TO THE STOCKHOLDERS

 

F

or the nine months ended September 30, 2022, return as measured based upon net asset value (NAV) per common share, including reinvestment of dividends and distributions, was (22.18)% while the investment return to our stockholders (based upon market price per share), also including reinvestment of dividends and distributions, was (22.48)%. By comparison, the return for our benchmark, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index (including income), was (23.87)% during this period. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2022, return on net asset value was (13.36)% and return to our stockholders was (14.74)% which compares to the return of the S&P 500 Stock Index of (15.47)%. During both time periods, the discount at which our shares traded continued to fluctuate and on September 30, 2022 it was 16.28%.

As detailed in the accompanying financial statements (unaudited), as of September 30, 2022, the net assets applicable to the Company’s Common Stock were $967,087,331 equal to $40.43 per Common Share.

The decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $285,681,617. During this period, the net realized gain on investments was $27,769,938 and the decrease in net unrealized appreciation was $309,085,113. Net investment income for the nine months was $4,117,537. Distributions to preferred and common shareholders amounted to $8,483,979 and $12,183,010, respectively. During the nine months, the Company also repurchased 473,540 of its shares at a cost of $17,952,160, an average discount to net asset value of 16.9%.

Volatility in financial markets has increased markedly over the last several months as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates at a historic pace while simultaneously accelerating quantitative tightening to quell inflation that is running near 40-year highs. The Fed’s activities are withdrawing market liquidity and forcing a deterioration in financial conditions to reduce consumption and asset prices, thereby tightening credit availability and reducing economic growth. Thus far, it has resulted in modest success. Real Gross Domestic Product growth has slowed from the year prior, though inflation rates have proved tougher to break. Recent interest rate changes have yet to work through the economy and may take a bigger bite out of U.S. financial performance as time progresses.

The strong dollar, a byproduct of the Fed’s activities and geopolitical uncertainty, has had a noticeable effect outside of the U.S. with several other economies in or near recession. As well, liquidity problems are emerging in financial markets and are of most concern in sovereign debt markets. In conjunction with poorly received economic policy announcements, the United Kingdom’s

credit markets experienced significant volatility amid sharp bond price declines, exposing the high financial leverage in the U.K.’s pension funds. It seems likely that prior potentially aggressive asset allocations, due to repressed interest rates during the past decade, may have resulted in elevated risk in other sovereign debt markets and economies.

Investors face difficult choices as conditions deteriorate due to current Federal Reserve policy. Potential corporate earnings disappointments and margin contraction may leave the equity markets vulnerable to further repricing. Meanwhile, other asset markets are correcting. Housing prices in the U.S. and Canada, which arguably had near bubble-like pricing last year, are in the throes of a correction due primarily to mortgage rates that have nearly doubled. The vise of higher inflation, lower net worth, and a rising probability of recession is squeezing consumer sentiment and corporate confidence.

Equities may remain in turmoil, with a 2-year U.S. Treasury Note yielding over 4.5% and bond markets experiencing significant losses. There have been few places for investors to hide. However, amid all the gloom, there are some positives. Investor sentiment is extremely poor and may reflect over-discounting of these changed circumstances. Stresses on the world’s economies are many and perhaps enough to slow the pace of inflation and the worldwide tightening of monetary policy by central banks. Additionally, improving supply chains may relieve some price pressures, reducing future inflation expectations.

Investing in this environment requires a long-term perspective by focusing on opportunities in well-run companies experiencing significant discounts to their long-term potential due to high short-term volatility and investor fears. While fixed-income security yields have risen substantially since last year, equities appear fairly-valued overall.

Information about the Company, including our investment objectives, operating policies and procedures, investment results, record of dividend and distribution payments, financial reports, and press releases, is on our website and has been updated through September 30, 2022. It can be accessed on the internet at www.generalamericaninvestors.com.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

General American Investors Company, Inc.

Jeffrey W. Priest
President and Chief Executive Officer

October 26, 2022


2

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

General American Investors

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS

 

 

Value
(Note 1a)

Communication

Services

(11.3%)

Media and Entertainment (7.7%)

510,000

Alphabet Inc. - Class C (a)

$49,036,500

532,320

Angi Inc. (a)

1,570,344

 

50,768

Liberty Broadband Corporation - Series C (a)

3,746,678

 

69,500

Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A (a)

9,429,760

 

111,478

The Walt Disney Company (a)

10,515,720

 

(Cost $53,686,895)

74,299,002

 

Telecommunication Services (3.6%)

 

257,950

T-Mobile US, Inc. (a)

(Cost $29,113,957)

34,609,152

 

(Cost $82,800,852)

108,908,154

 

Consumer

Discretionary

(11.3%)

Retailing (11.3%)

286,000

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

32,318,000

204,592

Bath & Body Works, Inc.

6,669,699

 

162,984

Dufry AG (a) (Switzerland)

5,016,544

 

167,065

Expedia Group, Inc. (a)

15,652,320

 

108,451

Target Corporation

16,093,044

 

550,092

The TJX Companies, Inc.

34,171,715

 

(Cost $56,742,974)

109,921,322

 

Consumer

Staples

(10.6%)

Food, Beverage and Tobacco (6.0%)

325,000

Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland)

35,270,092

140,000

PepsiCo, Inc.

22,856,400

 

(Cost $15,322,831)

58,126,492

 

Food and Staples Retailing (2.6%)

 

53,000

Costco Wholesale Corporation

(Cost $1,601,596)

25,030,310

 

 

Household and Personal Products (2.0%)

 

435,000

Unilever PLC (Netherlands/United Kingdom)

(Cost $12,310,109)

19,278,272

 

(Cost $29,234,536)

102,435,074

 

Energy

(5.6%)

644,230

Cameco Corporation (Canada)

17,078,537

81,991

Chevron Corporation

11,779,647

 

1,470,030

Energy Transfer LP

16,214,431

 

1,173,370

Gulf Coast Ultra Deep Royalty Trust

55,148

 

83,512

Hess Corporation

9,101,973

 

(Cost $33,821,745)

54,229,736

 

Financials

(19.8%)

Banks (2.7%)

80,000

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

8,360,000

 

100,000

M&T Bank Corporation

17,632,000

 

(Cost $3,188,933)

25,992,000

 

Diversified Financials (6.6%)

 

110

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Class A (a)(b)

44,711,700

 

243,415

Nelnet, Inc.

19,276,034

 

(Cost $2,968,650)

63,987,734

 

Insurance (10.5%)

 

937,459

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (a) (Bermuda)

42,691,883

 

250,000

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (Bermuda)

12,287,500

 

129,196

Everest Re Group, Ltd. (Bermuda)

33,906,198

 

205,327

MetLife, Inc.

12,479,775

 

(Cost $32,173,630)

101,365,356

 

(Cost $38,331,213)

191,345,090

3

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

 

 

Shares

 

COMMON STOCKS (continued)

 

 

Value
(Note 1a)

Health Care

(9.4%)

Health Care Equipment and Services (0.6%)

62,000

Abbott Laboratories

(Cost $5,079,301)

$5,999,120

 

 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences (8.8%)

 

79,553

Azenta, Inc.

3,409,642

 

141,100

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

8,704,459

 

283,439

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (a)

13,188,417

 

240,191

Merck & Co., Inc.

20,685,249

 

1,916,099

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

4,924,374

 

345,808

Pfizer Inc.

15,132,558

 

18,076

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

12,452,014

 

278,201

Valneva SE (a) (France)

1,423,238

 

375,000

Valneva SE ADR (a) (France)

3,768,750

 

1,877,497

VBI Vaccines, Inc. (a) (Canada)

1,325,137

 

(Cost $62,936,045)

85,013,838

 

(Cost $68,015,346)

91,012,958

 

Industrials

(10.8%)

Capital Goods (3.4%)

146,131

Eaton Corporation plc (Ireland)

19,488,030

 

165,000

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

13,506,900

 

(Cost $16,856,475)

32,994,930

 

Commercial and Professional Services (7.4%)

 

524,895

Republic Services, Inc.

(Cost $7,346,689)

71,406,716

 

(Cost $24,203,164)

104,401,646

 

Information

Technology

(21.5%)

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment (7.2%)

383,364

AIXTRON SE (Germany)

9,366,598

101,652

Applied Materials, Inc.

8,328,348

 

79,600

ASML Holding N.V. (Netherlands)

33,061,860

 

30,000

Broadcom Inc.

13,320,300

 

63,009

Universal Display Corporation

5,944,899

 

(Cost $27,769,378)

70,022,005

 

Software and Services (7.4%)

 

35,000

Adobe Inc. (a)

9,632,000

 

235,000

Microsoft Corporation

54,731,500

 

20,000

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (a)

6,950,000

 

(Cost $26,217,956)

71,313,500

 

Technology, Hardware and Equipment (6.9%)

 

338,000

Apple Inc.

46,711,600

 

500,000

Cisco Systems, Inc.

20,000,000

 

(Cost $8,631,674)

66,711,600

 

(Cost $62,619,008)

208,047,105

 

Materials

(4.9%)

365,141

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (Canada)

15,419,905

1,853,042

Alamos Gold Inc. - Class A (Canada)

13,731,041

 

970,960

Algoma Steel Group Inc. (Canada)

6,252,982

 

488,593

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (a)

6,581,348

 

190,000

Huntsman Corporation

4,662,600

 

874,076

Venator Materials PLC (a) (United Kingdom)

769,187

 

(Cost $58,939,315)

47,417,063

 

Miscellaneous
(0.5%)

652,014

Other (c)

(Cost $4,543,722)

4,528,233

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (105.7%)

(Cost $459,251,875)

1,022,246,381

4

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

 

OPTIONS (a)

Value
(Note 1a)

Call

Contracts

(100 shares each)

Company/Expiration Date/
Exercise Price/Notional

Materials
(0.0%)

600

Huntsman Corporation/October 21, 2022/
$30/$1,800,000

(Cost $87,383)

 

Put

Commercial And

Professional

Services
(0.1%)

1,452

Waste Management, Inc./October 21, 2022/
$165/$23,958,000

(Cost $365,956)

$856,680

TOTAL OPTIONS (0.1%)

(Cost $453,339)

856,680

 

 

Principal Amount

SHORT-TERM SECURITIES

 

$25,000,000

U.S. Treasury Bill due November 17, 2022, 2.605% (d)

24,910,313

 

15,000,000

U.S. Treasury Bill due December 15, 2022, 3.066% (d)

14,913,160

 

25,000,000

U.S. Treasury Bill due February 16, 2023, 3.014% (d)

24,664,722

 

(Cost $64,530,321)

64,488,195

 

Shares

 

77,422,176

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Trust Class, 2.89% (e)

(Cost $77,422,176)

77,422,176

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (14.7%)

(Cost $141,952,497)

141,910,371

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (f) (120.5%)

(Cost $601,657,711)

1,165,013,432

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS (-0.8%)

(7,808,926

)

 

1,157,204,506

PREFERRED STOCK (-19.7%)

(190,117,175

)

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK (100%)

$967,087,331

Adr - American Depository Receipt

(a)Non-income producing security.

(b)50 shares of 110 total shares held as collateral for options written.

(c)Securities which have been held for less than one year, not previously disclosed, and not restricted.

(d)Yield to maturity at purchase.

(e)7-day yield.

(f)At September 30, 2022, the cost of investments and derivatives for Federal income tax purposes was $601,843,923; aggregate gross unrealized appreciation was $613,812,161; aggregate gross unrealized depreciation was $51,035,591; and net unrealized appreciation was $562,776,570.

STATEMENT OF OPTIONS WRITTEN September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

Put

 

Contracts

(100 shares each)

 

Company/Expiration Date/
Exercise Price/Notional

Premiums
Received*

 

Value
(Note 1a)

Materials
(0.0%)

1,200

Huntsman Corporation/October 21, 2022/
$27/$3,240,000

$114,862

$330,000

*The maximum cash outlay if all options are exercised is $3,240,000.

5

 

MAJOR STOCK CHANGES (a): Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

Increases

 

Net Shares
Transacted

 

Shares
Held

New Positions

Huntsman Corporation

190,000

190,000

Valneva SE ADR

375,000

375,000

 

Additions

Adobe Inc.

5,000

35,000

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

50,000

365,141

Alamos Gold Inc. - Class A

40,000

1,853,042

Algoma Steel Group Inc.

150,000

970,960

Chevron Corporation

20,000

81,991

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

175,000

488,593

Everest Re Group, Ltd.

7,696

129,196

Hess Corporation

15,012

83,512

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

163,629

1,916,099

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

9,000

20,000

 

Decreases

Eliminations

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. - Class B

11,549

GXO Logistics, Inc.

147,300

 

Reductions

Angi Inc.

478,905

532,320

Apple Inc.

10,000

338,000

Bath & Body Works, Inc.

120,000

204,592

Cisco Systems, Inc.

25,000

500,000

Dufry AG

30,000

162,984

MetLife, Inc.

21,600

205,327

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

3,000

18,076

Target Corporation

22,500

108,451

Universal Display Corporation

5,000

63,009

Valneva SE

125,000

278,201

The Walt Disney Company

5,000

111,478

(a)Common shares unless otherwise noted.

6

 

PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

The diversification of the Company’s net assets applicable to its Common Stock by industry group as of September 30, 2022 is shown in the table.

Industry Category

 

Cost
(000)

 

Value
(000)

 

Percent Common
Net Assets*

Information Technology

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

$27,769

$70,022

7.2

%

Software & Services

26,218

71,313

7.4

Technology, Hardware & Equipment

8,632

66,712

6.9

 

62,619

208,047

21.5

Financials

Banks

3,189

25,992

2.7

Diversified Financials

2,969

63,988

6.6

Insurance

32,173

101,365

10.5

 

38,331

191,345

19.8

Consumer Discretionary

Retailing

56,743

109,921

11.3

 

Communication Services

Media & Entertainment

53,687

74,299

7.7

Telecommunication Services

29,114

34,609

3.6

 

82,801

108,908

11.3

Industrials

Capital Goods

16,856

32,995

3.4

Commercial & Professional Services

7,713

72,264

7.5

 

24,569

105,259

10.9

Consumer Staples

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

15,323

58,127

6.0

Food & Staples Retailing

1,601

25,030

2.6

Household & Personal Products

12,310

19,278

2.0

 

29,234

102,435

10.6

Health Care

Health Care Equipment & Services

5,079

5,999

0.6

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

62,936

85,014

8.8

 

68,015

91,013

9.4

 

Energy

33,822

54,230

5.6

Materials

59,027

47,417

4.9

Miscellaneous**

4,544

4,528

0.5

 

 

459,705

1,023,103

105.8

Short-Term Securities

141,953

141,910

14.7

Total Investments

$601,658

1,165,013

120.5

Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets

(7,809

)

(0.8

)

Preferred Stock

(190,117

)

(19.7

)

Net Assets Applicable To Common Stock

$967,087

100.0

%

*Net Assets applicable to the Company’s Common Stock

**Securities which have been held for less than one year, not previously disclosed, and not restricted.

7

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

Assets

INVESTMENTS, AT VALUE (NOTE 1a)

Common stocks (cost $459,251,875)

$1,022,246,381

Purchased options (cost $453,339; note 4)

856,680

U.S. Treasury bills (cost $64,530,321)

64,488,195

Money market fund (cost $77,422,176)

77,422,176

 

Total investments (cost $601,657,711)

1,165,013,432

 

OTHER ASSETS

Cash

$9,749

Receivable for securities sold

2,496,250

Dividends, interest and other receivables

1,156,820

Present value of future office lease payments (note 8)

3,646,784

Qualified pension plan asset, net excess funded (note 7)

9,993,767

Prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and other assets

789,959

18,093,329

 

TOTAL ASSETS

1,183,106,761

 

Liabilities

Payable for securities purchased

4,993,201

Accrued compensation payable to officers and employees

3,141,370

Outstanding options written, at value (premiums received $114,862; note 4)

330,000

Accrued Preferred Stock dividend not yet declared

219,955

Present value of future office lease payments (note 8)

3,646,784

Accrued supplemental pension plan liability (note 7)

6,659,389

Accrued supplemental thrift plan liability (note 7)

6,244,196

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

667,360

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

25,902,255

 

5.95% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES B -

7,604,687 shares at a liquidation value of $25 per share (note 5)

190,117,175

 

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK - 23,921,324 shares (note 5)

$967,087,331

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE

$40.43

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock

Common Stock, 23,921,324 shares at par value (note 5)

$23,921,324

Additional paid-in capital (note 5)

358,705,508

Unallocated distributions on Preferred Stock

(8,703,934

)

Total distributable earnings (note 5)

591,774,322

Accumulated other comprehensive income (note 7)

1,390,111

 

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK

$967,087,331

8

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 (Unaudited)

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

Income

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $318,427)

$12,003,426

Interest

978,514

 

12,981,940

 

Expenses

Investment research

$4,768,950

Administration and operations

2,446,685

Office space and general

760,669

Transfer agent, custodian, and registrar fees and expenses

260,442

Auditing and legal fees

247,462

Directors’ fees and expenses

179,880

State and local taxes

120,203

Stockholders’ meeting and reports

80,112

8,864,403

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

4,117,537

 

Net Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments (Notes 1, 3 and 4)

Net realized gain (loss) on investments:

Common stocks

27,558,869

Purchased options

208,170

Written options

15,448

Foreign currency transactions

(12,549

)

 

27,769,938

Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation:

Common stocks

(309,386,173

)

Purchased options

614,532

Written options

(230,745

)

Short-term securities and other

(82,727

)

 

(309,085,113

)

GAINS AND DEPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS

(281,315,175

)

NET INVESTMENT INCOME, GAINS, AND DEPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS

(277,197,638

)

DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS

(8,483,979

)

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

$(285,681,617

)

9

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

Operations

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2022
(Unaudited)

Year Ended
December 31, 2021

Net investment income

$4,117,537

$562,688

Net realized gain on investments

27,769,938

92,595,731

Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation

(309,085,113

)

200,452,478

 

(277,197,638

)

293,610,897

 

Distributions to Preferred Stockholders

(8,483,979

)

(11,311,972

)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

(285,681,617

)

282,298,925

 

Other Comprehensive Income - Funded Status of Defined Benefit Plans (Note 7)

4,775,994

 

Distributions to Common Stockholders

(12,183,010

)

(78,805,645

)

 

Capital Share Transactions (Note 5)

Value of Common Shares issued in payment of dividends and distributions

115,454

27,517,502

Cost of Common Shares purchased

(17,952,160

)

(40,969,175

)

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS - CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

(17,836,706

)

(13,451,673

)

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

(315,701,333

)

194,817,601

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Stock

BEGINNING OF PERIOD

1,282,788,664

1,087,971,063

 

END OF PERIOD

$967,087,331

$1,282,788,664

10

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

General American Investors

(see notes to unaudited financial statements)

The following table shows per share operating performance data, total investment return, ratios, and supplemental data for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and for each year in the five-year period ended December 31, 2021. This information has been derived from information contained in the financial statements and market price data for the Company’s shares.

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2022
(unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

Net asset value, beginning of period

$52.59

$44.00

$43.70

$34.51

$40.47

$37.56

Net investment income

0.16

0.02

0.13

0.33

0.31

0.32

Net gain (loss) on common stocks, options and other-realized and unrealized

(11.47

)

12.14

3.10

11.78

(3.03

)

6.23

Other comprehensive income (loss)

0.20

0.03

(0.01

)

(0.05

)

0.08

 

(11.31

)

12.36

3.26

12.10

(2.77

)

6.63

Distributions on Preferred Stock:

Dividends from net investment income

(0.06

)

(0.03

)

(0.07

)

(0.06

)

(0.04

)

Distributions from net capital gains

(0.41

)

(0.43

)

(0.39

)

(0.38

)

(0.39

)

Unallocated

(0.35

)

 

(0.35

)

(0.47

)

(0.46

)

(0.46

)

(0.44

)

(0.43

)

Total from investment operations

(11.66

)

11.89

2.80

11.64

(3.21

)

6.20

Distributions on Common Stock:

Dividends from net investment income

(0.46

)

(0.15

)

(0.39

)

(0.29

)

(0.30

)

Distributions from net capital gains

(0.50

)

(2.84

)

(2.35

)

(2.06

)

(2.46

)

(2.99

)

 

(0.50

)

(3.30

)

(2.50

)

(2.45

)

(2.75

)

(3.29

)

Net asset value, end of period

$40.43

$52.59

$44.00

$43.70

$34.51

$40.47

Per share market value, end of period

$33.85

$44.20

$37.19

$37.74

$28.44

$34.40

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN -

Stockholder return, based on market price per share

(22.48

)%*

28.16

%

5.23

%

41.54

%

(9.87

)%

21.21

%

RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Net assets applicable to Common Stock end of period (000’s omitted)

$967,087

$1,282,789

$1,087,971

$1,081,698

$896,789

$1,070,483

Ratio of expenses to average net assets applicable to Common Stock

1.05

%**

1.24

%

1.22

%

1.28

%

1.20

%

1.28

%

Ratio of net income to average net assets applicable to Common Stock

0.49

%**

0.05

%

0.32

%

0.81

%

0.78

%

0.79

%

Portfolio turnover rate

11.74

%*

24.74

%

19.33

%

17.76

%

23.00

%

19.58

%

 

PREFERRED STOCK

Liquidation value, end of period
(000’s omitted)

$190,117

$190,117

$190,117

$190,117

$190,117

$190,117

Asset coverage

609

%

775

%

672

%

669

%

572

%

663

%

Asset coverage per share

$152.17

$193.68

$168.07

$167.24

$142.93

$165.77

Liquidation preference per share

$25.00

$25.00

$25.00

$25.00

$25.00

$25.00

Market value per share

$25.30

$26.86

$27.50

$27.60

$25.72

$26.59

*Not annualized

**Annualized

11

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

General American Investors

1. Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters – General American Investors Company, Inc. (the “Company”), established in 1927, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a closed-end, diversified management investment company. It is internally managed by its officers under the direction of the Board of Directors.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) pursuant to the requirements for reporting; Accounting Standards Codification 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), and Regulation S-X.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income, expenses, and gains and losses during the reported period. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ, and these differences could be material.

a. Security Valuation Equity securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the period. Equity securities reported on the NASDAQ national market are valued at the official closing price on that day. Listed and NASDAQ equity securities for which no sales are reported on that day and other securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price (asked price for options written) on the valuation date. Equity securities traded primarily in foreign markets are valued at the closing price of such securities on their respective exchanges or markets. Corporate debt, domestic and foreign, and U.S. government securities are generally traded in the over-the-counter market rather than on a national securities exchange. The Company utilizes the latest bid prices furnished by independent pricing services with respect to transactions in such securities to determine current market value if maturity date exceeds 60 days. Investments in such securities maturing within 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost. If, after the close of foreign markets, conditions change significantly, the price of certain foreign securities may be adjusted to reflect fair value as of the time of the valuation of the portfolio. Investments in money market funds are valued at their net asset value.

b. OptionsThe Company may purchase and write (sell) put and call options. The Company purchases put options or writes call options to hedge the value of portfolio investments while it purchases call options and writes put options to obtain equity market exposure. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Company pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Company bears the risk of loss of the premium and a change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities. Premiums received from writing options are reported as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Those that expire unexercised are treated by the Company on the expiration date as realized gains on written option transactions in the Statement of Operations. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss on written option transactions in the Statement of Operations. If a written call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Company has realized a gain or loss on investments in the Statement of Operations. If a written put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis for the securities purchased by the Company and is parenthetically disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Company as writer of an option bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. See Note 4 for option activity.

c. Security Transactions and Investment IncomeSecurity transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Dividend income and distributions to stockholders are recorded as of the ex-dividend dates. Interest income is recognized daily on the accrual basis, adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

d. Foreign Currency Translation and TransactionsPortfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies versus U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. These changes are combined and included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations.

12

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

1. Significant Accounting Policies and Other Matters – (Continued from bottom of previous page.)

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses may also arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses may also arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. companies as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of political or economic instability or the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets.

e. Dividends and DistributionsThe Company expects to pay dividends of net investment income and distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, annually to common shareholders and quarterly to preferred shareholders. Dividends and distributions to common and preferred shareholders, which are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gains are reclassified to paid-in capital as they arise.

f. Federal Income TaxesThe Company’s policy is to fulfill the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income to its stockholders. Accordingly, no provision for Federal income taxes is required. In accordance with U.S. GAAP requirements regarding accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, management has analyzed the Company’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on Federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years (the current and the prior three tax years) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Company’s financial statements.

g. Contingent LiabilitiesAmounts related to contingent liabilities are accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount is reasonably estimable. Management evaluates whether there are incremental legal or other costs directly associated with the ultimate resolution of a matter that are reasonably estimable and, if so, they are included in the accrual.

h. IndemnificationsIn the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Company has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these indemnification provisions and expects any future risk of loss thereunder to be remote.

i. Coronavirus PandemicThe Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant humanitarian and economic disruption both nationally and internationally for over two years. For the most part, governments worldwide have responded with significant fiscal and monetary stimulus to offset the decline in commercial activity. Multiple vaccines and improved treatments have been developed and administered to those seeking immunization or requiring medical intervention with the goal of reducing the impact of the virus. Increased market volatility has occurred as a result of the discovery and spread of variants in the virus. More recently, the expiration of fiscal stimulus programs and reduced monetary accommodations by the Federal Reserve (i.e., cessation of asset purchases, asset sales and increasing interest rates) have contributed to further market volatility. The Company is currently operating in a hybrid work fashion (i.e., work from both home and in the office) but, otherwise continues to operate without significant adverse impact.

2. Fair Value Measurements – Various data inputs are used in determining the value of the Company’s investments. These inputs are summarized in a hierarchy consisting of the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical securities (including money market funds which are valued at net asset value, typically $1 per share),

Level 2 - other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, etc.), and

Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs (including assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Company’s net assets as of September 30, 2022:

Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Common stocks

$1,022,246,381

$1,022,246,381

Purchased options

856,680

856,680

U.S. Treasury bills

64,488,195

64,488,195

Money market fund

77,422,176

77,422,176

Total

$1,100,525,237

64,488,195

$1,165,013,432

 

13

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

2. Fair Value Measurements – (Continued from bottom of previous page.)

Liabilities

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Options written

$(330,000

)

$(330,000

)

No transfers among levels occurred during the nine month ended September 30, 2022.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities – Purchases and sales of securities (other than short-term securities and options) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $139,377,382 and $200,113,850, on long transactions, respectively.

4. Options – The level of activity in purchased and written options varies from year-to-year based upon market conditions. Transactions in purchased call and put options, as well as written covered call options and collateralized put options during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were as follows:

Purchased Options

Calls

Puts

 

Contracts

Cost Basis

Contracts

Cost Basis

Outstanding, December 31, 2021

3,868

$355,007

Purchased

600

87,383

1,952

$479,052

Sold

(3,868

)

(355,007

)

(500

)

(113,096

)

Outstanding, September 30, 2022

600

$87,383

1,452

$365,956

 

Written Options

Covered Calls

Collateralized Puts

 

Contracts

Premiums

Contracts

Premiums

Outstanding, December 31, 2021

395

$80,782

Written

3,843

807,249

1,670

$346,307

Terminated in closing purchase transaction

(2,903

)

(525,354

)

Assigned

(1,335

)

(362,677

)

(300

)

(143,390

)

Expired

(170

)

(88,055

)

Outstanding, September 30, 2022

$

1,200

$114,862

5.Capital Stock and Dividend Distributions – The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value. With respect to the Common Stock, 23,921,324 shares were issued and outstanding; 8,000,000 Preferred Shares were originally issued and 7,604,687 were outstanding on September 30, 2022.

On September 24, 2003, the Company issued and sold 8,000,000 shares of its 5.95% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B in an underwritten offering. The Preferred Shares were noncallable for the 5 year period ended September 24, 2008 and have a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. On December 10, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million Preferred Shares in the open market at prices below $25.00 per share. This authorization has been renewed annually thereafter. To date, 395,313 shares have been repurchased.

The Company allocates distributions from net capital gains and other types of income proportionately among holders of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock. To the extent that dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock are not paid from net capital gains, they will be paid from investment company taxable income, or will represent a return of capital.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Company is required to maintain an asset coverage level of at least 200% of the Preferred Stock. In addition, pursuant to Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. Rating Agency Guidelines, the Company is required to maintain a certain amount of discounted asset coverage for its portfolio that equals or exceeds a Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Company fails to meet these requirements and does not cure such failure, the Company may be required to redeem, in whole or in part, shares of Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. In addition, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements could restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends on shares of Common Stock and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times.

The holders of Preferred Stock have voting rights equivalent to those of the holders of Common Stock (one vote per share) and, generally, vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class. Holders of Preferred Stock will elect two members to the Company’s Board of Directors and the holders of Preferred and Common Stock, voting as a single class, will elect the remaining directors. If the Company fails to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock in an amount equal to two full years’ dividends, the holders of Preferred Stock will have the right to elect a majority of the directors. In addition, the Investment Company Act of 1940 requires that approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class, would be required to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would

14

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

5. Capital Stock and Dividend Distributions – (Continued from bottom of previous page.)

adversely affect the Preferred Stock and (b) take any action requiring a vote of security holders, including, among other things, changes in the Company’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment policies.

The Company presents its Preferred Stock, for which its redemption is outside of the Company’s control, outside of the net assets applicable to Common Stock in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Transactions in Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:

Shares

Amount

2022

2021

2022

2021

Par value of Shares issued in payment of dividends and distributions (issued from treasury)

2,730

644,438

$2,730

$644,438

Increase in paid-in capital

112,724

26,873,064

Total increase

2,730

644,438

115,454

27,517,502

Par value of Shares purchased (at an average discount from net asset value of 16.9% and 15.1%, respectively)

(473,540

)

(980,510

)

(473,540

)

(980,510

)

Decrease in paid-in capital

(17,478,620

)

(39,988,665

)

Total decrease

(473,540

)

(980,510

)

(17,952,160

)

(40,969,175

)

Net decrease

(470,810

)

(336,072

)

$(17,836,706

)

$(13,451,673

)

At September 30, 2022, the Company held in its treasury 8,059,548 shares of Common Stock with an aggregate cost of $283,667,875.

The tax basis of distributions declared and paid during the year ended December 31, 2021 are as follows: ordinary distributions of $12,422,208 and net capital gains distributions of $77,695,409. As of December 31, 2021, distributable earnings on a tax basis totaled $888,297,456 consisting of $16,463,026 from undistributed net capital gains and $871,834,430 from net unrealized appreciation on investments. Reclassifications arising from permanent “book/tax” difference reflect non-tax deductible expenses during the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result, additional paid-in capital was decreased by $1,500,000 and total distributable earnings was increased by $1,500,000. Net assets were not affected by this reclassification. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had wash loss deferrals of $364,013 and straddle loss deferrals of $2,406,207.

6. Officers’ Compensation – The aggregate compensation accrued and paid by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to its officers (identified on back cover) amounted to $5,574,004.

7. Benefit Plans – The Company has funded (qualified) and unfunded (supplemental) noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that are available to its employees. The pension plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary with an offset for a portion of social security covered compensation. The components of the net periodic benefit cost (income) of the plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were:

Service cost

$541,181

Interest cost

617,698

Expected return on plan assets

(1,465,439

)

Amortization of recognized net actuarial loss

113,592

Net periodic benefit cost

$(192,968

)

The Company recognizes the overfunded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and recognizes changes in funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income.

The Company also has funded (qualified) and unfunded (supplemental) defined contribution thrift plans that are available to its employees. The aggregate contra expense cost of such plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $432,298. The qualified thrift plan acquired 24,500 shares in the open market of the Company’s Common Stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and held 584,705 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at September 30, 2022.

15

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - continued

General American Investors

8. Operating Lease Commitment – The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to reassess if a contract is or contains lease agreements and assess the lease classification to determine if they should recognize a right-of-use asset and offsetting liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that arises from entering into a lease, including an operating lease. The right-of-use asset and offsetting liability is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in line items entitled, “Present value of future office lease payments.” Since the operating lease does not specify an implicit rate, the right-of-use asset and liability have been calculated using a discount rate of 3.0%, which is based upon high quality corporate interest rates for a term equivalent to the lease period as of January 1, 2018. The annual cost of the operating lease continues to be reflected as an expense in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets.

In 2017, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for office space which will expire in 2028 and provide for aggregate rental payments of approximately $6,437,500. The lease agreement contains clauses whereby the Company will receive free rent for a specified number of months and credit towards construction of office improvements and incurs escalations annually relating to operating costs and real property taxes and to annual rent charges beginning in 2023. Rental expense approximated $445,700 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company has the option to extend the lease for an additional five years at market rates. As of September 30, 2022, no consideration has been given to extending this lease. Minimum rental commitments under this operating lease are approximately:

2022

$156,000

2023

631,000

2024

663,000

2025

663,000

2026

663,000

Thereafter

1,216,000

Total Remaining Lease Payments

3,992,000

Effect of Present Value Discounting

(345,216

)

Present Value of Future Office Lease Payments

$3,646,784

OTHER MATTERS (Unaudited)

Previous purchases of the Company’s Common and Preferred Stock are set forth in Note 5 on pages 13-14. Prospective purchases of Common and Preferred Stock may be made at such times, at such prices, in such amounts and in such manner as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

The policies and procedures used by the Company to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and the Company’s proxy voting record for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2022 are available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling us at our toll-free telephone number (1-800-436-8401), (2) on the Company’s website at www.generalamericaninvestors.com and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

On April 21, 2022, the Company submitted a CEO annual certification to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on which the Company’s principal executive officer certified that he was not aware, as of that date, of any violation by the Company of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officer made a semi-annual certification, included in a filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR as of December 31, 2021 relating to, among other things, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, as applicable.

GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS
COMPANY, INC.

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

September 30, 2022

A Closed-End Investment Company

listed on the New York Stock Exchange

530 FIFTH AVENUE

NEW YORK • NY 10036

212-916-8400 • 1-800-436-8401

E-mail: InvestorRelations@gainv.com

www.generalamericaninvestors.com

DIRECTORS*

Spencer Davidson, Chairman

Arthur G. Altschul, Jr.

Rodney B. Berens

Clara E. Del Villar

John D. Gordan, III

Betsy F. Gotbaum

Rose P. Lynch

Jeffrey W. Priest

Savannah Sachs

Henry R. Schirmer

(*The Company is a stand-alone fund.)

OFFICERS

Jeffrey W. Priest, President and Chief Executive Officer

Anang K. Majmudar, Senior Vice-President

Andrew V. Vindigni, Senior Vice-President

Craig A. Grassi, Vice-President

Liron Kronzon, Vice-President

Sally A. Lynch, Vice-President

Eugene S. Stark, Vice-President, Administration, Principal
Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

Samantha X. Jin, Treasurer

Linda J. Genid, Corporate Secretary

Connie A. Santa Maria, Assistant Corporate Secretary

SERVICE COMPANIES

Counsel

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Independent Auditors

Ernst & Young LLP

Custodian and Accounting
Agent

State Street Bank and
Trust Company

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, LLC

6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
1-800-413-5499
www.amstock.com

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