N-CSRS 1 p15061nvcsrs.htm N-CSRS nvcsrs
 
 
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 811-06367
Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc.
(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: September 30
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2009
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 Small Cap Growth Fund
Semi-Annual Report (a)
March 31, 2009
To Our Shareholders,
     The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund’s Class AAA Shares declined 10.81% for the quarter ending March 31, 2009, versus declines of 14.95% for the Russell 2000 Index and 7.68% for the Value Line Composite Index.
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2009 (a)(b)
                                                         
                                                    Since
                                                    Inception
    Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year   (10/22/91)
Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund Class AAA
    (10.81 )%     (33.50 )%     (10.63 )%     (0.73 )%     6.54 %     8.46 %     10.73 %
Russell 2000 Index
    (14.95 )     (37.50 )     (16.80 )     (5.24 )     1.93       4.94       6.45  
Value Line Composite Index
    (7.68 )     (36.76 )     (14.78 )     (4.25 )     3.80       7.38       8.43  
Class A
    (10.81 )     (33.47 )     (10.62 )     (0.73 )     6.54       8.46       10.73  
 
    (15.94 )(c)     (37.29 )(c)     (12.37 )(c)     (1.90 )(c)     5.92 (c)     8.04 (c)     10.36 (c)
Class B
    (10.95 )     (33.97 )     (11.28 )     (1.46 )     6.13       8.18       10.49  
 
    (15.40 )(d)     (37.28 )(d)     (12.18 )(d)     (1.86 )(d)     6.13       8.18       10.49  
Class C
    (10.95 )     (33.95 )     (11.27 )     (1.46 )     6.13       8.18       10.49  
 
    (11.84 )(e)     (34.61 )(e)     (11.27 )     (1.46 )     6.13       8.18       10.49  
Class I
    (10.78 )     (33.32 )     (10.54 )     (0.67 )     6.57       8.48       10.75  
 
                                                       
In the current prospectus, the expense ratios for Class AAA, A, B, C, and I Shares are 1.45%, 1.45%, 2.20%, 2.20%, and 1.20%, respectively. Class AAA and I Shares do not have a sales charge.The maximum sales charge for Class A, B, and C Shares is 5.75%, 5.00%, and 1.00%, respectively.
 
(a)   The Fund’s fiscal year ends September 30.
 
(b)   Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price and reinvestment of distributions and are net of expenses. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. 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. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing.The prospectus contains more information about this and other matters and should be read carefully before investing.
 
    The Class AAA Shares net asset values (“NAVs”) per share are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares on December 31, 2003 and Class I Shares on January 11, 2008. The actual performance for the Class B Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower and Class I Shares would have been higher due to the differences in expenses associated with these classes of shares. Investing in small capitalization securities involves special risks because these securities may trade less frequently and experience more abrupt price movements than large capitalization securities. The Russell 2000 Index of small U.S. companies and the Value Line Composite Index (composed of equally weighted positions in every stock covered in the Value Line Investment Survey) are unmanaged indicators of stock market performance. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(c)   Includes the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.
 
(d)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class B Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter, one year, three year, and five year periods of 5%, 5%, 3%, and 2%, respectively, of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower. Class B Shares are not available for new purchases.
 
(e)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class C Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter and one year periods of 1% of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower.
We have separated the portfolio manager’s 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 manager’s commentary is unrestricted. The financial statements and investment portfolio are mailed separately from the commentary. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com/funds.

 


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)
For the Six Month Period from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 Expense Table
We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.
The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:
Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.
To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case — because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return — the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
                                 
    Beginning   Ending   Annualized   Expenses
    Account Value   Account Value   Expense   Paid During
    10/01/08   03/31/09   Ratio   Period*
 
The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund                
Actual Fund Return
                               
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 696.80       1.50 %   $ 6.35  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 697.70       1.50 %   $ 6.35  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 694.40       2.25 %   $ 9.50  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 694.60       2.25 %   $ 9.51  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 697.70       1.25 %   $ 5.29  
 
                               
Hypothetical 5% Return
                               
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,017.45       1.50 %   $ 7.54  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,017.45       1.50 %   $ 7.54  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,013.71       2.25 %   $ 11.30  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,013.71       2.25 %   $ 11.30  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,018.70       1.25 %   $ 6.29  
 
*   Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365.

2


 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total net assets as of March 31, 2009:
The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
         
U.S. Government Obligations
    14.9 %
Equipment and Supplies
    10.4 %
Food and Beverage
    7.6 %
Health Care
    7.6 %
Diversified Industrial
    6.7 %
Energy and Utilities
    6.3 %
Financial Services
    5.1 %
Automotive: Parts and Accessories
    4.3 %
Business Services
    4.2 %
Retail
    3.7 %
Specialty Chemicals
    3.5 %
Aviation: Parts and Services
    2.5 %
Consumer Products
    2.2 %
Hotels and Gaming
    2.0 %
Electronics
    2.0 %
Telecommunications
    1.7 %
Cable
    1.6 %
Entertainment
    1.5 %
Communications Equipment
    1.2 %
Wireless Communications
    1.2 %
Consumer Services
    1.1 %
Real Estate
    1.0 %
Computer Software and Services
    0.9 %
Machinery
    0.8 %
Educational Services
    0.8 %
Environmental Services
    0.8 %
Publishing
    0.7 %
Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicles
    0.7 %
Metals and Mining
    0.7 %
Transportation
    0.6 %
Aerospace
    0.6 %
Broadcasting
    0.4 %
Closed-End Funds
    0.3 %
Automotive
    0.2 %
Home Furnishings
    0.1 %
Futures Contracts — Long Position
    0.1 %
Paper and Forest Products
    0.1 %
Building and Construction
    0.1 %
Mutual Funds
    0.0 %
Agriculture
    0.0 %
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)
    (0.2 )%
 
       
 
    100.0 %
 
       
The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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 December 31, 2008. 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 12 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; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

3


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 85.2%
               
       
Aerospace — 0.6%
               
  228,000    
Herley Industries Inc.†
  $ 3,494,497     $ 2,726,880  
  4,000    
Innovative Solutions & Support Inc.
    51,817       16,920  
  70,000    
Rockwell Automation Inc.
    1,715,672       1,528,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,261,986       4,272,600  
       
 
           
       
Agriculture — 0.0%
               
  1,500    
Cadiz Inc.†
    9,904       11,970  
  3,500    
The Mosaic Co.
    74,541       146,930  
       
 
           
       
 
    84,445       158,900  
       
 
           
       
Automotive — 0.2%
               
  50,000    
Navistar International Corp.†
    1,171,612       1,673,000  
  35,000    
Oshkosh Corp.
    455,998       235,900  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,627,610       1,908,900  
       
 
           
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 4.3%
               
  3,816    
ATC Technology Corp.†
    47,013       42,739  
  1,000    
BERU AG
    106,336       101,638  
  150,000    
BorgWarner Inc.
    1,609,839       3,045,000  
  72,022    
China Automotive Systems Inc.†
    350,864       252,797  
  270,000    
Dana Holding Corp.†
    807,449       124,200  
  240,900    
Earl Scheib Inc.† (a)
    1,475,236       457,710  
  150,000    
Lear Corp.†
    768,807       112,500  
  300,000    
Midas Inc.†
    4,424,864       2,376,000  
  300,000    
Modine Manufacturing Co.
    5,400,565       750,000  
  11,000    
Monro Muffler Brake Inc.
    49,307       300,630  
  570,000    
O’Reilly Automotive Inc.†
    15,393,341       19,955,700  
  225,000    
Proliance International Inc.†
    763,514       38,250  
  10,000    
Puradyn Filter Technologies Inc.†
    5,190       2,700  
  130,000    
SORL Auto Parts Inc.†
    721,639       234,000  
  80,375    
Spartan Motors Inc.
    388,580       323,108  
  330,000    
Standard Motor Products Inc.
    3,720,734       907,500  
  72,700    
Strattec Security Corp.
    1,948,207       606,318  
  105,000    
Superior Industries International Inc.
    1,656,698       1,244,250  
  360,000    
Tenneco Inc.†
    3,357,500       586,800  
  330,000    
The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack
    3,950,049       1,455,300  
  27,000    
Thor Industries Inc.
    250,194       421,740  
  46,000    
Wonder Auto Technology Inc.†
    299,248       164,680  
       
 
           
       
 
    47,495,174       33,503,560  
       
 
           
       
Aviation: Parts and Services — 2.5%
               
  25,000    
AAR Corp.†
    302,990       313,500  
  10,000    
Astronics Corp.†
    39,192       110,000  
  2,500    
Astronics Corp., Cl. B†
    9,798       25,625  
  14,000    
Barnes Group Inc.
    119,438       149,660  
  205,000    
Curtiss-Wright Corp.
    4,656,749       5,750,250  
  7,500    
Ducommun Inc.
    80,125       109,050  
  30,000    
Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA, ADR
    508,773       398,100  
  22,000    
Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA
    134,728       282,355  
  380,000    
GenCorp Inc.†
    3,338,553       805,600  
  645,300    
Kaman Corp.
    9,574,155       8,092,062  
  90,000    
Moog Inc., Cl. A†
    732,784       2,058,300  
  10,000    
Moog Inc., Cl. B†
    299,510       235,000  
  500,000    
The Fairchild Corp., Cl. A†
    1,361,101       5,500  
  90,200    
Woodward Governor Co.
    1,169,762       1,008,436  
       
 
           
       
 
    22,327,658       19,343,438  
       
 
           
       
Broadcasting — 0.4%
               
  220,800    
Acme Communications Inc.†
    1,025,319       55,200  
  104,000    
Beasley Broadcast Group Inc., Cl. A
    718,113       219,440  
  2,000    
Cogeco Inc.
    39,014       38,150  
  295,000    
Crown Media Holdings Inc., Cl. A†
    1,848,397       601,800  
  3,333    
CTN Media Group Inc.† (b)
    16,800       3  
  2,000    
Global Traffic Network Inc.†
    11,904       6,060  
  2,433    
Granite Broadcasting Corp.†
    822,771       243  
  440,000    
Gray Television Inc.
    3,280,619       140,800  
  36,000    
Gray Television Inc., Cl. A
    325,683       25,200  
  48,000    
Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.
    425,523       199,680  
  120,000    
Ideation Acquisition Corp.†
    953,800       904,800  
  250    
Liberty Media Corp. - Capital, Cl. A†
    2,516       1,745  
  10,000    
Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc., Cl. A†
    33,219       6,800  
  510,341    
Salem Communications Corp., Cl. A†
    2,326,408       285,791  
  230,000    
Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., Cl. A
    2,274,917       236,900  
  200,000    
Sirius XM Radio Inc.†
    366,189       70,000  
  20,000    
Spanish Broadcasting System Inc., Cl. A†
    179,117       3,000  
  350,000    
Young Broadcasting Inc., Cl. A†
    462,493       3,500  
       
 
           
       
 
    15,112,802       2,799,112  
       
 
           
       
Building and Construction — 0.1%
               
  25,000    
Huttig Building Products Inc.†
    90,165       9,500  
  25,000    
Insituform Technologies Inc., Cl. A†
    464,646       391,000  
  1,000    
Universal Forest Products Inc.
    12,125       26,610  
       
 
           
       
 
    566,936       427,110  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 4.2%
               
  30,000    
ACCO Brands Corp.†
    319,907       29,400  
  420,000    
AMICAS Inc.†
    1,376,405       852,600  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
Shares/                 Market  
Units         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Business Services (Continued)
               
  91,300    
Ascent Media Corp., Cl. A†
  $ 2,254,833     $ 2,282,500  
  6,000    
BB Holdings Ltd.†
    23,159       11,550  
  445,000    
BPW Acquisition Corp.†
    4,399,929       4,165,200  
  5,000    
BrandPartners Group Inc.†
    4,850       100  
  130,000    
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., Cl. A†
    1,084,174       477,100  
  4,500    
Cockleshell Ltd.†
    0       3,390  
  2,200    
comScore Inc.†
    36,300       26,598  
  300,000    
Diebold Inc.
    10,796,891       6,405,000  
  440,000    
Edgewater Technology Inc.†
    2,381,405       1,232,000  
  330,000    
Furmanite Corp.†
    1,270,979       1,026,300  
  119,931    
GP Strategies Corp.†
    992,735       426,954  
  35,589    
GSE Systems Inc.†
    138,667       211,755  
  500    
GSI Commerce Inc.†
    8,649       6,550  
  2,400    
Impellam Group plc†
    3,303       1,188  
  60,000    
Interactive Data Corp.
    534,171       1,491,600  
  420,000    
Intermec Inc.†
    7,888,065       4,368,000  
  25,000    
Lamar Advertising Co., Cl. A†
    176,135       243,750  
  13,000    
Landauer Inc.
    234,859       658,840  
  4,000    
MDC Partners Inc., Cl. A†
    12,360       13,160  
  190,000    
Nashua Corp.†
    1,787,298       190,000  
  130,000    
R. H. Donnelley Corp.†
    535,785       39,650  
  816    
Shellproof Ltd.†
    806       503  
  600    
Shellshock Ltd.†
    327       430  
  65,000    
Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.
    829,111       554,882  
  12,500    
SP Acquisition Holdings Inc.†
    125,000       118,125  
  17,000    
Stamps.com Inc.†
    93,391       164,900  
  6,000    
StarTek Inc.†
    82,087       18,600  
  20,000    
The Brink’s Co.
    424,864       529,200  
  1,400,000    
The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.†
    10,537,393       5,768,000  
  158,000    
Trans-Lux Corp.† (a)
    1,174,089       34,760  
  33,050    
TransAct Technologies Inc.†
    172,690       85,600  
  48,000    
United Rentals Inc.†
    312,080       202,080  
  145,000    
ValueClick Inc.†
    2,688,233       1,233,950  
       
 
           
       
 
    52,700,930       32,874,215  
       
 
           
       
Cable — 1.6%
               
  230,000    
Adelphia Communications Corp., Cl. A† (b)
    29,650       0  
  230,000    
Adelphia Communications Corp., Cl. A, Escrow† (b)
    0       0  
  230,000    
Adelphia Recovery Trust†
    0       23  
  500,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    121,520       6,470,000  
  9,329    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. A†
    249,972       135,830  
  9,329    
Liberty Global Inc., Cl. C†
    240,169       131,819  
  520,000    
LIN TV Corp., Cl. A†
    4,478,502       582,400  
  33,000    
Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc.†
    271,136       225,060  
  230,000    
The DIRECTV Group Inc.†
    5,723,684       5,241,700  
       
 
           
       
 
    11,114,633       12,786,832  
       
 
           
       
Closed-End Funds — 0.3%
               
  99,702    
The Central Europe and Russia Fund Inc.
    2,860,058       1,524,444  
  36,700    
The European Equity Fund Inc.†
    386,832       161,480  
  54,000    
The New Germany Fund Inc.
    635,491       343,440  
  11,000    
The Spain Fund Inc.
    103,029       44,220  
       
 
           
       
 
    3,985,410       2,073,584  
       
 
           
       
Communications Equipment — 1.2%
               
  160,000    
Communications Systems Inc.
    1,147,120       1,225,600  
  525,000    
Sycamore Networks Inc.†
    1,705,330       1,401,750  
  275,000    
Thomas & Betts Corp.†
    5,127,066       6,880,500  
       
 
           
       
 
    7,979,516       9,507,850  
       
 
           
       
Computer Software and Services — 0.9%
               
  5,000    
Borland Software Corp.†
    35,110       2,300  
  97,500    
FalconStor Software Inc.†
    696,671       233,025  
  68,759    
Global Sources Ltd.†
    856,209       267,472  
  60,000    
Mentor Graphics Corp.†
    800,505       266,400  
  20,187    
MKS Instruments Inc.†
    367,981       296,143  
  200,000    
NCR Corp.†
    2,270,014       1,590,000  
  45,000    
OpenTV Corp., Cl. A†
    235,263       67,950  
  6,000    
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.†
    41,368       9,720  
  800,000    
StorageNetworks Inc., Escrow† (b)
    0       24,000  
  295,000    
Tyler Technologies Inc.†
    1,164,997       4,315,850  
  27,000    
WebMediaBrands Inc.†
    47,786       10,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    6,515,904       7,083,660  
       
 
           
       
Consumer Products — 2.2%
               
  75,000    
1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc., Cl. A†
    701,203       155,250  
  11,750    
Adams Golf Inc.†
    101,176       28,200  
  46,150    
Alberto-Culver Co.
    1,101,811       1,043,452  
  33,500    
Chofu Seisakusho Co. Ltd.
    484,644       622,721  
  30,000    
Church & Dwight Co. Inc.
    303,670       1,566,900  
  400,000    
Coachmen Industries Inc.†
    1,269,146       260,000  
  220,000    
Eastman Kodak Co.
    1,848,124       836,000  
  6,000    
Elizabeth Arden Inc.†
    82,125       34,980  
  140,000    
Escada AG†
    2,684,981       353,409  
  2,000    
Harley-Davidson Inc.
    4,713       26,780  
  275,000    
Hartmarx Corp.†
    953,139       12,100  
  310,000    
Marine Products Corp.
    324,288       1,314,400  
  27,500    
National Presto Industries Inc.
    849,878       1,677,775  
  10,000    
Revlon Inc., Cl. A†
    177,583       24,800  
  250,000    
Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.†
    1,564,882       1,420,000  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Consumer Products (Continued)
               
  750,000    
Schiff Nutrition International Inc.†
  $ 2,148,754     $ 3,375,000  
  3,070    
Steven Madden Ltd.†
    37,266       57,655  
  30,000    
Stewart Enterprises Inc., Cl. A
    197,988       97,200  
  150,000    
Swedish Match AB
    2,969,646       2,171,691  
  87,425    
Syratech Corp.†
    17,426       481  
  16,000    
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Cl. A
    320,814       555,200  
  17,000    
WD-40 Co.
    470,278       410,380  
  68,000    
Wolverine World Wide Inc.
    661,926       1,059,440  
       
 
           
       
 
    19,275,461       17,103,814  
       
 
           
       
Consumer Services — 1.1%
               
  40,000    
Bowlin Travel Centers Inc.†
    39,722       42,000  
  30,000    
Brink’s Home Security Holdings Inc.†
    549,842       678,000  
  2,750    
Collectors Universe Inc.
    8,720       10,698  
  5,000    
eLong Inc., ADR†
    59,917       30,400  
  2,000    
Expedia Inc.†
    19,829       18,160  
  20,000    
IAC/InterActiveCorp.†
    221,743       304,600  
  180,000    
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., Cl. A†
    1,382,828       448,200  
  20,000    
Response USA Inc.† (b)
    16,500       40  
  400,500    
Rollins Inc.
    2,284,661       6,868,575  
  10,000    
TiVo Inc.†
    74,563       70,400  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,658,325       8,471,073  
       
 
           
       
Diversified Industrial — 6.7%
               
  29,000    
Acuity Brands Inc.
    278,896       653,660  
  13,000    
Albany International Corp., Cl. A
    331,436       117,650  
  135,000    
Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.
    1,852,418       1,790,100  
  6,000    
Anixter International Inc.†
    57,120       190,080  
  385,000    
Baldor Electric Co.
    9,739,900       5,578,650  
  14,000    
Brush Engineered Materials Inc.†
    289,973       194,180  
  300,000    
Crane Co.
    5,694,990       5,064,000  
  100,000    
Delta plc
    212,289       155,681  
  3,000    
ESCO Technologies Inc.†
    49,914       116,100  
  18,640    
Foster Wheeler AG†
    36,171       325,641  
  13,000    
Gardner Denver Inc.†
    129,613       282,620  
  160,000    
Greif Inc., Cl. A
    1,763,054       5,326,400  
  40,900    
Greif Inc., Cl. B
    1,439,456       1,335,794  
  745,931    
Griffon Corp.†
    8,805,668       5,594,483  
  140,000    
Hawk Corp., Cl. A†
    2,132,089       1,617,000  
  10,000    
Insteel Industries Inc.
    4,250       69,600  
  320,700    
Katy Industries Inc.†
    813,118       288,630  
  70,000    
Lindsay Corp.
    1,477,728       1,890,000  
  440,000    
Magnetek Inc.†
    1,947,127       792,000  
  32,000    
Matthews International Corp., Cl. A
    748,294       921,920  
  275,000    
Myers Industries Inc.
    2,507,046       1,688,500  
  192,297    
National Patent Development Corp.†
    227,540       230,756  
  379,703    
National Patent Development Corp.† (b)(c)
    949,258       433,946  
  115,000    
Oil-Dri Corp. of America
    1,103,116       1,696,250  
  15,000    
Olin Corp.
    232,292       214,050  
  245,000    
Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.†
    1,485,571       798,700  
  88,000    
Precision Castparts Corp.
    1,768,194       5,271,200  
  32,000    
Roper Industries Inc.
    620,029       1,358,400  
  33,000    
Sonoco Products Co.
    911,856       692,340  
  43,000    
Stamford Industrial Group Inc.†
    156,830       86,000  
  66,000    
Standex International Corp.
    1,323,405       607,200  
  188,006    
Tech/Ops Sevcon Inc.
    1,217,504       253,808  
  370,000    
Textron Inc.
    2,276,853       2,123,800  
  195,000    
Tredegar Corp.
    2,908,161       3,184,350  
  127,000    
WHX Corp.†
    2,133,793       850,900  
       
 
           
       
 
    57,624,952       51,794,389  
       
 
           
       
Educational Services — 0.8%
               
  55,000    
Career Education Corp.†
    1,030,517       1,317,800  
  140,000    
Corinthian Colleges Inc.†
    1,095,854       2,723,000  
  200,000    
Universal Technical Institute Inc.†
    3,527,227       2,400,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,653,598       6,440,800  
       
 
           
       
Electronics — 2.0%
               
  54,000    
Badger Meter Inc.
    1,301,304       1,560,060  
  130,000    
Bel Fuse Inc., Cl. A
    3,802,035       1,615,900  
  610,000    
California Micro Devices Corp.†
    2,628,286       1,482,300  
  380,000    
CTS Corp.
    3,686,287       1,371,800  
  73,000    
Cypress Semiconductor Corp.†
    354,472       494,210  
  50,000    
Greatbatch Inc.†
    951,334       967,500  
  20,000    
IMAX Corp.†
    158,565       86,200  
  370,000    
KEMET Corp.†
    1,583,070       90,650  
  90,000    
Methode Electronics Inc.
    768,649       322,200  
  262,500    
Park Electrochemical Corp.
    6,166,445       4,536,000  
  165,000    
Stoneridge Inc.†
    1,434,628       348,150  
  350,000    
Trident Microsystems Inc.†
    1,469,567       511,000  
  260,000    
Zoran Corp.†
    2,580,598       2,288,000  
  5,200    
Zygo Corp.†
    26,735       23,868  
       
 
           
       
 
    26,911,975       15,697,838  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities — 6.3%
               
  3,000    
AGL Resources Inc.
    51,525       79,590  
  110,000    
Callon Petroleum Co.†
    970,070       119,900  
  15,000    
Central Vermont Public Service Corp.
    273,572       259,500  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Energy and Utilities (Continued)
               
  43,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
  $ 1,679,997     $ 2,016,700  
  12,000    
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.
    236,752       365,760  
  50,000    
CMS Energy Corp.
    273,275       592,000  
  23,000    
Connecticut Water Service Inc.
    464,832       466,440  
  6,000    
Consolidated Water Co. Ltd.
    119,247       65,100  
  150,000    
Covanta Holding Corp.†
    644,530       1,963,500  
  200,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    2,804,771       2,818,000  
  4,000    
Ener1 Inc.†
    24,684       20,680  
  30,000    
Environmental Power Corp.†
    130,012       10,800  
  146,500    
Florida Public Utilities Co.
    1,404,426       1,431,305  
  167,000    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    3,957,333       2,249,490  
  14,500    
Maine & Maritimes Corp.
    533,667       507,500  
  45,000    
Middlesex Water Co.
    773,022       648,000  
  10,000    
Nicor Inc.
    221,003       332,300  
  33,000    
Oceaneering International Inc.†
    1,043,012       1,216,710  
  152,000    
Pennichuck Corp.
    3,510,285       3,108,400  
  2,000    
PetroQuest Energy Inc.†
    5,250       4,800  
  1,025,000    
PNM Resources Inc.
    11,415,563       8,466,500  
  90,000    
Rowan Companies Inc.
    1,939,375       1,077,300  
  1,065,000    
RPC Inc.
    1,882,457       7,060,950  
  85,000    
SJW Corp.
    1,385,457       2,161,550  
  300,000    
Southern Union Co.
    5,117,716       4,566,000  
  140,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    2,817,495       2,949,800  
  45,000    
Tesoro Corp.
    455,817       606,150  
  4,000    
Toreador Resources Corp.†
    15,250       10,040  
  25,000    
Union Drilling Inc.†
    198,390       95,000  
  10,000    
Vestas Wind Systems A/S†
    89,988       438,788  
  200,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    3,538,764       3,506,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    47,977,537       49,214,553  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 1.5%
               
  175,000    
Aruze Corp.†
    3,355,387       857,453  
  82,000    
Carmike Cinemas Inc.
    687,816       212,380  
  6,048    
Chestnut Hill Ventures† (b)
    164,590       203,681  
  52,000    
Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. A†
    826,160       833,040  
  35,000    
Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. C†
    508,241       512,750  
  245,900    
Dover Motorsports Inc.
    1,218,751       454,915  
  140,000    
Fisher Communications Inc.
    6,789,339       1,366,400  
  16,000    
International Speedway Corp., Cl. A
    515,479       352,960  
  2,500    
International Speedway Corp., Cl. B
    45,000       53,125  
  1,000    
Liberty Media Corp. - Entertainment, Cl. A†
    13,208       19,950  
  180,000    
Macrovision Solutions Corp.†
    2,773,784       3,202,200  
  20,000    
Six Flags Inc.†
    100,600       5,400  
  325,000    
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
    6,434,568       2,713,750  
  100,000    
Triple Crown Media Inc.†
    327,865       1,500  
  60,000    
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., Cl. A
    681,642       692,400  
  97,057    
WPT Enterprises Inc.†
    230,331       55,322  
       
 
           
       
 
    24,672,761       11,537,226  
       
 
           
       
Environmental Services — 0.8%
               
  5,000    
Renegy Holdings Inc.†
    16,929       7,500  
  360,000    
Republic Services Inc.
    4,605,576       6,174,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,622,505       6,181,500  
       
 
           
       
Equipment and Supplies — 10.4%
               
  15,000    
A.O. Smith Corp., Cl. A
    336,569       382,500  
  247,000    
AMETEK Inc.
    990,231       7,723,690  
  470,000    
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc., Cl. A†
    1,452,701       446,500  
  26,000    
Belden Inc.
    297,690       325,260  
  7,000    
C&D Technologies Inc.†
    58,645       12,950  
  50,000    
Capstone Turbine Corp.†
    103,400       36,000  
  280,000    
CIRCOR International Inc.
    5,997,409       6,305,600  
  360,000    
CLARCOR Inc.
    2,220,613       9,068,400  
  250,000    
Core Molding Technologies Inc.†
    447,721       350,000  
  170,000    
Crown Holdings Inc.†
    687,034       3,864,100  
  2,000    
Danaher Corp.
    34,106       108,440  
  85,000    
Donaldson Co. Inc.
    1,410,444       2,281,400  
  90,000    
Entegris Inc.†
    708,040       77,400  
  40,000    
Fedders Corp.† (b)
    10,068       0  
  191,000    
Flowserve Corp.
    6,063,564       10,718,920  
  160,000    
Franklin Electric Co. Inc.
    1,496,658       3,540,800  
  180,000    
Gerber Scientific Inc.†
    1,561,807       430,200  
  95,000    
Graco Inc.
    1,144,339       1,621,650  
  1,040,000    
GrafTech International Ltd.†
    12,801,904       6,406,400  
  100,000    
IDEX Corp.
    765,938       2,187,000  
  27,000    
Interpump Group SpA
    106,042       98,469  
  2,000    
Itron Inc.†
    126,154       94,700  
  4,000    
Jarden Corp.†
    11,351       50,680  
  9,500    
K-Tron International Inc.†
    124,799       576,365  
  80,000    
L.S. Starrett Co., Cl. A
    1,259,460       500,000  
  34,000    
Littelfuse Inc.†
    658,694       373,660  
  120,000    
Lufkin Industries Inc.
    1,638,827       4,545,600  
  55,000    
Maezawa Kyuso Industries Co. Ltd.
    359,609       917,917  
  75,000    
Met-Pro Corp.
    618,906       611,250  
  23,000    
Mueller Industries Inc.
    719,453       498,870  
  12,000    
Plantronics Inc.
    275,609       144,840  
  2,000    
Regal-Beloit Corp.
    59,351       61,280  
  120,000    
Robbins & Myers Inc.
    1,646,566       1,820,400  
  121,000    
SL Industries Inc.†
    1,425,363       559,020  
  5,000    
Teleflex Inc.
    76,167       195,450  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Equipment and Supplies (Continued)
               
  300,000    
Tennant Co.
  $ 6,044,139     $ 2,811,000  
  320,000    
The Gorman-Rupp Co.
    6,150,199       6,336,000  
  95,000    
The Greenbrier Cos. Inc.
    1,175,802       347,700  
  90,000    
The Manitowoc Co. Inc.
    617,155       294,300  
  14,000    
The Middleby Corp.†
    348,746       454,020  
  8,000    
Valmont Industries Inc.
    176,298       401,680  
  70,000    
Vicor Corp.
    769,269       342,300  
  7,875    
Watsco Inc., Cl. B
    23,627       272,239  
  153,000    
Watts Water Technologies Inc., Cl. A
    3,377,189       2,992,680  
  50,000    
Wolverine Tube Inc.†
    50,263       4,500  
       
 
           
       
 
    66,427,919       81,192,130  
       
 
           
       
Financial Services — 5.1%
               
  10,404    
Alleghany Corp.†
    1,791,693       2,817,715  
  25,287    
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.†
    844,293       761,897  
  100,000    
Bank of Florida Corp.†
    1,294,226       376,000  
  133,000    
BKF Capital Group Inc.
    1,138,774       127,680  
  444,000    
CNA Surety Corp.†
    5,206,134       8,187,360  
  22,000    
Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp Inc.
    343,564       374,000  
  1,781    
Deerfield Capital Corp.
    25,290       1,781  
  150,000    
Discover Financial Services
    2,610,856       946,500  
  10,000    
Duff & Phelps Corp., Cl. A†
    158,736       157,500  
  37,000    
Epoch Holding Corp.
    63,098       254,190  
  3,000    
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Cl. C
    24,000       8,040  
  7,070    
Fidelity Southern Corp.
    50,197       17,675  
  200,000    
Flushing Financial Corp.
    3,171,622       1,204,000  
  300,000    
Janus Capital Group Inc.
    1,975,582       1,995,000  
  40,000    
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    1,075,346       1,063,200  
  2,000    
KBW Inc.†
    40,585       40,700  
  60,000    
LaBranche & Co. Inc.†
    557,086       224,400  
  1,000    
LandAmerica Financial Group Inc.
    12,175       65  
  120,000    
Legg Mason Inc.
    2,133,628       1,908,000  
  3,000    
Leucadia National Corp.†
    24,354       44,670  
  75,000    
MVC Capital Inc.
    861,134       630,750  
  260,800    
Nara Bancorp Inc.
    3,199,133       766,752  
  3,000    
NetBank Inc.† (b)
    6,056       15  
  150,000    
NewAlliance Bancshares Inc.
    2,090,474       1,761,000  
  155,000    
Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Cl. A
    933,420       940,850  
  11,000    
PrivateBancorp Inc.
    321,408       159,060  
  24,000    
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida
    205,927       72,720  
  200,000    
Sterling Bancorp
    3,163,359       1,980,000  
  145,000    
SWS Group Inc.
    2,727,216       2,251,850  
  10,000    
T. Rowe Price Group Inc.
    270,786       288,600  
  11,333    
Tree.com Inc.†
    79,922       52,358  
  4,800    
Value Line Inc.
    194,670       131,232  
  450,000    
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A
    9,026,154       8,131,500  
  30,000    
Wells Fargo & Co.
    488,920       427,200  
  137,000    
Wilmington Trust Corp.
    4,051,496       1,327,530  
       
 
           
       
 
    50,161,314       39,431,790  
       
 
           
       
Food and Beverage — 7.6%
               
  40,000    
Boston Beer Co. Inc., Cl. A†
    690,674       834,400  
  30,000    
Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. A
    741,180       1,203,000  
  6,250    
Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B
    174,281       242,688  
  210,000    
Bull-Dog Sauce Co. Ltd.
    575,985       445,522  
  100    
Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA, ADR
    2,455       2,810  
  600,000    
CoolBrands International Inc.†
    448,546       342,640  
  350,000    
Corn Products International Inc.
    7,896,119       7,420,000  
  300,000    
Davide Campari-Milano SpA
    2,942,535       1,905,217  
  150,000    
Dean Foods Co.†
    2,946,405       2,712,000  
  155,000    
Del Monte Foods Co.
    1,477,477       1,129,950  
  85,000    
Denny’s Corp.†
    132,580       141,950  
  1,000    
Diamond Foods Inc.
    20,567       27,930  
  320,000    
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc.†
    6,448,709       5,411,200  
  1,600,000    
Dynasty Fine Wines Group Ltd.
    458,568       268,366  
  100    
Embotelladora Andina SA, Cl. A, ADR
    1,295       1,227  
  25,000    
Farmer Brothers Co.
    389,323       445,000  
  300,000    
Flowers Foods Inc.
    1,755,612       7,044,000  
  500    
Genesee Corp., Cl. A† (b)
    0       0  
  21,500    
Genesee Corp., Cl. B† (b)
    15,393       0  
  660,000    
Grupo Continental SAB de CV
    996,531       1,066,530  
  10,000    
Hain Celestial Group Inc.†
    184,774       142,400  
  145,000    
ITO EN Ltd.
    3,112,114       1,765,166  
  25,000    
ITO EN Ltd., Preference
    531,595       216,952  
  25,000    
J & J Snack Foods Corp.
    577,813       864,750  
  500,000    
Kikkoman Corp.
    4,914,093       4,152,144  
  170,000    
Lifeway Foods Inc.†
    1,680,429       1,360,000  
  20,000    
Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd. (b)
    87,470       69,910  
  70,000    
MGP Ingredients Inc.†
    331,262       51,800  
  190,000    
Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.
    747,376       566,247  
  80,000    
Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.
    2,778,862       2,343,789  
  4,000    
Omni Nutraceuticals Inc.† (b)
    13,563       2  
  140,000    
PepsiAmericas Inc.
    3,072,267       2,415,000  
  50,000    
Ralcorp Holdings Inc.†
    892,806       2,694,000  
  145,000    
Rock Field Co. Ltd.
    2,331,629       1,751,983  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

8


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Food and Beverage (Continued)
               
  70,200    
Smart Balance Inc.†
  $ 628,921     $ 424,008  
  66,000    
The J.M. Smucker Co.
    1,599,230       2,459,820  
  217,000    
Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.
    4,850,104       4,713,240  
  4,000    
Vina Concha Y Toro SA, ADR
    118,504       132,800  
  1,000    
Willamette Valley Vineyards Inc.†
    3,994       2,365  
  115,000    
YAKULT HONSHA Co. Ltd.
    2,946,470       2,037,784  
       
 
           
       
 
    59,517,511       58,808,590  
       
 
           
       
Health Care — 7.6%
               
  80,000    
Align Technology Inc.†
    647,997       634,400  
  100,000    
Allergan Inc.
    1,964,408       4,776,000  
  160,000    
AngioDynamics Inc.†
    2,625,338       1,798,400  
  7,000    
Anika Therapeutics Inc.†
    70,876       31,990  
  325,000    
Animal Health International Inc.†
    2,903,022       406,250  
  110,000    
ArthroCare Corp.†
    2,297,520       539,000  
  7,500    
Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Cl. A†
    296,935       494,250  
  60,000    
BioLase Technology Inc.†
    107,545       53,700  
  20,000    
Bruker Corp.†
    174,056       123,200  
  130,000    
Cepheid Inc.†
    1,491,838       897,000  
  155,000    
Chemed Corp.
    3,340,846       6,029,500  
  70,000    
CONMED Corp.†
    1,833,347       1,008,700  
  210,000    
Crucell NV, ADR†
    4,049,385       4,139,100  
  275,000    
Cutera Inc.†
    4,290,308       1,757,250  
  120,000    
Del Global Technologies Corp.†
    350,477       63,600  
  108,000    
DexCom Inc.†
    1,198,612       447,120  
  8,000    
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.†
    275,132       485,040  
  71,000    
Exactech Inc.†
    1,057,940       815,790  
  42,000    
Henry Schein Inc.†
    739,631       1,680,420  
  50,000    
Heska Corp.†
    53,676       12,005  
  130,000    
ICU Medical Inc.†
    3,494,711       4,175,600  
  30,000    
IMS Health Inc.
    628,060       374,100  
  2,000    
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.†
    43,600       49,460  
  4,000    
Invacare Corp.
    92,551       64,120  
  30,000    
Inverness Medical Innovations Inc.†
    554,733       798,900  
  10,000    
K-V Pharmaceutical Co., Cl. A†
    286,714       16,500  
  20,000    
Kinetic Concepts Inc.†
    489,560       422,400  
  45,000    
Life Technologies Corp.†
    1,153,989       1,461,600  
  100,000    
Matrixx Initiatives Inc.†
    1,652,693       1,640,000  
  77,000    
Micrus Endovascular Corp.†
    1,128,301       459,690  
  40,000    
MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.†
    972,736       1,139,200  
  18,000    
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals†
    117,875       66,600  
  10,000    
NeuroMetrix Inc.†
    67,433       15,400  
  4,000    
Nobel Biocare Holding AG
    61,643       68,242  
  220,000    
Odyssey HealthCare Inc.†
    2,407,381       2,134,000  
  72,000    
Opko Health Inc.†
    209,334       70,560  
  150,000    
Orthofix International NV†
    3,804,744       2,778,000  
  2,000    
OrthoLogic Corp.†
    6,750       1,100  
  30,000    
Owens & Minor Inc.
    606,216       993,900  
  230,000    
Pain Therapeutics Inc.†
    2,068,215       966,000  
  270,000    
Palomar Medical Technologies Inc.†
    4,679,077       1,960,200  
  155,000    
Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co.†
    1,224,222       254,200  
  30,000    
PSS World Medical Inc.†
    367,273       430,500  
  1,779    
Qiagen NV†
    7,992       28,393  
  213,000    
Quidel Corp.†
    1,838,819       1,963,860  
  120,000    
RTI Biologics Inc.†
    1,178,032       342,000  
  2,000    
Sirona Dental Systems Inc.†
    27,620       28,640  
  145,000    
Sonic Innovations Inc.†
    651,988       155,150  
  1,735,000    
Sorin SpA†
    4,824,018       1,176,767  
  1,100,000    
SSL International plc
    8,745,703       7,086,695  
  2,300    
Straumann Holding AG
    206,988       356,426  
  4,000    
Stryker Corp.
    156,026       136,160  
  31,000    
United-Guardian Inc.
    284,526       217,000  
  80,000    
Vascular Solutions Inc.†
    619,673       489,600  
  1,000    
Wright Medical Group Inc.†
    16,460       13,030  
  10,000    
Young Innovations Inc.
    237,253       155,000  
  20,000    
Zymogenetics Inc.†
    192,516       79,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    74,874,314       58,761,508  
       
 
           
       
Home Furnishings — 0.1%
               
  12,000    
Bassett Furniture Industries Inc.
    192,256       23,280  
  37,000    
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.†
    886,545       915,750  
  15,000    
La-Z-Boy Inc.
    126,571       18,750  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,205,372       957,780  
       
 
           
       
Hotels and Gaming — 2.0%
               
  150,000    
Boyd Gaming Corp.
    849,669       559,500  
  78,000    
Canterbury Park Holding Corp.
    870,958       518,700  
  90,000    
Churchill Downs Inc.
    3,024,383       2,705,400  
  100,000    
Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc.
    666,063       307,000  
  231,800    
Gaylord Entertainment Co.†
    5,553,911       1,930,894  
  42,000    
Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc., ADR†
    891,273       414,540  
  8,000    
Interval Leisure Group Inc.†
    70,769       42,400  
  140,000    
Lakes Entertainment Inc.†
    717,933       287,000  
  225,000    
Las Vegas Sands Corp.†
    2,906,215       677,250  
  300,000    
Mandarin Oriental International Ltd.
    272,300       238,500  
  162,000    
Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Cl. A
    3,115,779       664,200  
  120,000    
Penn National Gaming Inc.†
    1,549,468       2,898,000  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

9


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
Shares/                 Market  
Units         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Hotels and Gaming (Continued)
               
  300,000    
Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.†
  $ 2,362,495     $ 2,112,000  
  142,000    
Sonesta International Hotels Corp., Cl. A
    3,343,151       1,065,000  
  900,000    
The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd.
    648,495       566,666  
  45,000    
The Marcus Corp.
    739,945       382,500  
  25,000    
Wynn Resorts Ltd.†
    312,098       499,250  
  29,000    
Youbet.com Inc.†
    64,391       49,010  
       
 
           
       
 
    27,959,296       15,917,810  
       
 
           
       
Machinery — 0.8%
               
  438,000    
CNH Global NV
    6,058,249       4,546,440  
  2,000    
Nordson Corp.
    75,230       56,860  
  100,000    
Zebra Technologies Corp., Cl. A†
    2,327,131       1,902,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    8,460,610       6,505,300  
       
 
           
        Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicles — 0.7%        
  140,000    
Cavalier Homes Inc.†
    265,829       217,000  
  68,700    
Cavco Industries Inc.†
    1,405,565       1,621,320  
  800,000    
Champion Enterprises Inc.†
    4,869,633       384,000  
  17,000    
Drew Industries Inc.†
    296,303       147,560  
  125,000    
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc.†
    338,768       4,625  
  140,000    
Monaco Coach Corp.
    778,178       21,000  
  20,000    
Nobility Homes Inc.
    347,733       145,000  
  160,000    
Skyline Corp.
    4,932,802       3,041,600  
       
 
           
       
 
    13,234,811       5,582,105  
       
 
           
       
Metals and Mining — 0.7%
               
  52,003    
Barrick Gold Corp.
    1,522,648       1,685,937  
  10,000    
Inmet Mining Corp.
    325,911       247,621  
  22,000    
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.†
    125,570       135,300  
  142,115    
Kinross Gold Corp.
    984,488       2,539,595  
  2,000    
Northwest Pipe Co.†
    55,888       56,940  
  52,100    
Stillwater Mining Co.†
    477,514       192,770  
  40,000    
Uranium Resources Inc.†
    216,153       18,800  
  22,350    
Yamana Gold Inc., New York
    75,630       206,738  
       
 
           
       
 
    3,783,802       5,083,701  
       
 
           
       
Mutual Funds — 0.0%
               
  70,000    
KKR Private Equity Investors LP†
    205,735       205,100  
       
 
           
       
Paper and Forest Products — 0.1%
               
  20,000    
Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.
    459,710       369,200  
  40,000    
Wausau Paper Corp.
    428,382       210,400  
       
 
           
       
 
    888,092       579,600  
       
 
           
       
Publishing — 0.7%
               
  18,000    
AH Belo Corp., Cl. A
    81,389       17,640  
  63,000    
Belo Corp., Cl. A
    162,820       38,430  
  235,000    
Il Sole 24 Ore
    1,225,315       563,560  
  307,237    
Independent News & Media plc
    431,671       44,902  
  12,000    
John Wiley & Sons Inc., Cl. B
    46,500       357,000  
  650,000    
Journal Communications Inc., Cl. A
    4,448,772       487,500  
  90,000    
Journal Register Co.†
    40,813       450  
  80,000    
Lee Enterprises Inc.
    164,313       22,400  
  550,000    
Media General Inc., Cl. A
    3,364,124       1,056,000  
  30,000    
Meredith Corp.
    539,417       499,200  
  260,000    
News Corp., Cl. A
    765,310       1,721,200  
  175,000    
PRIMEDIA Inc.
    959,813       432,250  
  350,000    
The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A
    2,296,238       472,500  
       
 
           
       
 
    14,526,495       5,713,032  
       
 
           
       
Real Estate — 1.0%
               
  15,150    
Capital Properties Inc., Cl. A
    366,997       139,001  
  15,000    
Capital Properties Inc., Cl. B† (b)
    0       137,625  
  177,000    
Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc.
    2,434,508       6,195,000  
  9,100    
Gyrodyne Co. of America Inc.†
    137,387       214,442  
  107,000    
Morguard Corp.
    1,362,690       1,358,717  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,301,582       8,044,785  
       
 
           
       
Retail — 3.7%
               
  144,000    
Aaron Rents Inc., Cl. A
    521,690       3,340,800  
  68,100    
AutoNation Inc.†
    368,381       945,228  
  50,000    
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.
    834,144       293,500  
  24,000    
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
    470,082       639,840  
  620,000    
Coldwater Creek Inc.†
    2,850,030       1,556,200  
  33,000    
Copart Inc.†
    974,940       978,780  
  5,000    
Gander Mountain Co.†
    34,289       14,550  
  8,000    
HSN Inc.†
    61,333       41,120  
  450,000    
Ingles Markets Inc., Cl. A
    7,577,231       6,718,500  
  32,000    
Movado Group Inc.
    468,326       241,280  
  85,000    
Nathan’s Famous Inc.†
    1,131,127       1,062,500  
  30,000    
Pier 1 Imports Inc.†
    202,215       16,800  
  200,000    
Rush Enterprises Inc., Cl. B†
    2,352,018       1,566,000  
  300,000    
The Bon-Ton Stores Inc.
    2,203,438       525,000  
  16,000    
The Cheesecake Factory Inc.†
    133,322       183,200  
  265,000    
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc.†
    3,085,577       1,407,150  
  310,000    
The Steak n Shake Co.†
    3,661,041       2,346,700  
  8,000    
Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc.†
    113,231       29,520  
  70,000    
Tractor Supply Co.†
    2,555,661       2,524,200  
  20,000    
Village Super Market Inc., Cl. A
    442,075       623,400  
  45,000    
Weis Markets Inc.
    1,354,385       1,396,800  
  168,000    
Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc., Cl. A
    1,364,690       845,040  
  150,000    
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.†
    2,236,267       1,434,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    34,995,493       28,730,108  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

10


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
Shares/                 Market  
Units         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Specialty Chemicals — 3.5%
               
  60,000    
A. Schulman Inc.
  $ 1,199,761     $ 813,000  
  19,000    
Airgas Inc.
    121,732       642,390  
  82,000    
Albemarle Corp.
    1,201,827       1,785,140  
  35,000    
Arch Chemicals Inc.
    766,922       663,600  
  74,000    
Ashland Inc.
    1,198,871       764,420  
  800,000    
Chemtura Corp.
    5,445,089       38,000  
  10,000    
Cytec Industries Inc.
    278,296       150,200  
  3,200    
Dionex Corp.†
    96,000       151,200  
  450,000    
Ferro Corp.
    6,551,391       643,500  
  260,000    
H.B. Fuller Co.
    2,584,304       3,380,000  
  130,000    
Hawkins Inc.
    1,892,645       2,005,900  
  950,000    
Huntsman Corp.
    5,191,927       2,973,500  
  110,000    
Material Sciences Corp.†
    962,133       59,400  
  387,300    
Omnova Solutions Inc.†
    1,174,104       673,902  
  60,000    
Penford Corp.
    687,437       217,800  
  10,000    
Quaker Chemical Corp.
    181,138       79,400  
  70,000    
Rockwood Holdings Inc.†
    1,370,334       555,800  
  260,000    
Sensient Technologies Corp.
    5,254,578       6,110,000  
  515,000    
Zep Inc.
    6,898,707       5,268,450  
       
 
           
       
 
    43,057,196       26,975,602  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 1.7%
               
  20,000    
Atlantic Tele-Network Inc.
    79,850       383,600  
  850,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc.†
    2,822,491       1,955,000  
  6,795    
Community Service Communications Inc.†
    0       9,037  
  405    
Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc.
    4,863       4,155  
  60,000    
D&E Communications Inc.
    704,450       322,200  
  50,000    
Frontier Communications Corp.
    674,800       359,000  
  91,000    
HickoryTech Corp.
    793,705       489,580  
  71,000    
New Ulm Telecom Inc.
    829,235       467,180  
  118,000    
Rogers Communications Inc., Cl. B
    569,865       2,693,940  
  63,000    
Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.
    373,895       1,436,400  
  1,000,000    
Sprint Nextel Corp.†
    1,889,976       3,570,000  
  37,584    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    900,747       1,135,037  
  24,000    
Windstream Corp.
    25,072       193,440  
  53,000    
Winstar Communications Inc.† (b)
    133       53  
       
 
           
       
 
    9,669,082       13,018,622  
       
 
           
       
Transportation — 0.6%
               
  200,000    
GATX Corp.
    6,000,172       4,046,000  
  135,000    
Grupo TMM SA, Cl. A, ADR†
    889,274       114,750  
  2,000    
Irish Continental Group plc†
    17,409       36,351  
  72,800    
Providence and Worcester Railroad Co.
    1,163,357       782,600  
       
 
           
       
 
    8,070,212       4,979,701  
       
 
           
       
Wireless Communications — 1.2%
               
  450,000    
Centennial Communications Corp.†
    3,296,295       3,717,000  
  15,000    
Nextwave Wireless Inc.†
    68,915       2,400  
  72,000    
Price Communications Corp., Escrow† (b)
    0       0  
  810,000    
Vimpel-Communications, ADR
    2,246,632       5,297,400  
  17    
Xanadoo Co.†
    4,148       3,417  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,615,990       9,020,217  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    793,124,944       662,688,435  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.0%
               
       
Broadcasting — 0.0%
               
  1,103    
PTV Inc., 10.000% Pfd., Ser. A
    0       143  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 0.0%
               
  24,317    
Interep National Radio Sales Inc., 4.000% Cv.
Pfd., Ser. A† (b)(c)(d)
    2,163,146       0  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    2,163,146       143  
       
 
           
       
 
               
       
RIGHTS — 0.0%
               
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.0%
               
  800,000    
Exide Technologies, expire 05/15/11 Escrow Rights† (b)
    0       0  
       
 
           
       
WARRANTS — 0.0%
               
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.0%
               
  1,213    
Exide Technologies, expire 05/05/11†
    2,247       224  
  4,531    
Federal-Mogul Corp., expire 12/27/14†
    87,687       498  
       
 
           
       
 
    89,934       722  
       
 
           
       
Broadcasting — 0.0%
               
  6,082    
Granite Broadcasting Corp., Ser. A, expire 06/04/12†
    0       61  
  3,430    
Granite Broadcasting Corp., Ser. B, expire 06/04/12†
    0       34  
       
 
           
       
 
    0       95  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 0.0%
               
  445,000    
BPW Acquisition Corp., expire 02/26/14†
    44,444       71,200  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 0.0%
               
  86    
Virgin Media Inc., expire 01/10/11†
    124       3  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    134,502       72,020  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

11


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
Principal                 Market  
Amount         Cost     Value  
       
CORPORATE BONDS — 0.0%
               
       
Computer Software and Services — 0.0%
               
$ 300,000    
Exodus Communications Inc., Sub. Deb., 5.250%, 02/15/10† (b)
  $ 1,185     $ 1,185  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 0.0%
               
  400,000    
Williams Communications Group Inc., Escrow, 10.875%, 10/01/09† (b)
    0       0  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
    1,185       1,185  
       
 
           
       
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 14.9%
               
       
U.S. Treasury Bills — 8.8%
               
  68,704,000    
U.S. Treasury Bills,
0.081% to 0.452%††,
04/02/09 to 10/01/09 (e)
    68,679,400       68,680,760  
       
 
           
       
U.S. Treasury Cash Management Bills — 4.5%
               
  34,659,000    
U.S. Treasury Cash Management Bills,
0.030% to 0.137%††,
04/29/09 to 06/24/09
    34,653,337       34,652,108  
       
 
           
       
U.S. Treasury Notes — 1.6%
               
  12,340,000    
4.500%, 04/30/09
    12,372,607       12,372,607  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
    115,705,344       115,705,475  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.1%
  $ 911,129,121       778,467,258  
       
 
             
 
       
FUTURES CONTRACTS — LONG POSITION — 0.1%
               
       
(Unrealized appreciation)
          $ 585,375  
       
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (0.2)%
            (1,392,130 )
       
 
             
       
NET ASSETS — 100.0%
          $ 777,660,503  
       
 
             
                     
Number of               Unrealized  
Contracts       Expiration Date     Appreciation  
 
  FUTURES CONTRACTS — LONG POSITION — 0.1%                
100
  The Russell 2000                
 
      Mini Index Futures   06/19/09     $ 585,375  
 
                 
 
(a)   Security considered an affiliated holding because the Fund owns at least 5% of its outstanding shares.
 
(b)   Security fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Directors. The procedures may include reviewing available financial information about the company and reviewing valuation of comparable securities and other factors on a regular basis. At March 31, 2009, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $870,460 or 0.11% of net assets.
 
(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 March 31, 2009, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $433,946 or 0.06% of net assets.
 
(d)   Illiquid security.
 
(e)   At March 31, 2009, $2,750,000 of the principal amount was pledged as collateral for futures contracts.
 
  Non-income producing security.
 
††   Represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
 
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

12


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Assets:
       
Investments, at value (cost $908,479,796)
  $ 777,974,788  
Investments in affiliates, at value (cost $2,649,325)
    492,470  
Cash
    1,270  
Receivable for investments sold
    558,770  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    3,302,935  
Dividends and interest receivable
    1,174,116  
Variation margin receivable
    65,750  
Prepaid expenses
    64,352  
 
     
Total Assets
    783,634,451  
 
     
Liabilities:
       
Foreign currency, at value (cost $4,976)
    4,919  
Payable for investments purchased
    3,965,692  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    749,565  
Payable for investment advisory fees
    612,815  
Payable for distribution fees
    156,859  
Payable for accounting fees
    3,750  
Other accrued expenses
    480,348  
 
     
Total Liabilities
    5,973,948  
 
     
Net Assets applicable to 42,510,986 shares outstanding
  $ 777,660,503  
 
     
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Paid-in capital, each class at $0.001 par value
  $ 920,650,201  
Accumulated net investment income
    393,230  
Accumulated distributions in excess of net realized gain on investments, futures contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (11,306,087 )
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
    (132,661,863 )
Net unrealized appreciation on futures contracts
    585,375  
Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations
    (353 )
 
     
Net Assets
  $ 777,660,503  
 
     
Shares of Capital Stock:
       
Class AAA:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share
($691,605,265 ÷ 37,767,955 shares outstanding; 150,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 18.31  
 
     
Class A:
       
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($21,923,222 ÷ 1,196,927 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 18.32  
 
     
Maximum offering price per share
(NAV ÷ .9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)
  $ 19.44  
 
     
Class B:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share
($42,267 ÷ 2,418 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.48 (a)
 
     
Class C:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share
($19,991,706 ÷ 1,143,747 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.48 (a)
 
     
Class I:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share
($44,098,043 ÷ 2,399,939 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 18.37  
 
     
 
(a)   Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Investment income:
       
Dividends (net of foreign taxes of $27,760)
  $ 6,069,513  
Interest
    280,788  
 
     
Total Investment Income
    6,350,301  
 
     
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    3,949,280  
Distribution fees — Class AAA
    908,448  
Distribution fees — Class A
    25,616  
Distribution fees — Class B
    225  
Distribution fees — Class C
    92,440  
Shareholder services fees
    586,162  
Shareholder communications expenses
    139,913  
Custodian fees
    93,499  
Registration expenses
    50,013  
Legal and audit fees
    38,774  
Accounting fees
    22,500  
Directors’ fees
    17,581  
Miscellaneous expenses
    42,819  
 
     
Total Expenses
    5,967,270  
 
     
Less:
       
Advisory fee reduction on unsupervised assets
    (16,376 )
Custodian fee credits
    (1,026 )
 
     
Net Expenses
    5,949,868  
 
     
Net Investment Income
    400,433  
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, and Foreign Currency:
       
Net realized loss on investments
    (9,041,686 )
Capital gain distributions from investment companies
    14,790  
Net realized loss on futures contracts
    (247,605 )
Net realized gain on foreign currency transactions
    8,106  
 
     
Net realized loss on investments, futures contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (9,266,395 )
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments
    (313,190,910 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on futures contracts
    585,375  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on foreign currency translations
    (310 )
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (312,605,845 )
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, and Foreign Currency
    (321,872,240 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
  $ (321,471,807 )
 
     
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

13


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
Operations:
               
Net investment income/(loss)
  $ 400,433     $ (203,598 )
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments, futures contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (9,266,395 )     55,964,780  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (312,605,845 )     (214,885,884 )
 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    (321,471,807 )     (159,124,702 )
 
           
 
               
Distributions to Shareholders:
               
Net realized gain
               
Class AAA
    (50,145,349 )     (46,323,563 )
Class A
    (1,343,253 )     (797,001 )
Class B
    (3,217 )     (5,830 )
Class C
    (1,279,635 )     (551,222 )
Class I
    (447,239 )      
 
           
Total Distributions to Shareholders
    (53,218,693 )     (47,677,616 )
 
           
 
               
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Class AAA
    48,116,654       192,040,034  
Class A
    4,888,101       15,316,709  
Class B
    3,205       (43,504 )
Class C
    5,367,262       16,624,141  
Class I
    45,048,067       3,853,655  
 
           
Net Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions
    103,423,289       227,791,035  
 
           
Redemption Fees
    9,393       6,835  
 
           
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets
    (271,257,818 )     20,995,552  
 
               
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of period
    1,048,918,321       1,027,922,769  
 
           
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $393,230 and $0, respectively)
  $ 777,660,503     $ 1,048,918,321  
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

14


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
                                                                                                         
            Income                                                     Ratios to Average Net Assets/
            from Investment Operations   Distributions                                   Supplemental Data
                    Net                                                        
    Net Asset   Net   Realized and   Total   Net                   Net Asset           Net Assets   Net            
Period   Value,   Investment   Unrealized   from   Realized                   Value,           End of   Investment           Portfolio
Ended   Beginning   Income   Gain (Loss) on   Investment   Gain on   Total   Redemption   End of   Total   Period   Income   Operating   Turnover
September 30   of Period   (Loss)(a)(b)   Investments   Operations   Investments   Distributions   Fees(a)   Period   Return†   (in 000’s)   (Loss)(b)   Expenses   Rate††
Class AAA
                                                                                                       
2009(c)
  $ 28.20     $ 0.01     $ (8.47 )   $ (8.46 )   $ (1.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ 0.00 (d)   $ 18.31       (30.32 )%   $ 691,605       0.11 %(e)     1.50 %(e)     21 %
2008
    34.37       (0.00 )(d)     (4.62 )     (4.62 )     (1.55 )     (1.55 )     0.00 (d)     28.20       (13.98 )     995,613       (0.01 )     1.43       26  
2007
    30.41       (0.01 )     6.42       6.41       (2.45 )     (2.45 )     0.00 (d)     34.37       21.95       1,002,577       (0.04 )     1.42       15  
2006
    29.97       (0.03 )     2.53       2.50       (2.06 )     (2.06 )     0.00 (d)     30.41       8.88       727,521       (0.09 )     1.44       6  
2005
    25.88       (0.01 )     5.25       5.24       (1.15 )     (1.15 )     0.00 (d)     29.97       20.58       732,965       (0.03 )     1.44       6  
2004
    21.48       (0.04 )     4.61       4.57       (0.17 )     (0.17 )           25.88       21.34       620,334       (0.15 )     1.42       10  
Class A
                                                                                                       
2009(c)
  $ 28.18     $ 0.01     $ (8.44 )   $ (8.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ 0.00 (d)   $ 18.32       (30.23 )%   $ 21,923       0.12 %(e)     1.50 %(e)     21 %
2008
    34.37       (0.01 )     (4.63 )     (4.64 )     (1.55 )     (1.55 )     0.00 (d)     28.18       (14.04 )     26,604       (0.02 )     1.43       26  
2007
    30.41       0.06       6.35       6.41       (2.45 )     (2.45 )     0.00 (d)     34.37       21.95       15,485       0.19       1.42       15  
2006
    29.98       (0.02 )     2.51       2.49       (2.06 )     (2.06 )     0.00 (d)     30.41       8.84       2,199       (0.08 )     1.44       6  
2005
    25.89       (0.01 )     5.25       5.24       (1.15 )     (1.15 )     0.00 (d)     29.98       20.57       1,515       (0.03 )     1.48       6  
2004(f)
    24.49       (0.06 )     1.46       1.40                         25.89       5.72       58       (0.32 )(e)     1.42 (e)     10  
Class B
                                                                                                       
2009(c)
  $ 27.10     $ (0.06 )   $ (8.13 )   $ (8.19 )   $ (1.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ 0.00 (d)   $ 17.48       (30.56 )%   $ 43       (0.64) %(e)     2.25 %(e)     21 %
2008
    33.32       (0.23 )     (4.44 )     (4.67 )     (1.55 )     (1.55 )     0.00 (d)     27.10       (14.60 )     61       (0.77 )     2.18       26  
2007
    29.77       (0.26 )     6.26       6.00       (2.45 )     (2.45 )     0.00 (d)     33.32       20.99       126       (0.81 )     2.17       15  
2006
    29.58       (0.25 )     2.50       2.25       (2.06 )     (2.06 )     0.00 (d)     29.77       8.11       113       (0.85 )     2.19       6  
2005
    25.74       (0.22 )     5.21       4.99       (1.15 )     (1.15 )     0.00 (d)     29.58       19.69       138       (0.79 )     2.20       6  
2004(f)
    24.49       (0.19 )     1.44       1.25                         25.74       5.10       55       (1.02 )(e)     2.17 (e)     10  
Class C
                                                                                                       
2009(c)
  $ 27.09     $ (0.06 )   $ (8.12 )   $ (8.18 )   $ (1.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ 0.00 (d)   $ 17.48       (30.54 )%   $ 19,992       (0.62) %(e)     2.25 %(e)     21 %
2008
    33.32       (0.22 )     (4.46 )     (4.68 )     (1.55 )     (1.55 )     0.00 (d)     27.09       (14.63 )     23,062       (0.75 )     2.18       26  
2007
    29.76       (0.22 )     6.23       6.01       (2.45 )     (2.45 )     0.00 (d)     33.32       21.03       9,735       (0.69 )     2.17       15  
2006
    29.58       (0.24 )     2.48       2.24       (2.06 )     (2.06 )     0.00 (d)     29.76       8.08       2,650       (0.83 )     2.19       6  
2005
    25.74       (0.23 )     5.22       4.99       (1.15 )     (1.15 )     0.00 (d)     29.58       19.69       1,499       (0.80 )     2.23       6  
2004(f)
    24.49       (0.20 )     1.45       1.25                         25.74       5.10       24       (1.07 )(e)     2.17 (e)     10  
Class I
                                                                                                       
2009(c)
  $ 28.25     $ 0.04     $ (8.49 )   $ (8.45 )   $ (1.43 )   $ (1.43 )   $ 0.00 (d)   $ 18.37       (30.23 )%   $ 44,098       0.45 %(e)     1.25 %(e)     21 %
2008(g)
    30.06       0.05       (1.86 )     (1.81 )                 0.00 (d)     28.25       (6.02 )     3,578       0.22 (e)     1.18 (e)     26  
 
  Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period and sold at the end of the period including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect applicable sales charges. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
 
††   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 been adopted retroactively, the portfolio turnover rate for the year ended September 30, 2007 would have been 21%. The portfolio turnover rate for the years ended September 2006, 2005, and 2004 would have been as shown.
 
(a)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
 
(b)   Due to capital share activity throughout the period, net investment income per share and the ratio to average net assets are not necessarily correlated among the different classes of shares.
 
(c)   For the six months ended March 31, 2009, unaudited.
 
(d)   Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
 
(e)   Annualized.
 
(f)   From the commencement of offering Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares on December 31, 2003.
 
(g)   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008 through September 30, 2008.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

15


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Organization. The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”), which was organized on July 25, 1991 as a Maryland corporation. The Fund is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and one of three separately managed portfolios (collectively, the “Portfolios”) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund commenced investment operations on October 22, 1991.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 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 Directors (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 60 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 60 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. 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.

16


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described 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).
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 and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2009 is as follows:
                 
            Other Financial  
    Investments in     Instruments  
    Securities     (Unrealized  
    (Market Value)     Appreciation)*  
Valuation Inputs   Assets     Assets  
Level 1 — Quoted Prices
  $ 661,891,379     $ 585,375  
Level 2 — Other Significant Observable Inputs
    116,278,230        
Level 3 — Significant Unobservable Inputs
    297,649        
 
           
Total
  $ 778,467,258     $ 585,375  
 
           
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards, and swaps which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the investment.
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
         
    Investments in  
    Securities  
    (Market Value)  
Balance as of 09/30/08
  $ 194,685  
Accrued discounts/(premiums)
     
Realized gain/(loss)
    (53,129 )
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)†
    86,581  
Net purchases/(sales)
    (400 )
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    69,912  
 
     
Balance as of 03/31/09
  $ 297,649  
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) during the period on Level 3 investments held at 03/31/09†
  $ 2,321  
 
     
 
  Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is included in the related amounts on investments in the Statements of Operations.

17


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”) that is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 is intended to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosure that enables investors to understand how and why an entity uses derivatives, how derivatives are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position. Management is currently evaluating the implications of SFAS 161 on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
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 always receive and maintain securities as collateral whose market value, including accrued interest, is at least equal to 102% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement. 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 March 31, 2009, there were no open repurchase agreements.
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity and contract for difference swap transactions. 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 a swap, a set of future cash flows are 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. There is no assurance that the swap contract counterparties will be able to meet their obligations pursuant to the swap contracts, or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing contractual remedies. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to the swap contracts. The creditworthiness of the swap contract counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize the risk. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns of the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments. In addition, 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. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments.

18


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk in excess of the amount recognized below.
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 paid or received on swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements. At March 31, 2009, there were no open swap agreements.
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, which 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. Open futures contracts at March 31, 2009 are reflected within the Schedule of Investments.
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for 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.
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. At March 31, 2009, there were no open forward foreign exchange contracts.

19


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
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 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 ability 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.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are illiquid. Illiquid securities include securities the disposition of which is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of illiquid 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.
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 which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend.
Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each Fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

20


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.
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.
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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 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. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended September 30, 2008 was as follows:
         
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income (inclusive of short-term capital gains)
  $ 2,004,512  
Net long-term capital gains
    45,673,104  
 
     
Total distributions paid
  $ 47,677,616  
 
     
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.
Under the current tax law, capital losses related to securities and foreign currency realized after October 31 and prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be treated as occurring on the first day of the following year. For the year ended September 30, 2008, the Fund deferred currency losses of $7,204.

21


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related unrealized appreciation/depreciation at March 31, 2009:
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Net Unrealized  
            Unrealized     Unrealized     Appreciation/  
    Cost     Appreciation     Depreciation     (Depreciation)  
Investments
  $ 913,998,729     $ 135,437,952     $ (271,461,893 )   $ (136,023,941 )
Investments in affiliates
    2,649,325             (2,156,855 )     (2,156,855 )
Futures contracts
          585,375             585,375  
 
                       
 
  $ 916,648,054     $ 136,023,327     $ (273,618,748 )   $ (137,595,421 )
 
                       
FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of 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. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. In accordance with FIN 48, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on the federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Management’s determination regarding FIN 48 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, an on-going analysis of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.
The Corporation pays each Director who is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $9,000 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and they are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended and the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director each receive an annual fee of $1,000. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the “Plan”) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor of the Fund. Under the Class AAA, Class A, Class B, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to Gabelli & Company at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, 1.00%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.
5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and proceeds from the sales of securities for the six months ended March 31, 2009, other than short-term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $167,547,757 and $125,285,606, respectively.

22


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Proceeds from the sales of U.S. Government obligations for the six months ended March 31, 2009, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $30,268,883.
6. Transactions with Affiliates. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $412,780 to Gabelli & Company. Additionally, Gabelli & Company informed the Fund that it retained $22,082 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.
The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Fund paid or accrued $22,500 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.
7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at 0.75% above the federal funds rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, there were no borrowings under the line of credit.
8. Capital Stock. The Fund offers five classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares. Class AAA Shares are offered without a sales charge only to investors who acquire them directly from Gabelli & Company, or through selected broker/dealers, or the transfer agent. Class I Shares are offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans without a sales charge. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class B Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) upon redemption within six years of purchase and automatically convert to Class A Shares approximately eight years after the original purchase. The applicable CDSC is equal to a declining percentage of the lesser of the NAV per share at the date of the original purchase or at the date of redemption, based on the length of time held. Class C Shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC for one year after purchase. Class B Shares are available only through exchange of Class B Shares of other funds distributed by Gabelli & Company. Class I Shares were first issued on January 11, 2008.
The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund. The redemption fees during the six months ended March 31, 2009 and the year ended September 30, 2008 amounted to $9,393 and $6,835, respectively.
The redemption fee does not apply to redemptions of shares where (i) the shares were purchased through automatic reinvestment of distributions, (ii) the redemption was initiated by the Fund, (iii) the shares were purchased through programs that collect the redemption fee at the program level and remit them to the Fund, or (iv) the shares were purchased through programs that the Adviser determines to have appropriate anti-short-term trading policies in place or as to which the Adviser has received assurances that look-through redemption fee procedures or effective anti-short-term trading policies and procedures are in place.

23


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:
                                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
    Class AAA     Class AAA  
Shares sold
    7,938,089     $ 157,576,280       11,404,075     $ 352,403,697  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    2,428,206       47,519,946       1,383,508       44,189,239  
Shares redeemed
    (7,902,346 )     (156,979,572 )     (6,655,573 )     (204,552,902 )
 
                       
Net increase
    2,463,949     $ 48,116,654       6,132,010     $ 192,040,034  
 
                       
                                 
    Class A     Class A  
Shares sold
    436,664     $ 8,559,748       653,236     $ 20,020,323  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    64,051       1,253,475       23,669       756,001  
Shares redeemed
    (247,900 )     (4,925,122 )     (183,365 )     (5,459,615 )
 
                       
Net increase
    252,815     $ 4,888,101       493,540     $ 15,316,709  
 
                       
                                 
    Class B     Class B  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    171     $ 3,205       189     $ 5,832  
Shares redeemed
                (1,716 )     (49,336 )
 
                       
Net increase/(decrease)
    171     $ 3,205       (1,527 )   $ (43,504 )
 
                       
                                 
    Class C     Class C  
Shares sold
    358,311     $ 6,590,795       616,058     $ 18,243,833  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    65,897       1,233,605       17,152       529,496  
Shares redeemed
    (131,695 )     (2,457,138 )     (74,196 )     (2,149,188 )
 
                       
Net increase
    292,513     $ 5,367,262       559,014     $ 16,624,141  
 
                       
                                 
    Class I     Class I*  
Shares sold
    2,411,076     $ 47,535,251       142,672     $ 4,323,018  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    9,106       178,658              
Shares redeemed
    (146,902 )     (2,665,842 )     (16,013 )     (469,363 )
 
                       
Net increase
    2,273,280     $ 45,048,067       126,659     $ 3,853,655  
 
                       
 
*   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008.
9. Transactions in Securities of Affiliated Issuers. The 1940 Act defines affiliated issuers as those in which the Fund’s holdings of an issuer represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer. A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the securities of these issuers during the six months ended March 31, 2009 is set forth below.
                                                             
                                Net Change                   Percent
                                in Unrealized           Value at   Owned
    Beginning   Shares/Par   Shares/Par   Ending   Appreciation   Realized   March 31,   of Shares
    Shares/Par   Purchased   Sold   Shares/Par   (Depreciation)   Loss   2009   Outstanding
Earl Scheib Inc.
    240,900               240,900     $ (73,475 )         $ 457,710       6.01 %
Trans-Lux Corp.
    165,000         (7,000 )     158,000       (356,659 )   $ (54,413 )     34,760       7.82  
10. 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 and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

24


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
11. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Adviser entered into an administrative settlement with the SEC to resolve the SEC’s 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 settlement, the SEC found that the Adviser had violated Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had 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, agreed, among other things, to pay the previously reserved total of $16 million (including a $5 million penalty), of which at least $11 million will be distributed to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and the staff of the SEC, and to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal securities laws. The settlement will 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 Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denies the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Adviser and the funds. The Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

25


 

The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the “Independent Board Members”) who are not “interested persons” of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio manager, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio manager, the scope of administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio manager.
Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long-term performance of the Fund against a peer group of small cap core and small cap value funds chosen by Lipper as being comparable. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the top third for the one, three, and five year periods.
Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge. The Independent Board Members also noted that a substantial portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker and that the affiliated broker received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions.
Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale.
Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.
Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the peer group of small cap value and small cap core funds and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s expense ratios were at, and the Fund’s size was above, average within this group. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members did not compare the management fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.
Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services, good ancillary services, and a good performance record. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund were reasonable in light of the Fund’s performance and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

26


 

Gabelli/GAMCO Funds and Your Personal Privacy
Who are we?
The Gabelli/GAMCO Funds are investment companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC or Teton Advisors, Inc., which are affiliated with GAMCO Investors, Inc. GAMCO Investors, Inc. is a publicly held company that has subsidiaries that provide investment advisory or brokerage services for a variety of clients. Teton Advisors, Inc. is a publicly held company that provides investment advisory services to the GAMCO Westwood Funds.
What kind of non-public information do we collect about you if you become a shareholder?
If you apply to open an account directly with us, you will be giving us some non-public information about yourself. The non-public information we collect about you is:
  Information you give us on your application form. This could include your name, address, telephone number, social security number, bank account number, and other information.
 
  Information about your transactions with us, any transactions with our affiliates, and transactions with the entities we hire to provide services to you. This would include information about the shares that you buy or redeem. If we hire someone else to provide services—like a transfer agent—we will also have information about the transactions that you conduct through them.
What information do we disclose and to whom do we disclose it?
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone other than our affiliates, our service providers who need to know such information, and as otherwise permitted by law. If you want to find out what the law permits, you can read the privacy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. They are in volume 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 248. The Commission often posts information about its regulations on its website, www.sec.gov.
What do we do to protect your personal information?
We restrict access to non-public personal information about you to the people who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or the Fund and to ensure that we are complying with the laws governing the securities business. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to keep your personal information confidential.

 


 

Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc.
The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
800-GABELLI
800-422-3554
fax: 914-921-5118
website: www.gabelli.com
e-mail: info@gabelli.com

Net Asset Value per share available daily by calling
800-GABELLI after 6:00 P.M.
Board of Directors
     
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
  Robert J. Morrissey
Chairman and Chief
  Attorney-at-Law
Executive Officer
  Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
   
 
   
Anthony J. Colavita
  Anthony R. Pustorino
Attorney-at-Law
  Certified Public Accountant,
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
  Professor Emeritus
 
  Pace University
 
   
Vincent D. Enright
  Anthonie C. van Ekris
Former Senior Vice President
  Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer
  BALMAC International, Inc.
KeySpan Corp.
   
 
   
John D. Gabelli
  Salvatore J. Zizza
Senior Vice President
  Chairman
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
  Zizza & Co., Ltd.
Officers
     
Bruce N. Alpert
  Agnes Mullady
President and Secretary
  Treasurer
 
   
Peter D. Goldstein
   
Chief Compliance Officer
   
Distributor
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Dividend Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Small Cap Growth Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
(LOGO)
The
Gabelli
Small Cap
Growth
Fund
SEMI ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31, 2009
GAB443Q109SR

 


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Semi-Annual Report (a)
March 31, 2009
To Our Shareholders,
     For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, The Gabelli Equity Income Fund’s Class AAA Shares surrendered 10.47% versus the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index decline of 10.98%, the Nasdaq Composite Index decline of 3.07%, and the Lipper Equity Income Fund Average slide of 12.31%.
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2009 (a)(b)
                                                         
                                                    Since
                                                    Inception
    Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   10 Year   15 Year   (1/2/92)
Gabelli Equity Income Fund Class AAA
    (10.47 )%     (36.56 )%     (10.52 )%     (2.44 )%     2.80 %     7.41 %     7.88 %
S&P 500 Index
    (10.98 )     (38.06 )     (13.05 )     (4.76 )     (3.00 )     5.91       5.92  
Nasdaq Composite Index
    (3.07 )     (32.93 )     (13.23 )     (5.18 )     (4.65 )     4.92       5.71  
Lipper Equity Income Fund Average
    (12.31 )     (37.14 )     (12.08 )     (3.71 )     (0.17 )     5.46       5.96  
Class A
    (10.43 )     (36.52 )     (10.49 )     (2.43 )     2.79       7.40       7.88  
 
    (15.58 )(c)     (40.17 )(c)     (12.24 )(c)     (3.58 )(c)     2.19 (c)     6.98 (c)     7.51 (c)
Class B
    (10.60 )     (37.03 )     (11.17 )     (3.15 )     2.39       7.13       7.63  
 
    (15.07 )(d)     (40.18 )(d)     (12.06 )(d)     (3.54 )(d)     2.39       7.13       7.63  
Class C
    (10.61 )     (37.05 )     (11.19 )     (3.15 )     2.40       7.13       7.64  
 
    (11.50 )(e)     (37.68 )(e)     (11.19 )     (3.15 )     2.40       7.13       7.64  
Class I
    (11.23 )     (36.32 )     (10.38 )     (2.35 )     2.84       7.44       7.91  
In the current prospectus, the expense ratios for Class AAA, A, B, C, and I Shares are 1.43%, 1.43%, 2.18%, 2.18%, and 1.18%, respectively. Class AAA and I Shares do not have a sales charge. The maximum sales charge for Class A, B, and C Shares is 5.75%, 5.00%, and 1.00%, respectively.
 
(a)   The Fund’s fiscal year ends September 30.
 
(b)   Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price and reinvestment of distributions and are net of expenses. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. 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. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus contains more information about this and other matters and should be read carefully before investing.
 
    The Class AAA Shares net asset values (“NAVs”) per share are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares on December 31, 2003 and Class I Shares on January 11, 2008. The actual performance for the Class B Shares and Class C Shares would have been lower and Class I Shares would have been higher due to the differences in expenses associated with these classes of shares.The S&P 500 Index of the largest U.S. companies and the Nasdaq Composite Index (measures all Nasdaq domestic and international common type stocks under an unmanaged market capitalization weighted methodology) are unmanaged indicators of stock market performance, while the Lipper Equity Income Fund Average reflects the average performance of mutual funds classified in this particular category. Dividends are considered reinvested (except for the Nasdaq Composite Index). You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(c)   Performance results include the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.
 
(d)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class B Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter, one year, three year, and five year periods of 5%, 5%, 3%, and 2%, respectively, of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower. Class B Shares are not available for new purchases.
 
(e)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class C Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter and one year periods of 1% of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower.
We have separated the portfolio manager’s 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 manager’s commentary is unrestricted. The financial statements and investment portfolio are mailed separately from the commentary. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com/funds.

 


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)
For the Six Month Period from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 Expense Table
We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.
The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:
Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements.The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.
To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case — because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return — the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
                                 
    Beginning   Ending   Annualized   Expenses
    Account Value   Account Value   Expense   Paid During
    10/01/08   03/31/09   Ratio   Period*
 
The Gabelli Equity Income Fund                        
Actual Fund Return                        
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 708.40       1.53 %   $ 6.52  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 708.70       1.53 %   $ 6.52  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 705.90       2.28 %   $ 9.70  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 705.80       2.28 %   $ 9.70  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 710.20       1.28 %   $ 5.46  
 
Hypothetical 5% Return                        
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,017.30       1.53 %   $ 7.70  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,017.30       1.53 %   $ 7.70  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,013.56       2.28 %   $ 11.45  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,013.56       2.28 %   $ 11.45  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,018.55       1.28 %   $ 6.44  
 
*   Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent period, then divided by 365.

2


 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total net assets as of March 31, 2009:
The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
         
Food and Beverage
    12.5 %
Financial Services
    11.3 %
Health Care
    10.7 %
Energy and Utilities: Oil
    7.7 %
Consumer Products
    7.4 %
Retail
    6.9 %
Telecommunications
    5.6 %
Energy and Utilities: Integrated
    3.8 %
Diversified Industrial
    3.0 %
Aerospace
    2.5 %
Computer Hardware
    2.4 %
Metals and Mining
    2.2 %
Electronics
    1.9 %
Agriculture
    1.9 %
Automotive: Parts and Accessories
    1.9 %
Energy and Utilities: Electric
    1.6 %
Entertainment
    1.6 %
Equipment and Supplies
    1.6 %
Energy and Utilities: Services
    1.6 %
Communications Equipment
    1.5 %
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas
    1.5 %
Specialty Chemicals
    1.5 %
Machinery
    1.4 %
Computer Software and Services
    1.1 %
Cable and Satellite
    0.9 %
Hotels and Gaming
    0.7 %
Business Services
    0.6 %
Environmental Services
    0.5 %
Wireless Communications
    0.4 %
Transportation
    0.3 %
Aviation: Parts and Services
    0.3 %
Automotive
    0.3 %
Publishing
    0.3 %
Broadcasting
    0.2 %
Consumer Services
    0.1 %
Exchange Traded Funds
    0.1 %
Energy and Utilities: Water
    0.1 %
Real Estate
    0.0 %
Building and Construction
    0.0 %
Manufactured Housing
    0.0 %
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)
    0.1 %
 
       
 
    100.0 %
 
       
The Gabelli Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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 December 31, 2008. 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 12 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; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

3


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 98.6%
               
       
Aerospace — 2.5%
               
  168,000    
Boeing Co.
  $ 10,493,775     $ 5,977,440  
  2,000    
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    47,350       138,060  
  3,500    
Northrop Grumman Corp.
    125,556       152,740  
  10,000    
Raytheon Co.
    279,250       389,400  
  360,000    
Rockwell Automation Inc.
    18,544,824       7,862,400  
  2,000    
Rockwell Collins Inc.
    15,843       65,280  
  1,300,000    
Rolls-Royce Group plc†
    9,162,334       5,483,974  
       
 
           
       
 
    38,668,932       20,069,294  
       
 
           
       
Agriculture — 1.9%
               
  100,000    
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
    2,873,352       2,778,000  
  138,000    
Monsanto Co.
    1,827,430       11,467,800  
  12,000    
The Mosaic Co.
    186,246       503,760  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,887,028       14,749,560  
       
 
           
       
Automotive — 0.3%
               
  720,000    
General Motors Corp.
    15,289,384       1,396,800  
  20,000    
Navistar International Corp.†
    583,430       669,200  
       
 
           
       
 
    15,872,814       2,066,000  
       
 
           
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 1.8%
               
  4,000    
ArvinMeritor Inc.
    14,853       3,160  
  3,000    
BERU AG
    319,888       304,915  
  250,000    
Genuine Parts Co.
    8,986,399       7,465,000  
  6,000    
Johnson Controls Inc.
    50,425       72,000  
  60,000    
Modine Manufacturing Co.
    784,520       150,000  
  150,000    
O’Reilly Automotive Inc.†
    4,267,970       5,251,500  
  140,000    
The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack
    1,619,073       617,400  
       
 
           
       
 
    16,043,128       13,863,975  
       
 
           
       
Aviation: Parts and Services — 0.3%
               
  5,000    
Barnes Group Inc.
    47,698       53,450  
  51,192    
Curtiss-Wright Corp.
    514,452       1,435,936  
  35,000    
GenCorp Inc.†
    299,658       74,200  
  21,000    
United Technologies Corp.
    609,942       902,580  
       
 
           
       
 
    1,471,750       2,466,166  
       
 
           
       
Broadcasting — 0.1%
               
  190,000    
CBS Corp., Cl. A, Voting
    4,301,439       744,800  
  45,000    
CBS Corp., Cl. B, Non-Voting
    628,985       172,800  
  132    
Granite Broadcasting Corp.†
    10,795       13  
  5,000    
Societe Television Francaise 1
    100,991       39,200  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,042,210       956,813  
       
 
           
       
Building and Construction — 0.0%
               
  918    
Colas SA
    318,206       182,815  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 0.6%
               
  5,000    
Automatic Data Processing Inc.
    151,707       175,800  
  150,000    
Diebold Inc.
    5,659,698       3,202,500  
  4,000    
Landauer Inc.
    134,546       202,720  
  7,500    
MasterCard Inc., Cl. A
    292,500       1,256,100  
  10,000    
R. H. Donnelley Corp.†
    58,057       3,050  
       
 
           
       
 
    6,296,508       4,840,170  
       
 
           
       
Cable and Satellite — 0.9%
               
  190,000    
Cablevision Systems Corp., Cl. A
    2,919,442       2,458,600  
  110,000    
DISH Network Corp., Cl. A†
    2,509,896       1,222,100  
  16,000    
EchoStar Corp., Cl. A†
    478,840       237,280  
  55,000    
Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., Cl. A
    2,303,601       1,238,050  
  50,000    
The DIRECTV Group Inc.†
    1,130,314       1,139,500  
  25,101    
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    1,092,523       622,505  
       
 
           
       
 
    10,434,616       6,918,035  
       
 
           
       
Communications Equipment — 0.9%
               
  300,000    
Corning Inc.
    4,319,319       3,981,000  
  100,000    
Motorola Inc.
    830,109       423,000  
  120,000    
Thomas & Betts Corp.†
    3,448,817       3,002,400  
       
 
           
       
 
    8,598,245       7,406,400  
       
 
           
       
Computer Hardware — 2.4%
               
  174,500    
International Business Machines Corp.
    14,082,385       16,907,305  
  380,000    
Xerox Corp.
    5,031,864       1,729,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    19,114,249       18,636,305  
       
 
           
       
Computer Software and Services — 1.1%
               
  2,000    
EMC Corp.†
    19,360       22,800  
  115,000    
Metavante Technologies Inc.†
    2,593,203       2,295,400  
  220,000    
Microsoft Corp.
    6,333,405       4,041,400  
  154    
Telecom Italia Media SpA†
    205       16  
  170,000    
Yahoo! Inc.†
    5,202,473       2,177,700  
       
 
           
       
 
    14,148,646       8,537,316  
       
 
           
       
Consumer Products — 7.4%
               
  50,000    
Altria Group Inc.
    643,359       801,000  
  180,000    
Avon Products Inc.
    5,350,496       3,461,400  
  3,800    
British American Tobacco plc
    95,149       87,947  
  15,000    
Clorox Co.
    823,581       772,200  
  5,000    
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    294,807       294,900  
  10,000    
Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA, Cl. A
    268,687       156,198  
  750,000    
Eastman Kodak Co.
    9,637,957       2,850,000  
  63,000    
Energizer Holdings Inc.†
    2,834,133       3,130,470  
  120,000    
Fortune Brands Inc.
    6,208,201       2,946,000  
  5,000    
Hanesbrands Inc.†
    108,950       47,850  
  35,000    
Harman International Industries Inc.
    1,209,221       473,550  
  155,000    
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
    10,295,892       7,147,050  
  7,000    
National Presto Industries Inc.
    206,562       427,070  
  10,000    
Pactiv Corp.†
    161,895       145,900  
  50,000    
Philip Morris International Inc.
    1,501,172       1,779,000  
  100,000    
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
    3,154,703       3,757,856  
  1,300,000    
Swedish Match AB
    17,012,653       18,821,325  
  200,000    
The Procter & Gamble Co.
    11,513,349       9,418,000  
  78,000    
Unilever NV — NY Shares, ADR
    1,542,066       1,528,800  
       
 
           
       
 
    72,862,833       58,046,516  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Consumer Services — 0.1%
               
  67,500    
Rollins Inc.
  $ 386,886     $ 1,157,625  
       
 
           
       
Diversified Industrial — 3.0%
               
  5,000    
3M Co.
    213,645       248,600  
  5,000    
Acuity Brands Inc.
    54,182       112,700  
  3,500    
Alstom SA
    326,542       181,285  
  60,000    
Baldor Electric Co.
    1,932,901       869,400  
  110,000    
Cooper Industries Ltd., Cl. A
    3,148,666       2,844,600  
  100,000    
Crane Co.
    3,582,943       1,688,000  
  550,000    
General Electric Co.
    14,830,312       5,560,500  
  200,000    
Honeywell International Inc.
    5,938,206       5,572,000  
  25,100    
ITT Corp.
    1,246,573       965,597  
  45,300    
National Patent Development Corp.†
    98,301       54,360  
  379,703    
National Patent Development Corp.† (a)(b)
    949,257       433,946  
  100,000    
Textron Inc.
    634,490       574,000  
  6,000    
Trinity Industries Inc.
    82,100       54,840  
  185,650    
Tyco International Ltd.
    7,320,564       3,631,314  
  1,500    
Walter Industries Inc.
    33,844       34,305  
  103,710    
WHX Corp.†
    1,988,580       694,857  
       
 
           
       
 
    42,381,106       23,520,304  
       
 
           
       
Electronics — 1.9%
               
  600,000    
Intel Corp.
    12,298,251       9,030,000  
  340,000    
LSI Corp.†
    3,105,578       1,033,600  
  190,000    
Texas Instruments Inc.
    4,127,219       3,136,900  
  5,000    
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.†
    127,325       178,350  
  130,750    
Tyco Electronics Ltd.
    4,363,702       1,443,480  
       
 
           
       
 
    24,022,075       14,822,330  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Electric — 1.6%
               
  30,000    
American Electric Power Co. Inc.
    932,060       757,800  
  14,000    
DTE Energy Co.
    606,560       387,800  
  85,000    
El Paso Electric Co.†
    670,852       1,197,650  
  80,000    
FPL Group Inc.
    3,608,192       4,058,400  
  99,784    
Great Plains Energy Inc.
    2,475,161       1,344,091  
  60,000    
Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR†
    977,409       549,000  
  56,087    
Mirant Corp.†
    936,815       639,392  
  1,200,000    
Mirant Corp., Escrow† (a)
    0       0  
  150,000    
Northeast Utilities
    3,148,300       3,238,500  
  80,000    
The AES Corp.†
    268,400       464,800  
  13,333    
UIL Holdings Corp.
    293,785       297,593  
       
 
           
       
 
    13,917,534       12,935,026  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Integrated — 3.8%
               
  42,000    
Allegheny Energy Inc.
    404,378       973,140  
  44,000    
BP plc, ADR
    1,030,211       1,764,400  
  46,000    
CH Energy Group Inc.
    1,881,549       2,157,400  
  75,000    
Constellation Energy Group Inc.
    2,283,609       1,549,500  
  52,000    
Dominion Resources Inc.
    2,219,444       1,611,480  
  120,000    
DPL Inc.
    3,161,330       2,704,800  
  200,000    
Duke Energy Corp.
    2,462,844       2,864,000  
  400,000    
El Paso Corp.
    4,614,299       2,500,000  
  29,000    
ENI SpA
    304,221       563,301  
  6,269    
Iberdrola SA, ADR
    312,667       175,845  
  25,000    
Integrys Energy Group Inc.
    1,192,522       651,000  
  80,000    
NSTAR
    1,282,183       2,550,400  
  75,000    
OGE Energy Corp.
    2,043,450       1,786,500  
  100,000    
PNM Resources Inc.
    1,042,460       826,000  
  75,000    
Progress Energy Inc.
    3,196,534       2,719,500  
  15,000    
Progress Energy Inc., CVO† (a)
    7,800       4,950  
  7,200    
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    156,820       212,184  
  38,000    
Suncor Energy Inc., New York
    992,342       843,980  
  21,000    
Suncor Energy Inc., Toronto
    947,001       468,702  
  55,000    
TECO Energy Inc.
    740,886       613,250  
  140,000    
Westar Energy Inc.
    2,333,669       2,454,200  
       
 
           
       
 
    32,610,219       29,994,532  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Natural Gas — 1.5%
               
  17,000    
AGL Resources Inc.
    328,041       451,010  
  38,000    
Atmos Energy Corp.
    969,019       878,560  
  70,000    
National Fuel Gas Co.
    2,559,613       2,146,900  
  70,000    
ONEOK Inc.
    1,559,551       1,584,100  
  24,000    
Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.
    394,017       621,360  
  110,000    
Southern Union Co.
    2,047,400       1,674,200  
  65,000    
Southwest Gas Corp.
    1,365,198       1,369,550  
  200,000    
Spectra Energy Corp.
    4,249,072       2,828,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    13,471,911       11,553,680  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Oil — 7.7%
               
  155,000    
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
    8,110,358       6,027,950  
  38,000    
Canadian Oil Sands Trust
    1,117,252       730,885  
  192,000    
Chevron Corp.
    8,828,069       12,910,080  
  187,000    
ConocoPhillips
    5,471,173       7,322,920  
  20,000    
Denbury Resources Inc.†
    340,653       297,200  
  49,000    
Devon Energy Corp.
    2,021,181       2,189,810  
  149,000    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    4,735,083       10,146,900  
  35,000    
Marathon Oil Corp.
    1,477,598       920,150  
  30,000    
Nexen Inc.
    924,468       508,725  
  2,000    
Niko Resources Ltd.
    114,911       93,084  
  94,000    
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    3,654,851       5,231,100  
  45,000    
OPTI Canada Inc.†
    963,570       35,335  
  12,000    
PetroChina Co. Ltd., ADR
    856,611       956,400  
  130,000    
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR
    5,454,520       3,961,100  
  33,000    
Repsol YPF SA, ADR
    689,095       563,970  
  120,000    
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Cl. A, ADR
    5,536,435       5,316,000  
  25,000    
StatoilHydro ASA, ADR
    327,939       436,000  
  17,518    
Total SA, ADR
    290,564       859,433  
  35,000    
Transocean Ltd.†
    2,742,048       2,059,400  
  200,000    
UTS Energy Corp.†
    1,038,859       269,670  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Oil (Continued)
               
  40,000    
WesternZagros Resources Ltd.†
  $ 147,109     $ 18,401  
       
 
           
       
 
    54,842,347       60,854,513  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Services — 1.6%
               
  30,000    
ABB Ltd., ADR
    351,824       418,200  
  52,000    
Cameron International Corp.†
    746,014       1,140,360  
  38,182    
GDF Suez, Strips
    0       51  
  375,000    
Halliburton Co.
    11,177,922       5,801,250  
  40,000    
Oceaneering International Inc.†
    1,762,700       1,474,800  
  40,000    
Schlumberger Ltd.
    1,275,020       1,624,800  
  175,000    
Weatherford International Ltd.†
    3,803,877       1,937,250  
       
 
           
       
 
    19,117,357       12,396,711  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities: Water — 0.1%
               
  26,000    
Aqua America Inc.
    261,350       520,000  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 1.6%
               
  60,000    
Grupo Televisa SA, ADR
    1,493,782       818,400  
  98,000    
Rank Group plc†
    304,571       103,000  
  2,000    
The Walt Disney Co.
    48,366       36,320  
  100,000    
Time Warner Inc.
    3,316,367       1,930,000  
  270,000    
Viacom Inc., Cl. A†
    11,092,934       5,040,900  
  185,000    
Vivendi
    6,813,381       4,897,399  
       
 
           
       
 
    23,069,401       12,826,019  
       
 
           
       
Environmental Services — 0.5%
               
  145,000    
Waste Management Inc.
    4,749,875       3,712,000  
       
 
           
       
Equipment and Supplies — 1.6%
               
  12,000    
A.O. Smith Corp.
    253,184       302,160  
  11,000    
Danaher Corp.
    791,231       596,420  
  115,000    
Flowserve Corp.
    5,141,384       6,453,800  
  6,000    
Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd., Cl. A
    120,853       82,800  
  1,500    
Minerals Technologies Inc.
    37,938       48,075  
  40,000    
Mueller Industries Inc.
    1,650,585       867,600  
  12,000    
Parker Hannifin Corp.
    459,607       407,760  
  115,000    
Tenaris SA, ADR
    4,820,468       2,319,550  
  970,000    
Tomkins plc
    4,715,456       1,687,556  
       
 
           
       
 
    17,990,706       12,765,721  
       
 
           
       
Exchange Traded Funds — 0.1%
               
  400,000    
ProShares Ultra Financials
    3,639,782       1,044,000  
       
 
           
       
Financial Services — 11.3%
               
  6,324    
Alleghany Corp.†
    1,015,192       1,712,729  
  220,000    
American Express Co.
    9,953,228       2,998,600  
  20,000    
Ameriprise Financial Inc.
    620,397       409,800  
  23,990    
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.†
    741,793       722,819  
  25,000    
Banco Popular Espanol SA
    185,939       158,436  
  2,000    
Banco Santander Chile, ADR
    29,250       68,700  
  168,682    
Banco Santander SA, ADR
    1,264,392       1,163,906  
  545,000    
Bank of America Corp.
    10,524,495       3,716,900  
  11,025    
BNP Paribas
    439,576       455,841  
  950,000    
Citigroup Inc.
    25,869,718       2,403,500  
  50,000    
Commerzbank AG, ADR
    896,273       267,500  
  50,000    
Deutsche Bank AG
    2,453,861       2,032,500  
  100,000    
Discover Financial Services
    1,855,454       631,000  
  200,300    
Federal National Mortgage Association
    192,571       140,210  
  29,290    
Fidelity Southern Corp.
    284,955       73,225  
  40,000    
Freddie Mac
    32,375       30,400  
  190,000    
H&R Block Inc.
    4,287,693       3,456,100  
  30,000    
Huntington Bancshares Inc.
    391,484       49,800  
  93,000    
Janus Capital Group Inc.
    1,618,549       618,450  
  235,199    
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    8,153,900       6,251,589  
  12,000    
KeyCorp
    206,662       94,440  
  360,000    
Legg Mason Inc.
    10,464,955       5,724,000  
  31,000    
Leucadia National Corp.†
    381,995       461,590  
  102,000    
Loews Corp.
    4,869,207       2,254,200  
  110,000    
M&T Bank Corp.
    7,963,804       4,976,400  
  2,000    
Manulife Financial Corp.
    24,694       22,400  
  424,000    
Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.
    12,903,452       8,586,000  
  10,000    
Moody’s Corp.
    171,766       229,200  
  120,000    
Morgan Stanley
    3,927,787       2,732,400  
  6,000    
Northern Trust Corp.
    60,300       358,920  
  40,000    
NYSE Euronext
    804,695       716,000  
  10,000    
Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC, Cl. A
    54,850       60,700  
  45,000    
PNC Financial Services Group Inc.
    1,905,739       1,318,050  
  40,000    
Popular Inc.
    738,913       87,200  
  500    
Raiffeisen International Bank Holding AG
    28,874       14,090  
  958    
Reinet Investments SCA†
    188,972       8,846  
  180,000    
SLM Corp.†
    3,763,656       891,000  
  200,000    
Sterling Bancorp
    3,013,936       1,980,000  
  12,000    
SunTrust Banks Inc.
    251,737       140,880  
  50,000    
T. Rowe Price Group Inc.
    1,388,039       1,443,000  
  80,000    
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.†
    1,479,382       1,104,800  
  2,000    
The Allstate Corp.
    61,340       38,300  
  460,509    
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    13,484,291       13,009,379  
  5,000    
The Charles Schwab Corp.
    77,500       77,500  
  2,000    
The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.
    20,476       154,000  
  10,000    
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
    1,378,248       1,060,200  
  50,000    
The Phoenix Companies Inc.
    650,511       58,500  
  5,000    
The Student Loan Corp.
    324,691       217,200  
  36,000    
The Travelers Companies Inc.
    1,428,424       1,463,040  
  40,000    
Unitrin Inc.
    1,156,156       559,200  
  2,500    
Virtus Investment Partners Inc.†
    22,500       16,275  
  180,000    
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc., Cl. A
    4,042,072       3,252,600  
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Financial Services (Continued)
               
  490,000    
Wells Fargo & Co.
  $ 14,916,449     $ 6,977,600  
  110,000    
Wilmington Trust Corp.
    3,191,330       1,065,900  
       
 
           
       
 
    166,158,498       88,515,815  
       
 
           
       
Food and Beverage — 12.5%
               
  30,000    
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV
    496,266       826,856  
  61,200    
Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. A
    2,777,123       2,454,120  
  13,000    
Brown-Forman Corp., Cl. B
    803,398       504,790  
  150,000    
Cadbury plc, ADR
    5,841,938       4,545,000  
  95,000    
Campbell Soup Co.
    2,800,194       2,599,200  
  40,000    
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd., ADR
    246,845       487,200  
  10,000    
Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV, ADR
    263,508       340,600  
  20,000    
Constellation Brands Inc., Cl. A†
    367,491       238,000  
  16,000    
Corn Products International Inc.
    197,588       339,200  
  300,000    
Dean Foods Co.†
    5,867,852       5,424,000  
  75,000    
Del Monte Foods Co.
    754,461       546,750  
  60,000    
Diageo plc, ADR
    2,617,330       2,685,000  
  120,000    
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc.†
    2,462,770       2,029,200  
  132,000    
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, ADR
    2,840,258       3,327,720  
  120,000    
General Mills Inc.
    5,982,513       5,985,600  
  110,000    
Groupe Danone
    6,016,236       5,357,726  
  880,000    
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Cl. A
    2,786,276       3,292,623  
  100,000    
H.J. Heinz Co.
    3,517,498       3,306,000  
  110,000    
Heineken NV
    4,917,149       3,127,533  
  200,000    
ITO EN Ltd.
    4,311,208       2,434,712  
  30,000    
ITO EN Ltd., Preference
    697,890       260,342  
  3,000    
Kellogg Co.
    92,580       109,890  
  430,000    
Kraft Foods Inc., Cl. A
    13,130,351       9,584,700  
  15,000    
Metro Inc., Cl. A
    422,865       450,904  
  100,000    
Nestlé SA
    2,083,075       3,380,480  
  115,000    
Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.
    3,788,332       3,369,197  
  140,000    
PepsiAmericas Inc.
    3,179,070       2,415,000  
  12,000    
PepsiCo Inc.
    754,328       617,760  
  28,008    
Pernod-Ricard SA
    2,388,124       1,561,954  
  35,000    
Remy Cointreau SA
    2,060,746       830,045  
  50,000    
Sapporo Holdings Ltd.
    510,013       188,412  
  350,000    
The Coca-Cola Co.
    16,011,885       15,382,500  
  75,000    
The Hershey Co.
    3,190,083       2,606,250  
  57,268    
Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.
    1,398,580       1,243,861  
  380,000    
Tyson Foods Inc., Cl. A
    5,785,335       3,568,200  
  7,000    
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC, ADR†
    249,970       222,670  
  135,000    
YAKULT HONSHA Co. Ltd.
    3,659,573       2,392,181  
       
 
           
       
 
    115,270,702       98,036,176  
       
 
           
       
Health Care — 10.7%
               
  15,000    
Abbott Laboratories
    584,062       715,500  
  25,000    
Aetna Inc.
    890,584       608,250  
  114,000    
Baxter International Inc.
    4,305,228       5,839,080  
  100,000    
Becton, Dickinson and Co.
    6,601,932       6,724,000  
  300,000    
Boston Scientific Corp.†
    4,052,888       2,385,000  
  72,000    
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    1,764,132       1,578,240  
  57,000    
Covidien Ltd.
    2,284,331       1,894,680  
  140,000    
Eli Lilly & Co.
    7,861,239       4,677,400  
  11,276    
GlaxoSmithKline plc, ADR
    515,984       350,345  
  22,000    
Henry Schein Inc.†
    566,365       880,220  
  105,000    
Hospira Inc.†
    3,804,994       3,240,300  
  290,000    
Johnson & Johnson
    18,363,252       15,254,000  
  7,000    
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings†
    494,285       409,430  
  5,000    
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., Cl. A†
    120,000       144,350  
  32,000    
Medco Health Solutions Inc.†
    814,565       1,322,880  
  110,000    
Merck & Co. Inc.
    3,523,449       2,942,500  
  5,000    
Nobel Biocare Holding AG
    139,480       85,303  
  140,000    
Novartis AG, ADR
    7,727,317       5,296,200  
  30,000    
Patterson Companies Inc.†
    1,080,112       565,800  
  750,000    
Pfizer Inc.
    18,810,648       10,215,000  
  150,000    
Schering-Plough Corp.
    2,759,763       3,532,500  
  62,000    
St. Jude Medical Inc.†
    2,723,236       2,252,460  
  760,000    
Tenet Healthcare Corp.†
    5,275,489       881,600  
  270,000    
UnitedHealth Group Inc.
    11,810,711       5,651,100  
  18,000    
William Demant Holding A/S†
    880,509       724,000  
  100,000    
Wyeth
    4,029,238       4,304,000  
  40,000    
Zimmer Holdings Inc.†
    2,544,804       1,460,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    114,328,597       83,934,138  
       
 
           
       
Hotels and Gaming — 0.7%
               
  115,000    
International Game Technology
    2,798,679       1,060,300  
  529,411    
Ladbrokes plc
    7,677,932       1,392,008  
  400,000    
Las Vegas Sands Corp.†
    8,012,290       1,204,000  
  340,000    
MGM Mirage†
    16,350,127       792,200  
  60,000    
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
    1,389,038       762,000  
  12,000    
Wynn Resorts Ltd.†
    474,534       239,640  
       
 
           
       
 
    36,702,600       5,450,148  
       
 
           
       
Machinery — 1.4%
               
  6,000    
Caterpillar Inc.
    35,181       167,760  
  320,400    
Deere & Co.
    15,974,668       10,531,548  
  7,609    
Mueller Water Products Inc., Cl. A
    111,552       25,110  
       
 
           
       
 
    16,121,401       10,724,418  
       
 
           
       
Manufactured Housing — 0.0%
               
  265,000    
Champion Enterprises Inc.†
    1,837,109       127,200  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares/Units         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Metals and Mining — 2.2%
               
  340,000    
Alcoa Inc.
  $ 8,056,136     $ 2,495,600  
  9,000    
Carpenter Technology Corp.
    332,535       127,080  
  130,000    
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
    3,350,503       4,954,300  
  195,000    
Newmont Mining Corp.
    7,983,095       8,728,200  
  45,000    
Peabody Energy Corp.
    1,713,246       1,126,800  
  6,615    
Teck Cominco Ltd., Cl. B
    533,053       36,989  
       
 
           
       
 
    21,968,568       17,468,969  
       
 
           
       
Publishing — 0.3%
               
  5,000    
Idearc Inc.†
    23,800       180  
  44,000    
Lee Enterprises Inc.
    321,432       12,320  
  6,016    
News Corp., Cl. B
    70,881       46,323  
  60,000    
PagesJaunes Groupe SA
    1,664,637       507,553  
  2    
Seat Pagine Gialle SpA†
    120       2  
  30,633    
The E.W. Scripps Co., Cl. A
    293,839       41,355  
  35,000    
The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
    1,280,632       800,450  
  22,000    
The New York Times Co., Cl. A
    573,269       99,440  
  1,200    
The Washington Post Co., Cl. B
    700,030       428,520  
  2,000    
Value Line Inc.
    84,436       54,680  
       
 
           
       
 
    5,013,076       1,990,823  
       
 
           
       
Real Estate — 0.0%
               
  7,000    
Griffin Land & Nurseries Inc.
    137,444       245,000  
       
 
           
       
Retail — 6.6%
               
  18,000    
Copart Inc.†
    535,865       533,880  
  220,000    
Costco Wholesale Corp.
    11,379,094       10,190,400  
  345,000    
CVS Caremark Corp.
    12,746,861       9,484,050  
  50,000    
Ingles Markets Inc., Cl. A
    1,068,440       746,500  
  350,000    
Macy’s Inc.
    6,084,621       3,115,000  
  170,000    
Safeway Inc.
    3,593,397       3,432,300  
  500    
Sears Holdings Corp.†
    40,732       22,855  
  100,000    
SUPERVALU Inc.
    2,935,535       1,428,000  
  210,000    
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc.†
    4,453,294       1,115,100  
  80,000    
The Home Depot Inc.
    2,333,336       1,884,800  
  60,000    
Tractor Supply Co.†
    2,160,405       2,163,600  
  234,000    
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
    11,089,209       12,191,400  
  130,000    
Walgreen Co.
    4,641,323       3,374,800  
  10,000    
Weis Markets Inc.
    300,480       310,400  
  105,000    
Whole Foods Market Inc.
    3,618,490       1,764,000  
       
 
           
       
 
    66,981,082       51,757,085  
       
 
           
       
Specialty Chemicals — 1.4%
               
  44,000    
Albemarle Corp.
    576,219       957,880  
  437    
Arkema, ADR
    8,969       6,905  
  40,000    
Ashland Inc.
    1,537,678       413,200  
  210,000    
Chemtura Corp.
    1,499,113       9,975  
  75,000    
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
    3,506,768       1,674,750  
  140,000    
Ferro Corp.
    2,409,046       200,200  
  2,000    
FMC Corp.
    64,790       86,280  
  20,000    
H. B. Fuller Co.
    413,172       260,000  
  74,000    
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    3,489,906       2,254,040  
  3,500    
NewMarket Corp.
    13,508       155,050  
  100,000    
Omnova Solutions Inc.†
    667,863       174,000  
  4,000    
Quaker Chemical Corp.
    79,615       31,760  
  32,000    
Rohm and Haas Co.
    1,550,717       2,522,880  
  50,000    
Sensient Technologies Corp.
    1,035,110       1,175,000  
  85,000    
The Dow Chemical Co.
    3,720,650       716,550  
  4,000    
Zep Inc.
    17,026       40,920  
       
 
           
       
 
    20,590,150       10,679,390  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 5.5%
               
  365,000    
AT&T Inc.
    9,749,736       9,198,000  
  450,000    
BCE Inc.
    10,050,801       8,955,000  
  4,495    
Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (a)(b)
    117,429       85,921  
  200,000    
BT Group plc
    825,179       224,410  
  30,000    
BT Group plc, ADR
    1,006,938       335,100  
  140,000    
Cable & Wireless plc
    273,765       280,225  
  30,000    
CenturyTel Inc.
    961,032       843,600  
  350,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc.†
    1,886,496       805,000  
  330,000    
Deutsche Telekom AG, ADR
    5,830,728       4,075,500  
  5,360    
FairPoint Communications Inc.
    49,106       4,181  
  15,000    
France Telecom SA, ADR
    436,434       339,900  
  140,000    
Qwest Communications International Inc.
    571,000       478,800  
  1,500,000    
Sprint Nextel Corp.†
    7,568,438       5,355,000  
  3,300    
Telecom Italia SpA, ADR
    31,072       42,207  
  8,195    
Telefonica SA, ADR
    80,699       488,586  
  144,500    
Telephone & Data Systems Inc.
    5,307,372       3,830,695  
  12,000    
TELUS Corp.
    185,454       330,076  
  18,000    
TELUS Corp., Non-Voting
    874,021       474,480  
  225,000    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    8,241,287       6,795,000  
  5,000    
Windstream Corp.
    43,990       40,300  
       
 
           
       
 
    54,090,977       42,981,981  
       
 
           
       
Transportation — 0.3%
               
  7,000    
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.
    571,133       421,050  
  115,000    
GATX Corp.
    4,379,544       2,326,450  
       
 
           
       
 
    4,950,677       2,747,500  
       
 
           
       
Wireless Communications — 0.4%
               
  2,600    
NTT DoCoMo Inc.
    3,779,517       3,511,845  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    1,092,150,112       775,012,314  
       
 
           
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.2%
               
       
Communications Equipment — 0.1%
               
  1,100    
Lucent Technologies Capital Trust I, 7.750% Cv. Pfd.
    759,000       311,300  
       
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

8


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments (Continued) — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Continued)
               
       
Energy and Utilities: Integrated — 0.0%
               
  300    
El Paso Corp., 4.990% Cv. Pfd. (b)
  $ 293,192     $ 173,193  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 0.0%
               
  3,000    
Metromedia International Group Inc., 7.250% Cv. Pfd.†
    5,310       15,000  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 0.1%
               
  33,000    
Cincinnati Bell Inc., 6.750% Cv. Pfd., Ser. B
    918,894       886,710  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS
    1,976,396       1,386,203  
       
 
           
       
RIGHTS — 0.0%
               
       
Publishing — 0.0%
               
  2    
Seat Pagine Gialle SpA, expire 04/17/09
    1,210       12  
       
 
           
       
WARRANTS — 0.0%
               
       
Broadcasting — 0.0%
               
  330    
Granite Broadcasting Corp., Ser. A, expire 06/04/12†
    0       3  
  330    
Granite Broadcasting Corp., Ser. B, expire 06/04/12†
    0       3  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL WARRANTS
    0       6  
       
 
           
 
Principal                      
Amount                      
       
CORPORATE BONDS — 1.1%
               
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 0.1%
               
$ 800,000    
Standard Motor Products Inc., Sub. Deb. Cv., 6.750%, 07/15/09
    788,437       582,000  
       
 
           
       
Broadcasting — 0.1%
               
  2,200,000    
Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., Sub. Deb. Cv., 6.000%, 09/15/12
    1,934,135       717,750  
  350,000    
Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., Sub. Deb. Cv. (STEP), 4.875%, 07/15/18
    334,393       148,750  
  200,000    
Young Broadcasting Inc., Sub. Deb., 10.000%, 03/01/11†
    163,251       22  
       
 
           
       
 
    2,431,779       866,522  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 0.0%
               
  100,000    
BBN Corp., Sub. Deb. Cv., 6.000%, 04/01/12† (a)
    97,499       0  
       
 
           
 
       
Communications Equipment — 0.5%
               
  4,000,000    
Agere Systems Inc., Sub. Deb. Cv., 6.500%, 12/15/09
    3,980,286       4,035,000  
       
 
           
       
Computer Hardware — 0.0%
               
  500,000    
SanDisk Corp., Cv., 1.000%, 05/15/13
    234,805       302,500  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities — 0.0%
               
  100,000    
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, Ser. B (STEP), 10.250%, 11/01/15
    62,820       50,500  
       
 
           
       
Financial Services — 0.0%
               
  300,000    
M-Systems Finance NV, Cv., 1.000%, 03/15/35
    254,658       282,375  
       
 
           
       
Retail — 0.3%
               
  4,400,000    
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc., Cv., 5.125%, 06/15/11
    4,269,729       2,486,000  
       
 
           
       
Specialty Chemicals — 0.1%
               
  950,000    
Ferro Corp., Cv., 6.500%, 08/15/13
    462,177       320,625  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 0.0%
               
  200,000    
Williams Communications Group Inc., Escrow, 10.875%, 10/01/09† (a)
    0       0  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
    12,582,190       8,925,522  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%
  $ 1,106,709,908       785,324,057  
       
 
             
       
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — 0.1%
            1,064,543  
       
 
             
       
NET ASSETS — 100.0%
          $ 786,388,600  
       
 
             
 
(a)   Securities fair valued under procedures established by the Board of Directors. The procedures may include reviewing available financial information about the company and reviewing valuation of comparable securities and other factors on a regular basis. At March 31, 2009, the market value of fair valued securities amounted to $524,817 or 0.07% of net assets.
 
(b)   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 March 31, 2009, the market value of Rule 144A securities amounted to $693,060 or 0.09% of net assets.
 
  Non-income producing security.
 
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
 
CVO   Contingent Value Obligation
 
STEP   Step coupon bond. The rate disclosed is that in effect at March 31, 2009.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

9


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Assets:
       
Investments, at value (cost $1,106,709,908)
  $ 785,324,057  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $3,087)
    3,015  
Receivable for investments sold
    339,908  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    2,265,721  
Dividends and interest receivable
    2,500,285  
Unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
    29,263  
Prepaid expenses
    70,797  
 
     
Total Assets
    790,533,046  
 
     
Liabilities:
       
Payable to custodian
    552,415  
Payable for investments purchased
    739,171  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    1,439,077  
Payable for investment advisory fees
    636,656  
Payable for distribution fees
    167,100  
Payable for accounting fees
    3,750  
Payable for shareholder services fees
    302,332  
Other accrued expenses
    303,945  
 
     
Total Liabilities
    4,144,446  
 
     
Net Assets applicable to 62,542,918 shares outstanding
  $ 786,388,600  
 
     
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Paid-in capital, each class at $0.001 par value
  $ 1,133,302,361  
Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income
    (4,528,920 )
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (21,025,751 )
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
    (321,385,851 )
Net unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
    29,263  
Net unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations
    (2,502 )
 
     
Net Assets
  $ 786,388,600  
 
     
Shares of Capital Stock:
       
Class AAA:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($745,684,476 ÷ 59,253,657 shares outstanding; 150,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 12.58  
 
     
Class A:
       
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share ($19,555,536 ÷ 1,558,377 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 12.55  
 
     
Maximum offering price per share (NAV ÷ .9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)
  $ 13.32  
 
     
Class B:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($154,200 ÷ 12,779 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 12.07 (a)
 
     
Class C:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share ($15,123,133 ÷ 1,253,496 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 12.06 (a)
 
     
Class I:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share ($5,871,255 ÷ 464,609 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 12.64  
 
     
 
(a)   Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Investment income:
       
Dividends (net of foreign taxes of $501,941)
  $ 12,992,679  
Interest
    507,436  
 
     
Total Investment Income
    13,500,115  
 
     
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    4,309,385  
Distribution fees – Class AAA
    1,027,809  
Distribution fees – Class A
    24,514  
Distribution fees – Class B
    904  
Distribution fees – Class C
    75,977  
Shareholder services fees
    692,880  
Shareholder communications expenses
    213,687  
Custodian fees
    99,283  
Registration expenses
    48,052  
Legal and audit fees
    40,608  
Accounting fees
    22,500  
Directors’ fees
    19,907  
Interest expense
    4,209  
Miscellaneous expenses
    49,538  
 
     
Total Expenses
    6,629,253  
 
     
Less:
       
Advisory fee reduction on unsupervised assets
    (2,672 )
Custodian fee credits
    (1,082 )
 
     
Net Expenses
    6,625,499  
 
     
Net Investment Income
    6,874,616  
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency:
       
Net realized loss on investments
    (3,062,383 )
Net realized loss on swap contracts
    (123,387 )
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions
    (70,750 )
 
     
Net realized loss on investments, swap contacts, and foreign currency transactions
    (3,256,520 )
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments
    (347,343,896 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on swap contracts
    60,140  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on foreign currency translations
    3,362  
 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (347,280,394 )
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Swap Contracts, and Foreign Currency
    (350,536,914 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
  $ (343,662,298 )
 
     
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

10


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
Operations:
               
Net investment income
  $ 6,874,616     $ 10,824,552  
Net realized loss on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency transactions
    (3,256,520 )     (9,197,201 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, swap contracts, and foreign currency translations
    (347,280,394 )     (265,173,842 )
 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    (343,662,298 )     (263,546,491 )
 
           
Distributions to Shareholders:
               
Net investment income
               
Class AAA
    (10,912,756 )     (10,546,445 )
Class A
    (267,011 )     (176,682 )
Class B
    (2,474 )     (2,809 )
Class C
    (214,830 )     (173,060 )
Class I
    (75,122 )     (5,950 )
 
           
 
    (11,472,193 )     (10,904,946 )
 
           
 
               
Net realized gain
               
Class AAA
          (21,351,419 )
Class A
          (316,681 )
Class B
          (6,167 )
Class C
          (328,750 )
 
           
 
          (22,003,017 )
 
           
 
               
Return of capital
               
Class AAA
          (9,231,544 )
Class A
          (154,376 )
Class B
          (2,462 )
Class C
          (151,338 )
Class I
          (5,126 )
 
           
 
          (9,544,846 )
 
           
Total Distributions to Shareholders
    (11,472,193 )     (42,452,809 )
 
           
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Class AAA
    (48,704,217 )     239,884,656  
Class A
    3,992,731       12,798,114  
Class B
    (21,970 )     (12,254 )
Class C
    2,359,764       6,182,277  
Class I
    5,613,801       1,135,297  
 
           
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions
    (36,759,891 )     259,988,090  
 
           
Redemption Fees
    119       7,092  
 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets
    (391,894,263 )     (46,004,118 )
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of period
    1,178,282,863       1,224,286,981  
 
           
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and $68,657, respectively)
  $ 786,388,600     $ 1,178,282,863  
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

11


 

     
The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
                                                                                                                         
            Income from Investment Operations                                                
                    Net           Distributions                                   Ratios to Average Net Assets/
    Net Asset           Realized and   Total           Net                           Net Asset           Net Assets   Supplemental Data
Period   Value,   Net   Unrealized   from   Net   Realized   Return                   Value,           End of   Net           Portfolio
Ended   Beginning   Investment   Gain (Loss) on   Investment   Investment   Gain on   of   Total   Redemption   End of   Total   Period   Investment   Operating   Turnover
September 30   of Period   Income(a)   Investments   Operations   Income   Investments   Capital   Distributions   Fees(a)   Period   Return†   (in 000’s)   Income   Expenses   Rate††
Class AAA
                                                                                                                       
2009(b)
  $ 18.00     $ 0.11     $ (5.35 )   $ (5.24 )   $ (0.18 )               $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00 (c)   $ 12.58       (29.16 )%   $ 745,685       1.61 %(d)     1.53% (d)(e)     10 %
2008
    22.98       0.18       (4.43 )     (4.25 )     (0.17 )   $ (0.40 )   $ (0.16 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (c)     18.00       (18.95 )     1,135,543       0.87       1.43 (e)     22  
2007
    20.23       0.22       3.37       3.59       (0.39 )     (0.45 )           (0.84 )     0.00 (c)     22.98       18.19       1,191,351       1.01       1.43 (e)     12  
2006
    18.72       0.38       1.68       2.06       (0.36 )     (0.19 )           (0.55 )     0.00 (c)     20.23       11.25       794,375       1.98       1.46 (e)     14  
2005
    16.73       0.24       2.41       2.65       (0.24 )     (0.42 )           (0.66 )     0.00 (c)     18.72       16.09       580,081       1.33       1.46       11  
2004
    14.60       0.23       2.26       2.49       (0.27 )     (0.09 )           (0.36 )           16.73       17.13       355,321       1.42       1.49       12  
Class A
                                                                                                                       
2009(b)
  $ 17.95     $ 0.11     $ (5.33 )   $ (5.22 )   $ (0.18 )               $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00 (c)   $ 12.55       (29.13 )%   $ 19,556       1.63 %(d)     1.53% (d)(e)     10 %
2008
    22.91       0.18       (4.41 )     (4.23 )     (0.17 )   $ (0.40 )   $ (0.16 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (c)     17.95       (18.92 )     22,979       0.88       1.43 (e)     22  
2007
    20.17       0.22       3.36       3.58       (0.39 )     (0.45 )           (0.84 )     0.00 (c)     22.91       18.20       15,313       1.00       1.43 (e)     12  
2006
    18.66       0.39       1.67       2.06       (0.36 )     (0.19 )           (0.55 )     0.00 (c)     20.17       11.29       8,379       2.02       1.46 (e)     14  
2005
    16.72       0.20       2.43       2.63       (0.27 )     (0.42 )           (0.69 )     0.00 (c)     18.66       15.99       3,644       1.08       1.50       11  
2004(f)
    16.40       0.16       0.43       0.59       (0.20 )     (0.07 )           (0.27 )           16.72       3.62       124       1.33 (d)     1.49 (d)     12  
Class B
                                                                                                                       
2009(b)
  $ 17.34     $ 0.05     $ (5.14 )   $ (5.09 )   $ (0.18 )               $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00 (c)   $ 12.07       (29.41 )%   $ 154       0.82 %(d)     2.28% (d)(e)     10 %
2008
    22.32       0.02       (4.27 )     (4.25 )     (0.17 )   $ (0.40 )   $ (0.16 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (c)     17.34       (19.54 )     252       0.12       2.18 (e)     22  
2007
    19.82       0.06       3.28       3.34       (0.39 )     (0.45 )           (0.84 )     0.00 (c)     22.32       17.28       344       0.29       2.18 (e)     12  
2006
    18.48       0.36       1.53       1.89       (0.36 )     (0.19 )           (0.55 )     0.00 (c)     19.82       10.46       352       1.91       2.21 (e)     14  
2005
    16.62       0.04       2.46       2.50       (0.22 )     (0.42 )           (0.64 )     0.00 (c)     18.48       15.28       32       0.20       2.22       11  
2004(f)
    16.40       0.07       0.42       0.49       (0.20 )     (0.07 )           (0.27 )           16.62       3.00       1       0.56 (d)     2.24 (d)     12  
Class C
                                                                                                                       
2009(b)
  $ 17.33     $ 0.06     $ (5.15 )   $ (5.09 )   $ (0.18 )               $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00 (c)   $ 12.06       (29.42 )%   $ 15,123       0.86 %(d)     2.28% (d)(e)     10 %
2008
    22.31       0.03       (4.28 )     (4.25 )     (0.17 )   $ (0.40 )   $ (0.16 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (c)     17.33       (19.55 )     18,547       0.13       2.18 (e)     22  
2007
    19.81       0.05       3.29       3.34       (0.39 )     (0.45 )           (0.84 )     0.00 (c)     22.31       17.29       17,279       0.24       2.18 (e)     12  
2006
    18.47       0.24       1.65       1.89       (0.36 )     (0.19 )           (0.55 )     0.00 (c)     19.81       10.46       8,044       1.26       2.21 (e)     14  
2005
    16.64       0.07       2.43       2.50       (0.25 )     (0.42 )           (0.67 )     0.00 (c)     18.47       15.24       3,374       0.37       2.24       11  
2004(f)
    16.40       0.08       0.43       0.51       (0.20 )     (0.07 )           (0.27 )           16.64       3.13       79       0.62 (d)     2.24 (d)     12  
Class I
                                                                                                                       
2009(b)
  $ 18.04     $ 0.13     $ (5.35 )   $ (5.22 )   $ (0.18 )               $ (0.18 )   $ 0.00 (c)   $ 12.64       (28.98 )%   $ 5,871       1.94 %(d)     1.28% (d)(e)     10 %
2008(g)
    21.42       0.19       (3.30 )     (3.11 )     (0.14 )         $ (0.13 )     (0.27 )     0.00 (c)     18.04       (14.65 )     962       1.31 (d)     1.18 (d)(e)     22  
 
  Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period and sold at the end of the period including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect applicable sales charges.Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
 
††   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 been adopted retroactively, the portfolio turnover rate for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 would have been 20%, 34%, 26%, and 15%, respectively.
 
(a)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
 
(b)   For the six months ended March 31, 2009, unaudited.
 
(c)   Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
 
(d)   Annualized.
 
(e)   The ratios do not include a reduction of expenses for custodian fee credits on cash balances maintained with the custodian. Including such custodian fee credits, the expense ratios for the year ended September 30, 2006 would have been 1.45%, 1.45%, 2.20%, and 2.20% for Class AAA, Class A, Class B, and Class C, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2009, and the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the effect of the custodian fee credits was minimal.
 
(f)    From the commencement of offering Class A, Class B, and Class C Shares on December 31, 2003.
 
(g)   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008 through September 30, 2008.
     See accompanying notes to financial statements.

12


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Organization. The Gabelli Equity Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”), which was organized on July 25, 1991 as a Maryland corporation. The Fund is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and one of three separately managed portfolios (collectively, the “Portfolios”) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is to seek a high level of total return with an emphasis on income. The Fund commenced investment operations on January 2, 1992.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 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 Directors (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 60 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 60 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. 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.

13


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements.The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described 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).
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 and other financial instruments by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2009 is as follows:
                 
            Other Financial  
    Investments in     Instruments  
    Securities     (Unrealized  
    (Market Value)     Appreciation)*  
Valuation Inputs   Assets     Assets  
Level 1 — Quoted Prices
  $ 776,455,717        
Level 2 — Other Significant Observable Inputs
    8,863,390     $ 29,263  
Level 3 — Significant Unobservable Inputs
    4,950        
 
           
Total
  $ 785,324,057     $ 29,263  
 
           
 
*   Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards, and swaps which are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the investment.
The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
         
    Investments in  
    Securities  
    (Market Value)  
Balance as of 09/30/08
  $ 4,950  
Accrued discounts/(premiums)
     
Realized gain/(loss)
     
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
     
Net purchases/(sales)
     
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
     
 
     
Balance as of 03/31/09
  $ 4,950  
 
     

14


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”) that is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 is intended to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosure that enables investors to understand how and why an entity uses derivatives, how derivatives are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position. Management is currently evaluating the implications of SFAS 161 on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
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 always receive and maintain securities as collateral whose market value, including accrued interest, is at least equal to 102% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement. 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 March 31, 2009, there were no open repurchase agreements.
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into equity and contract for difference swap transactions. 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 a swap, a set of future cash flows are 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. There is no assurance that the swap contract counterparties will be able to meet their obligations pursuant to the swap contracts, or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing contractual remedies. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to the swap contracts. The creditworthiness of the swap contract counterparties is closely monitored in order to minimize the risk. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns of the Fund’s portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments. In addition, 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. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the Fund’s ability to make dividend payments.

15


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The use of derivative instruments involves, to varying degrees, elements of market and counterparty risk in excess of the amount recognized below.
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 paid or received on swaps, is reported as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon payment or receipt of a periodic payment or termination of swap agreements.
Effective March 16, 2008, Bear, Stearns International Limited entered into a Guaranty Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., whereby JPMorgan Chase & Co. unconditionally guaranteed the due and punctual payment of certain liabilities of Bear, Stearns International Limited, including the current liabilities of Bear, Stearns International Limited to the Fund. As of March 31, 2009, the Fund held contract for difference swaps with Bear, Stearns International Limited which are covered by the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Guaranty Agreement as of the date of the report. Details of the swaps at March 31, 2009 are as follows:
                         
Notional   Equity Security   Interest Rate/   Termination     Net Unrealized  
Amount   Received   Equity Security Paid   Date     Appreciation  
 
  Market Value   Overnight LIBOR plus 75 bps plus                
 
  Appreciation on:   Market Value Depreciation on:                
$123,902 (140,000 Shares)
  Rank Group plc   Rank Group plc     03/11/10     $ 23,138  
   78,170 (20,000 Shares)
  Rolls-Royce Group plc   Rolls-Royce Group plc     03/11/10       6,125  
 
                     
 
                  $ 29,263  
 
                     
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, which 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. At March 31, 2009, there were no open futures contracts.
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 Fund did not hold any short positions as of March 31, 2009.

16


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Fund may engage in forward foreign exchange contracts for 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.
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. At March 31, 2009, there were no open forward foreign exchange contracts.
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 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 ability 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.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities for which the markets are illiquid. Illiquid securities include securities the disposition of which is subject to substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of illiquid 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

17


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
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.
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 which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend.
Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each Fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.
In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.
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.
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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 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. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended September 30, 2008 was as follows:
         
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income
(inclusive of short-term capital gains)
  $ 11,894,382  
Net long-term capital gains
    21,013,581  
Return of capital
    9,544,846  
 
     
Total distributions paid
  $ 42,452,809  
 
     

18


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The Fund has a fixed distribution policy. Under the policy, the Fund declares and pays monthly distributions from net investment income and capital gains. The actual source of the distribution is determined after the end of the calendar year. To the extent such distributions are made from current earnings and profits, they are considered ordinary income or long-term capital gains. The Fund’s current distribution policy may restrict the Fund’s ability to pay out all of its net realized long-term capital gains as a Capital Gain Dividend. The Fund continues to evaluate its distribution policy in light of ongoing economic and market conditions and may change the amount of the monthly distributions in the future. The Fund currently intends to pay $0.03 per share on a monthly basis.
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.
Under the current tax law, capital losses related to securities and foreign currency realized after October 31 and prior to the Fund’s year end may be treated as occurring on the first day of the following year. For the year ended September 30, 2008, the Fund deferred capital losses of $5,378,169.
The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related unrealized appreciation/depreciation at March 31, 2009:
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Net Unrealized  
            Unrealized     Unrealized     Appreciation  
    Cost     Appreciation     Depreciation     (Depreciation)  
Investments
  $ 1,123,493,472     $ 56,768,248     $ (394,937,663 )   $ (338,169,415 )
Swap contracts
          29,263             29,263  
 
                       
 
  $ 1,123,493,472     $ 56,797,511     $ (394,937,663 )   $ (338,140,152 )
 
                       
FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of 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. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. In accordance with FIN 48, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on the federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Management’s determination regarding FIN 48 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, an on-going analysis of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.
The Corporation pays each Director who is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $9,000 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and they are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended and the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director each receive an annual fee of $1,000. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.

19


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the “Plan”) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor of the Fund. Under the Class AAA, Class A, Class B, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to Gabelli & Company at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, 1.00%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.
5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and proceeds from the sales of securities for the six months ended March 31, 2009, other than short-term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $90,274,829 and $128,942,868, respectively.
Purchases and proceeds from the sales of U.S. Government obligations for the six months ended March 31, 2009, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $1,167,750 and $6,242,883, respectively.
6. Transactions with Affiliates. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Fund paid brokerage commissions on security trades of $228,781 to Gabelli & Company. Additionally, Gabelli & Company informed the Fund that it retained $11,016 from investors representing commissions (sales charges and underwriting fees) on sales and redemptions of Fund shares.
The cost of calculating the Fund’s NAV per share is a Fund expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Fund paid or accrued $22,500 to the Adviser in connection with the cost of computing the Fund’s NAV.
7. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at 0.75% above the federal funds rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At March 31, 2009, borrowings outstanding under the line of credit amounted to $558,000.
The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $3,131,236 with a weighted average interest rate of 1.05%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $16,544,000.
8. Capital Stock. The Fund offers five classes of shares – Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares. Class AAA Shares are offered without a sales charge only to investors who acquire them directly from Gabelli & Company, or through selected broker/dealers, or the transfer agent. Class I Shares are offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans without a sales charge. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class B Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) upon redemption within six years of purchase and automatically convert to Class A Shares approximately eight years after the original purchase. The applicable CDSC is equal to a declining percentage of the lesser of the NAV per share at the date of the original purchase or at the date of redemption, based on the length of time held. Class C Shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC for one year after purchase. Class B Shares are available only through exchange of Class B Shares of other funds distributed by Gabelli & Company. Class I Shares were first issued on January 11, 2008.

20


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase.The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund. The redemption fees during the six months ended March 31, 2009 and the year ended September 30, 2008 amounted to $119 and $7,092, respectively.
The redemption fee does not apply to redemptions of shares where (i) the shares were purchased through automatic reinvestment of distributions, (ii) the redemption was initiated by the Fund, (iii) the shares were purchased through programs that collect the redemption fee at the program level and remit them to the Fund, or (iv) the shares were purchased through programs that the Adviser determines to have appropriate anti-short-term trading policies in place or as to which the Adviser has received assurances that look-through redemption fee procedures or effective anti-short-term trading policies and procedures are in place.
Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:
                                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
    Class AAA     Class AAA  
Shares sold
    10,045,324     $ 137,169,229       24,093,784     $ 504,580,779  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    756,453       10,078,082       1,797,042       38,520,431  
Shares redeemed
    (14,634,351 )     (195,951,528 )     (14,644,330 )     (303,216,554 )
 
                       
Net increase/(decrease)
    (3,832,574 )   $ (48,704,217 )     11,246,496     $ 239,884,656  
 
                       
 
    Class A     Class A  
Shares sold
    560,060     $ 7,649,457       798,290     $ 16,578,039  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    18,170       240,493       25,861       548,965  
Shares redeemed
    (300,199 )     (3,897,219 )     (212,203 )     (4,328,890 )
 
                       
Net increase
    278,031     $ 3,992,731       611,948     $ 12,798,114  
 
                       
 
    Class B     Class B  
Shares sold
    820     $ 9,886       9,738     $ 196,093  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    183       2,350       543       11,320  
Shares redeemed
    (2,772 )     (34,206 )     (11,132 )     (219,667 )
 
                       
Net decrease
    (1,769 )   $ (21,970 )     (851 )   $ (12,254 )
 
                       
 
    Class C     Class C  
Shares sold
    471,224     $ 6,040,764       472,038     $ 9,589,680  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    15,303       195,321       29,534       611,310  
Shares redeemed
    (303,096 )     (3,876,321 )     (205,866 )     (4,018,713 )
 
                       
Net increase
    183,431     $ 2,359,764       295,706     $ 6,182,277  
 
                       
 
    Class I     Class I*  
Shares sold
    522,591     $ 7,037,621       54,128     $ 1,152,550  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    733       9,782       550       11,076  
Shares redeemed
    (112,044 )     (1,433,602 )     (1,349 )     (28,329 )
 
                       
Net increase
    411,280     $ 5,613,801       53,329     $ 1,135,297  
 
                       
 
*   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008.

21


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
9. 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 and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
10. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Adviser entered into an administrative settlement with the SEC to resolve the SEC’s 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 settlement, the SEC found that the Adviser had violated Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had 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, agreed, among other things, to pay the previously reserved total of $16 million (including a $5 million penalty), of which at least $11 million will be distributed to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and the staff of the SEC, and to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal securities laws. The settlement will 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 Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denies the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Adviser and the funds. The Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

22


 

The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the “Independent Board Members”) who are not “interested persons” of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio manager, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio manager, the scope of administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio manager.
Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the short, medium, and long-term performance of the Fund against a peer group of equity income funds. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was below average for the one year and five year periods, and in the second quartile for the three year period.
Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge. The Independent Board Members also noted that a substantial portion of the Fund’s portfolio transactions were executed by an affiliated broker, that the affiliated broker received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions, and that the Adviser received a moderate level of soft dollar research benefits through the Fund’s portfolio brokerage.
Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale.
Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop.
Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund to similar expense ratios of the peer group of equity income funds and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s expense ratios and the Fund’s size were above average within this group. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management fee structure was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members did not compare the management fee with the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.
Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services, good ancillary services, and reasonable performance record. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios and the profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund were reasonable, particularly in light of the Fund’s performance, and that economies of scale were not a significant factor in their thinking at this time. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

23


 

Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc.
The Gabelli Equity Income Fund
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
800-GABELLI
800-422-3554
fax: 914-921-5118
website: www.gabelli.com
e-mail: info@gabelli.com

Net Asset Value per share available daily by calling
800-GABELLI after 6:00 P.M.
Board of Directors
     
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
  Robert J. Morrissey
Chairman and Chief
  Attorney-at-Law
Executive Officer
  Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
   
 
   
Anthony J. Colavita
  Anthony R. Pustorino
Attorney-at-Law
  Certified Public Accountant,
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
  Professor Emeritus
 
  Pace University
 
   
Vincent D. Enright
  Anthonie C. van Ekris
Former Senior Vice President
  Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer
  BALMAC International, Inc.
KeySpan Corp.
   
 
   
John D. Gabelli
  Salvatore J. Zizza
Senior Vice President
  Chairman
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
  Zizza & Co., Ltd.
Officers
     
Bruce N. Alpert
  Agnes Mullady
President and Secretary
  Treasurer
 
   
Peter D. Goldstein
   
Chief Compliance Officer
   
Distributor
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Dividend Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Equity Income Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
(LOGO)
The
Gabelli
Equity
Income
Fund
SEMI ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31, 2009
GAB444Q109SR


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Semi-Annual Report (a)
March 31, 2009
To Our Shareholders,
     The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund’s Class AAA Shares declined 14.35% for the quarter ending March 31, 2009, versus declines of 14.95% for the Russell 2000 Index, 10.98% for the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index, and 7.68% for the Value Line Composite Index.
Comparative Results
Average Annual Returns through March 31, 2009 (a)(b)
                                         
                                    Since
                                    Inception
    Quarter   1 Year   3 Year   5 Year   (12/31/02)
Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund Class AAA
    (14.35 )%     (37.87 )%     (15.63 )%     (4.67 )%     (0.01 )%
Russell 2000 Index
    (14.95 )     (37.50 )     (16.80 )     (5.24 )     2.90  
S&P 500 Index
    (10.98 )     (38.06 )     (13.05 )     (4.76 )     0.40  
Value Line Composite Index
    (7.68 )     (36.76 )     (14.78 )     (4.25 )     3.70  
Class A
    (14.24 )     (37.80 )     (15.56 )     (4.58 )     0.06  
 
    (19.17 )(c)     (41.47 )(c)     (17.26 )(c)     (5.73 )(c)     (0.91 )(c)
Class B
    (14.38 )     (38.30 )     (16.33 )     (5.15 )     (0.32 )
 
    (18.66 )(d)     (41.38 )(d)     (17.17 )(d)     (5.53 )(d)     (0.49 )
Class C
    (14.50 )     (38.32 )     (16.25 )     (5.33 )     (0.67 )
 
    (15.36 )(e)     (38.94 )(e)     (16.25 )     (5.33 )     (0.67 )
Class I
    (14.17 )     (37.65 )     (15.53 )     (4.60 )     0.05  
In the current prospectus, the gross expense ratios for Class AAA, A, B, C, and I Shares are 2.52%, 2.52%, 3.27%, 3.27%, and 2.27%, respectively.The net expense ratios after contractual reimbursements by the Adviser in place through September 30, 2009 are 2.00%, 2.00%, 2.75%, 2.75%, and 1.75% respectively. Class AAA and I Shares do not have a sales charge.The maximum sales charge for Class A, B, and C Shares is 5.75%, 5.00%, and 1.00%, respectively.
 
(a)   The Fund’s fiscal year ends September 30.
 
(b)   Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Total returns and average annual returns reflect changes in share price and reinvestment of distributions and are net of expenses. Investment returns and the principal value of an investment will fluctuate. When shares are redeemed, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. 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. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund before investing.The prospectus contains more information about this and other matters and should be read carefully before investing.

The Class AAA Shares net asset values (“NAVs”) per share are used to calculate performance for the periods prior to the issuance of Class I Shares on January 11, 2008. The actual performance of Class I Shares would have been higher due to lower expenses associated with this class of shares. Investing in small capitalization securities involves special challenges because these securities may trade less frequently and experience more abrupt price movements than large capitalization securities. The Russell 2000 Index of small U.S. companies, the S&P 500 Index of the largest U.S. companies, and the Value Line Composite Index (comprised of equally weighted positions in every stock covered in the Value Line Investment Survey) are unmanaged indicators of stock market performance. Dividends are considered reinvested. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 
(c)   Includes the effect of the maximum 5.75% sales charge at the beginning of the period.
 
(d)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class B Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter, one year, three year, five year and since inception periods of 5%, 5%, 3%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower. Class B Shares are not available for new purchases.
 
(e)   Performance results include the deferred sales charges for the Class C Shares upon redemption at the end of the quarter and one year periods of 1% of the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of purchase or sale, whichever is lower.
We have separated the portfolio manager’s 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 manager’s commentary is unrestricted. The financial statements and investment portfolio are mailed separately from the commentary. Both the commentary and the financial statements, including the portfolio of investments, will be available on our website at www.gabelli.com/funds.

 


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited)
For the Six Month Period from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 Expense Table
We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees and expenses regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of a fund. When a fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, this figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.
The Expense Table below illustrates your Fund’s costs in two ways:
Actual Fund Return: This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use this section to help you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period after any fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return during the past six months, and the “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.
To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid during this period.
Hypothetical 5% Return: This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio. It assumes a hypothetical annualized return of 5% before expenses during the period shown. In this case — because the hypothetical return used is not the Fund’s actual return — the results do not apply to your investment and you cannot use the hypothetical account value and expense to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. This example is useful in making comparisons of the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees, if any, which are described in the Prospectus. If these costs were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Therefore, the 5% hypothetical return is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
                                 
    Beginning   Ending   Annualized   Expenses
    Account Value   Account Value   Expense   Paid During
    10/01/08   03/31/09   Ratio   Period*
 
The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund                        
Actual Fund Return
                               
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 618.60       2.02 %   $ 8.15  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 619.30       2.02 %   $ 8.16  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 617.70       2.77 %   $ 11.17  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 616.80       2.77 %   $ 11.17  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 620.20       1.77 %   $ 7.15  
 
                               
Hypothetical 5% Return                        
Class AAA
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,014.86       2.02 %   $ 10.15  
Class A
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,014.86       2.02 %   $ 10.15  
Class B
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,011.12       2.77 %   $ 13.89  
Class C
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,011.12       2.77 %   $ 13.89  
Class I
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,016.11       1.77 %   $ 8.90  
 
*   Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the last six months multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365.

2


 

Summary of Portfolio Holdings (Unaudited)
The following table presents portfolio holdings as a percent of total net assets as of March 31, 2009:
The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
         
Computer Software and Services
    14.6 %
Health Care
    11.5 %
Diversified Industrial
    10.5 %
Equipment and Supplies
    8.8 %
Business Services
    8.2 %
Machinery
    5.9 %
Consumer Products
    4.9 %
Entertainment
    4.8 %
Energy and Utilities
    4.6 %
Retail
    4.4 %
Aerospace
    4.4 %
Financial Services
    3.8 %
Specialty Chemicals
    2.4 %
Automotive: Parts and Accessories
    2.3 %
Consumer Services
    2.3 %
Telecommunications
    2.2 %
Hotels and Gaming
    2.1 %
Transportation
    1.8 %
Food and Beverage
    1.8 %
Publishing
    1.6 %
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)
    (2.9 )%
 
       
 
    100.0 %
 
       
The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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 December 31, 2008. 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 12 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; or (iii) visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

3


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Schedule of Investments — March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
                         
                    Market  
Shares         Cost     Value  
       
COMMON STOCKS — 102.9%
               
       
Aerospace — 4.4%
               
  8,600    
Herley Industries Inc.†
  $ 126,722     $ 102,856  
  5,020    
Kaman Corp.
    132,222       62,951  
       
 
           
       
 
    258,944       165,807  
       
 
           
       
Automotive: Parts and Accessories — 2.3%
               
  6,490    
Midas Inc.†
    122,392       51,401  
  9,000    
Spartan Motors Inc.
    24,320       36,180  
       
 
           
       
 
    146,712       87,581  
       
 
           
       
Business Services — 8.2%
               
  1,358    
Ascent Media Corp., Cl. A†
    35,464       33,950  
  4,890    
Deluxe Corp.
    77,745       47,091  
  8,150    
Edgewater Technology Inc.†
    58,198       22,820  
  7,350    
Intermec Inc.†
    178,882       76,440  
  4,000    
Liquidity Services Inc.†
    24,777       27,960  
  3,820    
The Brink’s Co.
    81,437       101,077  
       
 
           
       
 
    456,503       309,338  
       
 
           
       
Computer Software and Services — 14.6%
               
  7,000    
Dynamics Research Corp.†
    48,786       50,680  
  1,600    
Fair Isaac Corp.
    23,331       22,512  
  17,500    
Furmanite Corp.†
    116,444       54,425  
  18,410    
Lawson Software Inc.†
    138,033       78,242  
  4,340    
MTS Systems Corp.
    152,438       98,735  
  5,500    
Stratasys Inc.†
    62,999       45,485  
  25,000    
Tier Technologies Inc., Cl. B†
    236,604       115,750  
  14,800    
TransAct Technologies Inc.†
    67,877       38,332  
  2,700    
Versant Corp.†
    41,580       46,413  
       
 
           
       
 
    888,092       550,574  
       
 
           
       
Consumer Products — 4.9%
               
  4,270    
Alberto-Culver Co.
    92,836       96,545  
  1,085    
Church & Dwight Co. Inc.
    32,590       56,669  
  600    
Deckers Outdoor Corp.†
    26,427       31,824  
       
 
           
       
 
    151,853       185,038  
       
 
           
       
Consumer Services — 2.3%
               
  3,820    
Brink’s Home Security Holdings Inc.†
    66,630       86,332  
       
 
           
       
Diversified Industrial — 10.5%
               
  2,050    
Columbus McKinnon Corp.†
    38,449       17,876  
  3,000    
Graham Corp.
    24,388       26,910  
  2,457    
Griffon Corp.†
    17,241       18,428  
  3,800    
L.B. Foster Co., Cl. A†
    116,739       94,354  
  9,920    
LeCroy Corp.†
    93,529       31,149  
  4,800    
OSI Systems Inc.†
    76,114       73,248  
  2,000    
Raven Industries Inc.
    39,770       41,560  
  3,790    
Texas Industries Inc.
    154,741       94,750  
       
 
           
       
 
    560,971       398,275  
       
 
           
       
Energy and Utilities — 4.6%
               
  6,240    
Mariner Energy Inc.†
    99,318       48,360  
  4,170    
PICO Holdings Inc.†
    141,937       125,392  
       
 
           
       
 
    241,255       173,752  
       
 
           
       
Entertainment — 4.8%
               
  3,585    
Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. A†
    57,543       57,432  
  3,585    
Discovery Communications Inc., Cl. C†
    40,172       52,520  
  9,900    
Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.†
    56,495       69,696  
       
 
           
       
 
    154,210       179,648  
       
 
           
       
Equipment and Supplies — 8.8%
               
  13,600    
C&D Technologies Inc.†
    72,670       25,160  
  22,000    
Gerber Scientific Inc.†
    135,965       52,580  
  5,030    
Powell Industries Inc.†
    157,845       177,609  
  3,150    
The Toro Co.
    86,818       76,167  
       
 
           
       
 
    453,298       331,516  
       
 
           
       
Financial Services — 3.8%
               
  1,430    
HMN Financial Inc.
    50,067       4,433  
  9,700    
NewAlliance Bancshares Inc.
    142,484       113,878  
  1,204    
Willis Group Holdings Ltd.
    34,764       26,488  
       
 
           
       
 
    227,315       144,799  
       
 
           
       
Food and Beverage — 1.8%
               
  3,900    
PepsiAmericas Inc.
    70,438       67,275  
       
 
           
       
Health Care — 11.5%
               
  900    
Chemed Corp.
    35,214       35,010  
  17,500    
Home Diagnostics Inc.†
    130,331       99,225  
  4,000    
Matrixx Initiatives Inc.†
    71,693       65,600  
  9,940    
Rochester Medical Corp.†
    118,098       109,539  
  4,116    
SurModics Inc.†
    122,478       75,117  
  1,480    
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.
    60,856       48,559  
       
 
           
       
 
    538,670       433,050  
       
 
           
       
Hotels and Gaming — 2.1%
               
  9,370    
Gaylord Entertainment Co.†
    147,056       78,052  
       
 
           
       
Machinery — 5.9%
               
  6,764    
Key Technology Inc.†
    80,211       59,523  
  3,500    
Robbins & Myers Inc.
    69,482       53,095  
  2,200    
Valmont Industries Inc.
    125,192       110,462  
       
 
           
       
 
    274,885       223,080  
       
 
           
       
Publishing — 1.6%
               
  4,000    
Scholastic Corp.
    47,550       60,280  
       
 
           
       
Retail — 4.4%
               
  5,000    
J. Crew Group Inc.†
    63,929       65,900  
  6,500    
Shutterfly Inc.†
    64,364       60,905  
  7,600    
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. Inc.†
    54,481       40,356  
       
 
           
       
 
    182,774       167,161  
       
 
           
       
Specialty Chemicals — 2.4%
               
  2,000    
Arch Chemicals Inc.
    63,429       37,920  
  1,260    
FMC Corp.
    48,289       54,356  
       
 
           
       
 
    111,718       92,276  
       
 
           
       
Telecommunications — 2.2%
               
  15,400    
HickoryTech Corp.
    133,250       82,852  
       
 
           
       
Transportation — 1.8%
               
  3,200    
Bristow Group Inc.†
    81,393       68,576  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    5,193,517       3,885,262  
       
 
           
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 102.9% $
    5,193,517       3,885,262  
       
 
             
       
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) — (2.9)%
            (109,161 )
       
 
             
       
NET ASSETS — 100.0%
          $ 3,776,101  
       
 
             
 
  Non-income producing security.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Assets:
       
Investments, at value (cost $5,193,517)
  $ 3,885,262  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    755  
Receivable from Adviser
    6,655  
Dividends receivable
    3,449  
Prepaid expenses
    22,209  
 
     
Total Assets
    3,918,330  
 
     
Liabilities:
       
Payable to custodian
    32,720  
Payable for investments purchased
    23,824  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    50,377  
Payable for distribution fees
    832  
Payable for legal and audit fees
    21,334  
Payable for shareholder communications expenses
    10,928  
Other accrued expenses
    2,214  
 
     
Total Liabilities
    142,229  
 
     
Net Assets applicable to 703,623 shares outstanding
  $ 3,776,101  
 
     
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Paid-in capital, each class at $0.001 par value
  $ 6,546,641  
Accumulated net investment loss
    (16,313 )
Accumulated net realized loss on investments
    (1,445,972 )
Net unrealized depreciation on investments
    (1,308,255 )
 
     
Net Assets
  $ 3,776,101  
 
     
Shares of Capital Stock:
       
Class AAA:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share
($3,598,993 ÷ 669,734 shares outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 5.37  
 
     
Class A:
       
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($31,639 ÷ 5,841 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 5.42  
 
     
Maximum offering price per share
(NAV ÷ .9425, based on maximum sales charge of 5.75% of the offering price)
  $ 5.75  
 
     
Class B:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share
($97.93 ÷ 18.49 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 5.30 (a)
 
     
Class C:
       
Net Asset Value and offering price per share
($91,982 ÷ 18,128 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 5.07 (a)
 
     
Class I:
       
Net Asset Value, offering, and redemption price per share
($53,389 ÷ 9,902 shares outstanding; 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 5.39  
 
     
 
(a)   Redemption price varies based on the length of time held.
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
         
Investment income:
       
Dividends
  $ 29,825  
Interest
    238  
 
     
Total Investment Income
    30,063  
 
     
Expenses:
       
Investment advisory fees
    22,834  
Distribution fees — Class AAA
    5,460  
Distribution fees — Class A
    43  
Distribution fees — Class B
    1  
Distribution fees — Class C
    558  
Registration expenses
    15,972  
Legal and audit fees
    12,325  
Shareholder communications expenses
    11,980  
Shareholder services fees
    5,622  
Custodian fees
    5,107  
Interest expense
    339  
Directors’ fees
    131  
Miscellaneous expenses
    2,393  
 
     
Total Expenses Before Fees Waived and Expenses Reimbursed by Adviser
    82,765  
 
     
Less:
       
Fees waived and expenses reimbursed by Adviser
    (36,389 )
 
     
Net Expenses
    46,376  
 
     
Net Investment Loss
    (16,313 )
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments:
       
Net realized loss on investments
    (1,432,899 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments
    (1,377,660 )
 
     
Net Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments
    (2,810,559 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
  $ (2,826,872 )
 
     
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
Operations:
               
Net investment loss
  $ (16,313 )   $ (65,989 )
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments
    (1,432,899 )     369,935  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments
    (1,377,660 )     (1,505,525 )
 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    (2,826,872 )     (1,201,579 )
 
           
 
               
Distributions to Shareholders:
               
Net realized gain
               
Class AAA
    (301,983 )     (1,262,098 )
Class A
    (2,225 )     (9,144 )
Class B
    (7 )     (26 )
Class C
    (6,124 )     (43,337 )
Class I
    (3,246 )      
 
           
Total Distributions to Shareholders
    (313,585 )     (1,314,605 )
 
           
 
               
Capital Share Transactions:
               
Class AAA
    (702,237 )     703,505  
Class A
    2,226       3,296  
Class B
    7       27  
Class C
    7,566       (69,071 )
Class I
    13,378       73,953  
 
           
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions
    (679,060 )     711,710  
 
           
Redemption Fees
          1  
 
           
Net Decrease in Net Assets
    (3,819,517 )     (1,804,473 )
 
               
Net Assets:
               
Beginning of period
    7,595,618       9,400,091  
 
           
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $0 and $0, respectively)
  $ 3,776,101     $ 7,595,618  
 
           
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Financial Highlights
Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each period:
                                                                                                                         
            Income                                                           Ratios to Average Net Assets/
            from Investment Operations   Distributions                                   Supplemental Data
                    Net                                                                           Expenses   Expenses    
    Net Asset   Net   Realized and   Total           Net                   Net Asset           Net Assets   Net   Net of   Before    
Period   Value,   Investment   Unrealized   from   Net   Realized                   Value,           End of   Investment   Waivers/   Waivers/   Portfolio
Ended   Beginning   Income   Gain (Loss) on   Investment   Investment   Gain on   Total   Redemption   End of   Total   Period   Income   Reimburse-   Reimburse-   Turnover
September 30   of Period   (Loss)(a)(b)   Investments   Operations   Income   Investments   Distributions   Fees(a)   Period   Return†   (in 000’s)   (Loss)(b)   ments(c)   ments(d)   Rate††
Class AAA
                                                                                                                       
2009(e)
  $ 9.30     $ (0.02 )   $ (3.50 )   $ (3.52 )         $ (0.41 )   $ (0.41 )         $ 5.37       (38.14 )%   $ 3,599       (0.70 )%(f)     2.02 %(f)(g)     3.61 %(f)     33 %
2008
    12.61       (0.08 )     (1.43 )     (1.51 )           (1.80 )     (1.80 )   $ 0.00 (h)     9.30       (13.20 )     7,327       (0.80 )     2.01 (g)     2.52       58  
2007
    13.35       0.05       2.44       2.49       ($0.06 )     (3.17 )     (3.23 )     0.00 (h)     12.61       20.71       9,040       0.38       2.01 (g)     2.33       51  
2006
    14.64       (0.12 )     0.07       (0.05 )           (1.24 )     (1.24 )     0.00 (h)     13.35       (0.35 )     9,137       (0.84 )     2.01 (g)     2.31       59  
2005
    12.79       (0.11 )     2.69       2.58             (0.73 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (h)     14.64       20.67       11,839       (0.78 )     2.01       2.99       35  
2004
    10.58       (0.14 )     2.38       2.24             (0.03 )     (0.03 )           12.79       21.22       3,388       (1.14 )     2.00       5.94       45  
Class A
                                                                                                                       
2009(e)
  $ 9.37     $ (0.02 )   $ (3.52 )   $ (3.54 )         $ (0.41 )   $ (0.41 )         $ 5.42       (38.07 )%   $ 32       (0.71 )%(f)     2.02 %(f)(g)     3.61 %(f)     33 %
2008
    12.69       (0.08 )     (1.44 )     (1.52 )           (1.80 )     (1.80 )   $ 0.00 (h)     9.37       (13.19 )     51       (0.80 )     2.01 (g)     2.52       58  
2007
    13.36       0.13       2.39       2.52       ($0.02 )     (3.17 )     (3.19 )     0.00 (h)     12.69       20.94       65       1.00       2.01 (g)     2.33       51  
2006
    14.65       (0.12 )     0.07       (0.05 )           (1.24 )     (1.24 )     0.00 (h)     13.36       (0.36 )     100       (0.83 )     2.01 (g)     2.31       59  
2005
    12.79       (0.09 )     2.68       2.59             (0.73 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (h)     14.65       20.76       108       (0.68 )     2.01       3.17       35  
2004
    10.57       (0.14 )     2.39       2.25             (0.03 )     (0.03 )           12.79       21.34       47       (1.16 )     2.00       5.94       45  
Class B
                                                                                                                       
2009(e)
  $ 9.20     $ (0.04 )   $ (3.45 )   $ (3.49 )         $ (0.41 )   $ (0.41 )         $ 5.30       (38.23 )%   $ 0.1       (1.47 )%(f)     2.77 %(f)(g)     4.36 %(f)     33 %
2008
    12.60       (0.16 )     (1.44 )     (1.60 )           (1.80 )     (1.80 )           9.20       (14.04 )     0.1       (1.68 )     2.76 (g)     3.27       58  
2007
    13.37       (0.09 )     2.49       2.40             (3.17 )     (3.17 )   $ 0.00 (h)     12.60       19.73       0.1       (0.68 )     2.76 (g)     3.07       51  
2006
    14.77       (0.25 )     0.09       (0.16 )           (1.24 )     (1.24 )     0.00 (h)     13.37       (1.19 )     0.1       (1.77 )     2.76 (g)     3.06       59  
2005
    12.98       (0.21 )     2.73       2.52             (0.73 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (h)     14.77       19.86       0.1       (1.50 )     2.75       3.87       35  
2004
    10.59       0.02       2.40       2.42             (0.03 )     (0.03 )           12.98       22.91       0.1       0.18       2.75       6.69       45  
Class C
                                                                                                                       
2009(e)
  $ 8.84     $ (0.04 )   $ (3.32 )   $ (3.36 )         $ (0.41 )   $ (0.41 )         $ 5.07       (38.32 )%   $ 92       (1.47 )%(f)     2.77 %(f)(g)     4.36 %(f)     33 %
2008
    12.16       (0.15 )     (1.37 )     (1.52 )           (1.80 )     (1.80 )   $ 0.00 (h)     8.84       (13.86 )     146       (1.58 )     2.76 (g)     3.27       58  
2007
    13.00       (0.03 )     2.36       2.33             (3.17 )     (3.17 )     0.00 (h)     12.16       19.84       295       (0.26 )     2.76 (g)     3.08       51  
2006
    14.39       (0.21 )     0.06       (0.15 )           (1.24 )     (1.24 )     0.00 (h)     13.00       (1.11 )     425       (1.58 )     2.76 (g)     3.06       59  
2005
    12.66       (0.20 )     2.66       2.46             (0.73 )     (0.73 )     0.00 (h)     14.39       19.91       189       (1.46 )     2.76       3.87       35  
2004
    10.55       (0.23 )     2.37       2.14             (0.03 )     (0.03 )           12.66       20.33       41       (1.88 )     2.75       6.69       45  
Class I
                                                                                                                       
2009(e)
  $ 9.31     $ (0.01 )   $ (3.50 )   $ (3.51 )         $ (0.41 )   $ (0.41 )         $ 5.39       (37.98 )%   $ 53       (0.45 )%(f)     1.77 %(f)(g)     3.36 %(f)     33 %
2008(i)
    9.41       (0.03 )     (0.07 )     (0.10 )                     $ 0.00 (h)     9.31       (1.06 )     72       (0.44 )(f)     1.76 (f)(g)     2.27 (f)     58  
 
  Total return represents aggregate total return of a hypothetical $1,000 investment at the beginning of the period and sold at the end of the period including reinvestment of distributions and does not reflect applicable sales charges. Total return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
 
††   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 been adopted retroactively, the portfolio turnover rate for the years ended September 30, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 would have been as shown.
 
(a)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares outstanding method.
 
(b)   Due to capital share activity throughout the year, net investment income per share and the ratio to average net assets are not necessarily correlated among the different classes of shares.
 
(c)   The ratios do not include a reduction of expenses for custodian fee credits on cash balances maintained with the custodian. Including such custodian fee credits, the expense ratios for the year ended September 30, 2005 would have been 2.00% (Class AAA), 2.00% (Class A), 2.75% (Class B), and 2.75% (Class C), respectively. For the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2004 the effect of the custodian fee credits was minimal.
 
(d)   During the period, expenses were voluntarily reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratio would have been as shown.
 
(e)   For the six months ended March 31, 2009, unaudited.
 
(f)   Annualized.
 
(g)   The Fund incurred interest expense during the six months ended March 31, 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006. If interest expense had not been incurred, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 2.00%, 2.00%, 2.00%, and 2.00% (Class AAA and Class A), 2.75%, 2.75%, 2.75%, and 2.75% (Class B and Class C), 1.75% and 1.75% (Class I), respectively.
 
(h)   Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
 
(i)   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008 through September 30, 2008.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Organization. The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”), which was organized on July 25, 1991 as a Maryland corporation. The Fund is a non-diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and one of three separately managed portfolios (collectively, the “Portfolios”) of the Corporation. The Fund’s primary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund’s Adviser currently characterizes small capitalization companies for the Fund as those with a total market value at the time of investment not greater than that of the largest company in the Russell 2000 Index or $3.0 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2002.
2. Significant Accounting Policies. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 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 Directors (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 60 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 60 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. 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 American Depositary Receipts 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.

8


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) clarifies the definition of fair value for financial reporting, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described 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).
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 by inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of March 31, 2009 is as follows:
         
    Investments in
    Securities
    (Market Value)
Valuation Inputs   Assets
Level 1 — Quoted Prices
  $ 3,885,262  
There were no Level 3 investments held at September 30, 2008 or March 31, 2009.
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”) that is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 is intended to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosure that enables investors to understand how and why an entity uses derivatives, how derivatives are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position. Management is currently evaluating the implications of SFAS 161 on the Fund’s disclosures.
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 always receive and maintain securities as collateral whose market value, including accrued interest, is at least equal to 102% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement. 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 March 31, 2009, there were no open repurchase agreements.

9


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
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 ability 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 which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the dividend.
Determination of Net Asset Value and Calculation of Expenses. Certain administrative expenses are common to, and allocated among, various affiliated funds. Such allocations are made on the basis of each Fund’s average net assets or other criteria directly affecting the expenses as determined by the Adviser pursuant to procedures established by the Board.
In calculating the NAV per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, redemption fees, and expenses other than class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of each day. Distribution expenses are borne solely by the class incurring the expense.
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.
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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences, and differing characterizations of distributions made by the Fund. 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. These reclassifications have no impact on the NAV of the Fund.

10


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended September 30, 2008 was as follows:
         
Distributions paid from:
       
Ordinary income
(inclusive of short-term capital gains)
  $ 28,446  
Net long-term capital gains
    1,286,159  
 
     
Total distributions paid
  $ 1,314,605  
 
     
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.
The following summarizes the tax cost of investments and the related unrealized appreciation/depreciation at March 31, 2009:
                                 
            Gross   Gross   Net
            Unrealized   Unrealized   Unrealized
    Cost   Appreciation   Depreciation   Depreciation
Investments
  $ 5,199,629     $ 165,880     $ (1,480,247 )   $ (1,314,367 )
FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of 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. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. In accordance with FIN 48, management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on the federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Management’s determination regarding FIN 48 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, an on-going analysis of tax laws, regulations, and interpretations thereof.
3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions. The Fund has an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser which provides that the Fund will pay the Adviser a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% of the value of its average daily net assets. In accordance with the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, oversees the administration of all aspects of the Fund’s business and affairs, and pays the compensation of all Officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Adviser.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the annualized total operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage fees, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) at 2.00%, 2.00%, 2.75%, 2.75%, and 1.75% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class AAA, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class I Shares, respectively, through September 30, 2009. For the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund in the amount of $36,389. The Fund is obliged to repay the Adviser for a period of two years following the year in which the Adviser reimbursed the Fund only to the extent that the operating expenses of the Fund fall below the applicable expense limitations. At March 31, 2009, the cumulative amount which the Fund may repay the Adviser is $108,127.

11


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The Corporation pays each Director who is not considered to be an affiliated person an annual retainer of $9,000 plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and they are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings. All Board committee members receive $500 per meeting attended and the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the Lead Director each receive an annual fee of $1,000. Directors who are directors or employees of the Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund.
4. Distribution Plan. The Fund’s Board has adopted a distribution plan (the “Plan”) for each class of shares, except for Class I Shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor of the Fund. Under the Class AAA, Class A, Class B, and Class C Share Plans, payments are authorized to Gabelli & Company at annual rates of 0.25%, 0.25%, 1.00%, and 1.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of those classes, the annual limitations under each Plan. Such payments are accrued daily and paid monthly.
5. Portfolio Securities. Purchases and proceeds from the sales of securities for the six months ended March 31, 2009, other than short-term securities and U.S. Government obligations, aggregated $1,582,833 and $2,307,179, respectively.
6. Line of Credit. The Fund participates in an unsecured line of credit of up to $75,000,000 under which it may borrow up to 10% of its net assets from the custodian for temporary borrowing purposes. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at 0.75% above the federal funds rate on outstanding balances. This amount, if any, would be included in “interest expense” in the Statement of Operations. At March 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit.
The average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit during the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $8,374 with a weighted average interest rate of 0.85%. The maximum amount borrowed at any time during the six months ended March 31, 2009 was $247,000.
7. Capital Stock. The Fund offers five classes of shares — Class AAA Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, and Class I Shares. Class AAA Shares are offered without a sales charge only to investors who acquire them directly from Gabelli & Company, or through selected broker/dealers, or the transfer agent. Class I Shares are offered to foundations, endowments, institutions, and employee benefit plans without a sales charge. Class A Shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class B Shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) upon redemption within six years of purchase and automatically convert to Class A Shares approximately eight years after the original purchase. The applicable CDSC is equal to a declining percentage of the lesser of the NAV per share at the date of the original purchase or at the date of redemption, based on the length of time held. Class C Shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC for one year after purchase. Class B Shares are available only through exchange of Class B Shares of other funds distributed by Gabelli & Company. Class I Shares were first issued on January 11, 2008.
The Fund imposes a redemption fee of 2.00% on all classes of shares that are redeemed or exchanged on or before the seventh day after the date of a purchase. The redemption fee is deducted from the proceeds otherwise payable to the redeeming shareholders and is retained by the Fund. The redemption fees during the six months ended March 31, 2009 and the year ended September 30, 2008 amounted to $0 and $1, respectively.

12


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
The redemption fee does not apply to redemptions of shares where (i) the shares were purchased through automatic reinvestment of distributions, (ii) the redemption was initiated by the Fund, (iii) the shares were purchased through programs that collect the redemption fee at the program level and remit them to the Fund, or (iv) the shares were purchased through programs that the Adviser determines to have appropriate anti-short-term trading policies in place or as to which the Adviser has received assurances that look-through redemption fee procedures or effective anti-short-term trading policies and procedures are in place.
Transactions in shares of capital stock were as follows:
                                 
    Six Months Ended        
    March 31, 2009     Year Ended  
    (Unaudited)     September 30, 2008  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
    Class AAA     Class AAA  
Shares sold
    104,387     $ 600,239       66,401     $ 658,099  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    50,701       290,012       124,080       1,259,410  
Shares redeemed .
    (273,299 )     (1,592,488 )     (119,232 )     (1,214,004 )
 
                       
Net increase/(decrease)
    (118,211 )   $ (702,237 )     71,249     $ 703,505  
 
                       
 
    Class A
  Class A
         
Shares sold
                343     $ 3,299  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    386     $ 2,226       895       9,144  
Shares redeemed
                (874 )     (9,147 )
 
                       
Net increase
    386     $ 2,226       364     $ 3,296  
 
                       
 
    Class B
  Class B
         
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    1     $ 7       2     $ 27  
 
                       
Net increase
    1     $ 7       2     $ 27  
 
                       
    Class C
 
Class C
         
Shares sold
    9,282     $ 49,565       282     $ 3,502  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    1,132       6,124       4,463       43,337  
Shares redeemed
    (8,770 )     (48,123 )     (12,531 )     (115,910 )
 
                       
Net increase/(decrease)
    1,644     $ 7,566       (7,786 )   $ (69,071 )
 
                       
    Class I
 
Class I*
         
Shares sold
    2,529     $ 15,120       8,531     $ 81,394  
Shares issued upon reinvestment of distributions
    566       3,246              
Shares redeemed
    (933 )     (4,988 )     (791 )     (7,441 )
 
                       
Net increase
    2,162     $ 13,378       7,740     $ 73,953  
 
                       
 
*   From the commencement of offering Class I Shares on January 11, 2008.
8. 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 and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

13


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Notes to Financial Statements (Continued) (Unaudited)
9. Other Matters. On April 24, 2008, the Adviser entered into an administrative settlement with the SEC to resolve the SEC’s 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 settlement, the SEC found that the Adviser had violated Section 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act, Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17d-1 thereunder, and had 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, agreed, among other things, to pay the previously reserved total of $16 million (including a $5 million penalty), of which at least $11 million will be distributed to shareholders of the Global Growth Fund in accordance with a plan to be developed by an independent distribution consultant and approved by the independent directors of the Global Growth Fund and the staff of the SEC, and to cease and desist from future violations of the above referenced federal securities laws. The settlement will 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 Global Growth Fund and other funds in the Gabelli/GAMCO fund complex. The officer denies the allegations and is continuing in his positions with the Adviser and the funds. The Adviser currently expects that any resolution of the action against the officer will not have a material adverse impact on the Adviser or its ability to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

14


 

The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
Board Consideration and Re-Approval of Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
During the six months ended March 31, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Corporation approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Adviser for the Fund on the basis of the recommendation by the directors (the “Independent Board Members”) who are not “interested persons” of the Fund. The following paragraphs summarize the material information and factors considered by the Independent Board Members as well as their conclusions relative to such factors.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Independent Board Members considered information regarding the portfolio manager, the depth of the analyst pool available to the Adviser and the portfolio manager, the scope of administrative, shareholder, and other services supervised or provided by the Adviser and the absence of significant service problems reported to the Board. The Independent Board Members noted the experience, length of service, and reputation of the portfolio manager.
Investment Performance. The Independent Board Members reviewed the performance of the Fund over various periods against a peer group of small cap value and core funds. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s performance was in the top half for the one year period and at or near the top one-third for the three and five year periods. The Independent Board Members also noted that the Fund’s performance had improved relative to its peers over time.
Profitability. The Independent Board Members reviewed summary data regarding the lack of profitability of the Fund to the Adviser both with an administrative overhead charge and without such a charge. The Independent Board Members also noted that an affiliated broker of the Adviser received distribution fees and minor amounts of sales commissions and that the Adviser received a moderate level of soft dollar research benefits through the Fund’s portfolio brokerage.
Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members discussed the major elements of the Adviser’s cost structure and the relationship of those elements to potential economies of scale. The Independent Board Members agreed that economies of scale were not an issue for this small and slow growing Fund that has been unprofitable to the Adviser.
Sharing of Economies of Scale. The Independent Board Members noted that the investment management fee schedule for the Fund does not take into account any potential economies of scale that may develop or any losses or diminished profitability to the Adviser in prior years.
Service and Cost Comparisons. The Independent Board Members compared the expense ratios of the investment management fee, other expenses, and total expenses of the Fund with similar expense ratios of the peer group of small cap value and core funds and noted that the Adviser’s management fee includes substantially all administrative services of the Fund as well as investment advisory services. The Independent Board Members noted that the Fund’s expense ratios after waivers were above and the Fund’s size was far below average within this group and that the Adviser had been waiving substantial portions of its fees in order to make the Fund a more attractive investment. The Independent Board Members also noted that the management fee structure before waivers was the same as that in effect for most of the Gabelli funds. The Independent Board Members did not compare the management fee to the fee for other types of accounts managed by the Adviser.
Conclusions. The Independent Board Members concluded that the Fund enjoyed highly experienced portfolio management services, good ancillary services, and an improving performance record during its limited life. The Independent Board Members also concluded that the Fund’s expense ratios were reasonable in light of the lack of profitability to the Adviser of managing the Fund, and that economies of scale were not a factor in their thinking at this time. The Independent Board Members did not view the potential profitability of ancillary services as material to their decision. On the basis of the foregoing and without assigning particular weight to any single conclusion, the Independent Board Members determined to recommend continuation of the investment management agreement to the full Board.

15


 

Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc.
The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
800-GABELLI
800-422-3554
fax: 914-921-5118
website: www.gabelli.com
e-mail: info@gabelli.com

Net Asset Value per share available daily by calling
800-GABELLI after 6:00 P.M.
Board of Directors
     
Mario J. Gabelli, CFA
  Robert J. Morrissey
Chairman and Chief
  Attorney-at-Law
Executive Officer
  Morrissey, Hawkins & Lynch
GAMCO Investors, Inc.
   
 
   
Anthony J. Colavita
  Anthony R. Pustorino
Attorney-at-Law
  Certified Public Accountant,
Anthony J. Colavita, P.C.
  Professor Emeritus
 
  Pace University
 
   
Vincent D. Enright
  Anthonie C. van Ekris
Former Senior Vice President
  Chairman
and Chief Financial Officer
  BALMAC International, Inc.
KeySpan Corp.
   
 
   
John D. Gabelli
  Salvatore J. Zizza
Senior Vice President
  Chairman
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
  Zizza & Co., Ltd.
Officers and Portfolio Manager
     
Elizabeth M. Lilly, CFA
  Bruce N. Alpert
Portfolio Manager
  President and Secretary
 
   
Peter D. Goldstein
  Agnes Mullady
Chief Compliance Officer
  Treasurer
Distributor
Gabelli & Company, Inc.
Custodian, Transfer Agent, and Dividend Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of The Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
(LOGO)
The
Gabelli
Woodland
Small Cap
Value
Fund
SEMI ANNUAL REPORT
MARCH 31, 2009
GAB840Q109SR


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed registrants.
Not applicable.
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.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.

 


 

Item 9.   Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
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)   Not applicable.
 
  (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)
  Gabelli Equity Series Funds, Inc.    
 
       
 
       
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Bruce N. Alpert    
 
       
 
  Bruce N. Alpert, Principal Executive Officer    
 
       
Date 5/29/09
       
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 5/29/09
       
 
       
By (Signature and Title)*
  /s/ Agnes Mullady    
 
       
 
  Agnes Mullady, Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer    
 
       
Date 5/29/09
       
 
*   Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.