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When Gabelli Asset Management issued its earnings release on January 29, 2004,
we pointed out that we would re-open our Gabelli ABC Fund on March 1, 2004. Since we received a number of
inquiries related to this announcement, we thought it timely and appropriate to provide background and more
information.
The Gabelli ABC Fund will re-open to new investors on March 1, 2004, in anticipation of increasing merger
and acquisition activity.
The Gabelli ABC Fund has been up each calender year since its inception on May 14, 1993. It returned
4.94% during 2003, and for the three, five and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2003, its average annual total
returns were 3.44%, 5.99% and 7.70%, respectively.
The Fund focuses its investment strategy in merger and acquisition arbitrage to achieve total returns that
are attractive to investors seeking positive returns in various market conditions without excessive risk of capital.
The Fund focuses on securities involved in announced mergers and acquisitions in order to achieve a positive
return not correlated to the overall market by capturing the spread between the purchase price and the ultimate
acquisition price on specific equity investments. Due to a low level of deal activity in the 2000-2002 period, the
Fund closed to new investors on October 1, 2002 even though it was rated 5 Stars Overall by Morningstar at that
time. The Fund continues to hold a significant portion of its assets in short-term cash equivalent investments,
which will be utilized as increased investment opportunities become available.
The Fund will reopen on March 1, 2004, subject to the following limitations: the minimum initial investment
will be $50,000 and the purchase may only be made through Gabelli & Company, Inc., the Fund’s principal
distributor, or directly through the Fund’s transfer agent. Investments through other intermediaries will not be
accepted.
Gabelli ABC Fund began investment operations on May 14, 1993. As an incentive to attract investors
wary of the market, the Fund offered a unique one-year performance guarantee of at least 6% on a $2,000 investment.
In 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Fund offered a minimum 5% return on an investment of up to $5,000 for all
new and current shareholders. After 1996, the performance guaranty program was eliminated. As stated above the
Fund has enjoyed positive total returns in every calendar year of its existence. Because of a low level of merger
and acquisition activity and a subsequent buildup of cash in the portfolio, the investment adviser voluntarily
waived 50 basis points of its advisory fee on April 1, 2002, resulting in advisory fees being lowered to 50 basis
points.
As of January 1, 2003, Gabelli & Company, Inc. (the “Distributor”) voluntarily waived receipt of the 25
basis points Rule 12b-1 distribution fee from the Fund, resulting in a waiver of fees currently totaling 75 basis
points. The fee waivers will continue until the Fund becomes more fully invested. Subject to approval by the
Fund’s Board of Directors, the Distributor intends to eliminate the 12b-1 plan.
The Fund’s adviser is Gabelli Funds, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gabelli Asset Management Inc.
(NYSE; GBL), which manages, through its subsidiaries, approximately $27.6 billion.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns are histor -
ical and reflect changes in share price, reinvested dividends and capital gains and are net of expenses. Investment
results and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more
or less than their original cost. Results for 2002 and 2003 would have been lower if fees had not been waived
since April 2002. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data presented. Visit
www.gabelli.com for more recent performance information. Investors should consider the investment objectives,
risks and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains more complete information
about this and other matters. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Call Gabelli & Company
for a prospectus and current performance information at 1-800-GABELLI (422-3554).
Morningstar Rated™ Gabelli ABC Fund 4 stars overall and for the 3 and 5-year periods ended 12/31/03. The Fund was also rated 3 stars for the 10-
year period ended 12/31/03. The Fund was rated among 177, 140 and 35 U.S. domiciled conservative allocation funds for the 3, 5 and 10-year periods,
respectively, as of 12/31/03. As of September 30, 2002, when the Fund closed to new investors, Gabelli ABC Fund was rated 5 stars overall among
680 U.S. domiciled domestic hybrid Funds.
The information pertaining to Morningstar contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted
to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use
of this information. For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar RatingTM based on a Morningstar Risk-
Adjusted Return measure that accounts for a variation in a Fund’s monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads and redemption
fees) placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the
next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar
Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar
Rating metrics. ©2003 Morningstar, Inc.
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