NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwire) -- 12/07/12 -- Helios Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE:HTR) (the "Fund") today announced that its Board of Directors declared a monthly dividend of $0.19 per share, payable on December 27, 2012 to stockholders of record on December 19, 2012. The ex-dividend date is December 17, 2012. Based on the NYSE closing price of $23.44 on December 6, 2012, the Fund's annualized dividend yield was 9.73%.

Shares purchased on or after the ex-dividend date will not receive the dividend discussed above. Please contact your financial advisor with any questions. Dividends may include net investment income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The dividend yield referenced above is calculated as the annualized amount of the most recent monthly dividend declared divided by the stated stock price. Any portion of the Fund's distributions that is a return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income". The tax status of distributions will be determined at the end of the taxable year.

Brookfield is a global alternative asset manager with over $168 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2012. We have over a 100-year history of owning and operating assets with a focus on property, renewable power, infrastructure and private equity. We offer a range of public and private investment products and services, which leverage our expertise and experience and provide us with a distinct competitive advantage in the markets where we operate. On behalf of our clients, Brookfield is also an active investor in the public securities markets, where our experience extends over 30 years. Over this time, we have successfully developed several investment operations and built expertise in the management of institutional portfolios, retail mutual funds, and structured product investments.

Through our registered investment advisor, Brookfield Investment Management, our public market activities complement our core competencies as a direct investor. These activities encompass global listed real estate and infrastructure equities, corporate high yield investments, opportunistic credit strategies and a dedicated insurance asset management division. Headquartered in New York, NY, Brookfield Investment Management maintains offices and investment teams in Toronto, Chicago, Boston and London. Helios Total Return Fund, Inc. is managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc.

The Fund uses its web site as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfieldim.com.