SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.          )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-12

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 

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THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
 
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York 10580-1422
(914) 921-5070


NOTICE OF CHANGE TO ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 11, 2020
 

THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, EACH DATED APRIL 1, 2020.
 
To the Stockholders of THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC. (the “Fund”)

Notice is hereby given that the location of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund (the “Meeting”) has been changed.  The date and time of the Meeting remains the same, May 11, 2020 at 9:40 a.m., Eastern Time.  Due to the public health impact of COVID-19 and to support the health and well-being of the Fund’s stockholders, the Board of Directors of the Fund has announced that the Meeting will now be held virtually by Internet webcast rather than in person.  Stockholders will only be able to attend the Meeting by means of remote communication.  The record date remains unchanged and is fixed as the close of business on March 17, 2020.  Stockholders of record as of the record date may participate in, submit questions during, and vote at the Meeting.  To participate in the Meeting, stockholders must register in advance by submitting the required information (described below) to Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., the Fund’s proxy tabulator, at https://viewproxy.com/GabelliFunds/broadridgevsm/.

If shares of stock are registered directly with the Fund in the stockholder’s name, in order to register to participate in the Meeting, the stockholder must enter the control number found on the proxy card included in the proxy materials.  If shares of stock are held by a broker, bank, or other nominee and the stockholder wishes to vote at the Meeting, the stockholder must first obtain a “legal proxy” from the applicable nominee/record holder, who will then provide a newly-issued control number to be submitted when registering for the Meeting.  If shares of stock are held by a broker, bank, or other nominee and the stockholder wishes to attend, but does not wish to vote at the Meeting, the stockholder may call (914) 921-5070 for further information to attend the Meeting.  Requests for registration must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 8, 2020. Stockholders will receive an email confirming their registration and providing instructions for participating in the Meeting.

Stockholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the Meeting either through the internet, by telephone or, if paper copies of proxy materials were requested, by returning the completed proxy card. Any questions for the Meeting can be submitted in advance when registering online or during the Meeting.

The matters to be presented at the Meeting are unchanged from the proxy statement and Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each dated April 1, 2020:
 

 1.
To elect three (3) Directors of the Fund, two (2) Directors to be elected by the holders of the Fund’s common stock and holders of its Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock, 5.00% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock, 5.45% Series J Cumulative Preferred Stock, and 5.00% Series K Cumulative Preferred Stock (together, ‘‘Preferred Stock’’), voting together as a single class, and one (1) Director to be elected by the holders of the Fund’s Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class; and
 

 2.
To consider and vote upon such other matters, including adjournments, as may properly come before said Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
 
By
Order of the Board of Directors,
     
 
ANDREA R. MANGO
 
Secretary
May 1, 2020