UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-07390

 

Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Fund Administrative Services

2344 Spruce Street, Suite A

Boulder, CO

 

80302

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Fund Administrative Services

2344 Spruce Street, Suite A

Boulder, CO 80302

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(303) 444-5483

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

November 30, 2007

 

 

Date of reporting period:

November 30, 2007

 

 



 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 



Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Annual Report

November 30, 2007

Dear Stockholder:

Recent market activity has brought to mind the famous first line, "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." The volatile market can't seem to decide which of these is true. To tell you the truth, we don't know ourselves. We'd probably sway a bit towards the latter. With the housing market in a decline, the impact crosses many economic boundaries, meaning it doesn't affect just one sector of the economy. One thing we do know is the volatility is producing huge swings in stock prices in very short periods of time. And while this can create opportunities for us from time to time, it creates much more opportunity for traders who like to buy and sell a lot.

When the final bell rang on November 30, 2007, the Fund's fiscal year-end, the Boulder Total Return Fund had a total return on net asset value (NAV) of 10.4%. This outperformed the S&P 500 Index which returned 7.7% for the same period. That's just a "picture in time," if you will, of our performance. On Monday morning, December 3, 2007, the opening bell rang, and the stocks started trading again. We'll write another letter in 6 months to let you know how the Fund did from that opening bell to the closing bell at the end of May.

Below is a comparison of the Fund's NAV performance with that of the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite:

Cumulative Returns   3 Months
Ended
11/30/07
  6 Months
Ended
11/30/07
  One Year
Ended
11/30/07
  Three Years*
Ended
11/30/07
  Five Years*
Ended
11/30/07
  Since
August
1999**
 
Boulder Total Return Fund     6.5 %     3.3 %     10.4 %     11.0 %     14.2 %     9.8 %  
S&P 500 Index     1.0 %     -2.3 %     7.7 %     10.1 %     11.6 %     3.1 %  
Dow Jones Industrial Average     0.8 %     -0.7 %     11.9 %     11.2 %     11.0 %     4.7 %  
NASDAQ Composite     2.7 %     2.6 %     10.3 %     9.1 %     13.2 %     0.2 %  

 

The total returns for BTF in the table above do not include the affect of dilution from the 7/2003 rights offering. If the affect of dilution is included, the 5 year and since 8/99 annualized return would have been 12.7% and 8.9% respectively.

*  Annualized

**  Annualized since August 1999, when the current Advisers became investment advisers to the Fund.

The Fund has begun paying a level monthly distribution of $.24 per share. By now you've received two of these dividends. The Fund paid $.24 per share in December and January. On an annual basis, the monthly $.24 per share works out to $2.88 per share. This dividend amount is 13.3% of the most recent market price of $21.71 per share. Why are we paying this dividend? It's a way to allow stockholders to reap some of the unrealized gains in the Fund without having to pay taxes on it. It's not our intention to cause the Fund's to shrink. Rather, we hope that over time the Fund's assets will increase. Whether or not they increase at a rate equal to or greater than the dividend is yet to be seen. We'd sure like it if they did, but we can't assure you of that. Obviously if the assets grow slower than the dividend over time, the Fund will shrink. Either way, stockholders will be receiving cash on a monthly basis. We expect that the dividend will be mostly a return of capital. That is to say it may include some net investment income, but not much. The good thing about getting a portion of the dividend as a return of capital is that it is not taxable, though you will need to keep records and make an adjustment to your cost basis if you ever sell your shares. While the Fund hasn't received exemptive relief from the SEC on paying more than one capital gain distribution per year, as long as the Fund doesn't "declare" and pay more than one capital gain, the Fund can pay a monthly level distribution. Any realized capital gains, will have to be declared and paid out at year-end, like we have done in the past. If by chance the SEC grants the Fund exemptive relief prior to year-end, the Fund could declare some of the monthly dividends to have some capital gains in them. By the way, if you haven't enrolled in the Fund's DRIP plan (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), now is a good time. You need to call your broker if you're not a registered holder, and make sure your broker allows




participation in the Fund plan—not theirs. The Fund plan gives a benefit if the Fund's stock price is trading at a premium on the payment date—it issues shares at the higher of NAV or 95% of market.

We didn't sell any Berkshire Hathaway, and we didn't sell any YUM! Brands. It may sound like a strange thing to say, but given the increases last year in both of the stocks, it's nice to know the Fund still holds them. These two stocks represent the two largest positions in the Fund comprising about 40% of the total portfolio. Obviously, it didn't start out that way. While we did buy large amounts of stock in both of these companies years ago, they are like the cream that has floated to the top. We'll likely continue holding them for quite some time. It's also nice that the Fund carries about 9% of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents. Why is this nice? Because the market has been declining. You may have heard the saying, "in a declining market, cash is king." As of the writing of this letter, we still haven't invested it. To see all 37 stocks that the Fund owns, flip a few pages and you will see them. By the way, 37 stocks is not a lot, as we've said in the past. And if you take away the 5 smallest positions, all under $1 million, it leaves only 32 stocks.

So how did these stocks fare during the year? The Fund's two biggest positions mentioned above, Berkshire Hathaway and Yum Brands were up 31% and 23% respectively during the year. On the flip side, two of the Fund's other large positions; Citigroup and Washington Mutual were down 30% and 52% respectively. At the beginning of the year, Citigroup and Washington Mutual represented a combined 8.5% of the Fund's assets but now, because of their declines (and the increase in the rest of the portfolio), the two stocks now represent only 4.5%. Financial stocks have performed terribly in the market place due to several things: credit squeezing tighter across the board, the subprime lending debacle combined with the housing market decline, and finally and perhaps most importantly—fear!

Several of the Fund's foreign holdings performed quite well during the year including Midland Holdings, up 169% and Cheung Kong Holdings, up 62%. The Fund started the year with 46 stocks. Thirteen of them were other closed-end funds. We sold 12 of those during the year. We added two new positions of significance in the Fund: Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Walgreens.

Our website at www.boulderfunds.net is an excellent source for information on the Fund. One of the new features on the website is the ability to sign up for electronic delivery of stockholder information. Through electronic delivery, you can enjoy the convenience of receiving and viewing stockholder communications, such as annual reports, managed distribution information, and proxy statements online in addition to, but more quickly than, the hard copies you currently receive in the mail. To enroll, simply go to www.boulderfunds.net/enotify.htm. You will also find information about the Boulder Total Return Fund's sister fund—the Boulder Growth & Income Fund—on the website.

Sincerely,

   
Stewart R. Horejsi
Stewart Investment Advisers
Barbados, W.I.
  Carl D. Johns
Boulder Investment Advisers, LLC
Boulder, Colorado
 

 

January 11, 2008


2



Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Financial Data

(Unaudited)

    Per Share of
Common Stock
 
    Net Asset
Value
  NYSE
Closing Price
  Dividends
Paid
 
11/30/06   $ 23.64     $ 21.59     $ 0.00    
12/31/06     23.01       22.34       1.03    
1/31/07     23.41       21.73       0.00    
2/28/07     22.68       22.10       0.00    
3/31/07     22.92       21.71       0.00    
4/30/07     23.52       22.20       0.00    
5/31/07     24.16       21.97       0.00    
6/30/07     23.65       21.34       0.00    
7/31/07     22.93       20.62       0.00    
8/31/07     23.42       21.47       0.00    
9/30/07     23.82       21.13       0.00    
10/31/07     25.30       23.63       0.00    
11/30/07     24.95       22.70       0.00    

 

The Boulder Total Return Fund was ranked #1 in Lipper Closed-End Equity Fund Performance for the year ended December 31, 2000 by Lipper Inc.

LIPPER and the LIPPER Corporate Marks are proprietary trademarks of Lipper, a Reuters Company. Used by permission.


3




Portfolio of Investments as of November 30, 2007  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Shares   Description   Value (Note 1)  
LONG TERM INVESTMENTS-96.6%      
DOMESTIC COMMON STOCKS-78.2%      
Beverages-3.0%      
  220,000     Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.   $ 11,598,400    
Buildings-Residential/Commercial-0.4%      
  10,000     KB Home     208,900    
  22,700     Ryland Group, Inc.     522,100    
  18,900     Toll Brothers, Inc.†     390,663    
  34,100     DR Horton, Inc.     408,177    
      1,529,840    
Construction Machinery-1.1%      
  60,000     Caterpillar, Inc.     4,314,000    
Diversified-36.3%      
  690     Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class A†     96,669,000    
  9,200     Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B†     43,148,000    
      139,817,000    
Diversified Financial Services-2.7%      
  135,328     Legg Mason, Inc.     10,326,880    
Financial Services-2.5%      
  293,360     Citigroup, Inc.     9,768,888    
Health Care Products & Services-0.9%      
  52,000     Johnson & Johnson     3,522,480    
Insurance-2.4%      
  53,000     American International Group, Inc.     3,081,009    
  120,000     First American Corporation     4,101,600    
  83,000     Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     2,084,960    
      9,267,569    
Manufacturing-3.5%      
  150,500     Eaton Corporation     13,441,155    
Pharmaceuticals-0.6%      
  100,000     Pfizer, Inc.     2,376,000    
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)-0.6%      
  75,000     Redwood Trust, Inc.     2,289,750    
Retail-18.2%      
  110,000     The Home Depot, Inc.     3,141,600    
  370,000     Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.     17,723,000    
  150,000     Walgreen Company     5,488,500    
  1,180,000     Yum! Brands, Inc.     43,837,000    
      70,190,100    
Registered Investment Company (RIC)-2.4%      
  535,200     Flaherty & Crumrine Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund, Inc.     9,189,384    

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
4



Portfolio of Investments as of November 30, 2007  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Shares   Description   Value (Note 1)  
DOMESTIC COMMON STOCKS - continued      
Savings & Loan Companies-2.0%      
  392,549     Washington Mutual, Inc.   $ 7,654,705    
Transport-Trucking-1.6%      
  60,000     Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation     5,011,200    
  63,100     YRC Worldwide, Inc.†     1,117,501    
      6,128,701    
        Total Domestic Common Stocks (cost $175,007,964)     301,414,852    
FOREIGN COMMON STOCKS-12.7%      
Canada-0.3%      
  123,000     Canfor Pulp Income Fund     1,274,790    
Hong Kong-5.2%      
  515,000     Cheung Kong Holdings, Ltd.     9,677,666    
  500,000     Henderson Investment, Ltd., REIT     1,066,098    
  6,156,000     Midland Holdings, Ltd.     9,124,803    
      19,868,567    
Japan-0.9%      
  772     New City Residence Investment Corporation, REIT     3,277,999    
Netherlands-1.6%      
  95,117     Heineken NV     6,266,028    
New Zealand-1.1%      
  4,150,136     Kiwi Income Property Trust, REIT     4,390,749    
Turkey-0.0%      
  57,183     Dogus Ge Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi A.S., REIT†     74,238    
United Kingdom-3.6%      
  75,000     Diageo PLC, Sponsored ADR     6,793,500    
  705,000     Lloyds TSB Group PLC     7,175,447    
      13,968,947    
        Total Foreign Common Stocks (cost $31,112,241)     49,121,318    
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SECURITIES-5.7%      
  120     Cohen & Steers Quality Income & Realty Fund, Series M7     3,000,000    
  120     Cohen & Steers REIT & Preferred Income Fund, Inc.     3,000,000    
  200     Cohen & Steers REIT & Utility Income Fund, Inc. Series T28     5,000,000    
  120     Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund, Series M7     3,000,000    
  120     Duff & Phelps Utility & Corporate Fund     3,000,000    
  120     Neuberger Berman Real Estate Income Fund, Series B     3,000,000    
  76     TS&W/Claymore Tax Added Balance Fund     1,900,000    
        Total Auction Market Preferred Securities (cost $21,900,628)     21,900,000    
        Total Long Term Investments (cost $228,020,833)     372,436,170    

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
5



Portfolio of Investments as of November 30, 2007  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Par Value   Description   Value (Note 1)  
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS-3.0%      
BANK DEPOSITS-0.9%      
$ 3,401,800     Eurodollar Time Deposit, 3.700% due 12/03/07   $ 3,401,800    
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS-2.1%      
New Zealand-0.6%      
  3,300,000     New Zealand Treasury Bill, 6.000% due 07/15/08 NZD     2,508,694    
United Kingdom-1.5%      
  2,741,000     United Kingdom Treasuries, 7.250% due 12/07/07 GBP     5,636,863    
        Total Foreign Government Bonds (cost $8,110,606)     8,145,557    
        Total Short Term Investments (cost $11,512,406)     11,547,357    
Total Investments-99.6%      
        (cost $239,533,239)     383,983,527    
        Other Assets and Liabilities-0.4%     1,392,264    
        Total Net Assets Available to Common Stock and Preferred Stock-100%     385,375,791    
        Auction Market Preferred Stock (AMPs) Redemption Value     (77,500,000 )  
        Total Net Assets Available to Common Stock   $ 307,875,791    

 

†    Non-income producing security

ADR  -  American Depository Receipt

GBP   -  British Pounds

NZD  -  New Zealand Dollar

•     For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund's industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease. Industries are shown as a percent of net assets. These industry classifications are unaudited.

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
6



Investments as a % of Net Assets (Unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
7




Statement of Assets and Liabilities  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

November 30, 2007

ASSETS:  
Investments, at value (Cost $239,533,239) (Note 1)   $ 383,983,527    
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $908,975)     902,620    
Dividends and interest receivable     1,061,613    
Prepaid expenses and other assets     25,465    
TOTAL ASSETS     385,973,225    
LIABILITIES:  
Investment co-advisory fees payable (Note 2)   $ 388,219    
Co-administration and custodian fees payable (Note 2)     95,211    
Accumulated undeclared dividends on
Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock (Note 5)
    34,065    
Legal and audit fees payable     52,778    
Accrued expenses and other payables     27,161    
TOTAL LIABILITIES     597,434    
FUND TOTAL NET ASSETS   $ 385,375,791    
TAXABLE AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK:  
$0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 775 shares outstanding, liquidation
preference of $100,000 per share (Note 5)
    77,500,000    
TOTAL NET ASSETS (APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS)   $ 307,875,791    
NET ASSETS (Applicable to Common Stockholders) consist of:  
Undistributed net investment income   $ 1,300,660    
Accumulated net realized gain on investments sold and foreign currency transactions     448,908    
Unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions     144,452,529    
Par value of Common Stock (Note 4)     123,387    
Paid-in Capital in excess of par value of Common Stock     161,550,307    
TOTAL NET ASSETS (Applicable to Common Stockholders)   $ 307,875,791    
Net asset value per share outstanding (12,338,660 shares outstanding)   $ 24.95    

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
8



Statement of Operations  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

For the Year Ended November 30, 2007

INVESTMENT INCOME:  
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $89,120)   $ 9,225,499    
Interest and other income     1,189,157    
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME     10,414,656    
EXPENSES:  
Investment co-advisory fees (Note 2)   $ 4,610,244    
Co-administration and custodian fees (Note 2)     919,541    
Preferred Stock broker commissions and Auction Agent fees     209,08    
Director's fees and expenses (Note 2)     89,27    
Legal and audit fees     82,013    
Insurance expenses     48,927    
Printing fees     25,360    
Other     84,507    
OPERATING EXPENSES     6,068,954    
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     4,345,702    
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS ON INVESTMENTS:  
Net realized gain on:  
Securities     1,409,177    
Foreign currency related transactions     269,332    
      1,678,509    
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of:  
Securities     27,317,429    
Foreign currency related transactions     (185,650 )  
      27,131,779    
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS     28,810,288    
LESS: PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS     (4,233,333 )  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS APPLICABLE TO
COMMON SHARES
  $ 28,922,657    

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
9



Statement of Changes in Net Assets  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

    Year Ended
November 30, 2007
  Year Ended
November 30, 2006
 
OPERATIONS:  
Net investment income   $ 4,345,702     $ 3,673,486    
Net realized gain on investments sold during the period     1,678,509       13,339,966    
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments
during the period
    27,131,779       28,278,528    
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     33,155,990       45,291,980    
DISTRIBUTIONS: PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS  
Dividends paid from net investment income     (3,180,201 )     (551,689 )  
Dividends paid from long term capital gains     (1,053,132 )     (3,310,585 )  
Total Distributions: Preferred Stock Dividends     (4,233,333 )     (3,862,274 )  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES
    28,922,657       41,429,706    
DISTRIBUTIONS: COMMON SHARES  
Dividends paid from net investment income     (2,321,372 )     (2,097,572 )  
Dividends paid from long term capital gains to stockholders     (10,387,446 )     (7,033,036 )  
Total Distributions: Common Shares     (12,708,818 )     (9,130,608 )  
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FOR THE PERIOD     16,213,839       32,299,098    
NET ASSETS:  
Beginning of year     369,161,952       336,862,854    
End of year (including undistributed net investment income of
$1,300,660 and $2,280,062, respectively)
  $ 385,375,791     $ 369,161,952    
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED SHARES (AMPS)
REDEMPTION VALUE
    (77,500,000 )     (77,500,000 )  
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES   $ 307,875,791     $ 291,661,952    

 

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
10




Financial Highlights  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

For a Common share outstanding throughout each period.

Contained below is selected data for a share of common stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the year indicated. This information has been determined based upon information provided in the financial statements and market price data for the Fund's shares.

    Year Ended November 30,  
    2007   2006   2005   2004   2003  
OPERATING PERFORMANCE:  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 23.64     $ 21.02     $ 19.91     $ 17.61     $ 15.04    
Net investment income     0.35       0.30       0.15       0.03       0.07    
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     2.34       3.37       1.17       2.35       3.78    
Total from investment operations     2.69       3.67       1.32       2.38       3.85    
DISTRIBUTIONS: PREFFERED STOCK  
Dividends paid from net investment
income to AMP* Stockholders
    (0.26 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.09 )     (0.01 )  
Dividends paid from tax return of capital
to AMP* Stockholders
                            (0.07 )  
Dividends paid from long term capital gains
to AMP* Stockholders
    (0.09 )     (0.27 )     (0.15 )              
Change in accumulated undeclared dividends
on AMP* Stockholders
                (0.01 )     0.01       0.00 (a)  
Net Increase from operations
applicable to common shares
    2.34       3.36       1.11       2.30       3.77    
DISTRIBUTIONS: COMMON SHARES  
Dividends paid from net investment
income to Common Stockholders
    (0.19 )     (0.17 )                 (0.01 )  
Distributions paid from long term capital gain
to Common Stockholders
    (0.84 )     (0.57 )                    
Dividends paid from tax return of capital
to Common Stockholders
                            (0.02 )  
Dilutive Impact of Rights Offering                             (1.18 )†  
Accretive Impact of Capital Share Transactions                             0.01    
Net Increase in Common Net Asset Value     1.31       2.62       1.11       2.30       2.57    
Net asset value, end of year   $ 24.95     $ 23.64     $ 21.02     $ 19.91     $ 17.61    
Market value, end of year   $ 22.70     $ 21.59     $ 17.57     $ 17.45     $ 14.59    
Total investment return based on
net asset value(b)
    10.41 %     17.36 %     5.58 %     13.06 %     17.37 %  
Total investment return based on
market value(b)
    9.99 %     28.23 %     0.69 %     19.60 %     14.35 %  
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:  
Operating expenses     2.07 %     2.21 %     2.24 %     2.30 %     2.45 %  
Net investment income(c)     0.04 %     1.06 %     0.71 %     0.66 %     (0.08 )%  
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:  
Portfolio turnover rate     28 %     23 %     32 %     25 %     9 %  
Net assets, end of year (in 000s)   $ 307,876     $ 291,662     $ 259,363     $ 245,626     $ 220,573    
Number of shares outstanding at the
end of year (in 000's)
    12,339       12,339       12,339       12,339       12,527    
Ratio of operating expenses to Total Average
Net Assets including AMP*
    1.65 %     1.71 %     1.72 %     1.73 %     1.66 %  

 

*  Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMP")

†  The Rights Offering was fully subscribed at a subscription price of $12.10 for 3,140,517 shares, which equals $38,000,255 in gross proceeds. The Rights Offering had $(1.17) NAV impact and the $120,460 expenses associated with the Rights Offering had a $(0.01) NAV impact.

(a)  Amount represents less than $0.01 per Common share.

(b)  Assumes reinvestment of distributions at the market price at reinvestment date.

(c)  The net investment income ratios reflect income net of operating expenses and payments and change in undeclared dividends to AMP Stockholders.

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
11



Financial Highlights (Continued)  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

The table below sets out information with respect to Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock currently outstanding (1).

    Total Shares
Outstanding
  Average
Coverage
Per Share
  Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference
Per Share(2)
  Average
Market
Value
Per Share(2)
 
11/30/07     775     $ 497,949     $ 100,000     $ 100,000    
11/30/06     775       476,367       100,000       100,000    
11/30/05     775       434,662       100,000       100,000    
11/30/04     775       416,937       100,000       100,000    
11/30/03     775       384,611       100,000       100,000    
11/30/02     775       282,719       100,000       100,000    
11/30/01     775       311,122       100,000       100,000    

 

(1) See Note 5.

(2) Excludes accumulated undeclared dividends.

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
12




Notes to Financial Statements  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), is a non-diversified, closed-end management company organized as a Maryland corporation and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Portfolio Valuation: The net asset value of the Fund's Common Stock is determined by the Fund's administrator no less frequently than on the last business day of each week and month. It is determined by dividing the value of the Fund's net assets attributable to common shares by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. The value of the Fund's net assets attributable to common shares is deemed to equal the value of the Fund's total assets less (i) the Fund's liabilities and (ii) the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock. Securities listed on a national securities exchange are valued on the basis of the last sale on such exchange or the NASDAQ Official Close Price on the day of valuation. In the absence of sales of listed securities and with respect to securities for which the most recent sale prices are not deemed to represent fair market value, and unlisted securities (other than money market instruments), securities are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices, or based on a matrix system which utilizes information (such as credit ratings, yields and maturities) from independent sources. Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund, including reference to valuations of other securities which are considered comparable in quality, maturity and type. Investments in money market instruments, which mature in 60 days or less at the time of purchase, are valued at amortized cost.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities sold are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on ex-dividend dates. Interest income is recorded using the interest method.

The actual amounts of dividend income and return of capital received from investments in real estate investment trusts ("REITS") and registered investment companies ("RICS") at calendar year-end are determined after the end of the fiscal year. The Fund therefore estimates these amounts for accounting purposes until the actual characterization of REIT and RIC distributions is known. Distributions received in excess of the estimate are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investments.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated in US dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the end of the period, and purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses transacted in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the dates of such transactions.

Foreign currency gains and losses result from fluctuations in exchange rates between trade date and settlement date on securities transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of the Fund and the amounts actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and the subsequent sale trade date is included in gains and losses on investment securities sold.

Repurchase Agreements: The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund's Management reviews and approves periodically the eligibility of the banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions. The value of the collateral underlying such transactions is at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligations, including interest. The Fund maintains possession of the collateral and, in the event of counterparty default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is the possibility of loss to the Fund in the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities.

Dividends and Distributions to Stockholders: Dividends to Common stockholders will be declared in such a manner as to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax described in "Federal Income Taxes" below. The stockholders of Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends as declared by the Fund's Board of Directors. Distributions to stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Any net realized short-term capital gains will be distributed to stockholders at least annually. Any net realized long-term capital gains may be distributed to stockholders at least annually or may be retained by the Fund as determined by the Fund's Board of Directors. Capital gains retained by the Fund are subject to tax at the corporate tax rate. Subject to the Fund qualifying as a registered


13



Notes to Financial Statements  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

investment company, any taxes paid by the Fund on such net realized long-term gains may be used by the Fund's Stockholders as a credit against their own tax liabilities.

Effective October 29, 2007, the Fund's Board of Directors has approved a level distribution policy for the Fund. As approved, the Fund will begin paying a fixed monthly common stock distribution, currently equal to $0.24 per share, per month, beginning December 2007. The distributions may consist of ordinary income, if any, long-term capital gains, if any, short-term capital gains, if any, and tax return of capital, if any. A "tax return of capital" represents a return of stockholder's original investment in the Fund's shares, and should not be confused with a dividend yield. The final tax character of the distributions will not be determined until after the end of the Fund's fiscal year. The Fund's level distribution policy may be terminated or changed at any time by the Fund's Board of Directors.

Federal Income Taxes: The Fund intends to qualify as a registered investment company by complying with the requirements under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code"), applicable to RICs and intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable net investment income to its stockholders. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required.

Income and capital gain distributions are determined and characterized in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These differences are primarily due to (1) differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, including timing differences, (2) the attribution of expenses against certain components of taxable investment income, and (3) federal regulations requiring proportional allocation of income and gains to all classes of Stockholders. The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least (1) 98% of the sum of its net investment income for that year and its capital gains (both long-term and short-term) for its fiscal year and (2) certain undistributed amounts from previous years.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 2. Investment Co-Advisory Fees, Directors' Fees, Co-Administration Fee, Custody Fee and Transfer Agent Fee

Boulder Investment Advisers, L.L.C. ("BIA") and Stewart Investment Advisers ("SIA") serve as the Fund's Co-Investment Advisers ("Advisers"). The Fund pays the Advisers a monthly fee at an annual rate of 1.25% of the value of the Fund's average monthly net assets (including the principal amount of leverage, if any). At the January 26, 2007 Board of Directors meeting, the Advisers agreed to a waiver of advisory fees such that, in the future, the advisory fees would be calculated at the annual rate of 1.25% on assets up to $400 million, 1.10% on assets between $400-$600 million and 1.00% on assets exceeding $600 million. This fee waiver has a one year term and is renewable annually at the option of the Advisers. The waiver is not subject to recapture. The equity owners of BIA are Evergreen Atlantic, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company ("EALLC"), and the Lola Brown Trust No. 1B (the "Lola Trust"), each of which is considered to be an "affiliated person" of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Stewart West Indies Trading Company, Ltd. is a Barbados international business company doing business as Stewart Investment Advisers. SIA receives a monthly fee equal to 75% of the fees earned by the Advisers, and BIA receives 25% of the fees earned by the Advisers. The equity owner of SIA is the Stewart West Indies Trust, considered to be an "affiliated person" of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

Fund Administrative Services, LLC ("FAS") serves as the Fund's Co-Administrator. Under the Administration Agreement, FAS provides certain administrative and executive management services to the Fund including: providing the Fund's principal offices and executive officers, overseeing and administering all contracted service providers, making recommendations to the Board regarding policies of the Fund, conducting stockholder relations, authorizing expenses and other administrative tasks. Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays FAS a monthly fee calculated at an annual rate of 0.20% of the value of the Fund's average monthly net assets up to $250 million; 0.18% of the Fund's average monthly net assets on the next $150 million; and, 0.15% on the value of the Fund's average monthly assets over $400 million. The equity owners of FAS are EALLC and the Lola Trust, each of which is considered to be an "affiliated person" of the Fund as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

The Fund pays each Director who is not a director, officer or employee of the Advisers or FAS a fee of $8,000 per annum, plus $4,000 for each in-person meeting of the Board of Directors and $500 for each telephone meeting. In addition, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receive $1,000 per meeting and each member of the Audit Committee receives $500 per meeting. The Fund will also reimburse all non-interested Directors for travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such meetings.


14



Notes to Financial Statements  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") (formerly known as, Investors Bank & Trust Company) serves as the Fund's Co-Administrator and Custodian. As compensation for its services, State Street receives certain out-of-pocket expenses, transaction fees and asset-based fees, which are accrued daily and paid monthly. The Fund pays State Street an annualized fee of 0.058% of the Fund's average monthly net assets for the first $300 million and 0.04% for average monthly net assets over $300 million, in addition to any out-of-pocket and transaction fees.

PFPC Inc. ("PFPC") serves as the Fund's Common Stock Servicing Agent (transfer agent), dividend-paying agent and registrar, and as compensation for PFPC's services as such, the Fund pays PFPC a monthly fee plus certain out-of-pocket expenses.

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG ("Auction Agent"), serves as the Fund's Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent.

Note 3. Purchases and Sales of Securities

Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities for the year ended November 30, 2007, excluding short-term investments, aggregated $98,339,997 and $98,013,628, respectively.

On November 30, 2007, based on cost of $239,533,239 for federal income tax purposes, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of value over tax cost was $152,797,644 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there is an excess of tax cost over value was $8,347,356.

Note 4. Common Stock

At November 30, 2007, 240,000,000 of $0.01 par value Common Stock were authorized of which 12,338,660 were outstanding.

Note 5. Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock

The Fund's Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock. On August 15, 2000, the Fund's 775 shares of Money Market Cumulative Preferred StockTM were retired and 775 shares of Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock were issued. Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock is senior to the Common Stock and results in the financial leveraging of the Common Stock. Such leveraging tends to magnify both the risks and opportunities to Common Stock Stockholders. Dividends on shares of Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock are cumulative.

The Fund is required to meet certain asset coverage tests with respect to the Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements and does not correct such failure, the Fund may be required to redeem, in part or in full, Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $100,000 per share plus an amount equal to the accumulated, undeclared and unpaid dividends on such shares in order to meet these requirements. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset requirements could restrict the Fund's ability to pay dividends to Common Stock Stockholders and could lead to sales of portfolio securities at inopportune times.

An auction of the Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock is generally held every 28 days. Existing stockholders may submit an order to hold, bid or sell such shares at par value on each auction date. Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock Stockholders may also trade shares in the secondary market between auction dates.

On November 30, 2007, 775 shares of Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock were outstanding at the annual rate of 5.11%. The dividend rate, as set by the auction process occurring every 28 days, is generally expected to vary with short-term interest rates. These rates may vary in a manner unrelated to the income received on the Fund's assets, which could have either a beneficial or detrimental impact on net investment income and gains available to Common Stock Stockholders. While the Fund expects to earn a higher return on its assets than the cost associated with the Taxable Auction Market Preferred Stock, including expenses, there can be no assurance that such results will be attained.

Note 6. Portfolio Investments, Concentration and Investment Quality

The Fund operates as a "diversified" management investment company, as defined in the 1940 Act. Under this definition, at least 75% of the value of the Fund's total assets must at the time of investment consist of cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets (at the


15



Notes to Financial Statements  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

time of purchase) and to not more than 10% of the voting securities of a single issuer. This limit does not apply, however, to 25% of the Fund's assets, which may be invested in a single issuer. A more concentrated portfolio may cause the Fund's net asset value to be more volatile than it has been historically and thus may subject stockholders to more risk. The Fund may hold a substantial position (up to 25% of its assets) in the common stock of a single issuer. As of November 30, 2007, the Fund held more than 25% of its assets in Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. as a direct result of the market appreciation of the issuer since the time of purchase. Thus, the volatility of the Fund's common stock, and the Fund's net assets value and its performance in general, depends disproportionately more on the performance of this single issuer than that of a more diversified fund.

Investment in non-U.S. issuers may involve unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks may include: (i) less information about non-U.S. issuers or markets may be available due to less rigorous disclosure, accounting standards or regulatory practices; (ii) many non-U.S. markets are smaller, less liquid and more volatile thus, in a changing market, the Advisers may not be able to sell the Fund's portfolio securities at times, in amounts and at prices they consider reasonable; (iii) currency exchange rates or controls may adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments; (iv) the economies of non-U.S. countries may grow at slower rates than expected or may experience downturns or recessions; and, (v) withholdings and other non-U.S. taxes may decrease the Fund's return.

The Fund intends to concentrate its common stock investments in a few issuers and to take large positions in those issuers. As a result, the Fund is subject to a greater risk of loss than a fund that diversifies its investments more broadly. Taking larger positions is also likely to increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value reflecting fluctuation in the value of its large holdings. Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to invest in a portfolio of common stocks. The portion of the Fund's assets invested in each can vary depending on market conditions. The term "common stocks" includes both stocks acquired primarily for their appreciation potential and stocks acquired for their income potential, such as dividend-paying RICs and REITs. The term "income securities" includes bonds, U.S. Government securities, notes, bills, debentures, preferred stocks, convertible securities, bank debt obligations, repurchase agreements and short-term money market obligations.

Note 7. Significant Stockholders

On November 30, 2007, trusts and other entities affiliated with Stewart R. Horejsi and the Horejsi family owned 5,447,782 shares of Common Stock of the Fund, representing approximately 44.15% of the total Fund shares. Stewart R. Horejsi is the primary portfolio manager for SIA and is the Fund's primary portfolio manager. He is responsible for the day-to-day strategic management of the Fund.

Note 8. Share Repurchase Program

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may from time to time, repurchase shares of the Fund in the open market at the option of the Board of Directors and upon such terms as the Directors shall determine.

For the years ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006, the Fund did not repurchase any of its own shares.

Note 9. Tax Basis Distributions

Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The character of distributions paid on a tax basis during 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

    Year Ended
November
2007
  Year Ended
November
2006
 
Distributions paid from:  
Ordinary Income   $ 5,501,573     $ 2,649,261    
Long-Term Capital Gains     11,440,578       10,343,621    
    $ 16,942,151     $ 12,992,882    

 


16



Notes to Financial Statements  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

As of November 30, 2007, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed Ordinary Income   $ 1,303,416    
Undistributed Long-Term Gain     448,908    
Unrealized Appreciation     144,453,014    
Other Temporary Differences     (2,756 )  
    $ 146,202,582    

 

Investment income/(loss) and net realized gain/(loss) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes. The character of dividends and distributions made during the fiscal year from net investment income and or realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Permanent book and tax basis differences of $176,470 and $(176,470) were reclassified at November 30, 2007 among undistributed net investment income and accumulated net realized loss on investments, respectively, for the Fund.

Note 10. Other Information

Rights Offerings: The Fund, like other closed-end funds, may at times raise cash for investment by issuing a fixed number of shares through one or more public offerings, including rights offerings. Proceeds from any such offerings will be used to further the investment objectives of the Fund.

Note 11. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, ("FIN 48") "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109". FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management of the Fund is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FIN 48 will have on the Fund's financial statements.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Management of the Fund is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS No. 157 will have on the Fund's financial statements.

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115." SFAS No. 159 permits entities to elect to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Management of the Fund is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS No. 159 will have on the Fund's financial statements.


17




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2005, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated January 13, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2007, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. as of November 30, 2007, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Denver, Colorado
January 25, 2008


18




Additional Information (Unaudited)  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Portfolio Information

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Form N-Q is available (1) on the Fund's website located at http://www.boulderfunds.net; (2) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov; or (3) for review and copying at the SEC's Public Reference Room ("PRR") in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operation of the PRR may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Proxy Information

The policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund are available on the Fund's website located at http://www.boulderfunds.net. Information regarding how the Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available at http://www.sec.gov.

Senior Officer Code of Ethics

The Fund files a copy of its code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions (the "Senior Officer Code of Ethics"), with the SEC as an exhibit to its annual report on Form N-CSR. The Fund's Senior Officer Code of Ethics is available on the Fund's website located at http://boulderfunds.net.

Privacy Statement

Pursuant to SEC Regulation S-P (Privacy of Consumer Financial Information) the Directors of the Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") have established the following policy regarding information about the Fund's stockholders. We consider all stockholder data to be private and confidential, and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in its safekeeping and use.

General Statement. The Fund may collect nonpublic information (e.g., your name, address, email address, Social Security Number, Fund holdings (collectively, "Personal Information")) about stockholders from transactions in Fund shares. The Fund will not release Personal Information about current or former stockholders (except as permitted by law) unless one of the following conditions is met: (i) we receive your prior written consent; (ii) we believe the recipient to be you or your authorized representative; (iii) to service or support the business functions of the Fund (as explained in more detail below), or (iv) we are required by law to release Personal Information to the recipient. The Fund has not and will not in the future give or sell Personal Information about its current or former stockholders to any company, individual, or group (except as permitted by law) and as otherwise provided in this policy.

In the future, the Fund may make certain electronic services available to its stockholders and may solicit your email address and contact you by email, telephone or US mail regarding the availability of such services. The Fund may also contact stockholders by email, telephone or US mail in connection with these services, such as to confirm enrollment in electronic stockholder communications or to update your Personal Information. In no event will the Fund transmit your Personal Information via email without your consent.

Use of Personal Information. The Fund will only use Personal Information (i) as necessary to service or maintain stockholder accounts in the ordinary course of business and (ii) to support business functions of the Fund and its affiliated businesses. This means that the Fund may share certain Personal Information, only as permitted by law, with affiliated businesses of the Fund, and that such information may be used for non-Fund-related solicitation. When Personal Information is shared with the Fund's business affiliates, the Fund may do so without providing you the option of preventing these types of disclosures as permitted by law.

Safeguards regarding Personal Information. Internally, we also restrict access to Personal Information to those who have a specific need for the records. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with Federal standards to guard Personal Information. Any doubts about the confidentiality of Personal Information, as required by law, are resolved in favor of confidentiality.

Tax Information

Of the ordinary income (including short-term capital gain) distributions made by the Fund during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007, 80.7% qualify for the dividend received deduction available to stockholders.


19



Additional Information (Unaudited)  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

The amount of long-term capital gains paid for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 were $11,440,578.

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007, 100% of the taxable investment income qualifies for the 15% dividend tax rate.

Summary of Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Registered holders ("Common Stockholders") of common stock (the "Common Shares") are automatically enrolled (the "Participants") in the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") whereupon all distributions of income, capital gains or managed distributions ("Distributions") are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares. Common Stockholders who elect to not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check in United States dollars mailed directly to the stockholders of record (or if the shares are held in street name or other nominee name, then the nominee) by the custodian, as dividend disbursing agent.

PFPC Inc. (the "Agent") serves as Agent for each Participant in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a Distribution, if (1) the net asset value per Common Share is equal to or less than the market price per Common Share plus estimated brokerage commissions on the payment date for a Distribution, Participants will be issued Common Shares at the higher of net asset value per Common Share or 95% of the market price per Common Share on the payment date; or if (2) the net asset value per Common Share exceeds the market price plus estimated brokerage commissions on the payment date for a Distribution, the Agent shall apply the amount of such Distribution to purchase Common Shares on the open market and Participants will receive the equivalent in Common Shares valued at the weighted average market price (including brokerage commissions) determined as of the time of the purchase (generally, following the payment date of the Distribution). If, before the Agent has completed its purchases, the market price plus estimated brokerage commissions exceeds the net asset value of the Common Shares as of the payment date, the purchase price paid by the Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if such Distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Fund. If the Agent is unable to invest the full Distribution amount in purchases in the open market or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period than the Agent may cease making purchases in the open market the instant the Agent is notified of a market premium and may invest the uninvested portion portion of the Distribution in newly issued Common Shares at the net asset value per Common Share at the close of business provided that, if the net asset value is less than or equal to 95% of the then current market price per Common Share, the dollar amount of the Distribution will be divided by 95% of the market price on the payment date. The Fund will not issue Common Shares under the Plan below net asset value.

There is no charge to Participants for reinvesting Distributions, except for certain brokerage commissions, as described below. The Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of Distributions will be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage commissions charged with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund. However, each Participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Agent's open market purchase in connection with the reinvestment of Distributions. The automatic reinvestment of Distributions will not relieve Participants of any federal income tax that may be payable on such Distributions.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan upon 90 days' written notice to Common Shareholders of the Fund.

Participants in the Plan may (i) request a certificate, (ii) request to sell their shares, or (iii) withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to the Agent or by telephone in accordance with the specific procedures and will receive certificates for whole Common Shares and cash for fractional Common Shares.

All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent, PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 43027, Providence, RI 02940-3027. To receive a full copy of the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan, please contact the Agent at 1-800-331-1710.


20



Information about Directors and Officers (Unaudited)  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Set forth in the following table is information about the Directors of the Fund, together with their address, age, position with the Fund, term of office, length of time served and principal occupation during the last five years.

Name, Address*, Age   Position, Length of
Term Served, and
Term of Office
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other
Directorships held
During the Past Five Years
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex†
Overseen by
Director
 
Disinterested Directors  
Joel W. Looney
Chairman
Age: 46
  Director of the Fund since 2001. Current term to expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.   Partner (since 1999), Financial Management Group, LLC (investment adviser); Director (since 2002) and Chairman (since 2003), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Director and Chairman (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Director and Chairman (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc.     4    
Dr. Dean L. Jacobson
Age: 68
  Director of the Fund since 2004. Current term to expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.   Founder and President, Forensic Engineering, Inc. (engineering investigations); Professor Emeritus (since 1997), Arizona State University; Director (since 2006), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Director (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Director (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc.     4    
Richard I. Barr
Age: 70
  Director of the Fund since 1999. Chairman of the Board since 2003. Current term to expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.   Retired. Manager (1963-2001), Advantage Sales and Marketing, Inc. (food brokerage); Director (since 2002), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Director (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Director (since 2001), First Financial Fund, Inc.     4    
Interested Directors**  
Susan L. Ciciora
Age: 42
  Director of the Fund since 2001. Current term to expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.   Trustee, Lola Brown Trust No. 1B and the Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B; Director (since 1997), Horejsi Charitable Foundation, Inc. (private charitable foundation); Director (since 2006), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Director (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Director (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc     4    
John S. Horejsi
Age: 39
  Director of the Fund since 2006. Current term to expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting.   Director (since 1997), Horejsi Charitable Foundation (private charitable foundation); Director (since 2004), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Director (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Director (since 2006), First Financial Fund, Inc.     4    

 

*  Unless otherwise specified, the Directors' respective addresses are c/o Boulder Total Return Fund Inc., 2344 Spruce Street, Suite A, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

†  Includes the Fund, The Denali Fund Inc., Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc., and First Financial Fund, Inc.

**  Ms. Ciciora and Mr. Horejsi each are an "interested person" as a result of the extent of their beneficial ownership of Fund shares and by virtue of their indirect beneficial ownership of BIA and FAS.


21



Information about Directors and Officers (Unaudited)  Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

The names of the executive officers of the Fund are listed in the table below. Each officer was elected to office by the Board at a meeting held on April 27, 2007. This table shows certain additional information. Each officer will hold such office until a successor has been elected by the Board of Directors of the Fund.

Name, Address*, Age   Position, Length of Term Served,
and Term of Office
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships
held During the Past Five Years
 
Stephen C. Miller
Age: 55
  President of the Fund since 1999. Director from 1999 through 2004. Appointed annually.   President and General Counsel (since 1999), Boulder Investment Advisers LLC; Manager (since 1999), Fund Administrative Services L.L.C.; Vice President (since 1998), Stewart Investment Advisers; President (since 2002) and Director (2002-2004), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; President (since 2003) and Director and Chairman (2003-2004), First Financial Fund, Inc.; President (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; officer of various other entities affiliated with the Horejsi family; Of Counsel (since 1991), Krassa & Miller, LLC.  
Carl D. Johns
Age: 44
  Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Treasurer of the Fund since 1999. Appointed annually.   Vice President and Treasurer (since 1999), Boulder Investment Advisers LLC; Assistant Manager (since 1999), Fund Administrative Services L.L.C.; Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Treasurer (since 2002), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Treasurer (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.  
Joel L. Terwilliger
Age: 38
  Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund since 2007. Associate General Counsel since 2006. Appointed annually.   Associate General Counsel (since 2006) and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), Boulder Investment Advisers LLC, Stewart Investment Advisers, Fund Administrative Services L.L.C., Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc., First Financial Fund, Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Senior Associate/Managing Counsel (2002-2006), Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company.  
Stephanie J. Kelley
Age: 51
  Secretary since 2000. Appointed annually.   Secretary (since 2002), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Secretary (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc.; Secretary (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of various other entities affiliated with the Horejsi family; Employee (since 1999), Fund Administrative Services L.L.C.  
Nicole L. Murphey
Age: 30
  Assistant Secretary since 2000. Appointed Annually.   Assistant Secretary (since 2002), Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (since 2003), First Financial Fund, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (since October 2007), The Denali Fund Inc.; Employee (since 1999), Fund Administrative Services L.L.C.  

 

*  Unless otherwise specified, the Officers' respective addresses are c/o Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc., 2344 Spruce Street, Suite A, Boulder, Colorado 80302.

The Fund's president has certified to the New York Stock Exchange that, as of November 30, 2007, he was not aware of any violation by the Fund of applicable NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The Fund's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR contain certifications by the Fund's principal executive officer and principal financial officer that relate to the Fund's disclosure in such reports and that are required by rule 30a-2(3) under the Investment Company Act.


22




Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

P.O. Box 43027
Providence, RI 02940-3027

Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

(NYSE: BTF)

Annual Report

November 30, 2007

Directors

Richard I. Barr
John S. Horejsi
Susan L. Ciciora
Dr. Dean Jacobson
Joel W. Looney

Officers

Stephen C. Miller
President

Carl D. Johns
Vice President and Treasurer

Stephanie J. Kelley
Secretary

Nicole L. Murphey
Assistant Secretary

www.boulderfunds.net

If you have questions regarding shares you held in a Brokerage Account contact your broker, or, if you have physical possession of your shares in certificate form, contact the Fund's Transfer Agent & Shareholder Servicing Agent—PFPC Inc., at:

P.O. Box 43027
Providence, RI 02940-3027
1-800-331-1710

This report is sent to stockholders of Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc. for their information. It is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or of any securities mentioned in this report.




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

As of November 30, 2007, the Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer. On October 26, 2007, the Fund amended its Code of Ethics to include The Denali Fund Inc.  For the year ended November 30, 2007, subsequent to the amendment of the Code of Ethics, there were no other amendments to any provision of the Code of Ethics, nor were there any waivers granted from a provision of the Code of Ethics. A copy of the Registrant’s Code of Ethics is filed with this N-CSR under Item 12(a).

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s board of directors has determined that Joel W. Looney is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)          Audit Fees – The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $25,500 and $25,500 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2007, respectively.

 

(b)         Audit-Related Fees – There were no fees billed for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2007 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Funds’ financial statements and are not reported under (a) of this Item.

 

(c)          Tax Fees – The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the review of the Fund’s tax returns, excise tax returns, December dividend calculations and Maryland Property Tax returns were $6,250 and $6,875 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2007, respectively.

 

(d)         All Other Fees – The aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in (a) through (c) of  this Item were $0 and $4,250 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2006 and November 30, 2007, respectively.  These fees pertained to agreed-upon procedures reports related to the Fund’s Auction Market Preferred Shares.

 

(e)          (1)  The Registrant’s audit committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Registrant’s accountant before the accountant is engaged by the Registrant to perform such services.

 

(2)   There were no services described in (b) through (d) above (including services required to be approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X) that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f)            None of the hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the Funds’ financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 were attributable to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees.

 

(g)         Not applicable.

 

(h)         Not applicable.

 

2



 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the following registrants have been designated as the Fund’s audit committee: Dr. Dean L. Jacobson, Richard I. Barr, and Joel W. Looney.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments.

 

The Funds’ full schedules of investments are included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc.

Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.

The Denali Fund Inc.

 

Proxy Voting Procedures

 

The Board of Directors of the Boulder Total Return Fund, Inc., Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. and The Denali Fund Inc. (collectively, the “Funds”) hereby adopt the following policies and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds (collectively, the “Voting Policies”).

 

1.             Policy.  It is the policy of each of the Boards of Directors of the Funds (the “Board”) to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds to Boulder Investment Advisers, L.L.C. (the “Adviser”) as a part of the Adviser’s general management of the Funds, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.(1)  The voting of proxies is an integral part of the investment management services that the Adviser provides pursuant to the advisory contract.  Proxy voting policies and procedures are required by Rule 206 (4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and became effective August 6, 2003.

 

2.             Fiduciary Duty.  The right to vote a proxy with respect to portfolio securities held by the Funds is a significant asset of the Fund.  The Adviser, to which authority to vote on behalf of the Funds is delegated, exercises this voting responsibility as a fiduciary, and votes proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Funds and its shareholders, and with the goal of maximizing the value of the Funds and the shareholders’ investments.

 

3.             Procedures.  The following are the procedures adopted by the Board for the administration of this policy:

 

a.     Review of Adviser Proxy Voting Procedures.  The Adviser, with advice and counsel from the Board, shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guideline for voting proxies at least annually (the “Voting Guidelines”), and must notify the Board promptly of any material changes.  In accordance with the foregoing, the Adviser has developed the Voting Guidelines which are attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

b.     Voting Record Reporting.  No less than annually, the Adviser shall report to the Board a record of each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Funds during the respective year.  With respect to those proxies the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest(2), the Adviser

 


(1) This policy is adopted for the purpose of the disclosure requirements adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Releases No. 33-8188, 34-47304, IC-25922.

(2) As it is used in this document, the term “conflict of interest” refers to a situation in which the Adviser or affiliated persons of the adviser have a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy other than the obligation it incurs as

 

3



 

shall submit a separate report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy.

 

4.             Revocation.  The delegation by the Board of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.  This disclosure shall be included in any registration statement filed on behalf of the Funds after July 1, 2003.

 

5.             Annual Filing.  The Fund shall file an annual report of each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Funds during the twelve-month period ended June 30 on Form N-PX not later than August 31 of each year.  The Fund must file the complete proxy voting record on an annual basis on this form.  Form N-PX must contain complete proxy voting records for the 12 month period stated above, and must be signed on behalf of the Fund by the principal executive officers.  This form must provide the following information:

 

1.

 

Name of the issuer of the portfolio security

2.

 

Exchange ticker symbol

3.

 

CUSIP #

4.

 

Shareholder meeting date

5.

 

Brief indication of the matter voted on

6.

 

Whether matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder

7.

 

Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter

8.

 

How the Fund cast its vote

9.

 

Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management

 

6.             Disclosures.

 

a.     The Fund shall include in any future registration statement:

 

i.      A description of the Voting Policies and the Voting Guidelines(3); and

 

ii.     A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds’ toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SEC website.(4)

 

b.     The Fund shall include in its Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders:

 

i.      A statement disclosing that the Voting Policies and Voting Guidelines are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds’ toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; and on the SEC website.(5)

 

ii.     A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund’s toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SEC website.(6)

 

 

7.             Recordkeeping Requirements.  SEC Rule 204-2, as amended, requires advisers to retain:

 

1.

 

Proxy voting policies and procedures

2.

 

Proxy statements received regarding client securities

 


investment adviser to the Funds which compromises the Adviser’s independence of judgment and action with respect to the voting of the proxy.

 

(3) This disclosure is included in all  registration statements filed on behalf of the Funds after July 1, 2003.

(4) This disclosure is included in all registration statements filed on behalf of the Funds after August 31, 2004.

(5) This disclosure is included in all reports filed on behalf of the Funds after July 1, 2003.

(6) This disclosure is included in all reports filed on behalf of the Funds after August 31, 2004.

 

4



 

3.

 

Records of votes cast on behalf of clients

4.

 

Records of written client requests

5.

 

Any documents prepared by the adviser material to making a decision how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision.

 

8.             Review of Policy.  At least annually, the Board shall review this Policy to determine its sufficiency and shall make and approve any changes that it deems necessary from time to time.

 

5



 

EXHIBIT  A – VOTING GUIDLINES

 

The Funds’ and Advisors’ proxy voting principles are summarized below, with specific examples of voting decisions for the types of proposals that are most frequently presented:

 

6



 

 

Category

 

Guideline

 

Voting

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ISSUES

 

The board of directors’ primary role is to protect the interests of all shareholders. Key functions of the board are to approve the direction of corporate strategy, ensure succession of management and evaluate performance of the corporation as well as senior management. The board is accountable to shareholders, and must operate independently from management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routine Elections

 

Generally we will vote with management’s recommendation

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Board Classification

 

Generally we are opposed to entrenchment mechanisms and will vote against proposals to classify a board. We prefer annual election of directors in order that shareholders have more power to replace directors deemed to not be acting in the shareholders’ interest.

 

Generally AGAINST

 

 

 

 

 

Independence of Directors

 

The majority of board members should be independent from the corporation, management or a majority shareholder. An independent member should not be a former employee of the company or a representative of a key supplier to or a key client of the company.

 

We will generally support boards that have a majority of board members classified as independent.

 

 

 

 

 

Director Indemnification

 

Mandatory indemnification of directors and officers is necessary to attract quality candidates.

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Director Attendance

 

Board membership requires a significant amount of time in order for responsibilities to be executed, and attendance at Board and Committee meetings is noted.

 

We look for attendance records to be in the 75% participation range.

 

 

 

 

 

Term Limits

 

We are more concerned with the performance of directors and not with the term limits

 

Generally AGAINST but will look at on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Separation of Chair and CEO

 

In most cases it is advisable for there to be a separation between the CEO and the Chair to enhance separation of management interests and shareholders.

 

In most cases we would support a recommendation to separate the Chair from the CEO. Lead directors are considered acceptable, and in this situation an independent Corporate Governance committee must also be in place.

 

 

 

 

 

Committees of the Board

 

Audit, Compensation, Governance and Nominating committees are the most significant committees of the board.

 

We support the establishment of these committees, however independent director membership on these committees is the primary concern. Two-thirds independent membership is satisfactory, provided that the chair of each committee is independent.

 

 

 

 

 

Audit Process

 

The members of an audit committee should be independent directors, and the auditor must also be independent. The auditor should report directly to the Audit committee and not to management.

 

We will generally support the choice of auditors recommended by the Audit Committee. In the event that the auditor supplies other services for a fee other than the audit, each situation will be reviewed on

 

7



 

Category

 

Guideline

 

Voting

 

 

 

 

a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

VOTING AND ENTRENCHMENT ISSUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Right to Call Special Meeting

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Right to Act by Written Consent

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative Voting

 

Our experience has been that cumulative voting is generally proposed by large shareholders who may wish to exert undue influence on the board.

 

Generally AGAINST, although we may consider if the board has been unresponsive to shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

Confidentiality of Shareholder Voting

 

Like any other electoral system, the voting at annual and special meetings should be confidential and free from any potential coercion and/or impropriety.

 

We will support any proposals to introduce or maintain confidential voting.

 

 

 

 

 

Size of Board of Directors

 

Generally boards should be comprised of a minimum of seven to a maximum of fifteen. However the complexity of the company has an impact on required board size.

 

The independence of the board is a greater concern than the number of members.  However should a change in board size be proposed as potentially an anti-takeover measure we would vote against.

 

 

 

 

 

COMPENSATION ISSUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director Compensation

 

Directors should be compensated fairly for the time and expertise they devote on behalf of shareholders. We favor directors personally owning shares in the corporation, and that they receive a substantial portion of their remuneration in the form of shares.

 

We support recommendations where a portion of the remuneration is to be in the form of common stock. We do not support options for directors, and do not support retirement bonuses or benefits for directors.

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION

 

Compensation plans for executives should be designed to attract and retain the right people with exceptional skills to manage the company successfully long-term. These plans should be competitive within the company’s respective industry without being excessive and should attempt to align the executive’s interests with the long-term interest of shareholders.

 

Executive compensation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options and Incentive Compensation Plans

 

Compensation plans should be designed to reward good performance of executives. They should also encourage management to own stock so as to align their financial interests with those of the shareholders. It is important that these plans are disclosed to the shareholders in detail for their approval.

 

We will not support plans with options priced below current market value or the lowering of the exercise price on any previously granted options. We will not support any plan amendment that is not capped or that results in anything but negligible dilution.  We believe that

 

8



 

Category

 

Guideline

 

Voting

 

 

 

 

shareholders should have a say in all aspects of option plans and therefore will not support omnibus stock option plans or plans where the Board is given discretion to set the terms.  Plans will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Adopt/Amend Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

 

 

Considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Parachutes

 

Although we believe that “golden parachutes” may be a good way to attract, retain and encourage objectivity of qualified executives by providing financial security in the case of a change in the structure or control of a company, golden parachutes can be excessive.

 

Generally opposed but will consider on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Require Shareholder Approval of Golden Parachutes

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

TAKEOVER PROTECTIONS

 

Some companies adopt shareholder rights plans that incorporate anti-takeover measures, which may include:  poison pills, crown jewel defense, payment of greenmail, going private transactions, leveraged buyouts, lock-up arrangements, Fair price amendments, Re-incorporation.  Rights plans should be designed to ensure that all shareholders are treated equally in the event there is a change in control of a company. These plans should also provide the Board with sufficient time to ensure that the appropriate course of action is chosen to ensure shareholder interests have been protected. However, many shareholder rights plans can be used to prevent bids that might in fact be in the shareholders best interests. Depending on their contents, these plans may also adversely influence current share prices and long-term shareholder value.

 

We will review each situation on a case-by-case basis. We will generally support proposals that protect the rights and share value of shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

Dual Class Shares

 

It is not unusual for certain classes of shares to have more than one vote per share. This is referred to as a dual class share structure and can result in a minority of shareholders having the ability to make decisions that may not be in the best interests of the majority of shareholders.

 

Generally AGAINST.

 

 

 

 

 

Super-Majority Voting Provisions

 

Super-majority voting (e.g.,  67% of votes cast or a majority of outstanding shares), although fairly common, can, from a practical point of view, be difficult to obtain, and essentially are a bar from effective challenges to entrenched management, regardless of performance or popularity. A very high requirement can be unwieldy and therefore not in the best interest of the majority of shareholders.

 

Generally AGAINST.  We will generally oppose proposals for voting requirements that are greater than a majority of votes cast.  That said, we will review supermajority proposals on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of Authorized Shares

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

9



 

Category

 

Guideline

 

Voting

Issuance of Unlimited or Additional Shares

 

Corporations may increase their authorized number of shares in order to implement a stock split, to support an acquisition or restructuring plan, to use in a stock option plan or to implement an anti-takeover plan. Shareholders should approve of the specific business need for the increase in the number of shares and should understand that the issuance of new shares can have a significant effect on the value of existing shares.

 

Generally AGAINST.  We will generally oppose proposals to increase the number of authorized shares to “unlimited”, but will consider any proposals to increase the number of authorized shares on a case-by-case basis for a valid business purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Proposals

 

Shareholders should have the opportunity to raise their concerns or issues to company management, the board and other shareholders. As long as these proposals deal with appropriate issues and are not for the purposes of airing personal grievances or to obtain publicity, they should be included on the proxy ballot for consideration.

 

Shareholder proposals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Plans

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Splits

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Require Shareholder Approval to issue Preferred Stock

 

 

 

Generally FOR

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Loans to Employees

 

Corporate loans, or the guaranteeing of loans, to enable employees to purchase company stock or options should be avoided. These types of loans can be risky if the company stock declines or the employee is terminated.

 

Generally AGAINST.

 

 

 

 

 

Blank-cheque Preferred Shares

 

The authorization of blank-cheque preferred shares gives the board of directors’ complete discretion to fix voting, dividend, conversion and other rights and privileges. Once these shares have been authorized, the shareholders have no authority to determine how or when they will be allocated. There may be valid business reasons for the issuance of these shares but the potential for abuse outweighs the benefits.

 

Generally AGAINST.

 

Dated:  October 26, 2007

 

10



 

Item 8.           Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Boulder Total Return Fund – Portfolio Manager Disclosure

 

Stewart R. Horejsi is the Fund’s primary investment manager and, together with Carl D. Johns, the Fund’s Vice President and Treasurer, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. Mr. Horejsi is primarily responsible for the Fund’s asset allocation and stock selection and Mr. Johns, also Vice President and Treasurer for Boulder Investment Advisers, LLC (“BIA”), is responsible for research and managing the Fund’s fixed income portfolio. Messrs. Horejsi and Johns are referred to herein as the “Portfolio Managers”. The Portfolio Managers act as the portfolio managers with respect to the Fund and two other registered investment companies, the Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc. (“BIF”) and The Denali Fund Inc. (“DNY”). As of November 30, 2007, BIF and DNY had total assets, including leverage, of approximately $160.8 million and $136.6 million, respectively. BIA and Stewart West Indies Trading Company, Ltd. d/b/a Stewart Investment Advisers (“SIA”) act as Co-Advisers to the Fund and are collectively referred to as the “Advisers”.  Mr. Horejsi also acts as a financial consultant to other trusts and entities associated with the Horejsi family (collectively, the “Horejsi Affiliates”) and manages their portfolios of equities having an aggregate value of approximately $888.85 million as of November 30, 2007.  Mr. Horejsi has been the financial and investment adviser for the Horejsi Affiliates since 1982 and the senior investment manager for BIA and SIA since 1999.  Mr. Johns has been the Vice President and Treasurer of BIA since 1999, Assistant Manager of Fund Administrative Services, LLC since 1999, Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Treasurer of the Fund since 1999, of BIF since 2002, of First Financial Fund, Inc. since 2003, and of DNY since October 2007.

 

The Portfolio Managers are compensated with fixed salaries which are established based on a number of considerations, including, among others, job and portfolio performance, industry compensation and comparables, and years of experience and service with the Advisers. The Portfolio Managers are reviewed from time to time and their salaries may be adjusted based on their recent and long-term job performance and cost of living increases. Generally, the Portfolio Managers do not receive bonuses.

 

Conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the Portfolio Managers’ management of the Fund’s investments. This is because the Portfolio Managers also serve as portfolio managers to BIF, DNY and the other accounts described above that may have investment objectives identical or similar to those of the Fund. Mr. Horejsi also consults with respect to a substantial portfolio of securities for the Horejsi Affiliates. Securities frequently meet the investment objectives of the Fund, the Horejsi Affiliates and such other funds and accounts. In such cases, the decision to recommend a purchase to one fund or account rather than another is based on a number of factors. The determining factors in most cases are the amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those securities and the market for them. Other factors considered in the investment recommendations include other investments that each fund or account presently has in a particular industry and the availability of investment funds in each fund or account. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in the same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the funds or accounts managed by the Advisers or the Horejsi Affiliates seek to acquire the same security at about the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. However, with respect to the Horejsi Affiliates and the other private account managed by the Advisers, the Horejsi Affiliates and such other private account have consented to allow the funds managed by the Advisers to complete their transactions in any particular security before the Horejsi Affiliates or such other private account will be allowed to transact in such security, thus giving the funds managed by the Advisers the first opportunity to trade in a particular security. The Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if the Advisers decide to sell on behalf of another account the same portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or account, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the Fund. In the event more than one account purchases or sells the same security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made as nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each account. Although the other funds managed by the Advisers may have the same or similar investment objectives and policies as the Fund, its portfolios do not generally consist of the same investments as the Fund and its performance results are likely to differ from those of the Fund.

 

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Mr. Horejsi does not directly own any shares of the Fund. However, the Ernest Horejsi Trust No. 1B and the Lola Brown Trust No. 1B, both of which have engaged Mr. Horejsi as a financial consultant and with respect to which Mr. Horejsi is a discretionary beneficiary, hold 3,413,138 shares and 1,434,515 shares, respectively, of the Fund as of December 31, 2007.  In addition, (i) Evergreen Atlantic, LLC, a limited liability company with respect to which Mr. Horejsi is a manager, owns 343,748 shares of the Fund; (ii) the Stewart West Indies Trust, a trust established by Mr. Horejsi but with respect to which he is not a beneficiary, owns 104,627, shares of the Fund; (iii) the Susan L. Ciciora Trust, a trust established by Mr. Horejsi’s daughter but with respect to which Mr. Horejsi is not a beneficiary, owns 72,976 shares of the Fund; (iv)  the John S. Horejsi Trust, a trust established by Mr. Horejsi’s son but with respect to which Mr. Horejsi is not a beneficiary, owns 53,080 shares of the Fund, and (v) the Evergreen Trust, a trust established by Mr. Horejsi but with respect to which he is not a beneficiary, owns 25,698 shares of the Fund (the foregoing are included in the above definition of “Horejsi Affiliates”).  Because of Mr. Horejsi’s advisory or familial role with respect to these Horejsi Affiliates, he may be deemed to have indirect beneficial ownership of their respective shares which in the aggregate have a dollar range in excess of $1 million. Mr. Horejsi disclaims all such beneficial ownership. Mr. Johns holds between $50,001 and $100,000 of the shares of the Fund as of December 31, 2007.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Directors, where those changes were implemented after the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 7(d)(2)(ii)(G) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101), or this Item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within  90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)   Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

(a)(2)   Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

(a)(3)    Not applicable.

 

(b)        Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)

BOULDER TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen C. Miller

 

Stephen C. Miller, President

 

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Date

2/8/08

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Stephen C. Miller

 

Stephen C. Miller, President

 

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Date

2/8/08

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Carl D. Johns

 

Carl D. Johns, Vice President and Treasurer

 

 (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

Date

2/6/08

 

 

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