Edgar Filing: Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc.

N-30B-2

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Energy Total Return Fund

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KYE Quarterly Report

August 31, 2017

CONTENTS


	Page
Management Discussion		1
Schedule of Investments		5
Statement of Assets and Liabilities		9
Statement of Operations		10
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders		11
Statement of Cash Flows		13
Financial Highlights		14
Notes to Financial Statements		18
Glossary of Key Terms		36
Repurchase Disclosure		37

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This report of Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from the Fund’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections indicated in any forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited to, changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; energy industry risk; commodity pricing risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; non-diversification risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be attained.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

(UNAUDITED)

Fund Overview

Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end fund. Our investment objective is to obtain a high total return with an emphasis on current income. We intend to achieve this objective by investing in a portfolio of companies in the Energy Sector, which focuses on securities of Energy Companies, with the majority of our investments in equity securities of Master Limited Partnerships, MLP Affiliates, Marine Transportation Companies, Midstream Companies, Other Energy Companies and upstream Income Trusts. Please see the Glossary of Key Terms for a description of these investment categories and for the meaning of capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein.

As of August 31, 2017, we had total assets of $612 million, net assets applicable to our common stockholders of $412 million (net asset value of $11.23 per share), and 36.7 million shares of common stock outstanding. As of August 31, 2017, we held $530 million in equity investments and $55 million in debt investments.

Our Top Ten Portfolio Investments

Listed below are our top ten portfolio investments by issuer as of August 31, 2017.


Holding	Category⁽¹⁾		Amount ($ in millions)		Percent of Long-Term Investments
1. Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C.		MLP Affiliate	$	45.4		7.8	%
2. ONEOK Inc.		Midstream Company		41.8		7.1
3. Plains GP Holdings, L.P.		MLP		33.8		5.8
4. Golar LNG Partners LP		Marine		29.7		5.1
5. KNOT Offshore Partners LP		Marine		27.3		4.7
6. The Williams Companies, Inc.		Midstream Company		27.0		4.6
7. Targa Resources Corp.		Midstream Company		27.0		4.6
8. Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.		MLP		26.0		4.4
9. Capital Product Partners L.P.		Marine		25.4		4.3
10. Enbridge, Inc.		Midstream Company		20.5		3.5

			$	303.9		51.9	%

(1)	See Glossary of Key Terms for definitions.

Results of Operations — For the Three Months Ended August 31, 2017

Investment Income. Investment income totaled $5.9 million for the quarter and consisted primarily of net dividends and distributions and interest income on our investments. We received $9.6 million of dividends and distributions, of which $5.7 million was treated as a return of capital. Interest income was $2.0 million. We also received $1.1 million of paid-in-kind dividends during the quarter, which are not included in investment income, but are reflected as an unrealized gain.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses totaled $4.3 million, including $2.0 million of investment management fees, $1.4 million of interest expense (including non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs of $0.1 million) and $0.3 million of other operating expenses. Preferred stock distributions during the quarter were $0.6 million.

Net Investment Income. Our net investment income totaled $1.6 million.

Net Realized Gains. We had net realized gains from investments of $4.3 million, which included $0.2 million of gains from option activity.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

(UNAUDITED)

Net Change in Unrealized Gains. We had a net decrease in our unrealized gains from investments of $10.7 million.

Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations. We had a decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $4.8 million. This decrease was comprised of net investment income of $1.6 million, net realized gains of $4.3 million and a net decrease in unrealized gains of $10.7 million, as noted above.

Distributions to Common Stockholders

We pay quarterly distributions to our common stockholders, generally funded by net distributable income (“NDI”) generated from our portfolio investments. NDI is the amount of income received by us from our portfolio investments less operating expenses, subject to certain adjustments as described below. NDI is not a financial measure under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Refer to the “Reconciliation of NDI to GAAP” section below for a reconciliation of this measure to our results reported under GAAP.

Income from portfolio investments includes (a) cash dividends and distributions, (b) paid-in-kind dividends received (i.e., stock dividends), (c) interest income from debt securities and commitment or structuring fees from private investments in public equity (“PIPE investments”) and (d) net premiums received from the sale of covered calls.

Operating expenses include (a) investment management fees paid to our investment adviser (KAFA), (b) other expenses (mostly comprised of fees paid to other service providers) and (c) interest expense and preferred stock distributions.

Net Distributable Income (NDI)

(amounts in millions, except for per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended August 31, 2017
Distributions and Other Income from Investments
Dividends and Distributions⁽¹⁾	$	9.6
Paid-In-Kind Dividends⁽¹⁾		1.1
Interest Income		2.1
Net Premiums Received from Call Options Written		0.2

Total Distributions and Other Income from Investments		13.0
Expenses
Investment Management Fee		(2.0	)
Other Expenses		(0.3	)
Interest Expense		(1.2	)
Preferred Stock Distributions		(0.6	)

Net Distributable Income (NDI)	$	8.9

Weighted Shares Outstanding		36.7
NDI per Weighted Share Outstanding	$	0.242

Adjusted NDI per Weighted Share Outstanding⁽²⁾	$	0.244

Distributions paid per Common Share⁽³⁾	$	0.250

(1)	See Note 2 (Investment Income) to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding paid-in-kind and non-cash dividends and distributions.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

(UNAUDITED)

(2)

Adjusted NDI includes $0.1 million of consideration received in the MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. and MPLX LP merger that was intended to offset lower quarterly distributions as a result of the transaction. Because the acquiring entity has deemed part of the merger consideration to be compensation to help offset the lower quarterly distribution that unitholders of the acquired entity would receive after closing, we believe it to be appropriate to include this amount in Adjusted NDI. This merger consideration is not included in investment income for GAAP purposes, but rather is treated as additional consideration when calculating the realized or unrealized gain (loss) that results from the merger transaction.

(3)	The distribution of $0.25 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was paid on October 13, 2017.

Payment of future distributions is subject to Board of Directors approval, as well as meeting the covenants of our debt agreements and terms of our preferred stock. Because our quarterly distributions are funded primarily by NDI generated from our portfolio investments, the Board of Directors, in determining our quarterly distribution to common stockholders, gives a significant amount of consideration to the NDI and Adjusted NDI generated in the current quarter, as well as the NDI that our portfolio is expected to generate over the next twelve months. The Board of Directors also considers other factors, including but not limited to, realized and unrealized gains generated by the portfolio.

Reconciliation of NDI to GAAP

The difference between distributions and other income from investments in the NDI calculation and total investment income as reported in our Statement of Operations is reconciled as follows:

•

GAAP recognizes that a significant portion of the cash distributions received from MLPs is characterized as a return of capital and therefore excluded from investment income, whereas the NDI calculation includes the return of capital portion of such distributions.

•

GAAP recognizes distributions received from MLPs that exceed the cost basis of our securities to be realized gains and are therefore excluded from investment income, whereas the NDI calculation includes these distributions.

•

NDI includes the value of paid-in-kind dividends, and distributions, whereas such amounts are not included as investment income for GAAP purposes, but rather are recorded as unrealized gains upon receipt.

•

NDI includes commitment fees from PIPE investments, whereas such amounts are generally not included in investment income for GAAP purposes, but rather are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the investment.

•

Certain of our investments in debt securities were purchased at a discount or premium to the par value of such security. When making such investments, we consider the security’s yield to maturity, which factors in the impact of such discount (or premium). Interest income reported under GAAP includes the non-cash accretion of the discount (or amortization of the premium) based on the effective interest method. When we calculate interest income for purposes of determining NDI, in order to better reflect the yield to maturity, the accretion of the discount (or amortization of the premium) is calculated on a straight-line basis to the earlier of the expected call date or the maturity date of the debt security.

•

We may sell covered call option contracts to generate income or to reduce our ownership of certain securities that we hold. In some cases, we are able to repurchase these call option contracts at a price less than the call premium that we received, thereby generating a profit. The premium we received from selling call options, less (i) the amount that we pay to repurchase such call option contracts and (ii) the amount by which the market price of an underlying security is above the strike price at the time a new call option is written (if any), is included in NDI. For GAAP purposes, premiums received from call option contracts sold are not included in investment income. See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies for a full discussion of the GAAP treatment of option contracts.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

(UNAUDITED)

The treatment of expenses included in NDI also differs from what is reported in the Statement of Operations as follows:

•

The non-cash amortization or write-offs of capitalized debt issuance costs and preferred stock offering costs related to our financings is included in interest expense and distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred stock for GAAP purposes, but is excluded from our calculation of NDI.

•

NDI also includes recurring payments (or receipts) on interest rate swap contracts or the amortization of termination payments on interest rate swap contracts entered into in anticipation of an offering of unsecured notes (“Notes”) or mandatory redeemable preferred stock (“MRP Shares”). The termination payments on interest rate swap contracts are amortized over the term of the Notes or MRP Shares issued. For GAAP purposes, these amounts are included in the realized gains/losses section of the Statement of Operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At August 31, 2017, we had total leverage outstanding of $196 million, which represented 32% of total assets. At quarter end, total leverage was comprised of $115 million of Notes, $31 million outstanding under our unsecured revolving term loan ( the “Term Loan”) and $50 million of MRP Shares. As of August 31, 2017, we did not have any borrowings outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), and we had $20 million of cash and cash equivalents. As of October 20, 2017, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility, $31 million borrowed under our Term Loan, and we had $11 million of cash and cash equivalents.

Our Credit Facility has a two-year term maturing on February 28, 2018 and a total commitment amount of $75 million. The interest rate on outstanding loan balances may vary between LIBOR plus 1.60% and LIBOR plus 2.25%, depending on our asset coverage ratios. We pay a fee of 0.30% per annum on any unused amounts of the Credit Facility.

On June 13, 2017, we exercised our option to extend the maturity date on our Term Loan one year to June 2018. We had $31 million borrowed under the Term Loan at the time we made this election. Amounts repaid prior to the original maturity date of June 13, 2017 permanently reduced the size of the Term Loan. The interest rate on the Term Loan varies between LIBOR plus 1.30% and LIBOR plus 1.75%, depending on our asset coverage ratios.

At August 31, 2017, we had $115 million of Notes outstanding that mature between 2018 and 2025, and we had $50 million of MRP Shares outstanding that are subject to mandatory redemption in 2018 and 2021.

At August 31, 2017, our asset coverage ratios under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), were 416% for debt and 310% for total leverage (debt plus preferred stock). Our target asset coverage ratio with respect to our debt is 430%. At times we may be above or below this target depending upon market conditions as well as certain other factors, including our target total leverage asset coverage ratio of 320% and the basic maintenance amount as stated in our rating agency guidelines.

As of August 31, 2017, our total leverage consisted of both fixed rate (84%) and floating rate (16%) obligations. As of such date, the weighted average interest/dividend rate on our total leverage was 3.73%.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts)

(UNAUDITED)


Description	No. of Shares/Units		Value
Long-Term Investments — 142.0%
Equity Investments⁽¹⁾ — 128.5%
United States — 119.4%
MLP⁽²⁾ — 42.4%
Andeavor Logistics LP		234	$	11,627
Arc Logistics Partners LP		246		4,091
Buckeye Partners, L.P.		159		9,117
Cheniere Energy Partners LP Holdings, LLC⁽³⁾		50		1,256
Crestwood Equity Partners LP		112		2,787
DCP Midstream, LP		382		12,269
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.		1,367		25,990
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.⁽⁴⁾		567		14,793
EQT Midstream Partners, LP		58		4,422
Global Partners LP		224		3,868
Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.		61		4,138
MPLX LP		447		15,342
Noble Midstream Partners LP		45		2,177
NuStar Energy L.P.		96		3,903
Phillips 66 Partners LP		21		1,020
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.⁽³⁾⁽⁵⁾		1,503		33,782
Spectra Energy Partners, LP		93		4,114
Summit Midstream Partners, LP		257		5,404
TC PipeLines, LP		72		3,783
Western Gas Partners, LP		209		10,683

				174,566

Midstream Company — 32.2%
EnLink Midstream, LLC⁽⁶⁾		124		2,112
Kinder Morgan, Inc.		437		8,441
Kinder Morgan, Inc. — 9.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock		62		2,610
ONEOK, Inc.⁽⁷⁾		772		41,814
SemGroup Corporation		235		6,051
Tallgrass Energy GP, LP⁽⁶⁾		667		17,931
Targa Resources Corp.		605		26,965
The Williams Companies, Inc.		908		26,995

				132,919

Marine — 29.6%
Capital Product Partners L.P. — Class B Units^{(6)(8)(9)(10)}		3,333		25,433
Dynagas LNG Partners LP⁽⁶⁾		517		7,259
GasLog Partners LP⁽⁶⁾		853		19,355
Golar LNG Partners LP⁽⁶⁾		1,353		29,750
Höegh LNG Partners LP⁽⁶⁾		696		12,845
KNOT Offshore Partners LP⁽⁶⁾		1,158		27,264

				121,906

MLP Affiliate — 11.0%
Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C.^(3)(11)		3,152		45,425

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts)

(UNAUDITED)


Description	No. of Shares/Units		Value
Other Energy Company — 4.2%
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation — 7.50% Tangible Equity Units⁽¹²⁾		37	$	1,364
Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation		130		9,682
NextEra Energy Partners, LP		30		1,240
Royal Dutch Shell plc — ADR — Class B		86		4,893

				17,179

Total United States (Cost — $470,887)				491,995

Canada — 9.1%
Midstream Company — 9.1%
Enbridge, Inc.		513		20,526
Pembina Pipeline Corporation		179		5,769
TransCanada Corporation		220		11,196

Total Canada (Cost — $32,128)				37,491

Total Equity Investments (Cost — $503,015)				529,486


	Interest Rate			Maturity Date		Principal Amount		Value
Debt Instruments — 13.5%
United States — 10.0%
Upstream — 10.0%
Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC⁽⁹⁾		10.000	%		4/1/22	$	3,000	$	3,068
California Resources Corporation⁽⁵⁾⁽⁹⁾		8.000			12/15/22		16,575		9,199
Chief Oil & Gas LLC⁽⁹⁾		⁽¹³⁾			8/8/21		6,983		6,878
Eclipse Resources Corporation		8.875			7/15/23		13,000		13,065
Jonah Energy LLC⁽⁹⁾		⁽¹⁴⁾			5/12/21		7,403		7,236
Jones Energy Holdings, LLC		9.250			3/15/23		2,600		1,820
Pardus Oil & Gas, LLC⁽⁸⁾⁽⁹⁾		⁽¹⁵⁾			5/31/22		54		—

Total United States (Cost — $43,298)									41,266

Canada — 3.5%
Upstream — 3.5%
Athabasca Oil Corporation⁽⁹⁾		9.875			2/24/22		6,000		5,670
Jupiter Resources Inc.⁽⁹⁾		8.500			10/1/22		12,980		8,502

Total Canada (Cost — $15,847)									14,172

Total Debt Investments (Cost — $59,145)									55,438

Total Long-Term Investments (Cost — $562,160)									584,924


	No. of Shares/Units		Value
Short-Term Investment — 4.4%
Money Market Fund — 4.4%
JPMorgan 100% U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund — Capital Shares, 0.89%⁽¹⁶⁾ (Cost $18,262)		18,262	$	18,262

Total Investments — 146.4% (Cost — $580,422)				603,186

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts)

(UNAUDITED)


	Strike Price		Expiration Date		No. of Contracts		Notional Amount⁽¹⁸⁾		Value
Liabilities
Call Option Contracts Written⁽¹⁷⁾
United States
Midstream Company
ONEOK, Inc. (Premiums Received — $4)	$	55.00		9/15/17		60	$	325	$	(3	)
Debt										(146,000	)
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value										(50,000	)
Other Assets in Excess of Other Liabilities										4,762

Net Assets Applicable To Common Stockholders									$	411,945

(1)	Unless otherwise noted, equity investments are common units/common shares.

(2)

Unless otherwise noted, securities are treated as a publicly-traded partnership for regulated investment company (“RIC”) qualification purposes. To qualify as a RIC for tax purposes, the Fund may directly invest up to 25% of its total assets in equity and debt securities of entities treated as publicly-traded partnerships. The Fund had 22.8% of its total assets invested in publicly-traded partnerships at August 31, 2017. It is the Fund’s intention to be treated as a RIC for tax purposes.

(3)	Security is not treated as a publicly-traded partnership for RIC qualification purposes.

(4)	In lieu of cash distributions, the Fund has elected to receive distributions in additional units through the partnership’s dividend reinvestment program.

(5)	The Fund believes that it is an affiliate of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. (“PAGP”). The Fund does not believe that it is an affiliate of California Resources Corporation. See Note 5 — Agreements and Affiliations.

(6)	This company is structured like an MLP, but is not treated as a publicly-traded partnership for RIC qualification purposes.

(7)	Security or a portion thereof is segregated as collateral on option contracts written.

(8)	Fair valued security. See Notes 2 and 3 in Notes to Financial Statements.

(9)

The Fund’s ability to sell this security is subject to certain legal or contractual restrictions. As of August 31, 2017, the aggregate value of restricted securities held by the Fund was $65,986 (10.8% of total assets), which included $40,553 of Level 2 securities and $25,433 of Level 3 securities. See Note 7 — Restricted Securities.

(10)

Class B Units are convertible on a one-for-one basis into common units of Capital Product Partners L.P. (“CPLP”) and are senior to the common units in terms of liquidation preference and priority of distributions (liquidation preference of $9.00 per unit). The Class B Units pay quarterly cash distributions and are convertible at any time at the option of the holder. The Class B Units paid a distribution of $0.21375 per unit for the third quarter.

(11)	Dividends are paid-in-kind.

(12)

Security is comprised of a prepaid equity purchase contract and a senior amortizing note. Unless settled earlier, each prepaid equity purchase contract will settle on June 7, 2018 for between 0.7159 and 0.8591 Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (“WGP”) common units (subject to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s (“APC”) right to deliver APC common stock in lieu of WGP common units). The Fund receives a quarterly payment of 7.50% per annum on the $50 per unit stated amount of the security.

(13)	Floating rate second lien secured term loan. Security pays interest at a rate of LIBOR + 650 basis points with a 1.00% LIBOR floor (7.93% as of August 31, 2017).

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts)

(UNAUDITED)

(14)	Floating rate second lien secured term loan. Security pays interest at a rate of LIBOR + 650 basis points with a 1.00% LIBOR floor (7.74% as of August 31, 2017).

(15)	Interest is paid-in-kind at a fixed rate per annum equal to 5.00%. As of May 31, 2017, the Fund stopped accruing interest relating to this security. See Note 3 — Fair Value.

(16)	The rate indicated is the current yield as of August 31, 2017.

(17)	Security is non-income producing.

(18)	The notional amount of call option contracts written is the product of (a) the number of contracts written, (b) 100 (each contract entitles the option holder to 100 units/shares) and (c) the market price of the underlying security as of August 31, 2017.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s, except share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)


ASSETS
Investments, at fair value:
Non-affiliated (Cost — $496,386)	$	551,142
Affiliated (Cost — $65,774)		33,782
Short-term investments (Cost — $18,262)		18,262

Total investments (Cost — $580,422)		603,186
Cash		2,049
Deposits with brokers		240
Receivable for securities sold		2,484
Interest, dividends and distributions receivable		2,810
Deferred credit facility and term loan offering costs and other assets		737

Total Assets		611,506


LIABILITIES
Payable for securities purchased		2,436
Investment management fee payable		658
Call option contracts written (Premiums received — $4)		3
Accrued directors’ fees and expenses		27
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,253
Term loan		31,000
Notes		115,000
Unamortized notes issuance costs		(503	)
Mandatory redeemable preferred stock, $25.00 liquidation value per share (2,000,000 shares issued and outstanding)		50,000
Unamortized mandatory redeemable preferred stock issuance costs		(313	)

Total Liabilities		199,561

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	411,945

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS CONSIST OF
Common stock, $0.001 par value (36,668,630 shares issued and outstanding and 198,000,000 shares authorized)	$	37
Paid-in capital		542,858
Accumulated net investment income less distributions not treated as tax return of capital		(38,744	)
Accumulated net realized losses less distributions not treated as tax return of capital		(114,966	)
Net unrealized gains		22,760

NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	411,945

NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE	$	11.23

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in 000’s)

(UNAUDITED)


	For the Three Months Ended August 31, 2017			For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income
Dividends and distributions:
Non-affiliated investments	$	8,739		$	26,187
Affiliated investments		826			2,324

Total dividends and distributions (after foreign taxes withheld of $63 and $123, respectively)		9,565			28,511
Return of capital		(5,707	)		(17,634	)

Net dividends and distributions		3,858			10,877
Interest and other income		1,992			6,285

Total Investment Income		5,850			17,162

Expenses
Investment management fees		1,954			6,132
Professional fees		103			300
Administration fees		65			201
Reports to stockholders		51			138
Directors’ fees and expenses		29			102
Insurance		9			28
Custodian fees		18			51
Other expenses		59			179

Total Expenses — before interest expense and preferred distributions		2,288			7,131
Interest expense including amortization of offering costs		1,386			4,138
Distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred stock including amortization of offering costs		585			1,754

Total Expenses		4,259			13,023

Net Investment Income		1,591			4,139

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Investments — non-affiliated		4,131			12,345
Foreign currency transactions		—			(19	)
Options		161			594

Net Realized Gains		4,292			12,920

Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Investments — non-affiliated		(5,098	)		(39,422	)
Investments — affiliated		(5,502	)		(15,583	)
Foreign currency translations		1			9
Options		(55	)		122

Net Change in Unrealized Gains		(10,654	)		(54,874	)

Net Realized and Unrealized Losses		(6,362	)		(41,954	)

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS	$	(4,771	)	$	(37,815	)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

(amounts in 000’s, except share amounts)


	For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017 (Unaudited)			For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2016
OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)⁽¹⁾	$	4,139		$	(1,970	)
Net realized gains (losses)		12,920			(44,722	)
Net change in unrealized gains		(54,874	)		81,107

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations		(37,815	)		34,415

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS⁽¹⁾
Dividends		(27,446	)⁽²⁾		(23,346	)⁽³⁾
Distributions — net long-term capital gains		—	⁽²⁾		—	⁽³⁾
Distributions — return of capital		—	⁽²⁾		(16,025	)⁽³⁾

Dividends and Distributions to Common Stockholders		(27,446	)		(39,371	)

CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Issuance of 219,508 shares of common stock		—			1,771	⁽⁴⁾
Issuance of 110,580 and 263,054 shares of common stock from reinvestment of dividends and distributions		1,282			1,822

Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders from Capital Stock Transactions		1,282			3,593

Total Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders		(63,979	)		(1,363	)

NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Beginning of period		475,924			477,287

End of period	$	411,945		$	475,924

(1)

Distributions on the Fund’s mandatory redeemable preferred stock (“MRP Shares”) are treated as an operating expense under GAAP and are included in the calculation of net investment income (loss). See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies. Distributions in the amount of $1,658 paid to holders of MRP Shares during the nine months ended August 31, 2017 are characterized as dividend income (a portion of which may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income) until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits for the full fiscal year, which include gains and losses on the sale of securities for the remainder of the fiscal year. The final tax character may differ substantially from this preliminary information. Distributions in the amount of $4,584 paid to holders of MRP Shares for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 were characterized as dividends. A portion of the distributions characterized as dividends for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 was eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. This characterization is based on the Fund’s earnings and profits.

(2)

Distributions paid to common stockholders for the nine months ended August 31, 2017 are characterized as dividend income (a portion of which may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income) until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits for the full fiscal year, which

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

(amounts in 000’s, except share amounts)

include gains and losses on the sale of securities for the remainder of the fiscal year. The final tax character may differ substantially from this preliminary information.

(3)

Distributions paid to common stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 were characterized as either dividends (a portion of which may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income) or distributions (long-term capital gains or return of capital). This characterization is based on the Fund’s earnings and profits.

(4)	On December 17, 2015, the Fund’s investment advisor, KA Fund Advisors, LLC, purchased $1,771 of newly issued shares funded in part with the after-tax management fees received during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2017

(amounts in 000’s)

(UNAUDITED)


CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations	$	(37,815	)
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Return of capital distributions		17,634
Net realized gains (excluding foreign currency transactions)		(12,939	)
Net change in unrealized gains (excluding foreign currency translations)		54,883
Accretion of bond discounts, net		(1,151	)
Purchase of long-term investments		(117,428	)
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments		136,370
Purchase of short-term investments, net		(18,262	)
Decrease in deposits with brokers		7
Increase in receivable for securities sold		(1,465	)
Increase in interest, dividends and distributions receivable		(273	)
Amortization of deferred debt offering costs		359
Amortization of mandatory redeemable preferred stock offering costs		96
Decrease in other assets		73
Increase in payable for securities purchased		2,436
Decrease in investment management fee payable		(12	)
Decrease in premiums received on call option contracts written		(100	)
Decrease in accrued directors’ fees and expenses		(11	)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(926	)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		21,476

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in borrowings under term loan		6,000
Costs associated with one year extension of the Term Loan		(46	)
Cash distributions paid to common stockholders		(26,164	)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities		(20,210	)

NET INCREASE IN CASH		1,266
CASH — BEGINNING OF PERIOD		783

CASH — END OF PERIOD	$	2,049

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Non-cash financing activities not included herein consisted of reinvestment of distributions pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan of $1,282.

During the nine months ended August 31, 2017, interest paid related to debt obligations was $4,788, and there were no income taxes paid.

During the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund received $4,526 of paid-in-kind and non-cash dividends and distributions. See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(amounts in 000’s, except share and per share amounts)


	For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017 (Unaudited)			For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30,
	For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017 (Unaudited)			2016			2015

Per Share of Common Stock⁽¹⁾
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	13.02		$	13.23		$	29.17
Net investment income (loss)⁽²⁾		0.11			(0.05	)		0.30
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1.14	)		0.93			(14.30	)

Total income (loss) from operations		(1.03	)		0.88			(14.00	)

Dividends and distributions — auction rate preferred⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		—			—			—

Common dividends — dividend income⁽³⁾		(0.75	)		(0.64	)		—
Common distributions — long-term capital gains⁽³⁾		—			—			—
Common distributions — return of capital⁽³⁾		—			(0.44	)		(1.94	)

Total dividends and distributions — common		(0.75	)		(1.08	)		(1.94	)

Effect of common stock repurchased		—			—			—
Effect of issuance of common and preferred stock		—			—			—
Gain on 765 shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed at a discount to liquidation value		—			—			—
Effect of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		(0.01	)		(0.01	)		—

Total capital stock transactions		(0.01	)		(0.01	)		—

Net asset value, end of period	$	11.23		$	13.02		$	13.23

Market value per share of common stock, end of period	$	10.66		$	11.52		$	12.43

Total investment return based on common stock market value⁽⁴⁾		(1.4	)%⁽⁵⁾		5.2	%		(54.7	)%
Total investment return based on net asset value⁽⁶⁾		(8.1	)%⁽⁵⁾		11.8	%		(50.2	)%
Supplemental Data and Ratios⁽⁷⁾
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period	$	411,945		$	475,924		$	477,287
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
Management fees		1.8	%		1.9	%		1.9	%
Other expenses		0.3			0.3			0.2

Subtotal		2.1			2.2			2.1
Interest expense and distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred stock⁽²⁾		1.7			3.8			2.1
Management fee waivers		—			—			—

Total expenses		3.8	%		6.0	%		4.2	%

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets⁽²⁾		1.2	%		(0.5	)%		1.3	%
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common stockholders resulting from operations to average net assets		(8.2	)%⁽⁵⁾		8.8	%		(61.8	)%
Portfolio turnover rate		18.2	%⁽⁵⁾		43.7	%		50.0	%
Average net assets	$	459,154		$	393,071		$	817,534
Notes outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	115,000		$	115,000		$	230,000
Credit facility outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	—		$	—
Term loan outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	31,000		$	25,000		$	—
Auction rate preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	—		$	—
Mandatory redeemable preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	50,000		$	50,000		$	120,000
Average shares of common stock outstanding		36,611,726			36,490,584			36,066,280
Asset coverage of total debt⁽⁹⁾		416.4	%		475.7	%		359.7	%
Asset coverage of total leverage (debt and preferred stock)⁽¹⁰⁾		310.2	%		350.5	%		236.4	%
Average amount of borrowings per share of common stock during the period	$	3.98		$	3.57		$	8.10

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(amounts in 000’s, except share and per share amounts)


	For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30,
	2014			2013			2012			2011

Per Share of Common Stock⁽¹⁾
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	28.91		$	25.43		$	25.25		$	26.53
Net investment income (loss)⁽²⁾		0.14			(0.28	)		(0.04	)		(0.08	)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		2.06			5.68			2.14			0.71

Total income (loss) from operations		2.20			5.40			2.10			0.63

Dividends and distributions — auction rate preferred⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		—			—			—			—

Common dividends — dividend income⁽³⁾		(1.60	)		(0.05	)		(0.71	)		—
Common distributions — long-term capital gains⁽³⁾		(0.33	)		(1.23	)		—			(1.92	)
Common distributions — return of capital⁽³⁾		—			(0.64	)		(1.21	)		—

Total dividends and distributions — common		(1.93	)		(1.92	)		(1.92	)		(1.92	)

Effect of common stock repurchased		0.01			—			—			—
Effect of issuance of common and preferred stock		—			0.01			—			—
Gain on 765 shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed at a discount to liquidation value		—			—			—			—
Effect of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		(0.02	)		(0.01	)		—			0.01

Total capital stock transactions		(0.01	)		—			—			0.01

Net asset value, end of period	$	29.17		$	28.91		$	25.43		$	25.25

Market value per share of common stock, end of period	$	30.10		$	27.99		$	25.02		$	23.82

Total investment return based on common stock market value⁽⁴⁾		15.3	%		20.2	%		13.0	%		(9.7	)%
Total investment return based on net asset value⁽⁶⁾		8.1	%		22.1	%		8.4	%		2.3	%
Supplemental Data and Ratios⁽⁷⁾
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period	$	1,050,352		$	1,038,876		$	901,787		$	883,967
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
Management fees		1.8	%		1.8	%		1.8	%		1.8	%
Other expenses		0.1			0.2			0.2			0.2

Subtotal		1.9			2.0			2.0			2.0
Interest expense and distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred stock⁽²⁾		1.7			2.1			2.4			2.3
Management fee waivers		—			—			—			—

Total expenses		3.6	%		4.1	%		4.4	%		4.3	%

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets⁽²⁾		0.4	%		(1.0	)%		(0.2	)%		(0.3	)%
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common stockholders resulting from operations to average net assets		7.1	%		19.5	%		7.8	%		2.3	%
Portfolio turnover rate		37.7	%		46.0	%		57.2	%		57.6	%
Average net assets	$	1,129,602		$	987,463		$	934,388		$	940,587
Notes outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	345,000		$	275,000		$	273,000		$	301,000
Credit facility outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	70,000		$	40,000		$	—
Term loan outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	28,000		$	—		$	—		$	—
Auction rate preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Mandatory redeemable preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	120,000		$	120,000		$	120,000		$	120,000
Average shares of common stock outstanding		36,004,074			35,708,710			35,222,412			34,742,802
Asset coverage of total debt⁽⁹⁾		413.8	%		435.9	%		426.4	%		433.5	%
Asset coverage of total leverage (debt and preferred stock)⁽¹⁰⁾		313.1	%		323.4	%		308.3	%		310.0	%
Average amount of borrowings per share of common stock during the period	$	10.16		$	9.04		$	8.70		$	8.92

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(amounts in 000’s, except share and per share amounts)


	For the Fiscal Year Ended November 30,
	2010			2009			2008			2007

Per Share of Common Stock⁽¹⁾
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	20.04		$	13.43		$	29.01		$	25.44
Net investment income (loss)⁽²⁾		0.16			0.31			0.88			1.09
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		8.24			8.26			(14.09	)		4.82

Total income (loss) from operations		8.40			8.57			(13.21	)		5.91

Dividends and distributions — auction rate preferred⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		—			—			(0.34	)		(0.50	)

Common dividends — dividend income⁽³⁾		(1.92	)		(0.62	)		(0.38	)		(1.36	)
Common distributions — long-term capital gains⁽³⁾		—			—			—			(0.48	)
Common distributions — return of capital⁽³⁾		—			(1.34	)		(1.68	)		—

Total dividends and distributions — common		(1.92	)		(1.96	)		(2.06	)		(1.84	)

Effect of common stock repurchased		—			—			—			—
Effect of issuance of common and preferred stock		—			—			—			—
Gain on 765 shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed at a discount to liquidation value		—			—			0.03			—
Effect of shares issued in reinvestment of distributions		0.01			—			—			—

Total capital stock transactions		0.01			—			0.03			—

Net asset value, end of period	$	26.53		$	20.04		$	13.43		$	29.01

Market value per share of common stock, end of period	$	28.34		$	22.28		$	10.53		$	25.79

Total investment return based on common stock market value⁽⁴⁾		37.9	%		139.9	%		(55.2	)%		10.2	%
Total investment return based on net asset value⁽⁶⁾		43.6	%		69.2	%		(49.2	)%		21.8	%
Supplemental Data and Ratios⁽⁷⁾
Net assets applicable to common stockholders, end of period	$	915,064		$	677,678		$	437,946		$	934,434
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
Management fees		1.7	%		1.7	%		1.6	%		1.7	%
Other expenses		0.3			0.3			0.3			0.3

Subtotal		2.0			2.0			1.9			2.0
Interest expense and distributions on mandatory redeemable preferred stock⁽²⁾		2.3			2.6			0.7			0.2
Management fee waivers		—			—			—			(0.1	)

Total expenses		4.3	%		4.6	%		2.6	%		2.1	%

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets⁽²⁾		0.7	%		2.0	%		3.1	%		3.8	%
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common stockholders resulting from operations to average net assets		37.2	%		55.8	%		(47.7	)%		19.1	%
Portfolio turnover rate		62.0	%		88.8	%		65.0	%		52.1	%
Average net assets	$	771,297		$	512,647		$	915,456		$	906,692
Notes outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	250,000		$	165,000		$	225,000		$	—
Credit facility outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	67,000		$	47,000		$	—		$	41,000
Term loan outstanding, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Auction rate preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	300,000
Mandatory redeemable preferred stock, end of period⁽⁸⁾	$	90,000		$	—		$	—		$	—
Average shares of common stock outstanding		34,177,249			33,272,958			32,258,146			32,036,996
Asset coverage of total debt⁽⁹⁾		417.1	%		419.7	%		294.6	%⁽¹¹⁾		—
Asset coverage of total leverage (debt and preferred stock)⁽¹⁰⁾		324.8	%		419.7	%		294.6	%⁽¹¹⁾		374.0	%
Average amount of borrowings per share of common stock during the period	$	7.71		$	5.18		$	3.53		$	0.53

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(amounts in 000’s, except share and per share amounts)

(1)	Based on average shares of common stock outstanding.

(2)	Distributions on the Fund’s MRP Shares are treated as an operating expense under GAAP and are included in the calculation of net investment income (loss). See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies.

(3)

The actual characterization of the distributions made during the nine months ended August 31, 2017 will not be determinable until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its actual earnings and profits for the full fiscal year (which include gains and losses on the sale of securities for the remainder of the fiscal year) and may differ substantially from this preliminary information. The information presented for each of the other periods is a characterization of the total distributions paid to the preferred stockholders and common stockholders as either dividend income (a portion was eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income) or distributions (long-term capital gains or return of capital) and is based on the Fund’s earnings and profits.

(4)

Total investment return based on market value is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the market price on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the period reported. The calculation also assumes reinvestment of distributions at actual prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

(5)	Not annualized.

(6)

Total investment return based on net asset value is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the net asset value on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of the period reported. The calculation also assumes reinvestment of distributions at actual prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan.

(7)	Unless otherwise noted, ratios are annualized.

(8)	Principal / liquidation value.

(9)

Calculated pursuant to section 18(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act. Represents the value of total assets less all liabilities not represented by Notes (principal value) or any other senior securities representing indebtedness and MRP Shares (liquidation value) divided by the aggregate amount of Notes and any other senior securities representing indebtedness. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare or make any distribution on its common stock nor can it incur additional indebtedness if at the time of such declaration or incurrence its asset coverage with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness would be less than 300%. For purposes of this test, the Credit Facility and the Term Loan are considered senior securities representing indebtedness.

(10)

Calculated pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(A) of the 1940 Act. Represents the value of total assets less all liabilities not represented by Notes (principal value), any other senior securities representing indebtedness and MRP Shares divided by the aggregate amount of Notes, any other senior securities representing indebtedness and MRP Shares (liquidation value). Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare or make any distribution on its common stock nor can it issue additional preferred stock if at the time of such declaration or issuance, its asset coverage with respect to all senior securities would be less than 200%. In addition to the limitations under the 1940 Act, the Fund, under the terms of its MRP Shares, would not be able to declare or pay any distributions on its common stock if such declaration would cause its asset coverage with respect to all senior securities to be less than 225%. For purposes of these asset coverage ratio tests, the Credit Facility and the Term Loan are considered senior securities representing indebtedness.

(11)

At November 30, 2008, the Fund’s asset coverage ratio on total debt pursuant to the 1940 Act was less than 300%. However, on December 2, 2008, the Fund entered into an agreement to repurchase $60,000 of its Notes, which closed on December 5, 2008. Upon the closing of the repurchase of the Notes, the Fund was in compliance with the 1940 Act and with its covenants under the Notes agreements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

1.	Organization

Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was organized as a Maryland corporation on March 31, 2005 and commenced operations on June 28, 2005. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified closed-end investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to obtain a high total return with an emphasis on current income. The Fund intends to achieve this investment objective by investing in a portfolio of companies in the Energy Sector. The majority of the Fund’s investments include investments in equity securities of Master Limited Partnerships, MLP Affiliates, Marine Transportation Companies, Midstream Companies, Other Energy Companies and upstream Income Trusts. The Fund’s shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) under the symbol “KYE.”

2.	Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies that the Fund uses to prepare its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946 — “Financial Services — Investment Companies.”

A. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

B. Reclassifications — Certain prior year amounts in the accompanying financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

C. Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include short-term, liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less and include money market fund accounts.

D. Calculation of Net Asset Value — The Fund determines its net asset value on a daily basis and reports its net asset value on its website. Net asset value is computed by dividing the value of the Fund’s assets (including accrued interest and distributions), less all of its liabilities (including accrued expenses, distributions payable and any borrowings) and the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock by the total number of common shares outstanding.

E. Investment Valuation — Readily marketable portfolio securities listed on any exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices on such day. Securities admitted to trade on the NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.

Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but excluding securities admitted to trading on the NASDAQ, are valued at the closing bid prices. Debt securities that are considered bonds are valued by using the mean of the bid and ask prices provided by an independent pricing service or, if such prices are not available or in the judgment of KA Fund Advisors, LLC (“KAFA”) such prices are stale or do not represent fair value, by an independent broker. For debt securities that are considered bank loans, the fair market value is determined by using the mean of the bid and ask prices provided by the agent or syndicate bank or principal market maker. When price quotes for securities are not available, or such prices are stale or do not represent fair value in the

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

judgment of KAFA, fair market value will be determined using the Fund’s valuation process for securities that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale.

Exchange-traded options and futures contracts are valued at the last sales price at the close of trading in the market where such contracts are principally traded or, if there was no sale on the applicable exchange on such day, at the mean between the quoted bid and ask price as of the close of such exchange.

The Fund holds securities that are privately issued or otherwise restricted as to resale. For these securities, as well as any security for which (a) reliable market quotations are not available in the judgment of KAFA, or (b) the independent pricing service or independent broker does not provide prices or provides a price that in the judgment of KAFA is stale or does not represent fair value, shall each be valued in a manner that most fairly reflects fair value of the security on the valuation date. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the following valuation process is used for such securities:

•

Investment Team Valuation. The applicable investments are valued by senior professionals of KAFA who are responsible for the portfolio investments. The investments will be valued monthly with new investments valued at the time such investment was made.

•

Investment Team Valuation Documentation. Preliminary valuation conclusions will be determined by senior management of KAFA. Such valuations and supporting documentation are submitted to the Valuation Committee (a committee of the Fund’s Board of Directors) and the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

•

Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee meets to consider the valuations submitted by KAFA at the end of each quarter. Between meetings of the Valuation Committee, a senior officer of KAFA is authorized to make valuation determinations. All valuation determinations of the Valuation Committee are subject to ratification by the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting.

•

Valuation Firm. Quarterly, a third-party valuation firm engaged by the Board of Directors reviews the valuation methodologies and calculations employed for these securities unless the aggregate fair value of such security is less than 0.1% of total assets.

•

Board of Directors Determination. The Board of Directors meets quarterly to consider the valuations provided by KAFA and the Valuation Committee and ratify valuations for the applicable securities. The Board of Directors considers the report provided by the third-party valuation firm in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.

As of August 31, 2017, the Fund held 6.2% of its net assets applicable to common stockholders (4.2% of total assets) in securities that were fair valued pursuant to the procedures adopted by the Board of Directors (Level 3 securities). The aggregate fair value of these securities at August 31, 2017 was $25,433. See Note 3 — Fair Value and Note 7 — Restricted Securities.

F. Derivative Financial Instruments — The Fund may utilize derivative financial instruments in its operations.

In October 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new rules and forms, and amendments to certain current rules and forms, to modernize reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. The amendments to Regulation S-X will require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, and will also change the rules governing the form and content of such financial statements. The Fund adopted the amendments to Regulation S-X as of August 1, 2017 and has included the notional amount of open call option contracts written on its Schedule of Investments.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Interest rate swap contracts. The Fund may use hedging techniques such as interest rate swaps to mitigate potential interest rate risk on a portion of the Fund’s leverage. Such interest rate swaps would principally be used to protect the Fund against higher costs on its leverage resulting from increases in interest rates. The Fund does not hedge any interest rate risk associated with portfolio holdings. Interest rate transactions the Fund may use for hedging purposes may expose it to certain risks that differ from the risks associated with its portfolio holdings. A decline in interest rates may result in a decline in the value of the swap contracts, which, everything else being held constant, would result in a decline in the net assets of the Fund. In addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate swap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the interest rate swap to offset its cost of financial leverage.

Interest rate swap contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in value during the reporting period, and amounts accrued under the agreements, included as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations. Monthly cash settlements under the terms of the interest rate swap agreements or termination payments are recorded as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations. The Fund generally values its interest rate swap contracts based on dealer quotations, if available, or by discounting the future cash flows from the stated terms of the interest rate swap agreement by using interest rates currently available in the market. See Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments.

Option contracts. The Fund is also exposed to financial market risks including changes in the valuations of its investment portfolio. The Fund may purchase or write (sell) call options. A call option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option.

The Fund would realize a gain on a purchased call option if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchased call option. The Fund may also purchase put option contracts. If a purchased put option is exercised, the premium paid increases the cost basis of the securities sold by the Fund.

The Fund may also write (sell) call options with the purpose of generating realized gains or reducing its ownership of certain securities. If the Fund writes a call option on a security, the Fund has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price. The Fund will only write call options on securities that the Fund holds in its portfolio (i.e., covered calls).

When the Fund writes a call option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. If the Fund repurchases a written call option prior to its exercise, the difference between the premium received and the amount paid to repurchase the option is treated as a realized gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. The Fund, as the writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. See Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments.

G. Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for on the date these securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses are calculated using the specific identification cost basis method for GAAP purposes. For tax purposes, the Fund utilizes the average cost method to compute the adjusted tax cost basis of its MLP securities.

H. Return of Capital Estimates — Dividends and distributions received from the Fund’s investments are comprised of income and return of capital. Payments made by MLPs (and other entities treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes) are categorized as “distributions” and payments made by corporations are

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

categorized as “dividends.” At the time such dividends and distributions are received, the Fund estimates the amount of such payments that is considered investment income and the amount that is considered a return of capital. The Fund estimates that 90% of distributions received from its MLP investments were return of capital distributions. This estimate is adjusted to actual in the subsequent fiscal year when tax reporting information related to the Fund’s MLP investments is received. Such estimates for MLPs and other investments are based on historical information available from each investment and other industry sources.

The return of capital portion of the distributions is a reduction to investment income that results in an equivalent reduction in the cost basis of the associated investments and increases net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses). If the distributions received by the Fund exceed its cost basis (i.e. its cost basis has been reduced to zero), the distributions are treated as realized gains.

The Fund includes all distributions received on its Statement of Operations and reduces its investment income by (i) the estimated return of capital and (ii) the distributions in excess of cost basis, if any. For the three and nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund estimated $5,707 and $17,634 respectively, of return of capital and there were no distributions in excess of cost basis.

In accordance with GAAP, the return of capital cost basis reductions for the Fund’s MLP investments are limited to the total amount of the cash distributions received from such investments. For income tax purposes, the cost basis reductions for the Fund’s MLP investments typically exceed cash distributions received from such investments due to allocated losses from these investments.

The following table sets forth the Fund’s estimated total return of capital portion of the distributions received from its investments.


	For the Three Months Ended August 31, 2017			For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017
Dividends from investments	$	6,598		$	19,225
Distributions from investments		3,030			9,409

Total dividends and distributions from investments (before foreign taxes withheld of $63 and $123, respectively)	$	9,628		$	28,634

Dividends — % return of capital		45	%		48	%
Distributions — % return of capital		90	%		90	%
Total dividends and distributions — % return of capital		59	%		62	%
Return of capital — attributable to net realized gains (losses)	$	1,039		$	1,911
Return of capital — attributable to net change in unrealized gains		4,668			15,723

Total return of capital	$	5,707		$	17,634

I. Investment Income — The Fund records dividends and distributions on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. When investing in securities with payment in-kind interest, the Fund will accrue interest income during the life of the security even though it will not be receiving cash as the interest is accrued. To the extent that interest income to be received is not expected to be realized, a reserve against income is established.

Many of the debt securities that the Fund holds were purchased at a discount or premium to the par value of the security. The non-cash accretion of a discount to par value increases interest income while the non-cash amortization of a premium to par value decreases interest income. The accretion of a discount and amortization of a premium are based on the effective interest method. The amount of these non-cash adjustments can be found in the Fund’s Statement of Cash Flows. The non-cash accretion of a discount increases the cost basis of the debt

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

security, which results in an offsetting unrealized loss. The non-cash amortization of a premium decreases the cost basis of the debt security, which results in an offsetting unrealized gain. To the extent that par value is not expected to be realized, the Fund discontinues accruing the non-cash accretion of the discount to par value of the debt security.

The Fund may receive paid-in-kind and non-cash dividends and distributions in the form of additional units or shares from its investments. For paid-in-kind dividends, the additional units are not reflected in investment income during the period received, but are recorded as unrealized gains upon receipt. Non-cash dividends and distributions are reflected in investment income because the Fund has the option to receive its dividend in cash or in additional shares and units of the security. During the three and nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund received $1,079 and $3,855, respectively, of paid-in-kind dividends from its investment in Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. and $228 and $671, respectively, of non-cash distributions from its investment in Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

J. Distributions to Stockholders — Distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to holders of MRP Shares are accrued on a daily basis as described in Note 12 — Preferred Stock. As required by the Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 480), the Fund includes the accrued distributions on its MRP Shares as an operating expense due to the fixed term of this obligation. For tax purposes the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s MRP Shares are treated as dividends or distributions.

The characterization of the distributions paid to holders of MRP Shares and common stock as either dividend income (eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income) or distributions (long term capital gains or return of capital) is determined after the end of the fiscal year based on the Fund’s actual earnings and profits and, therefore, the characterization may differ from preliminary estimates.

K. Partnership Accounting Policy — The Fund records its pro-rata share of the income (loss), to the extent of distributions it has received, allocated from the underlying partnerships and adjusts the cost basis of the underlying partnerships accordingly. These amounts are included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

L. Taxes — It is the Fund’s intention to continue to be treated as and to qualify each year for special tax treatment afforded a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As long as the Fund meets certain requirements that govern its sources of income, diversification of assets and timely distribution of earnings to stockholders, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

The Fund must pay distributions equal to 90% of its investment company taxable income (ordinary income and short-term capital gains) to qualify as a RIC and it must distribute all of its taxable income (ordinary income, short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains) to avoid federal income taxes. The Fund will be subject to federal income tax on any undistributed portion of income. For purposes of the distribution test, the Fund may elect to treat as paid on the last day of its taxable year all or part of any distributions that are declared after the end of its taxable year if such distributions are declared before the due date of its tax return, including any extensions (August 15th). See Note 6 — Taxes.

All RICs are subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on income that is not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirements. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of its net capital gains for the one-year period ending on November 30, the last day of our taxable year, and (iii) undistributed amounts from previous years on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. A distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year if it is paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December, payable to stockholders of record on a date during such months and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distributions paid during January of the

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

following year will be deemed to be received by stockholders on December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions are actually received.

The Fund will be liable for the excise tax on the amount by which it does not meet the distribution requirement and will accrue an excise tax liability at the time that the liability is estimable and probable.

Dividend income received by the Fund from sources within Canada is subject to a 15% foreign withholding tax. Interest income on Canadian corporate debt obligations should generally be exempt from withholding tax on interest, with a few exceptions (e.g., a profit participating debt interest).

The Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax-return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority and requires measurement of a tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not criterion, based on the largest benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized.

The Fund utilizes the average cost method to compute the adjusted tax cost basis of its MLP securities.

The Fund’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. Tax years subsequent to fiscal year 2012 remain open and subject to examination by the federal and state tax authorities.

M. Foreign Currency Translations — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the rate of exchange as of the valuation date; and (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in equity and debt securities which is due to changes in the foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of equity and debt securities. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses with respect to such securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment transactions balances.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses represent gains and losses from transactions in foreign currencies and foreign currency contracts, foreign exchange gains or losses realized between the trade date and settlement date on security transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of such amounts on the payment date.

Net unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses represent the difference between the cost of assets and liabilities (other than investments) recorded on the Fund’s books from the value of the assets and liabilities (other than investments) on the valuation date.

N. Indemnifications — Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnification to other parties. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred, and may not occur. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

O. Offering and Debt Issuance Costs — Offering costs incurred by the Fund related to the issuance of its common stock reduce additional paid-in capital when the stock is issued. Costs incurred by the Fund related to the issuance of its debt (revolving credit facility, term loan or notes) or its preferred stock are capitalized and amortized over the period the debt or preferred stock is outstanding.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03 “Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. ASU No. 2015-03 requires that all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 “Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements”. ASU No. 2015-15 states that the SEC staff will not object to an entity presenting the cost of securing a revolving line of credit as an asset, regardless of whether a balance is outstanding. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Fund adopted ASU No. 2015-03 and ASU No. 2015-15 and has classified the costs incurred to issue Notes and MRP Shares as a deduction from the carrying value of Notes and MRP Shares on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Previously, these issuance costs were capitalized as an asset on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Additionally, the Fund has updated its disclosure in Notes 11 and 12 related to the unamortized Note and MRP Share issuance costs. For the purpose of calculating the Fund’s asset coverage ratios pursuant to the 1940 Act, deferred issuance costs are not deducted from the carrying value of Notes and MRP Shares. There was no financial reporting impact to information presented for prior periods as a result of this accounting standard update.

3.	Fair Value

The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 820) defines fair value as the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants under current market conditions at the measurement date. As required by ASC 820, the Fund has performed an analysis of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value to determine the significance and character of all inputs to their fair value determination. Inputs are the assumptions, along with considerations of risk, that a market participant would use to value an asset or a liability. In general, observable inputs are based on market data that is readily available, regularly distributed and verifiable that the Fund obtains from independent, third-party sources. Unobservable inputs are developed by the Fund based on its own assumptions of how market participants would value an asset or a liability.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three broad categories.

•

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets traded on a national exchange to which the Fund has access at the date of measurement.

•

Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.

•

Level 3 — Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Fund’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the Fund’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at August 31, 2017, and the Fund presents these assets and liabilities by security type and description on its Schedule of Investments. Note that the valuation levels below are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment.


	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets at Fair Value
Equity investments	$	529,486	$	504,053	$	—	$	25,433
Debt investments		55,438		—		55,438		—
Short-term investments		18,262		18,262		—		—

Total assets at fair value	$	603,186	$	522,315	$	55,438	$	25,433

Liabilities at Fair Value
Call option contracts written	$	3	$	—	$	3	$	—

For the nine months ended August 31, 2017, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

As of August 31, 2017, the Fund had Notes outstanding with aggregate principal amount of $115,000 and 2,000,000 shares of MRP Shares outstanding with a total liquidation value of $50,000. The Notes and MRP Shares were issued in private placements to institutional investors and are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. See Note 11 — Notes and Note 12 — Preferred Stock. As a result, the Fund categorizes the Notes and MRP Shares as Level 3 securities and determines the fair value of these instruments based on estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure.

The Fund records the Notes and MRP Shares on its Statement of Assets and Liabilities at principal amount or liquidation value. As of August 31, 2017, the estimated fair values of these leverage instruments are as follows.


Security	Principal Amount / Liquidation Value		Fair Value
Notes	$	115,000	$	119,000
MRP Shares	$	50,000	$	50,200

The following tables present the Fund’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2017.


	Equity		Debt		Total
Three Months Ended August 31, 2017
Balance — May 31, 2017	$	24,400	$	—	$	24,400
Purchases		—		—		—
Transfers out to Level 1 and 2		—		—		—
Realized gains (losses)		—		—		—
Unrealized gains (losses), net		1,033		—		1,033

Balance — August 31, 2017	$	25,433	$	—	$	25,433

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)


Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017	Equity		Debt			Total
Balance — November 30, 2016	$	23,067	$	34		$	23,101
Purchases		—		—			—
Transfers out to Level 1 and 2		—		—			—
Realized gains (losses)		—		—			—
Unrealized gains (losses), net		2,366		(34	)		2,332

Balance — August 31, 2017	$	25,433	$	—		$	25,433

The $1,033 and $2,332 of unrealized gains relate to investments that were still held at the end of the reporting period, and the Fund includes these unrealized gains (losses) on the Statement of Operations — Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses).

Valuation Techniques and Unobservable Inputs

Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the Fund values its private investments in public equity (“PIPE”) investments that are convertible into or otherwise will become publicly tradeable (e.g., through subsequent registration or expiration of a restriction on trading) based on the market value of the publicly-traded security less a discount. The discount is initially equal to the discount negotiated at the time the Fund agrees to a purchase price. To the extent that such securities are convertible or otherwise become publicly traded within a time frame that may be reasonably determined, this discount will be amortized on a straight line basis over such estimated time frame.

The Fund owns Class B Units of Capital Product Partners L.P. (“CPLP”). The Class B Units are convertible on a one-for-one basis into common units and are senior to the underlying common units in terms of liquidation preference and priority of distributions. The Fund’s Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate to value the Class B Units using a convertible pricing model. This model takes into account the attributes of the Class B Units, including the preferred dividend, conversion ratio and call features, to determine the estimated value of such units. In using this model, the Fund estimates (i) the credit spread for CPLP’s Class B Units, which is based on credit spreads for comparable companies and (ii) the expected volatility for CPLP’s common units, which is based on CPLP’s historical volatility. The Fund applies a discount to the value derived from the convertible pricing model to account for an expected discount in market prices for CPLP’s convertible securities relative to the values calculated using the pricing model. If this resulting price per Class B Unit is less than the public market price for CPLP’s common units at such time, the public market price for CPLP’s common unit will be used for the Class B Units.

In order to estimate the value of its investment in the Pardus Oil & Gas LLC (“Pardus”) Second Lien Term Loan, the Fund uses a model to estimate the total value of Pardus’ assets. This estimated value is then used to determine the expected recovery amount on the Pardus Second Lien Term Loan. The model is based on Pardus’ reserves, undeveloped acreage and expected production profile. Based on its most recent estimate of the value of Pardus’ assets, the Fund concluded that the company’s asset value was insufficient to cover Pardus’ First Lien Debt, and as a result, the expected recovery amount on the Pardus Second Lien Term Loan is zero.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that the Fund may ultimately realize.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs that the Fund used to value its portfolio investments categorized as Level 3 as of August 31, 2017:

Quantitative

Table for Valuation Techniques


					Range				Average
Assets at Fair Value	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Low		High		Average
CPLP — valued based on pricing model	$	25,433	- Convertible pricing model	- Credit spread		6.8%		7.5%		7.1%
				- Volatility		40.0%		45.0%		42.5%
				- Discount for marketability		10.0%		10.0%		10.0%

Pardus — valued based on expected recovery		—	- Expected recovery	- Expected recovery amount		0%		0%		0%

Total	$	25,433

4.	Concentration of Risk

The Fund’s investments are concentrated in the Energy Sector. The focus of the Fund’s portfolio within the Energy Sector may present more risks than if the Fund’s portfolio were broadly diversified across numerous sectors of the economy. A downturn in the Energy Sector would have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not focus on the Energy Sector. The performance of securities in the Energy Sector may lag the performance of other industries or the broader market as a whole. Additionally, to the extent that the Fund invests a relatively high percentage of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more susceptible than a more widely diversified investment company to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence. At August 31, 2017, the Fund had the following investment concentrations:


Category	Percent of Long-Term Investments
Securities of Energy Companies⁽¹⁾		100.0	%
Equity securities		90.5	%
Debt securities		9.5	%
Securities of MLPs⁽¹⁾		37.6	%
Largest single issuer		7.8	%
Restricted securities		11.3	%

(1)	Refer to the “Glossary of Key Terms” for the definitions of Energy Companies and MLPs.

5.	Agreements and Affiliations

A. Administration Agreement — The Fund has an administration and accounting agreement with Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”), that may be amended from time to time. Pursuant to the agreement, Ultimus will provide certain administrative and accounting services for the Fund. The agreement has automatic one-year renewals unless earlier terminated by either party as provided under the terms of the agreement.

B. Investment Management Agreement — The Fund has entered into an investment management agreement with KA Fund Advisors, LLC (“KAFA”) under which KAFA, subject to the overall supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors, manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory services to, the Fund. On March 30, 2017, the Fund renewed its investment management agreement with KAFA for a period of one year. The investment management agreement will expire on March 31, 2018 and may be renewed annually thereafter upon approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors (including a majority of the Fund’s directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act). For providing these services,

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

KAFA receives an investment management fee from the Fund. For the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund paid management fees at an annual rate of 1.25% of average monthly total assets of the Fund.

For purposes of calculating the management fee, the “average total assets” for each monthly period are determined by averaging the total assets at the last business day of that month with the total assets at the last business day of the prior month. The total assets of the Fund shall be equal to its average monthly gross asset value (which includes assets attributable to the Fund’s use of preferred stock, commercial paper or notes or other borrowings), minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions on any outstanding common stock and accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions on any outstanding preferred stock and accrued liabilities (other than liabilities associated with borrowing or leverage by the Fund). Liabilities associated with borrowing or leverage include the principal amount of any borrowings, commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock, and other liabilities from other forms of borrowing or leverage such as short positions and put or call options held or written by the Fund.

C. Portfolio Companies — From time to time, the Fund may “control” or may be an “affiliate” of one or more of its portfolio companies, as each of these terms is defined in the 1940 Act. In general, under the 1940 Act, the Fund would be presumed to “control” a portfolio company if the Fund and its affiliates owned 25% or more of its outstanding voting securities and would be an “affiliate” of a portfolio company if the Fund and its affiliates owned 5% or more of its outstanding voting securities. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between investment companies and their affiliates (including the Fund’s investment adviser), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters.

The Fund believes that there are several factors that determine whether or not a security should be considered a “voting security” in complex structures such as limited partnerships of the kind in which the Fund invests. The Fund also notes that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) staff has issued guidance on the circumstances under which it would consider a limited partnership interest to constitute a voting security. Under most partnership agreements, the management of the partnership is vested in the general partner, and the limited partners, individually or collectively, have no rights to manage or influence management of the partnership through such activities as participating in the selection of the managers or the board of the limited partnership or the general partner. As a result, the Fund believes that many of the limited partnership interests in which it invests should not be considered voting securities. However, it is possible that the SEC staff may consider the limited partner interests the Fund holds in certain limited partnerships to be voting securities. If such a determination were made, the Fund may be regarded as a person affiliated with and controlling the issuer(s) of those securities for purposes of Section 17 of the 1940 Act.

In making such a determination as to whether to treat any class of limited partnership interests the Fund holds as a voting security, the Fund considers, among other factors, whether or not the holders of such limited partnership interests have the right to elect the board of directors of the limited partnership or the general partner. If the holders of such limited partnership interests do not have the right to elect the board of directors, the Fund generally has not treated such security as a voting security. In other circumstances, based on the facts and circumstances of those partnership agreements, including the right to elect the directors of the general partner, the Fund has treated those securities as voting securities. If the Fund does not consider the security to be a voting security, it will not consider such partnership to be an “affiliate” unless the Fund and its affiliates own more than 25% of the outstanding securities of such partnership. Additionally, certain partnership agreements give common unitholders the right to elect the partnership’s board of directors, but limit the amount of voting securities any limited partner can hold to no more than 4.9% of the partnership’s outstanding voting securities (i.e., any amounts held in excess of such limit by a limited partner do not have voting rights). In such instances, the Fund does not consider itself to be an affiliate if it owns more than 5% of such partnership’s common units.

There is no assurance that the SEC staff will not consider that other limited partnership securities that the Fund owns and does not treat as voting securities are, in fact, voting securities for the purposes of Section 17 of

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

the 1940 Act. If such determination were made, the Fund will be required to abide by the restrictions on “control” or “affiliate” transactions as proscribed in the 1940 Act. The Fund or any portfolio company that it controls, and its affiliates, may from time to time engage in certain of such joint transactions, purchases, sales and loans in reliance upon and in compliance with the conditions of certain exemptive rules promulgated by the SEC. The Fund cannot make assurances, however, that it would be able to satisfy the conditions of these rules with respect to any particular eligible transaction, or even if the Fund were allowed to engage in such a transaction, that the terms would be more or as favorable to the Fund or any company that it controls as those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction. As a result of these prohibitions, restrictions may be imposed on the size of positions that may be taken for the Fund or on the type of investments that it could make.

Plains GP Holdings, L.P. — Robert V. Sinnott is Co-Chairman of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. (“KACALP”), the managing member of KAFA. Mr. Sinnott also serves as a director of PAA GP Holdings LLC, which is the general partner of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. (“PAGP”). Members of senior management of KACALP and KAFA and various affiliated funds managed by KACALP own PAGP shares, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (“PAA”) units and interests in Plains AAP, L.P. (“PAGP-AAP”). The Fund believes that it is an affiliate of PAGP under the 1940 Act by virtue of (i) the Fund’s and other affiliated Kayne Anderson funds’ ownership interests in PAGP and (ii) Mr. Sinnott’s participation on the board of PAA GP Holdings LLC.

California Resources Corporation — Mr. Sinnott serves as a director of California Resources Corporation (“CRC”). The Fund’s investment in CRC is not a voting security, and as such, the Fund does not believe that it is an affiliate of CRC.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s investments in affiliates as of and for the period ended August 31, 2017:


					Dividends/ Distributions Received				Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Investment⁽¹⁾	No. of Shares/Units⁽²⁾ (in 000’s)		Value		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended		Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
Plains GP Holdings, L.P.		1,503	$	33,782	$	826	$	2,324	$	(5,502	)	$	(15,583	)

(1)	See Schedule of Investments for investment classification.

(2)	During the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund purchased 246 shares of PAGP, and there were no sales of PAGP during the period.

Taxes

It is the Fund’s intention to continue to be treated as and to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies.

Income and capital gain distributions made by RICs often differ from GAAP basis net investment income (loss) and net realized gains (losses). For the Fund, the principal reason for these differences is the return of capital treatment of dividends and distributions from MLPs and certain other of its investments. Net investment income and net realized gains for GAAP purposes may differ from taxable income for federal income tax purposes.

As of August 31, 2017, the principal temporary differences between income for GAAP purposes and taxable income were (a) realized losses that were recognized for GAAP purposes, but disallowed for tax purposes due to wash sale rules; (b) disallowed partnership losses related to the Fund’s MLP investments; and (c) other basis adjustments in the Fund’s MLPs and other investments.

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016, the tax character of the total $39,371 distributions paid to common stockholders was $23,346 of dividend income and $16,025 of return of capital. The tax character of the total $4,584 distributions paid to holders of MRP Shares was all dividend income.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

For purposes of determining the tax character of the dividends/distributions to investors, the amounts in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes are treated as a return of capital. Earnings and profits differ from taxable income due principally to adjustments related to the Fund’s investments in MLPs.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, any net capital losses recognized after December 31, 2010 may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses.

The Fund utilizes the average cost method to compute the adjusted tax cost basis of its MLP securities.

At August 31, 2017, the cost basis of investments for federal income tax purposes was $590,588 and the premiums received on outstanding option contracts written were $4. At August 31, 2017, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments and options for federal income tax purposes were as follows:


Gross unrealized appreciation of investments (including options)	$	68,512
Gross unrealized depreciation of investments (including options)		(55,913	)

Net unrealized appreciation of investments before foreign currency related translations		12,599
Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency related translations		(4	)

Net unrealized appreciation of investments	$	12,595

7.	Restricted Securities

From time to time, the Fund’s ability to sell certain of its investments is subject to certain legal or contractual restrictions. For instance, private investments that are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), cannot be offered for public sale in a non-exempt transaction without first being registered. In other cases, certain of the Fund’s investments have restrictions such as lock-up agreements that preclude the Fund from offering these securities for public sale.

At August 31, 2017, the Fund held the following restricted investments:


Investment	Acquisition Date	Type of Restriction	Number of Units, Principal ($) (in 000’s)		Cost Basis (GAAP)		Fair Value		Fair Value Per Unit		Percent of Net Assets			Percent of Total Assets
Level 2 Investments⁽¹⁾
Senior Notes and Secured Term Loans
Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC	3/29/17	⁽²⁾	$	3,000	$	3,000	$	3,068		n/a		0.7	%		0.5	%
Athabasca Oil Corporation	⁽³⁾	⁽⁴⁾		6,000		5,755		5,670		n/a		1.4			0.9
California Resources Corporation	⁽³⁾	⁽⁴⁾		16,575		11,368		9,199		n/a		2.2			1.5
Chief Oil & Gas LLC	⁽³⁾	⁽²⁾		6,983		6,849		6,878		n/a		1.7			1.1
Jonah Energy LLC	⁽³⁾	⁽²⁾		7,403		6,998		7,236		n/a		1.7			1.2
Jupiter Resources Inc.	⁽³⁾	⁽²⁾		12,980		10,092		8,502		n/a		2.1			1.4

Total					$	44,062	$	40,553				9.8	%		6.6	%

Level 3 Investments⁽⁵⁾
Equity Investments
Capital Product Partners L.P.
Class B Units	5/21/12	⁽⁴⁾		3,333	$	18,926	$	25,433	$	7.63		6.2	%		4.2	%
Senior Notes
Pardus Oil & Gas, LLC	5/13/16	⁽²⁾	$	54		31		—		n/a		—			—

Total					$	18,957	$	25,433				6.2	%		4.2	%

Total of all restricted investments					$	63,019	$	65,986				16.0	%		10.8	%

(1)

These securities have a fair market value determined by the mean of the bid and ask prices provided by an agent or a syndicate bank, a principal market maker, an independent pricing service or independent broker as more fully described in Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies. These securities have limited trading volume and are not listed on a national exchange.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

(2)	Unregistered security of a private company.

(3)	Security was acquired at various dates during the nine months ended August 31, 2017 and/or in prior fiscal years.

(4)	Unregistered or restricted security of a publicly-traded company.

(5)	Securities are valued using inputs reflecting the Fund’s own assumptions as more fully described in Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies and Note 3 — Fair Value.

8.	Derivative Financial Instruments

As required by the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 815), the following are the derivative instruments and hedging activities of the Fund. See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies.

Option Contracts — Transactions in option contracts for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:


	Number of Contracts			Premium
Three Months Ended August 31, 2017
Call Options Written
Options outstanding at May 31, 2017		1,100		$	71
Options written		4,110			251
Options subsequently repurchased⁽¹⁾		(2,550	)		(166	)
Options exercised		(2,150	)		(120	)
Options expired		(450	)		(32	)

Options outstanding at August 31, 2017		60		$	4

(1)	The price at which the Fund subsequently repurchased the options was $37, which resulted in net realized gains of $129.


	Number of Contracts			Premium
Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017
Call Options Written
Options outstanding at November 30, 2016		1,100		$	104
Options written		10,560			830
Options subsequently repurchased⁽¹⁾		(6,900	)		(586	)
Options exercised		(3,150	)		(225	)
Options expired		(1,550	)		(119	)

Options outstanding at August 31, 2017⁽²⁾		60		$	4

(1)	The price at which the Fund subsequently repurchased the options was $111, which resulted in net realized gains of $475.

(2)	The percentage of total long-term investments subject to call options written was 0.1% at August 31, 2017.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts — The Fund may enter into interest rate swap contracts to partially hedge itself from increasing expense on its leverage resulting from increasing interest rates. At the time the interest rate swap contracts reach their scheduled termination, there is a risk that the Fund would not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement transaction would not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. In addition, if the Fund is required to terminate any swap contract early, then the Fund could be required to make a termination payment. As of August 31, 2017, the Fund did not have any interest rate swap contracts outstanding.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund’s derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

Derivatives Not Accounted for as

Hedging Instruments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location

Fair Value as of

August 31, 2017

Call options written

Call option contracts written

(3)

The following tables set forth the effect of the Fund’s derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations:


Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	For the Three Months Ended August 31, 2017
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Call options written	Options	$	161	$	(55	)


Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	For the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2017
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments		Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Call options written	Options	$	594	$	122

9.	Investment Transactions

For the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund purchased and sold securities in the amounts of $117,428 and $136,370 (excluding short-term investments and options).

10.

Credit Facility and Term Loan

At August 31, 2017, the Fund had a $75,000 unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of lenders. The Credit Facility has a two-year term maturing on February 28, 2018. The interest rate on outstanding loan balances may vary between LIBOR plus 1.60% and LIBOR plus 2.25%, depending on the Fund’s asset coverage ratios. The Fund pays a fee of 0.30% per annum on any unused amounts of the Credit Facility. For the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the Fund did not have any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.

On June 13, 2017, the Fund exercised its option under its unsecured revolving term loan (the “Term Loan”) to convert the borrowings outstanding at the time ($31,000) into a one-year term loan. Amounts repaid prior to the original maturity date of June 13, 2017 permanently reduced the size of the Term Loan from $50,000 to $31,000. The interest rate varies between LIBOR plus 1.30% and LIBOR plus 1.75%, depending on the Fund’s asset coverage ratios. For the nine months ended August 31, 2017, the average amount outstanding under the Term Loan was $30,599 with a weighted average interest rate of 2.24%. As of August 31, 2017, the Fund had $31,000 outstanding under the Term Loan at an interest rate of 2.53%.

As of August 31, 2017, the Fund was in compliance with all financial and operational covenants required by the Credit Facility and Term Loan. See Financial Highlights for the Fund’s asset coverage ratios under the 1940 Act.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

11.

Notes

At August 31, 2017, the Fund had $115,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding. The table below sets forth the key terms of each series of Notes at August 31, 2017.


Series	Principal Outstanding		Unamortized Issuance Costs		Estimated Fair Value		Fixed Interest Rate	Maturity Date
I	$	5,077	$	8	$	5,100	2.59%	8/8/18
J		24,538		84		24,900	3.07%	8/8/20
K		42,308		205		44,100	3.72%	8/8/23
L		38,077		204		39,800	3.82%	8/8/25
M		5,000		2		5,100	3.36%	10/7/21

	$	115,000	$	503	$	119,000

Holders of the Notes are entitled to receive cash interest payments semi-annually (on August 13 and February 13) at the fixed rate. As of August 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding Notes was 3.55%.

As of August 31, 2017, each series of Notes was rated “AAA” by FitchRatings. In the event the credit rating on any series of Notes falls below “A-”, the interest rate on such series will increase by 1% during the period of time such series is rated below “A-”. The Fund is required to maintain a current rating from one rating agency with respect to each series of Notes and is prohibited from having any rating of less than investment grade (“BBB-”) with respect to each series of Notes.

The Notes were issued in private placement offerings to institutional investors and are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The Notes contain various covenants related to other indebtedness, liens and limits on the Fund’s overall leverage. Under the 1940 Act and the terms of the Notes, the Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of common stock or purchases of such shares if, at any time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (including the Notes) would be less than 300%.

The Notes are redeemable in certain circumstances at the option of the Fund. The Notes are also subject to a mandatory redemption to the extent needed to satisfy certain requirements if the Fund fails to meet an asset coverage ratio required by law and is not able to cure the coverage deficiency by the applicable deadline, or fails to cure a deficiency as stated in the Fund’s rating agency guidelines in a timely manner.

The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Fund and, upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, will rank: (1) senior to all of the Fund’s outstanding preferred shares; (2) senior to all of the Fund’s outstanding common shares; (3) on a parity with any unsecured creditors of the Fund and any unsecured senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund; and (4) junior to any secured creditors of the Fund.

At August 31, 2017, the Fund was in compliance with all covenants under the agreements of the Notes.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

12.

Preferred Stock

At August 31, 2017, the Fund had 2,000,000 shares of MRP Shares outstanding with a total liquidation value of $50,000 ($25.00 per share). The table below sets forth the key terms of each series of MRP Shares outstanding at August 31, 2017.


Series	Liquidation Value		Unamortized Issuance Costs		Estimated Fair Value		Rate			Mandatory Redemption Date
B	$	30,000	$	42	$	30,400		5.13	%		5/10/18
C		20,000		271		19,800		3.36	%		9/7/21

	$	50,000	$	313	$	50,200

Holders of the MRP Shares are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividend payments on the first business day following each quarterly period (February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30).

As of August 31, 2017, each series of MRP Shares was rated “A” by FitchRatings. The dividend rate on the Fund’s MRP Shares will increase between 0.5% and 4.0% if the credit rating is downgraded below “A” by FitchRatings. Further, the annual dividend rate for all series of MRP Shares will increase by 4.0% if no ratings are maintained, and the annual dividend rate will increase by 5.0% if the Fund fails to make dividend or certain other payments. The Fund is required to maintain a current rating from one rating agency with respect to each series of MRP Shares.

The MRP Shares rank senior to all of the Fund’s outstanding common shares and on parity with any other preferred stock. The MRP Shares are redeemable in certain circumstances at the option of the Fund and are also subject to a mandatory redemption if the Fund fails to meet a total leverage (debt and preferred stock) asset coverage ratio of 225% or fails to maintain its basic maintenance amount as stated in the Fund’s rating agency guidelines.

Under the terms of the MRP Shares, the Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock or make purchases of such shares if, at any time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to total leverage would be less than 225% or the Fund would fail to maintain its basic maintenance amount as stated in the Fund’s rating agency guidelines.

The holders of the MRP Shares have one vote per share and will vote together with the holders of common stock as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of MRP Shares or the holders of common stock. The holders of the MRP Shares, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two directors of the Fund.

At August 31, 2017, the Fund was in compliance with the asset coverage and basic maintenance requirements of its MRP Shares.

13.

Common Stock

At August 31, 2017, the Fund had 198,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 36,668,630 shares outstanding. As of August 31, 2017, KACALP owned 98,580 shares of the Fund. Transactions in common shares for the nine months ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:


Shares outstanding at November 30, 2016			36,558,050
Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions			110,580

Shares outstanding at August 31, 2017			36,668,630

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(amounts in 000’s, except number of option contracts, share and per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

14.

Subsequent Events

On September 28, 2017, the Fund declared its quarterly distribution of $0.25 per common share for the third quarter. The total distribution of $9,167 was paid October 13, 2017. Of this total, pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, $776 was reinvested into the Fund through the issuance of 74,289 shares of common stock.

The Fund has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that no additional items require recognition or disclosure.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS

(UNAUDITED)

This glossary contains definitions of certain key terms, as they are used in our investment objective and policies and as described in this report. These definitions may not correspond to standard sector definitions.

“Energy Assets” means assets that are used in the Energy Sector, including assets used in exploring, developing, producing, generating, transporting, transmitting, storing, gathering, processing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products, coal, or electricity.

“Energy Companies” means companies that own and operate Energy Assets or provide energy-related services. To be considered an Energy Company, such company must derive at least 50% of its revenues from operating Energy Assets or providing services for the operation of such Energy Assets.

“Energy Marine Transportation Companies” means Marine Transportation Companies that are Energy Companies.

“Energy Sector” consists of (a) MLPs, (b) Energy Marine Transportation Companies, (c) Income Trusts and (d) Other Energy Companies.

“Income Trusts” means U.S. royalty trusts and Canadian dividend-paying corporations that formerly operated as royalty trusts or income trusts. These companies own and operate Energy Assets, with the majority of such companies’ assets focused on the upstream portion of the energy industry.

“Marine Transportation Companies” means companies that provide transportation and distribution services through the operation of several types of marine vessels, including (i) crude oil tankers; (ii) refined products tankers; (iii) LNG tankers; (iv) drybulk vessels; (v) other tank vessels, including tank barges and other tankers; and (vi) tugboats. Marine Transportation Companies include (i) Energy Marine Transportation Companies and (ii) companies that operate marine vessels, such as drybulk vessels and containerships, which serve other industries.

“Master Limited Partnerships” means limited partnerships and limited liability companies that are publicly traded and are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.

“Midstream Assets” means assets used in energy logistics, including, but not limited to, assets used in transporting, storing, gathering, processing, distributing, or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products.

“Midstream Companies” means companies, that own and operate Midstream Assets that are not structured as Master Limited Partnerships and are taxed as corporations. For purposes of this definition, this includes companies that (i) derive at least 50% of their revenue or operating income from operating Midstream Assets or (ii) have Midstream Assets that represent the majority of their assets.

“MLP Affiliates” means affiliates of Master Limited Partnerships, substantially all of whose assets consist of i-units. MLP Affiliates are not treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.

“MLPs” means Energy Companies that are structured as Master Limited Partnerships and their affiliates and includes MLP Affiliates.

“Other Energy Companies” means Energy Companies, excluding MLPs, Energy Marine Transportation Companies and Income Trusts.

KAYNE ANDERSON ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

REPURCHASE DISCLOSURE

(UNAUDITED)

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, that the Fund may from time to time purchase shares of its common and preferred stock and its Notes in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.


Directors and Corporate Officers

Kevin S. McCarthy		Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Anne K. Costin		Director

Steven C. Good		Director

William H. Shea, Jr.		Director

James C. Baker		President

Terry A. Hart		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

David J. Shladovsky		Secretary

Michael J. O’Neil		Chief Compliance Officer

J.C. Frey		Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer

Ron M. Logan, Jr.		Senior Vice President

Alan R. Boswell		Vice President

Jody C. Meraz		Vice President

Investment Adviser KA Fund Advisors, LLC 811 Main Street, 14th Floor Houston, TX 77002		Administrator Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246

1800 Avenue of the Stars, Third Floor Los Angeles, CA 90067		Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC 6201 15th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 (888) 888-0317

Custodian JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. 14201 North Dallas Parkway, Second Floor Dallas, TX 75254		Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 601 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 900 Los Angeles, CA 90017

		Legal Counsel Paul Hastings LLP 101 California Street, Forty-Eighth Floor San Francisco, CA 94111

Please visit us on the web at http://www.kaynefunds.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-657-3863.

LOGO

This report, including the financial statements herein, is made available to stockholders of the Fund 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.

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