10.19       (4.35 )     5.41       9.47  
 
(a)   Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit www.gabelli.com for performance information as of the most recent month end. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. The S&P 500 Utilities Index is an unmanaged indicator of electric and gas utility stock performance. The Lipper Utility Fund Average reflects the average performance of open-end mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(b)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share and reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date and are net of expenses. Since inception return is based on an initial NAV of $19.06.
 
(c)   Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE Amex and reinvestment of distributions. Since inception return is based on an initial offering price of $20.00.

 


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total investments as of December 31, 2010:
         
Energy and Utilities: Integrated
    44.0 %
Telecommunications
    13.6 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated
    6.0 %
Cable and Satellite
    5.9 %
Energy and Utilities:
       
Electric Transmission and Distribution
    5.9 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities
    4.4 %
Energy and Utilities: Water
    3.7 %
Energy and Utilities: Oil
    3.5 %
Wireless Communications
    3.2 %
U.S. Government Obligations
    2.6 %
Entertainment
    1.5 %
Aerospace
    1.4 %
Diversified Industrial
    0.6 %
Healthcare
    0.6 %
Environmental Services
    0.6 %
Energy and Utilities: Services
    0.5 %
Metals and Mining
    0.5 %
Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders
    0.4 %
Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy
    0.3 %
Real Estate
    0.3 %
Transportation
    0.3 %
Business Services
    0.2 %
Building and Construction
    0.0 %
 
     
 
    100.0 %
 
     
     The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, the last of which was filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Shareholders may obtain this information at www.gabelli.com or by calling the Fund at 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554). The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
     The Fund files Form N-PX with its complete proxy voting record for the twelve months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. A description of the Fund’s proxy voting policies, procedures, and how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by (i) calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554); (ii) writing to The Gabelli Funds at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422; and (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

2


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2010
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 97.1%
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES — 69.9%
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Alternative Energy — 0.3%
               
       
U.S. Companies
               
  7,000    
Ormat Technologies Inc.
  $ 246,346     $ 207,060  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities:
               
       
Electric Transmission and Distribution — 5.9%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  5,000    
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
    24,120       25,244  
  8,775    
National Grid plc, ADR
    401,681       389,435  
  3,500    
Red Electrica Corporacion SA
    168,047       164,633  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  4,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
    178,779       195,560  
  2,000    
Consolidated Edison Inc.
    86,603       99,140  
  5,000    
Northeast Utilities
    90,818       159,400  
  46,000    
NSTAR
    1,092,818       1,940,740  
  38,000    
Pepco Holdings Inc.
    720,883       693,500  
  1,666    
UIL Holdings Corp.
    53,364       49,913  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,817,113       3,717,565  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Integrated — 44.0%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  150,000    
A2A SpA
    276,010       206,259  
  6,000    
Areva SA
    247,698       292,652  
  9,000    
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    190,737       221,259  
  152,000    
Datang International Power Generation Co. Ltd., Cl. H
    59,610       53,386  
  2,700    
E.ON AG
    177,041       82,750  
  9,000    
E.ON AG, ADR
    209,576       273,690  
  9,760    
EDP — Energias de Portugal SA, ADR
    262,599       324,520  
  10,000    
Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.
    252,321       313,709  
  6,000    
Emera Inc.
    163,066       189,178  
  10,000    
Endesa SA
    256,647       257,841  
  68,400    
Enel SpA
    434,924       341,849  
  29,000    
Enersis SA, ADR
    172,657       673,380  
  140,000    
Hera SpA
    297,864       289,792  
  10,000    
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.
    171,210       204,459  
  10,000    
Hokuriku Electric Power Co.
    165,392       245,720  
  14,000    
Huaneng Power International Inc., ADR
    421,063       299,320  
  80,047    
Iberdrola SA
    412,350       616,989  
  12,000    
Iberdrola SA, ADR
    585,151       367,800  
  3,000    
International Power plc
    25,732       20,468  
  28,000    
Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†
    324,467       378,280  
  10,000    
Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.
    178,959       224,166  
  10,000    
Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    171,759       294,125  
  10,000    
The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    170,328       203,227  
  16,000    
The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.
    284,746       394,925  
  10,000    
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. Inc.
    220,693       244,242  
  10,000    
Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc.
    164,025       222,934  
  5,072    
Verbund AG
    229,314       188,964  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  2,000    
Allegheny Energy Inc.
    47,829       48,480  
  2,000    
ALLETE Inc.
    71,269       74,520  
  20,000    
Ameren Corp.
    872,505       563,800  
  30,000    
American Electric Power Co. Inc.
    943,467       1,079,400  
  1,500    
Avista Corp.
    27,915       33,780  
  7,000    
Black Hills Corp.
    193,684       210,000  
  500    
Cleco Corp.
    9,790       15,380  
  500    
CMS Energy Corp.
    4,875       9,300  
  11,000    
Dominion Resources Inc.
    452,826       469,920  
  50,000    
DPL Inc.
    1,356,035       1,285,500  
  38,000    
Duke Energy Corp.
    535,087       676,780  
  4,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    77,953       110,120  
  47,000    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    1,139,030       911,330  
  22,000    
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.
    541,164       501,380  
  29,500    
Integrys Energy Group Inc.
    1,408,474       1,431,045  
  15,000    
MGE Energy Inc.
    487,338       641,400  
  14,000    
NextEra Energy Inc.
    654,896       727,860  
  45,000    
NiSource Inc.
    908,189       792,900  
  13,000    
NorthWestern Corp.
    390,834       374,790  
  19,500    
OGE Energy Corp.
    481,891       888,030  
  10,000    
Otter Tail Corp.
    271,063       225,400  
  1,000    
PG&E Corp.
    33,930       47,840  
  16,000    
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
    650,094       663,200  
  4,200    
PPL Corp.
    117,280       110,544  
  31,000    
Progress Energy Inc.
    1,324,875       1,347,880  
  32,000    
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    1,065,920       1,017,920  
  18,000    
SCANA Corp.
    646,320       730,800  
  45,000    
Southern Co.
    1,322,848       1,720,350  
  1,000    
TECO Energy Inc.
    15,970       17,800  
  30,000    
The AES Corp.†
    272,995       365,400  
  2,000    
The Empire District Electric Co.
    41,522       44,400  
  14,000    
UniSource Energy Corp.
    344,632       501,760  
  15,000    
Vectren Corp.
    360,570       380,700  
  40,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    841,089       1,006,400  
  5,000    
Wisconsin Energy Corp.
    171,276       294,300  
  40,000    
Xcel Energy Inc.
    676,944       942,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    25,288,318       27,688,293  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Integrated — 6.0%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  80,000    
Snam Rete Gas SpA
    288,733       397,686  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  50,000    
El Paso Corp.
    428,725       688,000  
  1,000    
Energen Corp.
    30,935       48,260  
  18,000    
National Fuel Gas Co.
    488,706       1,181,160  
  2,000    
ONEOK Inc.
    51,437       110,940  
  24,000    
Southern Union Co.
    486,282       577,680  
  30,000    
Spectra Energy Corp.
    634,201       749,700  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,409,019       3,753,426  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas Utilities — 4.4%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  1,500    
Enagas
    37,053       29,897  
  1,890    
GDF Suez
    62,915       67,813  
  11,454    
GDF Suez, ADR
    362,710       412,802  
  6,867    
GDF Suez, Strips
    0       9  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  14,000    
Atmos Energy Corp.
    344,856       436,800  
  4,050    
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.
    117,706       168,156  
  20,000    
Nicor Inc.
    667,385       998,400  
  5,000    
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    116,790       139,800  
  10,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    250,760       366,700  
  5,000    
The Laclede Group Inc.
    159,165       182,700  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,119,340       2,803,077  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

3


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2010
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
ENERGY AND UTILITIES (Continued)
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Oil — 3.5%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  1,000    
Niko Resources Ltd.
  $ 48,277     $ 103,771  
  2,200    
PetroChina Co. Ltd., ADR
    170,238       289,278  
  11,000    
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR
    327,674       416,240  
  9,000    
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR
    460,931       601,020  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  5,000    
Atlas Energy Inc.†
    216,525       219,850  
  2,000    
Chevron Corp.
    120,100       182,500  
  2,000    
ConocoPhillips
    74,050       136,200  
  2,000    
Devon Energy Corp.
    67,255       157,020  
  1,000    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    45,500       73,120  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,530,550       2,178,999  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Services — 0.5%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  10,000    
ABB Ltd., ADR
    123,092       224,500  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  2,500    
Halliburton Co.
    60,195       102,075  
       
 
           
       
 
    183,287       326,575  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Water — 3.7%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  1,500    
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
    25,565       13,755  
  49,000    
Severn Trent plc
    860,939       1,129,123  
  37,090    
United Utilities Group plc
    366,828       342,334  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  8,666    
Aqua America Inc.
    129,735       194,812  
  2,700    
California Water Service Group
    76,295       100,629  
  4,000    
Middlesex Water Co.
    75,033       73,400  
  17,000    
SJW Corp.
    277,304       449,990  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,811,699       2,304,043  
       
 
           
       
Diversified Industrial — 0.6%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  9,000    
Bouygues SA
    300,585       387,924  
       
 
           
       
Environmental Services — 0.6%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  500    
Suez Environnement Co. SA
    0       10,323  
  12,000    
Veolia Environnement
    367,020       350,701  
       
 
           
       
 
    367,020       361,024  
       
 
           
       
Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders — 0.4%
               
       
U.S. Companies
               
  12,000    
NRG Energy Inc.†
    289,986       234,480  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL ENERGY AND UTILITIES
    37,363,263       43,962,466  
       
 
           
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 22.5%
               
       
Cable and Satellite — 5.9%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  10,000    
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
    112,292       114,749  
  10,000    
Cogeco Inc.
    195,069       377,049  
  2,500    
Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B
    25,532       86,575  
  5,400    
Zon Multimedia Servicos de Telecomunicacoes e Multimedia SGPS SA
    53,052       24,462  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  25,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    476,249       846,000  
  30,000    
DIRECTV, Cl. A†
    685,518       1,197,900  
  33,000    
DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†
    634,846       648,780  
  6,000    
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†
    150,819       149,820  
  4,580    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†
    86,290       162,040  
  4,000    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†
    72,761       135,560  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,492,428       3,742,935  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 13.5%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  26,000    
BCE Inc.
    534,078       921,960  
  4,000    
Belgacom SA
    127,825       134,299  
  2,102 (b)  
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (a)(c)
    51,669       54,944  
  25,000    
BT Group plc, ADR
    831,558       713,500  
  38,000    
Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR
    632,643       486,400  
  6,000    
France Telecom SA, ADR
    149,213       126,480  
  15,000    
Koninklijke KPN NV, ADR
    114,993       220,050  
  8,000    
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.
    249,141       229,307  
  29,651    
Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, GDR† (d)(e)
    155,291       108,226  
  50,000    
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA
    565,468       559,913  
  1,300    
Swisscom AG
    416,138       571,583  
  20,000    
Telecom Italia SpA
    45,015       25,844  
  17,000    
Telefonica SA, ADR
    744,598       1,163,140  
  14,000    
Telefonos de Mexico SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR
    126,939       225,960  
  17,000    
Telekom Austria AG
    246,989       238,985  
  16,000    
VimpelCom Ltd., ADR
    146,091       240,640  
       
U.S. Companies
               
  31,000    
AT&T Inc.
    897,648       910,780  
  70,000    
Sprint Nextel Corp.†
    239,721       296,100  
  10,000    
Telephone & Data Systems Inc.
    342,725       365,500  
  25,000    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    854,306       894,500  
       
 
           
       
 
    7,472,049       8,488,111  
       
 
           
       
Wireless Communications — 3.1%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies — 3.1%
               
  2,000    
America Movil SAB de CV, Cl. L, ADR
    95,286       114,680  
  12,000    
Millicom International Cellular SA
    767,764       1,147,200  
  4,000    
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC, ADR
    54,874       83,480  
  10,000    
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A/S, ADR
    146,511       171,300  
  6,000    
Vivo Participacoes SA, ADR
    161,522       195,540  
  8,000    
Vodafone Group plc, ADR
    208,589       211,440  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,434,546       1,923,640  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS
    11,399,023       14,154,686  
       
 
           
       
OTHER — 4.7%
               
       
Aerospace — 1.4%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  90,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc†
    628,651       874,181  
  5,760,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc., Cl. C†
    9,090       8,980  
       
 
           
       
 
    637,741       883,161  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2010
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
OTHER (Continued)
               
       
Building and Construction — 0.0%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  400    
Acciona SA
  $ 42,173     $ 28,330  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 0.2%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  4,000    
Sistema JSFC, GDR (d)
    100,137       99,720  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 1.5%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  35,000    
Vivendi
    980,642       944,770  
       
 
           
       
Health Care — 0.6%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  12,000    
Crucell NV†
    409,292       378,443  
       
 
           
       
Metals and Mining — 0.5%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  6,400    
Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA, ADR
    66,939       313,344  
       
 
           
       
Real Estate — 0.3%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  6,000    
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Cl. A
    149,494       199,740  
       
 
           
       
Transportation — 0.2%
               
       
U.S. Companies
               
  3,500    
GATX Corp.
    91,876       123,480  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL OTHER
    2,478,294       2,970,988  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    51,240,580       61,088,140  
       
 
           
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.2%
               
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.1%
               
       
Telecommunications — 0.1%
               
       
U.S. Companies
               
  2,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc., 6.750% Cv. Pfd., Ser. B
    64,126       81,540  
       
 
           
       
OTHER — 0.1%
               
       
Transportation — 0.1%
               
       
U.S. Companies
               
  200    
GATX Corp., $2.50 Cv. Pfd., Ser. A (a)
    26,010       35,280  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS
    90,136       116,820  
       
 
           
       
WARRANTS — 0.1%
               
       
COMMUNICATIONS — 0.1%
               
       
Wireless Communications — 0.1%
               
       
Non U.S. Companies
               
  4,000    
Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 09/19/13† (c)
    26,369       32,104  
  2,000    
Bharti Airtel Ltd., expire 09/29/14† (c)
    14,981       16,052  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    41,350       48,156  
       
 
           
 
Principal                    
Amount                      
       
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 2.6%
               
$ 1,640,000    
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.120% to 0.185%††, 01/20/11 to 03/24/11
    1,639,610       1,639,715  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
  $ 53,011,676       62,892,831  
       
 
           
                         
                    Unrealized  
Notional         Termination     Appreciation/  
Amount         Date     Depreciation  
       
EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS
               
$ 486,756    
 
               
(50,000 Shares)  
Rolls-Royce Group plc
    06/27/11       (1,320 )
  4,972    
 
               
(3,200,000 Shares)  
Rolls-Royce Group plc, Cl. C
    06/27/11       10  
       
 
             
       
TOTAL EQUITY CONTRACT FOR DIFFERENCE SWAP AGREEMENTS
            (1,310 )
       
 
             
         
    Market  
    Value  
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)
    89,466  
       
NET ASSETS — COMMON SHARES
       
(3,073,974 common shares outstanding)
  $ 62,980,987  
 
     
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE
       
($62,980,987 ÷3,073,974 shares outstanding)
  $ 20.49  
 
     
 
(a)   Security fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The procedures may include reviewing available financial information about the company and reviewing the valuation of comparable securities and other factors on a regular basis. At December 31, 2010, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $90,224 or 0.14% of total investments.
 
(b)   Denoted in units.
 
(c)   Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At December 31, 2010, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $103,100 or 0.16% of total investments.
 
(d)   Security purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States. These securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. At December 31, 2010, the market value of Regulation S securities amounted to $207,946 or 0.33% of total investments, which were valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees as follows:
                                 
                            12/31/10  
Acquisition         Acquisition     Acquisition     Carrying Value  
Shares     Issuer   Date     Cost     Per Unit  
  29,651    
Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, GDR
    12/01/08     $ 155,291     $ 3.6500  
  4,000    
Sistema JSFC, GDR
    09/05/06       100,137       24.9300  
 
(e)   Illiquid security.
 
  Non-income producing security.
 
††   Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
 
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
 
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
 
OJSC   Open Joint Stock Company
 
Strips   Regular coupon payment portion of security traded separately from the principal portion of the security.
                 
    % of        
    Market     Market  
Geographic Diversification   Value     Value  
North America
    65.0 %   $ 40,854,859  
Europe
    26.0       16,387,818  
Japan
    4.1       2,568,765  
Latin America
    3.1       1,952,899  
Asia/Pacific
    1.6       1,020,264  
Africa/Middle East
    0.2       108,226  
 
           
Total Investments
    100.0 %   $ 62,892,831  
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
December 31, 2010
         
Assets:
       
Investments, at value (cost $53,011,676)
  $ 62,892,831  
Cash
    53,935  
Dividends receivable
    178,750  
Unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
    10  
Prepaid expense
    2,492  
 
     
Total Assets
    63,128,018  
 
     
Liabilities:
       
Payable for investment advisory fees
    42,559  
Payable for payroll expenses
    13,820  
Payable for accounting fees
    7,500  
Payable for legal and audit fees
    35,389  
Payable for shareholder communications expenses
    32,636  
Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts
    1,320  
Other accrued expenses
    13,807  
 
     
Total Liabilities
    147,031  
 
     
Net Assets (applicable to 3,073,974 shares outstanding)
  $ 62,980,987  
 
     
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Paid-in capital
  $ 53,174,294  
Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income
    (15,458 )
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (60,726 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
    9,881,155  
Net unrealized depreciation on swap contracts
    (1,310 )
Net unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations
    3,032  
 
     
Net Assets
  $ 62,980,987  
 
     
Net Asset Value per Common Share:
       
($62,980,987 ÷ 3,073,974 shares outstanding at $0.001 par value; unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 20.49  
 
     
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
         
Investment Income:
       
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $111,033)
  $ 2,455,389  
Interest
    7,342  
 
     
Total Investment Income
    2,462,731  
 
     
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    505,185  
Offering expense related to the shelf registration (See Note 5)
    109,678  
Shareholder communications expenses
    72,070  
Payroll expenses
    62,079  
Trustees’ fees
    60,877  
Legal and audit fees
    59,246  
Accounting fees
    45,000  
Custodian fees
    32,456  
Shareholder services fees
    12,676  
Interest expense
    65  
Miscellaneous expenses
    29,708  
 
     
Total Expenses
    989,040  
 
     
Less:
       
Advisory fee reduction on unsupervised assets (See Note 3)
    (2,514 )
Custodian fee credits
    (22 )
 
     
Total Reduction and Credits
    (2,536 )
 
     
Net Expenses
    986,504  
 
     
Net Investment Income
    1,476,227  
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency:
       
Net realized gain on investments
    435,871  
Net realized gain on swap contracts
    89,019  
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions
    (1,681 )
 
     
Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    523,209  
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation:
       
on investments
    3,570,942  
on swap contracts
    7,060  
on foreign currency translations
    1,530  
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    3,579,532  
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency
    4,102,741  
 
     
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
  $ 5,578,968  
 
     
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
                 
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
Operations:
               
Net investment income
  $ 1,476,227     $ 1,468,217  
Net realized gain on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    523,209       200,937  
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    3,579,532       6,186,555  
 
               
 
           
 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    5,578,968       7,855,709  
 
               
 
           
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
               
Net investment income
    (2,055,991 )     (1,596,871 )
Net realized long-term gain
    (60,058 )      
Return of capital
    (1,561,292 )     (2,063,796 )
 
           
 
Total Distributions to Common Shareholders
    (3,677,341 )     (3,660,667 )
 
           
 
Fund Share Transactions:
               
Net increase in net assets from common shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    385,566       77,210  
 
           
 
               
Net Increase in Net Assets from Fund Share Transactions
    385,566       77,210  
 
               
 
           
Net Increase in Net Assets
    2,287,193       4,272,252  
 
               
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shareholders:
               
Beginning of period
    60,693,794       56,421,542  
 
           
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and $0, respectively)
  $ 62,980,987     $ 60,693,794  
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
Operating Performance:
                                       
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 19.87     $ 18.50     $ 25.50     $ 24.52     $ 20.45  
 
                             
Net investment income
    0.48       0.48       0.47       0.45       0.64  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    1.34       2.09       (6.27 )     2.06       4.63  
 
                             
Total from investment operations
    1.82       2.57       (5.80 )     2.51       5.27  
 
                             
 
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
                                       
Net investment income
    (0.67 )     (0.52 )     (0.55 )     (0.30 )     (0.65 )
Net realized gain
    (0.02 )           (0.48 )     (1.23 )     (0.55 )
Return of capital
    (0.51 )     (0.68 )     (0.17 )            
 
                             
Total distributions to common shareholders
    (1.20 )     (1.20 )     (1.20 )     (1.53 )     (1.20 )
 
                             
 
Capital Share Transactions:
                                       
Contribution from Adviser
                0.00 (a)            
 
                             
Total capital share transactions
                0.00 (a)            
 
                             
Net Asset Value, End of Period
  $ 20.49     $ 19.87     $ 18.50     $ 25.50     $ 24.52  
 
                             
 
                             
NAV total return †
    9.60 %     14.92 %     (23.30 )%     10.46 %     26.66 %
 
                             
 
                             
Market value, end of period
  $ 20.31     $ 19.42     $ 15.90     $ 23.05     $ 22.17  
 
                             
 
                             
Investment total return ††
    11.24 %     31.31 %     (26.43 )%     11.29 %     32.83 %
 
                             
 
                             
 
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data:
                                       
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)
  $ 62,981     $ 60,694     $ 56,422     $ 77,778     $ 74,807  
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
    2.46 %     2.70 %     2.15 %     1.82 %     2.92 %
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets
    1.65 %     1.61 %     1.54 %     1.55 %     1.66 %
Portfolio turnover rate †††
    7.8 %     9.5 %     24.3 %     16.7 %     21.8 %
 
  Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at the net asset value per share on the ex-dividend dates.
 
††   Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of distributions at prices determined under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.
 
†††   Effective in 2008, a change in accounting policy was adopted with regard to the calculation of the portfolio turnover rate to include cash proceeds due to mergers. Had this policy adopted retroactively, the portfolio turnover rate for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 would have been 35.0% and 22.2%, respectively.
 
(a)   Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

8


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 8, 2004 and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Investment operations commenced on May 28, 2004.
     The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a consistent level of after-tax total return over the long term with an emphasis currently on qualified dividends. The Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in equity securities (including preferred securities) of domestic and foreign companies involved to a substantial extent in providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, or water and infrastructure operations, and in equity securities (including preferred securities) of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to periodically pay dividends.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
     Security Valuation. Portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange or traded in the U.S. over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale price or a market’s official closing price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day, the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that day, then the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, the security is valued at the most recently available price or, if the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) so determines, by such other method as the Board shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange or market are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, as determined by Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”).
     Portfolio securities primarily traded on a foreign market are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on the relevant market, but may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established by the Board if market conditions change significantly after the close of the foreign market but prior to the close of business on the day the securities are being valued. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of sixty 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 sixty 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. U.S. government obligations with maturities greater than sixty days are normally valued using a model that incorporates market observable data such as reported sales of similar securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, and reference data. Certain securities are valued principally using dealer quotations. Futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
     Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined by the Board. Fair valuation methodologies and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and review of available financial and non-financial information about the company; comparisons with the valuation and changes in valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of foreign securities with the equivalent U.S. dollar value 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 inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:
    Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;
 
    Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
 
    Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

9


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
     A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The summary of the Fund’s investments in securities and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2010 is as follows:
                         
    Valuation Inputs        
    Level 1     Level 2     Total  
    Quoted     Other Significant     Market Value  
    Prices     Observable Inputs     at 12/31/10  
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:
                       
ASSETS (Market Value):
                       
Common Stocks:
                       
COMMUNICATIONS
                       
Telecommunications
                       
Non U.S. Companies
  $ 5,966,287     $ 54,944     $ 6,021,231  
OTHER
                       
Aerospace
                       
Non U.S.Companies
    874,181       8,980       883,161  
Other Industries (a)
    54,183,748             54,183,748  
 
Total Common Stocks
    61,024,216       63,924       61,088,140  
 
Convertible Preferred Stocks:
                       
COMMUNICATIONS
                       
Telecommunications
                       
U.S. Companies
    81,540             81,540  
OTHER
                       
Transportation
                       
U.S. Companies
          35,280       35,280  
 
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
    81,540       35,280       116,820  
 
Warrants (a)
          48,156       48,156  
U.S. Government Obligations
          1,639,715       1,639,715  
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES — ASSETS
  $ 61,105,756     $ 1,787,075     $ 62,892,831  
 
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
                       
ASSETS (Unrealized Appreciation): *
                       
EQUITY CONTRACT
                       
Contract for Difference Swap Agreement
  $     $ 10     $ 10  
LIABILITIES (Unrealized Depreciation): *
                       
EQUITY CONTRACT
                       
Contract for Difference Swap Agreement
          (1,320 )     (1,320 )
 
TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
  $     $ (1,310 )   $ (1,310 )
 
 
(a)   Please refer to the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”) for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivatives reflected in the SOI, such as futures, forwards, and swaps, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation of the instrument.
       The Fund did not have significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2010.
       There were no Level 3 investments held at December 31, 2010 or December 31, 2009.
       In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance to improve disclosure about fair value measurements which requires additional disclosures about transfers between Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the reconciliation of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). FASB also clarified existing disclosure requirements relating to the levels of disaggregation of fair value measurement and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management has adopted the amended guidance and determined that there was no material impact to the Fund’s financial statements except for additional disclosures made in the notes. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the additional disclosure requirements on the Fund’s financial statements.
Derivative Financial Instruments.
The Fund may engage in various portfolio investment strategies by investing in a number of derivative financial instruments for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund, hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase, or hedging against a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency. Investing in certain derivative financial instruments, including participation in the options, futures, or swap markets, entails certain execution, liquidity, hedging, tax, and securities, interest, credit, or currency market risks. Losses may arise if the Adviser’s

10


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
prediction of movements in the direction of the securities, foreign currency, and interest rate markets is inaccurate. Losses may also arise if the counterparty does not perform its duties under a contract, or that, in the event of default, the Fund may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments or other contractual remedies owed to it under derivative contracts. The creditworthiness of the counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize these risks. Participation in derivative transactions involves investment risks, transaction costs, and potential losses to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. The consequences of these risks, transaction costs, and losses may have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to pay distributions.
The Fund’s derivative contracts held at December 31, 2010, if any, are not accounted for as hedging instruments under GAAP.
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity contract for difference swap transactions for the purpose of increasing the income of the Fund. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In an equity contract for difference swap, a set of future cash flows is exchanged between two counterparties. One of these cash flow streams will typically be based on a reference interest rate combined with the performance of a notional value of shares of a stock. The other will be based on the performance of the shares of a stock. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time a swap 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.
Unrealized gains related to swaps are reported as an asset and unrealized losses are reported as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in value of swaps, including the accrual of periodic amounts of interest to be received or paid on swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon receipt or payment of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements.
The Fund has entered into equity contract for difference swap agreements with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Details of the swaps at December 31, 2010 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments and further details are as follows:
                     
                Net Unrealized  
Notional   Equity Security   Interest Rate/   Termination   Appreciation/  
Amount   Received   Equity Security Paid   Date   Depreciation  
   
Market Value Appreciation on:
  One Month LIBOR plus 90 bps plus Market Value Depreciation on:            
$486,756 (50,000 Shares)  
Rolls-Royce Group plc
  Rolls-Royce Group plc   6/27/11   $ (1,320 )
  4,972 (3,200,000 Shares)  
Rolls-Royce Group plc, Cl. C
  Rolls-Royce Group plc, Cl. C   6/27/11     10  
   
 
             
   
 
          $ (1,310 )
   
 
             
The Fund’s volume of activity in equity contract for difference swap agreements during the year ended December 31, 2010 had an average monthly notional amount of approximately $448,358.
As of December 31, 2010, the value of equity contract for difference swap agreements can be found in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Assets, Unrealized appreciation on swap contracts and Liabilities, Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the effect of equity contract for difference swap agreements can be found in the Statement of Operations under Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency, Net realized gain on swap contracts and Net change in unrealized appreciation on swap contracts.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may engage in futures contracts for the purpose of hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the value of securities it intends to purchase. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
There are several risks in connection with the use of futures contracts as a hedging instrument. The change in value of futures contracts primarily corresponds with the value of their underlying instruments, which may not correlate with the change in value of the hedged investments. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund held no investments in futures contracts.
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for the purpose of hedging a specific transaction with respect to either the currency in which the transaction is denominated or another currency as deemed appropriate by the Adviser. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency translations. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

11


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s portfolio securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward foreign exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund held no investments in forward foreign exchange contracts.
     Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with primary government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, or with other brokers or dealers that meet credit guidelines established by the Adviser and reviewed by the Board. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund takes possession of an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. It is the policy of the Fund to receive and maintain securities as collateral whose market value is not less than their repurchase price. The Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer of the collateral to the account of the custodian. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to maintain the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. At December 31, 2010, the Fund held no investments in repurchase agreements.
     Securities Sold Short. The Fund may enter into short sale transactions. Short selling involves selling securities that may or may not be owned and, at times, borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an obligation to replace such borrowed securities at a later date. The proceeds received from short sales are recorded as liabilities and the Fund records an unrealized gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received and the value of an open short position on the day of determination. The Fund records a realized gain or loss when the short position is closed out. By entering into a short sale, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security sold short. Dividends on short sales are recorded as an expense by the Fund on the ex-dividend date and interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis. The broker retains collateral for the value of the open positions, which is adjusted periodically as the value of the position fluctuates. At December 31, 2010, there were no short sales outstanding.
     Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments, and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income, and expenses are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign exchange rates and/or changes in market prices of securities have been included in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investment securities transactions, foreign currency transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gain/loss on investments.
     Foreign Securities. The Fund may directly purchase securities of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers. The risks include possible revaluation of currencies, the inability to repatriate funds, less complete financial information about companies, and possible future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. issuers.
     Foreign Taxes. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments, or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
     Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date with realized gain or loss on investments determined by using the identified cost method. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount) is recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized using the effective yield to maturity method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities that are recorded as soon after the ex-dividend date as the Fund becomes aware of such dividends.
     Custodian Fee Credits and Interest Expense. When cash balances are maintained in the custody account, the Fund receives credits which are used to offset custodian fees. The gross expenses paid under the custody arrangement are included in custodian fees in the Statement of Operations with the corresponding expense offset, if any, shown as “Custodian fee credits.” When cash balances are overdrawn, the Fund is charged an overdraft fee equal to 2.00% above the federal funds rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations.

12


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
     Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are based on income and capital gains as determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from income and capital gains as determined under GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities and foreign currency transactions held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. Distributions from net investment income for federal income tax purposes include net realized gains on foreign currency transactions. These book/tax differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent, adjustments are made to the appropriate capital accounts in the period when the differences arise. Permanent differences were primarily due to the tax treatment of currency gains and losses, disallowed expenses related to offering expense, recharacterization of distributions, and swap reclasses. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2010, reclassifications were made to decrease accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income by $572,852 and to decrease accumulated net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions by $87,616, with an offsetting adjustment to paid-in capital.
     Distributions sourced from paid-in capital should not be considered as dividend yield or the total return from an investment in the Fund.
    The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was as follows:
                 
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Common     Common  
Distributions paid from:
               
Ordinary income
  $ 2,055,991     $ 1,596,871  
Net long-term capital gains
    60,058        
Return of capital
    1,561,292       2,063,796  
 
           
Total distributions paid
  $ 3,677,341     $ 3,660,667  
 
           
     Provision for Income Taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment company taxable income and net capital gains. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
    At December 31, 2010, the components of accumulated earnings/losses on a tax basis were as follows:
         
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
  $ 9,805,771  
Other temporary differences*
    922  
 
     
Total
  $ 9,806,693  
 
     
 
*   Other temporary differences are primarily due to mark-to-market and accrual adjustments on investments in swap contracts.
    During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards of $375,515.
     At December 31, 2010, the temporary difference between book basis and tax basis net unrealized appreciation on investments was primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales for tax purposes and mark-to-market adjustments on investments in passive foreign investment companies.
    The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related net unrealized appreciation at December 31, 2010:
                                 
            Gross     Gross        
            Unrealized     Unrealized     Net Unrealized  
    Cost     Appreciation     Depreciation     Appreciation  
Investments
  $ 53,088,783     $ 12,115,877     $ (2,311,829 )   $ 9,804,048  
     The Fund is required to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Income tax and related interest and penalties would be recognized by the Fund as tax expense in the Statement of Operations if the tax positions were deemed not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund did not incur any income tax, interest, or penalties. As of December 31, 2010, the Adviser has reviewed all open tax years and concluded that there was no impact to the Fund’s net assets or results of operations. Tax years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2010 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. On an ongoing basis, the Adviser will monitor the Fund’s tax positions to determine if adjustments to this conclusion are necessary.
3. Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed weekly and paid monthly, currently equal on an annual basis to 0.80% (prior to May 28, 2010, the Advisory fees was 0.90%) of the value of the Fund’s average weekly total assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio and oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs.
     There was a reduction in the advisory fee paid to the Adviser relating to certain portfolio holdings, i.e., unsupervised assets, of the Fund with respect to which the Adviser transferred dispositive and voting control to the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund’s Proxy Voting Committee exercised control and discretion over all rights to vote or consent with respect to such securities, and the Adviser reduced its fee with respect to such securities by $2,514.

13


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
     During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $3,030 to Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Co.”), an affiliate of the Adviser.
     The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Fund paid or accrued $45,000 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.
     As per the approval of the Board, the Fund compensates officers of the Fund, who are employed by the Fund and are not employed by the Adviser (although the officers may receive incentive based variable compensation from affiliates of the Adviser) and pays its allocated portion of the cost of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer. For the year ended December 31, 2010 the Fund paid or accrued $62,079 in payroll expenses in the Statement of Operations.
     The Fund pays each Trustee who is not considered an affiliated person an annual retainer of $3,000 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended. Each Trustee is reimbursed by the Fund for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $3,000, the Nominating Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of $2,000, and the Lead Trustee receives an annual fee of $1,000. A Trustee may receive a single meeting fee, allocated among the participating funds, for participation in certain meetings held on behalf of multiple funds. Trustees who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
4. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and sales of securities for the year ended December 31, 2010, other than short-term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $4,435,497 and $4,529,926, respectively.
5. Capital. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001). The Board has authorized the repurchase of its shares on the open market 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 NAV of the shares. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Fund did not repurchase any common shares of beneficial interest in the open market.
    Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
                                 
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
Net increase from shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    19,728     $ 385,566       4,010     $ 77,210  
     A shelf registration authorizing the offering of preferred shares was declared effective by the SEC on March 19, 2008. Offering costs of $103,678 relating to the shelf registration were written off in 2010.
6. Industry Concentration. Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks and other securities of foreign and domestic companies in the utility industry, its portfolio may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a portfolio of securities representing a broad range of investments.
7. Indemnifications. The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
8. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Adviser entered into a settlement with the SEC to resolve an inquiry regarding prior frequent trading activity in shares of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund (the “Global Growth Fund”) by one investor who was banned from the Global Growth Fund in August 2002. In the administrative settlement order, the SEC found that the Adviser had willfully violated Section 206(2) of the 1940 Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had willfully aided and abetted and caused violations of Section 12(d)(1)(B)(i) of the 1940 Act. Under the terms of the settlement, the Adviser, while neither admitting nor denying the SEC’s findings and allegations, paid $16 million (which included a $5 million civil monetary penalty), approximately $12.8 million of which is in the process of being paid to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and acceptable to the staff of the SEC, and agreed to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal securities laws and rule. The SEC order also noted the cooperation that the Adviser had given the staff of the SEC during its inquiry. The settlement did not have a material adverse impact on the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. On the same day, the SEC filed a civil action against the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser, alleging violations of certain federal securities laws arising from the same matter. The officer is also an officer of the Fund, the Global Growth Fund, and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denied the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Adviser and the funds. The court dismissed certain claims and found that the SEC was not entitled to pursue various remedies against the officer while leaving one remedy in the event the SEC were able to prove violations of law. The court subsequently dismissed without prejudice the remaining remedy against the officer, which would allow the SEC to appeal the court’s rulings. On October 29, 2010 the SEC filed its appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit regarding the lower court’s orders. The Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Fund or the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
9. Subsequent Events. Management has evaluated the impact on the Fund of all subsequent events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

14


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (hereafter referred to as the “Trust”) at December 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 28, 2011

15


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
ADDITIONAL FUND INFORMATION (Unaudited)
     The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554) or by writing to The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.
                     
        Number of        
    Term of   Funds in Fund        
Name, Position(s)   Office and   Complex        
Address1   Length of   Overseen by   Principal Occupation(s)   Other Directorships
and Age   Time Served2   Trustee   During Past Five Years   Held by Trustee4
INTERESTED TRUSTEE3:
                   
Salvatore M. Salibello
Trustee
Age: 65
  Since 2004**     3     Certified Public Accountant and Managing Partner of the public accounting firm of Salibello & Broder LLP since 1978   Director of Kid Brands, Inc. (group of companies in infant and juvenile products) and until September 2007, Director of Brooklyn Federal Bank Corp., Inc. (independent community bank)
 
                   
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES5:
                   
Anthony J. Colavita
Trustee
Age: 75
  Since 2004*     34     President of the law firm of Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.  
 
                   
James P. Conn
Trustee
Age: 72
  Since 2004**     18     Former Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (insurance holding company) (1992-1998)   Director of First Republic Bank (banking) through January 2008 and LaQuinta Corp. (hotels) through January 2006
 
                   
Mario d’Urso
Trustee
Age: 70
  Since 2004***     5     Chairman of Mittel Capital Markets S.p.A. since 2001; Senator in the Italian Parliament (1996-2001)  
 
                   
Vincent D. Enright
Trustee
Age: 67
  Since 2004***     16     Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KeySpan Corporation (public utility) (1994-1998)   Director of Echo Therapeutics, Inc. (therapeutics and diagnostics) and until September 2006, Director of Aphton Corporation (pharmaceuticals)
 
                   
Michael J. Melarkey
Trustee
Age: 61
  Since 2004***     5     Partner in the law firm of Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel, Mulligan & McKenzie   Director of Southwest Gas Corporation (natural gas utility)
 
                   
Salvatore J. Zizza
Trustee
Age: 65
  Since 2004*     28     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zizza & Co., Ltd. (private holding company) and Chief Executive Officer of General Employment Enterprises, Inc.   Director of Harbor BioSciences, Inc. (biotechnology); and Trans-Lux Corporation (business services); Chairman of each of BAM (manufacturing); Metropolitan Paper Recycling (recycling); Bergen Cove Realty Inc. (real estate); Bion Environmental Technologies (technology) (2005-2008); Director of Earl Scheib Inc. (automotive painting) through April 2009

16


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
ADDITIONAL FUND INFORMATION (Continued) (Unaudited)
         
    Term of    
Name, Position(s)   Office and    
Address1   Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
and Age   Time Served2   During Past Five Years
OFFICERS:
       
 
       
Bruce N. Alpert
President
Age: 59
  Since 2004   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988 and an officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex. Director of Teton Advisors, Inc. since 1998; Chairman of Teton Advisors, Inc. 2008 to 2010; President of Teton Advisors, Inc. 1998 through 2008; Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2008
 
       
Agnes Mullady
Treasurer and Secretary
Age: 52
  Since 2006   Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc since 2009; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 2007; Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex; Senior Vice President of U.S. Trust Company, N.A. and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Excelsior Funds from 2004 through 2005
 
       
David I. Schachter
Vice President
Age: 57
  Since 2004   Vice President of other closed-end funds within the Gabelli Funds complex; Vice President of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1996
 
       
Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
Age: 57
  Since 2004   Director of Regulatory Affairs at GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2004; Chief Compliance Officer of all of the registered investment companies in the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds complex
 
1   Address: One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, unless otherwise noted.
 
2   The Fund’s Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years. Each year the term of office of one class expires and the successor or successors elected to such class serve for a three year term. The three year term for each class expires as follows:
*   — Term expires at the Fund’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
**   — Term expires at the Fund’s 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
***   — Term expires at the Fund’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
    Each officer will hold office for an indefinite term until the date he or she resigns or retires or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
 
3   “Interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Salibello may be considered an “interested person” of the Fund as a result of being a partner in an accounting firm that provides professional services to affiliates of the investment adviser.
 
4   This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, i.e., public companies, or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
 
5   Trustees who are not interested persons are considered “Independent” Trustees.

17


 

THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
INCOME TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)
December 31, 2010
Cash Dividends and Distributions
Common Shares
                                                     
                Total Amount     Ordinary     Long-Term             Dividend  
Payable     Record     Paid     Investment     Capital     Return of     Reinvestment  
Date     Date     Per Share (a)     Income (a)     Gains (a)     Capital (a)(c)     Price  
  01/22/10       01/14/10     $ 0.10000     $ 0.05596     $ 0.00159     $ 0.04246     $ 19.3500  
  02/19/10       02/11/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       19.1500  
  03/24/10       03/17/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       19.3900  
  04/23/10       04/16/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       20.0000  
  05/24/10       05/17/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       17.9600  
  06/23/10       06/16/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       18.4372  
  07/23/10       07/16/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       19.3500  
  08/24/10       08/17/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       18.7826  
  09/23/10       09/16/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       19.7500  
  10/22/10       10/15/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       20.6100  
  11/22/10       11/15/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       20.4500  
  12/17/10       12/14/10       0.10000       0.05596       0.00159       0.04246       19.9028  
                                             
                $ 1.20000     $ 0.67146     $ 0.01906     $ 0.50948          
     A Form 1099-DIV has been mailed to all shareholders of record for the distributions mentioned above, setting forth specific amounts to be included in the 2010 tax returns. Ordinary income distributions include net investment income and realized net short-term capital gains. Ordinary income is reported in box 1a of Form 1099-DIV.
     The long-term gain distributions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 were $60,058, or the maximum amount.
Corporate Dividends Received Deduction, Qualified Dividend Income, and U.S. Treasury Securities Income
     The Fund paid to common shareholders an ordinary income dividend of $0.6715 per share in 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010, 83.93% of the ordinary dividend qualified for the dividends received deduction available to corporations, 100% of the ordinary income distribution was qualified dividend income, and 0.29% of the ordinary income distribution was qualified interest income. The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund during 2010 derived from U.S. Treasury securities was 0.11%. Such income is exempt from state and local tax in all states. However, many states, including New York and California, allow a tax exemption for a portion of the income earned only if a mutual fund has invested at least 50% of its assets at the end of each quarter of its fiscal year in U.S. Government securities. The Fund did not meet this strict requirement in 2010. The percentage of U.S. Government securities held as of December 31, 2010 was 2.60%.
Historical Distribution Summary
Common Shares
                                                 
            Short-Term     Long-Term                     Adjustment  
    Investment     Capital     Capital     Return of     Total     to  
    Income (b)     Gains (b)     Gains     Capital (c)     Distributions (a)     Cost Basis (d)  
2010
  $ 0.54838     $ 0.12308     $ 0.01906     $ 0.50948     $ 1.20000     $ 0.50948  
2009
    0.53040                   0.66960       1.20000       0.66960  
2008
    0.63471       0.07875       0.40064       0.08590       1.20000       0.08590  
2007
    0.30220       0.28180       0.94600             1.53000        
2006
    0.56420       0.09180       0.54400             1.20000        
2005
    0.63370       0.15660       0.65970             1.45000        
2004
    0.26099       0.07758             0.26143       0.60000       0.26143  
 
(a)   Total amounts may differ due to rounding.
 
(b)   Taxable as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes.
 
(c)   Non-taxable.
 
(d)   Decrease in cost basis.
     All designations are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Fund to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.
Certifications
     The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer has certified to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that, as of June 14, 2010, he was not aware of any violation by the Fund of applicable NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The Fund reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR which contains certifications by the Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that relate to the Fund’s disclosure in such reports and that are required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act.
The Annual Meeting of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust’s
shareholders will be held on Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Greenwich Library in Greenwich, Connecticut.

18


 

(FLAGS LOGO)
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422
     
Trustees    
Anthony J. Colavita
   
President,
   
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
   
James P. Conn
   
Former Managing Director &
   
Chief Investment Officer,
   
Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd.
   
 
   
Mario d’Urso
   
Former Italian Senator
   
 
   
Vincent D. Enright
   
Former Senior Vice President &
   
Chief Financial Officer,
   
KeySpan Corp.
   
 
   
Michael J. Melarkey
   
Attorney-at-Law,
   
Avansino, Melarkey, Knobel & Mulligan
   
Salvatore M. Salibello
   
Certified Public Accountant,
   
Salibello & Broder LLP
   
Salvatore J. Zizza
   
Chairman, Zizza & Co., Ltd.
   
Officers
Bruce N. Alpert
President
Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
Agnes Mullady
Treasurer & Secretary
David I. Schachter
Vice President & Ombudsman
Investment Adviser
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Stock Exchange Listing
         
    Common
NYSE Amex—Symbol:
  GLU
Shares Outstanding:
    3,073,974  
The Net Asset Value per share appears in the Publicly Traded Funds column, under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds,” in Monday’s The Wall Street Journal. It is also listed in Barron’s Mutual Funds/Closed End Funds section under the heading “Specialized Equity Funds.”
The Net Asset Value per share may be obtained each day by calling (914) 921-5070 or visiting www.gabelli.com.
The NASDAQ symbol for the Net Asset Value is “XGLUX.”
For general information about the Gabelli Funds, call 800-GABELLI (800-422-3554), fax us at 914-921-5118, visit Gabelli Funds’ Internet homepage at: www.gabelli.com, or e-mail us at: closedend@gabelli.com
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that the Fund may, from time to time, purchase its common shares in the open market when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares.

 


 

(THE GABELLI GLOBAL UTILITY & INCOME TRUST LOGO)

 


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.
  (a)   The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.
 
  (c)   There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.
 
  (d)   The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Vincent D. Enright is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Audit Fees
  (a)   The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $44,400 for 2009 and $36,407 for 2010.
Audit-Related Fees
  (b)   The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2009 and $0 for 2010.

 


 

Tax Fees
  (c)   The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $4,000 for 2009 and $3,625 for 2010. Tax fees represent tax compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant’s tax returns.
All Other Fees
  (d)   The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2009 and $0 for 2010.
(e) (1)    Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
      Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the registrant is responsible for pre-approving (i) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant and (ii) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC, and any affiliate of Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli”) that provides services to the registrant (a “Covered Services Provider”) if the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. The Committee may delegate its responsibility to pre-approve any such audit and permissible non-audit services to the Chairperson of the Committee, and the Chairperson must report to the Committee, at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the Chairperson’s pre-approval of such services, his or her decision(s). The Committee may also establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such services in accordance with applicable laws, including the delegation of some or all of the Committee’s pre-approval responsibilities to the other persons (other than Gabelli or the registrant’s officers). Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the registrant at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (ii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee or Chairperson prior to the completion of the audit.
(e) (2)    The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:
  (b)   100%
 
  (c)   100%
 
  (d)   N/A
  (f)   The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.

 


 

  (g)   The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $0 for 2009 and $0 for 2010.
 
  (h)   The registrant’s audit committee of the board of directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed registrants.
The registrant has a separately designated audit committee consisting of the following members: Anthony J. Colavita, Vincent D. Enright, and Salvatore J. Zizza.
Item 6. Investments.
(a)   Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.
 
(b)   Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
The Proxy Voting Policies are attached herewith.

 


 

The Voting of Proxies on Behalf of Clients
     Rules 204(4)-2 and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.
     These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC, Gabelli Securities, Inc., and Teton Advisors, Inc. (collectively, the “Advisers”) to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the procedures that the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and those of the Advisers; the principal underwriter; or any affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or the principal underwriter. These procedures will not apply where the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the Advisers have agreed to with a client to vote the client’s proxies in accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by the client (to the extent permitted by ERISA).
I. Proxy Voting Committee
     The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989 for the purpose of formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy statements within the parameters set by the substantive proxy voting guidelines originally published in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of which are appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include representatives of Research, Administration, Legal, and the Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire Committee.
     Meetings are held as needed basis to form views on the manner in which the Advisers should vote proxies on behalf of their clients.
     In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the Proxy Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Corporate Governance Service (“ISS”), other third-party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services may vote the proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and not contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the recommendations of the issuer’s Board of Directors and is a non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or (3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the Board of Directors but is consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.
     All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department as controversial, taking into account the

1


 

recommendations of ISS or other third party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, Inc., will be presented to the Proxy Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee, the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department has identified the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or (3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between the Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.
  A.   Conflicts of Interest.
 
      The Advisers have implemented these proxy voting procedures in order to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing their proxy voting decisions. By following the Proxy Guidelines, as well as the recommendations of ISS, other third-party services and the analysts of Gabelli & Company, the Advisers are able to avoid, wherever possible, the influence of potential conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, circumstances may arise in which one or more of the Advisers are faced with a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with its vote. In general, a conflict of interest may arise when an Adviser knowingly does business with an issuer, and may appear to have a material conflict between its own interests and the interests of the shareholders of an investment company managed by one of the Advisers regarding how the proxy is to be voted. A conflict also may exist when an Adviser has actual knowledge of a material business arrangement between an issuer and an affiliate of the Adviser.
 
      In practical terms, a conflict of interest may arise, for example, when a proxy is voted for a company that is a client of one of the Advisers, such as GAMCO Asset Management Inc. A conflict also may arise when a client of one of the Advisers has made a shareholder proposal in a proxy to be voted upon by one or more of the Advisers. The Director of Proxy Voting Services, together with the Legal Department, will scrutinize all proxies for these or other situations that may give rise to a conflict of interest with respect to the voting of proxies.
 
  B.   Operation of Proxy Voting Committee
 
      For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the proxy statement, any relevant third party research, a summary of any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any recommendations by Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts. The Chief Investment Officer or the Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If the Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department believe that the matter before the committee is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist between the Advisers and their clients, counsel will

2


 

      provide an opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more of Advisers may diverge, counsel will so advise and the Committee may make different recommendations as to different clients. For any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal rights, counsel will provide an opinion concerning the likely risks and merits of such an appraisal action.
     Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting. Should the vote concerning one or more recommendations be tied in a vote of the Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will cast the deciding vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly.
     Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all Proxy Voting Committee meetings will be maintained. The Advisers subscribe to ISS, which supplies current information on companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy voting and information on corporate governance issues.
     If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the deliberations of the Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the issuer, the matter will be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is appropriate.
II. Social Issues and Other Client Guidelines
     If a client has provided special instructions relating to the voting of proxies, they should be noted in the client’s account file and forwarded to the proxy department. This is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor guidelines, the Advisers’ policy is to vote on behalf of ERISA accounts in the best interest of the plan participants with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact. Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will vote shares held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent with any individual investment/voting guidelines provided by the client. Otherwise the Advisers will abstain with respect to those shares.
III. Client Retention of Voting Rights
     If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if there is any change in voting authority, the following should be notified by the investment professional or sales assistant for the client.
  -   Operations
 
  -   Legal Department

3


 

  -   Proxy Department
 
  -   Investment professional assigned to the account
     In the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee thereof) of one or more of the investment companies managed by one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board Member (or Committee member) with a copy of the proxy statement together with any other relevant information including recommendations of ISS or other third-party services.
IV. Voting Records
     The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers will supply information on how an account voted its proxies upon request.
     A letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the Advisers have voting responsibility instructing them to forward all proxy materials to:
[Adviser name]
Attn: Proxy Voting Department
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1433
The sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along with the trading/DTC instructions. Proxy voting records will be retained in compliance with Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act.
V. Voting Procedures
1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and clearing firms are responsible for forwarding proxies directly to the Advisers.
Proxies are received in one of two forms:
  Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms (“VAFs”) — Issued by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) VAFs must be voted through the issuing institution causing a time lag. Broadridge is an outside service contracted by the various institutions to issue proxy materials.
  Proxy cards which may be voted directly.
2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each form represents is logged into the proxy system according to security.
3. In the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number of shares, an improperly signed or dated card, wrong class of security, etc., the issuing custodian is notified by phone. A corrected proxy is requested. Any arrangements are made to insure that a

4


 

proper proxy is received in time to be voted (overnight delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on record date, the custodian is requested to supply written verification.
4. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee (see Administrative), the votes are cast and recorded for each account on an individual basis.
Records have been maintained on the Proxy Edge system. The system is backed up regularly.
Proxy Edge records include:
Security Name and Cusip Number
Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Client Name
Adviser or Fund Account Number
Directors’ Recommendation
How GAMCO voted for the client on each issue
5. VAFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for the current proxy season are located in the Proxy Voting Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files are transferred to an offsite storage facility during January/February.
6. Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms issued by Broadridge are always sent directly to a specific individual at Broadridge.
7. If a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote on one of the following manners:
  VAFs can be faxed to Broadridge up until the time of the meeting. This is followed up by mailing the original form.
  When a solicitor has been retained, the solicitor is called. At the solicitor’s direction, the proxy is faxed.
8. In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained for each opposing entity.
9. Voting in Person
a) At times it may be necessary to vote the shares in person. In this case, a “legal proxy” is obtained in the following manner:
  Banks and brokerage firms using the services at Broadridge:
     The back of the VAF is stamped indicating that we wish to vote in person. The forms are then sent overnight to Broadridge. Broadridge issues individual legal proxies and

5


 

sends them back via overnight (or the Adviser can pay messenger charges). A lead-time of at least two weeks prior to the meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures detailed below for banks not using Broadridge may be implemented.
  Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:
 
    The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested.
All legal proxies should appoint:
“Representative of [Adviser name] with full power of substitution.”
b) The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting along with the following supplemental material:
  A limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser representative.
 
  A list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names and account numbers are not included. This list must be presented, along with the proxies, to the Inspectors of Elections and/or tabulator at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled start of the meeting. The tabulator must “qualify” the votes (i.e. determine if the vote have previously been cast, if the votes have been rescinded, etc. vote have previously been cast, etc.).
 
  A sample ERISA and Individual contract.
 
  A sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies form.
 
  A copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if applicable).

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Appendix A
Proxy Guidelines
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of GAMCO Investors, Inc. to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.
At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided that each proxy statement should be evaluated on its own merits within the framework first established by our Magna Carta of Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance that broad framework.
We do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration all of our research on the company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for the company. In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The advisers do not consider the election of the Board of Directors a routine issue. Each slate of directors is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
  Historical responsiveness to shareholders
  This may include such areas as:
 
    Paying greenmail
 
    Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of shareholder votes
  Qualifications
 
  Nominating committee in place
 
  Number of outside directors on the board
 
  Attendance at meetings
 
  Overall performance
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
In general, we support the Board of Directors’ recommendation for auditors.
BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK
We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.
Blank check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock and establish dividends, voting rights, etc. without further shareholder approval.
CLASSIFIED BOARD
A classified board is one where the directors are divided into classes with overlapping terms. A different class is elected at each annual meeting.
While a classified board promotes continuity of directors facilitating long range planning, we feel directors should be accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look

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at this proposal on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the board’s historical responsiveness to the rights of shareholders.
Where a classified board is in place we will generally not support attempts to change to an annually elected board.
When an annually elected board is in place, we generally will not support attempts to classify the board.
INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
The request to increase the amount of outstanding shares is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
  Future use of additional shares
  -   Stock split
 
  -   Stock option or other executive compensation plan
 
  -   Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet
 
  -   Aid in restructuring
 
  -   Improve credit rating
 
  -   Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense
  Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or reserved for stock option plans
  Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive effect
We will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan for the use of the additional shares is contained in the proxy statement.
CONFIDENTIAL BALLOT
We support the idea that a shareholder’s identity and vote should be treated with confidentiality.
However, we look at this issue on a case-by-case basis.
In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we endorse the use of independent Inspectors of Election.

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CUMULATIVE VOTING
In general, we support cumulative voting.
Cumulative voting is a process by which a shareholder may multiply the number of directors being elected by the number of shares held on record date and cast the total number for one candidate or allocate the voting among two or more candidates.
Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any proposal to rescind this shareholder right.
Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock gaining representation on the board. When a proposal is made to institute cumulative voting, the proposal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority shareholders an opportunity to have their views represented.
DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by limiting the liability and increasing the indemnification of directors, except in the case of insider dealing.
EQUAL ACCESS TO THE PROXY
The SEC’s rules provide for shareholder resolutions. However, the resolutions are limited in scope and there is a 500 word limit on proponents’ written arguments. Management has no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy, we would look at such variables as length of time required to respond, percentage of ownership, etc.
FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS
Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a fair price are intended to prevent two-tier tender offers that may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to board-approved transactions.

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We support fair price provisions because we feel all shareholders should be entitled to receive the same benefits.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
GOLDEN PARACHUTES
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who are terminated or demoted after a takeover.
We support any proposal that would assure management of its own welfare so that they may continue to make decisions in the best interest of the company and shareholders even if the decision results in them losing their job. We do not, however, support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal will be decided on a case-by- case basis.
Note: Congress has imposed a tax on any parachute that is more than three times the executive’s average annual compensation.
ANTI-GREENMAIL PROPOSALS
We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one shareholder should be extended to all shareholders equally across the board.
LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS
We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF NONFINANCIAL EFFECTS OF A MERGER
This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the financial effects of a merger and allows them the opportunity to consider the merger’s effects on employees, the community, and consumers.

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As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic interests of our clients. In general, this proposal does not allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this proposal.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
MERGERS, BUYOUTS, SPIN-OFFS, RESTRUCTURINGS
Each of the above is considered on a case-by-case basis. According to the Department of Labor, we are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the offering price is at a premium to the current market price. We may take into consideration the long term interests of the shareholders.
MILITARY ISSUES
Shareholder proposals regarding military production must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to the client’s direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Shareholder proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride principles for the purpose of countering the discrimination of Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will vote according to client direction when applicable. Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our social judgment on others.

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OPT OUT OF STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW
This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the coverage of the state’s takeover statutes. Example: Delaware law requires that a buyer must acquire at least 85% of the company’s stock before the buyer can exercise control unless the board approves.
We consider this on a case-by-case basis. Our decision will be based on the following:
  State of Incorporation
 
  Management history of responsiveness to shareholders
 
  Other mitigating factors
POISON PILL
In general, we do not endorse poison pills.
In certain cases where management has a history of being responsive to the needs of shareholders and the stock is very liquid, we will reconsider this position.
REINCORPORATION
Generally, we support reincorporation for well-defined business reasons. We oppose reincorporation if proposed solely for the purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value of the stock.
STOCK OPTION PLANS
Stock option plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and motivate directors and employees. However, each stock option plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into consideration the following:
  Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10%
 
  Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much
 
  Method of payment

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  Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under existing stock option plans
SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS
Supermajority vote requirements in a company’s charter or bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose supermajority-voting requirements. Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of shareholder participation. We support proposals’ approvals by a simple majority of the shares voting.
LIMIT SHAREHOLDERS RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a shareholder action without having to wait until the next annual meeting or to call a special meeting. It permits action to be taken by the written consent of the same percentage of the shares that would be required to effect proposed action at a shareholder meeting.
Reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Mr. Mario J. Gabelli, CFA, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust, (the Fund). Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer -Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its affiliates since their organization.
MANAGEMENT OF OTHER ACCOUNTS
The table below shows the number of other accounts managed by Mario J. Gabelli and the total assets in each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other paid investment vehicles and other accounts as of December 31, 2010. For each category, the table also shows the number of accounts and the total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on account performance.
                     
                    Total Assets in
Name of               No. of Accounts   Accounts where
Portfolio Manager       Total       where Advisory Fee   Advisory Fee is
or       No. of Accounts       is Based on   Based on
Team Member   Type of Accounts   Managed   Total Assets   Performance   Performance
1. Mario J. Gabelli
  Registered   26   17.1B   8   4.3B
 
  Investment                
 
  Companies:                
 
  Other Pooled   16   478.4M   14   470.6M
 
  Investment                
 
  Vehicles:                
 
  Other Accounts:   1,702   14.4B   9   1.9B
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As reflected above, Mr. Gabelli manages accounts in addition to the Fund. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager also has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other accounts. These potential conflicts include:
ALLOCATION OF LIMITED TIME AND ATTENTION. As indicated above, Mr. Gabelli manages multiple accounts. As a result, he will not be able to devote all of his time to management of the Fund. Mr. Gabelli, therefore, may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he were to devote all of his attention to the management of only the Fund.
ALLOCATION OF LIMITED INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. As indicated above, Mr. Gabelli manages managed accounts with investment strategies and/or policies that are similar to the Fund. In these cases, if the he identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple accounts, a Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other accounts managed primarily by other Portfolio Managers of the Adviser, and their affiliates. In addition, in the event Mr. Gabelli determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions.
SELECTION OF BROKER/DEALERS. Because of Mr. Gabelli’s position with the Distributor and his indirect majority ownership interest in the Distributor, he may have an incentive to use the Distributor to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund.
PURSUIT OF DIFFERING STRATEGIES. At times, Mr. Gabelli may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, he may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts.

 


 

VARIATION IN COMPENSATION. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to Mr. Gabelli differ among the accounts that he manages. If the structure of the Adviser’s management fee or the Portfolio Manager’s compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the Portfolio Manager may be motivated to favor certain accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager also may be motivated to favor accounts in which he has an investment interest, or in which the Adviser, or their affiliates have investment interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance a Portfolio Manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager in affording preferential treatment to those accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager. For example, as reflected above, if Mr. Gabelli manages accounts which have performance fee arrangements, certain portions of his compensation will depend on the achievement of performance milestones on those accounts. Mr. Gabelli could be incented to afford preferential treatment to those accounts and thereby by subject to a potential conflict of interest.
The Adviser, and the Funds have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address the various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Adviser and their staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be able to detect and prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise.
COMPENSATION STRUCTURE FOR MARIO J. GABELLI
Mr. Gabelli receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a percentage of net revenues received by the Adviser for managing the Fund. Net revenues are determined by deducting from gross investment management fees the firm’s expenses (other than Mr. Gabelli’s compensation) allocable to this Fund. Five closed-end registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli have arrangements whereby the Adviser will only receive its investment advisory fee attributable to the liquidation value of outstanding preferred stock (and Mr. Gabelli would only receive his percentage of such advisory fee) if certain performance levels are met. Additionally, he receives similar incentive based variable compensation for managing other accounts within the firm and its affiliates. This method of compensation is based on the premise that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of assets through appreciation and net investment activity. The level of compensation is not determined with specific reference to the performance of any account against any specific benchmark. One of the other registered investment companies managed by Mr. Gabelli has a performance (fulcrum) fee arrangement for which his compensation is adjusted up or down based on the performance of the investment company relative to an index. Mr. Gabelli manages other accounts with performance fees. Compensation for managing these accounts has two components. One component is based on a percentage of net revenues to the investment adviser for managing the account. The second component is based on absolute performance of the account, with respect to which a percentage of such performance fee is paid to Mr. Gabelli. As an executive officer of the Adviser’s parent company, GBL, Mr. Gabelli also receives ten percent of the net operating profits of the parent company. He receives no base salary, no annual bonus, and no stock options.
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE FUND
Mario J. Gabelli owned $0 of shares of the Fund as of December 31, 2010.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 


 

REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                 
                (d) Maximum Number
            (c) Total Number of   (or Approximate
            Shares (or Units)   Dollar Value) of
            Purchased as Part   Shares (or Units)
    (a) Total Number of   (b) Average Price   of Publicly   that May Yet Be
    Shares (or Units)   Paid per Share (or   Announced Plans or   Purchased Under the
Period   Purchased   Unit)   Programs   Plans or Programs
Month #1
07/01/10
through
07/31/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,067,383

Preferred — N/A
 
Month #2
08/01/10
through
08/31/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,067,383

Preferred — N/A
 
Month #3
09/01/10
through
09/30/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,069,629

Preferred — N/A
 
Month #4
10/01/10
through
10/31/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,071,816

Preferred — N/A
 
Month #5
11/01/10
through
11/30/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,073,974

Preferred — N/A
 
Month #6
12/01/10
through
12/31/10
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — 3,073,974

Preferred — N/A
 
Total
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  Common — N/A

Preferred — N/A
  N/A
 
Footnote columns (c) and (d) of the table, by disclosing the following information in the aggregate for all plans or programs publicly announced:
a.   The date each plan or program was announced — The notice of the potential repurchase of common and preferred shares occurs quarterly in the Fund’s quarterly report in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
b.   The dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved — Any or all common shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s common shares are trading at a discount of 10% or more from the net asset value of the shares.
 
    Any or all preferred shares outstanding may be repurchased when the Fund’s preferred shares are trading at a discount to the liquidation value of $25.00.
 
c.   The expiration date (if any) of each plan or program — The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.
 
d.   Each plan or program that has expired during the period covered by the table — The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.

 


 

e.   Each plan or program the registrant has determined to terminate prior to expiration, or under which the registrant does not intend to make further purchases. — The Fund’s repurchase plans are ongoing.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On December 3, 2010, the Board of Trustees of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (the “Fund”) amended and restated in its entirety the bylaws of the Fund (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”). The Amended and Restated Bylaws were deemed effective December 3, 2010.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
  (a)   The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  (b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
  (a)(1)   Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.
  (a)(2)   Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
  (a)(3)   Not applicable.
  (b)   Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
(registrant)
  The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust    
         
         
     
  By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert      
    Bruce N. Alpert,
Principal Executive Officer 
 
       
 
Date 3/9/11
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
     
  By(Signature and Title)*   /s/ Bruce N. Alpert      
    Bruce N. Alpert,
Principal Executive Officer 
 
       
 
Date 3/9/11
         
     
  By(Signature and Title)*   /s/ Agnes Mullady      
    Agnes Mullady,
Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer 
 
       
 
Date 3/9/11
 
*   Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.