N-Q 1 d280816dnq.htm ELLSWORTH GROWTH & INCOME FUND LTD. Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund Ltd.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number             811-04656        

 

                                   Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.                                        
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Corporate Center
                                 Rye, New York 10580-1422                                         
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

James A. Dinsmore

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: September 30

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2016

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q 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 the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

The Schedule(s) of Investments is attached herewith.


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

First Quarter Report — December 31, 2016

(Y)our Portfolio Management Team

 

LOGO

To Our Shareholders,

For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the net asset value (“NAV”) total return of the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. was 0.9%, compared with total returns of 2.1% and 0.3% for the Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index and the Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index, respectively. The total return for the Fund’s publicly traded shares was 2.2% The Fund’s NAV per share was $9.57, while the price of the publicly traded shares closed at $8.26 on the NYSE MKT. See below for additional performance information.

Enclosed is the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2016.

Comparative Results

 

 

Average Annual Returns through December 31, 2016 (a)(b) (Unaudited)

            Since
Inception
   
      Quarter        1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      10 Year     (06/30/86)  

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

              

NAV Total Return (c)

     0.86     9.33     5.70     9.94     5.76   7.83%  

Investment Total Return (d)

     2.23       12.69       7.68       10.65       5.97     8.00     

Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index

     2.10       10.43       5.45       10.98       6.44     N/A(e)  

Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index

     0.29       6.79       2.14       7.53       4.41     N/A(f)  

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index

     3.82       11.96       8.87       14.66       6.95     9.92     

 

  (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. Returns would have been lower had Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”) not reimbursed certain expenses of the Fund. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index is a market value weighted index of all dollar denominated convertible securities that are exchangeable into U.S. equities and have a market value of more than $50 million. The Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index is a market value weighted index that tracks the performance of publicly placed, dollar denominated convertible securities that are between 40% and 80% sensitive to movements in their underlying common stocks. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged indicator of stock market performance. Dividends and interest income are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

  (b)

The Fund’s fiscal year ends on September 30.

 

 

  (c)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in the NAV per share, reinvestment of distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date, and are net of expenses. Prior to November 1, 2015, reinvestment of distributions at NAV was on the payable date.

 

 

  (d)

Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in closing market values on the NYSE MKT and reinvestment of distributions.

 

 

  (e)

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Convertibles Index inception date is December 31, 1994.

 

 

  (f)

The Bloomberg Barclays Balanced U.S. Convertibles Index inception date is January 1, 2003.

 

 


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Schedule of Investments — December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Principal
Amount

         

Market
Value

 
  

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS — 54.2%

 

  

Aerospace — 0.5%

  
$ 600,000     

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., 2.250%, 12/15/23(a)

   $ 587,250  
     

 

 

 
  

Automotive — 0.7%

  
  1,000,000     

Tesla Motors Inc.,
1.250%, 03/01/21

     870,625  
     

 

 

 
  

Business Services — 3.4%

  
  1,876,000     

Blucora Inc.,
4.250%, 04/01/19

     1,876,000  
  2,000,000     

CSG Systems International Inc.,
4.250%, 03/15/36(a)

     2,241,250  
     

 

 

 
        4,117,250  
     

 

 

 
  

Cable and Satellite — 2.4%

  
  2,500,000     

DISH Network Corp.,
3.375%, 08/15/26(a)

     2,857,813  
     

 

 

 
  

Communications Equipment — 2.6%

 

  1,000,000     

Harmonic Inc.,
4.000%, 12/01/20

     1,121,875  
  1,500,000     

InterDigital Inc./PA,
1.500%, 03/01/20

     2,035,313  
     

 

 

 
        3,157,188  
     

 

 

 
  

Computer Software and Services — 8.7%

  
  1,250,000     

Bottomline Technologies Inc.,
1.500%, 12/01/17

     1,291,406  
  1,000,000     

EnerNOC Inc.,
2.250%, 08/15/19

     800,000  
  1,250,000     

MercadoLibre Inc.,
2.250%, 07/01/19

     1,725,781  
  1,500,000     

Proofpoint Inc.,
0.750%, 06/15/20

     1,701,563  
  500,000     

PROS Holdings Inc.,
2.000%, 12/01/19

     493,125  
  1,500,000     

Synchronoss Technologies Inc.,
0.750%, 08/15/19

     1,582,500  
  1,500,000     

The Priceline Group Inc.,
1.000%, 03/15/18

     2,369,063  
  500,000     

Zillow Group Inc.,
2.000%, 12/01/21(a)

     515,938  
     

 

 

 
          10,479,376  
     

 

 

 
  

Consumer Products — 0.4%

  
  617,000     

JAKKS Pacific Inc.,
4.875%, 06/01/20(a)(b)

     482,031  
     

 

 

 
  

Consumer Services — 2.2%

  
    1,000,000     

Carriage Services Inc.,
2.750%, 03/15/21

     1,349,375  

Principal
Amount

         

Market
Value

 
$ 1,250,000     

Extra Space Storage LP,
3.125%, 10/01/35(a)

   $ 1,335,937  
     

 

 

 
        2,685,312  
     

 

 

 
  

Diversified Industrial — 3.8%

  
  750,000     

Kaman Corp.,
3.250%, 11/15/17(a)

     1,109,531  
  1,800,000     

Knowles Corp.,
3.250%, 11/01/21(a)

     2,097,000  
  583,000     

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.,
2.000%, 10/01/23

     589,923  
  500,000     

TimkenSteel Corp.,
6.000%, 06/01/21

     729,687  
     

 

 

 
          4,526,141  
     

 

 

 
  

Energy and Utilities — 4.6%

  
  1,500,000     

Cheniere Energy Inc.,
4.250%, 03/15/45

     915,937  
  1,500,000     

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,
5.500%, 09/15/26(a)

     1,631,250  
  750,000     

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.,
5.250%, 10/01/18(a)

     645,000  
  258,000     

Goodrich Petroleum Escrow Bond,
Zero Coupon, 12/31/21†

     0  
  667,000     

Newpark Resources Inc.,
4.000%, 12/01/21(a)

     732,033  
  1,500,000     

SunPower Corp.,
4.000%, 01/15/23

     1,077,187  
  500,000     

Weatherford International Ltd.,
5.875%, 07/01/21

     543,750  
     

 

 

 
        5,545,157  
     

 

 

 
  

Entertainment — 0.8%

  
  1,000,000     

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.,
3.375%, 12/15/23(a)

     981,250  
     

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 1.2%

  
  500,000     

Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc.,
1.500%, 01/15/22(a)

     515,000  
  1,000,000     

Encore Capital Group Inc.,
3.000%, 07/01/20

     938,750  
     

 

 

 
        1,453,750  
     

 

 

 
  

Health Care — 11.5%

  
  750,000     

ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
3.000%, 12/01/19

     864,375  
    1,026,000     

Array BioPharma Inc.,
3.000%, 06/01/20

     1,439,606  
  500,000     

Horizon Pharma Investment Ltd.,
2.500%, 03/15/22

     478,125  
  833,000     

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
3.250%, 07/01/23

     746,576  
  1,000,000     

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
2.250%, 06/15/22

     1,149,375  
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

2


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Principal
Amount

         

Market
Value

 
  

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

 

  

Health Care (Continued)

 

$ 710,000     

Jazz Investments I Ltd.,
1.875%, 08/15/21

   $ 683,819  
    1,000,000     

Molina Healthcare Inc.,
1.625%, 08/15/44

     1,141,875  
  750,000     

NuVasive Inc.,
2.250%, 03/15/21(a)

     955,781  
  500,000     

Quidel Corp.,
3.250%, 12/15/20

     495,000  
  666,000     

Repligen Corp.,
2.125%, 06/01/21

     790,459  
  1,000,000     

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
3.250%, 12/15/21(a)

     1,070,000  
  750,000     

Teligent Inc.,
3.750%, 12/15/19

     699,375  
  

The Medicines Co.,

  
  1,000,000     

2.500%, 01/15/22

     1,203,750  
  1,000,000     

2.750%, 07/15/23(a)

     966,875  
  1,000,000     

Theravance Biopharma Inc.,
3.250%, 11/01/23

     1,141,875  
     

 

 

 
          13,826,866  
     

 

 

 
  

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.9%

 

  1,000,000     

Colony Capital Inc.,
5.000%, 04/15/23

     1,027,500  
     

 

 

 
  

Semiconductors — 7.5%

 

  550,000     

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.,
2.125%, 09/01/26

     868,656  
  2,000,000     

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,
4.500%, 01/15/22(a)

     2,258,750  
  1,250,000     

Inphi Corp.,
1.125%, 12/01/20

     1,621,094  
  1,500,000     

Micron Technology Inc.,
3.000%, 11/15/43

     1,497,187  
  1,500,000     

NXP Semiconductors NV,
1.000%, 12/01/19

     1,713,750  
  1,000,000     

Teradyne Inc.,
1.250%, 12/15/23(a)

     1,061,250  
     

 

 

 
        9,020,687  
     

 

 

 
  

Telecommunications — 1.7%

 

  1,000,000     

Alaska Communications Systems Group Inc.,
6.250%, 05/01/18

     992,500  
  1,000,000     

Dycom Industries Inc.,
0.750%, 09/15/21

     1,096,250  
     

 

 

 
        2,088,750  
     

 

 

 
  

Transportation — 1.3%

 

  1,500,000     

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc.,
2.250%, 06/01/22

     1,526,250  
     

 

 

 
  

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

     65,233,196  
     

 

 

 

Shares

         

Market
Value

 
  

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 5.3%

 

  

Agriculture — 0.8%

  
  10,000     

Bunge Ltd., 4.875%

   $ 1,021,100  
     

 

 

 
  

Business Services — 0.5%

 

    711,039     

Amerivon Holdings LLC, 4.000%

     585,896  
  272,728     

Amerivon Holdings LLC, common equity units,

     16,364  
     

 

 

 
        602,260  
     

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 3.0%

 

  1,000     

Bank of America Corp., 7.250%

     1,166,800  
  1,250     

Huntington Bancshares, Inc., 8.500%

     1,812,500  
  500     

Wells Fargo & Co., 7.500%

     595,000  
     

 

 

 
        3,574,300  
     

 

 

 
  

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 1.0%

 

  20,000     

Welltower Inc., 6.500%, Ser. I

     1,203,600  
     

 

 

 
  

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS

     6,401,260  
     

 

 

 
  

MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (c) — 15.7%

 

  

Computer Software and Services — 0.5%

 

  5,000     

MTS Systems Corp.,
8.750%, 07/01/19

     639,400  
     

 

 

 
  

Diversified Industrial — 0.8%

 

  20,100     

Rexnord Corp.,
5.750%, 11/15/19

     984,900  
     

 

 

 
  

Energy and Utilities — 4.3%

 

  15,000     

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.,
7.500%, 06/07/18

     620,250  
  20,000     

Dominion Resources Inc.,
6.375%, 07/01/17

     1,001,200  
  10,000     

Dominion Resources, Inc.,
6.750%, 08/15/19

     506,000  
  8,600     

DTE Energy Co.,
6.500%, 10/01/19

     455,800  
  16,666     

Hess Corp.,
8.000%, 02/01/19

     1,227,618  
  25,000     

NextEra Energy Inc.,
6.371%, 09/01/18

     1,431,250  
     

 

 

 
          5,242,118  
     

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 3.3%

 

  25,000     

Alibaba - Mandatory Exchange Trust,
5.750%, 06/03/19 (a)

     2,734,375  
  24,000     

New York Community Capital Trust V,
6.000%, 11/01/51

     1,201,680  
     

 

 

 
        3,936,055  
     

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

3


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  

MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES (c) (Continued)

 

  

Food and Beverage — 0.8%

 
  15,000     

Tyson Foods Inc.,
4.750%, 07/15/17

  $ 1,014,750  
    

 

 

 
  

Health Care — 4.0%

 
  1,550     

Allergan plc,
5.500%, 03/01/18

    1,181,813  
  30,000     

Anthem Inc.,
5.250%, 05/01/18

    1,408,500  
  15,000     

Stericycle Inc.,
5.250%, 09/15/18

    949,050  
  1,900     

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.,
7.000%, 12/15/18

    1,225,500  
    

 

 

 
       4,764,863  
    

 

 

 
  

Telecommunications — 1.2%

 
  20,000     

Frontier Communications Corp.,
11.250%, 06/29/18

    1,421,600  
    

 

 

 
  

Wireless Communications — 0.8%

 
  10,000     

T-Mobile US Inc.,
5.500%, 12/15/17

    944,400  
    

 

 

 
  

TOTAL MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

    18,948,086  
    

 

 

 
  

COMMON STOCKS — 24.8%

 
  

Automotive — 0.1%

 
  6,539     

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV†

    59,631  
    

 

 

 
  

Business Services — 1.1%

 
  2,500     

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

    571,250  
  20,000     

PayPal Holdings Inc.†

    789,400  
    

 

 

 
       1,360,650  
    

 

 

 
  

Computer Software and
Services — 0.7%

 
  14,300     

Microsoft Corp.

    888,602  
    

 

 

 
  

Consumer Products — 1.7%

 
  23,352     

Newell Brands Inc.

    1,042,667  
  24,000     

Unilever NV

    985,440  
    

 

 

 
       2,028,107  
    

 

 

 
  

Diversified Industrial — 0.9%

 
  34,356     

General Electric Co.

    1,085,650  
    

 

 

 
  

Energy and Utilities — 1.0%

 
  7,000     

Chevron Corp.

    823,900  
  8,500     

ConocoPhillips

    426,190  
  92     

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.†

    1,149  
    

 

 

 
         1,251,239  
    

 

 

 

Shares

        

Market

Value

 
  

Entertainment — 0.7%

 
  7,500     

The Walt Disney Co.

  $ 781,650  
    

 

 

 
  

Financial Services — 2.7%

 
  132,068     

BlackRock Capital Investment Corp.

    919,193  
  9,546     

Citigroup Inc.

    567,319  
  16,434     

Synchrony Financial

    596,061  
  22,200     

Wells Fargo & Co.

    1,223,442  
    

 

 

 
       3,306,015  
    

 

 

 
  

Food and Beverage — 1.7%

 
  20,000     

B&G Foods Inc.

    876,000  
  30,000     

Conagra Brands Inc.

    1,186,500  
    

 

 

 
       2,062,500  
    

 

 

 
  

Health Care — 4.5%

 
  15,000     

AbbVie Inc.

    939,300  
  15,000     

Eli Lilly & Co.

    1,103,250  
  10,000     

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    716,100  
  22,651     

Merck & Co. Inc.

    1,333,464  
  40,000     

Pfizer Inc.

    1,299,200  
    

 

 

 
       5,391,314  
    

 

 

 
  

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 5.3%

 
  15,000     

American Tower Corp.

    1,585,200  
  16,100     

Crown Castle International Corp.

    1,396,997  
  7,000     

Equinix Inc.

    2,501,870  
  58,700     

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

    857,020  
    

 

 

 
       6,341,087  
    

 

 

 
  

Semiconductors — 1.2%

 
  40,000     

Intel Corp.

    1,450,800  
    

 

 

 
  

Telecommunications — 3.2%

 
  30,000     

AT&T Inc.

    1,275,900  
  15,000     

SBA Communications Corp., Cl. A†

    1,548,900  
  20,000     

Verizon Communications Inc.

    1,067,600  
    

 

 

 
       3,892,400  
    

 

 

 
  

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

    29,899,645  
    

 

 

 
  

WARRANTS — 0.0%

 
  

Energy and Utilities — 0.0%

 
  978     

Goodrich Petroleum Corp., expire 12/10/26†

    0  
    

 

 

 
  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost $109,120,924)

  $ 120,482,187  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

4


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Schedule of Investments (Continued) — December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

 

           

Market

Value

 
  

Aggregate tax cost

   $ 109,175,552  
     

 

 

 
  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 15,059,243  
  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,747,608
     

 

 

 
  

Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

   $ 11,311,635  
     

 

 

 

 

(a)

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, 2016, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $24,778,314 or 20.57% of total investments.

(b)

At December 31, 2016, the Fund held an investment in a restricted and illiquid security amounting to $482,031 or 0.40% of the Fund’s total investments, which was valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees as follows:

Acquisition
Principal
Amount

   

Issuer

  Acquisition
Date
    Acquisition
Cost
    12/31/16
Carrying
Value
Per Bond
 
  $617,000    

JAKKS Pacific Inc., 4.875%, 06/01/20

   
9/21/15 -
9/22/15
 
 
    $675,487       $78.12  

 

(c)

Mandatory Convertible Securities are required to be converted on the dates listed; they generally may be converted prior to these dates at the option of the holder.

Non-income producing security.

 

 

See accompanying notes to schedule of investments.

 

5


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited)

 

As an investment company, the Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that may require the use of management estimates and assumptions in the preparation of its schedule of investments. 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 schedule of investments.

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.

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 American Depositary Receipt 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 Board’s determinations as to the fair value of investments).

 

6


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in the 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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

   

Valuation Inputs

          
   

Level 1
Quoted Prices

     Level 2 Other Significant
Observable Inputs
       Level 3 Significant
Unobservable Inputs
       Total Market Value
at 12/31/16
 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES:

                

ASSETS (Market Value):

                

Convertible Corporate Bonds (a)

         $65,233,196          $0          $65,233,196  

Convertible Preferred Stocks:

                

Business Services

                  602,260          602,260  

Other Industries (a)

  $  5,799,000                          5,799,000  

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks

  5,799,000                 602,260          6,401,260  

Mandatory Convertible Securities:

                

Financial Services

  2,734,375        1,201,680                   3,936,055  

Other Industries (a)

  15,012,031                          15,012,031  

Total Mandatory Convertible Securities

  17,746,406        1,201,680                   18,948,086  

Common Stocks:

                

Energy and Utilities

  1,250,090        1,149                   1,251,239  

Other Industries (a)

  28,648,406                          28,648,406  

Total Common Stocks

  29,898,496        1,149                   29,899,645  

Warrants (a)

                  0          0  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES

  $53,443,902        $66,436,025          $602,260          $120,482,187  

 

(a)

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”) for the industry classifications of these portfolio holdings.

Additional Information to Evaluate Qualitative Information.

General. The Fund uses recognized industry pricing services – approved by the Board and unaffiliated with the Adviser – to value most of its securities, and uses broker quotes provided by market makers of securities not valued by these and other recognized pricing sources. Several different pricing feeds are received to value domestic equity securities, international equity securities, preferred equity securities, and fixed income securities. The data within these feeds is ultimately sourced from major stock exchanges and trading systems where these securities trade. The prices supplied by external sources are checked by obtaining quotations or actual transaction prices from market participants. If a price obtained from the pricing source is deemed unreliable, prices will be sought from another pricing service or from a broker/dealer that trades that security or similar securities.

Fair Valuation. Fair valued securities may be common or preferred equities, warrants, options, rights, or fixed income obligations. Where appropriate, Level 3 securities are those for which market quotations are not available, such as securities not traded for several days, or for which current bids are not available, or which are restricted as to transfer. When fair valuing a security, factors to consider include recent prices of comparable securities that are publicly traded, reliable prices of securities not publicly traded, the use of valuation models, current analyst reports, valuing the income or cash flow of the issuer, or cost if the preceding factors do not apply. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could result in a lower or higher value in Level 3 securities. The circumstances of Level 3 securities are frequently monitored to determine if fair valuation measures continue to apply.

 

7


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

The Adviser reports quarterly to the Board the results of the application of fair valuation policies and procedures. These may include backtesting the prices realized in subsequent trades of these fair valued securities to fair values previously recognized.

Investments in other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest, from time to time, in shares of other investment companies (or entities that would be considered investment companies but are excluded from the definition pursuant to certain exceptions under the 1940 Act) (the “Acquired Funds”) in accordance with the 1940 Act and related rules. Shareholders in the Fund would bear the pro rata portion of the periodic expenses of the Acquired Funds in addition to the Fund’s expenses. At December 31, 2016, the Fund’s pro rata portion of the periodic expenses charged by the Acquired Funds was less than 1 basis point.

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 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 securities of comparable U.S. issuers.

Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are restricted. Restricted securities include securities whose disposition is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of restricted securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. Securities freely saleable among qualified institutional investors under special rules adopted by the SEC may be treated as liquid if they satisfy liquidity standards established by the Board. The continued liquidity of such securities is not as well assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly the Board will monitor their liquidity. For the restricted securities the fund held as of December 31, 2016, refer to the Schedule of Investments.

 

8


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

Notes to Schedule of Investments (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

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.

Tax Information. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

9


Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

Portfolio Management Team Biographies

Thomas H. Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex. From 1996 to 2015, Mr. Dinsmore was Chairman and CEO of Dinsmore Capital Management; CEO and Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd; and CEO, Portfolio Manager, and co-founder of Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. He received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and an M.A. degree in Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Jane D. O’Keeffe joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. She currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex. From 1996 to 2015, Ms. O’Keeffe was President and Director of Dinsmore Capital Management where she was also a Portfolio Manager of Bancroft Fund Ltd. and Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. Prior to joining Dinsmore Capital Management, Ms. O’Keeffe held positions of increasing responsibilities at IDS Progressive Fund, Soros Fund Management Company, Simms Capital Management, and Fiduciary Trust International. She earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire and attended the Lubin Graduate School of Business at Pace University.

James A. Dinsmore, CFA, joined Gabelli Funds, LLC in 2015. He currently serves as a portfolio manager of Gabelli Funds, LLC and manages several funds within the Gabelli/GAMCO Funds Complex. Mr. Dinsmore received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. degree from Rutgers University.

 

 

 

 

We have separated the portfolio managers’ commentary from the financial statements and investment portfolio due to corporate governance regulations stipulated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have done this to ensure that the content of the portfolio managers’ commentary is unrestricted. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com.

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 “Convertible Securities 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 “XECFX.”

 

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 7.5% or more from the net asset value of the shares.


ELLSWORTH GROWTH AND INCOME FUND LTD.

One Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10580-1422

t   800-GABELLI (800-422-3554)

f   914-921-5118

e  info@gabelli.com

   GABELLI.COM

 

 

 

TRUSTEES

   Nicholas W. Platt
   Former Managing Director,
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA    FTI Consulting Inc.
Chairman and   
Chief Executive Officer,    Anthonie C. van Ekris
GAMCO Investors, Inc.    Chairman,
Executive Chairman,    BALMAC International Inc.
Associated Capital Group Inc.   

 

OFFICERS

Kinchen C. Bizzell, CFA    James A. Dinsmore, CFA
Managing Director,    President
CAVU Securities   
   Agnes Mullady
Elizabeth C. Bogan, Ph.D    Treasurer
Senior Lecturer, Economics   
Princeton University    Andrea R. Mango
   Secretary & Vice President
James P. Conn   
Former Managing Director &    Laurissa M. Martire
Chief Investment Officer,    Vice President & Ombudsman
Financial Security Assurance   
Holdings Ltd.    Wayne C. Pinsent, CFA
   Vice President & Ombudsman

James A. Dinsmore, CFA

Portfolio Manager,

Gabelli Funds LLC

  

 

Richard J. Walz

Chief Compliance Officer

 

  

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Frank J. Fahrenkopf   
Former President &    Gabelli Funds, LLC
Chief Executive Officer,   
American Gaming Association   

CUSTODIAN

Daniel D. Harding, CFA    State Street Bank and Trust
Managing General Director,    Company
Global Equity Income Fund   

 

COUNSEL

Michael J. Melarkey    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Of Counsel,    Flom LLP
McDonald Carano Wilson LLP   
  

TRANSFER AGENT AND

Kuni Nakamura   

REGISTRAR

President,   
Advanced Polymer, Inc.    American Stock Transfer and
   Trust Company
      

ECF Q4/2016

  

LOGO

 


Item 2. 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 last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 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)

 

    Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

/s/ James A. Dinsmore

 

     James A. Dinsmore, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

2/24/2017

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/ James A. Dinsmore

 

     James A. Dinsmore, Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

2/24/2017

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

/s/ Agnes Mullady

 

     Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Date

 

2/24/2017

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.