Form 8-K

8-K — GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC

Accession: 0001829126-26-004782

Filed: 2026-05-07

Period: 2026-05-07

CIK: 0000794685

Item: Other Events

Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits

Documents

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) May 7, 2026

The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland

811-004700

22-2736509

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

One Corporate Center, Rye, New York

10580

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code (800) 422-3554

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

GAB

New York Stock Exchange

Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock

GAB Pr G

New York Stock Exchange

Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock

GAB Pr H

New York Stock Exchange

Series K Cumulative Preferred Stock

GAB Pr K

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01. Other Events

previously announced by GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”) on March 23, 2026, Mario J. Gabelli (“Mr. Gabelli”),

Trustee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund, and Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer

– Value Portfolios of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment Officer – Value Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and

GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., was admitted to the hospital for observation and testing after a medical incident March 19, 2026,

following a busy day of events around New York City. His condition is improving and he is on the road to recovery, but the timeline

for his return is not yet known.

March 22, 2026, GAMCO, the parent company of the Fund’s adviser, Gabelli Funds, LLC (the “Adviser”), implemented GAMCO’s

succession plan that has been in place for several years. In accordance with that plan, Christopher J. Marangi was named President of

GAMCO on March 22, 2026.

While

the timeline for Mr. Gabelli’s return remains undetermined, the day-to-day operations of GAMCO will continue to be led by co-CEO,

Douglas R. Jamieson, and Christopher J. Marangi.

The

Gabelli Value team Co-Chief Investment Officers Kevin V. Dreyer and Christopher J. Marangi lead the portfolio management team for the

Fund during Mr. Gabelli’s absence.

The

Fund incorporates the information included in this Item 8.01 by reference into its effective Registration Statement.

Item 9.01 Financial

Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

104

Cover

Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.

Date: May 7, 2026

By:

/s/ John C. Ball

Name:

John C. Ball

Title:

President and Treasurer

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