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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">UNITED
STATES</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">Washington,
DC 20549</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">FORM 8-K</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">CURRENT
REPORT</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
May 3, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal"><U>HENNESSY
ADVISORS, INC.</U></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">California</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">000-49872</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 6pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">68-0176227</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction<BR> of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">Commission<BR> File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(IRS Employer<BR> Identification No.)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">7250 Redwood Blvd., Suite 200</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Novato, California</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">94945</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Registrant's telephone number including
area code: <U>(415) 899-1555</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><U>Not Applicable</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 10.5pt">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 10.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities</FONT> Act (17 CFR 230 .425)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 10.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange</FONT> Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 10.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&pound;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 60pt">On May 3, 2012, Hennessy Advisors, Inc. (&ldquo;Hennessy
Advisors&rdquo;) issued a press release announcing, among other things, the quarterly financial results for the reporting period
ended March 31, 2012. A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference. &#9;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 60pt">On May 3, 2012, Hennessy Advisors issued a press release
announcing, among other things, that it had declared a cash dividend of $0.03125 per share on its common stock, payable June 8,
2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 18, 2012.&nbsp;&nbsp;A copy of the press release is being furnished
as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 1in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; text-align: left">Exhibit 99.1</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Press release issued May 3, 2012 by Hennessy Advisors,
Inc. announcing quarterly financial results for the reporting period ended March 31, 2012 and declaration of cash dividend.</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0pt">SIGNATURES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

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<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 50%">May 3, 2012&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%">By:&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 46%">/s/ Neil J. Hennessy</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-top: #000000 1px solid">Neil J. Hennessy<BR>President</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt"></P>



&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">EXHIBIT INDEX</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; text-align: left">Exhibit 99.1</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Press release issued May 3, 2012 by Hennessy Advisors,
Inc. announcing quarterly financial results for the reporting
period ended March 31, 2012 and declaration of cash dividend.</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 84pt"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HENNESSY ADVISORS INC", "cik": "0001145255", "assigned-sic": "6282", "irs-number": "680176227", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-49872", "film-number": "12809401"}, "business-address": {"street1": "7250 REDWOOD BLVD.", "street2": "SUITE 200", "city": "NOVATO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94945", "phone": "415-899-1555"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "7250 REDWOOD BLVD.", "street2": "SUITE 200", "city": "NOVATO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94945"}}
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
UNITED
STATES
Washington,
DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
May 3, 2012
HENNESSY
ADVISORS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in
its charter)
California
000-49872
68-0176227
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
7250 Redwood Blvd., Suite 200
Novato, California
94945
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number including
area code:
(415) 899-1555
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed
since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
£
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230 .425)
£
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
£
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
£
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On May 3, 2012, Hennessy Advisors, Inc. ("Hennessy
Advisors") issued a press release announcing, among other things, the quarterly financial results for the reporting period
ended March 31, 2012. A copy of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On May 3, 2012, Hennessy Advisors issued a press release
announcing, among other things, that it had declared a cash dividend of $0.03125 per share on its common stock, payable June 8,
2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 18, 2012.  A copy of the press release is being furnished
as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Form 8-K by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1
Press release issued May 3, 2012 by Hennessy Advisors,
Inc. announcing quarterly financial results for the reporting period ended March 31, 2012 and declaration of cash dividend.
SIGNATURES
HENNESSY ADVISORS, INC.
May 3, 2012
By:
/s/ Neil J. Hennessy
Neil J. Hennessy
President
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 99.1
Press release issued May 3, 2012 by Hennessy Advisors,
Inc. announcing quarterly financial results for the reporting
period ended March 31, 2012 and declaration of cash dividend.