United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form N-CSR

Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management
Investment Companies

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05807

Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Luke E. Sims, President and Chief Executive Officer
Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
225 East Mason Street, Suite 802,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 (Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (414) 765-1107

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2023



ITEM 1.
REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Annual Report

December 31, 2023


Top Ten Holdings (as of December 31, 2023)

Company
 
Market Value
   
Percentage of Portfolio
 
             
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. B
 
$
7,489,860
     
17.4
%
                 
Franklin Resources, Inc.
 
$
2,472,570
     
5.8
%
                 
Alphabet, Inc. A
 
$
2,374,730
     
5.5
%
                 
Markel Corp.
 
$
2,371,233
     
5.5
%
                 
Charles Schwab Corp.
 
$
2,339,200
     
5.4
%
                 
T. Rowe Price Group Inc.
 
$
2,196,876
     
5.1
%
                 
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
 
$
1,833,580
     
4.3
%
                 
PepsiCo, Inc.
 
$
1,698,400
     
4.0
%
                 
Colgate-Palmolive Company
 
$
1,673,910
     
3.9
%
                 
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
 
$
1,585,690
     
3.7
%


Dear Fellow Shareholders,

For the year our Fund (NAV) was up 12.2%, compared to the S&P 500 (Total Return) Index of 26.3%.   In context, our Fund was relatively unaffected by 2022’s dramatic downswing while the S&P 500 was off some 18%.  On a two-year basis, 2022 and 2023, our Fund rose 8% while the S&P 500 increased 3%.

A cautionary note----we are almost 15 years into a bull market that has provided terrific returns.   Many of the current stock market investors have never experienced a sustained bear market.  For those of us with a little gray hair, we know that bear markets lurk around every corner.  We won’t be surprised to see the stock market go down, and perhaps go down in a big way.   Current market valuations are fairly high, and thus future returns are likely to be below recent historic numbers (and below the long-term return that the stock market has historically provided).   Right now, the coast looks clear, with the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) holding interest rates steady for the time being and with a view towards cutting once we get well into 2024.  But, extrapolating recent stock market uptrends into the future is a dangerous game.

We have become intrigued by Charles Schwab (SCHW), and believe that it deserves a more thorough analysis and discussion.   Reacting to the Fed’s higher interest rates, Schwab customers opted to shift cash from low-yielding default Schwab cash funds into higher-yielding money market funds.  This trend, which continued and accelerated during the year, finally began to moderate in the fourth quarter.  This phenomenon, known as “cash-sorting”, was an entirely reasonable and rational approach for investors to take.  Yes, it has been a temporary headwind to SCHW profits as capital moved from (profitable) low-yielding accounts into (less profitable) Schwab money market funds, or (zero profitable) investments at non-Schwab accounts.

For 2023, which clearly was a trying year for SCHW, Schwab enjoyed a pretax profit margin of 34%, and a return on equity of 16%.

When Silicon Valley Bankshares and a couple other banks failed in the first quarter, due, in part, to poor management decisions that didn’t take into account the Fed’s higher interest rate policy, SCHW was caught up in the aftermath.   Charles Schwab was losing customer deposits due to cash-sorting, while at the same time owning (within its bank) U.S. Government and other longer-duration bonds that were losing value as interest rates went up.  Despite the fact that SCHW was in a much better financial position than the failed banks, investors didn’t wait to understand the situation and just sold, and sold, and sold…

We think SCHW is an excellent business, which has from time to time during the past year been drastically mispriced.   Charles Schwab will be one of the survivors among the major asset manager custodians, and the future for that industry is bright.

When SCHW stock was around $50 a share at several times during 2023 we thought it represented excellent value.   At its current $68 price we’re happy to hold, but wouldn’t be buying more at this price.  While there was volatility and uncertainty in 2023, SCHW enters 2024 in a strong position to continue to grow, and add customers and assets. Moreover, SCHW will not have to relive a 500 basis point (five percentage point) increase in rates again!

In 2023, the Fund’s investment in Amazon, made in 2022, began to pay off.  While we ended up owning this fast-grower, we remain very much value investors.  When the tech companies went “on sale” in 2022, we dipped our toes into Amazon and added to our Alphabet (Google) stake.  With rebounding share prices in 2023, those investments proved timely.


The Fund lightened up its investment in Berkshire Hathaway, from $10 million to $7.5 million.  This action also caused the realization of some capital gains.  The position was
disproportionately large, and the market offered a reasonable price.  The sale was made with a nod to responsible portfolio management rather than a shifting opinion of Berkshire Hathaway.  Our enthusiasm for Berkshire remains intact.

Will the Fed cut interest rates three times in 2024?  Or six times?   As long-term investors our view is:  who cares?   Yes, long-term interest rates affect stock market valuations, but short-term fluctuations are just noise.  As watch-paint-dry investors we just try to tune out the financial talking heads and pundits.

As always, we love hearing from our Fund shareholders.   As we constantly remind you, we won’t comment on any Fund portfolio purchase or sale that hasn’t been publicly reported, or that is contemplated.   With that one caveat, all other topics are fair game.

 
Luke E. Sims
 
David C. Sims
Email:
luke@simscapital.com
Email:
dave@simscapital.com
Phone:
414/530-5680
Phone:
414/765-1107

January 31, 2024



   
1-year
   
5-year
   
10-year
 
Net Asset Value Return
   
12.18
%
   
12.48
%
   
9.55
%
Market Price Return
   
14.44
%
   
11.91
%
   
8.72
%
Returns are annualized average returns for periods greater than one year.
 

Disclosures:

The Fund has not had a public offering of shares during the period covered; shareholders and potential shareholders should not confuse the Eagle Capital Growth Fund (“Fund”) with investment funds that have share offerings.

Past performance does not guarantee future performance.

The table and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes an investor may pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.  Likewise, the S&P 500 Index information does not factor in taxes on dividends nor the impact of realized gains had an investor owned the underlying index securities.

Reinvestment in Fund shares is calculated at the price received by participants of the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (“DRIP”), which understates Fund performance; however, this price is the best metric for characterizing an investment in the Fund with cash dividends reinvested.

The S&P 500 Index is included as an equity comparable; however, the Fund holds short-term investments and cash, with different returns and a different impact on Fund returns.

The Fund’s return can be estimated using net asset value (NAV) or market price.  Net asset value is used for the graph.

The Fund has a total return fundamental investment objective.  The S&P 500 Index has no fundamental investment objective.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As of December 31, 2023

Assets
           
             
Common stock--at market value (cost $20,779,575)
 
$
40,156,528
       
Money market funds (cost $2,776,123)
   
2,776,123
       
Dividend and interest receivable
   
55,799
       
Prepaid fees
   
13,565
       
Total assets
         
$
43,002,015
 
                 
Liabilities
               
                 
Accrued expenses
 
$
32,500
         
Investment advisor fee payable
   
32,226
         
Total liabilities
         
$
64,726
 
                 
Total net assets
         
$
42,937,289
 
                 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
                 
Net Assets are Comprised of:
               
Paid-in capital $0.001 par value per share; authorized 50,000,000 shares, outstanding 3,967,836 shares
   
23,560,335
         
Distributable earnings
   
19,376,954
         
                 
Total net assets
         
$
42,937,289
 
                 
Net asset value per share
         
$
10.82
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Investment Income
                 
                   
Dividends
 
$
591,672
             
Interest
   
144,303
             
Total investment income
         
$
735,975
       
                       
Expenses
                     
                       
Advisory fees
 
$
308,572
               
Legal fees
   
15,113
               
Insurance
   
13,564
               
Transfer agent
   
46,537
               
Directors’ fees and expenses
   
89,750
               
Custodian fees
   
9,892
               
Audit/Tax Fee
   
32,500
               
Listing fee
   
15,000
               
Other fees and expenses
   
18,359
               
Total expenses
         
$
549,287
       
                       
Net investment income
                 
$
186,688
 
                         
Realized Gain and Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments
                 
                         
Realized gain on investments:
                       
Net realized gain on investments
         
$
1,107,684
         
                         
Unrealized appreciation on investments:
                       
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
         
$
3,318,062
         
Net realized gain and change in unrealized appreciation on investments
                 
$
4,425,746
 
                         
Net increase from operations
                 
$
4,612,434
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2022
   
December 31, 2023
 
             
From Operations:
           
             
Net investment income
 
$
81,389
   
$
186,688
 
Net realized gain on investments
   
1,336,088
     
1,107,684
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
   
(3,223,386
)
   
3,318,062
 
                 
Net increase (decrease) from operations
   
(1,805,909
)
   
4,612,434
 
                 
Distributions to Shareholders from:
               
                 
Distributions
   
(1,453,013
)
   
(1,388,743
)
                 
From Capital Stock Transactions:
               
                 
Reinvested capital from distribution of shares
   
623,319
     
-
 
Share repurchases
   
(680,000
)
   
-
 
                 
Decrease from capital stock transactions
   
(56,681
)
   
-
 
                 
Total Net Assets:
               
                 
Beginning of year
   
43,029,202
     
39,713,598
 
End of year
 
$
39,713,598
   
$
42,937,289
 
                 
                 
Shares:
               
                 
Shares outstanding at beginning of year
   
3,991,647
     
3,967,836
 
Shares issued, due to the distribution
   
61,189
     
-
 
Shares repurchased
   
(85,000
)
   
-
 
                 
Shares outstanding at end of period
   
3,967,836
     
3,967,836
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Financial Highlights

For the periods ended December 31:
 
2019
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2023
 
                               
Net asset value at beginning of year
 
$
8.15
   
$
9.21
   
$
9.53
   
$
10.78
   
$
10.01
 
                                         
Net investment income (A)
   
0.09
     
0.05
     
0.03
     
0.02
     
0.05
 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation (loss) on investments
   
1.61
     
0.82
     
2.15
     
(0.47
)
   
1.11
 
                                         
Total from investment operations
   
1.70
     
0.87
     
2.18
     
(0.45
)
   
1.16
 
                                         
Distribution from:
                                       
Net investment income
   
(0.07
)
   
(0.06
)
   
(0.02
)
   
(0.03
)
   
(0.07
)
Realized gains
   
(0.49
)
   
(0.49
)
   
(0.95
)
   
(0.34
)
   
(0.28
)
Total distributions
   
(0.56
)
   
(0.55
)
   
(0.97
)
   
(0.37
)
   
(0.35
)
                                         
Impact of capital share transactions
   
(0.04
)
   
-
     
0.04
     
0.05
     
-
 
                                         
Net asset value at end of year
 
$
9.21
   
$
9.53
   
$
10.78
   
$
10.01
   
$
10.82
 
                                         
Per share market price, end of year last traded price
 
$
8.02
   
$
7.98
   
$
9.51
   
$
8.57
   
$
9.36
 
                                         
Total Investment Return:
                                       
                                         
Average annual return, based on market value (B):
   
18.13
%
   
6.36
%
   
30.70
%
   
-6.57
%
   
14.44
%
Average annual return, based on net asset value:
   
21.35
%
   
10.75
%
   
24.05
%
   
-3.73
%
   
12.18
%
                                         
Net assets, end of year (000s omitted)
 
$
37,530
   
$
38,842
   
$
43,029
   
$
39,714
   
$
42,937
 
                                         
Ratios to average net assets:
                                       
Expenses to average net assets
   
1.29
%
   
1.30
%
   
1.26
%
   
1.36
%
   
1.34
%
Net investment income to average net assets
   
0.95
%
   
0.57
%
   
0.30
%
   
0.20
%
   
0.45
%
                                         
Portfolio turnover
   
26
%
   
19
%
   
5
%
   
10
%
   
11
%
Average commission paid per share
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.04
   
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
 

(A)  Per share calculations for net investment income and gains are calculated using the average shares outstanding.

(B)  Market value return is computed based on market price of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effect of brokerage commissions.  Net asset value return is computed based on net asset value of the Fund’s shares and excludes the effect of brokerage commissions.  Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

(C)  Expense ratio does not reflect fees and expenses incurred by the Fund as a result of its investments in shares of investment companies. If fees for Fund investments in investment companies were included in the expense ratio, the net impact would be an increase for the year ended December 31, 2022 of less than 0.01%. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, there would have been no increase in the expense ratio.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (as of December 31, 2023)

Common Stock (93.5% of total investments)
                   
Industry
 
Shares
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Percent of
 
                     
Net Assets
 
Advertising
                       
Alphabet, Inc. A*
   
17,000
   
$
1,376,922
   
$
2,374,730
       
MediaAlpha, Inc.*
   
9,876
     
166,690
     
110,117
       
                     
2,484,847
     
5.8
%
Bank
                               
JPMorgan Chase & Co
   
3,000
     
390,311
     
510,300
         
US Bancorp.
   
24,000
     
857,537
     
1,038,720
         
Wells Fargo & Co.
   
10,000
     
403,661
     
492,200
         
                     
2,041,220
     
4.8
%
Brokerage
                               
Charles Schwab Corp.
   
34,000
     
1,760,697
     
2,339,200
         
                     
2,339,200
     
5.4
%
Conglomerate
                               
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. B*
   
21,000
     
3,205,343
     
7,489,860
         
                     
7,489,860
     
17.4
%
Consumer
                               
Colgate-Palmolive Company
   
21,000
     
626,458
     
1,673,910
         
Procter & Gamble Company
   
2,000
     
145,879
     
293,080
         
                     
1,966,990
     
4.6
%
Credit Card
                               
Mastercard Inc
   
1,000
     
219,636
     
426,510
         
Visa Inc.
   
1,500
     
225,957
     
390,525
         
                     
817,035
     
1.9
%
Data Processing
                               
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
   
3,000
     
82,775
     
698,910
         
Paychex, Inc.
   
6,000
     
140,075
     
714,660
         
                     
1,413,570
     
3.3
%
Drug/Medical Device
                               
Johnson & Johnson
   
3,071
     
34,933
     
481,349
         
Stryker Corp.
   
4,500
     
19,055
     
1,347,570
         
                     
1,828,919
     
4.3
%
Food
                               
Kraft Heinz Company
   
29,000
     
772,000
     
1,072,420
         
PepsiCo, Inc.
   
10,000
     
168,296
     
1,698,400
         
                     
2,770,820
     
6.5
%
Industrial
                               
Danaher Corporation
   
1,000
     
225,262
     
231,340
         
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
   
7,000
     
295,051
     
1,833,580
         
Veralto Corporation
   
333
     
29,705
     
27,393
         
Waters Corp.*
   
2,000
     
100,780
     
658,460
         
                     
2,750,773
     
6.4
%
Insurance
                               
Markel Corp.*
   
1,670
     
1,296,670
     
2,371,233
         
                     
2,371,233
     
5.5
%

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments (as of December 31, 2023), continued

Industry
 
Shares
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Percent of
 
                     
Net Assets
 
Mutual Fund Management
                       
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
   
9,576
   
$
1,338,331
   
$
1,585,690
       
Franklin Resources, Inc.
   
83,000
     
2,108,376
     
2,472,570
       
T. Rowe Price Group Inc.
   
20,400
     
2,591,590
     
2,196,876
       
                     
6,255,136
     
14.6
%
Restaurant
                               
Starbucks Corp.
   
12,000
     
588,432
     
1,152,120
         
                     
1,152,120
     
2.7
%
Retail
                               
AutoZone Inc.*
   
600
     
319,026
     
1,551,366
         
eBay Inc.
   
3,000
     
68,886
     
130,860
         
O’Reilly Automotive Inc.*
   
1,500
     
305,534
     
1,425,120
         
                     
3,107,346
     
7.2
%
Technology Services
                               
Amazon.com Inc.*
   
9,000
     
915,707
     
1,367,460
         
                     
1,367,460
     
3.2
%
                                 
Total common stock investments (Cost $20,779,575)
                   
40,156,528
         
                                 
Money Market Funds
                               
Morgan Stanley Inst. Liq. Fund, Treasury, Institutional Class, 5.18%**
           
2,776,123
     
2,776,123
     
6.5
%
(Cost $2,776,123)
                   
2,776,123
         
                                 
Total investments (Cost $23,555,698)
                 
$
42,932,652
         
Other assets in excess of liabilities
                   
4,637
         
Total net assets
                 
$
42,937,289
         
                                 
*Non-dividend paying security
                               
**7-day yield
                               

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements


(1)
Organization.

Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Fund”), began in 1989 with a total return investment objective.  The Fund is a diversified closed-end investment company subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.  The Fund has opted into the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.


(2)
Significant Accounting Policies.

The Fund follows the accounting and reporting requirements of investment companies under ASC 946 (ASC 946-10-50-1) Financial Services- Investment Companies.  The policies followed by the Fund are in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Related Income—Dividends and distributions paid to the Fund from portfolio investments are recorded on the ex-dividend date.  Investment security purchases and sales are accounted for on a trade date basis.  Interest income is accrued on a daily basis.  Realized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method.

Investments Investments in equity securities are valued at the closing market price as of the close of regular trading on the applicable valuation date.  If no such closing market price is available on the valuation date, the Fund uses the then most recent closing market price.

In the unlikely event that there is no current or recent closing market price for a portfolio security (whether equity or debt) traded in the over-the-counter market, then the Fund uses the most recent closing bid price.  If there is no closing bid price for a portfolio security for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, then the Fund’s Audit Committee or other appropriate committee shall determine the value of such illiquid security.  From inception to December 31, 2023, the Fund has not held a security which required an illiquid pricing valuation.

Consistent with Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund’s board analyzes the risks associated with pricing for and valuation of investments as well as the suitability of the investments held.

Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increase (decrease) in operations during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Federal income taxes The Fund intends to continue to comply with the general qualification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies such as the Fund.  The Fund distributes annually at least 90% of its taxable income, including net long-term capital gains, to its shareholders.  In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund intends to declare as dividends in each calendar year an amount equal to at least 98% of its net investment income and 98% of its net realized capital gains (including undistributed amounts from previous years).

As of and during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund did not have any liabilities for any unrecognized tax benefits.  The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense when incurred, reflected on the Statement of Operations.  During the year, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.  Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the previous three tax year-ends and the interim tax period since, at applicable) and has concluded that no provision for unrecognize tax benefits or expenses is required in these financial statements and does not expect this to change for the next twelve months.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements

The following information is based upon the Federal income tax basis of portfolio investments as of December 31, 2023:

Gross unrealized appreciation
 
$
20,001,224
 
Gross unrealized depreciation
   
(624,270
)
Net unrealized appreciation
 
$
19,376,954
 
Cost basis of securities on tax basis:
 
$
23,555,698
 

At December 31, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed ordinary income
 
$
-
 
Unrealized appreciation on investments
   
19,376,954
 
Total accumulated earnings
 
$
19,376,954
 

As of December 31, 2023, the Fund distributed to shareholders $78,307 more than the net investment income for 2023.  To reflect this action, the paid-in capital has been adjusted to reflect the impact.

Expenses The Fund’s service providers bear all of their expenses in connection with the performance of their services.  The Fund bears all of its expenses incurred in connection with its operations including, but not limited to, investment advisory fees (as discussed in Note 3), legal and audit fees, taxes, insurance, shareholder reporting and other related costs.  As noted in Note 3, the Fund’s investment advisor, as part of its responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement, is required to provide certain internal administrative services to the Fund at such investment advisor’s expense.  The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund may not incur annual aggregate expenses in excess of two percent (2%) of the first $10 million of the Fund’s average net assets, one and a half percent (1.5%) of the next $20 million of the average net assets, and one percent (1%) of the remaining average net assets for any fiscal year.  Any excess expenses are the responsibility of the investment advisor.

Repurchases—The Fund repurchases shares with the purpose of reducing total shares outstanding. The price paid for the repurchased shares is recorded to reduce common stock and paid-in capital.

Fair Value Accounting Accounting standards require certain assets and liabilities be reported at fair value in the financial statements and provides a framework for establishing that fair value. The framework for determining fair value is based on a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.  All of the Fund’s investments are classified as Level 1.

Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset. These Level 3 fair value measurements are based primarily on management’s own estimates using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques taking into account the characteristics of the asset.


(3)
Service Providers Arrangements

Investment advisor For its services under the Investment Advisory agreement, the investment advisor receives a monthly fee calculated at an annual rate of three-quarters of one percent (0.75%) of the weekly net asset value of the Fund, as long as the weekly net asset value is at least $3.8


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements

million.  The investment advisor is not entitled to any compensation for any week in which the average weekly net asset value falls below $3.8 million.  Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment advisor is required to provide certain internal administrative services to the Fund at the investment advisor’s expense.

Effective June 1, 2007, following shareholder approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement, Sims Capital Management LLC (“SCM”) began serving as the Fund’s investment advisor.  Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, SCM is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio, subject to oversight by the Fund’s Board of Directors.  Luke E. Sims, a Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund and owner of more than five percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares,
owns 50% of SCM.   David C. Sims, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of the Fund, the son of Luke E. Sims and owner of more than five percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares, owns the remaining 50% of SCM.

Custodian—US Bancorp serves as the Fund’s custodian pursuant to a custodian agreement. As the Fund’s custodian, US Bancorp receives fees and compensation of expenses for services provided including, but not limited to, an annual account charge and security transaction fees.

Transfer Agent— Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“EQ”) serves as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.   American Stock Transfer & Trust underwent a name change in 2023, becoming Equiniti Trust Company.  EQ receives fees for services provided including, but not limited to, account maintenance fees, activity and transaction processing fees and reimbursement for its out-of-pocket expenses.   EQ also acts as the agent under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.


(4)
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.

The Fund has a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (“DRIP”) which allows
shareholders to reinvest cash dividends and make cash contributions. Pursuant to the terms of the
DRIP, cash dividends may be used by the DRIP agent to either purchase shares from the Fund or in
the open market, depending on the most favorable pricing available to DRIP participants. Voluntary
cash contributions from DRIP participants are used to purchase Fund shares in the open market. A
complete copy of the DRIP is available on the Fund’s website (www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com)
or from EQ, the DRIP agent.


(5)
Distributions to Shareholders.
Distributions to shareholders from the Fund’s net investment income and realized net long- and
short-term capital gains will be declared and distributed at least annually. The amount and timing
of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.

On October 13, 2023, a distribution of $0.35 per share aggregating $1,388,743 was declared from
net investment income and net realized capital gains. The dividend was paid on December 15,
2023, to shareholders of record on November 24, 2023. The tax character of distributions paid
during 2022 and 2023 was as follows:

   
2022
   
2023
 
Distributions paid from:
           
Ordinary income
 
$
116,925
   
$
281,059
 
Short-term capital gains
   
934
     
114,033
 
Long-term capital gains
   
1,335,154
     
993,651
 

In 2022 and 2023, the distributions were paid in cash.

For more information about the Fund’s tax information, please refer to Note 2, Federal income
taxes.


Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements


(6)
Fund Investment Transactions.

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $4,443,225 and $5,504,532, respectively.


(7)
Subsequent Events.

Management of the Fund has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date when these financial statements were published. Based upon this evaluation, there were no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.


(8)
Guarantees and indemnifications.

Under Maryland law and the Fund’s organizational documents, the Fund will indemnify its officers and directors against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, certain of the Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Fund’s financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2021 and prior, were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 17, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2022.
COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
February 27, 2024


Directors Who Are Interested Persons of the Fund and Officers

 
Name,
Address and
Age
 
Position(s)
Held with
Fund
 
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years (in addition to positions
held in the Fund)
 
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director or
Nominee for
Director
 
Other
Directorships
Held by Director
or Nominee for
Director
(Public
Companies)
 
David C.  Sims*, age 42
 
VP, CFO, CCO,
Treasurer, Secretary, and Director  
 
Term of office expires 2024 (Class II); nominee for director.  Served as a director since 2015.
 
President of Sims Capital Management LLC (investment advisor to the Fund); Manager of Peregrine Investment Fund LLC (private investment fund); and roles with the Fund as previously identified.
 
One
 
None
 
Luke E. Sims**, age 74
 
President, CEO and Director
 
Term of office expires 2025 (Class III). Served as a director since 2002
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund; Chairman of Sims Capital Management LLC (the Advisor to the Fund); and Retired Partner of Foley & Lardner LLP (national law firm) where he was affiliated from 1976 through 2010.
 
One
 
None

*The address of Mr. David Sims is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund.  David C. Sims is an Interested Person within the meaning of Section 2(a) (19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Fund, beneficially owns more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, and he is affiliated with the Fund’s investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC (the “Advisor” or “SCM”).  David C. Sims is the son of Luke E. Sims, the President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of the Fund.

**The address of Mr. Luke Sims is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund.  Luke E. Sims is an Interested Person within the meaning of Section 2(a) (19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, beneficially owns in excess of five percent (5%) of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock, and he is affiliated with the Fund’s investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC (the “Advisor” or “SCM”).  Luke E. Sims is the father of David C. Sims, the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Director of the Fund.


Directors Who Are Not Interested Persons

 
Name, Address
and Age*
 
Position(s)
Held with
Fund
 
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
 
Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years
 
Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director or
Nominee for
Director
 
Other Directorships
Held by Director or
Nominee for
Director
(Public
Companies)
 
Jason W. Allen, age 52
 
Director
 
Term of office expires 2026 (Class I).  Served as a director since 2021.
 
Partner of Foley & Lardner LLP (law firm) where he has been a practicing corporate lawyer since 1999.
 
One
 
None
 
Robert M. Bilkie, Jr.,   age 63
 
Chairman; Director
 
Term of office expires 2026 (Class I).  Served as a director since 2006.
 
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sigma Investment Counselors, Inc. (a registered investment advisor) since 1987; member of the Better Investing Securities Review Committee and of the Better Investing Editorial Advisory Committee (non-remunerative).
 
One
 
None
 
Phillip J. Hanrahan,
age 84
 
Director
 
Term of office expires 2026 (Class I).  Served as a director since 2008.
 
Retired partner of Foley & Lardner LLP (law firm) since February 2007 and, prior thereto, active partner of that firm since 1973.
 
One
 
None
 
Carl A. Holth,
age 91
 
Director
 
Term of office expires 2024 (Class II); nominee for director.  Served as a director since 1989.
 
Retired.
 
One
 
None
 
Anne M. Nichols, age 62
 
Director
 
Term of office expires 2024 (Class II); nominee for director.  Served as a director since 2021.
 
Managing director at Fern Capital Inc, an investment advisor.
 
One
 
None
 
Donald G. Tyler,
age 71
 
Director
 
Term of office expires 2025 (Class III). Served as a director since 2010.
 
Retired. Director of Administrative Services, County of Milwaukee, 2012 to 2014.  Retired Interim President & Executive Director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 2010; Vice President of Investment Products and Services, Northwestern Mutual, 2003-2010.
 
One
 
None
 
Neal F. Zalenko,      age 78
 
 Director
 
Term of office expires 2025 (Class III). Served as a director since 2008.
 
Retired; Founder and Managing Partner of Zalenko & Associates, P.C. (accounting firm), that merged with Baker Tilly in early 2005.
 
One
 
None

*The address of each is the address of the principal executive office of the Fund.


Compensation.

The following tables identify the aggregate compensation paid to all directors and nominees in 2023.  Directors’ fees are only payable to directors who are not officers of the Fund or affiliated with the Advisor.  For 2023, Fund directors who are entitled to receive directors’ fees, received an annual retainer of $12,000, paid quarterly, together with $1,250, paid quarterly, for service on the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee Chairman received an additional $750 annual retainer, paid quarterly.  The fees for 2024 will be $13,000 for directors, $1,750 for audit committee service and a $1,000 retainer for the Audit Committee Chairman.

Luke E. Sims and David C. Sims, who are deemed to be Interested Persons of the Fund, are not entitled to receive directors’ fees from the Fund.

No Fund officer receives compensation in his capacity as an officer of the Fund.  Fund officers are: Luke E. Sims, President and Chief Executive Officer; and David C. Sims, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and Director.  Robert M. Bilkie, Jr. is the Fund’s Chairman, which is not an executive officer position.

Sims Capital Management LLC (“SCM”), the investment advisor for the Fund, was paid $308,572 by the Fund in 2023.  SCM is 50% owned by Luke E. Sims, the President, CEO and a Director of the Fund, as well as an owner of more than five percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares.  David C. Sims, the Fund’s Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, Secretary and Director as well as an owner of more than five percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares, owns the remaining 50% of SCM.

Directors who are Interested Persons of the Fund:

Name, Position
Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
part of Fund
Expenses
Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
Total
Compensation
from Fund and
Complex paid
to Directors
         
         
David C. Sims,
VP, CFO, CCO,
Treasurer, Secretary,
and Director
None
None
None
None
         
Luke E. Sims,
Director, President,
CEO
None
None
None
None


Directors who are not Interested Persons of the Fund:

Name, Position
Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
part of Fund
Expenses
Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
Total
Compensation
from Fund and
Complex paid
to Directors
         
         
Jason W. Allen,
Director
$12,000
None
None
$12,000
         
Robert M. Bilkie, Jr.,
Director
$12,000
None
None
$12,000
         
Phillip J. Hanrahan,
Director
$13,250
None
None
$13,250
         
Carl A. Holth,
Director
$13,250
None
None
$13,250
         
Anne M. Nichols,
Director
$12,000
None
None
$12,000
         
Donald G. Tyler,
Director
$13,250
None
None
$13,250
         
Neal F. Zalenko,
Director
$14,000
None
None
$14,000

Board of Directors

Jason W. Allen
Director
Fox Point, WI
Robert M. Bilkie, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Northville, MI
Phillip J. Hanrahan
Director
Whitefish Bay, WI
     
Carl A. Holth
Director
Dearborn, MI
Anne M. Nichols
Director
Huntington Woods, MI
Luke E. Sims
President & CEO
Milwaukee, WI
     
David C. Sims
VP, Treasurer, CFO, CCO
Secretary & Director
Bayside, WI
Donald G. Tyler
Director
Whitefish Bay, WI
Neal F. Zalenko
Director
Birmingham, MI


EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC. (“Fund”)
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PURCHASE PLAN (“Plan”)
 
ADVANTAGE OF THE PLAN
 
Participants in the Plan have the ability to have cash dividends from the Fund reinvested in additional Fund shares.  Participants may also make cash contributions to the Plan to acquire additional Fund shares.
 
JOINING THE PLAN
 
You can enroll in the Plan by going to https://equiniti.com/ or calling Equiniti Stock Transfer (formerly American Stock Transfer & Trust Company) (the “Plan Agent” or “EQ”) at 877-739-9994. Plan information is also available at the Fund’s website at www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com/drip.html.
 
COSTS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
 
You are not charged any fee or expense for enrolling in the Plan.  Shareholders depositing certificated shares are charged a fee of $7.50.  Sales of shares incur a sales commission of $15.00, plus $0.10 per share.  In the event a shareholder sends in a check to buy more shares and the check is returned, a $35.00 charge will apply.  Fees may change from time to time; please contact EQ for information about current fees.
 
REINVESTMENT OF FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
If the Fund pays a distribution in Fund shares, Participants’ accounts under the Plan will be credited with newly-issued Fund shares at the distribution price, which is the price described in the distribution notice to shareholders.  These shares will be held by the Plan Agent pursuant to the Plan.
 
The Fund may pay distributions in cash.  In the event that the Fund makes a cash distribution, the Plan will first seek to buy shares on the open market up to and including the most recent net asset value (“NAV”) of each Fund share.  The NAV of each Fund share shall be calculated within forty-eight hours of the distribution, excluding Sundays and holidays.  Should the market price rise to or above the calculated NAV per share, the Fund may issue new shares to the Plan at the greater of NAV per share or 95% of the market price.  For purposes of the Plan, the market price is the most recently traded price of a Fund share on the NYSE American exchange.  The reinvestment of cash distributions will occur as soon as practicable, and in no case later than 30 days after the Plan Agent’s receipt of the cash distributions, except where necessary to comply with federal securities laws.
 
In the event that the open market purchases take more than one day, the Fund will recalculate the NAV on a daily basis.  Such recalculated NAV will be used to determine whether the market price per share has risen to or above the calculated NAV per share.  If the Plan Agent terminates open market purchases based on the recalculated NAV and the Fund issues new shares to the Plan at the greater of NAV per share or 95% of the market price, the number of shares received by the participant in respect of the cash dividend or distribution will be based on the weighted average of prices paid for shares purchased in the open market and the price at which the Fund issues remaining shares.
 
VOLUNTARY CASH PAYMENTS
 
Plan participants may make voluntary cash payments of not less than $50 per month (but in any event not more than $250,000 in any year) for the purpose of acquiring additional Fund shares. 
 

Voluntary cash payments received by the Plan Agent on or prior to the last day of any month will be invested beginning on or about the first (1st) business day of the following month (the “Investment Date”).  The Plan will purchase Fund shares in the open market.  If the Plan Agent has not completed its open market purchase of Fund shares within thirty (30) days of the Investment Date, then the balance of such voluntary cash payments will be returned to participants on a pro rata basis.   All cash received by the Plan Agent in connection with the Plan will be held without earning interest or income.
 
Optional cash payments may be made online at https://equiniti.com/.    You will need to know your 10-digit Plan account number to access your account.  The Fund recommends that participants making voluntary cash payments send their cash payments so that they reach the Plan Agent as close as possible but prior to the Investment Date.  A participant should be aware of possible delays in the mail if payment is to be made in that manner.  Accordingly, it is recommended that a participant mail the voluntary cash payment no later than ten days prior to an Investment Date, or make cash payments online.
 
HOLDING OF SHARES
 
For your convenience, EQ will hold in safekeeping all Fund shares you own by reason of your participation in the Plan.   Upon your request (whether online at https://equiniti.com, by mail, or telephonically to the Plan Agent at 800-937-5449), EQ will send you a physical stock certificate representing a specified number of whole shares acquired or held the Plan in your account.
 
The Plan Agent will allow you to deposit with it for safekeeping under the Plan any additional stock certificates for Fund shares that you may hold.   Such shares, once deposited, will be retained in “book-entry” form under the Plan.
 
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
 
At least annually, a detailed statement of transactions in your Plan account for each calendar year will be sent to you by the Plan Agent.   You may also access your account information online at https://equiniti.com/.  You will also receive the customary Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 to report taxable income as a result of Fund distributions with respect to Fund shares held in your Plan account.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
You should consult your accountant or tax advisor with respect to the Federal and/or other tax consequences resulting from participating in the Plan.  However, as a general rule, participants are taxed on Fund distributions, whether those distributions are paid directly in additional Fund shares, or are in cash (whether such cash is used to purchase additional Fund shares in the open market or otherwise).
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS
 
Plan participants enjoy the same rights as Fund shareholders generally with respect to Fund shares held in the Plan, including, without limitation, rights with respect to stock dividends, stock splits, and voting rights.  In the event of a major corporate event affecting the Fund, such as a stock split or a stock dividend, the resulting Fund shares will be properly credited to your Plan account. In the event that a Plan participant holds shares in both a Plan account and individually in his or her own name, any Fund shares resulting from a major corporate event affecting the Fund will be distributed to the Plan account and the participant individually on a pro rata basis.  EQ reserves the right to delay, curtail or suspend any action otherwise required of it under the Plan during the pendency of any major corporate action affecting the Fund.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
If you have any questions regarding participation in the Plan, please visit the Plan Agent online at https://equiniti.com/, call the Plan Agent at 800-937-5449, or write the Plan Agent at:
 
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“EQ”)
PO Box 10027
Newark, NJ 07101

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND CASH PAYMENT PLAN
 
1.  By enrolling in the Plan, all of the participant’s cash distributions from the Fund and/or voluntary cash payments will be reinvested in additional Fund shares.
 
If the Fund declares a distribution in Fund shares but includes a provision allowing shareholders to elect to receive cash in lieu of Fund shares, the Plan Agent will receive the distribution in Fund shares on behalf of each Plan participant with respect to the Fund shares the participant holds through the Plan, provided that if you (as a Plan participant) desire to elect to receive cash in lieu of Fund shares, you must promptly terminate your participation in the Plan in accordance with paragraph 5 below.  You must also notify the Fund in writing of your election to receive cash.  Such written notice to the Plan and to the Fund must be received at least three business days prior to the cut-off election date in order to be effective prior to the receipt of the declared dividend. If a Plan participant beneficially owns Fund shares outside of the Plan and desires to elect to receive cash in lieu of Fund shares, the participant must individually make this election.
 
2.  The Plan Agent may commingle participant funds in connection with the receipt of cash distributions from the Fund, and from voluntary cash payments from participants.   The Plan Agent will allocate purchased Fund shares among participant accounts based upon the average price paid (net of any costs).
 
3.  The Plan Agent shall hold shares for participants in its own name or in the name of its nominee.  The Plan Agent will acquire Fund shares in the open market at such price or prices then reasonably available to it.   Participants understand that from time to time, Fund shares may not be available for purchase, or may not be available for purchase at a reasonable price.  Moreover, any temporary or continued closing of the securities trading generally might require the temporary curtailment or suspension of the Plan Agent’s efforts to purchase Fund shares.  The Plan Agent is not responsible or liable for, and shall not be accountable for, any inability on such its part to purchase Fund shares.
 
4.   With respect to the voting of Fund shares held in the Plan, the Plan Agent will provide participants with proxy solicitation materials and request their direction.  If a participant does not direct the Plan Agent as to the manner of voting, the Plan Agent will not vote such participant’s shares.
 
5.  Plan participation may be terminated upon request to the Plan Agent. A participant may terminate by providing written notice to the Plan Agent (the tear-off section at the bottom of participant’s account statement is available for this purpose). Such written notice must be signed by all persons who are listed on the Plan account.   If a request is received fewer than three business days prior to the cut-off election date in the case of a share distribution, or three days prior to the ex-dividend date in the case of a cash dividend, then the termination will begin after the receipt of Fund shares or reinvestment of the declared dividend, as applicable.  The Plan Agent will send to a participant who has terminated participation in the Plan a certificate(s) representing the number of full shares held by the Plan Agent in such participant’s account under the Plan.  In case of termination, a participant’s interest in a fractional share will be converted to, and remitted in cash, in an amount based upon the then current market value of the share (less service fees).   However, the foregoing does not apply to voluntary cash payments held for investment on the Investment Date as a result of voluntary cash payments.  A participant may request the return of any voluntary cash payment, if the participant makes a separate written request which is received by the Plan Agent at the address above at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time when such voluntary cash payment is scheduled to be invested.  If a participant so requests, the Plan Agent may sell a terminating participant’s shares and remit the proceeds (less related brokerage commissions and service fees).
 

6.  The Plan Agent shall not be liable for any action taken in good faith or for any good faith failure to act, including without limitation, any claim of liability (a) arising out of a failure to terminate the participant’s account upon the participant’s death, prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death and submission of documentation, by the personal representative of the deceased participant, in form and substance satisfactory to the Plan Agent and (b) with respect to the price or prices at which Fund shares are purchased or sold for a participant’s account and/or the timing of such purchases and/or sales.
 
7.  The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan; significant revisions will become effective upon thirty (30) days written notice (from the date of mailing) to all Plan participants.   All inquiries with respect to the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at the addresses and phone numbers identified in the Plan.
 
8.  The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin.
 
9.  The Plan has been last amended and revised as of December 13, 2023.
 

Recent Changes

The following information is a summary of certain changes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the Fund.

During the applicable period, there have been: (i) no material changes to the Fund’s investment objectives and policies that constitute its principal portfolio emphasis that have not been approved by shareholders, (ii) no material changes to the Fund’s principal risks, (iii) no changes to the persons primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund; and (iv) no changes to the Fund’s charter or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control that have not been approved by shareholders.

Investment Objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is long-term growth.  The Fund utilizes the concept of “total return” for selecting investments; “total return” means the total of all income derived from, and the capital appreciation in value of, a particular investment.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated.

Investment Strategy

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by employing a strategy of investing in primarily US issuer common stock.  There is a preference for “high-quality” companies, where “high-quality” denotes substantial operating income margins, high returns on capital, and strong balance sheets.  While the Fund is not constrained to investing solely in such companies, there is a distinct preference for doing so.

Risk Factors

Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. Before making an investment decision, a prospective investor should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to his or her investment objectives and personal situation and (ii) consider factors such as his or her personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. The value of the investments owned by the Fund will fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and such investments are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount invested. At any point in time, an investment in the Fund’s common shares could be worth less than the original amount invested, even after taking into account distributions paid by the Fund.

The Fund and its portfolio securities are materially affected by market, economic and political conditions and events, such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, globally and in the jurisdictions and sectors in which it invests or operates, including factors affecting interest rates, the availability of credit, currency exchange rates and trade barriers. For example, COVID-19 adversely impacted, and any future outbreaks could adversely impact, the markets and economy in general, including the companies in which the Fund invests, and could harm Fund performance. Epidemics and pandemics have and may further result in, among other things, travel restrictions, closure of international borders, disruptions to certain businesses and securities markets, restrictions on securities trading activities, quarantines, supply chain disruptions and reduced consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. Market, economic and political conditions and events are outside the Fund’s control and could adversely affect the liquidity and value of the Fund’s investments and reduce the ability of the Fund to make attractive new investments.

Closed-end Fund shares.  As with any security, shares of the Fund may increase or decrease in value from time to time, and these changes may or may not be related to changes in the value of the securities held by the Fund (as reflected in its net asset value, or NAV). In addition, shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. The possibility that shares of the Fund will trade at a discount to net asset value (based on the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities), and the possibility that such discount could increase, is a risk which is separate from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value will decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade in the future at a premium to or a discount from net asset value or the level of any premium or discount.

Portfolio Concentration.   While the Fund qualifies as a “diversified” regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund tends to have a more concentrated portfolio that other mutual funds.   Portfolio concentration can cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than other more diversified funds.


In addition, the Fund’s largest portfolio position is its investment in Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Class B).   As of December 31, 2023, the Fund’s investment in Berkshire Hathaway represented nearly 17% of the Fund’s equity portfolio.  The death or disability of Warren Buffett could have a material adverse impact on the price of Berkshire Hathaway shares.

Secondary Market for Fund Shares.  The Fund issues shares through its Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.” Shares may be issued under the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan at a discount to the market price for the shares, which may also put downward pressure on the market price for shares of the Fund.

Anti-Takeover Provisions.  The Fund’s By-laws provide for a staggered Board.  Moreover, the Fund has opted into the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.  These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a hostile bidder.

Regulated Investment Company.   The Fund has conducted and intends to continue to conduct its operations so that it qualifies as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This relieves the Fund of any material liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to its shareholders. If the Fund fails at any time to qualify as a “regulated investment company,” the income of the Fund for that fiscal year will be taxed at the corporate level.  This would result in a decrease in income for distribution to shareholders of the Fund and a reduction in the net asset value of the Fund.

Counterparty and Prime Brokerage Risk.  The Fund is subject to the risk of loss of Fund assets on deposit or being settled or cleared with a broker in the event of the broker’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy of any clearing broker through which the broker executes and clears transactions on behalf of the Fund, the bankruptcy of an exchange clearing house or the bankruptcy of any other counterparty. If a prime broker or counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund could experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding; if the Fund’s claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such prime broker or counterparty and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. In the case of any such bankruptcy, the Fund might recover, even in respect of property specifically traceable to the Fund, only a pro rata share of all property available for distribution to all of the counterparty’s customers and counterparties. Such an amount could be less than the amounts owed to the Fund. It is possible that the Fund will obtain only a limited recovery or no recovery in such circumstances. Such events would have an adverse effect on the NAV of the Fund. Certain counterparties have general custody of, or title to, the Fund’s assets. The failure of any such counterparty could result in adverse consequences to the NAV of the Fund.

Legal and Regulatory Risk.   Legal and regulatory changes could occur that would materially adversely affect the Fund. The regulation of securities markets and investment funds such as the Fund has undergone substantial change in recent years, and such change could continue.  The Fund does not know in what form, when and in what order significant regulatory initiatives will be implemented or the impact any such implemented regulations will have on the Fund, the markets or instruments in which the Fund invests or the counterparties with which the Fund conducts business. The effect of regulatory change on the Fund, while impossible to predict, could be substantial, adverse and potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy.

Dependence on Advisor. The Fund depends on the efforts, skills, reputations and business contacts of its investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC (“Advisor”). The loss of the Advisor’s services could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.  The Advisor’s principals possess substantial experience and expertise. The loss of these personnel could affect the Fund’s investment opportunities as well as cause increased costs for the Fund to replace them.

Market Disruptions from Natural Disasters or Geopolitical Risks. Political instability, the ongoing epidemics of infectious diseases in certain parts of the world, terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord, debt crises (such as the Greek debt crisis), sovereign debt downgrades, or the exit or potential exit of one or more countries from the European Union (such as the United Kingdom) or the European Economic and Monetary Union, among others, could result in market volatility, could have long term effects on the United States and worldwide financial markets, and could cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide.  The Fund cannot predict the effects of natural disasters or geopolitical events in the future on the economy and securities markets.


Portfolio Turnover. The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate could vary greatly from year to year, as well as within a given year. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. High portfolio turnover could result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when passed through and distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income.  Higher portfolio turnover could also trigger higher levels of capital gains at the Fund level which, when pass through to Fund shareholders, would trigger potential capital gains liability at the Fund shareholder level.  In addition, a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund.

Cybersecurity. Increased reliance on internet-based programs and applications to conduct transactions and store data creates growing operational and security risks. Targeted cyber-attacks or accidental events can lead to breaches in computer and data systems security, and subsequent unauthorized access to sensitive transactional and personal information held or maintained by the Fund, its affiliates, and third-party service providers. Any breaches that occur could result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality, or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to investors and the beneficial owners of investors, and could lead to theft, data corruption, or overall disruption in operational systems. Criminals could use data taken in breaches in identity theft, obtaining loans or payments under false identities and other crimes that have the potential to affect the value of assets in which the Fund invests.  Cybersecurity risks also necessitate ongoing prevention and compliance costs.

Misconduct of Employees and of Third-Party Service Providers. Misconduct by employees of the Advisor or by third-party service providers could cause significant losses to the Fund. Employee misconduct may include binding the Fund to transactions that exceed authorized limits or present unacceptable risks and unauthorized investment activities or concealing unsuccessful investment activities (which, in either case, may result in unknown and unmanaged risks or losses). Losses could also result from actions by third-party service providers, including, without limitation, failing to recognize trades and misappropriating assets. In addition, employees and third-party service providers may improperly use or disclose confidential information, which could result in litigation or serious financial harm, including limiting the Fund’s business prospects. No assurances can be given that the due diligence performed by the Advisor will identify or prevent any such misconduct.


Shareholder Information

Trading.   Fund shares trade under the symbol GRF on the NYSE American exchange.  The Fund has opted into the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act.

Fund Stock Repurchases.   The Fund is authorized to repurchase its shares in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise, at a price or prices reasonably related to the then prevailing market price.  The Fund has authorized repurchases up to 1,000,000 shares, with 907,029 shares remaining under its current authorization.

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan.   By participating in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (“Plan”), you can automatically reinvest your cash dividends in additional Fund shares without paying brokerage commissions.   A copy of the plan is included earlier in the Annual Report.
Alternatively, you can secure a copy of the Plan from the Fund’s website (www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com) or by contacting Equiniti Stock Transfer (formerly American Stock Transfer & Trust Company), 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, NY 10005, telephone number (877) 937-5449.

Dividend Checks/Stock Certificates/Address Changes/Etc.   If you have a question about lost or misplaced dividend checks or stock certificates, have an address change to report, or have a comparable shareholder issue or question, please contact the Fund’s transfer agent, Equiniti Stock Transfer (formerly American Stock Transfer & Trust Company), 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, NY 10005, telephone number (877) 937-5449.

Proxy Voting.   The Fund typically votes by proxy the shares of portfolio companies.   If you’d like information about the policies and procedures that the Fund follows in voting, or how the Fund has voted on a particular issue or matter during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, you can get that information (Form N-PX) from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or the Fund’s website (www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com), or by calling the Fund at (414) 765-1107 (collect) or by sending an e-mail request (to dave@simscapital.com).

Fund Privacy Policy/Customer Privacy Notice (January 1, 2024).   We collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:  (i) information we receive from you on applications or other forms and (ii) information about your transactions with us or others.   We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you to anyone, except as permitted by law, and as follows.   We may disclose all of the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements.   If you decide to close your account(s) or no longer be a shareholder of record, we will adhere to the privacy policies and practices as described in this notice.   We restrict access to your personal and account information to those employees who need to know that information to provide services to you.  We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information.  In this notice, the term “we” refers to the Fund, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.

Additional Information.   The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings monthly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-PORT, with the first and third calendar quarter filings available to the investing public generally.   You can obtain copies of these public filings, and other information about the Fund, from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov), from the Fund’s website (www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com), or by calling the Fund at (414) 765-1107.   The Fund’s public forms can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and you can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330.


Approval of Renewal of Investment Advisory Agreement.  At its December 4, 2023 Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved the renewal of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement with SCM (with Directors Luke E. Sims and David C. Sims abstaining).  The Board previously received various information with respect to the proposed continuation of the investment advisory agreement with the Advisor, including a handout in the Board “book” materials which identified certain key issues for the Board to consider in evaluating Sims Capital Management LLC (“SCM”) as its Advisor.  The Board reviewed these various factors in considering whether to retain SCM as its investment advisor including, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of services provided by SCM, the cost of services provided by SCM (and benefits to be realized by SCM as a result of its relationship to the Fund), the economies of scale that may be realized as the Fund grows, whether the fee level reflects the economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors, SCM’s investment philosophy, the Fund’s portfolio turnover, best execution and trading costs, personnel considerations, resources available to SCM, SCM’s ability to satisfy compliance obligations and other relevant factors.  The Board regularly considers the various factors that are involved in such a decision.  Overall, the Board understands and is satisfied with the investment philosophy and investment performance of the Advisor.   Given the relatively small size of the Fund vis-à-vis other closed-end and other mutual funds, the Advisor’s annual fee at 0.75% (75 basis points) of assets under management (AUM) is reasonable (and at the low end of the range for other investment advisors of actively-managed equity funds).   There are few economies of scale to be realized by the Fund (as a closed-end fund), primarily because the Fund is required to make distributions to its shareholders of its net investment income and realized capital gains.   Pursuant to this requirement, the Fund paid a distribution of $1.4 Million to its shareholders at the end of December 2023, thereby reducing AUM from $41 Million to approximately $39.6 Million.   The Fund’s compliance with law and reporting with respect to the Securities and Exchange Commission and other governmental authorities is fine.   The Fund’s execution of transactions (including cost) and portfolio turnover are excellent, and clearly consistent with industry practice.   As a general rule, the Board is satisfied with the Advisor’s personnel, including professional competence, conscientiousness, independence and overall communications.

Electronic Distribution of Shareholder Reports and Other Communications.   If you’d like to receive copies of the Fund’s annual report, semiannual report, proxy statement, press releases and other comparable communications electronically, please provide your e-mail address to dave@simscapital.com.  By providing your e-mail address to the Fund, you are consenting to the Fund sending the identified materials to you by e-mail.

General Inquiries.   If you have a question or comment on any matter not addressed above, please contact the Fund at: Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3657, telephone number (414) 765-1107, or the Fund’s investment advisor, Sims Capital Management LLC (dave@simscapital.com).

ITEM 2.
CODE OF ETHICS

The Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, which applies to the principal executive officer of the Fund, all professionals serving as principal financial officer, the principal account officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Fund or a third party, and the members of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals has been posted on the Fund’s website at www.eaglecapitalgrowthfund.com.

ITEM 3.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Fund’s Board of Directors has determined that Neal F. Zalenko qualifies as a financial expert; and that Carl A. Holth, Donald G. Tyler, and Phillip J. Hanrahan also qualify as financial experts. Phillip J. Hanrahan, Carl A. Holth, Donald G. Tyler, and Neal F. Zalenko are independent, non-interested directors.

ITEM 4.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Fees.  The Fund paid Cohen & Company, Ltd $27,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023, and Cohen & Company, Ltd $27,500 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

Audit-Related Fees.  The Fund did not pay Cohen & Company, Ltd any audit-related fees in either of the last two calendar years.

Tax Fees.  The Fund paid Cohen & Company, Ltd $5,000 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023, and Cohen & Company, Ltd $5,000 for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022, for tax fees in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s tax returns and assistance with Internal Revenue Service notice and tax matters.

All Other Fees.  The Fund did not pay Cohen & Company, Ltd any other amounts in either of the last two calendar years.

“Audit fees” are fees paid by the Fund to Cohen & Company, Ltd for professional services for the audit of our financial statements, or for services that are usually provided by an auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements. “Audit-related fees” are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements. “Tax fees” are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. All other Fund fees are fees billed for any services not included in the first three categories.
 

None of the services covered under the captions “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” with respect to Cohen & Company, Ltd were provided under the de minimis exception to Audit Committee approval of 17 CFR 210.2-01(c) 7(i)(C) and (ii) Cohen & Company, Ltd were not engaged during the last two calendar years to provide non-audit services to the Fund or to the Advisor or any of its affiliates that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Other Non-Audit Services”).  Under the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee must approve in advance all non-audit services of the Fund and all Other Non-Audit Services.  The Audit Committee has not adopted “pre-approval policies and procedures” as such term is used in 17 CFR 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) and (ii).
 
ITEM 5.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
 
The Fund’s Board of Directors has separately-designed standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The members of the committee are Neal F. Zalenko, Carl A. Holth, Donald G. Tyler, and Phillip J. Hanrahan.
 
ITEM 6.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
 
The Fund’s schedule of investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
 
ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
Sims Capital Management LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (the “Advisor”), is the investment advisor for the Fund. The Fund and the Advisor are parties to an Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of February 16, 2007 (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Fund is the Advisor’s institutional advisory client.
 
The Advisor’s authority to vote the proxies of the Fund is established through the Investment Advisory Agreement. It has adopted the following policies and procedures:
 
The Company will vote proxies for its clients and, therefore, will adhere to the following requirements:
 
A.  General Statement of Policy. Consistent with its duty of care the Company monitors proxy proposals just as it monitors other corporate events affecting the companies in which its clients invest.   The Company votes securities subject to its control consistent with its analysis and judgment of each issue, regardless of whether such voting position is consistent with the approach proposed by the issuer’s board of directors or management.
 
B.  There may be instances where the interests of the Company may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of its clients.  For example, the Company may manage a pension plan of a company whose management is soliciting proxies and there may be a concern that the Company would vote in favor of management because of its relationship with the Company.  In such situations, the Company will, consistent with its duty of care and duty of loyalty, vote the securities in accordance with its pre-determined voting policy, but only after the disclosing the conflict to clients and affording the clients the opportunity to direct the Company in the voting of such securities.
 
C. Record Keeping. The Company will maintain the following records with respect to proxy voting:
 
(1) A copy of this proxy voting policy;
 

(2) A copy of all proxy statements received (the Company may rely on the EDGAR system to satisfy this requirement);
 
(3) A record of each vote cast on behalf of a client (the Company may rely on a third party to satisfy this requirement);
 
(4) A copy of any document prepared by the Company that was material to making a voting decision or that memorializes the basis for that decision;
 
(5) A copy of each written client request for information on how the Company voted proxies on the client’s behalf, and a copy of any written response to any (written or oral) client request for information on how the Company voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.
 
D. Disclosure. The Company will furnish a copy of this policy to all of its clients. The Company will disclose to clients how proxies were voted upon request.
 
ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
 
Luke E. Sims
 
President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2007) and Director of the Fund (since 2002). Luke Sims has been a partner in the law firm of Foley & Lardner since 1984 until February 2010. Luke Sims is a 50% equity owner in the Advisor.
 
David C. Sims
 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund (since 2007), Secretary of the Fund (since 2009) and Director of the Fund (since 2015).  David C. Sims is President, operating manager, and 50% equity owner in the Advisor.
 
With respect to the Fund, Luke Sims is the principal decision maker with respect to the Fund’s portfolio, and David Sims participates in the decision-making process.
 
Luke Sims receives no compensation as an officer of the Fund and receives a fixed salary from the Advisor (not tied to the Fund’s performance or private account performance) out of the respective investment advisory fees paid by the Fund and private accounts. David Sims receives no compensation as an officer of the Fund and a fixed salary from the Advisor (not tied to the Fund’s or Peregrine’s performance or private account performance) out of the respective investment advisory fees paid by the Fund and private accounts. Luke Sims owns 50% of the equity of Sims Capital Management and David Sims owns the remaining 50% of the equity of Sims Capital Management.
 
Dollar range of equity securities of the Fund. beneficially owned as of December 31, 2023, by Luke Sims is in excess of $1 million and by David Sims is in excess of $1 million.
 
ITEM 9.
PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
 
During the period covered by this report, no purchases were made by or on behalf of the registrant or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of shares of registrant’s equity securities that are registered by the registrant pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.


There were no share repurchases during 2023.
 
ITEM 10.
SUBMISSION OF MATTER TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
No changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors have been implemented after registrant last provided disclosure in response to Item 407(c)(2) in registrant’s 2023 proxy statement.
 
ITEM 11.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
(i) As of February 20, 2024, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the registrant’s President and Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer). Based on that evaluation, the registrant’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the registrant’s controls and procedures are effectively designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Commission’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
(ii) There has been no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 12.
DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
 
The Fund neither lent any securities this year nor received any income related to securities lending.
 
ITEM 13.
EXHIBITS
 
(A)(1). Attached hereto as Exhibit 99a1.
 
(A)(2). Separate certification of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act.--- attached hereto as Exhibit 99a2.
 
(B) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, --- attached as Exhibit 99b.
 

SIGNATURES
[See General Instruction F]

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
By: /s/ Luke E. Sims, President
Date: 3/6/2024

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By: /s/ David C. Sims, Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary
Date: 3/6/2024




Exhibit (a)(2)

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CERTIFICATIONS

I, Luke E. Sims, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2024

/s/ Luke E. Sims
 
Luke E. Sims
President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)


CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
CERTIFICATIONS

I, David C. Sims, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2024
 
/s/ David C. Sims
 
David C. Sims
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

 


Exhibit (b)
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION
1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Form N-CSR/A of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Registrant”) for the period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Report”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of our respective knowledge and belief, that:

(1)          The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)          The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.

By: /s/ Luke E. Sims
Luke E. Sims
President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Dated: March 6, 2024
 
By: /s/ David C. Sims
David C. Sims
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
Dated: March 6, 2024




Exhibit 99A1


AMENDED AND RESTATED
CODE OF ETHICS
OF
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
Under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940

Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) has adopted, by a vote of its board of directors, including a majority who are not interested persons (the “Board”), this Amended and Restated Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) pursuant to Rule 17j‑1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”).
 
Sims Capital Management LLC (the “Advisor”) is the investment adviser for the Fund.  The Advisor is a registered investment adviser subject to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”), and, as such, maintains its own policies and procedures, including among other things, its own code of ethics pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act.
 
I.
Applicability
 
This Code of Ethics applies to (a) all Access Persons as defined in Rule 17j-1; and (b) any natural person who is in a control relationship to the Fund or the Advisor who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities (as hereinafter defined) by the Fund.
 
Under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act,” “Access Person” includes, among others, any Advisory Person of the Fund or of the Advisor and any director, officer or general partner of a principal underwriter (“Underwriter”), who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund for which the Underwriter acts, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.
 
“Advisory Person” means any director, officer or employee of the Fund or the Advisor (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or the Advisor) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to the purchases or sales of Covered Securities.
 
Since the Advisor’s primary business is advising the Fund, all of the Advisor’s directors and officers are presumed to be Access Persons.  In addition, all of the Fund’s directors and officers are presumed to be Access Persons of the Fund.
 
The Advisor is required to adopt a written code of ethics containing provisions reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1(b) of the Investment Company Act.  Such code must also be approved by the Board, including any material changes, thereto, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1(c)(1).
 

The personal investment policies, procedures and restrictions that specifically apply to Access Persons apply to all accounts and securities in which the Access Person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership. An explanation of what constitutes beneficial ownership is attached as Exhibit A.
 
“Securities” are defined as set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act.   “Covered Securities” are all Securities other than (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and (c) shares issued by open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act.
 
II.
Statement of Principles
 
Access Persons must:
 

Engage in and promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
 

Take all reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of non-public information about the Fund, and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of such information unless required by applicable law or regulation or a legal or regulatory process;
 

Comply with applicable government laws, rules and regulations; and
 

Promptly report any violation of the Code of Ethics to the President of the Fund, and provide a copy of the report to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.
 
Access Persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund and to the Fund’s shareholders and to the Advisor when conducting their personal investment transactions.  At all times and in all matters such persons shall place the interests of the Fund before their personal interests.  All Access Persons of the Advisor shall place the interests of the Advisor and its clients before their personal interests.  The fundamental standard to be followed in personal securities transactions is that Access Persons may not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.
 
No Access Person, affiliated person of the Fund, Advisor or Underwriter shall, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such person of any Covered Security (or any option to purchase or sell, or any security convertible into or exchangeable for a Covered Security) which, within the most recent 15 days, is or has been held by the Fund, or is being or has been considered by the Fund or the Advisor for purchase by the Fund:
 
1.          Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund;
 
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2.          Make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
 
3.          Engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or
 
4.          Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund.
 
Further, all Access Persons are always prohibited from effecting personal securities transactions based on material, non-public information.
 
All personal securities transactions by Access Persons shall adhere to the requirements of this Code of Ethics and shall be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict, or the abuse of the person’s position of trust and responsibility.  While this Code of Ethics is designed to address both identified conflicts and potential conflicts, it cannot possibly be written broadly enough to cover all potential situations.  In this regard, Access Persons are expected to adhere not only to the letter, but also the spirit, of the policies contained herein.
 
III.          Standards of Business Conduct
 
In furtherance of the Statement of Principles, Access Persons must adhere to the following practices:
 
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations.  The Fund expects its Access Persons to comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to their operations and business.  Access Persons should seek guidance whenever they are in doubt as to the applicability of any law, rule or regulation regarding any contemplated course of action.  The Fund, as a registered investment company, is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”).  Access Persons must comply with all applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations relating to the Fund and the Advisor.  “Federal securities laws” means the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, Title IV of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission, under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Commission or the Department of the Treasury.
 
Conflicts of Interest.  Access Persons have an obligation to act in the best interests of the Fund.  Access Persons should avoid any activity, interest or association outside the Fund that could impair their ability to perform their work objectively and effectively or that could give the appearance of interfering with their responsibilities on behalf of the Fund and its shareholders.
 
It is not possible to describe every situation in which a conflict of interest may arise.  The following, however, are examples of situations that may raise a conflict of interest (unless permitted by law and Fund policies):
 
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Accepting special favors as a result of the position of an Access Person with the Fund from any person or organization with which the Fund or Advisor has a current or potential business relationship;
 

Directing business to or receiving business from a supplier or broker owned or managed by, or which employs, the Access Person, a relative or a friend.
 
In no event, however, shall investments in any security in accordance with this Code of Ethics be considered a conflict of interest with the Fund.
 
Access Persons shall promptly report any potential relationships, actions or transactions (including those involving family members) that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to the President of the Fund, with a copy to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.
 
Fair Dealing.  Access Persons must keep the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders paramount and endeavor to deal fairly with suppliers, brokers, the public and one another.  No Access Person should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of facts or any unfair dealing practice.
 
Gifts.  Access Persons may not accept any investment opportunity, gift, gratuity or other thing of more than nominal value, from any person or entity that does business, or desires to do business with the Fund, or any affiliate thereof.  Access Persons may accept gifts from a single donor so long as the aggregate annual value does not exceed $100 and Access Persons may attend business meals, local sporting events and other entertainment events at the expense of the donor, so long as the expense is reasonable and both the Access Person and the donor are present.
 
Corporate Opportunities.  Access Persons shall not take for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of their positions with the Fund, except with approval from the Fund’s Board or, as applicable, the Fund’s Audit Committee.  In no event, however, shall investment in any security made in accordance with this Code of Ethics be considered a business opportunity of the Fund.
 
Proprietary and Confidential Information.  Proprietary and confidential information generated and gathered in the Fund’s business are vital assets.  Protecting this information is critical to the Fund’s reputation for integrity and relationship with its shareholders and ensures compliance with complex regulations governing investment companies and investment advisors.  Accordingly, Access Persons should maintain all proprietary and confidential information in strict confidence, except when disclosure is authorized by the Fund or required by law.
 
“Proprietary Information” includes all non-public information that might be useful to competitors or that could be harmful to the Fund or its shareholders, if disclosed.  It includes, for example, intellectual property, business plans, personal employee information and unpublished financial information.
 
4

“Confidential Information” is information that is not generally known to the public about the Fund, its shareholders or other parties with whom the Fund has a relationship and that have an expectation of confidentiality.
 
Unauthorized use or distribution of proprietary or confidential information violates Fund policy and could be illegal.  Such use or distribution could result in negative consequences for the Fund and the individuals involved, including potential legal or disciplinary actions.  The obligation of Access Persons to protect the Fund’s proprietary and confidential information continues even after they leave employment or service with the Fund.  Access Persons have an obligation to return all such information in their possession upon their departure.
 
Inside Information.  Using inside information to trade securities or to “tip” a family member, friend, or any other person, is illegal.  All non-public information about the Fund, its shareholders or any other company that may have a significant impact on the price of a security, or that a reasonable investor may consider important in making an investment decision, should be considered inside information.  Access Persons may never, under any circumstances, trade, encourage others to trade, or recommend securities based on inside information, including information about the Advisor’s securities recommendations.  In addition, the officers of the Fund should take whatever steps they deem necessary to safeguard this sensitive information and control the dissemination of this sensitive information both within and outside the Fund.
 
IV.
Enforcement
 
It is the responsibility of each Access Person to act in accordance with a high standard of conduct and to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in this Code of Ethics.  The Fund takes seriously its obligation to monitor the personal investment activities of its Access Persons.  Access Persons must report all violations of this Code of Ethics by themselves or others to the President of the Fund and provide a copy of the report to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.  Any violation of this Code of Ethics by Access Persons will be considered serious, and may result in disciplinary action, which may include the unwinding of trades, disgorgement of profits, monetary fine or censure, and suspension or termination of employment. Any violation of this Code of Ethics by a director of the Fund will be reported to the Board of the Fund which may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate.
 
V.
Blackout Period
 
No Access Person shall purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any Covered Security if he/she has knowledge at the time of such transaction that the Covered Security is being purchased or sold, or is being considered for purchase or sale, by the Fund. The blackout period (“Blackout Period”) shall be in effect for fifteen (15) calendar days before and after the Fund trades in that Covered Security, and during the period while the Covered Security is being considered for purchase or sale by the Fund.
 
This Blackout Period requirement shall not apply to any purchase or sale, or series of related transactions by the Fund involving the same or related securities, involving one thousand (1,000) or fewer shares in the aggregate if the issuer has a market capitalization (outstanding shares multiplied by the current price per share) greater than $2.0 billion and is listed on a U.S. stock exchange or quoted on NASDAQ.
 
5

VI.
Prohibited Transactions
 
The transactions listed below by Access Persons are prohibited without the prior written approval from the President of the Fund or his/her designee, with a copy of the approval provided by the Access Persons to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.
 
1.          The purchase of a limited offering (i.e., an offering that is exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to Section 4(2) or 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505 or Rule 506 of Regulation D under the 1933 Act); or
 
2.          The acquisition of any securities in an initial public offering (i.e., an offering of securities registered under the 1933 Act by an issuer which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
 
VII.
Prohibited Recommendations
 
No Access Person shall recommend or execute any transaction in any Covered Securities by the Fund without having disclosed, in writing, to the President of the Fund, or his/her designee, with a copy provided by the Access Person to the Chief Compliance Officer, any direct or indirect interest in such securities or issuers, except for those securities purchased or sold by the Fund pursuant to the “Large Cap/De Minimis” exemption described in Section V above.  Prior written approval of such recommendation or execution also must be received from the President of the Fund, or his/her designee, with a copy provided to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.  The direct or indirect interest in such securities or issuers could be in the form of:
 
1.          Any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any securities of such issuer
 
2.          Any contemplated transaction by the person in such securities;
 
3.          Any position with such issuer or its affiliates; or
 
4.          Any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and the person or any party in which such person has a significant interest.
 
VIII.
Acknowledgment and Reporting Requirements
 
The Fund must (a) identify all Access Persons who are required to make the reports listed below and inform them of their reporting obligations; and (b) provide Access Persons with copies of this Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto.  All Access Persons must certify that they have received copies of this Code of Ethics, and have read and understood its provisions, including their reporting obligations. In addition, except as otherwise provided in Item 7 of this Section VII, all Access Persons must:
 
6

1.          Acknowledge receipt of this Code of Ethics and any amendments thereto, in writing (see Exhibit B for the form of Acknowledgment).
 
2.          No later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, must provide information which must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date of becoming an Access Person, to the President of the Fund, with a copy to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund, with respect to all Covered Securities, including Fund shares, directly or indirectly beneficially owned and any existing personal brokerage relationships when such person became an Access Person (Access Persons must also disclose any new brokerage relationships whenever established). Such information should be provided in the form attached as Exhibit C.  Fund directors shall deliver the information, except that a Fund director who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and who would be required to make reports solely by reason of being a Fund director, is not required to make the initial holdings report required above.
 
3.          No later than 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter, provide information to the President of the Fund, with a copy to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund relating to securities transactions executed during the previous quarter with respect to all Covered Securities, including Fund shares, directly or indirectly beneficially owned. Such information should be provided in the form attached as Exhibit D.  Fund directors shall deliver the information, except that a Fund director who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and who would be required to make reports solely by reason of being a Fund director, need only make the quarterly transaction reports required above as to any Covered Security the director knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Fund director, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the director’s transaction in a Covered Security, the Fund purchased or sold the Covered Security, or the Fund or its investment adviser considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security.
 
4.          Submit an annual holdings report containing similar information that must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted, and confirm at least annually all brokerage relationships and any and all outside business affiliations. Such information should be provided in the form attached as Exhibit E.  Fund directors shall deliver the information, except that a Fund director who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and who would be required to make reports solely by reason of being a Fund director, is not required to make the annual holdings report required above.
 
5.        Certify on an annual basis that he/she has read and understood the Code of Ethics, has complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics and that he/she has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions, brokerage relationships and securities accounts required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.
 
6.         The reports described in Items 2, 3 and 4 above may contain a statement that the reports shall not be construed as an admission by the person making the reports that he/she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities to which the reports relate.
 
7

7.         An Access Person need not make a report with respect to transactions effected for, and Covered Securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control.
 
8.          An Access Person need not make a quarterly transaction report (Section VIII, No. 3 above) with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan.  An “automatic investment plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation.  An automatic investment plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.
 
9.          The President of the Fund or his/her designee shall review all of the reports submitted pursuant to this Section VIII.
 
10.       An Access Person need not make a quarterly report (Section VIII, No. 3 above) if the report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmation or account statements that are held in the records of the Fund so long as such confirmations or statements are received by the Fund no later than 30 days after the end of the applicable calendar quarter.
 
11.        The exceptions to the reporting requirements as set forth in Rule 17j-1(d)(2) of the Investment Company Act are also incorporated herein.
 
12.      Access Persons need to pre-clear all personal transactions, in public securities and private offerings, with the CCO prior to the transactions except that a Fund director who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and who would be required to pre-clear transactions solely by reason of being a Fund director, is not required to pre-clear transactions as required above.  The CCO needs to obtain pre-clearance of all personal transactions, in public securities and private offerings, with the highest-ranking non-CCO member of the advisor prior to the transactions.
 
IX.
Handling of Disgorged Profits
 
Any amounts that are paid/disgorged by an Access Person under this Code of Ethics shall be donated by the Fund to one or more charities.  Amounts donated may be aggregated and paid to such charity or charities at the end of each year.
 
X.
Confidentiality
 
All information obtained from any Access Person pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be kept in strict confidence, except that such information will be made available to the Commission or any other regulatory or self-regulatory organization or to the Fund Board to the extent required by law, regulation or this Code of Ethics.
 
XI.
Other Laws, Rules and Statements of Policy
 
8

Nothing contained in this Code of Ethics shall be interpreted as relieving any person subject to the Code of Ethics from acting in accordance with the provision of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or, in the case of employees of the Fund, any statement of policy or procedure governing the conduct of such person adopted by the Fund, its affiliates and subsidiaries.
 
XII.
Retention of Records
 
All records relating to personal securities transactions hereunder and other records meeting the requirements of applicable law, including a copy of this Code of Ethics and any other policies covering the subject matter hereof, shall be maintained in the manner and to the extent required by applicable law, including Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act. The President of the Fund shall designate the person or the department responsible for maintaining records created under this Code of Ethics. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fund shall, at its principal place of business, maintain records in the manner and to the extent set forth below, and must make these records available to the Commission or any representative of the Commission at any time and from time to time for reasonable periodic, special, or other examination:
 
1.          A copy of each code of ethics for the Fund that is in effect, or at any time within the past five years was in effect shall be maintained;
 
2.         A record of any violation of each code of ethics, and of any action taken as a result of the violation, shall be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;
 
3.         A copy of each report made by an Access Person as required by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act, including any information provided in lieu of reports, shall be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made or the information is provided;
 
4.         A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were required to make reports pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act, or who are or were responsible for reviewing these reports, shall be maintained;
 
5.         A copy of each report to the Board of the Fund made pursuant to Section XV shall be maintained for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made; and
 
6.          The Fund shall maintain a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition by Access Persons of any securities described in Section VI.
 
XIII.
Monitoring
 
The Fund takes seriously its obligation to monitor the personal investment activities of Access Persons and to review the periodic reports of all Access Persons.  Personal investment transaction activity will be monitored by the President of the Fund or his/her designee.  All noted deviations by Access Persons who are employees from the requirements of this Code of Ethics will be referred back to the Access Person and his or her supervisor for follow-up and resolution. Any noted deviations by Fund or Advisor directors will be reported to the Fund’s Board for consideration and follow-up as contemplated by Section IV hereof.
 
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XIV.
Exceptions to the Code of Ethics
 
Any exceptions to this Code of Ethics must have the prior written approval of the President of the Fund or his/her designee, which approval shall not be given unless such exception would be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act.  Copies of such written approvals shall be provided to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.  Any questions about this Code of Ethics should be directed to the President of the Fund or his/her designee.
 
XV.
Board Review
 
The President of the Fund or his/her designee shall provide or cause to be provided to the Board, on an annual basis, a written report that: (i) describes any issues arising under the respective code of ethics of the Fund of the Advisor since the last report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the respective code of ethics of the Fund of the Advisor and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations, and (ii) certifies that the Fund and Advisor have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the respective code of ethics of the Fund and the Advisor.
 
XVI.
Amendments
 
With respect to non-material amendments, this Code of Ethics may be amended from time to time by the President of the Fund.  Any material amendment of this Code of Ethics shall be submitted to the Board of the Fund for approval in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act.  Such material amendment shall become effective upon such date of approval or at such earlier date as determined by the Secretary of the Fund.  As provided above, the Board shall also approve all material amendments to the code of ethics of the Advisor in accordance with Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act.
 
Approved and Adopted Effective as of April 21, 2022.
 
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EXHIBIT A
 
EXPLANATION OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
 
You are considered to have “Beneficial Ownership” of Securities if you have or share a direct or indirect “Pecuniary Interest” in the Securities.
 
You have a “Pecuniary Interest” in Securities if you have the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the Securities.
 
The following are some examples of an indirect Pecuniary Interest in Securities:
 
1.       Securities held by members of your immediate family sharing the same household; however, this presumption may be rebutted by convincing evidence that profits derived from transactions in these Securities will not provide you with any economic benefit.
 
“Immediate family” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and includes any adoptive relationship.
 
2.       Your interest as a general partner in Securities held by a general or limited partnership.
 
3.       Your interest as a manager-member in the Securities held by a limited liability company.
 
4.       Your right to acquire equity securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable.
 
You do not have an indirect Pecuniary Interest in Securities held by a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which you hold an equity interest, unless you are a controlling equity holder or you have or share investment control over the Securities held by the entity.
 
You may, under certain circumstances, be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership of Securities held by a trust, if, for example, you are a trustee of a trust and either you or a member of your immediate family have a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust; you are the owner of a vested interest in a trust, or you are a settlor of a trust, unless the consent of all of the beneficiaries is required in order for you to revoke the trust.
 
The foregoing is only a summary of the meaning of “Beneficial Ownership.”  It is not the complete recitation of the meaning of Beneficial Ownership. For purposes of the attached Code of Ethics, “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder. If you have any questions regarding what constitutes “Beneficial Ownership,” you should contact the President of the Fund or his/her designee.

A-1

EXHIBIT B
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED CODE OF ETHICS FOR
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (GRF-05)

I acknowledge that I have received and read the Amended and Restated Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.  I understand the provisions of the Code of Ethics, including my reporting obligations, and agree to abide by them.
 
I acknowledge that I have received and read the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.  I understand the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals and, at any time applicable to me, I agree to abide by them.
 
  Name (Print):


 

  Signature:


 

  Date:

, 20


     
B-1

EXHIBIT C
 
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.

INITIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM DISCLOSURE
AND REPORT OF SECURITIES HOLDINGS (GRF-01)

This report must be signed, dated and returned within 10 days of becoming an Access Person to David C. Sims, Chief Compliance Officer, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
 

Access Person Name (Print):


 



Date Became an Access Person:
, 20  

Brokerage Accounts:
 
I do not have a direct or indirect beneficial interest in any account(s) with any financial services firm.
 
I maintain account(s) with the financial services firm(s) listed below. Please include the information required below for any broker, dealer or bank where an account is maintained which holds securities for your direct or indirect benefit as of the date you became an Access Person.
 
Name of Financial Services Firm(s)
 
 
 
 

C-1

Securities Holdings:
 
Complete the following, listing all of your securities holdings, including Fund shares, with the exception of (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; .
 
Company
Symbol
Purchase/
Trade
Settle
CUSIP
Quantity
Unit
Principal
Commissions
Fees
Net
Broker
   
Sale
Date
Date
   
Price
Proceeds
   
Proceeds
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         

I have no securities holdings to report.
 
C-2

I certify that I have received the Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. Amended and Restated Code of Ethics and have read it and understood its contents.  I further certify that the above represents a complete and accurate description of my brokerage account(s) and securities holdings as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date I became an Access Person.
 
Nothing in this report shall be construed as an admission that I have direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any reported security.
 

Signature:






Date:

, 20


C-3

EXHIBIT D
 
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM DISCLOSURE (GRF-02)
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED ________________, 20___

This report must be signed, dated and returned within 30 days of the calendar quarter to David C. Sims, Chief Compliance Officer, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
 
  Access Person Name (Print):
 
 
Securities Transactions During the Calendar Quarter:
 
The following is a record of my transactions in any security, including Fund shares, with the exception of (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; during the above-referenced quarter.
 
Company
Symbol
Purchase/
Trade
Settle
CUSIP
Quantity
Unit
Principal
Commissions
Fees
Net
Broker
   
Sale
Date
Date
   
Price
Proceeds
   
Proceeds
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         

D-1

I have no securities transactions to report.
 
Brokerage Accounts Established During the Calendar Quarter:
 
I did not establish any account(s) with any financial services firm during the calendar quarter in which any securities were held in which I had a direct or indirect beneficial interest.
 
I established account(s) during the calendar quarter with the financial services firm(s) listed below. Please include the information required below for any broker, dealer or bank where an account was established during the calendar quarter which held securities for your direct or indirect benefit during the calendar quarter.
 
Name of Financial Services Firm(s)
Date Account Established
   
   
   

Nothing in this report shall be construed as an admission that I have direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any reported security.
 
  Signature:


       

Date:

, 20

 
D-2

EXHIBIT E
 
EAGLE CAPITAL GROWTH FUND, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT OF SECURITIES HOLDINGS
AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FIRM DISCLOSURE (GRF-03)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20___

This report must be signed, dated and returned within 45 days after the end of the referenced year to David C. Sims, Chief Compliance Officer, Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc., 225 East Mason Street, Suite 802, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
 
  Access Person Name (Print):
 





Brokerage Accounts:

 
I did not have a direct or indirect beneficial interest in any account(s) with any financial services firm as of the end of the referenced year.


I maintained account(s) with the financial services firm(s) listed below as of the end of the referenced year. Please include the information required below for any broker, dealer or bank where an account was maintained which held securities for your direct or indirect benefit as of such date.

Name of Financial Services Firm(s)
Date Account Established
   
   
   

E-1

Securities Holdings:
 
Complete the following, listing all of your securities holdings as of the end of the referenced year, including Fund shares, with the exception of (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.
 
Your securities are not held with a financial service(s) firm (e.g., dividend reinvestment programs and private placements).
 
Company
Symbol
Purchase/
Trade
Settle
CUSIP
Quantity
Unit
Principal
Commissions
Fees
Net
Broker
   
Sale
Date
Date
   
Price
Proceeds
   
Proceeds
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         

I have no securities holdings to report.
 
I certify that I have received the Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. Amended and Restated Code of Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) and have read it and understood its contents, have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics, and have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions and securities accounts required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.  I further certify that the above represents a complete and accurate description of my brokerage account(s) and securities holdings as of the end of the referenced year (excluding (a) direct obligations of the Government of the United States; and (b) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.
 
Nothing in this report shall be construed as an admission that I have direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any reported security.
 
  Signature:


       

Date:

, 20


E-2

Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.
 
Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals
 
Background
 
This Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals applies to the principal executive officer of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), all professionals serving as principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons serving similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Fund or a third party (collectively, the “Financial Professionals”), and the members of the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) as provided.
 
The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to set forth basic principles to guide you in your day to day activities as an executive officer and financial professional of the Fund and in your activities as members of the Board.  This Code of Ethics supplements and should be read together with the Fund’s Policies and Procedures, including the Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
This Code of Ethics cannot cover every legal or ethical issue that you may confront.  It is your responsibility to know and understand the laws applicable to your job responsibilities and to comply with both the letter and the spirit of these laws.  This requires that you avoid not only actual misconduct, but also even the appearance of impropriety.
 
Statement of Fundamental Principles
 
As a Financial Professional or member of the Board of the Fund, you must:
 
(a)          Engage in and promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
 
(b)        Take all reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of non-public information about the Fund and to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of such information unless required by applicable law or regulation or legal or regulatory process;
 
(c)            Comply with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; and
 
(d)          Promptly report any possible violation of the Code of Ethics or Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals to the Compliance Officer (as defined below).
 
As a Financial Professional of the Fund, you must also produce full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund.  Members of the Board who are not Financial Professionals shall continue to be responsible for the Fund’s financial information as required by applicable law.
 

Practices
 
In furtherance of the Fund’s fundamental principles, the Fund’s Financial Professionals and/or members of the Board, as provided, must adhere to the following practices:
 
FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MUST ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE FUND AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS AND THE PUBLIC
 
Fair Dealing
 
Financial Professionals and members of the Board must keep the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders paramount and endeavor to deal fairly with suppliers, brokers, the public and one another.  No one should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentations of facts or any unfair dealing practice.
 
Gifts
 
Financial Professionals and members of the Board may not accept any investment opportunity, gift, gratuity, or other thing of more than nominal value, from any person or entity that does business, or desires to do business, with the Fund or any affiliate thereof.  Financial Professionals and members of the Board may accept gifts from a single giver so long as the aggregate annual value does not exceed $100, and you may attend business meals, local sporting events and other entertainment events at the expense of the giver, so long as the expense is reasonable and both you and the giver are present.
 
Conflicts of Interest
 
Financial Professionals and members of the Board have an obligation to act in the best interest of the Fund.  You should avoid any activity, interest, or association outside the fund that could impair their ability to perform your work objectively and effectively or that could give the appearance of interfering with your responsibilities on behalf of the Fund and its shareholders.
 
It is not possible to describe every situation in which a conflict of interest may arise.  The following, however, are examples of situations that may raise a conflict of interest (unless permitted by law and Fund policies):
 

Accepting special favors as a result of your position with the Fund from any person or organization with which the Fund has a current or potential business relationship.
 

Directing business to a supplier or broker owned or managed by, or which employs, a relative or friend.
 
You should promptly report any potential relationships, actions or transactions (including those involving family members) that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to the person identified as the Compliance Officer (as defined below).
 

PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
 
Proprietary and confidential information generated and gathered in the Fund’s business is a vital Fund asset.  Protecting this information is critical to the Fund’s reputation for integrity and relationship with its shareholders, and ensures compliance with complex regulations governing investment companies.  Accordingly, you should maintain all proprietary and confidential information in strict confidence, except when disclosure is authorized by the Fund or required by law.
 
“Proprietary information” includes all non-public information that might be useful to competitors or that could be harmful to the Fund or its shareholders if disclosed.  It includes, for example, intellectual property, business plans, personal employee information and unpublished financial information.  You should also respect the property rights of other companies.
 
“Confidential information” is information that is not generally known to the public about the Fund, its shareholders, or other parties with whom the Fund has a relationship and that have an expectation of confidentiality.
 
Unauthorized use or distribution of proprietary or confidential information violates the Fund policy and could be illegal.  Such use or distribution could result in negative consequences for the Fund and the individuals involved, including potential legal or disciplinary actions.  Your obligation to protect the Fund’s proprietary and confidential information continues even after you leave employment with the Fund, and you have an obligation to return all such information in your possession upon departure.
 
PREVENT MISUSE OF INSIDE INFORMATION
 
Using inside information to trade securities or to “tip” a family member, friend, or any other person, is illegal.  All non-public information about the Fund or its shareholders or any other company that may have a significant impact on the price of a security, or that a reasonable investor would likely to consider important in making an investment decision, should be considered inside information.  You may never, under any circumstances, encourage others to trade, or recommend securities, based on inside information.
 
PROVIDE FAIR AND TRUTHFUL DISCLOSURES TO THE PUBLIC
 
The Fund has a responsibility under the law to communicate effectively so that the public is provided with full and accurate information in all material respects.  To the extent that you are involved in the preparation of materials for dissemination to the public, you should be careful to ensure that the information in these materials is truthful, accurate, and complete.  In particular, the Fund’s Financial Professionals shall endeavor to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the Fund’s public communications, including documents that the Fund files with or submits to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any exchange upon which the Fund’s securities are listed.
 
MAINTAIN ACCURATE BOOKS AND RECORDS
 
The Fund must maintain accurate and complete books and records.  Every business transaction undertaken by the Fund must be recorded correctly and in a timely manner in the Fund’s books and records.  The Fund therefore expects each Financial Professional to be candid and accurate when providing information for these documents.  Financial Professionals are specifically prohibited from making false or misleading entries in the Fund’s books and records.  In particular, Financial Professionals must endeavor to ensure that financial information included in the Fund’s books and records is correct and complete in all material respects and complies with applicable accounting principles.  Board members who are not Financial Professionals shall continue to be responsible for the Fund’s financial information as required by applicable law.
 

INTERACTION WITH PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
You are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to fraudulently influence, coerce, manipulate or mislead the Fund’s independent public auditors for the purpose of rendering the financial statements of the Fund misleading.
 
ACCOUNTABILITY
 
You understand that you will be held accountable for your adherence to this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals.  Your failure to observe the terms of this Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.  Violations of this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals may also constitute violations of law and may result in civil and criminal penalties for you, your supervisors and/or the Fund.  You must acknowledge your receipt of this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals by signing the attached acknowledgment and giving it to the Compliance Officer.
 
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
 
This Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals cannot anticipate every situation in which personal interests may be in conflict with interests of the Fund or its shareholders.  When any doubt exists regarding any Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals provision or whether a conflict of interest may exist or you have any questions regarding the best course of action in a particular situation, you should promptly contact the Compliance Officer designated by the Board.  The identity of the Compliance Officer, including name, voice telephone number, business address, e-mail address and facsimile telephone number will be provided to all persons to who this Code of Ethics applies.  You may choose to remain anonymous in reporting any possible violation of this Code of Ethics.  It is intended that any such reporting will be protected under any applicable “whistleblower” laws.
 
PROCESS FOR REPORTING AND DEALING WITH VIOLATIONS, WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS
 
VIOLATIONS
 
Any and all suspected violations of this Code of Ethics must be immediately reported to the Compliance Officer designated by the Board of Directors.  If the reporting person deems it appropriate, suspected violations may instead be reported directly to the Disinterested Panel.  The Compliance Officer will have the responsibility of notifying the Disinterested Panel, as defined below, to review the alleged violation, to determine whether an actual violation of the Code has occurred and to recommend what remedial action should be taken, if any.  The Disinterested Panel’s recommendation will be presented at the next meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors for approval or disapproval by a majority vote.  While serious consideration and deference to the recommendations of the Disinterested Panel shall be given, the Board as a whole retains the final decision on any issue pertaining to a violation of this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals.  Violation of this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals may subject Financial Professionals to reprimand, loss of Fund employment, or any other sanction which may lawfully be imposed by the Board.
 

WAIVER AND AMENDMENTS
 
No waiver1 or amendment to this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals may be granted unless in writing and approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund.  Such approval may only be obtained through the following process:
 
 
1.
Any proposed potential waiver or amendment to this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals must first be brought by the Compliance Officer before a panel of the Fund’s Board members consisting of at least three (3) persons who are not “Interested Persons” defined under section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Disinterested Panel”).  No Interested Persons may be part of the Disinterested Panel.
 
 
2.
The Disinterested Panel shall review the proposal and either recommend approval or disapproval by a majority vote.
 
 
3.
The Disinterested Panel’s recommendation will be presented at a meeting of the Fund’s Board, at which time the Board will evaluate and vote on the proposal.  While the Fund’s Board as a whole retains the final decision as to approval or disapproval of any waiver or amendment to this Code of Ethics, it is expected that it will give serious consideration and deference to the recommendations of the Disinterested Panel.
 
All actions to be taken with respect to any waiver or amendment must be taken by the Disinterested Panel and the Board within a reasonable time.  Any action required under this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals to be taken at a meeting of the Board may instead be taken by unanimous written consent pursuant to the Fund’s bylaws.
 
Any waiver or amendment to this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals must be disclosed by the Fund within five (5) business days after the action is approved by the Board.  The Fund may either disclose the waiver or amendment on Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, as applicable, or in the alternative, the Fund may use its Internet website as a method of disseminating the disclosure, but only if it previously has disclosed in its most recently filed Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, as applicable, its intention to disclose these types of events on its Internet website and its Internet address is provided.  This type of information must be available on the Fund’s website for a 12-month period, and the Fund must retain the information for a period of not less than six years following the end of the fiscal year in which the amendment or waiver occurred.
 
The Fund intends to take action within a reasonable time regarding a material departure from the provisions of this Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals that has been made known to an executive officer.  Notwithstanding such intention, however, any implicit waiver2 by the Fund’s Board is also required to be disclosed.
 

1 “Waiver” means the approval by the Fund of a material departure from a provision of the Code of Ethics.
2 “Implicit waiver” means the Fund’s failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals that has been made known to an executive officer.


January 15, 2021.

Your Personal Commitment to the Fund’s Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals
 
(GRF-08)
 
I acknowledge that I have received and read the Fund’s Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, dated January 15, 2021, and understand my obligations as a Financial Professional to comply with the Code of Ethics.

I understand that my agreement to comply with the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals does not constitute a contract of employment and violations may result in disciplinary action, including terminations of employment.
 
 
 
Please sign here:


 
Date:


 



 
Please print your name:


 



Exhibit 99.77B


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Eagle Capital Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Fund’s financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2021 and prior, were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 17, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Fund’s auditor since 2022.

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Cleveland, Ohio
February 27, 2024

C O H E N & C OMP A N Y , L T D.
800.229.1099 | 866.818.4538 fax | cohencpa.com

Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board




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