GUT Overview

Distribution Policy: The Gabelli Utility Trust has approved fixed monthly cash distributions of $0.05 per share for January, February, and March 2026, with ongoing reviews of the distribution levels based on the Fund's performance and market conditions.

Tax Implications: Portions of the distributions may be classified as long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income, subject to federal tax rates, and any excess distributions over earnings may be treated as a return of capital, reducing the shareholder's cost basis.

Investment Performance: The Fund has maintained a monthly distribution to shareholders since October 1999, but the current trading premium over net asset value may not be sustainable, and shareholders should not infer investment performance solely from distribution amounts.

Fund Overview: The Gabelli Utility Trust is a closed-end investment company focused on long-term capital growth and income through investments in utility companies, with total net assets of $332 million, managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC.

Utilities as Investment Opportunities: Utilities are evolving into significant players in the AI sector, offering high dividends (up to 10.4%) while traditional investors focus on momentum stocks.

Strained Power Grids: Texas faces a projected 62% increase in power demand by 2030, with utilities like Oncor and Portland General Electric adapting to meet the needs of growing data centers and populations.

Edison International's Risks and Rewards: Despite facing wildfire litigation and risks, Edison International offers a nearly 6% yield and has potential for growth due to its renewable energy focus and large customer base.

Investment Strategies in Infrastructure: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and various closed-end funds provide exposure to utility sectors with attractive yields, though investors should be cautious of high premiums and leverage in these investments.

Investment Opportunities: Contrarian investors may find value in the energy sector amidst a potentially overvalued stock market, particularly with increasing demand for electricity driven by data centers and artificial intelligence.

Analyst Recommendations: Veteran energy market analysts have identified four specific stock picks for investors interested in capitalizing on the anticipated growth in energy demand.

Market Overview: Despite recent selloffs, the S&P 500 remains significantly up for the year, but concerns about overvaluation persist as current gains reflect a year's worth of historical returns.

Closed-End Funds (CEFs) Risks: Many CEFs are currently overvalued with inflated premiums to their net asset value (NAV), necessitating caution among investors regarding high yields that may not be sustainable.

Specific CEF Analysis: Three specific CEFs—Gabelli Utility Trust, PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, and Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund—are highlighted as having excessive premiums, indicating potential risks for investors holding these funds.

Investment Opportunities: The article suggests that despite the pricey market, there are still undervalued CEFs available that offer attractive dividends, encouraging investors to explore these options.

Investment Strategy in AI and Nuclear Power: The article suggests that instead of investing solely in popular AI stocks like NVIDIA, investors should consider high-yield closed-end funds (CEFs) focused on nuclear power and utilities, which are expected to benefit from the increasing demand for electricity driven by AI technologies.

Comparison of CEFs: It highlights two specific CEFs: Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT), which has a high premium but lower performance, and Voya Infrastructure Industrials and Materials Fund (IDE), which offers better value and returns while being more tactical in capitalizing on the AI boom.

Distribution Policy: The Gabelli Utility Trust has approved fixed monthly cash distributions of $0.05 per share for July, August, and September 2025, while continuing to monitor the Fund's distribution levels based on net asset value and market conditions.

Tax Implications: Shareholders may receive distributions that include long-term capital gains and return of capital, with a significant portion expected to be deemed a return of capital, which is generally not taxable and reduces the shareholder's cost basis.