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 811-05820 THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) ONE LIBERTY PLAZA, 165 BROADWAY, 36TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10006-1404 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) CLIFFORD E. LAI, PRESIDENT THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. ONE LIBERTY PLAZA, 165 BROADWAY, 36TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10006-1404 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 1 (800) Hyperion Date of fiscal year end: November 30th Date of reporting period: May 31, 2003 Item 1. Reports to Stockholders. THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. _____________________ ______________________________________________________________ Semi-Annual Report ______________________________________________________________ May 31, 2003 [HYPERION LOGO] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Report of the Investment Advisor For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Shareholder: We welcome this opportunity to provide you with information about The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") for the semi-annual period ended May 31, 2003. The Fund's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "HTR". Description of the Fund The Fund is a diversified closed-end investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with a high total return, including short and long-term capital gains, and a high level of current income through the management of a portfolio of securities. The Fund pursues this objective by investing and actively managing a portfolio consisting primarily of U.S. Treasury, Mortgage-Backed Securities ("MBS"), Asset-Backed Securities ("ABS"), and High Yield Corporate securities. Performance The Fund's total return, based on market price, was 15.05% for the six months ended May 31, 2003. Based on the NYSE closing price of $10.18 on May 31, 2003, the Fund had a yield of 8.84%, which was 6.55% higher than the yield of the 5-year U.S. Treasury Note, and competitive with the yields of other multi-sector bond funds in its category. As of May 31, 2003, the Fund, inclusive of the effect of leverage, was managed with an average duration (duration measures a bond portfolio's price sensitivity to interest rate changes) of 4.2 years, as measured on a net asset basis. Market Environment The economy has continued to weaken since the Fund's last reporting date of November 30, 2002. The consumer sector, which has held up the best in the recession thus far, suffered as unemployment escalated to an 8-year high of 6.1% in May. During the period, retail sales and car purchases slowed and consumer confidence dropped to 10-year lows. The war in Iraq also dampened economic activity. While interest rates had been falling lower, the pace of their decline accelerated during the period. Federal Reserve comments about deflation and its potentially negative impact on the already weak economy drove interest rates to the lowest levels since the 1950s. One bright spot in the market has been the increased demand for corporate bonds. This demand led to a narrowing of corporate bond spreads, reducing the cost of debt and making the credit markets accessible to some corporations that have had difficulty issuing debt in the past. The high yield corporate bond market rallied strongly, supported by apparent efforts by many corporations to improve their balance sheets. All of these factors could help improve corporate profitability going forward and set the foundation for an economic recovery in the future. While signs point to economic recovery, there are factors that lead us to believe difficulty lies ahead. Although the Federal Reserve is doing everything in its power to resuscitate the economy by lowering interest rates, we believe that continued economic restructuring from the excesses of the late 1990s, rising unemployment at the state and local municipality levels in reaction to their budget deficits and a weak global economy will keep a damper on the economy. Time will be the critical medicine that will cure the economy. As a result, we expect interest rates to remain low at least for the remainder of 2003, with no move on the part of the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates until 2004. Portfolio Strategy The Fund's assets continued to be allocated primarily among the Agency MBS, non-Agency residential MBS (RMBS) and commercial MBS (CMBS) sectors. Since January, 2003, in light of favorable market indications and a slight improvement in corporate earnings, we have increased the Fund's allocation to high yield corporate bonds by approximately 3.5%. Since then, yield spreads on high yield corporate bonds have narrowed dramatically and we believe the sector continues to show strength. Funding some of the increase was a decrease in CMBS. A continued weak economy, an increase in commercial real estate delinquencies and narrowing yield spreads on CMBS, were all factors in leading us to reduce the CMBS exposure of the Fund, especially in the lower rated BB and BBB rated areas. Due to the dramatic decline in interest rates, mortgage prepayment activity has been at record high levels for the last 12 months. Fortunately, the Fund has been structured to achieve a balance toward prepayment risk. On the one hand, prepayments on premium priced Agency MBS have resulted in additional cash flow being reinvested at lower yields, which can have the effect of putting downward pressure on the dividend. However, the portfolio has a large percentage in discount priced non-Agency MBS. Higher prepayments on these have the effect of increasing income available for the dividend. Thus far, this balance has mitigated any need to change the dividend payout of the Fund. We will continue to manage prepayment risk in the portfolio. However, low interest rates over an extended period of time will eventually cause the dividend to drop. While most of our RMBS exposure is in 30-year fixed rate mortgages, we have a moderate exposure to Hybrid Adjustable-Rates Mortgages (ARMs), where the mortgage rates are fixed for 3 to 7 years before resetting at a floating rate. A large supply of Hybrid ARMs into the market has made that sector attractive, allowing us to add marginally to our exposure. We continue to manage the portfolio at full leverage, to take advantage of historically low borrowing rates. Of the Fund's total assets, 16.1% and 9.3% are invested in securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively. These securities are collateralized by residential mortgage loans and are structured as either pass-throughs or collateralized mortgage obligations. We have monitored the recent developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and we remain confident that the creditworthiness of these securities has not and will not be impacted in the future. Conclusion We remain committed to the Fund and its shareholders. As always, we will continue to actively seek out investment opportunities in the market and act on them in a timely fashion in an effort to achieve the Fund's objectives. We welcome your questions and comments, and encourage you to contact our Shareholder Services Representatives at 1-800-HYPERION. We appreciate the opportunity to serve your investment needs. Sincerely, /s/ CLIFFORD E. LAI CLIFFORD E. LAI President, The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. /s/ JOHN H. DOLAN JOHN H. DOLAN Vice President, The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. Chief Investment Officer, Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Portfolio of Investments -- (Unaudited) May 31, 2003 Principal Interest Amount Value Rate Maturity (000s) (Note 2) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------- ----------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- -------------- ----------------- U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS -- 56.5% U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations -- 7.3% Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Series 1675, Class KC....................................................6.50% 10/15/10 $ 5,750 $ 6,204,589 Series 1659, Class SD...................................................8.50+. 01/15/09 797 828,898 Series 1565, Class L....................................................9.00+. 08/15/08 607@ 622,818 Series 1604, Class MC...................................................9.00+. 11/15/08 3,736@ 4,078,891 Series 1604, Class SB...................................................9.00+. 11/15/08 719 785,493 Series 1587, Class SK...................................................9.00+. 10/15/08 1,857 2,152,738 14,673,427 Federal National Mortgage Corporation Series 1997-1, Class B...................................................6.50. 02/18/04 1,854 1,883,107 Series 1998-W6, Class B3.................................................7.09. 10/25/28 2,151 1,988,401 Series 1993-170, Class SC...............................................9.00+. 09/25/08 1,457 1,539,088 Series 1993-48, Class C..................................................9.50. 04/25/08 864# 934,510 6,345,106 Total U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost-- $19,301,405)..................................................... 21,018,533 U.S. Government Agency Pass-Through Certificates-- 30.3% 7.50 06/01/31 977 1,038,766 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation C53494........................................................................ C48073...................................................................8.00. 02/01/31 470 505,220 C48075...................................................................8.00. 02/01/31 197 211,165 C55470...................................................................8.00. 07/01/31 661 710,464 C56878...................................................................8.00. 08/01/31 4,510@ 4,845,945 C56879...................................................................8.00. 08/01/31 517 555,029 C58516...................................................................8.00. 09/01/31 1,431 1,537,696 C59641...................................................................8.00. 10/01/31 3,354@ 3,603,648 C55166...................................................................8.50. 07/01/31 430 461,945 C55167...................................................................8.50. 07/01/31 1,880 2,017,117 C55168...................................................................8.50. 07/01/31 1,930 2,071,296 C55169...................................................................8.50. 07/01/31 2,507@ 2,690,572 C57010...................................................................8.50. 08/01/31 960 1,030,270 C58521...................................................................8.50. 09/01/31 525 563,484 C60422...................................................................8.50. 10/01/31 459 492,574 C60423...................................................................8.50. 10/01/31 2,033@ 2,181,365 C60424...................................................................8.50. 10/01/31 637 683,642 25,200,198 Federal National Mortgage Corporation 649881...................................................................6.00% 09/01/32 $ 6,694@ $ 6,956,484 650162...................................................................6.50. 10/01/32 4,619@ 4,813,504 652870...................................................................6.50. 10/01/32 4,499@ 4,689,066 654917...................................................................6.50. 08/01/32 14,340@ 14,944,565 642102...................................................................7.00. 05/01/32 8,755@ 9,223,261 645406...................................................................7.00. 05/01/32 6,736@ 7,096,062 645912...................................................................7.00. 06/01/32 7,600@ 8,006,314 645913...................................................................7.00. 06/01/32 6,560@ 6,910,240 62,639,496 Total U.S. Government Agency Pass-Through Certificates (Cost-- $86,909,197)..................................................... 87,839,694 U.S. Treasury Obligation -- 18.9% U.S. Treasury Notes ..............................................................................3.63. 05/15/13 4,000@ 4,091,248 ..............................................................................3.88. 02/15/13 24,600@ 25,691,625 ..............................................................................4.38. 08/15/12 23,000@ 25,005,324 Total U.S. Treasury Obligation (Cost-- $52,411,988)..................................................... 54,788,197 Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost-- $158,622,590).................................................... 163,646,424 ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES -- 22.2% Housing Related Asset-Backed Securities -- 13.5% 125 Home Loan Owner Trust Series 1998-1A, Class M2.................................................7.75. 02/15/29 2,339 2,436,217 Access Financial Manufactured Housing Contract Trust Series 1995-1, Class B1.................................................7.65+. 05/15/21 10,060 8,098,300 Chase Funding Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Series 2000-1, Class IIM2...............................................2.12+. 02/15/30 2,438 2,418,385 Ditech Home Loan Owner Trust Series 1998-1, Class M2..................................................7.64. 06/15/29 2,227 2,331,316 First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2001-FF2, Class M3...............................................3.10+. 11/25/31 5,000 4,824,860 Green Tree Financial Corp. Series 1998-3, Class A6..................................................6.76. 03/01/30 5,936 5,586,385 Series 1998-4, Class A7..................................................6.87. 02/01/30 2,672 2,441,466 Series 1998-8, Class M1..................................................6.98. 09/01/30 5,000 2,650,000 Series 1997-6, Class A9..................................................7.55. 01/15/29 3,500 3,311,817 13,989,668 Saxon Asset Securities Trust Series 1998-1, Class MF1.................................................7.05. 12/25/27 1,823 1,891,152 Vanderbilt Mortgage Finance, Inc. Series 2001-B, Class A5..................................................6.96. 09/07/31 2,000 1,960,478 Westgate Resorts Series 1998-AA, Class A2*................................................8.26. 07/15/13 1,278 1,256,769 Total Housing Related Asset-Backed Securities (Cost-- $43,861,104)..................................................... 39,207,145 Non-Housing Related Asset-Backed Securities -- 3.6% Aerco Ltd. Series 2A, Class B2.....................................................2.36+. 07/15/25 3,310 1,841,033 Global Rated Eligible Assets Trust Series 1998-A, Class A1*(c)..............................................7.33. 03/15/06 1,594 15,936 MBNA Credit Card Master Trust Series 2002-C7, Class C7.................................................6.70. 03/16/15 5,000 5,441,270 Structured Mortgage Asset Residential Trust Series 1997-2, Class A(c)................................................8.24% 03/15/06 $ 2,309 $ 22,399 Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series 2001-A, Class A...................................................6.36. 05/15/25 3,047 2,939,387 Total Non-Housing Related Asset-Backed Securities (Cost-- $15,248,469)..................................................... 10,260,025 Franchise Securities -- 1.9% FFCA Secured Lending Corp. Series 1998-1, Class A1B*(b).............................................6.73. 07/18/13 4,264 4,509,746 Franchisee Loan Receivable Trust Series 1995-B, Class A*.................................................9.59+. 01/25/11 1,755 944,822 Total Franchise Securities (Cost-- $6,140,167)...................................................... 5,454,568 Collateralized Debt Obligations -- 3.2% Anthracite CDO I Ltd. Series 2002-CIBA, Class CFL*............................................2.57+. 05/24/37 5,000 4,769,500 Seneca Funding I Ltd.*....................................................4.03+. 05/31/29 5,000 4,600,000 Total Collateralized Debt Obligations (Cost-- $8,890,099)...................................................... 9,369,500 Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost-- $74,139,839)..................................................... 64,291,238 COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES -- 17.4% Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Inc. Series 2003-1, Class XP2*...............................................1.67+. 09/11/36 19,165 3,040,362 Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 1999-C1, Class F..................................................5.64. 02/14/31 1,394 1,248,554 Series 1999-C1, Class D..................................................6.53. 10/14/13 5,000 5,733,910 Series 2001-EPR, Class B*................................................6.92. 02/12/11 5,000@ 5,508,250 12,490,714 Columbia Center Trust Series 2000-CCT, Class D*...............................................2.07+. 12/15/09 2,720 2,618,000 Commercial Mortgage Asset Trust Series 1999-C1, Class C..................................................7.35. 01/17/32 2,000 2,468,232 Commercial Mortgage Lease-Backed Certificate Series 2001-CMLB, Class A1*..............................................6.75. 06/20/31 2,807 3,191,227 First Chicago/Lennar Trust Series 1997-CHL1, Class D*...............................................8.00. 05/25/08 3,000 3,049,230 JP Morgan Commercial Mortgage Finance Corp. Series 1999-C8, Class C.................................................7.68+. 07/15/31 5,000 6,002,165 LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2002-C2, Class L*.................................................5.68. 07/15/35 5,300 4,751,037 Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc. Series 1996-MC1, Class G*(b).............................................7.15. 06/15/06 4,409 4,605,200 Nationslink Funding Corp. Series 1998-2, Class F*..................................................7.11. 01/20/13 4,840 4,738,762 UBS 400 Atlantic Street Mortgage Trust Series 2002-C1A, Class B3................................................7.19. 01/11/22 3,000 3,488,910 Total Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (Cost-- $45,074,684)..................................................... 50,443,839 NON-AGENCY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE BACKED SECURITIES -- 29.9% Subordinated Collateralized Mortgage Obligations -- 29.9% ABN AMRO Mortgage Corp. Series 2002-1A, Class B3*...............................................5.64+. 06/25/32 1,088 1,050,817 Series 2002-1A, Class B4*...............................................5.64+. 06/25/32 653 541,137 Series 2002-1A, Class B5*................................................5.64%+ 06/25/32 $ 1,093 $ 282,504 Series 2001-2, Class B2..................................................6.75. 06/25/31 986 1,001,701 2,876,159 Bank of America Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2001-F, Class B6.................................................5.50+. 11/25/31 1,511 539,246 Series 2001-4, Class 1B3.................................................6.75. 04/25/31 2,077 2,196,504 Series 2001-3, Class B3..................................................7.00. 04/25/31 1,986 1,983,191 4,718,941 Cendant Mortgage Corp. Series 2001-1, Class B4..................................................7.25. 01/18/30 421 420,698 Series 2000-1, Class B7..................................................7.25. 01/18/30 114 34,153 454,851 Chase Mortgage Finance Corp. Series 2002-A1, Class B3.................................................6.19. 12/25/29 410 398,936 Series 1998-S4, Class B3.................................................6.75. 08/25/28 1,815 1,824,952 Series 1994-D, Class B3..................................................6.75. 02/25/25 250 251,285 2,475,173 Citicorp Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2001-16, Class M.................................................5.94+. 11/25/31 3,780 3,863,134 Series 2001-16, Class B1................................................5.94+. 11/25/31 1,454 1,483,398 Series 2001-16, Class B2................................................5.94+. 11/25/31 872 885,723 Series 2001-16, Class B3................................................6.01+. 11/25/31 436 439,311 Series 2001-16, Class B4................................................6.01+. 11/25/31 436 403,089 Series 2001-16, Class B5................................................6.01+. 11/25/31 437 196,838 Series 2002-6, Class B4.................................................6.07+. 05/25/32 616 558,770 Series 2002-6, Class B5.................................................6.07+. 05/25/32 616 415,155 Series 2002-6, Class B6.................................................6.07+. 05/25/32 616 153,998 Series 2002-7, Class B5.................................................6.37+. 06/25/32 432 423,083 Series 2002-7, Class B6.................................................6.37+. 06/25/32 433 123,341 Series 1997-2, Class B2..................................................7.25. 05/25/27 1,403 1,423,235 Series 1997-5, Class B2..................................................7.25. 11/25/27 1,568 1,595,631 11,964,706 Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust Series 1998-2, Class B3..................................................7.00. 05/25/28 987 985,719 DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corp. Series 1995-T10, Class C*..............................................16.80+. 09/02/23 593 489,042 First Republic Mortgage Loan Trust Series 2000-FRB1, Class B3..............................................1.82+. 06/25/30 1,315 1,227,463 G3 Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd. Series 1, Class E*(b)..................................................21.30+. 05/25/08 6,161 6,777,576 GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc. Series 1994-2, Class B5.................................................6.00+. 01/25/09 212 171,890 Series 1994-10, Class M..................................................6.50. 03/25/24 1,582 1,591,465 Series 1998-17, Class B3*................................................6.75. 10/25/28 3,205 3,235,291 4,998,646 GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust Series 2002-J6, Class B2.................................................6.25. 10/25/32 968 678,965 Series 2002-J6, Class B3.................................................6.25. 10/25/32 1,291 412,919 1,091,884 Granite Mortgages PLC Series 2002-1, Class 1C.................................................2.63+. 04/20/42 5,000 4,951,565 Norwest Asset Securities Corp. Series 1998-2, Class B4..................................................6.50. 02/25/28 291 290,745 Series 1999-26, Class B6.................................................7.25. 12/25/29 518 217,316 508,061 Paine Webber Mortgage Acceptance Corp. Series 1993-9, Class B1..................................................7.00% 10/25/23 $ 2,797 $ 2,796,736 PHH Mortgage Services Corp. Series 1997-6, Class B3*................................................7.30+. 11/18/27 754 753,868 Residential Accredit Loans, Inc. Series 1998-QS5, Class B1*...............................................6.75. 04/25/28 1,608 1,727,795 Series 1998-QS11, Class B1*..............................................6.75. 08/25/28 2,490 2,588,694 4,316,489 Residential Finance Limited Partnership Series 2002-A, Class B7.................................................6.81+. 10/10/34 2,986 3,012,896 Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, Inc. Series 2003-S7, Class B2.................................................5.50. 05/25/33 700 433,783 Series 2003-S7, Class B3.................................................5.50. 05/25/33 1,000 268,130 Series 1993-S49, Class B2................................................6.00. 12/25/08 91 91,858 Series 1999-S12, Class M3................................................6.50. 05/25/29 3,357 3,400,082 Series 1999-S13, Class M3................................................6.50. 05/25/29 1,392 1,409,797 Series 2002-S7, Class B1.................................................6.50. 05/25/32 817 810,594 Series 2002-S7, Class B2.................................................6.50. 05/25/32 613 451,732 Series 2002-S7, Class B3.................................................6.50. 05/25/32 613 183,631 Series 1996-S8, Class B1.................................................6.75. 03/25/11 329 336,284 Series 1996-S5, Class B1.................................................6.75. 02/25/11 327 330,876 Series 2001-S24, Class M3................................................6.75. 10/25/31 1,428 1,450,871 Series 2001-S24, Class B1................................................6.75. 10/25/31 816 829,285 Series 1997-S17, Class B3................................................7.00. 11/25/27 2,341 1,647,942 Series 1996-S13, Class B3(a).............................................7.00. 05/25/11 151 127,446 Series 1996-S13, Class B2................................................7.00. 05/25/11 173 177,795 Series 2001-S5, Class M3.................................................7.00. 03/25/31 1,375 1,373,191 Series 2000-S3, Class B2.................................................7.00. 03/25/15 177 179,481 Series 1996-S17, Class B2................................................7.25. 07/25/11 139 141,389 Series 1996-S17, Class B3(a).............................................7.25. 07/25/11 139 114,631 Series 1995-S12, Class B2................................................7.25. 08/25/10 161 162,361 Series 1997-S2, Class M2.................................................7.50. 01/25/27 1,528 1,526,493 Series 1997-S3, Class B2.................................................7.50. 02/25/27 364 352,712 Series 1997-S2, Class B2.................................................7.50. 01/25/27 720 720,870 Series 1995-S17, Class B3................................................7.50. 12/26/25 609 507,264 Series 1996-S23, Class B2................................................7.75. 11/25/26 326 326,195 Series 1996-S23, Class B1................................................7.75. 11/25/26 438 438,030 17,792,723 Washington Mutual Series 2002-AR7, Class B4...............................................5.56+. 07/25/32 2,682 2,592,742 Series 2002-AR7, Class B5...............................................5.56+. 07/25/32 2,012 1,662,106 Series 2002-AR7, Class B6...............................................5.56+. 07/25/32 3,355 905,963 5,160,811 Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust Series 2002-10, Class B6.................................................6.00. 06/25/32 496 198,282 Series 2001-11, Class B5.................................................6.25. 05/25/31 280 281,068 Series 2001-26, Class B3.................................................6.50. 10/25/31 1,972 2,002,179 Series 2001-26, Class B4.................................................6.50. 11/25/31 1,233 1,268,980 Series 2001-26, Class B5.................................................6.50. 11/25/31 740 670,524 Series 2001-26, Class B6.................................................6.50. 11/25/31 986 308,509 Series 2001-24, Class B3.................................................6.75. 11/30/31 2,045 2,072,974 Series 2001-24, Class B4.................................................6.75. 11/25/31 1,278 1,303,668 Series 2001-24, Class B5.................................................6.75. 11/25/31 766 702,223 Series 2001-24, Class B6.................................................6.75. 11/25/31 908 332,736 9,141,143 Total Subordinated Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost-- $79,448,421)..................................................... 86,494,452 Senior Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities -- 0.0% Countrywide Funding Corp. Series 1994-2, Class B2 (Cost-- $97,145)....................................................6.50% 02/25/09 $ 181 $ 153,440 Total Non-Agency Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (Cost-- $79,545,566)..................................................... 86,647,892 CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS -- 8.9% Aerospace -- 0.0% Titan Corp.*...............................................................8.00. 05/15/11 25 25,813 Airlines -- 0.8% American Airline...........................................................8.61. 04/01/11 2,500 1,540,843 United Airlines............................................................7.19. 04/01/11 982 794,488 2,335,331 Apparel & Textiles -- 0.0% William Carter............................................................10.88. 08/15/11 50 56,750 Automotive -- 0.2% Autonation, Inc............................................................9.00. 08/01/08 110 120,450 Rexnord Corp.*............................................................10.13. 12/15/12 10 10,950 Sonic Automotive Inc......................................................11.00. 08/01/08 125 132,500 United Auto Group, Inc.....................................................9.63. 03/15/12 55 56,925 United Rentals NA, Inc.*..................................................10.75. 04/15/08 90 96,300 Universal Compression, Inc.*...............................................7.25. 05/15/10 10 10,250 427,375 Building Construction -- 0.2% Beazer Homes USA, Inc......................................................8.88. 04/01/08 115 120,750 D.R. Horton, Inc...........................................................6.88. 05/01/13 25 25,812 K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.*............................................7.75. 05/15/13 20 20,450 K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc..............................................8.00. 04/01/12 170 181,050 KB Home....................................................................8.63. 12/15/08 35 38,500 Ryland Group, Inc..........................................................5.38. 06/01/08 40 40,000 Schuler Homes*.............................................................9.38. 07/15/09 75 82,500 Standard Pacific Corp.*....................................................6.88. 05/15/11 40 39,400 Standard Pacific Corp......................................................7.75. 03/15/13 70 71,400 Technical Olympic USA, Inc.*...............................................9.00. 07/01/10 55 57,475 677,337 Beverages, Food & Tobacco -- 0.1% Constellation Brands, Inc..................................................8.13. 01/15/12 135 142,088 Chemicals -- 0.3% Equistar Chemicals LP.....................................................10.13. 09/01/08 45 45,900 Equistar Chemicals LP*....................................................10.63. 05/01/11 55 56,100 FMC Corp..................................................................10.25. 11/01/09 200 225,500 IMC Global, Inc...........................................................10.88. 06/01/08 10 11,150 IMC Global, Inc.*.........................................................11.25. 06/01/11 145 161,675 Lyondell Chemical Co.......................................................9.50. 12/15/08 80 77,000 Lyondell Chemical Co.*.....................................................9.50. 12/15/08 30 28,875 Macdermid, Inc.............................................................9.13. 07/15/11 115 128,225 Rhodia SA*.................................................................8.88. 06/01/11 40 40,400 774,825 Coal -- 0.1% Luscar Coal Ltd............................................................9.75. 10/15/11 150 168,750 Peabody Energy Corp.*......................................................6.88. 03/15/13 50 52,500 221,250 Commercial Services -- 0.1% Iron Mountain, Inc.........................................................7.75% 01/15/15 $ 75 $ 80,250 RH Donnelley Finance Corp. I*..............................................8.88. 12/15/10 95 104,025 RH Donnelley Finance Corp. I*.............................................10.88. 12/15/12 90 102,375 286,650 Computers & Business Equipment -- 0.0% Unisys Corp................................................................6.88. 03/15/10 100 103,500 Containers & Packaging -- 0.3% Berry Plastics Corp.......................................................10.75. 07/15/12 70 76,650 Graphic Packaging Corp.....................................................8.63. 02/15/12 125 130,938 Jefferson Smurfit Corp.....................................................8.25. 10/01/12 50 52,500 Norampac, Inc.*............................................................6.75. 06/01/13 30 30,825 Owens Brockway Glass Container*............................................7.75. 05/15/11 40 41,100 Owens Brockway Glass Container*............................................8.25. 05/15/13 40 40,600 Owens Brockway Glass Container.............................................8.88. 02/15/09 120 127,800 Packaging Corp. of America.................................................9.63. 04/01/09 120 129,900 Silgan Holdings, Inc.......................................................9.00. 06/01/09 135 140,062 770,375 Drugs & Health Care -- 0.4% Advancepcs.................................................................8.50. 04/01/08 20 21,550 Alpharma Inc.*.............................................................8.63. 05/01/11 45 46,575 Amerisourcebergen Corp.....................................................8.13. 09/01/08 60 65,100 Apogent Technologies, Inc.*................................................6.50. 05/15/13 20 20,500 Biovail Corp...............................................................7.88. 04/01/10 100 107,000 Coventry Health Care, Inc..................................................8.13. 02/15/12 130 140,400 Pacificare Health Systems, Inc............................................10.75. 06/01/09 170 187,000 Province Healthcare Co.....................................................7.50. 06/01/13 35 35,175 Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc.............................................8.13. 06/15/12 75 78,375 Tenet Healthcare Corp......................................................7.38. 02/01/13 230 236,325 Triad Hospitals, Inc.......................................................8.75. 05/01/09 125 136,250 1,074,250 Electrical Equipment -- 0.1% BRL Universal Equipment....................................................8.88. 02/15/08 170 184,025 FIMEP SA*.................................................................10.50. 02/15/13 95 104,500 Sierra Pacific Power Co....................................................8.61. 06/01/22 30 30,113 318,638 Electric Utilities -- 0.8% AES Corp.*.................................................................8.75. 05/15/13 285 290,700 AES Corp...................................................................9.38. 09/15/10 20 19,000 Centerpoint Energy Resource Corp.*.........................................7.88. 04/01/13 240 281,293 Centerpoint Energy, Inc.*..................................................6.85. 06/01/15 15 15,719 Edison Mission Energy......................................................7.73. 06/15/09 100 82,500 El Paso Corp. *............................................................7.88. 06/15/12 1,000 875,000 Midwest Generation LLC.....................................................8.56. 01/02/16 25 25,112 PSE&G Energy Holdings*.....................................................7.75. 04/16/07 95 101,039 PSE&G Energy Holdings......................................................8.50. 06/15/11 20 21,838 Sithe/Independence Funding.................................................9.00. 12/30/13 55 55,275 Southern California Edison Co.*............................................8.00. 02/15/07 185 201,650 TXU Energy Co., LLC*.......................................................7.00. 03/15/13 55 61,515 Westar Energy, Inc.........................................................8.50. 07/01/22 190 199,975 2,230,616 Electronics -- 0.2% Amkor Technologies, Inc.*..................................................7.75. 05/15/13 50 47,688 Amkor Technologies, Inc....................................................9.25. 05/01/06 10 10,520 Fairchild Semiconductor Corp..............................................10.38. 10/01/07 175 185,281 L-3 Communications Corp.*..................................................6.13. 07/15/13 65 65,000 L-3 Communications Corp....................................................7.63% 06/15/12 $ 185 $ 202,575 Thomas & Betts Corp........................................................7.25. 06/01/13 20 20,200 531,264 Financial Services -- 0.7% CIT Group, Inc.............................................................7.75. 04/02/12 1,000 1,185,502 Fairfax Financial Holdings.................................................7.38. 04/15/18 30 25,200 Labranche & Co., Inc.......................................................9.50. 08/15/04 75 79,125 Labranche & Co., Inc......................................................12.00. 03/02/07 40 45,800 Liberty Mutual Insurance*..................................................7.88. 10/15/26 100 85,722 Midland Funding Corp. II..................................................11.75. 07/23/05 200 216,500 Midland Funding Corp. II..................................................13.25. 07/23/06 80 91,000 Sovereign Bancorp, Inc....................................................10.50. 11/15/06 125 151,250 1,880,099 Food & Beverages -- 0.1% Dole Foods Co.............................................................8.63+. 05/01/09 80 84,800 Dole Foods Co.*............................................................8.88. 03/15/11 20 21,200 Dominos, Inc..............................................................10.38. 01/15/09 105 115,631 Smithfield Foods, Inc.*....................................................7.75. 05/15/13 65 66,950 288,581 Forest Products & Paper -- 0.2% Abitibi Consolidated, Inc..................................................8.85. 08/01/30 50 54,779 Appleton Papers, Inc......................................................12.50. 12/15/08 90 101,475 Cascades, Inc.*............................................................7.25. 02/15/13 95 98,562 Georgia Pacific Corp.*.....................................................7.38. 07/15/08 75 74,625 Georgia Pacific Corp.*.....................................................8.88. 02/01/10 155 161,975 Georgia Pacific Corp.*.....................................................9.38. 02/01/13 140 149,100 640,516 Gambling -- 0.2% Argosy Gaming Co...........................................................9.00. 09/01/11 160 172,800 Argosy Gaming Co..........................................................10.75. 06/01/09 10 10,975 Horseshoe Gaming LLC.......................................................8.63. 05/15/09 100 106,500 Isle Capri Casinos, Inc....................................................8.75. 04/15/09 115 120,750 Mohegan Tribal Gaming......................................................8.13. 01/01/06 145 155,513 Penn National Gaming, Inc.................................................11.13. 03/01/08 50 55,000 621,538 Hotels & Casinos -- 0.2% Ameristar Casinos Inc.....................................................10.75. 02/15/09 25 27,875 Mandalay Resort Group......................................................9.50. 08/01/08 20 22,500 Mandalay Resort Group.....................................................10.25. 08/01/07 180 198,900 MGM Mirage, Inc............................................................8.50. 09/15/10 160 184,400 Sun International Hotels Ltd...............................................8.88. 08/15/11 135 144,788 Venetian Casino Resort LLC................................................11.00. 06/15/10 15 16,481 594,944 Industrial -- Diversified -- 0.1% Tyco International Group SA................................................6.38. 10/15/11 330 332,475 Industrial Machinery -- 0.1% Dresser Industries, Inc....................................................7.60. 08/15/96 125 117,500 NMHG Holding Co...........................................................10.00. 05/15/09 105 113,400 Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.................................................9.38. 05/01/09 105 116,025 346,925 Insurance -- 0.1% Allmerica Financial Corp...................................................7.63. 10/15/25 25 22,000 Crum & Forster Holdings Corp.*............................................10.38. 06/15/13 25 24,246 Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.............................................7.38. 03/15/06 40 37,600 Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.............................................8.30. 04/15/26 20 16,800 Markel Capital Trust I.....................................................8.71. 01/01/46 55 59,121 159,767 Media-Broadcasting & Publishing -- 0.9% Alliance Atlantis Communications, Inc.....................................13.00% 12/15/09 $ 160 $ 183,200 Canwest Media, Inc.*.......................................................7.63. 04/15/13 25 26,375 Canwest Media, Inc........................................................10.63. 05/15/11 70 79,450 Cinemark USA, Inc.*........................................................9.00. 02/01/13 20 21,600 CSC Holdings, Inc..........................................................7.25. 07/15/08 115 116,437 CSC Holdings, Inc..........................................................7.88. 02/15/18 105 107,625 Dex Media East LLC*.......................................................12.13. 11/15/12 190 223,250 DirecTV Holdings LLC*......................................................8.38. 03/15/13 95 105,687 Echostar DBS Corp..........................................................9.13. 01/15/09 300 334,500 Hollinger Participation*..................................................12.13. 11/15/10 55 58,988 Hollinger, Inc.*..........................................................11.88. 03/01/11 130 137,150 Houghton Mifflin Co.*......................................................8.25. 02/01/11 40 41,850 Houghton Mifflin Co.*......................................................9.88. 02/01/13 55 59,331 Interpublic Group Cos, Inc.................................................7.25. 08/15/11 60 63,000 Radio One, Inc.............................................................8.88. 07/01/11 70 76,825 Regal Cinemas, Inc.........................................................9.38. 02/01/12 120 131,100 Rogers Cable, Inc..........................................................8.75. 05/01/32 200 219,000 Rogers Communications, Inc.................................................8.88. 07/15/07 80 83,200 Shaw Communications, Inc...................................................7.20. 12/15/11 65 67,925 Shaw Communications, Inc...................................................8.25. 04/11/10 20 21,800 Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc..............................................8.75. 12/15/11 200 218,750 Susquehanna Media Co.*.....................................................7.38. 04/15/13 30 30,975 Vertis, Inc...............................................................10.88. 06/15/09 70 67,900 Vivendi Universal*.........................................................9.25. 04/15/10 195 222,544 Yell Finance BV(d).........................................................0.00. 08/01/11 18 14,625 2,713,087 Metal Fabrication/Hardware -- 0.0% Shaw Group, Inc...........................................................10.75. 03/15/10 100 99,500 Miscellaneous -- 0.4% Ameripath, Inc.*..........................................................10.50. 04/01/13 60 62,700 Dade Behring, Inc.........................................................11.91. 10/03/10 130 146,250 Perkinelmer, Inc.*.........................................................8.88. 01/15/13 85 92,225 Salton Sea Funding.........................................................7.48. 11/30/18 98 92,413 Service Corp. International................................................6.88. 10/01/07 40 40,000 Service Corp. International................................................7.20. 06/01/06 55 55,825 Service Corp. International................................................7.70. 04/15/09 200 203,000 Speedway Motorsports, Inc.*................................................6.75. 06/01/13 25 25,750 SPX Corp...................................................................7.50. 01/01/13 105 111,037 Stewart Enterprises, Inc..................................................10.75. 07/01/08 220 244,750 1,073,950 Office Furnishings & Supplies -- 0.1% Moore North America Finance, Inc.*.........................................7.88. 01/15/11 105 110,775 Office Depot, Inc.........................................................10.00. 07/15/08 20 23,400 Xerox Capital Europe PLC...................................................5.88. 05/15/04 185 185,231 Xerox Corp.*...............................................................9.75. 01/15/09 20 21,950 341,356 Oil & Gas -- 0.9% Amerigas Partners..........................................................8.88. 05/20/11 95 102,600 ANR Pipeline Co.*..........................................................8.88. 03/15/10 35 38,150 ANR Pipeline Co............................................................9.63. 11/01/21 10 11,575 Chesapeake Energy Corp.....................................................7.50. 09/15/13 20 20,900 Chesapeake Energy Corp.....................................................9.00. 08/15/12 350 385,000 Citgo Peteroleum Corp.*...................................................11.38. 02/01/11 150 168,000 El Paso Energy Partners LP.................................................8.50. 06/01/11 150 160,500 El Paso Energy Partners LP*................................................8.50. 06/01/10 40 42,800 El Paso Energy Partners LP*...............................................10.63. 12/01/12 70 80,850 El Paso Natural Gas........................................................7.50. 11/15/26 20 18,800 El Paso Natural Gas........................................................8.63% 01/15/22 $ 20 $ 20,350 El Paso Production Holding Co.*............................................7.75. 06/01/13 170 169,575 Ferrellgas Partners LP.....................................................8.75. 06/15/12 170 184,450 Forest Oil Corp............................................................8.00. 06/15/08 55 58,575 Frontier Escrow Corp.*.....................................................8.00. 04/15/13 65 67,113 Plains All American Pipeline...............................................7.75. 10/15/12 295 323,025 Premcor Refining Group, Inc.*..............................................9.25. 02/01/10 170 187,850 Premcor Refining Group, Inc.*..............................................9.50. 02/01/13 145 162,400 Southern Natural Gas Co....................................................7.35. 02/15/31 25 24,656 Southern Natural Gas Co....................................................8.00. 03/01/32 35 36,050 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co..................................................7.50. 04/01/17 40 39,800 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co..................................................8.38. 06/15/32 20 20,500 Tesoro Peteroleum Corp*....................................................8.00. 04/15/08 25 25,125 Tesoro Peteroleum Corp.....................................................9.00. 07/01/08 35 31,325 Tesoro Peteroleum Corp.....................................................9.63. 11/01/08 105 96,600 Transmontaigne, Inc.*......................................................9.13. 06/01/10 40 41,200 Western Oil Sands, Inc.....................................................8.38. 05/01/12 185 200,725 2,718,494 Pollution Control -- 0.1% Allied Waste North America, Inc.*..........................................9.25. 09/01/12 300 323,250 Allied Waste North America, Inc...........................................10.00. 08/01/09 45 47,531 Casella Waste Systems, Inc.*...............................................9.75. 02/01/13 45 47,475 418,256 Real Estate -- 0.1% CBRE Escrow, Inc.*.........................................................9.75. 05/15/10 30 31,350 Choctaw Resort Developement Enterprise.....................................9.25. 04/01/09 80 86,200 Corrections Corp. of America...............................................7.50. 05/01/11 15 15,412 Corrections Corp. of America...............................................9.88. 05/01/09 90 100,125 Health Care REIT, Inc. (REIT)..............................................8.00. 09/12/12 80 84,817 Istar Financial, Inc. (REIT)...............................................7.00. 03/15/08 35 36,922 Istar Financial, Inc. (REIT)...............................................8.75. 08/15/08 15 16,312 371,138 Retail Trade -- 0.2% Penney J.C. Co., Inc.......................................................7.40. 04/01/37 110 113,850 Penney J.C. Co., Inc.......................................................8.00. 03/01/10 85 87,337 Rent-A-Center, Inc.*.......................................................7.50. 05/01/10 35 35,963 Rite Aid Corp.*............................................................8.13. 05/01/10 60 61,500 Rite Aid Corp.*............................................................9.50. 02/15/11 65 69,225 Saks, Inc..................................................................7.50. 12/01/10 15 15,375 Saks, Inc..................................................................8.25. 11/15/08 5 5,350 Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc.............................................8.88. 04/15/11 100 115,000 503,600 Telecommunications -- 0.9% Avaya, Inc................................................................11.13. 04/01/09 70 76,650 Motorola, Inc..............................................................8.00. 11/01/11 1,000 1,180,000 Nextel Communications, Inc.................................................9.38. 11/15/09 195 210,113 Nextel Communications, Inc.................................................9.50. 02/01/11 85 93,075 Nextel Communications, Inc................................................12.00. 11/01/08 80 86,600 Nortel Networks Ltd........................................................6.13. 02/15/06 80 78,000 Qwest Corp.*...............................................................8.88. 03/15/12 5 5,625 Sprint Capital Corp........................................................8.38. 03/15/12 120 140,361 Sprint Capital Corp........................................................8.75. 03/15/32 65 76,865 TCI Communications Financing III...........................................9.65. 03/31/27 125 146,875 Tritel PCS, Inc...........................................................10.38% 01/15/11 $ 50 $ 60,500 US West Communication......................................................8.88. 06/01/31 390 407,550 2,562,214 Total Corporate Obligations (Cost-- $25,680,795)..................................................... 25,642,502 INTEREST ONLY SECURITIES -- 8.2% Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Series 2001-TOP2, Class X2*.............................................1.36+. 04/15/11 74,184 4,004,451 COMM Class 2001-J2A, Class EIO*..............................................3.87+. 07/16/34 10,000 2,996,830 Commercial Capital Access One, Inc. Series 2001-A, Class T1..................................................4.50. 02/15/09 18,000 4,680,000 GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc. Series 2003-C1, Class X1.................................................0.07. 05/10/36 88,600 3,031,790 GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II Series 2001-ROCK, Class X1*.............................................0.41+. 06/01/11 260,465 4,305,745 Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I Series 2002-HS1, Class A.................................................7.00. 07/25/04 23,980 1,184,376 Vendee Mortgage Trust Series 1997-2, Class IO.................................................0.06+. 06/15/27 123,006 172,946 Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust Series 2002-C2, Class IO1*...............................................0.13. 11/15/34 86,907 3,272,675 Total Interest Only Securities (Cost-- $22,334,199)..................................................... 23,648,813 Shares - ------------------------------------------------------------ -- ------------------------------- ------------- -------------------- PREFERRED STOCKS -- 1.4% CSC Holdings Inc. Series M, 11.13%................. 1,250 130,625 Duke Realty Investments, Inc. Series D, 7.38% (REIT)........................................... 12,365 337,564 Equity Office Properties Trust Series B, 5.25% (REIT)........................................... 46,012 2,259,649 Equity Residential Properties Trust Series G, 7.25% (REIT)..................................... 49,358 1,268,501 Hercules Trust II 6.50%............................ 115 67,965 Shaw Communications, Inc. 8.50%.................... 590 14,243 Total Preferred Stocks (Cost-- $3,617,660)......................... 4,078,547 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Principal Interest Amount Value Rate Maturity (000s) (Note 2) - -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------ REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- 0.5% Dated 5/30/03, with State Street Corp.; proceeds: $1,562,065; collateralized by $1,425,000 USTB, 5.25%, due 11/15/28, value: $1,597,781 (Cost-- $1,562,000).......................... 0.50% 06/02/03 $ 1,562 $ 1,562,000 Total Investments -- 145.0% (Cost-- $410,577,333)......................... 419,961,255 Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets-- (45.0)%..................................... (130,177,287) NET ASSETS-- 100.0%.................................... $ 289,783,968 @ Portion or entire principal amount delivered as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements or swap agreements. (Note 5) + Variable Rate Security: Interest rate is the rate in effect May 31, 2003. * Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. (a) Represents a class of subordinated mortgage backed securities (First Loss Bonds) that are the first to receive credit losses on the underlying mortgage pools and will continue to receive the credit losses until the subordinated class is paid off. (b) Private placement (c) These issuers are currently making only partial interest payments. (d) Security is a "step up" bond where coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. Rates shown are current coupon and next coupon rate when security steps up. # Portion or entire principal amount is held as collateral for open futures contracts. (Note 7) IO Interest Only Security -- Interest rate is based on the notional amount of the underlying mortgage pools. REIT Real Estate Investment Trust USTB United States Treasury Bonds - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Statement of Assets and Liabilities -- (Unaudited) May 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Investments in securities, at market (cost $410,577,333)(Note 2)...................................... $ 419,961,255 Cash......................................................... 1,076,425 Receivable for investments sold.............................. 3,627,936 Interest receivable.......................................... 3,375,558 Principal paydowns receivable................................ 829,373 Receivable due from transfer agent........................... 84,013 Prepaid expenses and other assets............................ 153,601 Total assets............................................. 429,108,161 Liabilities: Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 5)....................... 137,085,300 Interest payable for reverse repurchase agreements (Note 5)......................................................... 63,945 Unrealized depreciation on swap contracts (Note 7)........... 1,122,435 Payable on open swap contracts............................... 478,307 Payable for investments purchased............................ 282,748 Investment advisory fee payable (Note 3)..................... 159,325 Administration fee payable (Note 3).......................... 49,023 Payable for variation margin................................. 8,875 Accrued expenses and other liabilities....................... 74,235 Total liabilities........................................ 139,324,193 Net Assets (equivalent to $9.46 per share based on 30,639,747 shares issued and outstanding).................... $ 289,783,968 Composition of Net Assets: Capital stock, at par value ($.01) (Note 6).................. $ 306,397 Additional paid-in capital (Note 6).......................... 299,226,958 Accumulated undistributed net investment income.............. 3,816,705 Accumulated net realized loss................................ (21,892,108) Net unrealized appreciation.................................. 8,326,016 Net assets applicable to capital stock outstanding........... $ 289,783,968 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Statement of Operations -- (Unaudited) For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Income (Note 2): Interest...................................................... $ 18,859,539 Dividends..................................................... 131,825 18,991,364 Expenses: Investment advisory fee (Note 3).............................. 925,380 Administration fee (Note 3)................................... 284,732 Legal......................................................... 97,461 Insurance..................................................... 71,914 Reports to shareholders....................................... 70,012 Custodian..................................................... 50,954 Accounting and tax services................................... 45,866 Directors' fees............................................... 30,433 Transfer agency............................................... 19,229 Registration fees............................................. 9,656 Miscellaneous................................................. 10,317 Total operating expenses.................................... 1,615,954 Interest expense on reverse repurchase agreements (Note 5)......................................................... 897,401 Net interest expense on swaps (Note 2)...................... 319,254 Total expenses.............................................. 2,832,609 Net investment income......................................... 16,158,755 Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Notes 2 and 7): Net realized gain (loss) on: Investments................................................... 2,838,168 Swap contracts................................................ (506,544) Futures....................................................... 321,587 Net realized gain (loss) on investments, swap contracts and futures....................................................... 2,653,211 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: Investments................................................... 2,861,747 Swap contracts................................................ (1,593,474) Futures....................................................... 411,749 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts and futures....................... 1,680,022 Net realized and unrealized gain on investments, swap contracts and futures......................................... 4,333,233 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations............ $ 20,491,988 ---------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. For the Six Months Statements of Changes in Net Assets Ended For the Year May 31, 2003 Ended (Unaudited) November 30, 2002 ---------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations: Net investment income...................................... $ 16,158,755 $ 26,070,086 Net realized gain (loss) on investments, swap contracts and futures.............................................. 2,653,211 (2,669,189) Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swap contracts and futures.................. 1,680,022 5,965,224 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations....... 20,491,988 29,366,121 Dividends to Shareholders (Note 2): Net investment income...................................... (13,773,963) (27,420,820) Capital Stock Transactions (Note 6): Net asset value of shares issued through dividend reinvestment (52,860 and 53,787 shares, respectively).... 497,509 500,857 Rights offering cost adjustment............................ -- 16,696 Net increase from capital stock transactions............... 497,509 517,553 Total increase in net assets........................... 7,215,534 2,462,854 Net Assets: Beginning of period........................................ 282,568,434 280,105,580 End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,816,705 and $1,431,913, respectively)....... $ 289,783,968 $ 282,568,434 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Statement of Cash Flows -- (Unaudited) For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (Decrease) in Cash: Cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities: Interest received (including net accretion of $388,754)................................................. $ 15,737,448 Interest expense paid...................................... (835,533) Operating expenses paid.................................... (1,801,214) Sales of short-term portfolio investments, net............. 1,737,916 Purchases of long-term portfolio investments............... (87,690,929) Proceeds from disposition of long-term portfolio investments and principal paydowns........................ 84,512,819 Net cash provided by for futures transactions.............. 807,930 Net cash provided by operating activities.................. 12,468,437 Cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities: Net cash provided by reverse repurchase agreements......... 1,756,124 Cash dividends paid........................................ (13,441,318) Net cash used for financing activities..................... (11,685,194) Net increase in cash......................................... 783,243 Cash at beginning of year.................................... 293,182 Cash at end of year.......................................... $ 1,076,425 Reconciliation of Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Net increase in net assets resulting from operations......... $ 20,491,988 Increase in investments, at cost........................... (2,792,770) Increase in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and swaps..................................... (1,268,273) Increase in interest receivable............................ (314,752) Decrease in variation margin receivable.................... 74,594 Increase in other assets................................... (4,346,681) Increase in other liabilities.............................. 624,331 Total adjustments........................................ (8,023,551) Net cash provided by operating activities.................... $ 12,468,437 Noncash financing activities not included herein consist of reinvestment of dividends of $413,496. THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Financial Highlights For the Six Months Ended For the Year Ended November 30, May 31, 2003 (Unaudited) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ------------------------------------ --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ Per Share Operating Performance: Net asset value, beginning of period......................... $ 9.24 $ 9.17 $ 9.41 $ 9.27 $ 10.08 $ 10.64 Net investment income............ 0.53 0.85 0.84 0.78 0.80 0.76 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, short sales, futures transactions and swap 0.14 0.12 0.30 0.21 (0.90) (0.61) contracts...................... Net increase (decrease) in net asset 0.67 0.97 1.14 0.99 (0.10) 0.15 value resulting from operations Net effect of shares repurchased. -- -- -- --* 0.03 0.04 Dividends from net investment income......................... (0.45) (0.90) (0.87) (0.85) (0.74) (0.75) Offering costs charged to additional -- --* (0.09) -- -- -- paid-in-capital................ Dilutive effect of rights offering -- -- (0.42) -- -- -- Net asset value, end of period... $ 9.46 $ 9.24 $ 9.17 $ 9.41 $ 9.27 $ 10.08 Market price, end of period...... $ 10.1800 $ 9.2800 $ 8.5700 $ 8.4375 $ 7.3750 $ 8.6900 Total Investment Return +........ 15.05%(1) 19.39% 13.13%++ 26.41% -7.17% 1.23% Ratios to Average Net Assets/ Supplementary Data: Net assets, end of period (000's) $ 289,784 $ 282,568 $ 280,106 $ 215,318 $ 212,703 $ 238,803 Operating expenses............... 1.14%(2) 1.05% 1.11% 1.10% 1.08% 1.05% Interest expense................. 0.85%(2) 1.23% 1.59% 1.87% 2.31% 2.39% Total expenses................... 1.99%(2) 2.28% 2.70% 2.97% 3.39% 3.44% Net investment income............ 11.35%(2) 9.23% 8.84% 8.50% 8.20% 7.27% Portfolio turnover rate.......... 21%(1) 61% 43% 57% 72% 90% __________ + Total investment return is computed based upon the New York Stock Exchange market price of the Fund's shares and excludes the effects of brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. ++ Adjusted for assumed reinvestment of proceeds of rights offering. * Rounds to less than .01. (1) Not annualized (2) Annualized - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Notes to Financial Statements -- (Unaudited) May 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. The Fund The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on May 26, 1989, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high total return, including short and long-term capital gains and a high level of current income, through the management of a portfolio of securities. No assurance can be given that the Fund's investment objective will be achieved. 2. Significant Accounting Policies The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Valuation of Investments: Where market quotations are readily available, securities held by the Fund are valued based upon the current bid price, except preferred stocks, which are valued based upon the closing price. Securities may be valued by independent pricing services that have been approved by the Board of Directors. The prices provided by a pricing service take into account broker dealer market price quotations for institutional size trading in similar groups of securities, security quality, maturity, coupon and other security characteristics as well as any developments related to the specific securities. The Fund values mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") and other debt securities for which market quotations are not readily available (approximately 27% of the investments in securities held by the Fund at May 31, 2003) at their fair value as determined in good faith, utilizing procedures approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund, on the basis of information provided by dealers in such securities. Some of the general factors which may be considered in determining fair value include the fundamental analytic data relating to the investment and an evaluation of the forces which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold. Determination of fair value involves subjective judgment, as the actual market value of a particular security can be established only by negotiations between the parties in a sales transaction. Debt securities having a remaining maturity of sixty days or less when purchased and debt securities originally purchased with maturities in excess of sixty days but which currently have maturities of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or region. The values of MBS can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates or in the financial condition of an issuer or market. Options Written or Purchased: The Fund may write or purchase options as a method of hedging potential declines in similar underlying securities. When the Fund writes or purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium received or paid by the Fund is recorded as a liability or an asset and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written or purchased. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options which expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains or losses. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, including brokerage commissions, also is treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or a loss on the investment transaction. The Fund, as writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. The Fund purchases or writes options to hedge against adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates. The Fund bears the risk in purchasing an option, to the extent of the premium paid, that it will expire without being exercised. If this occurs, the option expires worthless and the premium paid for the option is recognized as a realized loss. The risk associated with writing call options is that the Fund may forego the opportunity for a profit if the market value of the underlying position increases and the option is exercised. The Fund will only write call options on positions held in its portfolio. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying position decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, the Fund bears the risk of not being able to enter into a closing transaction for written options as a result of an illiquid market. Short Sales: The Fund may make short sales of securities as a method of hedging potential declines in similar securities owned. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow the particular securities and may be obligated to pay to the lender an amount equal to any payments received on such borrowed securities. A gain, limited to the amount at which the Fund sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited as to dollar amount, will be realized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is less or greater than the proceeds originally received. Financial Futures Contracts: A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a financial instrument for a set price on a future date. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be either cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking-to-market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contract at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received, depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund's basis in the contract. The Fund invests in financial futures contracts to hedge against fluctuations in the value of portfolio securities caused by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. The Fund is at risk that it may not be able to close out a transaction because of an illiquid market. Swap agreements: The Fund may invest in swap agreements. The Fund may enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rates. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net payments of interest on interest rate swap agreements are included as part of interest expense. For the six months ended May 31, 2003, such net payments made by the Fund amounted to $319,254. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or that there may be unfavorable changes in the fluctuation of interest rates. See Note 7 for a summary of all open swap agreements as of May 31, 2003. Securities Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted and amortized, respectively, using the effective yield to maturity method. Taxes: It is the Fund's intention to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is required. Dividends and Distributions: The Fund declares and pays dividends monthly from net investment income. Distributions of realized capital gains in excess of capital loss carryforwards are distributed at least annually. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from realized gains from investment transactions have been determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations and may differ from net investment income and realized gains recorded by the Fund for financial reporting purposes. These differences, which could be temporary or permanent in nature, may result in reclassification of distributions; however, net investment income, net realized gains and net assets are not affected. Cash Flow Information: The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends and distributions which are paid in cash or are reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. Cash, as used in the Statement of Cash Flows, is the amount reported as "Cash" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and does not include short-term investments. Accounting practices that do not affect reporting activities on a cash basis include carrying investments at value and accreting discounts and amortizing premiums on debt obligations. Repurchase Agreements: The Fund, through its custodian, receives delivery of the underlying collateral, the market value of which at the time of purchase is required to be in an amount at least equal to the resale price, including accrued interest. Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (the "Advisor") is responsible for determining that the value of these underlying securities is sufficient at all times. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings commence with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. 3. Investment Advisory Agreements and Affiliated Transactions The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Advisor. The Advisor is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. During the six months ended May 31, 2003, the Advisor earned $925,380 in investment advisory fees. Effective April 15, 2003, the Advisor has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with Seix Investment Advisors Inc. ("Seix"). Prior to April 15, Pacholder Associates, Inc. served as sub-advisor. Under the terms of the agreement, Seix is to assist in managing the Fund's investments in High Yield Securities and to provide such investment research and advice regarding High Yield Securities as may be necessary for the operation of the Fund. For such services, the Advisor pays, out of its advisory fee, a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.50% of the portion of the Fund's average weekly net assets that is invested in High Yield Securities. The Fund has entered into an Administration Agreement with Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (the "Administrator"). The Administrator entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street Corp. (the "Sub-Administrator"), an affiliate of the Fund's Custodian. The Administrator and Sub-Administrator perform administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund, including maintaining certain books and records of the Fund and preparing reports and other documents required by federal, state, and other applicable laws and regulations, and providing the Fund with administrative office facilities. For these services, the Fund pays to the Administrator a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund's average weekly net assets. During the six months ended May 31, 2003, the Administrator earned $284,732 in administration fees. The Administrator is responsible for any fees due the Sub-Administrator. Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of the Advisor, Administrator and Sub-Administrator. 4. Purchases and Sales of Investments Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, U.S. Government securities and reverse repurchase agreements, for the six months ended May 31, 2003, were $39,229,520 and $59,433,575, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. Government securities, excluding short-term securities for the six months ended May 31, 2003 were $48,744,156 and $29,840,756, respectively. For purposes of this footnote, U.S. Government securities may include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal National Mortgage Association. 5. Borrowings The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same parties with whom it may enter into repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements will be regarded as a form of borrowing by the Fund unless, at the time it enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it establishes and maintains a segregated account with its custodian containing securities from its portfolio having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The Fund has established and maintained such an account for each of its reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund's use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. At May 31, 2003, the Fund had the following reverse repurchase agreements outstanding: Maturity Face Value Description Amount $ 4,702,000 UBS/Paine Webber, 1.33%, dated 5/13/03, maturity date $ 4,707,038 6/11/03 4,544,000 UBS/Paine Webber, 1.30%, dated 5/22/03, maturity date 4,547,282 6/11/03 3,497,000 UBS/Paine Webber, 1.33%, dated 5/13/03, maturity date 3,500,747 6/11/03 6,740,000 Morgan Stanley, 1.32%, dated 5/14/03, maturity date 6,746,920 6/11/03 25,584,000 Morgan Stanley, 1.10%, dated 5/28/03, maturity date 25,594,943 6/11/03 2,140,000 Morgan Stanley, 1.45%, dated 5/30/03, maturity date 2,140,517 6/05/03 4,673,000 Merrill Lynch, 1.32%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 4,678,654 6/17/03 6,749,000 Merrill Lynch, 1.32%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 6,757,166 6/17/03 6,914,000 Merrill Lynch, 1.32%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 6,922,366 6/17/03 7,801,000 Merrill Lynch, 1.32%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 7,810,439 6/17/03 11,863,500 Merrill Lynch, 1.15%, dated 5/19/03, maturity date 11,868,806 6/02/03 14,340,000 Lehman Brothers, 1.30%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 14,357,605 6/18/03 8,840,000 Lehman Brothers, 1.30%, dated 5/15/03, maturity date 8,850,854 6/18/03 2,600,000 Lehman Brothers, 1.31%, dated 5/29/03, maturity date 2,601,703 6/16/03 3,921,800 Lehman Brothers, 1.30%, dated 5/22/03, maturity date 3,926,757 6/26/03 13,170,000 Lehman Brothers, 1.23%, dated 5/22/03, maturity date 13,176,300 6/05/03 4,946,000 Bear Stearns, 1.76%, dated 5/08/03, maturity date 6/19/03 4,956,156 4,060,000 Bear Stearns, 1.15%, dated 5/22/03, maturity date 6/05/03 4,061,816 $ 137,085,300 Maturity Amount, Including Interest Payable $ 137,206,069 Market Value of Assets Sold Under Agreements $ 140,336,365 Weighted Average Interest Rate 1.26% The average daily balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding during the six months ended May 31, 2003, was approximately $137,768,813 at a weighted average interest rate of 1.29%. The maximum amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding at any time during the period was $147,569,318 as of March 3, 2003, which was 33.93% of total assets. 6. Capital Stock There are 50 million shares of $0.01 par value common stock authorized. Of the 30,639,747 shares outstanding at May 31, 2003, the Advisor owned 11,112 shares. The Fund is continuing its stock repurchase program, whereby an amount of up to 15% of the original outstanding common stock, or approximately 3.7 million of the Fund's shares, are authorized for repurchase. The purchase price may not exceed the then-current net asset value. For the periods ended May 31, 2003 and November 30, 2002 no shares have been repurchased. All shares repurchased have been retired. Since inception of the stock repurchase program 2,089,740 shares have been repurchased pursuant to this program at a cost of $18,605,505 and at an average discount of 13.18% from its net asset value. The Fund issued to its shareholders of records as of the close of business on August 27, 2001 transferable rights to subscribe for up to an aggregate 7,644,525 shares of common stock of the Fund at a rate of one share of common stock for 3 rights held at the subscription price $8.10 per share. During September 2001, the Fund issued, in total, 7,644,525 shares of Common Stock on exercise of such Rights. Rights offering costs of $515,977 and brokerage and deal-manager commissions of $2,322,025 were charged directly against the proceeds of the Offering. An adjustment of $16,696 related to such offering costs was credited to paid-in capital during the year ended November 30, 2002. 7. Financial Instruments The Fund regularly trades in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. These financial instruments include written options, futures contracts and swap agreements and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Fund has in particular classes of financial instruments and does not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. During the period, the Fund had segregated sufficient cash and/or securities to cover any commitments under these contracts. There was no written option activity for the six months ended May 31, 2003. As of May 31, 2003, the following swap agreements were outstanding: Net Unrealized Expiration Appreciation/ Notional Amount Date Description (Depreciation) $ 30,000,000 01/02/06 Agreement with Goldman Sachs Capital Markets, LP, dated $ (561,597) 12/30/02 to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by 2.458% and to receive quarterly the notional amount multiplied by 3 month LIBOR. $ 30,000,000 01/02/06 Agreement with Morgan Stanley Capital Services Inc., dated (560,838) 12/30/02 to pay semi-annually the notional amount multiplied by 2.457% and to receive quarterly the notional amount multiplied by 3 month LIBOR. $ (1,122,435) As of May 31, 2003, the following futures contracts were outstanding: Long: Net Unrealized Notional Cost at Value at Appreciation/ Amount Type Expiration Date Trade Date May 31, 2003 (Depreciation) $ 5,000,000 U.S. Treasury Bond September 2003 $ 5,930,453 $ 5,960,938 $ 30,485 6,700,000 10 Yr. U.S. Treasury September 2003 7,901,269 7,935,313 34,044 Note $ 64,529 8. Federal Income Tax Information Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. During the year ended November 30, 2002 the tax character of the $27,420,820 of distributions paid was from ordinary income. At November 30, 2002 the components of net assets (excluding paid-in-capital) on a tax basis were as follows: Undistributed Tax ordinary income.................... $ 1,431,913 Tax basis capital loss carryover..................... $ (24,213,695) Less: Cumulative timing differences.................. (633,610) Accumulated capital loss........................... $ (24,847,305) Book basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation).... $ 6,645,994 Plus: Cumulative timing differences.................. 301,986 Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)............. $ 6,947,980 The cumulative timing differences under tax basis capital loss carryover is due to post-October losses. The differences between book and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are primarily attributable to the mark-to-market of futures, and wash sales deferrals. Federal Income Tax Basis: The federal income tax basis of the Fund's investments at May 31, 2003 was $410,577,333. Net unrealized appreciation was $9,383,922 (gross unrealized appreciation -- $25,307,778; gross unrealized depreciation -- $15,923,856). At November 30, 2002, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $24,213,695, of which $3,861,143 expires in 2006, $5,432,752 expires in 2007, $3,003,624 expires in 2008, $8,349,330 expires in 2009, and $3,566,846 expires in 2010, available to offset any future gains, to the extent provided by regulations. 9. Subsequent Events Dividend: The Fund's Board of Directors declared the following regular monthly dividends: Dividend Record Payable Per Share Date Date $ 0.0750 06/17/03 06/26/03 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. Information Concerning Directors and Officers (Unaudited) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following tables provide information concerning the directors and officers of The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). Position(s) Held with Number of Fund and Term of Portfolios in Fund Name, Address Office and Length of Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Complex Overseen and Age Time Served Other Directorships Held by Director by Director Class I Nominee/ Director to serve until 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Robert F. Birch Director, Member of The Director and/or Trustee of several investment 4 c/o One Liberty Plaza, Audit Committee, Member companies (4) advised by Hyperion Capital New York, New York of Nominating and Management, Inc. or by its affiliates 10006-1404 Compensation Committee (1998-Present); Chairman and President, New and Member of Executive America High Income Fund (1992-Present); Chairman Age 67 Committee of the Board and Co-Founder, The China Business Group, Inc. (1996-Present); Director, Brandywine Elected for Three Year Funds (2) (2001 to Present). Term/Director Since December 1998 Formerly, Director and Strategic Planning Consultant, Dewe Rogerson, Ltd. (1994-1998) Class II Director to serve until 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Rodman L. Drake Director, Member of the Director and/or Trustee of several investment 3 c/o One Liberty Plaza, Audit Committee, companies (3) advised by Hyperion Capital New York, New York Chairman of Nominating Management, Inc. (1989-Present); Co-founder, 10006-1404 and Compensation Baringo Capital LLC (2002-Present); Director, Committees Animal Medical Center (2002- Present); Director, Age 60 Hotelevision, Inc. (1999-Present); Chairman, Elected for Three Year Metro Cash Card International (1999- Present). Term/Director Since Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. (1995- July 1989 Present); Director, Absolute Quality Inc. (2000-Present); Trustee of Excelsior Funds (3) (1994-Present). Formerly, President, Continuation Investments Group Inc. (1997-2001); Director, Alliance Group Services, Inc. (1998-2001). Harry E. Petersen, Jr. Director, Member of the Director and/or Trustee of several investment 3 c/o One Liberty Plaza, Audit Committee, Member companies (3) advised by Hyperion Capital New York, New York of Nominating and Management, Inc. or by its affiliates 10006-1404 Compensation (1992-Present). Committees, Member of Age 78 Executive Committee Formerly, Senior Consultant to Cornerstone Equity Advisors, Inc. (1998-2001); Senior Consultant to Elected for Three Year Potomac Babson Inc. (1995-1998). Term/Director Since October 1993 Class III Director to serve until 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: Lewis S. Ranieri* Chairman, Elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ranieri & 3 c/o One Liberty Plaza, Annually Since June Co., Inc. (since 1988); President of LSR Hyperion New York, New York 2002 Corp., a general partner of the limited 10006-1404 partnership that is the general partner of Director, Member of Hyperion Partners L.P. ("Hyperion Partners") Age 56 Executive Committee (since 1988); Director and Chairman of the Board of Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (since June Elected for Three Year 2002); Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Term/Director Since Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (from November June 1989 1998 through June 2002) Director and Chairman of the Board of Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (1989-November 1998); Director and President of Hyperion Funding II Corp., the general partnership that is the general partner of Hyperion Partners II, L.P. (Hyperion Partners II); Chairman and President of various other direct and indirect subsidiaries of Hyperion Partners (since 1989) and Hyperion Partners II (since 1995); Chairman of the Board (1989-December 1998 and June 2002 through present) and/or Director (since 1989) of several investment companies (3) advised by Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. or by its affiliates. Formerly, Director and Chairman of Bank United Corp., and Director of Bank United (1988-2001); Director of Lend Lease Hyperion Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc. (formerly, Equitable Real Estate Hyperion Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc.) and Lend Lease Hyperion High Yield Commercial Mortgage Fund, Inc. (formerly, Equitable Real Estate Hyperion High Yield Commercial Mortgage Fund, Inc.) (1995-1999). Leo M. Walsh, Jr. Director, Chairman of Director and/or Trustee of several investment 4 c/o One Liberty Plaza, the Audit Committee, companies (3) advised by Hyperion Capital New York, New York Member of Nominating Management, Inc. or by its affiliates 10006-1404 and Compensation (1989-Present); Financial Consultant for Medco Committees Health Solutions, Inc. (formerly, Merck-Medco Age 70 Managed Care LLC) (1994-Present); Director of Elected for Three Year Lend Lease Hyperion Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Term/Director Since Inc. (formerly, Equitable Real Estate Hyperion June 1989 Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc.) and Lend Lease Hyperion High Yield CMBS Fund, Inc. (formerly, Equitable Real Estate Hyperion High Yield Commercial Mortgage Fund, Inc.) (1999-Present). __________ o Interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act, because of affiliations with Hyperion Capital Management, Inc., the Fund's Advisor. - ------------------------------- ---------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Officers of the Fund Position(s) Term of Office and Principal Occupation(s) Name, Address and Age Held with Fund Length of Time Served During Past 5 Years - ------------------------------- ---------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------- ---------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Lewis S. Ranieri* Chairman Elected Annually Since Please see "Information Concerning Directors." c/o One Liberty Plaza, June 2002 New York, New York 10006-1404 Age 56 Clifford E. Lai* President Elected Annually Since President (since November 1998) of Hyperion c/o One Liberty Plaza, April 1993 Capital Management, Inc. (March 1993-Present); New York, New York President (since June 1997) of Hyperion 2005 10006-1404 Investment Grade Opportunity Term Trust, Inc. (Senior Vice President from April 1993 to June Age 50 1997); President (since October 1995) of The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc.; Director and Chairman of the Board (since October 2000) of the Lend Lease Hyperion High-Yield CMBS Fund, Inc. Formerly, President (December 1999-October 2000) of the Lend Lease Hyperion High-Yield CMBS Fund, Inc.; Senior Vice President (November 1998-December 1999) of the Lend Lease Hyperion High-Yield Commercial Mortgage Fund, Inc; Senior Vice President (September 1995-November 1998) of the Equitable Real Estate Hyperion High-Yield Commercial Mortgage Fund, Inc. John Dolan* Vice President Elected Annually Since Chief Investment Strategist (1998-Present) and c/o One Liberty Plaza, March 1998 Chief Investment Officer (since 2002) of Hyperion New York, New York Capital Management. 10006-1404 Age 49 Patricia A. Sloan* Vice President Elected Annually Since Consultant of Ranieri & Co., Inc. (2000-Present). c/o One Liberty Plaza June 2002 Formerly Secretary, Director and/or Trustee of New York, New York several investment companies advised by Hyperion 10006-1404 Capital Management, Inc. or by its affiliates (1989-2002). Age 59 Thomas F. Doodian* Treasurer Elected Annually Since Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer (1998- c/o One Liberty Plaza, February 1998 Present) and Director of Finance and Operations, New York, New York Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (July 10006-1404 1995-Present). Treasurer of several investment companies advised by Hyperion Capital Management, Age 44 Inc. (February 1998-Present). __________ * Interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act, because of affiliations with Hyperion Capital Management, Inc., the Fund's Advisor. - ------------------------------- --------------- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Officers of the Fund Position(s) Term of Office and Principal Occupation(s) Name, Address and Age Held with Fund Length of Time Served During Past 5 Years - ------------------------------- --------------- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------- --------------- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Tropeano* Secretary Elected Annually Since Director and Compliance Officer, Hyperion Capital c/o One Liberty Plaza, June 2002 Management, Inc. (1993-Present); Secretary and New York, New York Compliance Officer of several investment companies 10006-1404 advised by Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. (1994-Present); Secretary and Compliance Officer, Age 41 Lend Lease Hyperion Capital Advisors, LLC (1995-Present); Secretary and Compliance Officer of Lend Lease Hyperion High-Yield CMBS Fund, Inc. (1998-Present). Formerly, Assistant Secretary and Compliance Officer, AIG Hyperion Inc. (1994-2002); Vice President and Compliance Officer, Hyperion Distributors, Inc. (1994-1998). __________ * Interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act, because of affiliations with Hyperion Capital Management, Inc., the Fund's Advisor. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-497-3746. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") is available to shareholders of the Fund pursuant to which they may elect to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains automatically reinvested by American Stock Transfer Company (the "Plan Agent") in additional Fund shares. Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Fund's Custodian, as Dividend Disbursing Agent. The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain distribution, payable in cash, if (1) the market price is lower than net asset value, the participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Fund shares valued at the market price determined as of the time of purchase (generally, the payment date of the dividend or distribution); or if (2) the market price of the shares on the payment date of the dividend or distribution is equal to or exceeds their net asset value, participants will be issued Fund shares at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price. This discount reflects savings in underwriting and other costs that the Fund otherwise will be required to incur to raise additional capital. If net asset value exceeds the market price of the Fund shares on the payment date or the Fund declares a dividend or other distribution payable only in cash (i.e., if the Board of Directors precludes reinvestment in Fund shares for that purpose), the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy Fund shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants' accounts. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of the Fund's shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Fund's shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund. The Fund will not issue shares under the Plan below net asset value. Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to the Plan Agent. When a participant withdraws from the Plan or upon termination of the Plan by the Fund, certificates for whole shares credited to his or her account under the Plan will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a share credited to such account. There is no charge to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gain distributions, except for certain brokerage commissions, as described below. The Plan Agent's fees for handling the reinvestment of dividends and distributions are paid by the Fund. There are no brokerage commissions charged with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions. A brochure describing the Plan is available from the Plan Agent, by calling 1-212-936-5100. If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your name, you may simply complete and mail the enrollment form in the brochure. If your shares are held in the name of your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you should ask them whether or how you can participate in the Plan. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee and are participating in the Plan may not be able to continue participating in the Plan if they transfer their shares to a different brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, since such shareholders may participate only if permitted by the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee to which their shares are transferred. INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND ADMINISTRATOR HYPERION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. One Liberty Plaza 165 Broadway, 36th Floor New York, New York 10006-1404 For General Information about the Fund: (800) HYPERION SUB-ADVISOR SEIX INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC. 300 Tice Boulevard Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 TRANSFER AGENT AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY Investor Relations Department 59 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038 For Shareholder Services: (800) 937-5449 SUB-ADMINISTRATOR STATE STREET CORP. 225 Franklin Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 CUSTODIAN AND FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT STATE STREET CORP. 225 Franklin Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 LEGAL COUNSEL SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP 1666 K Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. 20036 Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that periodically the Fund may purchase its shares of beneficial interest in the open market at prevailing market prices. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Officers & Directors - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lewis S. Ranieri Chairman Robert F. Birch* Director Rodman L. Drake* Director Garth Marston Director Emeritus Leo M. Walsh, Jr.* Director Harry E. Petersen, Jr.* Director Clifford E. Lai President Patricia A. Sloan Vice President John Dolan Vice President Thomas F. Doodian Treasurer Joseph Tropeano Secretary * Audit Committee Members - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [HYPERION LOGO] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The financial information included herein is taken from the records of the Fund without audit by the Fund's independent auditors, who do not express an opinion thereon. This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares. The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. One Liberty Plaza 165 Broadway, 36th Floor New York, NY 10006-1404 Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable. Item 5. [Reserved] Item 6. [Reserved] Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable. Item 8. [Reserved] Item 9. Controls and Procedures. (a) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective, based on their evaluation of such Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report on Form N-CSR. (b) As of the date of filing this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no significant changes in the registrant's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect such controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Item 10. Exhibits. (a) Not applicable. (b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. SIGNATURES 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. THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. By: /s/ Clifford E. Lai ------------------------- Clifford E. Lai President and Principal Executive Officer Date: August 7, 2003 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/Clifford E. Lai ------------------------------ Clifford E. Lai President and Principal Executive Officer Date: August 7, 2003 By: /s/Thomas F. Doodian ------------------------------- Thomas F. Doodian Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer Date: August 7, 2003