HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
N-30D, 1998-08-03
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                                    THE
                               H Y P E R I O N
                            TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
                               Semi-Annual Report

                                   May 31, 1998
                                  (unaudited)








- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Report of the Investment Advisor
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 20, 1998
Dear Shareholder:

We welcome  this  opportunity  to present  you with the  annual  report,  of The
Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") for its  semi-annual  period ended
May 31, 1998 and to share our outlook  for the rest of the Fund's  fiscal  year.
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  attempt  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,   asset-backed   and  high-yield   corporate
securities.


Market Environment

Prices for fixed income  securities have increased over the last six months with
interest  rates  falling an average of 25 basis  points.  A  significant  factor
contributing  to the strong  performance  of the bond market are the current low
levels of inflation in the U.S.  economy.  The Consumer  Price Index  ("CPI") in
1997  was  2.2%  versus  a 3.0% to 3.5%  range  throughout  most of the  1990's.
Although  the CPI has  increased  slightly  this year,  the Federal  Reserve has
chosen  to  keep  short  term  interest   rates   unchanged.   Asia's   economic
difficulties,  and lower global inflation,  continue to be key factors affecting
domestic fixed income market volatility and performance.  Japan, China and Korea
are all economies that impact U.S. fixed income  markets.  The weakness in these
economies is having an offsetting  influence on the strong domestic  economy and
its increased wage pressures,  giving rise to the strong performance in the U.S.
fixed income markets.

Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. ("Hyperion") continues to be optimistic on the
bond  market.  Positive  fundamentals,  such  as  an  improving  fiscal  policy,
declining government deficits, and an expectation of prolonged economic problems
in Asia are some of the major factors in place supporting Hyperion's outlook for
lower bond yields.

As a result of the current low interest rate  environment,  prepayment  risk has
increased.  A combination  of efficient  computer  technology  and greater media
publicity  has  made  mortgage  refinancing  a  potentially  common  occurrence.
Recently,  homeowners  have been made more  aware of the best time to  refinance
through more  thorough and timely news reports,  advertising  and other forms of
media.  Powerful  search  engines on the Internet  and the  public's  increasing
comfort  with  this  new  informative  tool  provide  further   opportunity  for
homeowners  to  refinance  quicker,  cheaper  and  without  many of  yesterday's
refinancing hassles. In order to reduce exposure to prepayment risk,  Hyperion's
strategy has been to increase the  allocation  of securities in the portfolio to
those  that are  structured  to  deflect  prepayment  risk and whose  underlying
collateral is less prepayment sensitive.


Portfolio Strategy and Performance

Two sectors in the  portfolio  were  adversely  impacted by  unfavorable  market
conditions;  the high yield corporate  component of the Fund, and certain credit
sensitive  asset-backed  security ("ABS")  categories.  The high yield corporate
market,  during  the last six  months,  has  suffered  what  appears  to be some
relative weakness as a function of the amount of new high-yield bonds originated
in the market.  Recent lower interest rates have prompted many more issuers than
usual to issue new debt.  This  increased  supply has caused the corporate  bond
market to  underperform  other fixed income  sectors.  We expect that,  once the
issuance  of new high  yield  debt  normalizes,  we  should  see  more  relative
performance improvement in that sector of the Fund. The other sector of the Fund
that has been  under  market  pressure  over the  last six  months  are  certain
asset-backed  security classes.  Despite the healthy,  robust economy,  consumer
delinquency levels are at historically high levels.  This is confounding,  given
the  fact  that  employment  levels  are high and the  economy  is in  excellent
condition.  However,  the  increase in consumer  delinquency  has  affected  the
asset-backed  securities market. On June 11, 1998 Congress passed the Bankruptcy
Reform Bill, making it more difficult for people to wipe out their debts,  which
is why we remain  cautious  on the  sector.  The  exposure to the ABS sector has
negatively  impacted the  portfolio.  We have lowered the  allocation to ABS and
look to reenter the market when conditions improve. This legislation should have
a positive  effect on consumer  loans in general  and,  more  specifically,  the
consumer receivables sector of the asset-backed security market.

Throughout the portfolio,  Hyperion has avoided  investments  with market prices
higher than 100% of face value.  This has included the sale of securities  whose
prices have risen significantly above that level. Given Hyperion's positive view
on interest rates, we are taking this action to attempt to preserve  shareholder
value in the event that any of the  mortgage-backed  securities in the portfolio
experience any increased prepayments.


The  Fund's  total  return,  based on Net Asset  Value for the six month  period
ending May 31, 1998 was 2.72%.  Total investment return is based upon the change
in Net Asset Value of the Fund's shares and includes  reinvestment of dividends.
The current  monthly  dividend  the Fund pays its  shareholder  is $0.06250  per
share.  The  current  yield of 8.33% on  shares of the Fund is based on the NYSE
closing price of $9.0000 on May 29, 1998.  This yield was 278 basis points above
the yield on the 5-Year  Treasury  Note which was  competitive  when compared to
other multisector-bond funds in its category.

As of the end of July,  the Fund,  inclusive  of  leverage,  was managed with an
average  duration  (duration  measures a bond portfolio's  price  sensitivity to
interest rate changes) of 5.9 years.

During the past six months, the Fund has continued its share repurchase program.
This  repurchase  program  allows the Fund to purchase and retire  shares of the
Fund in the open marketplace. Such transactions are made when the share price of
the Fund is  significantly  below the Fund's NAV. By  purchasing  the stock at a
discount to the NAV and retiring the stock,  the benefit of that spread (between
stock  purchase price and the NAV) is captured and returned to all of the Fund's
remaining shareholders. From December 1, 1997 through and including May 31,1998,
the Fund has  repurchased  and  retired  335,600  shares,  capturing  $0.0162 in
additional   NAV  per  share  or  $395,781  in  an  actual   dollar  amount  for
shareholders.


The chart that  follows  shows the  allocation  of the Fund's  holdings by asset
category on May 31, 1998.


                       THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
                   PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AS OF MAY 31, 1998 *
                                 PIE CHART

U.S. Government Agency Pass-Through Certificates                      0.8%
U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations           32.1%
U.S. Treasury Obligations                                            17.3%
Asset-Backed Securities                                              10.6%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities                                10.5%
Subordinated Collateralized Mortgage Obligations                     17.3%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations                                    3.4%
High-Yield Corporate Securities                                       7.7%
U.S. Government Stripped Mortgage-Backed Security                     0.3%

*As a percentage of total investments

Conclusion

The Fund  commits to its  shareholders  to  continue  to  actively  seek out the
significant  investment  opportunities,  and act on them in a timely fashion. As
always,  we welcome your questions and comments and encourage you to contact our
Shareholder Services Representatives at 1-800-HYPERION.

We will  continue  to do our best to  manage  the Fund so that it  achieves  its
objectives.  We appreciate the opportunity to serve your investment needs and we
thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,




CLIFFORD E. LAI
President,
The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc.
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer,
Hyperion Capital Management, Inc.




KENNETH C. WEISS
Director & Senior Vice President,
The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc.
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Hyperion Capital Management, Inc.




JOHN H. DOLAN
Vice President,
The Hyperion Total Return Fund, Inc.
Managing Director,
Hyperion Capital Management, Inc.



<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                 <C>            <C>            <C>    

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Portfolio of Investments                                                         Principal
May 31, 1998 (unaudited)                       Interest                           Amount                       Value
                                                 Rate              Maturity       (000s)                     (Note 2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATIONS - 72.7%
U.S. Government Agency Pass-Through Certificates - 1.1%
     Government National Mortgage Association
       (   Cost -$ 2,807,778   )                        8.50%      07/15/27         $ 2,687           $ 2,840,848
                                                                                                 -----------------

U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - 46.3%
   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
     Series 1643, Class PH                              5.75       07/15/23          12,000 @          11,720,700
     Series 1701, Class PH                              6.50       03/15/09          10,000            10,228,687
     Series 1675, Class KC                              6.50       10/15/10           5,750 @           5,834,711
     Series 1659, Class SD                              8.50+      01/15/09           2,234             2,346,654
     Series 1469, Class I                               8.80+      03/15/00           2,184             2,226,701
     Series 1565, Class L                               9.00+      08/15/08           2,066             2,207,526
     Series 1587, Class SK                              9.00+      10/15/08           1,857             2,009,715
     Series 1604, Class MC                              9.00+      11/15/08           5,557             6,025,443
     Series 1604, Class SB                              9.00+      11/15/08           1,084             1,167,078
     Series 1587, Class SF                              9.29+      05/15/08             928               994,451
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       44,761,666
                                                                                                 -----------------
   Federal National Mortgage Association
     Series 1993-175, Class PT                          6.00+      11/25/07          13,000            12,983,685
     Series 1994-42,  Class PG                          6.00       03/25/23          10,000 @           9,868,850
     Series 1996-21, Class PJ                           6.00       12/25/10           7,428 @           7,386,637
     Series 1994-27, Class PM                           6.50       11/25/10           7,760             7,828,504
     Series 1997-1, Class B                             6.50       02/18/04          22,000 @          22,145,941
     Series 1993-170, Class SC                          9.00       09/25/08           4,612             4,902,695
     Series 1993-48, Class C                            9.50       04/25/08           6,833             7,223,470
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       72,339,782
                                                                                                 -----------------
Total U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
       (   Cost $ 112,848,890  )                                                                      117,101,448
                                                                                                 -----------------

U.S. Government Stripped Mortgage-Backed Security - 0.4%
Interest-Only Security:
Vendee Mortgage Trust
     Series 1997-2, Class IO
       (   Cost -$ 1,336,671   )                        0.07       06/15/27          23,571             1,004,364
                                                                                                 -----------------

U.S. Treasury Obligations - 24.9%
     U.S. Treasury Notes                                5.38       02/15/01          46,100 @          45,898,359
                                                        5.50       01/31/03           6,000 @           5,979,378
                                                        6.50       08/31/01          11,000 @          11,295,636
                                                                                                 -----------------
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
       (   Cost $ 63,002,565   )                                                                       63,173,373
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
       (   Cost $ 179,995,904  )                                                                    $ 184,120,033
                                                                                                 -----------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>    

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 15.4%
Autobond Receivables Trust
     Series 1996-A, Class B (b)                        15.00       01/15/02           1,206 (a)           543,424
     Series 1996-B,  Class B (b)                       15.00       04/15/02           1,468 (a)           476,222
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,019,646
                                                                                                 -----------------

BHN I Mortgage Fund
     Series 1996-1, Class A2                            7.36       12/25/01             265               265,117
                                                                                                 -----------------

BHN II Mortgage Trust
     Series 1997-1, Class A1                            7.10+      03/25/11           1,672             1,647,509
                                                                                                 -----------------

Bosque Asset Corporation
     Asset-Backed Notes*                                7.66       06/05/02             893 (a)           896,888
                                                                                                 -----------------

CF/SPC Structured Mortgage Asset Residential Trust
     Series 1997-4, Class A                             7.85       09/15/01           1,845             1,859,225
                                                                                                 -----------------

Financial Asset Securities Corporation
     Series 1996-1, Class A (b)                        10.00       12/10/00           2,324 (a)           232,424
     Series 1996-A, Class C (b)                        11.91       09/10/01           1,287 (a)                 0
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          232,424
                                                                                                 -----------------
Franchise Loan Receivables Trust
     Series 1995, Class B                               9.63+      01/15/11           4,695 (a)         5,164,428
                                                                                                 -----------------

GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc.
     Series 1997-HE2, Class A7                          7.12       06/25/27           5,000             5,138,625
                                                                                                 -----------------

Green Tree Financial Corporation
     Series 1997, Class HEA                             7.16       03/15/28           5,000             5,132,025
     Series 1996 CTF Class M                            7.30       11/15/27           1,500             1,542,008
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        6,674,033
                                                                                                 -----------------

Health & Tennis Master Trust
     Series 1996, Class A1                              8.43       08/15/02           2,500 (a)         2,512,709
                                                                                                 -----------------

Imexsa Export Trust-Senior Structured Export 
Certificates
     Series 1996-1                                     10.13       05/31/03           4,000 (a)         4,100,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Parametric Re, Ltd.
     Series 1997-A1                                     4.30+      11/19/07             500               511,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Standard Credit Card Master Trust
     Series 1995-1, Class B                             8.45       01/07/07         $ 5,600           $ 6,236,300
                                                                                                 -----------------

Structured Mortgage Asset Residential Trust
     Series 1997-2, Class A                             8.24       03/15/06           2,633             2,652,355
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total Asset-Backed Securities
       (   Cost -  43,176,725  )                                                                       38,910,509
                                                                                                 -----------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS - 45.0%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - 5.0%
NSCOR
     Series 1997-21, Class A8                           7.00       01/25/28           8,000             8,189,629
                                                                                                 -----------------

Prudential Home Mortgage Securities Co., Inc.
     Series 1993-5, Class A8                            8.43%+     03/25/00           4,382             4,463,480
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
       (   Cost $ 12,501,448   )            48                                                         12,653,109
                                                                                                 -----------------

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities - 15.1%
Asset Securitization Corporation
     Series 1997-D5, Class PSI, IO                      1.57       02/14/41          45,689             4,935,990
     Series 1997-D5, Class A1B                          6.66       02/14/41          10,000            10,281,650
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       15,217,640
                                                                                                 -----------------
Bankers Trust Company Mortgage Investors Trust
     Series 1996-SI, Class E                           10.25       12/01/06           3,000 (a)         3,052,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corporation
     Series 1995-CF2, Class S2, IO*                     1.64       12/17/27          48,300 (a)         4,157,423
                                                                                                 -----------------

FFCA Secured Lending Corporation
     Series 1998-1, Class A 1B*                         6.73       10/18/25           4,500             4,559,063
                                                                                                 -----------------

First Chicago/Lennar Trust I
     Series 1997-CHLI, Class D                          8.11+      05/25/08           3,000 (a)         2,988,281
                                                                                                 -----------------

Mortgage Capital Funding, Inc.
     Series 1996-MC1, Class G                           7.15       06/15/06           1,559             1,484,721
                                                                                                 -----------------

Nationslink Funding Corporation
     Series 1998-1, Class G                             7.05       02/20/08           2,000             1,857,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Paine Webber Mortgage Acceptance Corporation
     Series 1995-M2, Class C                            6.90       12/01/03           5,000 (a)         5,057,155
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities
       (   Cost $ 37,899,248   )                                                                     $ 38,374,283
                                                                                                 -----------------

Subordinated Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - 24.9%
Chase Mortgage Finance Corporation
     Series 1994-D, Class B3                            6.75       02/25/25             691               640,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Countrywide Funding Corporation
     Series 1994-2, Class B2 [c]                        6.50       02/25/09             599               203,650
     Series 1995-V, Class B2                            7.25       02/25/26           1,405             1,418,377
     Series 1995-Q, Class B1                            7.50       11/25/25           2,897             2,950,420
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        4,572,447
                                                                                                 -----------------

DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corporation
     Series 1995-T10, Class C                          17.91       09/02/23           1,912 (a)         1,013,242
                                                                                                 -----------------

G3 Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd.
     Mortgage  Default Recourse*                        6.66+      05/25/08           2,000             2,002,500
     Mortgage  Default Recourse*                        6.96+      05/25/08           6,000             6,007,500
     Mortgage  Default Recourse Class C*                8.51+      05/25/08           6,500             6,500,000
     Mortgage  Default Recourse*                       25.66+      05/25/08           3,000             3,000,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       17,510,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc.
     Series 1994-2, Class B* (c)                        6.00+      01/25/09             768 (a)           268,707
     Series 1994-10, Class M                            6.50       03/25/24           5,703             5,620,871
     Series 1994-17, Class B3*                          7.00       05/25/24           1,941 (a)         1,772,540
     Series 1995-10, Class B3*                          7.00       10/25/10             665 (a)           632,252
     Series 1996-3, Class B3                            7.00       03/25/26           1,837 (a)         1,649,135
     Series 1996-9, Class B5 (c)                        7.50       06/25/26           1,299 (a)           441,779
     Series 1996-HE3, Class B4*                         8.25+      09/25/26             571 (a)           274,095
     Series 1996-HE3, Class B5* (c)                     8.25+      09/25/26             472 (a)            23,619
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       10,682,998
                                                                                                 -----------------
Headlands Mortgage Securities, Inc.
     Series 1997-4, Class B4                            7.25       11/25/27           1,537             1,350,829
                                                                                                 -----------------

Paine Webber Mortgage Acceptance Corporation
     Series 1993-9, Class B1                            7.00       10/25/23           2,952             2,507,347
                                                                                                 -----------------

Prudential Home Mortgage Securities Co., Inc.
     Series 1996-5, Class B4*                           7.25       04/25/26           1,362 (a)         1,048,494
     Series 1996-5, Class B5 (c)                        7.25       04/25/26           1,219 (a)           414,596
     Series 1996-5, Class B1                            7.25       04/25/26           3,405             3,429,216
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        4,892,306
                                                                                                 -----------------
Residential Asset Securitization Trust
     Series 1997-A2, Class B1                           7.75       04/25/27           2,422             2,493,807
                                                                                                 -----------------

Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, Inc.
     Series 1993-S49, Class B2                          6.00%      12/25/08           $ 246             $ 205,805
     Series 1996 S8, Class B1                           6.75       03/25/11             522               496,727
     Series 1996 S5, Class B1                           6.75       02/25/11             543               516,987
     Series 1994 S13, Class M 1                         7.00       05/25/24           3,814             3,856,201
     Series 1996 S13, Class B3 [c]                      7.00       05/25/11             361                83,958
     Series 1996 S13, Class B2                          7.00       05/25/11             361               309,447
     Series 1996 S17, Class B2 [c]                      7.25       07/25/11             282               243,268
     Series 1996 S17, Class B3                          7.25       07/25/11             282                65,574
     Series 1995 S12, Class B 2                         7.25       08/25/10             321               261,777
     Series 1997 S2, Class M2                           7.50       01/25/27           1,778             1,835,332
     Series 1997 S3, Class B2                           7.50       02/25/27             510               392,083
     Series 1997 S7, Class B1                           7.50       05/25/27           1,178             1,123,117
     Series 1997-S2, Class B2                           7.50       01/25/27             838               644,816
     Series 1996-S23, Class B2                          7.75       11/25/26             513               404,088
     Series 1996-S23, Class B1                          7.75       11/25/26             690               671,576
     Series 1996-S22, Class B1                          8.00       10/25/26           1,043             1,031,327
     Series 1996 S4, Class M 2                          7.25       02/25/26           2,079             2,131,212
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                       14,273,295
                                                                                                 -----------------
Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities VII
     Series 1997-HUD2, Class B5                         7.00       07/25/24           4,473             3,037,138
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total Subordinated Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
       (   Cost $ 59,594,609   )                                                                       62,973,409
                                                                                                 -----------------

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
       (   Cost $ 109,995,305  )                                                                      114,000,801
                                                                                                 -----------------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>                 <C>        <C>    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 11.1%
Aerospace and Defense - 0.2%
     BE Aerospace, Inc.                                 8.00       03/01/08             500               497,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Air Transport - 0.2%
     Atlantic Coast Airlines*                           8.75       01/01/07             478 (a)           477,057
                                                                                                 -----------------

Automotive - 0.4%
     Navistar International Corporation                 8.00       02/01/08             500               504,400
     Western Star Trucks Holdings*                      8.75       05/01/07             500 (a)           513,750
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,018,150
                                                                                                 -----------------

Beverage and Tobacco - 0.2%
     Cott Corporation                                   9.38       07/01/05             500               497,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Building & Development - 0.6%
     Ackerly Commincations Inc.                        10.75%      10/01/03           $ 500             $ 526,250
     American Standard Inc.                             7.38       02/01/08             500               485,000
     U S Home Corporation                               8.25       08/15/04             500               505,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,516,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Business Equipment & Services - 0.1%
     Cex Holdings Inc.                                  9.63       06/01/08             250               252,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Cable Television - 0.6%
     Century Communications Corportion                  9.50       03/01/05             500               537,500
     CSC Holdings Inc                                   8.13       08/15/09             500               523,125
     Rogers Cablesystems, Ltd.                          9.63       08/01/02             500               535,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,595,625
                                                                                                 -----------------
Chemicals/Plastics - 0.6%
     Buckeye Cellulose Corporation                      8.50       12/15/05             500               507,500
     Envirodyne Industries Incorporated                12.00       06/15/00             250               268,750
     ISP Holdings, Inc.                                 9.00       10/15/03             250               261,250
     Sifto Canada, Inc.                                 8.50       07/15/00             500               520,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,557,500
                                                                                                 -----------------
Clothing/Textiles - 0.4%
     Brylane Capital Corp.                             10.00       09/01/03             500               526,900
     Dyersburg Corporation*                             9.75       09/01/07             250 (a)           254,375
     Pillowtex Corporation                              9.00       12/15/07             250               261,250
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,042,525
                                                                                                 -----------------
Ecological Services & Equipment - 0.3%
     American Eco Corp.                                 9.63       05/15/08             500               503,750
     L.E.S. Inc.                                        9.25       06/01/08             250               253,750
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          757,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Electronics/Electric - 0.8%
     DII Group, Inc.*                                   8.50       09/15/07             500 (a)           496,250
     Elgar Industries Incorporated                      9.88       02/01/08             250               250,000
     Mark IV Industries, Inc.                           7.75       04/01/06             750               764,850
     Tracor, Inc.                                       8.50       03/01/07             500               541,250
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        2,052,350
                                                                                                 -----------------
Equipment Leasing - 0.3%
     Coinmach Corporation                              11.75       11/15/05             250               281,250
     Rental Services Corp.                              9.00       05/15/08             500               500,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          781,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Financial Services - 0.2%
     United Companies Financial Corporation             7.00       07/15/98             500               500,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Food Service - 0.4%
     Apple South Inc.                                   9.75%      06/01/06           $ 500             $ 535,000
     Host Marriot Travel Plaza                          9.50       05/15/05             500               528,125
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,063,125
                                                                                                 -----------------

Forest Products - 0.1%
     Doman Industries Limited*                          9.25       11/15/07             250 (a)           251,563
                                                                                                 -----------------

Healthcare - 0.3%
     Paragon Corporate Holdings, Inc.                   9.63       04/01/08             250               240,000
     Rural/Metro Corporation                            7.88       03/15/08             500               501,250
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          741,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Home Furnishings - 0.3%
     Ekco Group, Inc.                                   9.25       04/01/06             500               520,000
     Home Products International Inc.                   9.63       05/15/08             250               251,250
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          771,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Hotels/Motels/Inns and Casinos - 0.2%
     HMC Acquisition Properties Inc.                    9.00       12/15/07             500               542,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Industrial Equipment - 0.2%
     Columbus McKinnon Corporation                      8.50       04/01/08             495               488,812
                                                                                                 -----------------

Insurance - 0.2%
     Americo Life, Inc.                                 9.25       06/01/05             500               515,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Leisure - 0.6%
     Leslie's Poolmart, Inc.*                          10.38       07/15/04             500 (a)           527,500
     Premier Parks Incorporated                         9.25       04/01/06             500               508,125
     Speedway MotorSports, Inc.                         8.50       08/15/07             350               361,375
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,397,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Medical Equipment - 0.2%
     Prime Medical Services, Inc.                       8.75       04/01/08             500               490,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Nonferrous Metals/Minerals - 0.3%
     Easco Corporation                                 10.00       03/15/01             250               255,937
     P & L Coal Holdings Corp.                          8.88       05/15/08             500               513,125
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                          769,062
                                                                                                 -----------------

Oil & Gas - 0.8%
     Pogo Producing Company                             8.75       05/15/07             500               511,250
     Proffitt's, Inc.                                   8.13       05/15/04             500               530,100
     Synder Oil Corporation                             8.75       06/15/07             500               508,125
     Trico Marine Services, Inc.                        8.50       08/01/05             500               500,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        2,049,475
                                                                                                 -----------------

Publishing - 0.1%
     Sun Media Corp.                                    9.50%      02/15/07           $ 250             $ 265,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Retailers (Other than Food/Drug) - 0.1%
     Specialty Retailers                                8.50       07/15/05             250               257,500
                                                                                                 -----------------

Steel - 0.5%
     Bayou Steel Corporation                           10.25       03/01/01             250               258,550
     Inland Steel Company                               7.90       01/15/07             500               501,250
     Ryerson Tull, Inc.                                 9.13       07/15/06             500               555,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,314,800
                                                                                                 -----------------
Surface Transport - 0.5%
     Allied Holdings Inc.*                              8.63       10/01/07             250 (a)           252,500
     Moran Transportation Company                      11.75       07/15/04             250               278,125
     Newport News Shipbuilding, Inc.                    8.63       12/01/06             250               262,500
     Viking Star Shipping, Inc.                         9.63       07/15/03             496               510,880
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,304,005
                                                                                                 -----------------
Telecommunications/Mobile, Cellular - 0.8%
     Centennial Corporation                             8.88       11/01/01             500               521,250
     Level 3 Communications, Inc.                       9.13       05/01/08             250               242,500
     MasTec, Incorporated                               7.75       02/01/08             500               477,500
     Rogers Cantel                                      9.38       06/01/08             250               258,750
     Rural Cellular                                     9.63       05/15/08             250               250,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,750,000
                                                                                                 -----------------

Transportation - 0.2%
     Offshore Logistics Corporation                     7.88       01/15/08             500               496,250
                                                                                                 -----------------

Utilities - 0.4%
     California Energy Corporation                      9.88       06/30/03             500               542,500
     El Paso Electric Company                           8.90       02/01/06             500               555,000
                                                                                                 -----------------
                                                                                                        1,097,500
                                                                                                 -----------------
Total Corporate Obligations
       (   Cost $ 27,445,906   )                                                                       28,109,799
                                                                                                 -----------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Investments - 144.2%
        (   Cost$-360,613,840  )                                                                      365,141,142
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (44.2%)                                                      (111,781,494)
                                                                                                 -----------------

NET ASSETS - 100.0%                                                                                 $ 253,359,648
                                                                                                 =================
</TABLE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

             @ - Portion of or entire principal amount delivered as collateral
                 for reverse repurchase agreements. (Note 6)
             + - Variable Rate Security: Coupon rate is rate in effect at May 
                 31, 1998
             * - Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the 
                 Securities Act of 1933.  These securities
                  may  be  resold  in  transactions  exempt  from  registration,
           normally to qualified  institutional  buyers. (a) - Private Placement
           (b) -  Security  valued in good faith by or at the  direction  of the
           Board of Directors (c) - First Loss Bonds
            IO   - Interest Only Security-Interest rate and principal amount are
                 based on the notional amount of the underlying mortgage pools.
- -----------------
See notes to financial statements.


<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>    



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 31, 1998 (unaudited)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assets:
Investments, at value (cost $360,613,840) (Note 2)................$........365,141,142
Interest receivable..........................................................4,152,618
Principal paydowns receivable..................................................676,922
Prepaid expenses...............................................................244,231
                                                                    -------------------
          Total assets.....................................................370,214,913
                                                                    -------------------

Liabilities:
Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 5).....................................116,183,375
Payable for fund shares repurchased............................................358,700
Interest payable (Note 5)......................................................196,160
Bank Overdraft..................................................................33,709
Accrued expenses and other liabilities..........................................83,321
                                                                    -------------------
          Total liabilities................................................116,855,265
                                                                    -------------------

Net Assets (equivalent to $10.50 per share based on
          24,119,815 shares outstanding)..........................$........253,359,648
                                                                    ===================

Composition of Net Assets:
Capital stock, at par (Note 6)....................................$............241,198
Additional paid-in capital (Note 6)........................................270,219,288
Undistributed net investment income............................................263,508
Accumulated net realized losses............................................(21,891,648)
Net unrealized appreciation..................................................4,527,302
                                                                    -------------------
Net assets applicable to capital stock outstanding................$........253,359,648

                                                                    ===================
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.




<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>    


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 1998 (unaudited)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investment Income (Note 2):
        Interest..................................................................$........13,809,949
                                                                                    -----------------

Expenses:
        Investment advisory fee (Note 3)......................................................832,240
        Administration fee (Note 3)...........................................................256,074
        Insurance..............................................................................75,116
        Custodian..............................................................................34,328
        Transfer agency........................................................................37,422
        Reports to shareholders................................................................34,664
        Accounting and tax services............................................................28,637
        Directors' fees and expenses...........................................................22,991
        Registration fees......................................................................16,375
        Legal...................................................................................9,951
        Miscellaneous...........................................................................7,549
                                                                                    -----------------
                Total operating expenses....................................................1,355,347
                       Interest expense (Note 5)............................................3,116,303
                                                                                    -----------------
                Total expenses..............................................................4,471,650
                                                                                    ------------------
        Net investment income...............................................................9,338,299
                                                                                    -----------------

Realized and Unrealized Losses on Investment
    Transactions (Notes 2 and 4):
Net realized losses on investment transactions.............................................(1,597,216)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments.......................................(2,441,317)
                                                                                    ------------------

Net realized and unrealized losses on investment transactions..............................(4,038,533)
                                                                                    ------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations..............................$.........5,299,766
                                                                                    ==================

See notes to financial statements.

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>                      <C>    


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets                                              For the Six
                                                                                Months Ended                  For the Year
                                                                                   May 31,                       Ended
                                                                                    1998                      November 30,
                                                                                 (unaudited)                      1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations:
    Net investment income..................................................$...........9,338,299         $         19,089,797
    Net realized (losses) gains on investments and futures transactions...............(1,597,216)                   2,150,264
    Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments                              (2,441,317)                   2,075,944
                                                                             --------------------          ------------------
    Net increase in net assets resulting from operations...............................5,299,766                   23,316,005
                                                                             --------------------          -------------------

Dividends to Shareholders:
    Net investment income.............................................................(9,108,503)                 (21,249,957)
                                                                             --------------------          -------------------

Capital Stock Transactions (Note 6):
     Cost of Fund shares repurchased and retired......................................(3,159,480)                  (2,851,597)
                                                                             --------------------          -------------------

               Total decrease in net assets...........................................(6,968,217)                    (785,549)

Net Assets:
Beginning of period..................................................................260,327,865                   261,113,414
                                                                             --------------------          -------------------
End of period (including undistributed net investment income of
     $263,508 and $33,712, respectively)...................................$.........253,359,648         $         260,327,865
                                                                             ====================          ===================

</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>    

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 1998 (unaudited)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:

Cash flows provided by operating activities:
    Interest received (excluding net amortization of $29,082)................$...........13,375,690
    Interest expense paid................................................................(3,147,974)
    Operating expenses paid..............................................................(1,770,541)
    Proceeds from sale of short-term portfolio investments, net...........................2,590,000
    Purchase of long-term portfolio investments........................................(145,344,938)
    Proceeds from disposition of long-term portfolio investments and
      principal paydowns ...............................................................153,656,877
                                                                               ---------------------
    Net cash provided by operating activities............................................19,359,114
                                                                               ---------------------

Cash flows used for financing activities:
    Cash used to repurchase and retire Fund shares.......................................(2,800,780)
    Net cash used for reverse repurchase agreements......................................(5,956,125)
    Cash dividends paid.................................................................(10,636,881)
                                                                               ---------------------
    Net cash used for financing activities..............................................(19,393,786)
                                                                               ---------------------

Net decrease in cash........................................................................(34,672)
Cash at beginning of period.....................................................................963
                                                                               ---------------------
Cash at end of period........................................................$..............(33,709)
                                                                               =====================

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.........................$............5,299,766
                                                                               ---------------------
    Decrease in investments..............................................................11,779,566
    Decrease in net unrealized appreciation on investments................................2,441,317
    Increase in interest receivable........................................................(202,177)
    Decrease in other assets..............................................................4,058,260
    Decrease in other liabilities...........................................             (4,017,618)
                                                                               ---------------------
            Total adjustments............................................................14,059,348
                                                                               ---------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities....................................$...........19,359,114
                                                                               =====================
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>             <C>                <C>    



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Highlights                              For the Six
                                                 Months Ended    For the Year      For the Year      For the Year     For the Year
                                                   May 31,          Ended             Ended              Ended          Ended
                                                    1998         November 30,      November 30,    November 30,       November 30,
                                                 (unaudited)        1997              1996              1995               1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Per Share Operating Performance:

Net asset value, beginning of period.............$......10.64.   $....10.55.$....   ..10.61.$         9.56 $            10.59
                                                      --------     ---------        --------     ----------     --------------
Net investment income....................................0.38..........0.77....    ....0.95......     0.92               1.07
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on 
investment and futures transactions....................(0.16)..... ....0.16.....   ...(0.11).....     1.13              (1.10)
                                                      --------     ---------        --------     ----------     --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value 
resulting from operations.......................... .....0.22... ......0.93.....   ....0.84...........2.05..            (0.03)
                                                   -   -------     ---------        --------     ----------     --------------

Net effect of shares repurchased.........................0.02..........0.02......         -...........   -               0.01

Dividends from net investment income....................(0.38)........(0.86)....   ...(0.90).........(1.00).............(1.01)
                                                       --------     ---------     --------     ----------     --------------

Net asset value, end of period...................$......10.50.$.......10.64.$.   .....10.55.$....    10.61 $             9.56
                                                       ========     =========     ========     ==========     ==============

Market price, end of period......................$.......9.00.$........9.312$.......9.375$....     9.00 $             8.50
                                                       ========     =========     ========     ==========     ==============

Total Investment Return +...............................(2.03)%(1)........8.64%.......14.97%         17.45%             (7.93)%

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplementary Data:

Net assets, end of period (000's).........      ......$.253,360....$..260,328....$..261,113    $  263,022    $       237,208
Operating expenses ......................................1.06%(2).... ..1.05%.........1.08%         1.07%              1.09%
Interest expense.........................................2.43%(2).......2.46%.........2.34%......   2.24%              1.75%
Total expenses...........................................3.49%(2).......3.51%.........3.42%......   3.31%              2.84%
Net investment income....................................7.29%(2).......7.45%.........9.26%...      9.18%             10.63%
Portfolio turnover rate.................................   40%........ ..109%..........227%......... 320%               234%

</TABLE>

- ----------------

+   Total  investment  return is computed based upon the New York Stock Exchange
    market price of the Fund's shares and excludes the effects of sales loads or
    brokerage commissions.
(1) Not Annualized
(2) Annualized


See notes to financial statements.






- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Notes to Financial Statements
May 31, 1998 (unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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,  Fund
securities  are  valued  based  upon the  current  bid  price.  The Fund  values
mortgage-backed  securities  ("MBS") and other debt  securities for which market
quotations  are not readily  available 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.

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 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.

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 adjust the  portfolio  for
fluctuations  in value 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 secondary market.

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 certain securities are
accreted and amortized using the effective yield to maturity method.

Taxes:  It is the Fund's  intention  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  and  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 and Administration Agreements and Transactions
with Affiliates:

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.

The Advisor has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with Pacholder Associates,
Inc. ("Pacholder").  Under the terms of the agreement, Pacholder 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 will
pay,  out of its  advisory  fee, a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.35% 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 has entered into a
sub-administration   agreement  with  Investors  Capital  Services,   Inc.  (the
"Sub-Administrator").    The   Administrator   and   Sub-Adminstrator    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 provides 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.

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, 1998 were $60,500,442 and $67,262,690, respectively. Purchases and
sales of U.S. Government securities,  for the six months ended May 31, 1998 were
$81,566,273 and $77,176,956,  respectively.  For purposes of this footnote, U.S.
Government  securities  include  securities  issued  by the U.S.  Treasury,  the
Federal  Home  Loan  Mortgage  Corporation,  the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.


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,  1998,  the  Fund had the  following  reverse  repurchase  agreements
outstanding:

                                                      Maturity in
                                                    Zero to 30 Days
Maturity Amount, Including Interest Payable        $    116,453,190
Market Value of Assets Sold
   Under Agreements..............                  $    116,721,515
Weighted Average Interest Rate
                                                              5.52%
- ------------------------------------------------- --------------------

The average daily balance of reverse  repurchase  agreements  outstanding during
the year  ended May 31,  1998,  was  approximately  $110,015,420  at a  weighted
average  interest  rate of  5.68%.  The  maximum  amount of  reverse  repurchase
agreements  outstanding  at any time  during  the year was  $131,552,750,  as of
January 14, 1998, which was 33.26% of total assets.

6.   Capital Stock:

There are 50 million shares of $0.01 par value common stock  authorized.  Of the
24,119,815 shares outstanding at May 31, 1998, the Advisor owned 8,334 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
shares,  are  authorized for  repurchase.  The purchase price may not exceed the
then-current net asset value.

As of May 31,  1998,  858,500  shares  have been  repurchased  pursuant  to this
program at a cost of  $7,850,103  and at an average  discount of 12.27% from its
net asset value. For the six months ended May 31, 1998, 335,600 shares have been
repurchased  at a cost of $3,159,480  and at an average  discount of 11.43% from
its net asset value.  For the year ended November 30, 1997,  522,900 shares were
repurchased at a cost of $4,690,560 and at an average discount of 6.23% from its
net asset value. All shares repurchased have been or will be retired.

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 and
futures  contracts  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.

There were no open futures contracts at May 31, 1998.

There was no written option activity for the year ended May 31, 1998.



g-FootNotes598htr.DOC - 16
HTR - 07/17/98 06:19 PM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        PROXY RESULTS (unaudited)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the six months ended May 31, 1998, The Hyperion  Total Return Fund,  Inc.
shareholders voted on the following proposals at a shareholders meeting on April
21, 1998.  The  description  of each  proposal and number of shares voted are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                      <C>               <C>    

- ------------------------------------------ --------------------- ----------------- -------------------

                                                                   Shares Voted       Shares Voted
                                                                       For         Without Authority
- ------------------------------------------ --------------------- ----------------- -------------------

1.   To elect the Fund's Board of          Rodman L. Drake          19,407,837              477,405
Directors:
                                           Harry E Petersen, Jr     14,402,286              482,956

- ------------------------------------------ --------------------- ----------------- -------------------
</TABLE>



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    YEAR 2000 CHALLENGE (unaudited)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Fund could be  adversely  affected if computers  used by the Fund's  service
providers do not properly process  information  dated January 1, 2000 and after.
The Fund's  service  providers  are taking steps to address Year 2000 risks with
respect to computer  systems on which the Fund depends.  At this time,  however,
there can be no  assurance  that  these  steps will be  sufficient  to avoid any
adverse impact on the Fund.


                        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 State Street Bank and Trust 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,  State Street
Bank and Trust Company, by calling 1-800-426-5523.

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.



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
Selected Quarterly Financial Data
(unaudited)


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>             <C>            <C>     <C>    <C>       <C>



                                         Per Share
                   ---------------------------------
                     Net   Realized   Unrealized
                   InvestmentGain    Gain    Dividend/                 Market Price       NAV        Volume   
                                                         ---------------------     ---------------
Quarter Ended      Income   (Loss)  (Loss)  Distribution      High         Low      High    Low      (000s)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 28, 1991       $0.29    $0.01   $0.12  $(0.30)     $11        $9 5/8    $10.91  $10.70     3,040
May 31, 1991             0.32     0.02    0.16   (0.30)      11 1/4    10 1/8     11.12   10.86     4,287
August 31, 1991          0.30    (0.06)   0.26   (0.30)      11 5/8    10 3/4     11.32   11.06     2,469
November 30, 1991        0.33    (0.18)   0.28   (0.20)      12        11 3/8     11.50   11.29     2,674
February 29, 1992        0.30     0.34    0.59   (0.34)      12        11         11.46   10.94     4,012
May 31, 1992             0.30    (0.35)   0.15   (0.30)      12 1/4    11 1/8     11.07   10.86     2,843
August 31, 1992          0.30    (0.19)   0.29   (0.30)      12 1/8    11 1/8     11.12   10.91     3,539
November 30, 1992        0.29    (0.27)   0.03   (0.29)      11 7/8    11 3/8     11.15   10.76     2,120
February 28, 1993        0.28    (0.11)   0.03   (0.29)      12        11         10.89   10.77     2,104
May 31, 1993             0.28     0.08   (0.19)  (0.38)      12        10 3/4     10.69   10.56     2,349
August 31, 1993          0.25     0.07    0.16   (0.28)      11 7/8    10 1/2     10.86   10.62     4,997
November 30, 1993        0.26    (0.08)  (0.17)  (0.19)      11         9 7/8     10.81   10.60     3,673
February 28, 1994        0.26    (0.23)   0.14   (0.35)      10 7/8    10         10.66   10.48     2,591
May 31, 1994             0.29    (0.22)  (0.35)  (0.26)      10 5/8     9         10.36    9.85     1,898
August 31, 1994          0.29    (0.09)   0.03   (0.24)       9 1/4     8 1/2      9.98    9.87     2,249
November 30, 1994        0.23    (0.09)  (0.29)  (0.16)       8 7/8     7 5/8      9.81    9.53     2,879
February 28, 1995        0.23    (0.16)   0.42   (0.35)       8 7/8     8          9.70    9.40     2,405
May 31, 1995             0.23     0.18    0.37   (0.22)       9         8 1/2     10.18    9.69     1,565
August 31, 1995          0.23     0.18   (0.22)  (0.22)       9  3/8    8 3/8     10.37   10.04     2,129
November 30, 1995        0.23     0.21    0.15   (0.21)       9 1/8     8 5/8     10.61   10.23     1,698
February 28, 1996        0.25     0.17   (0.38)  (0.24)       9 5/8     9         10.78   10.41     2,217
May 31, 1996             0.25    (0.09)  (0.40)  (0.21)       9 1/4     8 3/8     10.45    9.99     2,068
August 31,1996           0.23    (0.12)   0.10   (0.23)       9 1/4     8 1/4     10.26    9.83     2,190
November 30, 1996        0.22     0.08    0.52   (0.22)       9 1/2     8 7/8     10.55   10.01     1,334
February 28, 1997        0.18     0.09   (0.27)  (0.23)       9 5/8     9 1/8     10.52   10.25     1,664
May 31, 1997             0.20     0.02   (0.11)  (0.22)       9 1/4     9 5/8     10.31   10.03     1,819
August 31,1997           0.18     0.07    0.19   (0.21)       9 15/16   9 1/2     10.60   10.25     1,922
November 30, 1997        0.21    (0.10)   0.27   (0.20)       9 3/4     9 3/16    10.72   10.41     3,292
February 28, 1998        0.20    (0.08)  (0.06)  (0.19)       9 5/8     9 3/8     10.80   10.52     2,650
May 31, 1998             0.19     0.02   (0.04)  (0.19)       9 7/16    8  13/16  10.53   10.41     1,815
                   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND ADMINISTRATOR        TRANSFER AGENT

HYPERION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.           BOSTON EQUISERVE L.P.
One Liberty Plaza                           Investor Relations Department
165 Broadway, 36th Floor                    P.O. Box 8200
New York, New York 10006-1404               Boston, Massachusetts  02266-8200
For General Information about the Fund:     For Shareholder Services:
(800) HYPERION                              (800) 426-5523

SUB-ADVISOR                                 INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

PACHOLDER ASSOCIATES, INC.                  PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS  LLP
Towers of Kenwood                           1177 Avenue of the Americas
8044 Montgomery Road                        New York, New York  10036
Suite 382
Cincinnati, Ohio  45236                     LEGAL COUNSEL

CUSTODIAN                                   SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
                                            1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY         Washington, D.C. 20036
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116


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

Rodman L. Drake*
Director

Garth Marston
Director Emeritus

Leo M. Walsh, Jr.*                                                     
Director                                                               

Harry E. Petersen, Jr.*
Director

Kenneth C. Weiss
Director & Senior Vice President

Patricia A. Sloan
Director & Secretary

Garth Marston
Director Emeritus

Clifford E. Lai
President

John H. Dolan
Vice President

Patricia A. Botta
Vice President


* Audit Committee Members

- ------------------------------------


The accompanying  financial  statements as of May 31, 1998 were not audited and,
accordingly, no opinion is expressed on them.

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


<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000851169
<NAME> HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 0
   <NAME> HYPERION TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           360614
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          365141
<RECEIVABLES>                                     4830
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     244
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  370215
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       116855
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             116855
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        270460
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                            24120
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            24456
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          264
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (21892)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          4527
<NET-ASSETS>                                    253360
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                13810
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    4472
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           9338
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        (1597)
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       (2441)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             5300
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                         9109
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        336
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          (6968)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                             34
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      (20294)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              832
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3116
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   4472
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            256785
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.64
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   0.38
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (0.14)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (0.38)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.50
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.06
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                          110015
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                              4.53
        


</TABLE>


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