SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrantx

Filed by Party other than the Registrant¨

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Preliminary proxy statement

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Definitive proxy statement

¨

Definitive additional materials

¨

Soliciting materials pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Kenneth I. Denos, 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, TX 77019

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

xNo fee required.

 

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¨Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing fee for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

December 29, 2006

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

A Special Meeting of Stockholders of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”), will be held at 2777 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019, on January 31, 2007 at 9:00 AM, Central Standard time to approve: (i) a proposal to allow the Fund to sell additional shares or rights to acquire shares at a market price that may be below net asset value and (ii) a proposal to increase the authorized shares of common stock from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000.

The Board has unanimously approved these proposals and as C.E.O., I view them to be important steps that are in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders.

I believe that the measures will enhance stockholder value in several ways since, in my view, they should:

Provide capital for the Fund to take advantage of greater investment opportunities and participate in investments at a more meaningful level;
Enable the Fund to generate additional earnings and hopefully grow the Fund’s regular quarterly dividend recently established by the Board;
Increase the liquidity of the Fund’s shares, which may provide better execution of trades and attract more institutional investors; and
Provide growth opportunities to the Fund that should be reflected in its market price and may reduce the discount of the market price to the net asset value per share.

During the last eighteen months, the Fund has realized significant gains from the sale of certain of its portfolio companies while making new investments in companies with prospects for future gains. We will strive to continue this trend. Your approval in August 2006 for the change to a total return investment strategy has permitted the Fund to seek investments that are capable of providing current income as well as capital gains. We believe that approval of these proposed measures should allow the Fund to continue the process of seeking attractive returns while adhering to prudent risk management policies.

Please review these proxy solicitation materials and complete and return the proxy card as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may vote by telephone or via the Internet.

It is very important that you vote and that your voting instructions be received no later than January 30, 2007. These proposals require a majority vote of stockholders and, in the case of Proposal 1, a majority vote of stockholders who are not affiliated persons of the Fund. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if you hold shares in “street name” through an intermediary, such as a broker, bank or other nominee, the intermediary will not be permitted to vote your shares unless given specific instructions with respect to the proposals.

If you have any questions after considering the enclosed material, please call 800-330-8705 (per the proxy card).

Anthony R. Moore

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman

WORTHAM TOWER

2727 ALLEN PARKWAY

THIRTEENTH FLOOR

HOUSTON, TX 77019

TEL: (713) 529-0900

FAX: (713) 529-9545


EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.LOGO

Notice of Specialthe 2007

Annual Meeting of Stockholders of

Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”)

 

Meeting Date: January 31,June 14, 2007
Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m., CDT
Location: 

Plaza IMeeting Room Plaza2, Ground Level

 

Riviana Building

Wortham Tower
 27772727 Allen Parkway
 Houston, Texas 77019

Agenda

 

To approveelect 9 directors, each for a proposal to authorize the Fund to offerterm of one year; and sell, or to issue rights to acquire, shares of its common stock at a price below the net asset value of such stock;

 

To approve the amendment of the Fund’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000 shares; and

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.annual meeting.

Voting

All holders of record of shares of the Fund’s common stock (NYSE: EQS) at the close of business on December 8, 2006April 23, 2007 (the “Record Date”), or their legal proxy holders, are entitled to vote at the meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

Please submit a proxy as soon as possible so that your shares can be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. You may submit your proxy by mail, by telephone or via the Internet.mail. For specific instructions, please refer to the Questions and Answers in this proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy card.

We are distributing this proxy statement and proxy cardform to stockholders on or about January 3,May 1, 2007.

By order of the Board of Directors,

By order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO

KENNETH I. DENOS

Secretary

December 29, 2006KENNETH I. DENOS

Secretary

April 25, 2007

Houston, Texas

WORTHAM TOWER

2727 ALLEN PARKWAY

THIRTEENTH FLOOR

HOUSTON, TX 77019

TEL: (713) 529-0900

FAX: (713) 529-9545


EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

PROXY STATEMENT

 


This proxy statement contains information relating to the specialannual meeting of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the(“EQS” or the “Fund”) to. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 31,Thursday, June 14, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time,Central Daylight Time, at Plaza IMeeting Room Plaza2, Ground Level, Riviana Building, 2777Wortham Tower, 2727 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019, and at any adjournmentspostponement or postponements thereof, and is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by ouradjournment thereof. The Board of Directors (the “Board” and each member, a “Director”)is sending stockholders this proxy statement to solicit proxies to be voted at the specialannual meeting. This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card areIt is being mailed to stockholders on or about January 3,May 1, 2007.

ABOUT THE MEETING

What areis the purposespurpose of the specialannual meeting?

At the specialannual meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve a proposal to authorizeact upon the election of directors (see Proposal 1). In addition, the Fund’s management will report on the performance of the Fund during 2006 and respond to offer and sell, or to issue rights to acquire, shares of its common stock at a price below the net asset value of such stock (see Proposal 1), and to approve a proposal to amend the Fund’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stockquestions from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000 shares (see Proposal 2).stockholders.

What isare the Board’s recommendation?recommendations?

The Board recommends a vote “For” the election of the nominated slate of directors (see Proposal 1). Unless you give other instructions on your signed proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendationrecommendations of the Board. The Board recommends a voteforapproval of each Proposal.

With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in accordance with their own discretion.

What vote is required to approve the Proposals?election of directors?

Approval of Proposal 1 requires theThe affirmative vote of the holders of:

A majoritya plurality of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities; and

A majorityvotes cast at the meeting is required for the election of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities that are not owned by affiliated persons of the Fund.

Approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote thereon.

directors. A properly executed proxy marked “Abstain”Withheld with respect to a Proposalthe election of one or more directors will not be voted in favor ofFor” the director or against such matter, butdirectors indicated, although it will be treated as present andcounted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. The nine persons receiving the highest number of “For” votes will have the effect of a vote “Against” the Proposal.be elected.

Broker Non-Votes. Under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules, Proposals 1 and 2 are non-routine matters. As a result, ifNon-Votes. If you hold shares in “street name” through a broker, bank, or other nominee, your broker, bank, or nominee willnotmay be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to Proposals 1 or 2.the matters to be acted upon. Thus, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, with respect to Proposals 1 or 2, your shares may havewill be voted “For” election of the effect of a vote “Against” such Proposal.director nominees.

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Adjournment.Adjournment. The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of the Fund, present in person or represented by proxy, although not constituting a quorum, may adjourn the meeting. If a vote is required to adjourn the meeting, the persons named as proxy holdersproxies will vote those proxies for such adjournment, unless marked to be voted against the Proposalproposal for which an adjournment is sought.

How are votes counted?

For each Proposal,In the election of directors, you may vote “For,For“Against,all of the nominees or your vote may be “Withheldwith respect to one or “Abstain.” If you “Abstain,” it hasmore of the same effect as a vote “Against.”nominees. If you sign your proxy card or broker voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

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Who is entitled to vote at the meeting?

If you owned shares of the Fund aton the close of business on December 8, 2006 (the “Record Date”),Record Date, you are entitled to receive notice of and to participate in the specialannual meeting. A list of stockholders on the Record Date will be available for inspection at the Fund’s office at 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas for ten days before the special meeting.

What are the voting rights of holders of the Fund’s common stock?

You may cast one vote per share of the Fund’s common stock that you held on the Record Date on each itemproposal considered at the specialannual meeting. These shares include shares that are: (1) held directly in your name as the stockholder of record and (2) held for you as the beneficial owner through a stockbroker, bank, or other nominee.

Who can attend the special meeting?

All stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the special meeting. Each stockholder may be asked to present valid identification. Cameras, recording devices, and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the special meeting.

Please note that if you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a broker, bank, or other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the Record Date.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum, thus permitting the meeting to conduct its business. As of the Record Date, 8,163,6918,216,899 shares of the Fund’s common stock, representing the same number of votes, were outstanding.

Proxies received but marked as abstentions or withheld and broker non-votes that are voted on any matter will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

Many stockholders of the Fund hold their shares through a stockbroker, bank or, other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

Stockholder of Record. Record.If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Fund’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by the Fund. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Fund or to vote in person at the specialannual meeting. We have enclosed a proxy card for you to use.

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Beneficial Owner. Owner.If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote and are also invited to attend the specialannual meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the specialannual meeting. Your broker or nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker or nominee regarding how to vote your shares. Please bear in mind that the processing of proxies tendered by beneficial holders requires an extra step, thus, in order to ensure your response is counted, you should return your response as soon as possible.

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How can I vote my shares in person at the specialannual meeting?

Shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted in person at the specialannual meeting. If you choose to do so, please bring the enclosed proxy card or proof of identification. Even if you plan to attend the specialannual meeting, we recommend that you vote your shares in advance as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the specialannual meeting. Shares held in street name may be voted in person by you only if you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares.

How can I vote my shares without attending the specialannual meeting?

Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote without attending the specialannual meeting by completing and mailing ayour proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed pre-paid envelope. Alternatively, you may be able to vote by telephone or via the Internet. Please refer to the enclosed materials for details.

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

Yes. You may change your proxy instructions at any time prior to the vote at the specialannual meeting. You may accomplish this by granting a new proxy card or new voting instruction card bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy instructions) or by attending the specialannual meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the specialannual meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy or voting instruction card?

It means your shares are registered differently or are in more than one account. Please provide voting instructions for all proxy and voting instruction cards you receive.

Where can I find the voting results of the specialannual meeting?

We will announce preliminary voting results at the specialannual meeting assuming there is no adjournment. We will alsoand publish the final results in a press release and Form 8-K and in our annualquarterly report on Form 10-K10-Q for the yearquarter ended December 31, 2006.June 30, 2007.

Who can I call if I have a question?

If you have any questions about this proxy statement, please call (800) 330-8705us at 713-529-0900 between 10:9:00 a.m. and 10:5:00 p.m., Eastern StandardCentral Daylight Time, Monday through Friday.

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

Who are the largest owners of the Fund’s stock?

Based on a review of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Fund is aware of two beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s common stock: (i) MCC Europe Limited (“MCCE”), Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. (“MCC”), Anthony R. Moore and Sharon Clayton as a group and (ii) Sam P. Douglass.

How much stock do the Fund’s Directorsdirectors and executive officers own?

The following table shows the amount of the Fund’s common stock beneficially owned (unless otherwise indicated) as of November 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, by (1) any person known to the Fund to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s common stock, (2) each Director,director/director nominee of the Fund, (3) each named executive officer, and (3) all directors/director nominees and executive officers and Directors as a group.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, Director,director/director nominee, or executive officer is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the entity or individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the entity or individual had the right to acquire as of November 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, or within 60 days after November 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge each individual has sole investment and voting power, or shares such powers with his spouse, with respect to the shares set forth in the table.

 

Name

 Sole
Voting and
Investment
Power
 Other
Beneficial
Ownership
 Total Percent of
Class
Outstanding(1)
   Sole
Voting and
Investment
Power
 Other
Beneficial
Ownership
 Total  Percent of
Class
Outstanding(1)
 

MCC Europe Limited, (“MCCE”)
Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc., (“MCC”)
Anthony R. Moore,
Sharon Clayton
(2)

 1,463,013(3) —    1,463,013 18.0%

MCCE, MCC, Anthony R. Moore, Sharon Clayton(2)

  1,463,013(3) —    1,463,013  17.8%

Sam P. Douglass(4)

 22,815  428,381(5) 451,196 5.6%  22,815  428,381(5) 451,196  5.49%

Richard F. Bergner

 —    —    —   —     —    —    —    —   

Charles M. Boyd, M.D.

 1,067  —    1,067 *   1,098  —    1,098  * 

Alan D. Feinsilver

 20,000  —    20,000 *   20,309  —    20,309  * 

Gregory J. Flanagan

 12,000  —    12,000 *   12,000  —    12,000  * 

Henry W. Hankinson

 —    —    —   —     —    —    —    —   

Robert L. Knauss

 2,389  683(6) 3,072 *   2,420  702(6) 3,122  * 

Dr. Francis D. Tuggle

 6,000  —    6,000 *   6,093  —    6,093  * 

All Directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)

 1,541,442  429,064  1,970,506 24.3%

L’Sheryl D. Hudson(7)

  —    —    —    —   

All directors/director nominees and executive officers as a group (14 persons)

  1,541,907  429,083  1,970,990  23.99%

*Indicates less than one percent.
(1)Based on 8,106,3658,216,899 shares of the Fund’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, outstanding as of November 30, 2006.March 31, 2007. There are no options, warrants, rights or conversion privileges outstanding with respect to the Fund’s common stock.

(2)

The address of MCCE is 14 Hay’s Mews, London W1J 5PT, United Kingdom. The address of MCC is 10757 South River Front Parkway, Suite 125, South Jordan, Utah 84095. Mr. Moore’s and Ms. Clayton’s business address is 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019, and Ms. Clayton’s business address is 10757 South River Front Parkway, Suite 125, South Jordan, Utah 84095.77019. Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton are principal shareholders of MCC Global NV which is the parent company of MCC. MCC is the parent company of, among other entities, MCCE and Moore, Clayton

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Capital Advisors, Inc., the Fund’s investment adviser. The number of shares beneficially owned by MCCE, MCC, Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton is based on the Schedule 13D/A they filed jointly on March 8, 2006.

(3)

1,177,283 shares are subject to pledge agreements executed by MCC, MCCE and Manchester Securities Corp. in connection with promissory notes issued by MCC to Manchester Securities Corp. See “How did MCCE, MCC, Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton acquire their beneficial interest in the Fund?” below. In addition,

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479,846 shares are subject to pledge agreements executed in connection with the sale of Equus Corporation International’s (“ECI”) interest in Equus Capital Management Corporation, the Fund’s former investment adviser, to MCC. Specifically, 383,877 shares are pledged or are agreed to be pledged to trusts for the benefit of members of Mr. Douglass’ family and 95,969 shares are pledged to Lehmann Investments, LP. The Douglass family trusts and Lehmann Investments, LP were shareholders of ECI.

(4)

Mr. Douglass’ business address is 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019.

(5)Includes (a) 33,150 shares held directly and in retirement accounts by Paula T. Douglass, an officer of the Fund and Mr. Douglass’ spouse and (b) 395,231 shares held by trusts for the benefit of members of Mr. Douglass’ family, of which Mr. Douglass is the trustee and a lifetime beneficiary, a trust of which Mr. Douglass is the beneficiary, and a trust of which Ms. Douglass is the beneficiary. Mr. Douglass disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares not directly owned by him.
(6)Includes 683702 shares held by the Robert L. Knauss Defined Plan (the “Knauss Plan”) of which Mr. Knauss is a control person. Mr. Knauss disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Knauss Plan.
(7)Ms. Hudson serves as the Fund’s Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Ms. Hudson is not a director or director nominee.

How did MCCE, MCC, Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton acquire theirSection 16(a) beneficial interest in the Fund?ownership compliance

On June 30, 2005Under the federal securities laws, our directors, executive officers, and July 1, 2005, MCCE purchased 1,111,250 sharesany persons beneficially owning more than ten percent of our common stock are required to report their ownership of our common stock and any changes in that ownership to the Fund and the SEC. Specific due dates for these reports have been established by regulation. Based solely upon a review of reports furnished to the Fund and written representations of certain persons that no other reports were required, we believe that all of our directors and executive officers complied during 2006 with the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Fund from Fund employeesSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), with the exception of L’Sheryl D. Hudson and Directors, Avroham Sukenik and Edgar McDonald. To finance these transactions, MCC borrowed $9,700,000 from Manchester Securities Corp. (“Manchester”) by issuingPaula T. Douglass who did not file a promissory note in favorForm 3 Initial Statement of Manchester pursuant to a note purchase agreement between MCC and Manchester. A copyBeneficial Ownership of the note purchase agreement between MCC, MCCE and Manchester was attached as an exhibit toFund’s securities within the Schedule 13D/A filed by MCCE, MCC, Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton on July 11, 2005. On December 30, 2005, MCCE purchased 517,158 shares of the Fund from Karpus Management, Inc. d/b/a Karpus Investment Management, and 149,605 shares from Full Value Partners L.P. To finance these transactions, MCC borrowed $6,539,615 from Manchester by issuing a promissory note in favour of Manchester pursuant to a note purchase agreement between MCC and Manchester. A copy of the note purchase agreement was attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13D/A filed by MCCE, MCC, Mr. Moore and Ms. Clayton on January 10, 2006. Both promissory notes issued by MCC to Manchester (collectively the “Notes”) are secured, among other assets, by the shares of the Fund in a pledge agreement executed by MCC, MCCE and Manchester. On February 23, 2006, MCCE sold 315,000 shares of the Fund.

On August 22, 2006, the shareholders of MCC entered into an agreement with Ifex Innovation Finance and Equity Exchange NV, a corporation (Naamloze Vennootschap) organized10-day period specified in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (“IFEX”), wherein IFEX would acquire all of the outstanding shares of MCC in exchange for 375,000,000 new ordinary shares of IFEX (the “Acquisition”). Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition agreement, the Acquisition must be completed before January 31, 2007. Should the Acquisition be completed, the shareholders of MCC will collectively hold 83.33% of the outstanding ordinary share of IFEX. In addition, following such completion, MCC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFEX and IFEX will change its name to “MCC Global NV.” IFEX will assume MCC’s obligations including the Notes issued to Manchester.Form.

MCCE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC and will continue to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC and IFEX following completion of the Acquisition.

5


GOVERNANCE OF THE FUND

What are the duties of the Board of Directors?

The Board provides overall guidance and supervision with respect to the operations of the Fund and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of business development companies by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company“1940 Act”). Among other things, the Board supervises the management arrangements of the Fund, the custodial arrangements with respect to portfolio securities, the selection of accountants, fidelity bonding, and transactions with affiliates.

All actions taken by the Board are taken by majority vote unless a higher percentage is required by law or unless the Investment Company1940 Act or the Fund’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws require that the actions be approved by a majority of the Directorsdirectors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company1940 Act) of the Fund—referred to as “Independent Directors.“independent directors.” The Investment Company1940 Act requires that a majority of the Fund’s Directorsdirectors be Independent Directors.independent directors. In addition, in order to rely on Section 15(f) of the Investment Company1940 Act, which provides a safe harbor for an investment adviser to an investment company or any of the investment adviser’s affiliated persons (as defined under the Investment Company1940 Act) to receive any amount or benefit in connection with a change in control of the investment adviser, certain conditions must be met, one of which is that for a period of three years after the transaction, at least 75% of the Board members of the investment company must not be “interested persons” of the investment company’s investment adviser or its predecessor adviser. Stockholders of the Fund approved the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCCA”) on June 30, 2005. The Fund has undertaken to comply with the requirements of Section 15(f), and therefore 75% of the Board of Directors may not be interested persons with respect to MCCA or the Fund’s predecessor Adviseradviser for a period of three years following June 30, 2005.

As required by

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Who are the Investment Company Act, Proposal 1 was approved by (i)current members of the Board?

The members of the Board of Directors on the date of this proxy statement and the committees of the Board on which they serve, are identified below.

Director

Audit
Committee
Compensation
Committee
Committee
of
Independent
Directors
Governance
and
Nominating
Committee

Richard F. Bergner

*Chair

Charles M. Boyd, M.D.

Chair**

Sam P. Douglass

Alan D. Feinsilver

Chair*

Gregory J. Flanagan

**

Henry W. Hankinson

**

Robert L. Knauss

*Chair

Anthony R. Moore

Dr. Francis D. Tuggle

***

What committees has the Board established?

The Board has five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a majorityGovernance and Nominating Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Committee of Independent Directors.

Audit Committee

The charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Fund’s website (www.equuscap.com). The Committee schedules its meetings with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its duties. The Committee’s meetings include, whenever appropriate, executive sessions with the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm without the presence of management. Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director within the meaning of SEC regulations and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Committee met 5 times during 2006.

The charter of the Audit Committee specifies that the purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of:

The Fund’s financial statements;

The Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

The independence and qualifications of the Fund’s Independent Directorsindependent registered public accounting firm; and (ii) a majority

The performance of the Fund’s Directors who have nointernal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm.

In furtherance of the foregoing purpose, the Committee’s authority and responsibilities include to:

Review and oversee the Fund’s annual and quarterly financial statements;

Recommend, for shareholder approval, the appointment of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, and oversee the compensation, retention, oversight, and other matters relating to the engagement or discharge of the independent registered public accounting firm;

Oversee the Fund’s financial controls and reporting processes;

Review the Fund’s financial reporting and accounting standards and principles;

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Review the performance of the Fund’s internal audit function and the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm;

Review and investigate any matters pertaining to the integrity of management, including conflicts of interest or adherence to standards of business conduct; and

Establish procedures for handling complaints involving accounting, internal accounting controls, and auditing matters.

Report of the Audit Committee

As part of its oversight of the Fund’s financial statements, the Committee reviews and discusses with both management and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm all annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their issuance. During 2006, management advised the Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had been prepared in Proposal 1. Asaccordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and reviewed significant accounting and disclosure issues with the Committee. These reviews included discussions with UHY LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, of matters required to be disclosed pursuant to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit and Finance Committees), including the quality of the Fund’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also discussed with UHY LLP matters relating to its independence, including a review of audit and non-audit fees and the written disclosure required by Delaware law,Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committee).

Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board approved amendingthe inclusion of the Fund’s Restated Certificateaudited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006, in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the SEC. The Audit Committee also recommended to the Board the selection of IncorporationUHY LLP as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2007.

The members of the Audit Committee are Alan D. Feinsilver, Henry W. Hankinson, Robert L. Knauss and Dr. Francis D. Tuggle. Alan D. Feinsilver, the chair of the Committee, is qualified as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and the Board has determined that he has accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE.

Committee of the Independent Directors

The functions of the Committee of the Independent Directors are to: recommend to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, subject to stockholderfull Board approval of Proposal 2 atany management, advisory, or administration agreements; recommend to the special meeting.

Dofull Board any Directorsunderwriting or executive officers have a substantial interestdistribution agreements; review the fidelity bond and premium allocation; review any joint insurance policies and premium allocation; review and monitor the Fund’s compliance with procedures adopted pursuant to certain rules promulgated under the 1940 Act; and carry out such other duties as the independent directors shall, from time to time, conclude are necessary in the Proposals?performance of their duties under the 1940 Act.

The Committee of Independent Directors met at regularly scheduled Board Meetings in executive sessions without any members of management present and Robert L. Knauss, the chair of the Committee, presided at such sessions. Each member of the Committee is an independent director within the meaning of SEC regulations and the listing standards of the NYSE.

Compensation Committee

The charter of the Compensation Committee is available on the Fund’s website (www.equuscap.com). Each member of the Committee is an independent director within the meaning of SEC regulations and the listing standards of the NYSE. The Committee met 2 times during 2006.

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The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the compensation of the Fund’s investment adviser, and together with the other independent directors of the Board, determining and approving the adviser’s compensation. Although the Fund does not directly compensate its officers or employees currently, to the extent the Fund does so in the future, the Committee would be responsible for reviewing and evaluating their compensation, and in the case of Directorsthe Fund’s chief executive officer, determining and approving his compensation together with the other independent directors of the Board. In the case of other officers and employees of the Fund, the Committee would make recommendations to the Board regarding their compensation. In addition, the Committee periodically reviews director compensation and recommends any appropriate changes to the Board. Lastly, the Committee produces a report on the Fund’s executive compensation practices and policies for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement if required by applicable proxy rules and regulations and makes recommendations to the Board on the Fund’s executive compensation practices and polices. The Committee may not delegate its responsibilities to one or more Committee members.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Report of the Compensation Committee

During 2006, the Fund did not directly compensate, and does not currently compensate, its officers or employees. As a result, a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” regarding executive compensation has not been prepared or recommended for inclusion in this proxy statement. The members of the Committee are Charles M. Boyd, M.D, the chair of the Committee, and Dr. Francis D. Tuggle.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

In 2006, the Board asked James M. Walsh, then a Directordirector of the Fund and member of the Compensation Committee, to provide financial advisory services to the Fund in connection with a possible public offering of the Fund’s equity securities. Mr. Walsh is the managing principal of Walsh Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm; hefirm. Mr. Walsh has more than 34 years experience in the investment banking business.

In light of the proposed arrangement, Mr. Walsh resigned from the Board (including the Committee) on November 14, 2006. AfterFollowing Mr. Walsh’s resignation, the Fund entered into a formal consulting agreement (the “Walsh Agreement”) with Walsh Advisors, LLC. Pursuant to the Walsh Agreement, Walsh Advisors servesserved as a financial advisor to the Fund. Walsh Advisors consultsconsulted with the Fund and coordinatescoordinated with an investment banking firm that may act as the lead underwriter in connection with a possible public offering. For the services provided under the Walsh Agreement, the Fund has paid Walsh Advisors a fee of $75,000 on November 15, 2006 for services rendered from the period of July 15, 2006 through October 15, 2006, and will paypaid a fee of $25,000 monthly thereafter for the remaining term of the Agreement, which isuntil January 15, 2007. The Walsh Agreement was subsequently extended for a two-month time period with the same compensation, terms, and conditions until March 14, 2007.

The Board, of the Fund, including the Independent Directorsindependent directors voting separately, approved the Walsh Agreement. Among other things, the Directorsdirectors considered, evaluated and determined whether: (a) the Walsh Agreement iswas in the best interest of the Fund and its stockholders; (b) the services to be performed pursuant to the Walsh Agreement arewere services required for the operation of the Fund; (c) Walsh Advisors cancould provide services the nature and quality of which arewere at least equal to those provided by unaffiliated third parties offering the same or similar services; and (d) the fees for such services arewere fair and reasonable in light of the usual and customary charges made by others for services of the same nature and quality.

Governance and Nominating Committee

6The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate governance. The Committee selects individuals for nomination to the Board of Directors of the Fund. In addition, the Committee develops and reviews background information on candidates for the Board and makes recommendations to the Board regarding such candidates. The Committee also prepares and supervises the Board’s annual review of director independence and the Board’s performance self-evaluation. The charter of the Governance and Nominating Committee is available on the Fund’s website (www.equuscap.com). The Committee met 2 times during 2006.

8


All of the members of the Committee are independent directors within the meaning of SEC regulations and the listing standards of the NYSE.

How does the Board select nominees for the Board?

The Governance and Nominating Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and stockholders. A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should notify the Fund’s Secretary or any member of the Governance and Nominating Committee in writing in care of Equus Total Return, Inc., 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019. To be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee, stockholder nominations must be submitted before our fiscal year-end and must be accompanied by a description of the qualifications of the proposed candidate and a written statement from the proposed candidate that he or she is willing to be nominated and desires to serve if elected. The Governance and Nominating Committee will also consider whether to nominate any person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the provisions of the Fund’s by-laws relating to stockholder nominations as described in “Additional Information—Stockholder Proposals for the 2008 Annual Meeting,” below. Nominees for director who are recommended by stockholders will be evaluated in the same manner as any other nominee for director.

Once the Governance and Nominating Committee has identified a prospective nominee, the Committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This initial determination is based on whatever information is provided to the Committee with the recommendation of the prospective candidate, as well as the Committee’s own knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be supplemented by inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The preliminary determination is based primarily on the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the prospective nominee can satisfy the evaluation factors considered by the Committee. If the Committee determines, in consultation with the other Board members as appropriate, that additional consideration is warranted, it may gather additional information about the prospective nominee’s background and experience. The Chairman of the Committee and our Chairman of the Board will then interview a qualified candidate. A qualified candidate is then invited to meet the remaining members of the Committee and the other directors. The Committee then determines, based on the background information and information obtained in interviews, whether to recommend to the Board that a candidate be nominated to the Board.

The Committee believes a prospective nominee for director should, at a minimum, satisfy the following standards and qualifications and evaluates prospective nominees accordingly:

The ability of the prospective nominee to represent the interests of the stockholders of the Fund;

The prospective nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment, and independence of thought and judgment;

The prospective nominee’s ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy, and attention to the diligent performance of his or her duties, including the prospective nominee’s service on other public company boards; and

The extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the range of talent, skill, and expertise appropriate for the Board.

The Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors, and the need for Audit Committee expertise. After completing this evaluation and interview, the Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board, and the Board determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Committee.

How does the Board determine which directors are considered independent?

When the Board undertook its annual review of director independence, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his immediate family and the Fund. The Board also

9


examined transactions and relationships between directors or their affiliates and members of the Fund’s senior management or their affiliates. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent.

As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined that all of the directors nominated for election at the annual meeting are independent of the Fund and its management with the exception of Sam P. Douglass and Anthony R. Moore. Messrs. Douglass and Moore are considered interested directors because of their employment as senior executives of the Fund or its investment adviser, MCCA.

How often did the Board meet during 2006?

During 2006, the Board met 11 times. Each director attended at least 75% of all meetings held by the Board or the committees of the Board on which he served. The Fund does not have a policy about directors’ attendance at the annual meeting of stockholders. All directors attended the Fund’s annual meeting of stockholders in June 2006.

How are directors compensated?

During 2006, each independent director received: (i) $5,000 for each quarter served on the Fund’s Board plus $2,000 for each meeting of the directors attended; (ii) $1,000 for participation in each meeting conducted by telephonic conference; (iii) $1,000 for each committee meeting attended; and (iv) reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings.

Interested directors of the Fund do not receive any cash compensation from the Fund. However, interested directors of the Fund may serve as directors of portfolio companies and in such capacities may receive and retain directors’ fees and other compensation directly from the portfolio companies.

Directors who were not officers of the Fund (including those who only served on the Board for part of a year) were paid an aggregate of $391,500 and $363,000 as compensation for serving as directors of the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The following table set forth compensation paid by the Fund to each person who served as a director during 2006:

2006 Director Compensation Table

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)

Independent Directors

     

Richard F. Bergner

  47,000  —    47,000

Charles M. Boyd, M.D.  

  48,000  —    48,000

Alan D. Feinsilver

  54,000  —    54,000

Gregory J. Flanagan

  49,000  —    49,000

Henry W. Hankinson

  46,000  —    46,000

Robert L. Knauss

  55,000  —    55,000

Dr. Francis D. Tuggle

  52,000  —    52,000

James M. Walsh(1)

  40,500  125,000(2) 165,500

Interested Directors

     

Anthony R. Moore

  —    —    —  

Sam P. Douglass

  —    —  (3) —  

(1)Mr. Walsh resigned from the Board on November 14, 2006.
(2)

Following Mr. Walsh’s resignation from the Board, the Fund entered into a formal consulting agreement (the “Walsh Agreement”) with Walsh Advisors, LLC. Pursuant to the Walsh Agreement, Walsh Advisors

10


served as a financial advisor to the Fund. Walsh Advisors consulted with the Fund and coordinated with an investment banking firm that may act as the lead underwriter in connection with a possible public offering. For the services provided under the Walsh Agreement, the Fund paid Walsh Advisors a fee of $75,000 on November 15, 2006 for services rendered from the period of July 15, 2006 through October 15, 2006, and paid a fee of $25,000 monthly thereafter until January 15, 2007. The Walsh Agreement was subsequently extended for a two-month time period with the same compensation, terms, and conditions until March 14, 2007. The Director Compensation Table does not include $75,000 paid to Mr. Walsh in 2007 pursuant to the Walsh Agreement.

(3)In connection with consummating the sale of the Fund’s interest in Champion Window Holdings, Inc., Mr. Douglass was paid $50,000 in January 2006 for services rendered in 2005. Mr. Douglass was a director of Champion Window Holdings, Inc. at the time of the sale. This compensation amount was previously disclosed in the Fund’s proxy statement for the 2006 annual meeting.

Who are the executive officers of the Fund?

The name, address and age of each executive officer, their position, term of office and length of time served with the Fund, along with certain business information, are set forth in the table below.

Name,
Address and
Age

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Anthony R. Moore;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 61

Co-Chairman of the Board, President and CEOOne year as
Co-Chairman and indefinite terms as President and CEO; Co-Chairman since 2005; President and CEO since 2005
Co-Chairman, President and CEO of the Fund since June 2005. Mr. Moore currently serves as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of MCC Global NV (indirect parent company of the Fund’s investment adviser). Mr. Moore has also served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of ValiRX Plc (biopharmaceutical company) since October 2006. Mr. Moore was Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. (parent company of the Fund’s investment adviser) from July 1999 until April 2007. From February 2005 until February 2006, he served as Executive Deputy Chairman of MCC Energy plc (now Tersus Energy plc) (renewable and alternative energy investment vehicle). From April 1998 until June 1999, Mr. Moore was President and CEO of New Energy Technologies, part of New Energy Venture, Inc., an energy service provider which was sold to AEX Corp. in August 1999. From 1992 to 1998, he served as CEO of Global Investment Services and subsequently as Chairman of Corporate Finance at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, the investment banking arm of Barclays Bank plc, which was sold to Credit Suisse First Boston in March 1998. From 1991 to 1992, he served on the Board of Bankers Trust International. From 1982 to 1991, he held various senior positions with Goldman Sachs & Co., including Head of Investment Banking in Tokyo, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Asia in Hong Kong, and Executive Director responsible for large corporate clients in London.

11


Name, Address and
Age

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Sam P. Douglass;*

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 74

Co-Chairman of the BoardOne year as
Co-Chairman; Chairman and CEO from 1991 to 2005; Co-Chairman since 2005
Co-Chairman of the Board of the Fund since June 2005 and Chairman and CEO of the Fund from 1991 to 2005. Since June 2005, Mr. Douglass has served as President of Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (Fund’s investment adviser) and Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. (Fund’s administrator). From 1980 to 2005, Mr. Douglass was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Equus Capital Management Corporation (Fund’s former investment adviser). From 1964 to 1975, he co-founded and served as President and a director of Service Corporation International, one of the largest funeral services company in the world trading on the NYSE. In 1978, Mr. Douglass co-founded and served as President of Wedge International, Inc., a privately-owned corporation which participated in the acquisition and management of mostly private companies. In 1980, he co-founded and served as President of Summit Resources Corporation, a privately-owned leverage buyout corporation. Since December 1978, Mr. Douglass has served as Chairman and CEO of Equus Corporation International, a privately owned corporation engaged in a variety of investment activities. Mr. Douglass has originated, structured or participated in over 200 acquisition transactions.

Sharon Clayton;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 43

Vice ChairmanIndefinite term; Vice Chairman since 2005Vice Chairman of the Fund since June 2005. Ms. Clayton has served as Chairman of the Management Board of MCC Global NV since May 2006 and Co-Chairman of the Board of Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. since August 1999. Ms. Clayton was also Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. from August 1999 until April 2007.

Kenneth I. Denos;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 39

Executive Vice President and SecretaryIndefinite terms; Executive Vice President and Secretary since 2005Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Fund since June 2005. Mr. Denos has served as CEO of MCC Global NV since May 2006 and as a director of Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. since January 2001. From November 2005 until May 2006, Mr. Denos served as the Non-Executive Chairman of Ridgecrest Healthcare Group, Inc. From February 2005 to February 2006, he served as a director and General Counsel of MCC Energy plc (now Tersus Energy plc). Since April 1999, he has also served as Chairman and CEO of SportsNuts, Inc. (sporting event coordinator). Since March 2007, Mr. Denos has served as a non-executive director of Secure Netwerks, Inc., an information technology hardware and software reseller. Since January 2002, he has also served as President of Kenneth I. Denos, P.C.

Gary L. Forbes;

2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 63

Senior Vice PresidentIndefinite term; Senior Vice President since 2005 and Vice President from 1992 to 2005Senior Vice President of the Fund since 2005 and Vice President of the Fund from 1992 to 2005. From 1991 to 2005, Mr. Forbes was Vice President of Equus Capital Management Corporation.

12


Name, Address and
Age

Position(s)
Held with
Fund

Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

L’Sheryl D. Hudson;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 42

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance OfficerIndefinite terms; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer since 2007

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Fund since November 2006 and Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund since April 2007. Ms. Hudson was named

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and a director of Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. and a director of Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. in 2007. Ms. Hudson served as Associate Director of WestLB Asset Management (US), LLC from 2002 to 2006.

Paula T. Douglass;*

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 54

Vice PresidentIndefinite term; Vice President since 2006Vice President of the Fund since June 2006. Since June 2005, Ms. Douglass has served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. and Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. Ms. Douglass served as an officer and director of Equus Capital Management Corporation from July 1993 to 2005. Ms. Douglass is a licensed attorney and was an associate of the firm Fulbright and Jaworski from 1988 to 1991. She was elected as director of Iwerks Entertainment, previously a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq National Market, in 1993 and served as Executive Chairman from 1995 to 1997. From February 1998 to 2005, she served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cinema Film Systems, Inc. Ms. Douglass co-founded Equus Corporation International and has served as an officer and a director since December 1978.

*Mr. Douglass is the spouse of Ms. Douglass.

There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any of such officers was or is to be selected as an officer.

Executive Compensation

During 2006, the Fund did not directly compensate, and does not currently compensate, its executive officers. However, executive officers of the Fund do receive compensation from the Fund’s administrator, Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc., as employees of Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. In addition, executive officers of the Fund may serve as directors of portfolio companies and in such capacities may receive and retain directors’ fees and other compensation directly from the portfolio companies.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

During 2006, the Fund did not grant any plan-based awards to its executive officers.

Outstanding Equity Awards

As of December 31, 2006, there were no unexercised options, stock that had not vested or equity incentive plan awards for any executive officer of the Fund.

Options Exercised and Stock Vested

During 2006, there were no stock options, SARs or similar instruments exercised by any executive officer of the Fund and there was no vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units or similar instruments by any executive officer of the Fund.

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Pension Benefits

The Fund does not have any plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with the retirement of its executive officers.

Nonqualified Defined Contribution and Other Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

During 2006, the Fund did not have any defined contribution or other plan that provided for the deferral of compensation by any executive officer of the Fund on a basis that was not tax-qualified.

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR

Who is the Fund’s investment adviser?

The Fund’s investment adviser is Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCCA”) and its principal offices are located at 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019. MCCA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC,Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. (“MCC”), an international private equity investment and advisory firm with offices in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, London, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. MCC specializes in strategic and financial advisory services for,firm. MCC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC Global NV, an international financial advisory and investment in, emergingfirm traded on theGeregelter Markt (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The principal shareholders of MCC Global NV are Anthony R. Moore and established companies operating in traditional industries.Sharon Clayton.

EstablishedMCC formed MCCA on February 3, 2005, for the purpose of managing the Fund. Following shareholder approval, MCCA became the Fund’s investment adviser on June 30, 2005. MCCA is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. MCCA and MCC share many of the same personnel resources.

The officers and directors of MCCA are:

Anthony R. MooreChairman of the Board
Sharon J. ClaytonCo-Chairman of the Board
Paula T. DouglassVice Chairman of the Board
Sam P. DouglassDirector and President
Kenneth I. DenosDirector, Vice President and Secretary
Gary L. ForbesSenior Vice President
L’Sheryl D. HudsonDirector, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Compliance Officer
Brett M. ChilesAssistant Vice President
Dawn D. ClarkAssistant Secretary

For a description of the business background of each Messrs. Moore, Douglass, Denos and Forbes and Mss. Clayton, Douglass and Hudson, see “Governance of the Fund – Who are the Executive Officers of the Fund?” above. A description of the business background of each of Mr. Chiles and Ms. Clark is set out below.

Brett M. Chiles has been Assistant Vice President of MCCA since July 2005. From 2000 to 2003, he served as internal wholesaler for AIM Investments in 1999, MCC provides introductions and commercial opportunities through its worldwide contact networkfinancial dealer division. From 2003 to 2005, he obtained his MBA from Rice University. During 2004, Mr. Chiles interned for Murphree Venture Partners, an early-stage investment company.

Dawn D. Clark has been Assistant Secretary of professionals, financial intermediaries, and business executives. The firm works with its clientsMCCA since July 2005. She served as Manager of Human Resources for Equus Capital Management Corporation (the Fund’s former investment adviser) from 1991 to explore the risks and rewards of a variety of transactional and strategic alternatives such as international agreements and negotiations, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, privatizations, restructurings and recapitalizations.2005.

14


Who is the Fund’s administrator?

The Fund’s administrator is Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. (the “Administrator”) and its principal offices are located at 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019. The AdministratorEquus Capital Administration Company, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC and was formed for the purpose of managing the Fund’s administrative and business operations.

PROPOSAL 1—TO AUTHORIZE THE FUND TO OFFER AND SELL, OR TO ISSUE RIGHTS TO ACQUIRE, SHARES OFINFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND’S COMMON STOCK AT A PRICE BELOW THE CURRENT NET ASSET VALUE OF SUCH STOCK

Stockholder AuthorizationINDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Investment Company Act generally prohibitsAudit Committee has selected the accounting firm of UHY LLP (“UHY”) to audit the Fund’s financial statements for, and otherwise act as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The Fund’s employment of UHY is conditioned on the Fund’s right to terminate such employment at any time without any penalty. UHY has served as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm since September 19, 2005.

A representative of UHY is expected to be present at the annual meeting and will be available to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and to respond to appropriate questions of the stockholders.

Change in the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm

On September 19, 2005, the Fund elected not to continue with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as its independent registered public accounting firm and engaged UHY as the Fund’s new independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to change independent registered public accounting firms was approved by the Audit Committee. The report of PwC on the financial statements of the Fund as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.

During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and through September 19, 2005, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to PwC’s satisfaction would have caused PwC to make reference to it in PwC’s reports on the financial statements for such years.

During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and through September 19, 2005, there have been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act). The Fund did not consult with UHY during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and through September 19, 2005, on any matter which was the subject of any disagreement or any reportable event as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, respectively, or on the application of accounting principles to a business development company (“BDC”), from offeringspecified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements.

Audit Fees and selling,All Other Fees

Aggregate fees for professional services billed to the Fund by UHY and PwC for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

Services Provided

  2006   2005 

Audit fees

  $147,666(1)  $151,350(2)

Audit-related fees

   —      —   

Tax

   —      —   

All other

   —      —   
          

Total

  $147,666   $151,350 

15



(1)Of this aggregate amount, $8,140 is attributable to fees billed by PwC for its opinion of the Fund’s prior year financial statements contained in the Fund’s Form 10-K. The balance of such amount is attributable to fees billed by UHY for services in connection with its review of the Funds’ quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during 2006, inventory counts and UHY’s annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements.
(2)Of this aggregate amount, $66,350 is attributable to fees billed by PwC for its review of the Fund’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the first and second quarter of 2005. The balance of such amount is attributable to fees billed by UHY for services in connection with its review of the Fund’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2005, inventory counts and UHY’s annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed by any independent registered public accounting firm engaged by the Fund and any non-audit services provided by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to MCCA, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or issuing rightsunder common control with MCCA, subject to acquire, sharesthede minimis exception for non-audit services set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of its common stock at a price belowRegulation S-X under the then current net asset value of such stock unless the policy and practice of doing so isExchange Act that are approved by the Fund’s stockholders within one year immediately priorAudit Committee before completion of the audit. Audit services include those typically associated with the annual audit such as evaluation of internal controls. Non-audit services include certain services that are audit-related such as consultations regarding financial accounting and reporting standards, and tax services. Certain services may not be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to any such sales. At all times since their listing, sharesthe Fund or to MCCA without jeopardizing the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. These services are deemed prohibited services and include certain management functions; human resources services; broker-dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; legal services; and expert services unrelated to the audit. Other services are conditionally prohibited and may be provided if the Audit Committee reasonably concludes that the results of the services will not be subject to audit procedures during an audit of the Fund’s common stock have traded on the NYSE at a price below their net asset value.or MCCA’s financial statements. These types of services include bookkeeping; financial information systems design and implementation; appraisal or valuation services; actuarial services; and internal audit outsourcing services.

Accordingly, the Fund is requesting that its stockholders authorize the offer and sale, or the issuance of rights to acquire, sharesThe Audit Committee procedures require approval of the Fund’s common stock at a price below net asset value per share at the time of sale, subject to certain conditions discussed below. If approved, the authorization would be effective for a period expiring on the first anniversaryengagement of the approval by the stockholders of this Proposalindependent registered public accounting firm for each fiscal year and would permit the Fund to engage in such transactions at various times within that period.

The Fund has retained an investment banking firm to advise on available financing options, including a common stock offering and a rights offering. If stockholders approve Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 below, the Fund should have greater flexibility in taking advantage of changing market and financial conditions in connection with an equity offering. Asapproval of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board has not approved the terms of a specific offering. This Proxy Statement is not an offer of securities. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

In a common stock offering, investors are offered an ownership interest in a corporation. Stockholders typically are entitled to vote on the selection of corporate directors and other important matters, as well as to receive distributions on their holdings to the extent such distributions are declared.

7


In a rights offering, each stockholder receives the right to purchase a specified number of additional shares of the Fund’s common stock, pro-rata, based on the number of shares held as of a specified record date. Rights issued in a rights offering may be transferable (in which case rights not exercisedengagement by a stockholder may be separately transferred) or non-transferable (in which case rights may only be exercised by the receiving stockholder). If stockholders approve this Proposal, the Fund will be authorized to sell common stock and to issue transferable rights and/or non-transferable rights.

Generally, common stock offerings for BDCs are priced based on the market price of the currently outstanding shares of common stock, less a small discount of approximately five per cent. Since the Fund’s shares typically trade at a market price below net asset value, stockholder approval would permit the Fund to offer and sell shares of its common stock in accordance with pricing standards that market conditions generally require.

Investment Company Act Conditions

The Fund’s ability to issue shares or rights to acquire shares at below net asset value is governed by the Investment Company Act. Specifically, Section 63(2) of the Investment Company Act provides that the Fund may offer and sell, or issue rights to acquire, shares of its common stock at prices below the then current net asset value with stockholder approval, provided that:

Any such sales are approved by (1) a majority of the Fund’s Independent Directorsindependent directors. The procedures permit the Audit Committee to pre-approve the provision of types or categories of non-audit services for the Fund and (2)permissible non-audit services for MCCA on an annual basis at the time of the independent registered public accounting firm’s engagement and on a majorityproject-by-project basis. At the time of the annual engagement of the Fund’s Directors whoindependent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee receives a list of the categories of expected services with a description and an estimated budget of fees. In its pre-approval of audit services and permitted non-audit services, the Audit Committee or a delegated member determines that the provision of the service is consistent with, and will not impair, the ongoing independence of the independent registered public accounting firm and sets any limits on fees or other conditions it finds appropriate. Non-audit services may also be approved on a project-by-project basis by the Audit Committee consistent with the same standards for determination and information.

The Audit Committee may also designate a member of the Committee to pre-approve non-audit services that have not been pre-approved or changes in non-audit services previously pre-approved. Any actions by the designated member must be ratified by the Audit Committee by the time of its next regularly scheduled meeting. The Fund’s pre-approval procedures are reviewed annually by the Audit Committee and the Fund maintains a record of the decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the procedures.

There were no financial interestnon-audit fees billed by UHY or PwC to MCCA or Equus Capital Management Corporation (the Fund’s former investment adviser) in the Proposal, as being2006 or 2005. In addition, neither UHY nor PwC provided any non-audit services to any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with MCCA or Equus Capital Management Corporation in the best interests2006 or 2005.

16


PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The by-laws of the Fund provide for a minimum of three and its stockholders; and

Such a requiredmaximum of fifteen directors (a majority of Directors, in consultation withwhom must be independent directors). There are currently nine directors, including seven independent directors, all of whom the underwriterBoard is nominating for re-election. The Board is not recommending any other director nominees. The nominees receiving an affirmative vote of a plurality of the offering,shares entitled to vote and present, either in person or by proxy, at the annual meeting, will be elected as members of the Board.

The current term of office of all of the Fund’s directors expires at the 2007 annual meeting and upon the election and qualification of their successors in office. The Board proposes that the following nominees be elected for a new term of one year and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified or until they resign, die, or are removed from office. Each of the nominees has consented to serve if itelected. The Board knows of no reason why any nominee for director would be unable to serve as a director. If at the time of the annual meeting any nominee is underwritten, have determined in good faith, andunable or unwilling to serve as of a time immediately prior to the first solicitation by or on behalfdirector of the Fund, of any firm commitment to purchase such securities or immediately prior to the issuance of such securities, that the price at which such securities are to be sold is not less than a price which closely approximates the market value for those securities, less any distributing commission or discount.

Without the approval of its stockholders to offer and sell, or issue rights to acquire, shares of common stock at prices below its net asset value per share, the Fund would be prohibited from selling such securities to raise capital when the market price for its common stock is below its net asset value. The Fund’s shares have for the most part traded at a discount to net asset value since they began trading, which is not uncommonpersons named as proxies will vote for a BDC likesubstitute nominee designated by the Fund.

Board Approval

On November 14, 2006,Board. The Fund is the Board unanimously approved, and is recommending that the stockholders vote in favor of, Proposal 1 to offer and sell, or issue rights to acquire, shares of the Fund’s common stock at prices that may be less than net asset value. The Board concluded that the Proposal isonly fund in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. In doing so, the Board, including the fund complex.

Nominees for Director

Independent Directors considered and evaluated factors including the following, as discussed more fully below:

Possible long-term benefits to Fund stockholders;

Possible dilution to the Fund’s net asset value; and

The gross amount of the management and administration fees.

Prior to approving Proposal 1, the Board met on several occasions to consider and evaluate material that management provided on the merits of the Fund possibly raising additional capital and the merits of publicly offering the Fund’s shares at a price below their net asset value. The Board also met with one of the Fund’s financial advisors, a national investment services firm. The firm advised the Board on the objectives of a possible

8


offering, the mechanics of an offering, establishing size parameters of an offering, the possible effect of dilution, comparable company analysis, comparable company liquidity, and other matters. The Board further met with an investment banking firm, which discussed with the Directors similar matters, as well as case studies of other business development companies that recently engaged in secondary offerings. The Independent Directors also met on several occasions with their independent counsel without management present to consider and evaluate the issues presented.

The Board evaluated a full range of offering sizes. However, the Board has not yet drawn any definite conclusions regarding the size of a contemplated capital raise at this time. The Board expects that any increase in capital would be from a public offering of the Fund’s common stock or rights to acquire additional shares of common stock; however, the Board has not excluded the possibility of one or more private placements.

In determining whether or not to actually offer and sell common stock or issue rights, the Board of Directors has a duty to act in the best interest of the Fund and its stockholders, and must comply with the other requirements of Section 63(2) of the Investment Company Act. If stockholders do not approve Proposal 1, the Board will consider and evaluate the options for the Fund to determine what alternatives are in the best interest of the Fund and its stockholders, including the Fund growing solely through investment returns.

Possible Benefits to Fund Stockholders

The Board believes that the Fund’s ability to offer and sell, or issue rights to acquire, shares of common stock below net asset value is in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. In reaching that conclusion, the Board considered the following possible benefits to Fund stockholders:

Greater Investment Opportunities

With more assets, the Board believes that the Fund may have better access to capital markets to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities. An increase in the capital will not only give the Fund more capital to invest in its total return strategy, but may provide qualitative differences in its investment profile that may be beneficial. A larger pool of capital may allow the Fund to participate in investments at a higher and more meaningful level.

Based on discussions with management, the Board believes that greater deal flow, which may be achieved with more capital, may enable the Fund to be a more significant participant in the private equity market and to compete more effectively for the more attractive investment opportunities. With more capital to invest in portfolio opportunities, the Fund intends to compete for high quality investment opportunities with other funds and private equity investment vehicles with greater resources. Management has represented to the Board that such investment opportunities may be funded with proceeds of an offering. However, management has not identified specific companies in which to invest the proceeds of an offering given that specific investment opportunities will change depending on the timing of an offering.

A larger pool of invested capital spread over a range of investment opportunities within the Fund’s investment strategy of seeking businesses that will benefit from current social trends and major demographic shifts will be more likely to provide the Fund with an earnings stream that is characteristic of a total return fund. These businesses could include, but not necessarily be limited to, subsets of the energy sector developing renewable and alternative sources of energy, as well as medical technology and services directed toward an aging population, real estate transactions in properties whose values may be expected to appreciate due to demand from the increased number of retirees, and leisure time and entertainment industries. Since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2005, the Fund has committed a total of $28.7 million to investments in companies in these industries and is reviewing additional opportunities in similar companies.

The Fund selected MCCA as adviser in part to obtain access to the potential deal flow that can be generated from the MCC network of industry contacts. The Board believes that with additional capital the Fund may be better able to utilize the contacts that MCC has developed over seven years in its various industry concentrations.

9


Regular Quarterly Dividends

A consistent stream of earnings derived from a larger and more diversified portfolio could provide the Fund with a larger and, more importantly, more predictable cash flow, which might support a sustainable regular dividend. On October 23, 2006, the Fund announced a managed distribution policy for it to pay quarterly dividends to stockholders at the annual rate of a minimum of $0.50 per share, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2006. This is the first time the Fund has had a policy to pay a regular quarterly dividend. Although management will seek to generate Fund income sufficient to pay Fund dividends, proceeds from a future offering may be used to pay such dividends.

Reduced Discount

The share price of the Fund has consistently traded at a significant discount to the net asset value of the Fund. In this regard, the investment banking firm that met with the Board provided the Directors with a stock trading analysis of several BDCs. The analysis suggested that the stock of a BDC with a larger, more diverse investment portfolio, among other characteristics, trades closer, or at a premium, to its net asset value. The investment banking firm and a financial advisor to the Fund further suggested to the Directors that the stock of a BDC that pays a regular quarterly dividend may trade closer to its net asset value. Based on this information, the Board hopes that a combination of a larger, more diverse Fund investment portfolio and a regular quarterly dividend may result in a Fund share market price that is closer to its net asset value.

Reduced Expenses Per Share

An offering that increases the Fund’s total assets may reduce its expenses per share due to the spreading of fixed expenses over a larger asset base. The Fund must bear certain fixed expenses, such as governance and certain compliance costs that do not generally vary based on the size of the Fund. On a per share percentage basis, these fixed expenses will be reduced on a relative basis when supported by a larger asset base.

Liquidity

If the Fund issues additional shares, the Fund’s market capitalization and the amount of its publicly tradable common stock will increase, which may afford all holders of the Fund’s common stock greater liquidity. With approximately eight million shares currently outstanding, there is limited daily trading volume in the Fund’s shares. The Board believes that this low trading volume subjects the shares to significant price volatility due to their relatively low trading volume. For example, a stockholder who buys additional Fund shares, or who sells some or all of such stockholder’s shares, may experience significant swings in the share price while executing that purchase or sale, even for relatively small numbers of shares. Greater liquidity in the Fund’s shares could reduce this effect. A larger number of shares outstanding may absorb the effect of purchases or sales with less volatility in price.

A relatively low percentage of the Fund’s shares are now held by institutional investors as compared to the shareholder profile of other BDCs. The Board of Directors believes that the low historic liquidity of the Fund’s shares, among other factors, has impaired institutional investment. The Board believes that an increase in the liquidity of the Fund’s shares as a result of a proposed offering, together with an orderly underwritten placement of shares in connection with the offering, may result in an increase in institutional ownership of the Fund’s shares.

Dilution

An offering of the Fund’s common stock or rights to acquire additional shares of common stock below their net asset value will have the immediate effect of diluting the interest of current stockholders. In reaching its recommendation to the stockholders, the Board considered the effect of dilution to the Fund’s net asset value.

10


Any issuance of common stock, or rights to acquire common stock, below net asset value will have the effect of causing immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of outstanding shares of common stock, irrespective of whether stockholders purchase shares of common stock or exercise all or any portion of their rights in an offering.

The precise extent of any dilution cannot be estimated in advance of the determination of the terms of a common stock or rights offering; however, as a general proposition the amount of dilution of net asset value will increase as the size of any equity financing increases. Another factor that will influence the amount of dilution in an offering is the amount the Fund receives from such offering. The Board would expect that the net proceeds to the Fund will be equal to the price that investors pay per share, typically 95% of the market price, less the amount of any underwriting discount and commission.

As previously discussed, the Board evaluated a full range of offering sizes. The following example indicates how an offering to double the number of issued shares of the Fund would immediately affect the net asset value of the common stock based on the assumptions set forth below. It does not include any effects or influence on market share price due to investment performance over time, dividend policy, greater trading volume or other qualitative aspects of the Fund’s shares.These are intended to be indicative calculations and are not projections of future results of the Fund.

 

Current shares outstanding

8.1 million

Net asset value at 9/30/06

$92.4 million

Net asset value per share

$11.47

Market price at 11/22/06

$8.10

Prevailing discount to net asset value

29.4%

Number of new shares issued at $8.00 per shareName, Address and Age

  8.1 million

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Other

Directorships*

Held by Director
or Nominee

Net proceeds after issuance costsRichard F. Bergner;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 76

Director

Term expires 2006;

Director since 2005

AttorneyNone

Charles M. Boyd, M.D.

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 41

DirectorTerm expires 2006; Director since 2005Medical Director at The Boyd Gillard Institute since January 2007. Dr. Boyd served as Associate Chief of Staff, Office of Clinical Affairs at the University of Michigan from 2004 to January 2007. He was also an Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dermatology, Div. of Cutaneous Oncology and Dept. of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Div. of Facial Plastic Surgery, at the University of Michigan from 1999 to January 2007.None

Alan D. Feinsilver;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 59

Director

Term expires 2006;

Director since 2005

Founder and President of The Overbrook Company, a private company with emphasis on real estate and other investments based in Houston, Texas since 1984; Vice President of HGG Investments, Inc., a private investment fund based in Houston, Texas since 1991.ACR Group, Inc. (HVAC distribution)

Gregory J. Flanagan;

9821 Katy Freeway,

Suite 600

Houston, Texas 77024

Age: 61

DirectorTerm expires 2006; Director since 1992Chief Operating Officer of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. – Houston Branch (insurance brokerage) since October 2001.None

Henry W. Hankinson;

4355 Cobb Parkway

Suite 501 J

Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Age: 65

Director

Term expires 2006;

Director since 2005

CEO of Global Business Associates, Inc. (consulting) since 2001.None

17


Name, Address and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Other

Directorships*

Held by Director
or Nominee

Robert L. Knauss;

P.O. Box 40

5580 FM 1697

Burton, Texas 77835

Age 76

DirectorTerm expires 2006; Director since 1991Chairman of the Board of Philip Services Corp. (industrial services) from 1998 to 2003, and Chairman of the Board and CEO of Baltic International USA, Inc. from 1995 to 2003. During the past twenty years Mr. Knauss has served on the Boards of Directors of eight public companies. Mr. Knauss was the former Dean and Distinguished University Professor of University of Houston Law School and was also Dean of Vanderbilt Law School.The Mexico Fund, Inc. (investment company), XO Holdings, Inc. (telecommunications) and WestPoint International Inc. (home products).

Dr. Francis D. Tuggle;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 64

DirectorTerm expires 2006; Director since 1991Professor at the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University since January 2006 and Dean from July 2002 to January 2006. Professor at the Kogod College of Business Administration at American University from July 1999 to June 2002 where he was Dean from July 1990 to June 1996.None

*Other directorships are limited to: (i) publicly traded companies in the United States; (ii) companies that are otherwise subject to SEC reporting requirements and (iii) investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

Interested Directors*

Name, Address and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Other

Directorships**

Held by Director
or Nominee

Anthony R. Moore;

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age: 61

Co-Chairman
of the Board,
President and
CEO

Term as a Director expires 2006 and indefinite terms as President and CEO;

Co-Chairman since 2005; President and CEO since 2005

Co-Chairman, President and CEO of the Fund since June 2005. Mr. Moore currently serves as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of MCC Global NV (indirect parent company of the Fund’s investment adviser). Mr. Moore has also served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of ValiRX Plc (biopharmaceutical company) since October 2006. Mr. Moore was Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Moore, Clayton & Co., Inc. (parent company of the Fund’s investment adviser), from July 1999 until April 2007. From February 2005 until February 2006, he served as Executive Deputy Chairman of MCC Energy plc (now Tersus Energy plc) (renewable and alternative energy investment vehicle). From April 1998 until June 1999, Mr. Moore was President and CEO of New Energy Technologies, part of New Energy Venture, Inc., an energy service provider which was sold to AEX Corp. in August 1999. From 1992 to 1998, he served as CEO of Global InvestmentNone

18


Name, Address and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Other

Directorships**

Held by Director
or Nominee

Services and subsequently as Chairman of Corporate Finance at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, the investment banking arm of Barclays Bank plc, which was sold to Credit Suisse First Boston in March 1998. From 1991 to 1992, he served on the Board of Bankers Trust International. From 1982 to 1991, he held various senior positions with Goldman Sachs & Co., including Head of Investment Banking in Tokyo, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Asia in Hong Kong, and Executive Director responsible for large corporate clients in London.

Sam P. Douglass;***

2727 Allen Parkway,

13th Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

Age 74

Co-Chairman
of the Board

Term expires 2006; Chairman and CEO from 1991 to 2005;

Co-Chairman since 2005

Co-Chairman of the Board of the Fund since June 2005 and Chairman and CEO of the Fund from 1991 to 2005. Since June 2005, Mr. Douglass has served as President of Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (Fund’s investment adviser) and Equus Capital Administration Company, Inc. (Fund’s administrator). From 1980 to 2005, Mr. Douglass was Chairman of the Board and CEO of Equus Capital Management Corporation (Fund’s former investment adviser). From 1964 to 1975, he co-founded and served as President and a director of Service Corporation International, one of the largest funeral services company in the world trading on the NYSE. In 1978, Mr. Douglass co-founded and served as President of Wedge International, Inc., a privately-owned corporation which participated in the acquisition and management of mostly private companies. In 1980, he co-founded and served as President of Summit Resources Corporation, a privately-owned leverage buyout corporation. Since December 1978, Mr. Douglass has served as Chairman and CEO of Equus Corporation International, a privately owned corporation engaged in a variety of investment activities. Mr. Douglass has originated, structured or participated in over 200 acquisition transactions.None

*Interested directors are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act). Mr. Douglass and Mr. Moore are deemed to be interested directors by reason of their affiliation with MCCA.
**Other directorships are limited to: (i) publicly traded companies in the United States; (ii) companies that are otherwise subject to SEC reporting requirements and (iii) investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
***Mr. Douglass is the spouse of Ms. Douglass, a Vice President of the Fund.

There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the directors and any other person pursuant to which any of such directors was or is to be selected as a director.

19


Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned by Current Directors/Director Nominees

Name

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund(1)
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds Overseen
or to be Overseen by Director
or Nominee in Family of
Investment Companies(2)

Independent Directors

Richard F. Bergner

NoneNone

Charles M. Boyd, M.D.

  $61.6 million1-$10,000$1-$10,000

Net asset value after issuanceAlan D. Feinsilver

Over $100,000Over $100,000

Gregory J. Flanagan

Over $100,000Over $100,000

Henry W. Hankinson

NoneNone

Robert L. Knauss

  $154 million10,001-$50,000$10,001-$50,000

Shares outstanding after issuance

16.2 million

Net asset value per share after issuanceDr. Francis D. Tuggle

  $9.5150,001-$100,000$50,001-$100,000

Dilution effectInterested Directors

  17.1%

Anthony R. Moore

Over $100,000Over $100,000

Sam P. Douglass

Over $100,000Over $100,000

To further elaborate on the noted example, an assumed rate of return on the total portfolio of 11% after one year would generate a return on portfolio of $13.5 million for a total net asset value of $167.5 million. Therefore, one year after the offering in this example, the net asset value per share would be $10.33 and the residual dilution to the September 30, 2006 net asset value would be 9.9%. However, an assumed rate of return on the total portfolio of 0.0% after one year would generate a return on portfolio of $0.0. In this latter case, one year after the offering, the net asset value per share would remain at $9.51 and the residual dilution would remain at 17.1%.

The discount to net asset value is a result of market perception that moves the share price and thus net asset value is only one determinant of market value. Market price will incorporate a discount or premium factor based on the market assessment of future earnings and the likelihood of those earnings supporting growth in dividend yield.

Notwithstanding the dilutive effect of any equity financing on the Fund’s net asset value, the Board has considered the Fund’s need to obtain additional capital for investment and other factors discussed in this proxy statement. With more capital to invest, the Board believes that the Fund may be able to make investments with more significant earnings and growth potential. The Board further believes that over time the value of the incremental assets available for investment, taken together with the other factors previously discussed, may be reflected positively in the market price of the Fund’s shares and that such increases may exceed the initial dilutive effects that the Fund is likely to experience in its net asset value per share. In the Board’s view, the Fund’s market share price is an important gauge of the true economic impact on stockholders of any equity financing.

11


Gross Amount of Management and Administration Fees

In reaching its recommendation to the stockholders, the Board also considered the effect of the gross amount of the management fees payable to MCCA. The issuance of additional shares of common stock will increase the aggregate management fees that the Fund pays to MCCA as the management fee is calculated based on a percentage of assets under management. The increase in the Fund’s asset base resulting from an increase in capital in connection with an offering of common stock or a rights offering would increase assets of the Fund under management, and would thereby increase the gross amount of management fees paid to MCCA. This increase, however, will not increase or decrease the management fee as a percentage of assets under management. MCCA has advised the Board that it intends to use a significant portion of any increase in gross management fees to hire additional professional personnel, such as investment staff, who will provide services to the Fund. The Administrator does not believe that the Fund’s fees under the administration agreement, dated as of June 30, 2005, between the Fund and the Administrator, will increase as a result of any increase in the size of the Fund from the issuance of additional shares.

The Independent Directors also considered the potential conflict of interest inherent in any proposal by management to have the Fund issue additional shares of common stock. The Independent Directors concluded, however, that the benefits to the Fund of having a larger capital base, as discussed above, would outweigh any advantages to MCCA or the Administrator as a result of such increase in assets under management.

Other Considerations

In reaching its recommendation to the stockholders, the Board also considered the effect of the following factors:

The terms and expenses of a common stock or rights offering below net asset value relative to other alternatives for raising capital, and relative to not raising capital;

The size of a common stock or rights offering in relation to the number of shares outstanding;

The general condition of the securities markets; and

Any impact on operating expenses associated with an increase in capital.

Potential Investors

Presently, the Fund has not solicited any potential buyers of the shares or rights that the Fund may elect to issue in any future offering to comply with the federal securities laws. No shares or rights are earmarked for management or other affiliated persons of the Fund. However, members of management and other affiliated persons of the Fund may participate in a common stock or rights offering.

Required Stockholder Vote

If the stockholders approve this Proposal, during a one-year period commencing on the date of such approval, the Fund will be permitted, but not required or otherwise obligated, to offer and sell, or to issue rights to acquire, newly issued shares of its common stock at a price below net asset value at the time sold. The Board believes that the Proposal is important because of the flexibility it would provide in raising additional capital even if the Fund’s common stock is trading at prices below net asset value. Approval of this Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of:

A majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities; and

A majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities that are not owned by affiliated persons of the Fund.
(1)Based on beneficial ownership as of March 31, 2007.
(2)No director/director nominee of the Fund is a director of another fund registered under the 1940 Act whose investment adviser is MCCA.

The Board including its Independent Directors, unanimously recommends that each stockholder vote “FOR” this Proposal to authorize the Fund to offer and sell, or to issue rights to acquire, shares of its common stock at a price below the current net asset value of such stock.

12


PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL TO AMEND THE FUND’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

The authorized capital stock“For” each of the Fund currently consists of 25,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value. On the Record Date, 8,163,691 shares of the Fund’s common stock were outstanding.

The Board of Directors of the Fund believes that it is in the best interests of the Fund to have additional shares of common stock available for issuance at the Board’s discretion for future equity financings, stock splits, stock dividends, and other corporate purposes. Accordingly, the Board has proposed an amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Fund to increase the number of shares of the Fund’s common stock available for issuance from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000.

If this Proposal 2 is approvedpersons nominated by the stockholders of the Fund, the additional shares of the Fund’s common stock may be issued from time to time upon authorization of the Board, without further approval by the stockholders unless required by the Investment Company Act, other applicable law, or the rules of the NYSE.

Management of the Fund is considering various options with respect to possible equity offerings, including the issuance of shares of common stock and rights to acquire shares. The Fund has retained an investment banking firm to advise on available financing options. If stockholders approve this Proposal 2 and Proposal 1 above, the Fund will have greater flexibility in taking advantage of changing market and financial conditions in connection with an equity offering. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board has not approved the terms of a specific offering. This Proxy Statement is not an offer of securities. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the SEC or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

Issuance of new shares of common stock, other than pro rata to all existing stockholders, would be potentially dilutive to the voting power of existing stockholders and could also be dilutive with regard to dividends and other economic aspects of common stock.

The increase in authorized shares is not being proposed as a means of preventing or dissuading a change in control or takeover of the Fund. However, use of these shares for such a purpose is possible. Shares of authorized but unissued or unreserved common stock and preferred stock, for example, could be issued in an effort to dilute the stock ownership and voting power of persons seeking to obtain control of the Fund or could be issued to purchasers who would support the Board in opposing a takeover proposal. The proposed amendment therefore may have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts.

The proposed amendment does not change the terms of the Fund’s common stock, which does not have preemptive rights. The additional shares of common stock for which authorization is sought will have the same voting rights and rights to dividends and distributions, and will be identical in all other respects to the Fund’s common stock now authorized.

Approval of the amendment of the Fund’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s common stock.

The Board, including its Independent Directors, unanimously recommends that each stockholder vote “FOR” the amendment of the Fund’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000 shares.Board.

13


OTHER MATTERS

The Board knows of no other matter that is likely to come before the specialannual meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before the meeting, the individuals named as proxy holders will vote in accordance with their discretion on such matters.

In the event that sufficient votes in favor of the proposalsproposal set forth in the Notice of the SpecialAnnual Meeting are not received by the time scheduled for the specialannual meeting, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of the Fund, present in person or represented by proxy, although not constituting a quorum, may adjourn the meeting.

ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY REPORTS

A copy of the Fund’s 2005Fund��s 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders and copies of the Fund’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are available without charge upon request. Please direct your request to Equus Total Return, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, P.O. Box 130197, Houston, Texas 77219-0197, (713) 529-0900 or toll-free at (800) 856-0901. Copies also may be requested through the Fund’s website atwww.equuscap.com. (Information contained on the Fund’s website is not incorporated into this proxy statement.) Copies are also posted via EDGAR on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stockholder Proposals for the 20072008 Annual Meeting.Stockholders. Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for the annual meeting of stockholders in 20072008 may do so by following the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule 14a-8.14a-8 under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion, the Fund’s Secretary

20


must receive stockholder proposals no later than January 1, 2007.2, 2008. Proposals should be sent to the Fund, c/o Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors,Equus Total Return, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019, Attention: President.77019. Submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement or form of proxy because certain SEC rules must be met.

In addition, under our by-laws no business may be brought before a stockholder meeting unless it is specified in the notice of the meeting or is otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or by a stockholder entitled to vote who has delivered an appropriate notice to the Fund’s Secretary. To be properly brought before such a meeting a stockholder must deliver a written notice to the Fund at the address set forth in the following paragraph of the stockholder’s intention to present a proposal (containing certain information specified in the by-laws about the stockholder and the proposed action) not less than 60 nor more than 90 days’ prior to the meeting. However, in the event less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, such notice to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the fifth day following the day on which such notice is mailed or such public disclosure was made.

Stockholder proposals with respect to Director nominations require written notice of your intent to make such a nomination either by personal delivery or by U.S. mail, postage prepaid, to Kenneth I. Denos, Secretary, Equus Total Return, Inc., Attention: Secretary, 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019, within the time limits described above for delivering a stockholder proposal notice and comply with the information requirements in our by-laws relating to Directordirector nominations by stockholders. These requirements are separate from and in addition to the SEC’sSEC requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to have a stockholder proposal included in the Fund’s proxy statement.

The proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the 2007 Annual Meeting2008 annual meeting will confer discretionary authority to vote on any stockholder proposal presented at that meeting, unless the Fund is provided with notice of such proposal no later than March 17, 2007.2008.

14


A copy of the full text of the by-law provisions discussed above may be obtained by writing to the Corporate Secretary, 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor,Equus Total Return, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, P.O. Box 130197, Houston, Texas 7701977219-0197 and is included as an exhibit to the Fund’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 19952006 as filed with the SEC via EDGAR on March 1, 1996.30, 2007.

Communications with the Board. Interested parties who wish to communicate directly with the Board, or specified individual Directorsdirectors may do so by writing to the Board or individual Directorsdirectors in care of the Secretary, Equus Total Return, Inc., 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019. At the direction of the Board, all mail received will be opened and screened for security purposes. The mail will then be logged in. All mail, other than trivial or obscene items, will be forwarded. Trivial items will be delivered to the Directorsdirectors at the next scheduled Board meeting. Mail addressed to a particular Directordirector will be forwarded or delivered to that Director.director. Mail addressed to “Independent Directors,” “Outside Directors” or “Non-Management Directors” will be forwarded or delivered to the Chairman of the Committee of Independent Directors. Mail addressed to the “Board of Directors” will be forwarded or delivered to the Chairman of the Board. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters are handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.

Corporate Governance. The Fund is a Delaware corporation subject to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Fund’s day-to-day operations and requirements as to the place and time, conduct, and voting, at a meeting of stockholders are governed by the Fund’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, the provisions of the DGCL, the provisions of the Investment Company1940 Act and NYSE rules. The Fund has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our Directors,directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and controller) and employees. Our code of business conduct and ethics meets NYSE listing standard requirements and the requirements of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. A copy of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, code of business conduct and ethics is annexed to this proxy statement. A copy of our certificate of

21


incorporation and by-laws, corporate governance guidelines, and the charters of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees may be obtained by writing to the Secretary, Equus Total Return, Inc., 2727 Allen Parkway, 13th Floor,Attention: Investor Relations, P.O. Box 130197, Houston, Texas 77019.77219-0197. Our code of business conduct and ethics, corporate governance guidelines and committee charters are also available by accessing the Fund’s website at www.equuscap.com. (Information contained on the Fund’s website is not incorporated into this proxy statement.) In the event that the Fund amends or waives any provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller, we intend to disclose the same on the Fund’s website at www.equuscap.com.www.equuscap.com.

Proxy Solicitation Costs. The proxies being solicited hereby are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Fund. The cost of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be paid by the Fund. Officers and regular employees of the Fund and MCCA may, but without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailing or personal conversations, or by telephone, telex, facsimile, or electronic means. Copies of solicitation material will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians to forward to beneficial owners of stock held in the name of such nominees. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their responsible expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock. In addition, the Fund has retained The Altman Group (“Altman”)MacKenzie Partners, Inc., a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that AltmanMacKenzie Partners, Inc. will be paid approximately $20,000$5,000 by the Fund for such solicitation services (plusplus approximately $2,000 for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses). Altmanexpenses. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. may solicit proxies personally and by telephone. Authorization to permit Altman to execute proxies may be obtained by telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions from stockholders

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ANNEX

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”) has adopted the following Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for members of the Board, officers, and employees of the Fund (this “Code”). This Code is intended to focus the Board, each Director, Officer, and employee on areas of ethical risk, provide guidance to Directors, Officers, and employees to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, provide mechanisms to report unethical conduct, and help foster a culture of honesty and accountability. Each Director, Officer, and employee must comply with the letter and spirit of this Code.

No code or policy can anticipate every situation that may arise. Accordingly, this Code is intended to serve as a source of guiding principles for Directors, Officers, and employees. Directors, Officers, and employees are encouraged to bring questions about particular circumstances that may implicate one or more of the provisions of this Code to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee, who may consult with legal counsel as appropriate.

Directors, Officers, and employees of the Fund should read and comply with this Code in conjunction with the Fund’s Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy.

1.Conflict of Interest

A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Director’s, Officer’s, or employee’s private interest interferes in any way, or appears to interfere, with the interests of the Fund as a whole. Conflicts of interest arise when a Director, Officer, Employee or a member of his or her immediate family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position as a Director, Officer, or employee of the Fund or of Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Inc. (“MCCA”), the Fund’s Investment Advisor. Loans or guarantees of obligations may create conflicts of interest. Therefore, the Fund shall not make any personal loans or extensions of credit to nor become contingently liable for any indebtedness of Directors or Officers or any members of their families.

Directors, Officers, and employees must avoid conflicts of interest with the Fund. ProxiesAny situation that involves, or may reasonably be expected to involve, a conflict of interest with the Fund must be disclosed immediately to the Chair of the Audit Committee or to the attention of the individual designated in Section II below.

This Code does not attempt to describe all possible conflicts of interest which could develop. Some of the more common conflicts from which Directors, Officers, and employees must refrain, however, are set out below:

Relationship of Fund with third parties. Directors, Officers, and employees may not engage in any conduct or activities that are obtained telephonically will be recordedinconsistent with the Fund’s best interests or that disrupt or impair the Fund’s relationship with any person or entity with which the Fund has or proposes to enter into an investment, business or contractual relationship.

Compensation from non-Fund sources. Directors, Officers, and employees may not accept compensation, in accordanceany form, for services performed for the Fund from any source other than the Fund. Notwithstanding, Directors and Officers may accept board fees and non-employee director stock options from portfolio companies, if such fees and options are offered by the portfolio company to all non-employee directors and disclosed to the Fund and its Audit Committee.

Gifts. Directors, Officers, employees and members of their families may not offer, give or receive gifts from persons or entities who deal with procedures thatthe Fund or its portfolio companies, in those cases where any such gift is being made in order to influence the Directors’ or Officers’ actions as members of the Board and senior management of the Fund believes are reasonably designed to ensure that the identityor its portfolio companies, or where acceptance of the stockholder castinggifts could create the vote is accurately determined and that the voting instructionsappearance of the stockholder are accurately determined.a conflict of interest.

 

15A-1


2.Insider Trading

Officers, Directors, and employees who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public information about the Fund and its portfolio companies should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. Please consult the Fund’s policy on insider trading for additional policies related hereto.

LOGO 

PROXY

3.
Corporate Opportunities

Directors, Officers, and employees owe a duty to the Fund to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. When an opportunity that relates to the Fund’s business has been presented to the Fund, MCCA or their agents, Officers and Directors are prohibited from: (a) taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of the Fund’s property or information, or the Director’s, Officer’s, and employee’s position with the Fund or MCCA; (b) using the Fund’s property, information, or position for personal gain; or (c) personally competing with the Fund, directly or indirectly, for business opportunities. However, if it has been determined that the Fund will not pursue an opportunity presented to the Fund, a Director, Officer, or employee may pursue such opportunity if such involvement is fully disclosed to the Fund and its Audit Committee and does not interfere with the fulfillment of the Director’s, Officer’s, and employee’s responsibility to the Fund.

4.Record Keeping

The Fund requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. All of the Fund’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Fund’s transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Fund’s system of internal controls. Periodic and other reports (financial and otherwise) to federal, state, and local government agencies must present a full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure of the Fund. Business records and communications should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Fund’s record retention policies.

5.Confidentiality

Directors, Officers, and employees must maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Fund or its portfolio companies, and any other confidential information about the Fund or its portfolio companies that comes to them, from whatever source, in their capacity as Director, Officer, or employee except when disclosure is authorized or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Fund or its portfolio companies, if disclosed.

6.Protection and Proper Use of Fund Assets

Theft, carelessness and waste of assets have a direct impact on the Fund’s profitability. Directors, Officers, and employees shall protect the Fund’s assets and ensure their efficient use. All Fund assets shall be used only for legitimate business purposes, and any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation.

7.Fair Dealing

The conduct required by fair dealing requires honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing. Directors, Officers, and employees shall deal fairly and honestly

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with the Fund’s other Directors, Officers, and employees, portfolio companies (including the members of management thereof) vendors and co-investors. No Director, Officer, or employee should do anything that could be interpreted as dishonest or outside reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing. Directors, Officers, and employees should act at all times in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence, and without misrepresentation of any material facts.

8.Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations

Directors, Officers, and employees shall comply, and oversee compliance by other Directors, Officers, and employees with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Fund.

9.Waivers of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Changes in or waivers of this Code may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Fund or, in the case of any change in or waiver of this Code for any of the Officers, only by the independent directors on the Board of Directors of the Fund. All changes in or waivers of this Code for Officers will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulations.

10.Encouraging the Reporting of any Illegal or Unethical Behavior

Directors, Officers, and employees should promote ethical behavior and take steps to create a working environment at the Fund and MCCA that: (a) encourages employees to talk to supervisors, managers and other appropriate personnel when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation; (b) encourages employees to report violations of laws, rules, regulations or this Code to appropriate personnel; and (c) fosters the understanding among employees that the Fund and MCCA will not permit retaliation for reports made in good faith.

11.Failure to Comply; Compliance Procedures

A failure by any Director, Officer, or employee to comply with the laws or regulations governing the Fund’s business, this Code or any other Fund policy or requirement may result in disciplinary action, and, if warranted, legal proceedings. Directors, Officers, or employees should communicate any suspected violations of this Code promptly to the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board. Please call the Fund’s outside general counsel Robert A. Robertson at Dechert LLP at 949-442-6037 for contact information. If you prefer to write, address your concerns to : Chair of the Audit Committee, Moore, Clayton Capital Advisors, Incorporated, c/o Robert A. Robertson, Dechert LLP, 4675 MacArthur Street, Suite 1400, Newport Beach, California 92660. Violations will be investigated by the Audit Committee or by a person or persons designated by the Audit Committee and appropriate action will be taken in the event of any violations of this Code.

12.Annual Review

Annually, each Director, Officer, and employee shall provide written certification that he or she has read and understands this Code and its contents and that he or she has not violated, and is not aware that any other Director, Officer, or employee has violated, this Code.

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EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, 13TH FLOOR, HOUSTON, TEXASAllen Parkway, 13th Floor, Houston, Texas 77019

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC. (THE “FUND”This Proxy is Solicited by the Board of Directors of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Fund”)

FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON JANUARY 31,for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 14, 2007

The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Sam P. Douglass or Anthony R. Moore, or Sam P. Douglass, with full power of substitution and revocation to each, the true and lawful attorneys and proxies of the undersigned at the SpecialAnnual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund,EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC., to be held on January 31,June 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. local time, at Plaza IMeeting Room Plaza2, Ground Level, Riviana Building, 2777Wortham Tower, 2727 Allen Parkway, Houston, TXTexas 77019, and ator any adjournments or postponementsadjournment thereof (the “Special“Annual Meeting”) and to vote the shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Fund (“Shares”), standing in the name of the undersigned on the books of the Fund on December 8, 2006,April 23, 2007, the record date for the SpecialAnnual Meeting, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the SpecialAnnual Meeting.

This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, the proxy will be voted FOR each Proposal. The Board of Directors knows of no other matter to come before the meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting, the proxies will have discretion to vote the proxy on such matter in accordance with their discretion.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges previous receipt of the Notice of SpecialAnnual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given by the undersigned.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

Signature(s) of Stockholder (s)                         Date

Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.


é FOLD HEREéANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

Three simple methods to vote EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

June 14, 2007

Please date, sign and mail

your proxy:proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

ê    Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.    ê

20900000000000000000  9                                                                                                       061407

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HEREx

1.      Election of the nine nominees listed below to the Board of Directors:  

Internet:This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, the proxy will be voted FOR the election of directors.

The Board of Directors knows of no other matter to come before the meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting with respect to which the Fund was not provided notice on or before March 17, 2007, the proxies will have discretion to vote the proxy on such matter in accordance with their best judgment.

 NOMINEES:

¨FOR ALL NOMINEES

¨WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

FOR ALL NOMINEES

¨FOR ALL EXCEPT

(See instructions below)

 

Log on towww.myproxyonline.com. Make sure to have this proxy card available when you plan to vote your shares. You will need the control number and check digit found in the box at the right at the time you execute your vote.O

CONTROL
NUMBER:

Touchtone   Richard F. Bergner

Phone:O   Charles M. Boyd, M.D.  

O   Sam P. Douglass

O   Alan D. Feinsilver

O   Gregory J. Flanagan

O   Henry W. Hankinson

O   Robert L. Knauss

O   Anthony R. Moore

O   Dr. Francis D. Tuggle

  Simply dial toll-free 866-437-4683 and follow the automated instructions. Please have this proxy card available at the time of the call.CHECK
DIGIT ID:

Mail:

Simply sign, date, and complete the reverse side of this proxy card and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. 

INSTRUCTION:

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark“FOR ALL EXCEPT”and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:l

TAGID: 12345678

  CUSIP: 123456789
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.                         ¨


SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH PROPOSAL.

PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE            x

 

FORAGAINSTABSTAIN
P1.To authorize the Fund to offer and sell, or to issue rights to acquire, shares of its common stock at a price below the current net asset value of such stock.¨¨¨
P2.Signature of Stockholder    

To approve the amendment of the Fund’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 25,000,000 to 50,000,000 shares.

  Date:  Signature of Stockholder  Date:  

¨Note:  ¨Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy.When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such.If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
  ¨

PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

If you should have any questions about the proxy material or the execution of your vote, simply call 800-330-8705 between the hours of 10 am and 10 pm Eastern Standard Time. Representatives will be happy to assist you. Please have this proxy card available at the time of the call.

SCANNER BAR CODE

TAG ID: 12345678                                                                                                                                                                                    CUSIP: