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Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE: GUT) activates succession plan amid Mario Gabelli’s medical leave

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Gabelli Utility Trust reported that long-time Trustee and Chief Investment Officer Mario J. Gabelli was hospitalized for observation and testing after a medical incident on March 19, 2026. His condition is improving and he is on the road to recovery, though his return date is not yet known.

GAMCO Investors, Inc., parent of the Fund’s adviser, activated its long-standing succession plan on March 22, 2026. Under this plan, Christopher J. Marangi was named President of GAMCO, and day-to-day operations will continue to be led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Mr. Marangi. The Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers, Kevin V. Dreyer and Mr. Marangi, are leading portfolio management for the Fund during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.

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Insights

Health-related absence of founder with pre-set succession plan activated.

The Gabelli Utility Trust disclosed that Mario J. Gabelli, its Trustee and Chief Investment Officer, is hospitalized after a medical incident but recovering, with his return date undetermined. This is a key-person update rather than a financial event.

GAMCO’s succession plan, described as having been in place for several years, was activated on March 22, 2026. Christopher J. Marangi became President of GAMCO, while day-to-day operations are led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Mr. Marangi. Portfolio management for the Fund is handled by Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Mr. Marangi.

This structure indicates continuity in investment and operational oversight during Mr. Gabelli’s absence. The Fund also states that this information is incorporated by reference into its effective registration statement, formally tying the leadership disclosure into its offering-related documentation.

Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Medical incident date March 19, 2026 Date of Mario J. Gabelli’s medical incident
Succession plan implementation date March 22, 2026 Date GAMCO implemented its succession plan
Public announcement date March 23, 2026 Date GAMCO announced the succession actions
8-K signature date May 7, 2026 Date the report was signed for The Gabelli Utility Trust
succession plan financial
"GAMCO, the parent company of the Fund’s adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”), implemented GAMCO’s succession plan that has been in place for several years."
Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios financial
"Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management, Inc."
emerging growth company regulatory
"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Registration Statement regulatory
"The Fund incorporates the information included in this Item 8.01 by reference into its effective Registration Statement."
A registration statement is a formal document that companies file with a government agency to offer new shares of stock to the public. It provides essential information about the company's finances, operations, and risks, helping investors make informed decisions. Think of it as a detailed product description that ensures transparency and trust before buying into a company.

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FAQ

What health update did The Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT) provide about Mario J. Gabelli?
The fund reported that Mario J. Gabelli was hospitalized for observation and testing after a medical incident on March 19, 2026. His condition is improving and he is described as on the road to recovery, though his return timeline remains undetermined.

How did GAMCO respond to Mario J. Gabelli’s medical incident for GUT?
GAMCO implemented its long-standing succession plan on March 22, 2026, following Mario J. Gabelli’s medical incident. This plan had been in place for several years and was designed to ensure continuity of corporate leadership and portfolio management for the fund.

Who is leading GAMCO and The Gabelli Utility Trust’s adviser operations during Gabelli’s absence?
Day-to-day operations of GAMCO are being led by co-CEO Douglas R. Jamieson and Christopher J. Marangi. Marangi was named President of GAMCO on March 22, 2026, under the succession plan activated after Mario J. Gabelli’s medical incident.

Who manages The Gabelli Utility Trust’s portfolio while Mario J. Gabelli is absent?
The portfolio management team for The Gabelli Utility Trust is led by Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi. They are responsible for managing the fund’s investments during Mario J. Gabelli’s absence from active portfolio duties.

How is this leadership and health disclosure used in The Gabelli Utility Trust’s registration documents?
The fund states that the leadership and health information disclosed in this report is incorporated by reference into its effective registration statement. This means the same disclosure is treated as part of the registration, keeping offering-related documents aligned with current leadership status.
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 7, 2026

 

 

 

The Gabelli Utility Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   811-09243   13-4046522

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  

(Commission

File Number)

  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Corporate Center, Rye, New York   10580
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrants telephone number, including area code (800) 422-3554

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Share of Beneficial Interest   GUT   New York Stock Exchange
Series C Cumulative Preferred Shares   GUT Pr C   New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

☐ Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

As previously announced by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”) on March 23, 2026, Mario J. Gabelli (“Mr. Gabelli”), Trustee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund, and Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., was admitted to the hospital for observation and testing after a medical incident March 19, 2026, following a busy day of events around New York City. His condition is improving and he is on the road to recovery, but the timeline for his return is not yet known.

 

On March 22, 2026, GAMCO, the parent company of the Fund’s adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”), implemented GAMCO’s succession plan that has been in place for several years. In accordance with that plan, Christopher J. Marangi was named President of GAMCO on March 22, 2026.

 

While the timeline for Mr. Gabelli’s return remains undetermined, the day-to-day operations of GAMCO will continue to be led by co-CEO, Douglas R. Jamieson, and Christopher J. Marangi.

 

The Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi lead the portfolio management team for the Fund during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.

 

The Fund incorporates the information included in this Item 8.01 by reference into its effective Registration Statement.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

1

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
     
Date: May 7, 2026 By: /s/ John C. Ball
  Name: John C. Ball
  Title: President and Treasurer

 

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Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents

Other Documents