The Board of Directors of The Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities
Fund Inc. (NYSE:GCV) (the "Fund”) reaffirmed its 8% distribution policy
and declared an $0.11 per share cash distribution payable on March 24,
2010 to common stock shareholders of record on March 17, 2010.
The Fund intends to pay a quarterly distribution of an amount determined
each quarter by the Board of Directors. Under the Fund’s current
distribution policy, the Fund intends to pay a minimum annual
distribution of 8% of the average net asset value of the Fund within a
calendar year or an amount sufficient to satisfy the minimum
distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, whichever is
greater. The average net asset value of the Fund is based on the average
net asset values as of the last day of the four preceding calendar
quarters. Pursuant to this policy, the Fund paid $0.42 per share in 2009.
Each quarter, the Board of Directors reviews the amount of any potential
distribution and the income, capital gain, or capital available. The
Board of Directors will continue to monitor the Fund’s distribution
level, taking into consideration the Fund’s net asset value and the
financial market environment. The Fund’s distribution policy is subject
to modification by the Board of Directors at any time.
A portion of the distribution may be treated as long-term capital gain
and qualified dividend income for individuals, each subject to the
maximum federal income tax rate, which is currently 15% in taxable
accounts for individuals. If the Fund does not generate earnings from
dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains equal to
or in excess of the aggregate distributions paid by the Fund in a given
year, then the amount distributed in excess of the Fund’s investment
income and net realized capital gains would be deemed a non-taxable
return of capital.
Long-term capital gains, qualified dividend income, ordinary income, and
paid-in capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all
distributions to common shareholders for the year. Based on the
accounting records of the Fund as of February 11, 2010, the current
distribution would include approximately 2% from net investment income,
1% from net capital gains, and 97% from paid-in capital. The estimated
components of each distribution are provided to shareholders of record
in a notice accompanying the distribution and are available on our
website (www.gabelli.com).
The final determination of the sources of all distributions in 2010 will
be made after year end and can vary from the quarterly estimates. All
shareholders with taxable accounts will receive written notification
regarding the components and tax treatment for all 2010 distributions in
early 2011 via Form 1099-DIV.
It should be noted that the Fund’s total assets include capital from
preferred stock issued in prior years. Gabelli Funds, LLC (the
"Investment Adviser”) does not receive a management fee on the
incremental assets attributable to the Fund’s outstanding preferred
stock unless the total return of the net asset value of the common stock
during the year, including distributions and management fee subject to
reduction, exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate
of each particular series of preferred stock for the fiscal year.
The Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund Inc. is a
diversified, closed-end management investment company with $103 million
in total net assets whose primary investment objective is to seek a high
level of total return through a combination of current income and
capital appreciation. The Investment Adviser is a subsidiary of GAMCO
Investors, Inc. (NYSE:GBL), which is a publicly traded NYSE listed
company.
