Half-year Report

Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust PLC
28 March 2025
 

Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc

Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 31 December 2024

"We invest like owners. We invest primarily in the equity securities of cash generating, franchise companies, selling in the public market at a significant discount to our appraisal of their Private Market Value. We define Private Market Value (PMV) as the value an informed industrialist would pay to purchase assets with similar characteristics in a privately negotiated transaction. We measure PMV by scrutinizing on- and off-balance sheet assets and liabilities and free cash flow. As a reference check, we examine valuations and merger transactions in the public domain. Our investment objective is to achieve a long-term annualised return in excess of inflation for our clients."

Our Investment Approach
Continuing a Value Investing Legacy

       Our Firm's approach is founded on the principles of Graham & Dodd

       Furthered academically by our founder Mario Gabelli

       Establish values to determine margin of safety

       Invest within circle of competence

       Invest like owners of businesses

●       Intensive proprietary research culture

       Focused and rigorous independent fundamental analysis in valuing the underlying business using publicly available information including data from customers, competitors, products and new technologies

       Announcement of a merger with definitive terms starts the process

       Merger investing benefits from the Gabelli core fundamental approach by establishing real world value before initiating positions

Gabelli Merger Plus + Trust Plc's primary investment objective is to seek to generate total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income for the long term.

Overview

Portfolio summary

Largest Portfolio Security holdings (excluding cash and cash equivalents)

See Note 19 for a detailed breakdown of portfolio holdings



(Unaudited)
As at 31 December 2024




Security1



Offsetting
short position2


% of total 
portfolio6 
(gross) 


Market 
value4 
$000 

Offsetting 
market 
value5 
$000 


% of total 
portfolio3 
(net) 

U.S. Treasury Bill 18 Feb 2025


6.9 

4,475 


6.9 

Hess Corp

Chevron Corp

5.8 

3,755 

(4,194)

(0.7)

Kellanova


4.9 

3,194 


4.9 

Hashicorp Inc


4.7 

3,034 


4.7 

U.S. Treasury Bill 6 Feb 2025


3.9 

2,490 


3.9 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Amedisys Inc


3.2 

2,087 


3.2 

Frontier Communications Parent Inc


3.2 

2,084 


3.2 

Smartsheet Inc


3.2 

2,037 


3.2 

Juniper Networks Inc


3.1 

2,030 


3.1 

U.S. Treasury Bill 27 Mar 2025


3.1 

1,980 


3.1 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Summit Materials Inc


2.6 

1,650 


2.6 

Arcadium Lithium plc


2.4 

1,526 


2.4 

U.S. Treasury Bill 20 Feb 2025


2.3 

1,491 


2.3 

U.S. Treasury Bill 6 Mar 2025


2.3 

1,489 


2.3 

United States Steel Corp


2.3 

1,485 


2.3 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Allete Inc


2.3 

1,458 


2.3 

Endeavor Group Holdings


2.2 

1,449 


2.2 

Barnes Group Inc


2.2 

1,408 


2.2 

Infinera Corp

Nokia Corp

2.1 

1,328 

(438)

1.4 

Albertsons Cos Inc


1.7 

1,130 


1.7 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Subtotal Top 20 Holdings


64.4 

41,580 

(4,632)

57.2 

Other holdings7


35.6 

35,380 

(7,738)

42.8 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total holdings


100.0 

76,960 

(12,370)

100.0 



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

1     Long position.

2     Offsetting position taken, based on the acquirer of the security when acquirer stock is being offered in whole, or in part, to finance the transaction.

3     Represents the total position value (market value plus the offsetting market value) as a percentage of the total portfolio value.

4     Market value of the long position.

5     Market value of the offsetting position.

6     Represents the market value as a percentage of the total portfolio value.

7     Including derivatives.

 

Portfolio allocation

Equities

79.6 

Fixed income

19.5 

Derivatives (contracts for difference)

0.9 


--------------- 

Total

100.0 


========= 

Financial highlights

Performance




(Unaudited) 
As at 
31 December 2024 

(Unaudited) 
As at 
31 December 2023 

(Audited) 
As at 
30 June 2024 

Net asset value (cum income)1,2

$10.14 

$10.43 

$10.04 

Net asset value per share (ex income)3

$10.21 

$10.76 

$10.12 

Dividends per share paid during the period2,4

$0.16 

$0.12 

$0.48 

Share price5

$8.00 

$8.50 

$9.00 

Discount to Net Asset Value6,7

21.09% 

18.17% 

10.36% 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

TOTAL RETURNS


(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 224 

Net asset value per share7,8

2.65% 

3.31% 

3.14% 

U.S. 3-month Treasury Bill Index

4.34% 

5.35% 

5.36% 

Share price7,9

(9.08)% 

(4.30)% 

5.39% 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Income



Per Share Returns

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 

Revenue return per share

$0.01 

($0.05)

$0.12 

Capital return per share

$0.24 

$0.38 

$0.17 

Total return per share

$0.25 

$0.32 

$0.29 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Ongoing charges7,10




(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 

Annualised ongoing charges

2.09% 

2.01% 

2.01% 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Source: Portfolio Manager (Gabelli Funds, LLC), verified by the Administrator (State Street Bank and Trust Company).

1     Net Asset Value (NAV) includes balance sheet adjustments resulting from the Company now being a close company. Such adjustments include deferred tax assets as per Note 8.

2     Cum-income net asset value includes all income, less the value of any dividends paid together with the value of any dividends which have been declared and marked ex dividend but not yet paid. Where the cum-income NAV is lower than the ex-income NAV, this reflects the revenue deficit.

3     Ex-Income NAV: Ex-income net asset value is the Cum-income NAV excluding net income (net income being all income, less the value of any dividends paid together with the value of any dividends which have been declared and marked ex-dividend but not yet paid).

4     The dividend paid during the half year ended 31 December 2024 was the dividend for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024. The Board has continued to review and assess the Company's distribution policy.

5     See Chairman's Statement for discussion regarding the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange, on which the Company's Ordinary Shares trade.

6     The amount by which the market price per share is lower than the cum-income NAV per share, expressed as a percentage of the cum-income NAV per share. Figures are inclusive of income and dividends paid, in line with the Association of Investment Companies (the "AIC") guidance.

7     These key performance indicators are alternative performance measures. Further information regarding the use of alternative performance measures can be found on page 11 and 12 in the Annual Report and Financial Statements as at 30 June 2024.

8     Net Asset Value per ordinary share, total return represents the theoretical return on NAV per ordinary share, assuming that dividends paid to shareholders were reinvested at the NAV per ordinary share at the close of business on the day shares were quoted ex-dividend.

9     Share Price Total Return represents the theoretical return to a shareholder, on a closing market price basis, assuming that all dividends received were reinvested, without transaction costs, into the ordinary shares of the Company at the close of business on the day the shares were quoted ex-dividend.

10   Ongoing Charges are operating expenses incurred in the running of the Company, whether charged to revenue or capital, but excluding financing costs. These are expressed as a percentage of the average net asset value during the period and this is calculated in accordance with guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies.

Chairman's Statement

Introduction
Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc (the "Company") was incorporated in England and Wales on 28 April 2017. Its shares trade under the symbol "GMP" and have been listed on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and the Official List of the International Stock Exchange since 19 July 2017.

The Company's objective is to generate total returns, consisting of capital appreciation and current income. The Company's secondary objective is the protection of capital, uncorrelated to equity and fixed income markets. The Company has broad and flexible investment authority and, accordingly, it may at any time have investments in other related or unrelated areas.

The Company is a close company and no longer avails itself of investment trust status, as per Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 ("S1158"). Furthermore, the Company is classified as an investment company and accordingly is a member of the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC").

After consultation with minority shareholders, the Company determined that continued adherence to the AIC's SORP is in the best interests of the investment company despite no longer remaining S1158 eligible. The largest shareholder, Associated Capital Group, Inc., is intent on continuing with the listed vehicle and growing value in the markets in accordance with the investment policy.

The Deferred Tax Asset ("DTA") increases the book value of the standard portfolio NAV from $9.79 per share to $10.14 per share as of 31 December 2024. The DTA is expected to preserve tax advantages into the medium term. The Board believes there is currently no material NAV impact to the Company and its shareholders from the loss of S1158 status.

The Company's Ordinary Shares trade on the Specialist Fund Segment of the London Stock Exchange. Secondary liquidity for the Company's Ordinary Shares is available via the trading system known as SETSqx, which is an auction based trading process. It is quote based throughout the day, until the auctions at U.K. times: 8am, 9am, 11am, 2pm and 4:35pm, when buyers and sellers can cross orders with each other. As there is no market maker, absent a "match" in prices, a trade would not occur. The closing market price is based on the last actual trade on the day or from any previous trading session when the last trade occurred. Thus there would have to be a match at the prescribed auction times to "meet" on price and quantity for an execution to occur.

The 7½% discount management mentioned in the offering prospectus is not a policy and the Board instead reviews overall conditions on a regular and frequent basis.

The Board is always receptive to feedback and welcomes any questions and comments from shareholders.

Performance
The Company's Net Asset Value ("NAV") at 31 December 2024 was $10.14 per share, generating a total return of 2.65% for the six months ended 31 December 2024.

The Company has provided a total return of 39.51% since issuance. This includes the costs of the issue resulting in a starting NAV of $9.92 per share compared with the issue price of $10.00 per share, and initial closing market price of $10.15 per share.

Expansion of Operating Investment Activities
On 29 October 2024 the Company acquired its affiliated UK investment manager, Gabelli Securities International UK Limited ("GSIL UK"), a limited company organised and existing under the laws of England and Wales. The transaction was financed through the issuance of 96,493 ordinary shares at a $0.50 per share premium to the Company's Net Asset Value. The Company's shareholders benefit from the increase to the Company's cash and investments of approximately $1 million as it absorbed GSIL UK's balance sheet in the exchange. Accordingly, the Company's operating results for the period July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 include the results of GSIL UK from the date of acquisition through the end of the period. The acquisition positions the Company to increase sources of income, allowing for both self-management and the broadening of services to affiliated and third parties. Further, Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc will be rebranded as Gabelli Merchant Partners Plc, reflecting the Company's investment approach and strategic direction. The customary filings for the name change were submitted in March 2025, with the transition expected to be completed in due course.

Dividend
Through 31 December 2024 the Company paid dividends of $3.03 per Ordinary Share, totaling $28.7 million:

Year

Per share ($) 

Total ($ million) 

2018

0.59 

6.1 million 

2019

0.48 

5.0 million 

2020

0.48 

5.0 million 

2021

0.48 

4.9 million 

2022

0.24 

2.5 million 

2023

0.24 

1.6 million 

2024

0.52 

1.1 million 


--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

3.03 

28.7 million 


========= 

========= 

Subsequently, in March 2025 the Company paid an interim dividend of $0.02 per ordinary share with ex-date 6 March and payment date 21 March. This dividend was the 24th dividend made since listing and demonstrates the Company's ongoing commitment to distributing value to shareholders in the form of cash.

The Company will make dividend payments at the discretion of the Board, dividend consideration includes revenue per share for the period of calculation, prior to the impact of any non-cash deferred taxes.

Loyalty Programme
The Company has implemented a Loyalty Programme to incentivise long-term share ownership. The Loyalty Programme is open to all shareholders who are entered in the Loyalty Register, a separate register to allow a shareholder to increase its voting power after holding shares for a continuous period of at least five years. Each shareholder so registered will be entitled to subscribe for one Special Voting Loyalty Share in respect of each Ordinary Share held. These shares can also be used as a form of consideration when entering into one or more agreements to acquire operating businesses in accordance with the Investment Policy.

As of 31 December 2024, Associated Capital Group, Inc. is subscribed for 6,179,100 Special Voting Loyalty Shares, the maximum amount it was permitted under the Loyalty Programme.

Outlook
We are enthusiastic for the year ahead.

It may be difficult to believe, but the world is now five years removed from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although still circulating, concerns about the lethality of the virus have faded, along with the inflationary impact triggered by its supply chain disruptions and the stimulative response of governments around the world. At last reading, U.S. inflation was 2.75%, well below the 2022/23 averages of 8.3%/4.1%, but lingering above the Federal Reserve's comfort zone. The Fed Funds Rate's march from the zero-bound to a high of 5.5% (now 4.25%-4.50%) has apparently done little to curtail GDP growth (last 3.1%) or employment (unemployment rate of 4.2% vs 3.9% one year ago). This stands in stark contrast to history, where nine of the last twelve Fed tightening cycles resulted in recession. With data indicating a potentially higher theoretical neutral, or R* rate (i.e. the interest rate that neither contracts nor expands the economy), the Fed has pivoted to fewer rate cuts in 2025.

Around the world, globalism is being replaced by nationalism, a preference for capital and intellectual property is giving way to labor and hard assets, and questions about the impact of climate and technological change abound. Americans voted to disrupt entrenched patterns on November 5, and that they may receive. For all the uncertainty about how the next president might govern, Trump 1.0 presented a fairly detailed blueprint: ask for the world, but ultimately compromise. That will have to be the case as Congress gets down to the serious business of addressing our $2 trillion annual budget deficit and $35 trillion national debt, while extending many of the tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Will greed for power lead Republicans to overstep in 2025, only to be turned about by a potentially reinvigorated Democratic Party in 2026? Would the benefits to the economy be worth it? Again, maybe. Observations suggest a slow, but not recessionary, U.S. economy, and a tired but remarkably resilient consumer. In our view, the biggest risk to the economy (outside of geopolitical shocks) is a resurgence of inflation. On that front, we expect to witness a battle between the disinflationary forces of deregulation and government cost efficiencies (think DOGE) and the inflationary forces of tariffs, tax cuts, and deportation.

With President Trump once again taking up residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, merger arbitrage investors have been able to breathe a sigh of relief. The Biden administration's strict stance on antitrust enforcement has caused headaches for investors but, with recent changes to the U.S. antitrust watchdogs, we expect to see a resurgence of robust deal activity following several months of pent-up demand. Key drivers of accelerating M&A activity in the coming years include the need to compete on a global basis, acquire new technologies and expand into emerging areas. We believe 2025 is setting up to be a promising and exciting time to be investing in global mergers and acquisitions, with strong tailwinds likely to propel new deal announcements in the months ahead.

In the current environment, it is strategically advantageous to allocate a portion of the Company's assets to U.S. Treasury bills due to the numerous benefits they offer. Treasuries stand out for their ability to provide competitive returns when compared to other fixed-income securities and given their short-term nature allows for frequent reinvestment at prevailing interest rates, potentially maximizing the overall yield of the portfolio over time. Moreover, Treasuries are highly liquid and can be easily bought and sold without significantly affecting their value. This liquidity not only enhances the flexibility of the Company's investment strategy but also allows for swift adjustments in response to changing market conditions.

We extend a welcome to all our shareholders for the next phase of exciting growth.

John Birch                            Marc Gabelli

Co-Chairman                            Co-Chairman

28 March 2025

Interim Management Report and Responsibility Statement

We share this 1st Half Report to Shareholders, encompassing the period from July 2024 through December 2024, and note certain developments post calendar year end. This period included several important updates for the Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc (the "Company") as included in the Chairman's Statement, which include:

       On 29 October 2024 the Company acquired its affiliated UK investment manager, GSIL UK, through the issuance of 96,493 new ordinary shares at a $0.50 per share premium to the Company's Net Asset Value.

       On 22 November 2024 the Company paid the full-year dividend in respect of the financial year ended 30 June 2024 of $0.16 per ordinary share.

       On 27 February 2025 the Board declared the first interim dividend for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 of $0.02 per ordinary share. The dividend was paid on 21 March 2025 to shareholders of record on 7 March 2025.

       The Company has elected continued adherence to the AIC's SORP. Although no longer an investment trust, the Company has elected to continue to prepare the financial statements on a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP. The SORP is issued by the AIC and it sets out recommendations, intended to represent current best practice, on the form and contents of the financial statements of Investment Companies. Investment Companies include investment trust companies that have been, currently are, or are directing its affairs so as to enable it to obtain or retain approval under Section 1158. Although the Company no longer meets the requirements of section 1158 to be an investment trust, it continues to conduct its affairs as an investment company.

Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc ("GMP") seeks to achieve long-term total return from capital appreciation and income utilising the Gabelli Private Market Value with a CatalystTM methodology, primarily investing in the securities of businesses undergoing some form of strategic change where there are substantial disconnects between market price and business value, and, where catalysts exist that may narrow these discounts for the benefit of shareholders. GMP objectives, operating within this highly specialised value based catalyst event driven merger arbitrage discipline, are to compound and preserve shareholder wealth over time while remaining non-correlated to the broad equity and fixed income markets.

The Investment Methodology provides additional details on our investment process and how we find value in an effort to achieve, over the long term, superior risk adjusted annual returns above inflation for shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank investors for entrusting a portion of their assets with the Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust ("GMP"). We appreciate your confidence in the Gabelli long-term oriented investment method.

The Portfolio Manager's Review provides details of the important events that have occurred during the period and their impact on the financial statements.

Company Considerations
Investors should note the difference between book and accounting value. Deferred tax assets ("DTA") can be used to offset certain taxes as applicable in the United Kingdom. And as such, based on a continuing level of activity the DTA are expected to be utilised resulting in the company not paying UK tax for this year. As a result of Associated Capital Group Inc's ownership of 92.7% of shares in issue, the Company is a consolidated subsidiary for Associated Capital Group Inc.'s financial reporting purposes. As such, activities of the Company and of Associated Capital Group Inc. could be deemed related parties for purposes of this disclosure. Investors should note that as a close company with Associated Capital Group Inc. controlling greater than 90% of shares Associated Capital Group Inc. may be able to ensure the approval of certain shareholder resolutions.

The Company is committed to delivering its investment programme for the long term and Directors, together with management are in the process of examining alternatives to minimise taxes, costs and expenses for its Shareholders.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company fall into the following broad categories: investment portfolio; global macro events; operational; market and share price; financial; corporate governance and regulatory compliance; taxation; emerging and geopolitical risks. The global macro event category includes specific market and operational risks associated with the geopolitical dynamics in the Ukraine and Middle East which continue to cause uncertainty and disruption across global economies and markets. Information on each of these identified risk areas, including mitigating actions taken by the Company, was provided on pages 13 to 14 in the Strategic Report in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024.

Related Party Disclosure and Transactions
During the first six months of the current financial year, other than fees payable by the Company in the ordinary course of business, there have been no material transactions with related parties which have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the Company.

Going Concern
The Board have closely monitored the impact of the various risks and uncertainties impacting the Company. Those impacts and related continuing uncertainty have short-and potentially medium-term implications for the Company's investment strategy. Additionally, the Board is monitoring the period ahead on the basis of the Company no longer having investment trust status and its implications on the Company's investment return profile over the longer term. In context, the Board continuously monitors the Company's investment portfolio, liquidity and gearing, along with levels of market activity, to appropriately minimise and mitigate consequential risks to capital and future income such as geopolitical risks, financial risks etc. Taking these factors into account, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Company will continue to operate and meet its expenses as they fall due. For these reasons, the Directors consider there is reasonable evidence to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts as at 31 December 2024.

Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

       the condensed set of financial statements contained within the half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with applicable International Accounting Standard 34 - 'Interim Financial Reporting' (IFS) as contained in UK-adopted international accounting standards; and

       the Interim Management Report, together with the Portfolio Manager's Review, include a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

This half yearly financial report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditors.

The half yearly financial report was approved by the Board on 28 March 2025 and the above responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by the Co-Chairmen.

JOHN BIRCH                MARC GABELLI

Co-Chairman                Co-Chairman

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

28 March 2025

The Search For Value - Gabelli Merger Plus+ Investment Methodology

The Gabelli Investment Process
Private Market Value with a CatalystTM

Process in Action
Gabelli Funds approach the global marketplace in a similar fashion; we invest like owners. Our clients own businesses through the fractional interest of a share. We are not index benchmarked, and construct portfolios agnostic of market capitalisation and index weightings. We seek long-term capital appreciation for our clients relative to inflation over the long term, regardless of market cycles. We have invested this way since 1977.

The Gabelli Merger Plus portfolio offers access to companies that have been identified to have substantial disconnects between market price and our estimate of the business value (PMV), and where catalyst events exist that may narrow these discounts for the benefit of GMP shareholders. We thus establish a "Margin of Safety" for our investors by identifying differences between our estimate of PMV and the stock market price. The process seeks to identify businesses undergoing some form of strategic change, typically with strong organic cash flow characteristics, balance sheets reorganizational opportunities, and strategic operational flexibility accelerated with the prospect of management capital allocation actions.

Catalyst merger events can come in many forms including, but not limited to, corporate restructurings (such as demergers and asset sales), operational improvements, regulatory or managerial changes, special situations (such as liquidations), and mergers and acquisitions. Corporate mergers provide valuable insights into corporate capital allocation decisions and therefore help in our assessment of long-term valuations. Our proprietary research data bases track thousands of announced deals globally and utilises that compounded knowledge in the continued refinement of Private Market Valuations. PMV's will change over time, and while our analysis is long term, it is through this consistent process of bottom up stock selection and the implementation of disciplined portfolio construction that we expect to create value for our shareholders annually.

In this process, we do sector-by-sector analysis, assessing the PMV of a business, and identifying the catalyst in place to realise returns. A company's PMV is not constant, and changes as a function of many variables. Our analysis emphasizes balance sheets, cash flows, and the long-term defendable position of a corporation. We achieve returns through investing in businesses utilising our proprietary Private Market Value ("PMV") with a Catalyst™ methodology. The PMV is the value that we believe an informed buyer would be willing to pay to acquire an entire company in a private transaction. Our team arrives at a PMV valuation by a rigorous assessment of fundamentals from publicly available information. Further, PMV's are enhanced through the analysis of announced corporate mergers and acquisition activity. Mergers offer tangible insights into the long-term capital allocation decisions of global corporations. We focus on the balance sheet, earnings, free cash flow, and the management, the stewards of corporates assets, of prospective companies. The judgement gained from our comprehensive, accumulated knowledge across a variety of sectors is deployed for investors in a portfolio. Our analysts typically forecast model company operations 5 years into the future. Unlike Wall Street's earnings momentum players, we do not try to forecast earnings with accounting precision and then trade stocks based on quarterly expectations and realities. We simply try to position ourselves in front of long-term earnings trends. Throughout our research process, the focus is on free cash flow: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") minus the capital expenditures necessary to grow the business. We believe free cash flow is the best barometer of a business' value. Deteriorating or rising free cash flow often foreshadows net earnings changes. We also look at earnings per share trends. In addition, we analyse on and off balance sheet assets and liabilities such as property, plant and equipment, inventories, receivables, and legal, environmental and health care issues. We want to know everything and anything that will add to, or detract from, our valuation models. This method of analysis involves looking at businesses as a function of their assets and earnings power. We examine businesses as if we were owners of those businesses, and we believe that we can do that in a rational way by looking at industries on a global basis. Our investment professionals visit with hundreds of companies each year. Our work is proprietary, bottom up, and involves the full utilisation of public resources.

Our analysts follow industries on a global basis, and narrow the universe of potential investment candidates to a short list of the most attractive companies. All publicly available company material is reviewed, including annual and quarterly reports, 10-Ks, 10-Qs, and proxy statements.

Each analyst develops an operational understanding of their industry, effectively becoming an expert in that industry. The analysts hone this expertise by continually visiting companies and their senior managements, and by talking to competitors, suppliers and customers. They also develop and maintain government and trade sources to derive an overall understanding of their industry. In addition, our firm hosts a number of industry seminars, where the top executives of the leading firms share their insights with the investment community.

The objective of this process is to identify companies that trade at significant differences to their intrinsic or private market values.

We continually visit the management of hundreds of companies and integrate their input with our knowledge base. Our goal is to understand management's motivations and expectations. Given our approach, we want to know who our partners are and if they are working to enhance shareholder value. This process, coupled with our financial analysis, helps us select the most attractive investment candidates for our portfolios.

We employ a three-dimensional approach to valuation:

       Earnings per share

       Free cash flow

       Private market value

The first step is to analyse the income statement and cash flow. Cash flow is viewed as a barometer of financial health, and often foreshadows earnings trends. We attempt to forecast the direction and growth rates of the earnings and cash flow streams.

The second step is to examine the balance sheet. The corporate balance sheet is recast, assessing real-world values of inventories, property, plant and equipment and stated book value.

Manager History
The Gabelli organisation, of which Gabelli Funds, LLC is an affiliate, began in the U.S. in 1976 as an institutional value investing research firm. Mario Gabelli, the firm's founder, is credited by the academic community for establishing the notion of Private Market Value ("PMV"), the value an informed industrialist would pay for an entire business in a negotiated transaction. This is a long-term oriented bottom- up investment process based on the fundamental investment principles first articulated in 1934 by Graham and Dodd, the founders of modern security analysis, and further augmented by Mario Gabelli in 1977 with his introduction of the concepts of PMV into equity analysis. Gabelli has added the element of a catalyst event to generate long-term returns. The Gabelli method, PMV with a CatalystTM, is part of the Value Investing Curriculum at many major business schools and is thus applied in the analysis of public equity securities by Gabelli Funds for shareholders.

To these two analytical processes,  dynamic forecasting and static asset and liability valuation, we add our assessment of the PMV of the business. In other words, what would this company be worth to an informed business person attempting to create or purchase a business with similar characteristics?

Catalyst: Identification of a mispriced situation, however, does not necessarily guarantee a rewarding investment. The next step is to determine events in businesses undergoing some form of strategic change that will help narrow the spread between a stock's public market price and our determination of its PMV. We call these events catalysts. Catalysts include industry events such as consolidation, changes in the regulatory or accounting environment, new technologies, or be indigenous to the company itself such as financial engineering, demergers, acquisitions or sales.

Results: After we have identified and selected stocks that qualify as candidates based on these fundamental and conceptual considerations, our objective is to structure a diversified portfolio. This has been a proven long-term method for creating wealth, risk adjusted, in the stock market.

Portfolio Manager's review

Methodology and Market Opportunity
In this context, let us outline our investment methodology and the investment environment through 31 December 2024.

Merger arbitrage is a highly specialized investment approach designed principally to profit from corporate events, including the successful completion of proposed mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, tender offers, leveraged buyouts, restructurings, demergers, and other types of corporate reorganizations and actions. As arbitrageurs, we seek to earn the differential, or "spread," between the market price of our investments and the value ultimately realized through deal consummation.

We are especially enthusiastic about the opportunities to grow client wealth in the decades to come, and we highlight below several factors that should help drive results. These include:

       Increased market volatility, which enhances our ability to establish positions for the prospect of improved returns

       A robust market for corporate deal making as conditions continue to provide an accommodative market for mergers and acquisitions

       A normalized interest rate environment, providing attractive merger spread opportunities

       The Fund's experienced investment team, which pursues opportunities globally through the disciplined application of Gabelli's investment methodology

Global Deal Activity1
Global deal activity totaled $3.2 trillion during 2024, a year over year increase of 10%. This increase was partially driven by the return of larger sized deals. Deals greater than $5 billion totaled $1.1 trillion, an increase of 17% compared to 2023. Deals valued at under $500 million, on the other hand, accounted for $795 billion during the first half, down 4% year over year.

The United States continued to be the most popular venue for transactions. Deals involving United States- based targets increased 5% year over year and accounted for 45% of global deal activity. European M&A tallied $700 billion of transactions over the same period, an increase of 22%. The Asia Pacific region totaled $611 bn in M&A-a 1% increase year over year.

1     Thomson Reuters M&A Review - Full Year 2024

Cross border M&A activity totaled $1.1 trillion during the year, an increase of 12% year over year. Private equity backed M&A was robust as well. Such buyouts accounted for $706 billion, an increase of 24% year over year. Private equity accounted for 22% of total deal activity.

The Technology sector was the biggest contributor to merger activity during the year, totaling $500 billion, accounting for 16% of total announced deal volume. The Energy & Power sector accounted for 15% of deal activity.

Portfolio in Review
Despite election uncertainty, risk assets in the US had another remarkable year in 2024; bolstered by moderating inflation, interest rate cuts, and solid economic growth. The S&P 500 returned 25%, led by big tech and other stocks adjacent to the artificial intelligence thematic.

Our merger arbitrage portfolios earn returns from taking idiosyncratic deal risk and not market risk. The return profile of the fund is a function of investing in M&A transactions, earning a "spread" upon deal closure, and reinvesting that capital into newly announced deals. M&A activity in 2024 totaled $3.2 trillion globally, up 10% year over year. Two of the major impediments for deal activity in recent years have begun to abate and should become tailwinds for M&A as we enter 2025: interest rates and antitrust regulation. Beginning in September, the Federal Reserve embarked on a new easing cycle, which led to 3 rate cuts totaling 100 basis points in 2024. The lower cost of capital should promote more activity from strategic as well as private equity buyers. Regarding antitrust regulation, a new administration will take office in the US in January with an agenda starkly opposite to the last. Pro-business policy will replace the previous administration's dogmatic commitment to "hipster" antitrust enforcement. We anticipate that a return to more traditional antitrust analysis and theories of harm will be supportive of the return of large-scale M&A.

Merger arbitrage spreads continue to remain attractive. As the risk-free rate is one of the components of a deal spread, short-term rates should drive spread levels for transactions on the safer side of the risk spectrum. Even with the recent easing by the Fed, we expect a more normalized interest rate environment than we have seen over the past decade; thus creating a compelling spread environment going forward. Spread levels for deals that skew on the riskier side have naturally remained wider and will continue to be driven by regulatory and other specific risks involved. While regulators have been more aggressive in recent years in challenging transactions, we are optimistic that the change in leadership will lead to a change in ideology regarding M&A regulation.

We continue to find attractive investment opportunities in newly announced and pipeline deals. We remain focused on investing in highly strategic, well-financed deals with an added focus on near-term catalysts, and are upbeat about our prospect to generate absolute returns.

Notable contributors to performance include:

Sports and Entertainment Content
Endeavor Group (EDR-NYSE), is a global sports and entertainment company that owns and operates properties including UFC and WWE, publishes and distributes sports and entertainment content and has a talent management business that represents athletes and entertainers. Endeavor Group is being acquired by Silver Lake Management for $27.50 cash per share or about $25 billion. Shares have consistently traded above the deal price of $27.50 per share as investors are poised for litigation, as the deal materially undervalues the company. Silver Lake Management and Endeavor executives own more than 70% of Endeavor equity and control the company through super-voting shares. Although a shareholder vote is not a condition to the deal given Silver Lake's voting control of the company, many shareholders are expected to file for appraisal in Delaware Court and are purchasing shares above the deal price in anticipation of a future windfall from the appraisal process. Endeavor owns about 90 million shares of TKO Group (about 53% of shares outstanding) and TKO's stock has increased in value by nearly 60% since the acquisition of Endeavor Group was announced.

Containers and Packaging
DS Smith (SMDS LN-London) is a leading, global provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging. DS Smith is being acquired by International Paper for 0.1285 shares of International Paper common stock per share of DS Smith, which values DS Smith at about £8 billion. The spread on the transaction narrowed in the second half of the year after Brazilian pulp producer Suzano dropped its unsolicited bid to acquire International Paper, which had caused uncertainty over IP's ability to complete the acquisition. Due to the amount of stock to be issued by International Paper, the deal was subject to approval by shareholders of IP, and the presence of a hostile bidder for IP created the potential for IP shareholders to vote against the acquisition of DS Smith in favour of selling the company to Suzano. The companies have since received shareholder approval and are awaiting only regulatory clearance from the European Commission. We expect the transaction will close in the first quarter of 2025.

Biotech Pharma
Catalent (CERE-NASDQ), is a provider of manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, as well as other medical treatments. The deal closed in December following an extended antitrust review. Under terms of the agreement with Novo Holdings, Catalent shareholders received $63.50 cash per share, which valued Catalent at $16 billion.

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings (CERE-NASDQ) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on neurological disorders. Following an in-depth investigation by the U.S. FTC, the transaction closed in August 2024. Under terms of the agreement Cerevel shareholders received $45 cash per share, which valued the company at $8.5 billion.

Application Software
Squarespace, Inc. (SQSP-NYSE) is a platform that allows users to create and manage websites. Following investor pushback that the acquisition price undervalued the company-evidenced by a low premium and strong performance of peer companies since the announcement of the acquisition-Permira agreed to increase the acquisition price to $46.50 cash per share and convert to a tender offer. Squarespace previously agreed to be acquired by the same group for $44.00 cash per share in May 2024. The transaction closed in October 2024.

Financial Statements

Statement of comprehensive income





(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2024

(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2023

(Audited)
Year ended 31 December 2024


Income


Note 

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Investment income

764 

764 

966 

966 

2,374 

2,374 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total investment income

 

764 

764 

966 

966 

2,374 

2,374 


 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Advisory and distribution

 










Investment advisory revenue


453 

453 

Distribution revenue


163 

163 

Other revenue from affiliate


45 

45 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total advisory and distribution

 

661 

661 


 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Gains on investments











Net realised and unrealised gains on investments

3, 12 

2,239 

2,239 

2,870 

2,870 

2,255 

2,255 

Net realised and unrealised currency gains on investments


31 

31 

24 

24 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net gains on investments


2,288 

2,288 

2,901 

2,901 

2,279 

2,279 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total income and gains on investments


764 

2,288 

3,052 

966 

2,901 

3,867 

2,374 

2,279 

4,653 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Expenses











Portfolio management fee

(289)

(289)

(287)

(287)

(568)

(568)

Performance fee

6, 14 

Other expenses

(973)

(322)

(1,295)

(331)

(320)

(651)

(647)

(600)

(1,247)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total expenses


(1,262)

(322)

(1,584)

(618)

(320)

(938)

(1,215)

(600)

(1,815)



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

Net return on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation


163 

1,920 

2,083 

348 

2,581 

2,929 

1,159 

1,679 

2,838 

Interest expense and similar charges


(1)

(1)

(11)

(11)

(20)

(20)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Profit before taxation


162 

1,920 

2,082 

337 

2,581 

2,918 

1,139 

1,679 

2,818 

Taxation on ordinary activities

(101)

(258)

(359)

(698)

(698)

(316)

(510)

(826)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

(Loss)/profit for the period


61 

1,662 

1,723 

(361)

2,581 

2,220 

823 

1,169 

1,992 

 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

(Loss)/earnings per share (basic and diluted)

$0.01 

$0.24 

$0.25 

($0.05)

$0.38 

$0.32 

$0.12 

$0.17 

$0.29 



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

The total column of this statement represents the Statement of Comprehensive Income prepared in accordance with UK International Accounting Standards (UK IAS). The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns are both prepared under guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period ended 31 December 2024.

The Company does not have any income or expense that is not included in net profit for the year. Accordingly, the net profit for the period is also the total comprehensive income for the year, as defined in UK IAS.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Statement of changes in equity for the period ended 31 December 2024

Half year ended 31 December 2024




(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2024








Note 


Called up 
Share Capital 
$000 

Special 
Distributable 
Reserve1 
$000 


Capital 
Reserve 
$000 


Revenue 
Reserve1 
$000 



Total 
$000 

Balance as at 1 July 2024


103 

42,593 

26,454 

(537)

68,613 

Ordinary shares created


1,003 

1,004 

Profit for the period after tax on ordinary activities


1,662 

61 

1,723 

Dividends paid

(1,109)

(1,109)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Balance as at 31 December 2024


104 

42,487 

28,116 

(476)

70,231 



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Half year ended 31 December 2023





(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2023








Note 


Called up 
Share Capital 
$000 

Special 
Distributable 
Reserve1 
$000 


Capital 
Reserve 
$000 


Revenue 
Reserve1 
$000 



Total 
$000 

Balance as at 1 July 2023


103 

45,995 

25,285 

(1,360)

70,023 

Profit/(loss) for the period after tax on ordinary activities


2,581 

(361)

2,220 

Dividends paid


(822)

(822)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Balance as at 31 December 2023


103 

45,173 

27,866 

(1,721)

71,421 



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Year ended 30 June 2023





(Audited)
Year ended 30 June 2024








Note 


Called up 
Share Capital 
$000 

Special 
Distributable 
Reserve1 
$000 


Capital 
Reserve 
$000 


Revenue 
Reserve1 
$000 



Total 
$000 

Balance as at 1 July 2023


103 

45,995 

25,285 

(1,360)

70,023 

Ordinary shares bought back into treasury


(175)

(175)

Profit for the period after tax on ordinary activities


1,169 

823 

1,992 

Dividends paid

(3,227)

(3,227)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Balance as at 30 June 2024


103 

42,593 

26,454 

(537)

68,613 



========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

1     The Revenue Reserve and Special Distributable Reserve are distributable. The amount of the Revenue Reserve and Special Distributable Reserve that is distributable is not necessarily the full amount of the reserves as disclosed within these financial statements. As at 31 December 2024, the net amount of reserves that are distributable are $39,764,000 (31 December 2023: $43,452,000, 30 June 2024: $42,056,000).

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Statement of financial position






(Unaudited)
As at 31 December 2024

(Unaudited)
As at 31 December 2023

(Audited)
As at 30 June 2024 

Note 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

$000 

Non-current assets








Investments held at fair value through profit or loss


61,291 


63,892 


57,488 

Current assets








Cash and cash equivalents

10 

7,411 


5,901 


8,430 


Receivable for investment sold


104 


77 


1,391 


Other receivables

15 

609 


77 


131 


Deferred tax asset

2,415 


2,870 


2,774 




--------------- 


--------------- 


--------------- 




10,539 


8,925 


12,726 


Current liabilities








Portfolio management fee payable


(49)


(49)


(46)


Payable for investment purchased


(205)


(643)


(661)


Other payables

15 

(1,112)


(338)


(403)


Bank overdrafts



(35)


(36)


(89)



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net current assets



9,138 


7,859 


11,527 

 



========= 


========= 


========= 

Non-current liabilities








Investments at fair value through profit or loss


(146)


(278)


(350)

Offering fees payable



(52)


(52)


(52)




--------------- 


--------------- 


--------------- 

Net assets



70,231 


71,421 


68,613 

 



========= 


========= 


========= 

Share capital and reserves








Called-up share capital

11 

104 


103 


103 


Special distributable reserve1


42,487 


45,173 


42,593 


Capital reserve


28,116 


27,866 


26,454 


Revenue reserve1


(476)


(1,721)


(537)




--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total shareholders' funds



70,231 


71,421 


68,613 

 



========= 


========= 


========= 

Net asset value per ordinary share



$10.14 


$10.43 


$10.04 

 



========= 


========= 


========= 

1     The Revenue Reserve and Special Distributable Reserve are distributable. The amount of the Revenue Reserve and Special Distributable Reserve that is distributable is not necessarily the full amount of the reserves as disclosed within these financial statements. As at 31 December 2024, the net amount of reserves that are distributable are $39,764,000 (31 December 2023: $43,452,000, 30 June 2024: $42,056,000).

Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc is registered in England and Wales under Company number 10747219.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Notes to the financial statements

1 Condensed financial statements
The half yearly report has not been audited by the Company's auditors.

2 Accounting policies
(a) Basis of preparation - The financial statements of Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc have been prepared in accordance with the UK adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative financial instruments) at fair value through profit or loss.

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Company are set out below. Where presentational guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice ('SORP') for investment trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies ('AIC') in October 2019 is consistent with the requirements of IFRS, the Directors have sought to prepare the financial statements on a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP.

For the accounting period ended 30 June 2022, the Company met the requirements to be an investment trust under sections 1158 and 1159 of the Corporation Tax Act of 2010. However, as a result of the Tranche One Tender Offer completed in the third quarter of 2022, the Company subsequently became a close company due to becoming controlled by a single participator, Associated Capital Group, Inc.

Although no longer an Investment Trust, the Company has elected to continue to prepare the financial statements on a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP. The SORP is issued by the AIC and it sets out recommendations, intended to represent current best practice, on the form and contents of the financial statements of Investment Companies. Investment Companies include investment trust companies that have been, currently are, or are directing its affairs so as to enable it to obtain or retain approval under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. Although the Company no longer meets the requirements of Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 to be an investment trust, it continues to conduct its affairs as an investment company. Further, management of the Company also believes that consistency in presentation will be beneficial to investors reviewing the Company's financial statements.

(b) Presentation of Statement of Comprehensive Income - To better reflect the activities of an investment trust company and in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, supplementary information which analyses the Statement of Comprehensive Income between items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(c) Going concern - The Directors, have taken account of the continuing market regulatory changes affecting investee companies, investment valuations and various geopolitical conflicts. Those impacts and related continuing uncertainty have short- and potentially medium-term implications for the Company's investment strategy. Additionally, the Board is monitoring the period ahead on the basis of the Company no longer having investment trust status and its implications on the Company's investment return profile over the longer term. In context, the Board continuously monitors the Company's investment portfolio, liquidity, and gearing, along with levels of market activity, to appropriately minimise and mitigate consequential risks to capital and future income such as geopolitical risks and financial risks. Taking these factors into account, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Company will continue to operate and meet its expenses as they fall due for a period no less than 12 months from the signing of the balance sheet. For these reasons, the Directors consider there is reasonable evidence to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts as at 31 December 2024.

In forming this position, the Directors considered the Company's investment objectives, risk management policies, capital management policies and procedures, the nature of the portfolio and expenditure projections in detail.

(d) Statement of estimation uncertainty - In the application of the Company's accounting policies, the Investment Manager is required to make judgements, estimates, and assumptions about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not always readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may vary from these estimates. There have been no significant judgements, estimates, or assumptions for the period.

(e) Income recognition - Revenue from investments (other than special dividends), including taxes deducted at source, is included in revenue by reference to the date on which the investment is quoted ex-dividend, or where no ex-dividend date is quoted, when the Company's right to receive payment is established. Franked investment income is stated net of the relevant tax credit. Other income includes any taxes deducted at source.

Special dividends are credited to capital or revenue, according to the circumstances. Scrip dividends are treated as unfranked investment income; any excess in value of the shares received over the amount of the cash dividend is recognised as a capital item in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Interest income is accounted for on an accrual basis by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount.

(f) Expenses - The management fees are allocated to revenue in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Interest receivable and payable and management expenses are treated on an accruals basis. Other expenses are charged to revenue except where they directly relate to the acquisition or disposal of an investment, in which case, they are added to the cost of the investment or deducted from the sale proceeds. Starting with the year ended 30 June 2023, transaction and finance charges related to contracts for difference are charged to capital.

The formation and initial expenses of the Company are allocated to capital.

(g) Investments - Investments have been designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss. Investments are recognised and de-recognised at trade date where a purchase or sale is under a contract whose terms require delivery within the time frame established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, investments are valued at fair value. U.S. Treasuries held for investment diversification purposes are not included as cash equivalents and are valued at their amortised cost. Movements in the fair value of investments and gains/losses on the sale of investments are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income as capital items.

The Company's investments are classified as held at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with applicable International Financial Standards.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Company shall offset financial assets and financial liabilities if it has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and interests and intends to settle on a net basis. Financial assets and liabilities are derecognised when the Company settles its obligations relating to the instrument.

Contracts for Difference (CFDs)
CFDs are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position at the accumulated unrealised gain or loss as an asset or liability, respectively. This represents the difference between the nominal book cost and market value of each position held. Movements in the unrealised gains/losses are taken to the Statement of Comprehensive Income as capital items.

(h) Cash and cash equivalents - The Company may invest part of its net assets in cash and cash equivalents, money market instruments, bonds, commercial papers or other debt obligations with banks or other counterparties, having at least a single-A (or equivalent) credit rating from an internationally recognised rating agency or government and other public securities, if the Portfolio Manager believes that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. This may be the case, for example, where the Portfolio Manager believes that adverse market conditions justify a temporary defensive position.

Any cash or surplus assets may also be temporarily invested in such instruments pending investment in accordance with the Company's investment policy. Cash balances are marked to market based on the prevailing exchange rate as of the valuation date. U.S. Treasuries are valued at their amortised cost.

(i) Transaction costs - Transaction costs incurred on the purchase and disposal of investments are recognised as a capital item in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

(j) Foreign currency - Foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling on the period end date. Revenue received/receivable and expenses paid/payable in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at the transaction date.

(k) Fair value - All financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the financial statements at fair value.

(l) Dividends payable - Interim and final dividends are recognised in the period in which they are declared.

(m) Capital reserve - Capital distributions received, realised gains or losses on investments that are readily convertible to cash, and capital expenses are transferred to the capital reserve. Share buybacks are funded through the capital reserve.

(n) Taxation - The tax effect of different items of income/gains and expenditure/losses is allocated between revenue and capital on the same basis as the particular item to which it relates, under the marginal method, using the Company's effective rate of tax. Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the period end date where transactions of events that result in an obligation to pay more or a right to pay less tax in future have occurred at the period end date measured on an undiscounted basis and based on enacted tax rates. This is subject to deferred tax assets only being recognised if it is considered more likely than not that there will be suitable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying timing differences can be deducted. Timing differences are differences arising between the Company's taxable profits and its results as stated in the accounts which are capable of reversal in one or more subsequent periods.

GMP was historically authorized as an Investment Trust under Sections 1158 and 1159 Corporation Tax Act 2010 and the Investment Trust (Approved Company) (Tax) Regulations 2011 (S.I.2011/2999).

Following a share buy-back offer from 19 August 2022 to 22 September 2022, GMP became a close company due to becoming controlled by a single participator, Associated Capital Group Inc. This constituted a "serious" breach of the Investment Trust rules.

Accordingly, GMP notified HMRC of this development in December 2022 and requested confirmation that GMP's authorization as an Investment Trust should be withdrawn from the commencement of the accounting period starting 1 July 2022.

The primary benefit associated with the Investment Trust regime is that capital gains realized by a qualifying Investment Trust company is exempt from UK Corporation Tax. Therefore, loss of Investment Trust status for a UK company can have potentially significant consequences for its tax profile moving forwards, as it would be subject to tax on any capital gains realized thereafter at the main rate of UK Corporation Tax.

At 31 December 2024, after offset against income taxable on receipt, there was a deferred tax asset ("DTA") of $2.41 million (31 December 2023: $2.87 million, 30 June 2024: $2.77 million) in relation to surplus tax reliefs. After the loss of its Investment Trust Status it is now possible for GMP to utilise this DTA in order to shelter capital gains from UK Corporation Tax. In order for the DTA to remain available, GMP must maintain its investment business moving forward. GMP's activities are such that it will have an investment business for UK tax purposes. In particular, the Investment Trust rules require that "substantially all of the business of the Investment Trust company consists of investing its funds in shares, land or other assets with the aim of spreading investment risk and giving members of the company the benefit of the results of the management of its funds". This may be considered analogous to having an investment business.

Therefore, given (i) GMP previously received approval from HMRC that this requirement was met, and (ii) the activity of the company is not intended to change, GMP will continue having an investment business and will meet the conditions to carry forward and use its excess management expenses in current and future periods. As such GMP has included the DTA in the financial statements.

(o) GSIL UK revenues and expenses - Effective from the date of acquisition on 29 October 2024, GSIL UK revenues and expenses are included in the Company's Statement of Comprehensive Income. GSIL UK is contracted by Gabelli Funds, LLC to provide certain investment advisory and distribution services to an affiliated fund, accordingly Gabelli Funds pays GSIL 100% of such revenues from the fund. Distribution expenses relate to marketing expenses incurred by GSIL UK in performing these services. Further, GSIL UK has delegated the investment advisory services to an affiliate of Associated Capital Group, Inc., the cost of these services is reflected in Advisory revenue paid away to affiliate.

(p) Functional and presentation currency - The functional and presentation currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar.

3 Investments at fair value through profit or loss
The financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss in the financial statements are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:


As at 31 December 2024 (Unaudited)



Level 1 
$000 

Level 2 
$000 

Level 3 
$000 

Level 4 
$000 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss





Quoted equities

48,542 

48,542 

Contingent value rights

117 

117 

Derivatives

707 

707 

U.S. Treasuries

11,925 

11,925 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Gross fair value




61,291 

Derivatives

(146)

(146)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net fair value

60,584 

561 

61,145 

 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

There were no transfers between levels for the period ended 31 December 2024.


As at 31 December 2023 (Unaudited)

"

Level 1 
$000 

Level 2 
$000 

Level 3 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss





Quoted equities

36,716 

823 

37,539 

Contingent value rights

372 

372 

Derivatives

115 

115 

U.S. Treasuries

25,866 

25,866 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Gross fair value




63,892 

Derivatives

(278)

(278)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net fair value

36,716 

25,703 

1,195 

63,614 

 

========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 


As at 30 June 2024 (Audited)



Level 1 
$000 

Level 2 
$000 

Level 3 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss





Quoted equities

47,822 

47,822 

Contingent value rights

165 

165 

Derivatives

317 

317 

U.S. Treasuries

9,184 

9,184 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Gross fair value




57,488 

Derivatives

(350)

(350)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net fair value

47,987 

9,151 

57,138 


========= 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Fair value hierarchy
IFRS 13 requires the Company to classify its financial instruments held at fair value using a hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in the valuation methodologies.

These are as follows:

       Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;

       Level 2 - other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayments, credit risk, etc.); and

       Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs.

Analysis of changes in market value and book cost of portfolio investments in period





(Unaudited) 
As at 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
As at 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
As at 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Opening book cost

63,759 

63,218 

63,218 

Opening investment holding losses

(6,621)

(7,029)

(7,029)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Opening market value

57,138 

56,189 

56,189 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Additions at cost

72,272 

117,027 

212,183 

Disposals proceeds received

(70,504)

(112,472)

(213,489)

Gains on investments

2,239 

2,870 

2,255 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Market value of investments

61,145 

63,614 

57,138 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Closing book cost

65,928 

69,493 

63,759 

Closing investment holding losses

(4,783)

(5,879)

(6,621)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Closing market value

61,145 

63,614 

57,138 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

The company received $70,504,000 (31 December 2023: $112,472,000, 30 June 2024: $213,489,000) from investments sold in the period. The book cost of these investments when they were purchased was $70,103,000 (31 December 2023: $110,752,000, 30 June 2024: $211,642,000).

Net realised and unrealised gains on investments


(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Realised gains on investments

401 

1,720 

1,847 

Movement in unrealised gains on investments

1,838 

1,150 

408 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Net realised and unrealised gains on investments

2,239 

2,870 

2,255 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

4 TRANSACTION COSTS
During the period commissions and other expenses were incurred in acquiring or disposing of investments classified at fair value through profit or loss. These have been charged through capital and are within gains/(losses) in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. The total costs were as follows:





(Unaudited) Half 
year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Purchases

38 

27 

56 

Sales

15 

23 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

42 

42 

79 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

5 INCOME





(Unaudited) 
 Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
 Half year ended 
 31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
 Year ended 
 30 June 2024 
$000 

Dividend income

273 

280 

499 

Income on short-term investments1

386 

597 

1,337 

Other income2

105 

89 

538 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total income

764 

966 

2,374 


========= 

========= 

========= 

1     Income on short-term investments represents the return on cash and cash equivalents, primarily U.S. Treasury Bills.

2     Includes swap income of $65,000 for the half year ended 31 December 2024, $54,000 for the half year ended 31 December 2023 and $458,000 for the full year ended 30 June 2024, respectively.

6 EXPENSES





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Revenue expenses




Advisory revenue paid away to affiliate1

(431)

Portfolio Management Fee

(289)

(287)

(568)

Distribution expense1

(163)

Directors' Remuneration

(79)

(79)

(157)

Other

(69)

(20)

(54)

Audit Fees - PwC

(50)

(50)

(100)

Company Secretary Fees

(27)

(50)

(61)

Legal Fees

(25)

(25)

(50)

AIFM Support Services

(24)

(24)

(48)

Administration Fees - State Street

(23)

(23)

(46)

Custodian/Depositary Fees - State Street

(23)

(23)

(45)

General and administrative

(21)

Printing

(8)

(8)

(17)

Registrar - Computershare

(7)

(7)

(13)

Regulatory Filing Fees - AIFMD

(7)

(7)

(13)

LSE RNS fees

(6)

(6)

(12)

Ongoing LSE and UKLA Fees

(5)

(5)

(10)

Directors' Expenses

(5)

(4)

(21)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total revenue expenses

(1,262)

(618)

(1,215)


========= 

========= 

========= 

1     These are expenses of GSIL UK which has been consolidated into the Company upon acquisition on 29 October 2024. GSIL UK has delegated investment advisory services to an affiliate of Associated Capital Group, Inc., the cost of these services rendered to an affiliated fund is reflected in Advisory revenue paid away to affiliate. Distribution expenses relate to marketing expenses paid to third parties incurred by GSIL UK for an affiliated fund.

 





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Capital expenses




Contracts for Difference

(261)

(261)

(483)

Transaction costs on derivatives

(34)

(27)

(63)

Transaction Charges - State Street

(27)

(32)

(54)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total capital expenses

(322)

(320)

(600)


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Portfolio Management Fee
Under the terms of the Portfolio Management Agreement, the Portfolio Manager will be entitled to a management fee ("Management Fee"), together with reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by it in the performance of its duties under the Portfolio Management Agreement, other than the salaries of its employees and general overhead expenses attributable to the provision of the services under the Portfolio Management Agreement. The Management Fee shall be accrued daily and calculated on each Business Day at a rate equivalent to 0.85% of NAV per annum.

AIFM Fees
The Company previously appointed Gabelli Funds, LLC to serve as Alternative Investment Fund Manager pursuant to the AIFMD. Gabelli Funds, LLC does not earn a fee for its role as AIFM; it earned $289,149 in portfolio management fees during the period ended 31 December 2024 (31 December 2023: $287,299, 30 June 2024: $568,334). For the period ended 31 December 2024 Carne provided certain support services to the AIFM such as due diligence and reporting for which it earned fees of $24,198.

7 EQUITY DIVIDENDS





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Dividends paid

1,109 

822 

3,227 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

During the period ended 31 December 2024 dividends paid per share totaled $0.16 (31 December 2023: $0.12, 30 June 2024: $0.48 per share).

8 TAXATION ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
Deferred Tax Assets
At 30 June 2024 total recognised deferred tax assets were $2.77 million. During the period ended 31 December 2024 the Company incurred deferred tax expense of $0.36 million reflecting partial utilisation of the deferred tax asset, resulting in a deferred tax asset of $2.41 million or $0.35 per Ordinary Share.

The deferred tax asset was comprised of $5,349,023 ($1,337,256 deferred tax asset at 25% tax rate) related to unrealised losses on the value of the investment portfolio and excess expenses of $4,311,608 ($1,077,902 deferred tax asset at 25% tax rate) carried forward. This sum, which is net of the amount set against current period taxable income, arose due to the cumulative deductible expenses having exceeded taxable income over the life of the Company. Now that the Company is no longer an investment trust for tax purposes and is therefore subject to UK capital gains tax, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will have sufficient taxable profits against which these expenses can be offset. Provided the Company continues to maintain its current investment profile, it is likely that this deferred tax asset will be utilised to offset future taxable income subject to the normal corporate tax loss restriction rules for carried forward losses which restrict their use for any particular period to £5 million plus 50% of profits in excess of that initial £5 million.



(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2024


Analysis of the charge in the period

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Deferred tax benefit

(62)

(258)

(320)

Irrecoverable overseas tax

(39)

(39)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

(101)

(258)

(359)


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Deferred tax expense in the half year ended 31 December 2024 is due to the partial utilization of the deferred tax.



(Unaudited)
Half year ended 31 December 2023


Analysis of the charge in the period

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Deferred tax benefit

(660)

(660)

Irrecoverable overseas tax

(38)

(38)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

(698)

(698)


========= 

========= 

========= 

 



(Audited)
Year ended 30 June 2024


Analysis of the charge in the period

Revenue 
$000 

Capital 
$000 

Total 
$000 

Deferred tax benefit

(246)

(510)

(756)

Irrecoverable overseas tax

(70)

(70)


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

(316)

(510)

(826)


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

9 EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per ordinary share is calculated with reference to the following amounts:





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Revenue return




Revenue return attributable to ordinary shareholders ($000)

61 

(361)

823 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Weighted average number of shares in issue during period

6,859,611 

6,850,792 

6,843,331 

Total revenue return per ordinary share

$0.01 

($0.05)

$0.12 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Capital return




Capital return attributable to ordinary shareholders ($000)

1,662 

2,581 

1,169 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Weighted average number of shares in issue during period

6,859,611 

6,850,792 

6,843,331 

Total capital return per ordinary share

$0.24 

$0.38 

$0.17 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Total return per ordinary share

$0.25 

$0.32 

$0.29 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 




Net asset value per share

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Net assets attributable to shareholders ($000)

70,231 

71,421 

68,613 

Number of shares in issue at period end

6,927,785 

6,850,792 

6,831,292 

Net asset value per share

$10.14 

$10.43 

$10.04 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

The Company continues to report according to SORP standards as provided by the AIC. As such, the net asset value per share is provided in accordance with IFRS standards inclusive of the Deferred Tax Asset of $0.35 per share, or $2.41 million, as a result of the Company having Close status and no longer availing itself of Section Investment Trust status under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

10 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Cash

6,123 

5,901 

8,430 

Cash of consolidated subsidiary

1,288 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total

7,411 

5,901 

8,430 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

The Board and Investment Manager oversee investments held in cash and cash equivalents in accordance with the Investment Policy.

11 CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL


(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Allotted, called up and fully paid:




6,927,785 ordinary shares of $0.01 each - equity

69 

68 

68 

Treasury shares:

--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

3,502,874 ordinary shares of $0.01 each - equity

35 

35 

35 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total shares

104 

103 

103 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

12 DERIVATIVES RISK
The Company's investment policy may involve the use of derivatives (including, without limitation, forward foreign exchange contracts, equity contracts for difference swap agreements ("CFDs"), securities sold short and/or structured financial instruments). The Company may use both exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives as part of its investment activity. The cost of investing utilising derivatives may be higher than investing in securities (whether directly or through nominees) as the Company will have to bear the additional costs of purchasing and holding such derivatives, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's returns. The low initial margin deposits normally required to establish a position in such instruments permit a high degree of leverage. As a result, depending on the type of instrument, a relatively small movement in the price of a contract may result in a profit or a loss which is high in proportion to the amount of funds actually placed as initial margin and may result in unquantifiable further losses exceeding any margin deposited. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges may prevent prompt liquidation of positions resulting in potentially greater losses.

The use of derivatives may expose the Company to a higher degree of risk. These risks may include credit risk with regard to counterparties with whom the Company trades, the risk of settlement default, lack of liquidity of the derivative, imperfect tracking between the change in value of the derivative and the change in value of the underlying asset that the Company is seeking to track and greater transaction costs than investing in the underlying assets directly. Additional risks associated with investing in derivatives may include a counterparty breaching its obligations to provide collateral, or, due to operational issues (such as time gaps between the calculation of risk exposure to a counterparty's provision of additional collateral or substitutions of collateral or the sale of collateral in the event of a default by a counterparty), there may be instances where credit exposure to its counterparty under a derivative contract is not fully collateralised. The use of derivatives may also expose the Company to legal risk, which is the risk of loss due to the unexpected application of a law or regulation, or because a court declares a contract not legally enforceable.

The use of CFDs is a highly specialised activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. In a CFD, a set of future cash flows is 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. Depending on the general state of short-term interest rates and the returns on the Company's portfolio securities at the time a CFD transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Company will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that terms of the replacement will not be as favourable as on the expiring transaction. At 31 December 2024 the Company held CFDs, as shown in the following table.






Security names





Trade 
currency 





Shares 
(000) 

(Unaudited) 
As at 
31 December 2024 
Unrealised 
gain/(loss) 
$000 

Aluflexpack AG

CHF 

Amcor plc

USD 

52 

25 

Aviva plc

GBP 

23 

(2)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

EUR 

20 

Banco de Sabadell SA

EUR 

78 

(2)

Britvic plc

GBP 

141 

33 

Capital One Financial Corp

USD 

26 

Charter Communications Inc

USD 

74 

Chevron Corp

USD 

29 

262 

CompuGroup Medical SE

EUR 

Covestro AG

EUR 

55 

De Gryt Mining Ltd

AUD 

127 

(12)

Direct Line Insurance Group

GBP 

82 

Ds Smith plc

GBP 

489 

(23)

Eckoh plc

GBP 

353 

** 

Egetis Therapeutics AB

SEK 

132 

Equals Group plc

GBP 

79 

** 

Esker SA

EUR 

** 

ESR Group LTD

HKD 

52 

** 

Genkyotex SA

EUR 

** 

Global Interconnection Corp

GBP 

17 

(46)

Grifols SA

EUR 

Hargreaves Lansdown plc

GBP 

62 

Heartland Financials USA Inc

USD 

10 

(39)

HKBN Ltd

HKD 

64 

(2)

International Paper Co

USD 

63 

103 

John Bean Technologies Corp

USD 

(6)

Multichoice Group Ltd

ZAR 

33 

** 

Neoen SA

EUR 

13 

Nokia Corp

USD 

99 

Northern Star Resources Ltd

AUD 

15 

10 

OCI NV

EUR 

24 

(6)

Pinewood Technologies

GBP 

57 

10 

Renasant Corp

USD 

Schlumberger Ltd

USD 

22 

42 

Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd

JPY 

SG Fleet Group Ltd

AUD 

64 

** 

Shinko Electric Industries

JPY 

16 

20 

Softwareone Holding AG

CHF 

** 

Spear Investment Group

EUR 

39 

** 

Spirent Communications plc

GBP 

302 

(8)

Synopsys Inc

USD 

20 

IT Fluid Systems plc

GBP 

366 

Ubisoft Entertainment

EUR 

UMB Financial Corp

USD 

41 



--------------- 

--------------- 

Total unrealised gain on derivatives



561 




========= 

*     Fewer than 500 shares.

**    Less than $500.

13 LEVERAGE
Leverage is the ratio between a fund's Total Exposure and its Net Asset Value, expressed as a percentage. For the purposes of the AIFM Directive, leverage can be calculated using two methods: (i) the gross method; and (ii) the commitment method. Under the gross method, Total Exposure is the algebraic sum of all investment positions (long and short), excluding cash and cash equivalents and converting derivative instruments into the equivalent position in the underlying asset. Under the commitment method, Total Exposure is the algebraic sum of all investment positions (long and short), plus cash and cash equivalents, minus hedging arrangements and offsetting instruments between eligible assets.

The Company's leverage levels at 31 December 2024 are shown below:


Leverage Exposure

Gross 
Method 

Commitment 
Method 

Maximum Permitted Limit

500% 

250% 

Actual

133% 

141% 


========= 

========= 

 

The leverage limits are set by the AIFM and approved by the Board and are in line with the maximum leverage levels permitted in the Company's Articles of Association. The AIFM is also required to comply with the gearing parameters set by the Board in relation to borrowings.

14 PERFORMANCE FEE
Subject to the satisfaction of the Performance Conditions, the Portfolio Manager shall be entitled under the Portfolio Management Agreement, in respect of each Performance Period, to receive 20% of the Total Return relating to such Performance Period provided that such amount shall not exceed 3% of the Average NAV.

Performance Conditions
The Portfolio Manager's entitlement to a Performance fee in respect of any Performance Period shall be conditional on the Closing NAV per Share in respect of the Performance Period (adjusted for any changes to the NAV per Share through dividend payments, Share repurchases (howsoever effected) and Share issuances since Admission) being in excess of the Performance Hurdle and High Water Mark. The Performance Hurdle is equal to the Starting NAV per Share increased by two times the rate of return on 13 week Treasury Bills published by the US Department of the Treasury over the Performance Period, less the Starting NAV per Share; multiplied by the weighted average of the number of Shares in issue (excluding any Shares held in treasury) at the end of each day during the Performance Period. For the period ended 31 December 2024, no Performance fee was paid. As at 31 December 2024, no amount was outstanding to the Portfolio Manager in respect of the performance fee, reflecting the performance period matching the Company's financial year (31 December 2023: $nil, 30 June 2024: $nil).

15 OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The categories of other receivables and other payables include:





(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2024 
$000 

(Unaudited) 
Half year ended 
31 December 2023 
$000 

(Audited) 
Year ended 
30 June 2024 
$000 

Other receivables




Receivables from affiliates

390 

All other receivables1

219 

77 

131 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total other receivables

609 

77 

131 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Other payables




FX currency sold

Custodian fees

28 

19 

22 

Accounting fees

37 

34 

33 

Audit fees

74 

75 

94 

Payable to affiliates

310 

75 

94 

Commissions payable

321 

75 

94 

All other payables

342 

210 

253 


--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 

Total other payables

1,112 

338 

403 


========= 

========= 

========= 

1     At 31 December 2024, all other receivables included prepaid expenses and dividend and swap income.

16 RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE: DIRECTORS
Each of the Directors is entitled to receive a fee from the Company at such rate as may be determined in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation. The Directors' remuneration is $30,000 per annum for each Director, other than:

-       the Co-Chairmen, who will receive an additional $1,000 per annum1;

-       the Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee, who will receive an additional $5,000 per annum; and

-       the Members of the Audit & Risk Committee, who will receive an additional $1,000 per annum.

Each of the Directors is also entitled to be paid all reasonable expenses properly incurred by them in connection with the performance of their duties. These expenses will include those associated with attending general meetings, Board or committee meetings and legal fees. The Board may determine that additional remuneration may be paid, from time to time, to any one or more Directors in the event such Director or Directors are requested by the Board to perform extra or special services on behalf of the Company.

1     Mr Gabelli has waived his fees since appointment as Chairman and in his current role as Co-Chairman.

Related parties disclosure: other
The Portfolio management fee for the period ended 31 December 2024 paid by the Company to the Portfolio Manager is presented in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Details of the Portfolio Management fee paid during the period is disclosed in Note 6. Details of Performance fee paid during the year are disclosed in Note 14.

As at 31 December 2024, Associated Capital Group Inc., an affiliate of the AIFM and Portfolio Manager, held 6,421,249 Ordinary Shares in the Company. Associated Capital Group Inc. also subscribed for 6,179,100 Special Voting Loyalty Shares, as defined in the glossary on page 72 in the Annual Report and Financial Statements as at 30 June 2024, which increased its voting interest. For the half year periods ended 31 December 2024 and 2023, the Company paid dividends of $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, to Associated Capital Group, Inc. commensurate with its ownership interest.

GSIL UK advisory and distribution revenues are earned from a fund affiliated with Gabelli Funds, LLC and Associated Capital Group, Inc. Further, GSIL UK delegates certain investment advisory services to an affiliate of Associated Capital Group, Inc. as disclosed in Note 6.

Investors should note that as a close company with Associated Capital Group Inc. controlling greater than 90% of shares, Associated Capital Group Inc. may be able to ensure the approval of shareholder resolutions.

Further details of related parties and transactions, including with the Company's AIFM Gabelli Funds, LLC, are disclosed in the Directors' Report in the Annual Report and Financial Statements as at 30 June 2024.

Connected party transactions
All connected party transactions are carried out at arm's length. There were no such transactions during the period ended 31 December 2024.

17 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS
As at 31 December 2024, the Company had no contingent liabilities or commitments (31 December 2023: nil).

18 POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
On 27 February 2025 the Company declared an interim dividend for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025 of $0.02 per ordinary share, payable on 21 March 2025 to holders of ordinary shares on the register at the close of business on 7 March 2025.

19 PORTFOLIO/SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
A statement of changes in the composition of the Portfolio during the financial period is available to shareholders free of charge from the Administrator on request.


Quantity 


Security Name


Cost 

Market 
Value 

% Total 
Investments 

COMMON STOCKS

 




Communication Services




 

Media & Entertainment




38,605 

Aimia Inc

144,787 

70,864 

0.1 

14,705 

Atlanta Braves Holdings Inc

451,654 

562,613 

0.9 

46,300 

Endeavor Group Holding

1,219,635 

1,448,727 

2.3 

27,003 

GCI Liberty Inc

206,823 

IMAX China Holding Inc

209,780 

196,228 

0.3 

141,850 

Innovid Corp

430,353 

438,317 

0.7 

8,256 

Liberty Broadband

673,612 

617,219 

1.0 

2,391 

Liberty Media Corp

79,631 

162,731 

0.3 

329,631 

NII Holdings Inc

626,707 

115,371 

0.2 

1,700 

SiriusXM Holdings Inc

56,737 

38,760 

0.1 

69,350 

Viacom Inc

779,791 

768,617 

1.2 

13,800 

Wideopenwest Inc

65,632 

68,448 

0.1 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



4,738,319 

4,487,895 

7.0 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Telecommunication Services




60,050 

Frontier Communications Parent Inc

2,101,317 

2,083,735 

3.3 

11,800 

Telephone and Data Systems

275,160 

402,498 

0.6 

13,747 

Telesat Corp

393,390 

226,001 

0.4 

5,550 

US Cellular Corp

291,317 

348,096 

0.5 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



3,061,184 

3,060,330 

4.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Communication Services

7,799,503 

7,548,225 

11.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Consumer Discretionary





Consumer Durables & Apparel




1,237 

CH Auto Inc

5,047 

2,226 

0.0 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



5,047 

2,226 

0.0 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Consumer Services




28,950 

Bally's Corporation

495,714 

517,915 

0.8 

54,064 

Everi Holdings Inc

697,003 

730,404 

1.1 

12,934 

International Game Technology

248,732 

228,414 

0.4 

49,550 

Playags Inc

567,085 

571,311 

0.9 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



2,008,534 

2,048,044 

3.2 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Retailing




23,100 

Garrett Motion Inc

181,474 

208,593 

0.3 

9,400 

Nordstrom Inc

227,179 

227,010 

0.4 

17,203 

Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings

172,705 

45,932 

0.1 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



581,358 

481,535 

0.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Consumer Discretionary

2,594,939 

2,531,805 

4.0 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Consumer Staples






Food & Staples Retailing









57,530 

Albertsons Cos Inc

1,171,629 

1,129,889 

1.8 

39,450 

Kellanova

3,167,353 

3,194,266 

5.0 

850 

Lifeway Foods Inc

19,526 

21,080 

0.0 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



4,358,508 

4,345,235 

6.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Consumer Goods

4,358,508 

4,345,235 

6.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Energy






Energy




6,710 

Battalion Oil Corp

40,358 

11,541 

0.0 

30,412 

Championx Corp

1,062,563 

826,902 

1.3 

28,230 

Hess Corp

4,059,472 

3,754,872 

5.9 

40,900 

Profire Energy Inc

102,708 

103,886 

0.2 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



5,265,101 

4,697,201 

7.3 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Energy


5,265,101 

4,697,201 

7.3 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Financials





 

Asset Management




51,800 

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc

324,712 

364,134 

0.6 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



324,712 

364,134 

0.6 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Banks




796 

First Bancshares Inc

26,700 

27,860 

0.0 

350 

Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp

26,391 

27,317 

0.0 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



53,091 

55,177 

0.1 



========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Diversified Financial Services




27,866 

Bm Technologies Inc

132,793 

136,265 

0.2 

18,250 

CI Financial Corp

405,799 

392,612 

0.6 

4,078 

Discover Financial Services

591,334 

706,432 

1.1 

750 

Moneylion Inc

64,676 

64,507 

0.1 

13,450 

Payfare Inc

35,755 

35,912 

0.1 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



1,230,357 

1,335,728 

2.1 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Insurance




1,283 

Enstar Group Ltd

413,444 

413,190 

0.6 

4,550 

Icc Holdings Inc

100,602 

105,833 

0.2 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



514,046 

519,023 

0.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Financials


2,122,206 

2,274,062 

3.6 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Health Care






Health Care Equipment & Supplies




22,988 

Amedisys Inc

2,128,202 

2,087,080 

3.3 

34,550 

Cross Country Healthcare Inc

623,455 

627,428 

1.0 

7,000 

Patterson Cos Inc

216,130 

216,020 

0.3 

14,500 

Surmodics Inc

594,071 

574,200 

0.9 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



3,561,858 

3,504,728 

5.5% 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences




25,850 

Avid Bioservices Inc

317,098 

319,248 

0.5 

16,275 

Clementia Pharmaceuticals Inc

420,388 

7,650 

Contra Abiomed Inc

7,803 

13,387 

0.0 

132,674 

Contra Adamas Pharmaceuticals

1,658 

0.0 

90,210 

Contra Akouos Inc

45,105 

0.1 

100,314 

Contra Flexion Therapeutics

10,031 

0.0 

5,300 

Contra Opiant Pharmaceuticals

3,445 

2,650 

0.0 

155,990 

Cyteir Therapeutics

8,716 

Grifols S.A.

99,734 

64,847 

0.1 

127,000 

Revance Therapeutics Inc

713,616 

386,080 

0.6 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



1,562,084 

843,006 

1.3 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Health Care


5,123,942 

4,347,734 

6.8 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Industrials






Capital Goods




29,800 

Barnes Group Inc

1,383,935 

1,408,348 

2.2 

45,684 

Desktop Metal Inc

200,649 

106,900 

0.2 

6,100 

Heroux Devtek Inc

138,807 

134,792 

0.2 

32,350 

Manitex International Inc

181,815 

187,630 

0.3 

36,893 

Markforged Holding Corp

170,183 

115,844 

0.2 

2,466 

Mcgrath Rentcorp

288,266 

275,748 

0.4 

14,450 

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc

494,076 

492,456 

0.8 

23,350 

Ttec Holdings Inc

130,920 

116,516 

0.2 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



2,988,651 

2,838,234 

4.4 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Industrials

 

2,988,651 

2,838,234 

4.4 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Information Technology




 

Software & Services




306,233 

Altaba Inc

3,755,803 

436,382 

0.7% 

3,100 

Altair Engineering Inc

322,380 

338,241 

0.5% 

2,723 

Ansys Inc

910,575 

918,550 

1.4% 

600 

Aspen Technology Inc

145,005 

149,778 

0.2% 

88,700 

Hashicorp Inc

2,951,304 

3,034,427 

4.7% 

74,450 

Matterport Inc

327,825 

352,893 

0.6% 

3,850 

Silicon Motion Technology

239,581 

208,092 

0.3% 

36,350 

Smartsheet Inc

2,023,581 

2,036,691 

3.2% 

91,750 

Zuora Inc

912,503 

910,160 

1.4% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



11,588,557 

8,385,214 

13.1% 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Technology Hardware & Equipment




194,960 

Infinera Corp

1,217,133 

1,327,855 

2.1% 

54,200 

Juniper Networks Inc

2,016,985 

2,029,790 

3.2% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



3,234,118 

3,357,645 

5.3% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Information Technology

14,822,675 

11,742,859 

18.4% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Materials





 

Containers & Packaging




22,531 

Contra Resolute Forest

31,994 

45,062 

0.1% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



31,994 

45,062 

0.1% 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Materials




297,583 

Arcadium Lithium Plc

1,671,494 

1,526,601 

2.4% 

8,027 

Berry Global Group Inc

568,735 

519,106 

0.8% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



2,240,229 

2,045,707 

3.2% 



========= 

========= 

========= 


Metals & Mining




3,500 

Artemis Gold Inc.

149,617 

33,462 

0.1% 

64,300 

O3 Mining Inc

74,796 

73,769 

0.1% 

20,150 

Pactiv Evergreen Inc

349,074 

352,020 

0.6% 

32,600 

Summit Materials Inc

1,649,664 

1,649,560 

2.6% 

43,685 

United States Steel Corp

1,846,517 

1,484,853 

2.3% 

2,700 

Universal Stainless + Alloy

118,163 

118,881 

0.2% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



4,187,831 

3,712,545 

5.8% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Materials


6,460,054 

5,803,314 

9.1% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Utilities





 

Utilities




22,500 

Allete Inc

1,414,837 

1,458,000 

2.3% 

2,670 

PNM Resources Inc

129,163 

131,284 

0.2% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



1,544,000 

1,589,284 

2.5% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Utilities


1,544,000 

1,589,284 

2.5% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

RIGHTS

 




Financials

 




 

Asset Management




22,199 

Breeze Holdings Acquisition Corp

5,527 

1,443 

0.0% 

7,441 

Clover Leaf Capital Corp

2,945 

18 

0.0% 

13,400 

Equity Commonwealth

10,419 

23,718 

0.0% 

15,950 

Northview Acquisition Corp

3,942 

878 

0.0% 

20,450 

Retail Opportunity Investment

354,789 

355,012 

0.6% 

12,711 

Viveon Health Acquisition Corp

2,312 

766 

0.0% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



379,934 

381,835 

0.6% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Financials


379,934 

381,835 

0.6% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Materials






Materials




190,215 

Pan American Silver Corp CVR

28,643 

70,379 

0.1% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



28,643 

70,379 

0.1% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Materials


28,643 

70,379 

0.1% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

WARRANTS





Financials





 

Asset Management




566 

Blueriver Acquisition Corp

25 

0.0% 

4,394 

Kalera PLC

1,984 

0.0% 

7,975 

Northview Acquisition Corp

2,362 

319 

0.0% 

3,186 

OCA Acquisition Corp

108 

10 

0.0% 

9,230 

Viveon Health Acquisition Corp

2,933 

46 

0.0% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



7,412 

378 

0.0% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Financials


7,412 

378 

0.0% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Information Technology





Software & Services




2,139 

Banzai International Inc

150 

25 

0.0% 

16,200 

Bm Technologies Inc

7,533 

9,436 

0.0% 

34,900 

Churchill Capital Corp IX

350,047 

361,215 

0.6% 

13,933 

CXApp Inc

8,968 

2,647 

0.0% 

25,000 

Klotho Neurosciences Inc

775 

1,155 

0.0% 

48,961 

Presto Automation Inc

23,304 

98 

0.0% 

284 

Prospector Leddartech

28 

0.0% 

1,429 

Spectral AI Inc

50 

1,086 

0.0% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



390,828 

375,690 

0.6% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Information Technology

390,828 

375,690 

0.6% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

FIXED INCOME





U.S. Government Obligations




 

U.S. Treasury Bills




4,500,000 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 02/18/2025

4,473,891 

4,475,432 

7.0% 

1,500,000 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 02/20/2025

1,490,808 

1,494,496 

2.3% 

2,000,000 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 03/27/2025

1,980,072 

1,980,470 

3.1% 

2,500,000 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 06/02/2025

2,488,950 

2,489,763 

3.9% 

1,500,000 

U.S. Treasury Bill, 06/03/2025

1,488,408 

1,489,028 

2.3% 



--------------- 

--------------- 

--------------- 



11,922,129 

11,929,189 

18.7% 



========= 

========= 

========= 

Total U.S. Government Obligations

11,922,129 

11,929,189 

18.7% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

 

Notional
Amount


Security Name

Unrealized 
App/(Dep) 

Market 
Value 

% Total 
Investments 

Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements





Long Positions




6,700 

Aluflexpack Ag New

3,327 

115,332 


77,613 

Banco De Sabadell S.A

(2,250)

150,851 


140,639 

Britvic Plc

33,466 

2,305,624 


8,272 

Compugroup Medical Se & Co

1,363 

186,389 


55,158 

Covestro Ag

2,114 

3,312,734 


126,692 

De Grey Mining Ltd

(12,023)

138,449 


81,841 

Direct Line Insurance Group

1,383 

261,574 


17,378 

Disruptive Cap Swap

(45,705)

43,528 


489,290 

Ds Smith Plc

(22,906)

3,321,304 


352,698 

Eckoh Plc

235,878 


131,910 

Egetis Therapeutics AB

4,895 

83,568 


78,500 

Equals Group Plc

132,231 


642 

Esker Sa

266 

173,378 


52,102 

Esr Group Ltd

(89)

80,085 


6,738 

Genkyotex Genkyotex


61,534 

Hargreaves Lansdown Plc

1,541 

846,175 


10,254 

Heartland Financial USA Inc

(38,855)

628,621 


63,800 

Hkbn Ltd

(1,807)

41,805 


165 

John Bean Technologies Corp

(6,421)

20,971 


32,748 

Multichoice Group Ltd

(23)

187,429 


13,405 

Neoen S.A.

3,609 

551,348 


24,045 

Oci Nv

(5,851)

269,278 


56,757 

Pinewood Technologies

9,951 

255,186 


3,404 

Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd

2,082 

53,867 


63,850 

Sg Fleet Group Ltd

134,807 


16,298 

Shinko Electric Industries

20,015 

591,627 


1,764 

Softwareone Holding AG

(19)

11,873 


38,582 

Spear Invst Wt Swap

8,789 


301,590 

Spirent Communications Plc

(8,529)

668,549 


366,304 

Ti Fluid Systems Plc

831 

886,322 


8,691 

Ubisoft Entertainment

5,979 

118,344 




--------------- 

--------------- 




(53,656)

15,815,916 




========= 

========= 


Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements




 

Short Positions




(51,697)

Amcor Plc

25,332 

(486,469)


(23,464)

Aviva Plc

(1,545)

(137,763)


(19,815)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria

4,391 

(193,940)


(4,161)

Capital One Financial Corp

25,840 

(741,989)


(1,995)

Charter Communications

73,835 

(683,826)


(28,961)

Chevron Corp

261,518 

(4,194,711)


(6,562)

Grifols S.A.

3,683 

(62,160)


(62,733)

International Paper Co

103,484 

(3,376,290)


(98,898)

Nokia Corp

4,945 

(438,118)


(15,077)

Northern Star

10,221 

(144,131)


(796)

Renasant Corp

581 

(28,457)


(22,360)

Schlumberger Ltd

42,037 

(857,282)


(802)

Synopsys Inc

19,907 

(389,259)


(5,629)

Umb Financial Corp

40,864 

(635,289)




--------------- 

--------------- 




615,093 

(12,369,684)




========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Equity Contract for Difference Swap Agreements

561,437 

3,446,232 

5.4% 

 


========= 

========= 

========= 

Total Investments Including U.S. Treasuries

$66,369,962 

63,921,656 

100.0% 

 

========= 

========= 

========= 

 

20 APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Directors approved the financial statements on 28 March 2025.

COMPANY INFORMATION

REGISTERED NAME
Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc

REGISTERED OFFICE
3 St. James's Place,
London SW1A 1NP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marc Gabelli
Marco Bianconi
John Birch
John Newlands
Yuji Sugimoto
James Wedderburn

PORTFOLIO MANAGER AND ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGER
Gabelli Funds, LLC
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580 USA

COMPANY SECRETARY
Bridgehouse Company Secretaries Limited
Suite 2:06,
Bridge House,
181 Queen Victoria Street,
London EC4V 4EG

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
7 More London Riverside
London SE1 2RT

ADMINISTRATOR AND CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company
20 Churchill Place
Canary Wharf
London E14 5HJ

DEPOSITARY
State Street Trustees Ltd
20 Churchill Place
Canary Wharf
London E14 5HJ

REGISTRAR AND RECEIVING AGENT
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

LEGAL & FINANCIAL ADVISERS
Dickson Minto W.S.
16 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh
EH2 4DF

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
22 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4BQ

CONTACT INFORMATION AND WEBSITE
Please visit us on the Internet. Our homepage at www.gabelli.co.uk includes useful information about the Company, such as daily prices, factsheets, announcements, and current and historic half year and annual reports.

We welcome your comments and questions at +44 (0) 20 3206 2100 or via e-mail at info@gabelli.co.uk.

GENERAL INFORMATION
SEDOL/ISIN: BD8P074/GB00BD8P0741
London Stock Exchange (TIDM) Code: GMP
Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 5493006X09N8HK0V1U37

The Company's registrar is Computershare Investor Services PLC. Computershare's website address is investorcentre.co.uk and certain details relating to your holding can be checked through this website. Alternatively, Computershare can be contacted on 0370 707 1390.

Change of name or address must be notified through the website or sent to The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ.

The Company is a member of The Association of Investment Companies ("AIC"), which publishes a number of useful fact sheets and email updates for investors interested in investment companies www.theaic.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
UK 100