General American Investors Co. Inc. : Quarterly Dividend and Distribution on Preferred Stock

For: General American Investors Company, Inc.

100 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Company Contact: Eugene S. Stark

Vice-President, Administration

January 18, 2012

[phone] For Immediate Release

GENERAL AMERICAN INVESTORS COMPANY QUARTERLY DIVIDEND AND DISTRIBUTION ON 5.95% PREFERRED STOCK

NEW YORK - January 18 - The Board of Directors of General American Investors Company, Inc., a closed-end investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (GAM), declared on its 5.95% cumulative preferred stock, series B, a dividend and distribution of $0.371875 per share payable in cash on March 26, 2012 to holders of record on March 7, 2012. This quarterly dividend and distribution represents a payment for the accrual period from December 27, 2011 through March 25, 2012. Preferred shareholders will be informed in early 2013 of the taxable portions of the distribution.
General American Investors was founded in 1927, has been publicly traded since its inception and has been listed on the NYSE since 1930. The objective of the Company is long-term capital appreciation through investment in companies with above average growth potential. The Company has net assets of approximately $887 million applicable to its 29.8 million shares of common stock outstanding. The aggregate liquidation value of the Company's preferred stock is $190 million. Its preferred shares (symbol GAM Pr B) are also listed on the NYSE.
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