NPORT-EX 2 VIPX601VIRTUS103122.htm
VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
    
  Par Value   Value
U.S. Government Securities—5.0%
U.S. Treasury Bonds
1.875%, 11/15/51(1)
$    1,145   $     834
U.S. Treasury Notes      
0.125%, 3/31/23(1)       990        972
0.125%, 4/30/23(1)     2,100      2,056
0.125%, 8/31/23(1)     2,270      2,195
2.500%, 4/30/24(1)     6,100      6,003
0.250%, 5/31/25(1)     2,055      1,881
0.375%, 7/31/27(1)       925        802
0.375%, 9/30/27(1)       310        267
1.375%, 11/15/31(1)     3,530      3,024
1.875%, 2/15/32(1)     2,035      1,820
Total U.S. Government Securities
(Identified Cost $20,705)
    19,854
       
 
Municipal Bonds—0.6%
California—0.1%    
University of California, Series B-A, Taxable
4.428%, 5/15/48(1)
      290        273
Florida—0.1%    
Broward County, Water & Sewer Utility Revenue Series A
4.000%, 10/1/47(1)
      370        356
Idaho—0.1%    
Idaho Health Facilities Authority St. Luke’s Health System Revenue Taxable
5.020%, 3/1/48(1)
      355        350
Illinois—0.0%    
Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series B, Second Lien, Taxable (BAM Insured)
3.411%, 1/1/43(1)
       85         70
New York—0.2%    
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue Taxable Series A
5.000%, 11/15/45(1)
      530        581
  Par Value   Value
       
Texas—0.0%    
State of Texas, General Obligation Taxable
3.211%, 4/1/44(1)
$      110   $      93
Virginia—0.1%    
City of Bristol, General Obligation Taxable (State AID Withholding Insured)
4.210%, 1/1/42(1)
      565        526
Total Municipal Bonds
(Identified Cost $2,430)
     2,249
       
 
Foreign Government Securities—2.2%
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela      
9.375%, 1/13/34(1)(2)       225         19
RegS
8.250%, 10/13/24(1)(2)(3)
      610         48
RegS
7.650%, 4/21/25(1)(2)(3)
      830         68
Dominican Republic      
144A
6.000%, 2/22/33(1)(4)
      855        745
144A
5.875%, 1/30/60(1)(4)
      160        113
Emirate of Dubai Government International Bonds RegS
5.250%, 1/30/43(1)(3)
      835        769
Federative Republic of Brazil
3.875%, 6/12/30(1)
      210        183
Kingdom of Morocco      
144A
3.000%, 12/15/32(1)(4)
      200        149
144A
5.500%, 12/11/42(1)(4)
      295        240
Republic of Angola 144A
8.250%, 5/9/28(1)(4)
      465        403
Republic of Argentina
3.500%, 7/9/41(1)(5)
      955        250
Republic of Colombia
3.125%, 4/15/31(1)
      205        155
Republic of Cote d’Ivoire 144A
6.375%, 3/3/28(1)(4)
      320        297
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
1

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Foreign Government Securities—continued
Republic of Ecuador 144A
5.500%, 7/31/30(1)(4)(5)
$      315   $     165
Republic of Egypt 144A
7.600%, 3/1/29(1)(4)
      435        341
Republic of Guatemala 144A
5.250%, 8/10/29(1)(4)
      200        195
Republic of Indonesia      
2.850%, 2/14/30(1)       265        242
144A
4.350%, 1/8/27(1)(4)
      550        554
Republic of Nigeria      
144A
7.875%, 2/16/32(1)(4)
      435        312
144A
7.375%, 9/28/33(1)(4)
      200        133
Republic of Panama      
3.298%, 1/19/33(1)       230        195
4.300%, 4/29/53(1)       200        153
Republic of Philippines
3.700%, 3/1/41(1)
      390        337
Republic of South Africa
4.850%, 9/27/27(1)
      305        286
Republic of Turkey
7.625%, 4/26/29(1)
      645        555
Saudi Government International Bond 144A
4.500%, 10/26/46(1)(4)
      640        596
State of Qatar 144A
3.750%, 4/16/30(1)(4)
      505        505
United Mexican States      
3.500%, 2/12/34(1)       200        167
4.500%, 1/31/50(1)       465        370
Total Foreign Government Securities
(Identified Cost $11,025)
     8,545
       
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—7.4%
Non-Agency—7.4%    
Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust 2019-D, A1 144A
2.956%, 9/25/65(1)(4)(5)
      247        231
Aligned Data Centers Issuer LLC 2021-1A, A2 144A
1.937%, 8/15/46(1)(4)
      590        520
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
American Homes 4 Rent Trust      
2014-SFR2, C 144A
4.705%, 10/17/36(1)(4)
$    1,000   $     990
2015-SFR1, A 144A
3.467%, 4/17/52(1)(4)
      156        151
2015-SFR2, C 144A
4.691%, 10/17/52(1)(4)
      340        337
AMSR Trust      
2021-SFR2, C 144A
1.877%, 8/17/38(1)(4)
      105         91
2021-SFR3, D 144A
2.177%, 10/17/38(1)(4)
      260        225
Angel Oak Mortgage Trust I LLC      
2018-3, A1 144A
3.649%, 9/25/48(1)(4)(5)
       11         11
2019-2, A1 144A
3.628%, 3/25/49(1)(4)(5)
        5          5
Arroyo Mortgage Trust      
2019-1, A1 144A
3.805%, 1/25/49(1)(4)(5)
      479        459
2019-2, A1 144A
3.347%, 4/25/49(1)(4)(5)
      195        187
2021-1R, A1 144A
1.175%, 10/25/48(1)(4)(5)
      206        180
BX Trust 2019-OC11, D 144A
4.075%, 12/9/41(1)(4)(5)
      660        573
CF Hippolyta Issuer LLC 2020-1, A1 144A
1.690%, 7/15/60(1)(4)
      428        389
CIM Trust      
2021-NR4, A1 144A
2.816%, 10/25/61(1)(4)(5)
      352        328
2022-R2, A1 144A
3.750%, 12/25/61(1)(4)(5)
       95         92
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc. 2018-RP1, A1 144A
3.000%, 9/25/64(1)(4)(5)
      346        338
COLT Mortgage Loan Trust 2022-5, A1 144A
4.550%, 4/25/67(1)(4)(5)
      490        479
CoreVest American Finance Trust      
2018-2, A 144A
4.026%, 11/15/52(1)(4)
      140        139
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
2

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
2019-3, C 144A
3.265%, 10/15/52(1)(4)
$      400   $     345
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust 2020-RPL4, A1 144A
2.000%, 1/25/60(1)(4)(5)
      339        310
Dominion Mortgage Trust 2021-RTL1, A1 144A
2.487%, 7/25/27(1)(4)(5)
      705        647
Ellington Financial Mortgage Trust      
2019-2, A3 144A
3.046%, 11/25/59(1)(4)(5)
       51         49
2021-2, A3 144A
1.291%, 6/25/66(1)(4)(5)
      452        395
FirstKey Homes Trust      
2020-SFR1, B 144A
1.740%, 8/17/37(1)(4)
      315        292
2020-SFR2, B 144A
1.567%, 10/19/37(1)(4)
      710        651
2021-SFR1, D 144A
2.189%, 8/17/38(1)(4)
      710        620
Galton Funding Mortgage Trust      
2017-1, A21 144A
3.500%, 7/25/56(1)(4)(5)
       27         26
2018-1, A23 144A
3.500%, 11/25/57(1)(4)(5)
       21         20
Hilton USA Trust 2016-SFP, B 144A
3.323%, 11/5/35(1)(4)
      415        402
Home Partners of America Trust 2020-2, A 144A
1.532%, 1/17/41(1)(4)
      276        239
Imperial Fund Mortgage Trust 2021-NQM4, A1 144A
2.091%, 1/25/57(1)(4)(5)
    1,025        874
JPMorgan Chase Mortgage Trust      
2014-5, B2 144A
2.825%, 10/25/29(1)(4)(5)
      205        180
2016-SH1, M2 144A
3.750%, 4/25/45(1)(4)(5)
      119        107
2016-SH2, M2 144A
3.750%, 12/25/45(1)(4)(5)
      399        367
2017-3, 2A2 144A
2.500%, 8/25/47(1)(4)(5)
       98         89
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
LHOME Mortgage Trust 2021-RTL1, A1 144A
2.090%, 9/25/26(1)(4)(5)
$      342   $     330
Mello Warehouse Securitization Trust 2021-2, C (1 month LIBOR + 1.100%, Cap N/A, Floor 1.100%) 144A
3.544%, 4/25/55(1)(4)(5)
      190        186
MetLife Securitization Trust      
2017-1A, M1 144A
3.411%, 4/25/55(1)(4)(5)
      241        222
2019-1A, A1A 144A
3.750%, 4/25/58(1)(4)(5)
      225        221
Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust      
2017-1, M2 144A
3.250%, 11/25/58(1)(4)(5)
      210        202
2017-3, B1 144A
3.250%, 1/25/61(1)(4)(5)
      419        381
2019-1, M2 144A
3.500%, 10/25/69(1)(4)(5)
      354        318
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust      
2014-1A, A 144A
3.750%, 1/25/54(1)(4)(5)
       44         42
2016-3A, A1 144A
3.750%, 9/25/56(1)(4)(5)
       56         53
2016-3A, B1 144A
4.000%, 9/25/56(1)(4)(5)
      209        198
2016-4A, A1 144A
3.750%, 11/25/56(1)(4)(5)
       26         24
2016-4A, B1A 144A
4.500%, 11/25/56(1)(4)(5)
    1,040      1,008
2017-2A, A3 144A
4.000%, 3/25/57(1)(4)(5)
      253        246
2019-RPL2, M2 144A
3.750%, 2/25/59(1)(4)(5)
      440        392
OBX Trust 2019-INV1, A3 144A
4.500%, 11/25/48(1)(4)(5)
       60         58
Palisades Mortgage Loan Trust 2021-RTL1, A1 144A
2.857%, 6/25/26(1)(4)(5)
      280        265
Preston Ridge Partners Mortgage LLC      
2020-6, A1 144A
2.363%, 11/25/25(1)(4)(5)
      141        135
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
3

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
2021-2, A1 144A
2.115%, 3/25/26(1)(4)(5)
$      112   $     106
2021-3, A1 144A
1.867%, 4/25/26(1)(4)(5)
      363        342
2021-9, A1 144A
2.363%, 10/25/26(1)(4)(5)
      280        262
2021-RPL1, A1 144A
1.319%, 7/25/51(1)(4)(5)
      139        127
Progress Residential Trust      
2019-SFR3, B 144A
2.571%, 9/17/36(1)(4)
      280        270
2021-SFR3, D 144A
2.288%, 5/17/26(1)(4)
      830        727
2021-SFR6, C 144A
1.855%, 7/17/38(1)(4)
      235        205
2022-SFR3, A 144A
3.200%, 4/17/39(1)(4)
      455        423
RCKT Mortgage Trust 2020-1, A1 144A
3.000%, 2/25/50(1)(4)(5)
      217        191
RCO VI Mortgage LLC 2022-1, A1 144A
3.000%, 1/25/27(1)(4)(5)
      352        334
RCO VII Mortgage LLC 2021-2, A1 144A
2.116%, 9/25/26(1)(4)(5)
      213        202
Residential Mortgage Loan Trust 2019-2, A1 144A
2.913%, 5/25/59(1)(4)(5)
       36         35
Roc Mortgage Trust 2021-RTL1, A1 144A
2.487%, 8/25/26(1)(4)(5)
      580        546
Sequoia Mortgage Trust 2013-8, B1
3.485%, 6/25/43(1)(5)
       92         89
Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust 2021-3, A3 144A
1.518%, 6/25/56(1)(4)(5)
       70         58
Towd Point Mortgage Trust      
2016-4, B1 144A
3.809%, 7/25/56(1)(4)(5)
      480        455
2017-1, A2 144A
3.500%, 10/25/56(1)(4)(5)
      350        342
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
2017-1, M1 144A
3.750%, 10/25/56(1)(4)(5)
$      385   $     370
2017-4, A2 144A
3.000%, 6/25/57(1)(4)(5)
      610        567
2018-6, A1B 144A
3.750%, 3/25/58(1)(4)(5)
      330        316
2018-6, A2 144A
3.750%, 3/25/58(1)(4)(5)
      480        450
2019-2, A2 144A
3.750%, 12/25/58(1)(4)(5)
      515        476
2019-4, A2 144A
3.250%, 10/25/59(1)(4)(5)
      445        404
2020-1, M1 144A
3.500%, 1/25/60(1)(4)(5)
      220        192
2021-1, A2 144A
2.750%, 11/25/61(1)(4)(5)
      465        387
Tricon American Homes Trust      
2019-SFR1, C 144A
3.149%, 3/17/38(1)(4)
      590        555
2020-SFR2, D 144A
2.281%, 11/17/39(1)(4)
      660        566
Tricon Residential Trust 2021-SFR1, B 144A
2.244%, 7/17/38(1)(4)
      185        166
TVC Mortgage Trust 2020-RTL1, M 144A
5.193%, 9/25/24(1)(4)(5)
      520        495
UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2012-C1, D 144A
6.660%, 5/10/45(1)(4)(5)
       35         32
VCAT LLC      
2021-NPL3, A1 144A
1.743%, 5/25/51(1)(4)(5)
      352        329
2021-NPL4, A1 144A
1.868%, 8/25/51(1)(4)(5)
      515        482
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust C LLC 2021-NPL9, A1 144A
1.992%, 5/25/51(1)(4)(5)
      183        171
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust CVI LLC 2021-NP12, A1 144A
2.734%, 12/26/51(1)(4)(5)
      187        174
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
4

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Non-Agency—continued    
Vericrest Opportunity Loan Trust XCII LLC 2021-NPL1, A1 144A
1.893%, 2/27/51(1)(4)(5)
$      478   $     445
Verus Securitization Trust      
2019-4, M1 144A
3.207%, 11/25/59(1)(4)(5)
      220        208
2022-4, A1 144A
4.474%, 4/25/67(1)(4)(5)
      429        423
2022-5, A1 144A
3.800%, 4/25/67(1)(4)(5)
      701        669
2022-7, A1 144A
5.152%, 7/25/67(1)(4)(5)
      395        394
Visio Trust 2020-1R, A2 144A
1.567%, 11/25/55(1)(4)
       88         85
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-C24, AS
3.931%, 11/15/47(1)
      160        155
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2020-4, A1 144A
3.000%, 7/25/50(1)(4)(5)
      131        116
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Identified Cost $31,356)
    28,960
       
 
Asset-Backed Securities—6.0%
Automobiles—2.5%    
ACC Auto Trust 2021-A, C 144A
3.790%, 4/15/27(1)(4)
      745        706
ACC Trust      
2021-1, C 144A
2.080%, 12/20/24(1)(4)
      595        580
2022-1, C 144A
3.240%, 10/20/25(1)(4)
      670        636
ACM Auto Trust 2022-1A, B 144A
4.470%, 4/20/29(1)(4)
      425        422
American Credit Acceptance Receivables Trust 2022-1, E 144A
3.640%, 3/13/28(1)(4)
      560        511
  Par Value   Value
       
Automobiles—continued    
Avid Automobile Receivables Trust      
2019-1, C 144A
3.140%, 7/15/26(1)(4)
$      375   $     372
2021-1, E 144A
3.390%, 4/17/28(1)(4)
      230        207
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding LLC (AESOP) 2019-2A, D 144A
3.040%, 9/22/25(1)(4)
      595        542
Carvana Auto Receivables Trust      
2019-2A, D 144A
3.280%, 1/15/25(1)(4)
      506        504
2019-3A, D 144A
3.040%, 4/15/25(1)(4)
      345        341
2019-3A, E 144A
4.600%, 7/15/26(1)(4)
      535        527
Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2019-4, C
2.510%, 11/17/25(1)
       42         42
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust      
2019-2A, E 144A
4.680%, 5/15/26(1)(4)
      670        669
2019-4A, C 144A
2.440%, 9/16/24(1)(4)
       25         24
2019-1A, D 144A
4.130%, 12/16/24(1)(4)
      161        161
GLS Auto Receivables Issuer Trust      
2019-4A, D 144A
4.090%, 8/17/26(1)(4)
      540        526
2020-3A, E 144A
4.310%, 7/15/27(1)(4)
    1,285      1,246
2022-2A, D 144A
6.150%, 4/17/28(1)(4)
      510        505
GLS Auto Receivables Trust 2018-3A, C 144A
4.180%, 7/15/24(1)(4)
      167        167
OneMain Direct Auto Receivables Trust 2022-1A, C 144A
5.310%, 6/14/29(1)(4)
      410        405
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
5

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Automobiles—continued    
Prestige Auto Receivables Trust 2019-1A, D 144A
3.010%, 8/15/25(1)(4)
$      345   $     343
Skopos Auto Receivables Trust 2019-1A, C 144A
3.630%, 9/16/24(1)(4)
      100        100
         9,536
       
 
Consumer Loans—0.1%    
Republic Finance Issuance Trust 2020-A, A 144A
2.470%, 11/20/30(1)(4)
      475        452
Credit Card—0.3%    
Avant Credit Card Master Trust 2021-1A, A 144A
1.370%, 4/15/27(1)(4)
      590        540
Mercury Financial Credit Card Master Trust 2021-1A, A 144A
1.540%, 3/20/26(1)(4)
      590        559
         1,099
       
 
Other—3.1%    
Amur Equipment Finance Receivables IX LLC 2021-1A, C 144A
1.750%, 6/21/27(1)(4)
      710        660
Aqua Finance Trust      
2017-A, A 144A
3.720%, 11/15/35(1)(4)
       60         59
2019-A, C 144A
4.010%, 7/16/40(1)(4)
      705        672
2020-AA, D 144A
7.150%, 7/17/46(1)(4)
      480        460
Arby’s Funding LLC 2020-1A, A2 144A
3.237%, 7/30/50(1)(4)
      573        505
Business Jet Securities LLC 2020-1A, A 144A
2.981%, 11/15/35(1)(4)
      239        223
BXG Receivables Note Trust 2020-A, B 144A
2.490%, 2/28/36(1)(4)
      340        316
  Par Value   Value
       
Other—continued    
Cajun Global LLC 2021-1, A2 144A
3.931%, 11/20/51(1)(4)
$      341   $     299
Conn’s Receivables Funding LLC 2022-A, B 144A
9.520%, 12/15/26(1)(4)
      495        487
Dext ABS LLC 2020-1, D 144A
7.210%, 2/15/28(1)(4)
      475        447
Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2021-1A, B 144A
2.050%, 11/21/33(1)(4)
      234        217
FAT Brands Royalty LLC 2021-1A, A2 144A
4.750%, 4/25/51(1)(4)
      590        568
Foundation Finance Trust 2019-1A, A 144A
3.860%, 11/15/34(1)(4)
      149        147
Hardee’s Funding LLC 2020-1A, A2 144A
3.981%, 12/20/50(1)(4)
      591        527
HIN Timeshare Trust 2020-A, C 144A
3.420%, 10/9/39(1)(4)
      118        109
Hotwire Funding LLC 2021-1, C 144A
4.459%, 11/20/51(1)(4)
      695        583
Jack in the Box Funding LLC 2022-1A, A2I 144A
3.445%, 2/26/52(1)(4)
      545        493
Jersey Mike’s Funding 2019-1A, A2 144A
4.433%, 2/15/50(1)(4)
      431        403
Lendmark Funding Trust 2021-1A, A 144A
1.900%, 11/20/31(1)(4)
      590        511
Mariner Finance Issuance Trust 2020-AA, A 144A
2.190%, 8/21/34(1)(4)
      595        577
NBC Funding LLC 2021-1, A2 144A
2.989%, 7/30/51(1)(4)
      471        401
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
6

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Other—continued    
Oasis Securitization Funding LLC 2021-1A, A 144A
2.579%, 2/15/33(1)(4)
$       94   $      93
Octane Receivables Trust      
2019-1A, C 144A
4.740%, 6/20/25(1)(4)
      755        747
2020-1A, B 144A
1.980%, 6/20/25(1)(4)
      710        686
Orange Lake Timeshare Trust 2019-A, B 144A
3.360%, 4/9/38(1)(4)
      132        126
Pawneee Equipment Receivables LLC 2022-1, B 144A
5.400%, 7/17/28(1)(4)
      500        494
Purchasing Power Funding LLC 2021-A, B 144A
1.920%, 10/15/25(1)(4)
      710        668
Taco Bell Funding LLC 2016-1A, A23 144A
4.970%, 5/25/46(1)(4)
      355        351
Upstart Securitization Trust 2022-2, A 144A
4.370%, 5/20/32(1)(4)
      437        430
        12,259
       
 
Student Loan—0.0%    
Commonbond Student Loan Trust 2019-AGS, A1 144A
2.540%, 1/25/47(1)(4)
      132        124
Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Identified Cost $24,853)
    23,470
       
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes—19.7%
Communication Services—1.2%    
Altice France Holding S.A. 144A
6.000%, 2/15/28(1)(4)
      200        136
Altice France S.A. 144A
5.125%, 1/15/29(1)(4)
      300        234
Cable Onda S.A. 144A
4.500%, 1/30/30(1)(4)
      600        526
  Par Value   Value
       
Communication Services—continued    
CCO Holdings LLC 144A
4.750%, 3/1/30(1)(4)
$      670   $     576
CommScope, Inc. 144A
4.750%, 9/1/29(1)(4)
      170        145
CT Trust 144A
5.125%, 2/3/32(1)(4)
      450        387
DISH DBS Corp.
7.750%, 7/1/26(1)
      355        280
Level 3 Financing, Inc.      
144A 4.250%, 7/1/28(1)(4)       200        166
144A 3.625%, 1/15/29(1)(4)       335        269
Lumen Technologies, Inc.
5.625%, 4/1/25(1)
      325        315
McGraw-Hill Education, Inc. 144A
8.000%, 8/1/29(1)(4)
      420        364
Millennium Escrow Corp. 144A
6.625%, 8/1/26(1)(4)
      350        284
Northwest Fiber LLC 144A
10.750%, 6/1/28(1)(4)
      235        217
Rackspace Technology Global, Inc. 144A
5.375%, 12/1/28(1)(4)
      490        270
Telesat Canada 144A
6.500%, 10/15/27(1)(4)
      270        112
Twitter, Inc. 144A
3.875%, 12/15/27(1)(4)
      270        251
VZ Secured Financing B.V. 144A
5.000%, 1/15/32(1)(4)
      400        329
         4,861
       
 
Consumer Discretionary—2.1%    
Ashtead Capital, Inc.      
144A 4.375%, 8/15/27(1)(4)       610        575
144A 5.500%, 8/11/32(1)(4)       260        255
At Home Group, Inc.      
144A 4.875%, 7/15/28(1)(4)        90         66
144A 7.125%, 7/15/29(1)(4)       435        278
Brunswick Corp.
2.400%, 8/18/31(1)
      432        322
Caesars Entertainment, Inc.      
144A 6.250%, 7/1/25(1)(4)       145        142
144A 8.125%, 7/1/27(1)(4)       145        142
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
7

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Consumer Discretionary—continued    
Carriage Services, Inc. 144A
4.250%, 5/15/29(1)(4)
$      360   $     306
Clarios Global LP 144A
8.500%, 5/15/27(1)(4)
      275        270
Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc. 144A
13.000%, 6/1/24(1)(4)
      100        105
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.
3.150%, 1/15/32(1)
      402        319
Dornoch Debt Merger Sub, Inc. 144A
6.625%, 10/15/29(1)(4)
      290        226
Ford Motor Co.
3.250%, 2/12/32(1)
      170        133
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC
4.125%, 8/17/27(1)
      285        257
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. 144A
6.750%, 2/15/29(1)(4)
      355        315
M/I Homes, Inc.
4.950%, 2/1/28(1)
      505        446
Mclaren Finance plc 144A
7.500%, 8/1/26(1)(4)
      520        435
Metis Merger Sub LLC 144A
6.500%, 5/15/29(1)(4)
      250        215
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment 144A
8.000%, 2/1/26(1)(4)
      375        330
NMG Holding Co., Inc. 144A
7.125%, 4/1/26(1)(4)
      450        421
PetSmart, Inc. 144A
4.750%, 2/15/28(1)(4)
      350        312
Premier Entertainment Sub LLC 144A
5.625%, 9/1/29(1)(4)
      530        391
PulteGroup, Inc.      
7.875%, 6/15/32(1)       235        261
6.375%, 5/15/33(1)       350        356
Scientific Games International, Inc. 144A
7.000%, 5/15/28(1)(4)
      125        122
Station Casinos LLC 144A
4.500%, 2/15/28(1)(4)
      415        358
Tenneco, Inc. 144A
5.125%, 4/15/29(1)(4)
      420        408
Under Armour, Inc.
3.250%, 6/15/26(1)
      385        340
  Par Value   Value
       
Consumer Discretionary—continued    
Weekley Homes LLC 144A
4.875%, 9/15/28(1)(4)
$      355   $     294
         8,400
       
 
Consumer Staples—0.4%    
BAT Capital Corp.
4.906%, 4/2/30(1)
      500        471
Central American Bottling Corp. 144A
5.250%, 4/27/29(1)(4)
      225        207
HLF Financing S.a.r.l. LLC 144A
4.875%, 6/1/29(1)(4)
      460        363
Turning Point Brands, Inc. 144A
5.625%, 2/15/26(1)(4)
      600        533
         1,574
       
 
Energy—3.9%    
Alliance Resource Operating Partners LP 144A
7.500%, 5/1/25(1)(4)
      635        629
Antero Midstream Partners LP 144A
5.750%, 1/15/28(1)(4)
      490        465
Antero Resources Corp.      
144A 7.625%, 2/1/29(1)(4)        69         70
144A 5.375%, 3/1/30(1)(4)       160        151
Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC 144A
8.250%, 12/31/28(1)(4)
      410        407
BP Capital Markets plc
4.875% (1)(6)
      465        425
Callon Petroleum Co. 144A
7.500%, 6/15/30(1)(4)
      325        301
Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP 144A
8.125%, 1/15/27(1)(4)
      345        332
CITGO Petroleum Corp. 144A
7.000%, 6/15/25(1)(4)
      240        233
Coronado Finance Pty Ltd. 144A
10.750%, 5/15/26(1)(4)
      590        612
CrownRock LP      
144A 5.625%, 10/15/25(1)(4)       175        172
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
8

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Energy—continued    
144A 5.000%, 5/1/29(1)(4) $      170   $     156
DCP Midstream Operating LP
3.250%, 2/15/32(1)
      315        265
Earthstone Energy Holdings LLC 144A
8.000%, 4/15/27(1)(4)
      360        351
Ecopetrol S.A.
4.625%, 11/2/31(1)
      585        454
Energy Transfer LP Series H
6.500% (1)(6)
      500        462
Flex Intermediate Holdco LLC 144A
3.363%, 6/30/31(1)(4)
      415        343
HF Sinclair Corp. 144A
5.875%, 4/1/26(1)(4)
      520        525
Hilcorp Energy I LP      
144A 5.750%, 2/1/29(1)(4)       400        364
144A 6.000%, 2/1/31(1)(4)       290        262
International Petroleum Corp. RegS, 144A
7.250%, 2/1/27(1)(3)(4)
      380        358
KazMunayGas National Co. JSC 144A
6.375%, 10/24/48(1)(4)
      355        295
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP
7.500%, 11/15/40(1)
      440        492
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
7.750%, 1/15/32(1)
       25         29
Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC 144A
6.000%, 8/1/26(1)(4)
      380        367
Mesquite Energy, Inc. 144A
7.250%, 2/15/23(1)(4)(7)(8)
      105          2
Nabors Industries Ltd. 144A
7.250%, 1/15/26(1)(4)
      285        259
Northriver Midstream Finance LP 144A
5.625%, 2/15/26(1)(4)
      360        346
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
6.125%, 1/1/31(1)
      555        577
Odebrecht Oil & Gas Finance Ltd. 144A
0.000% (1)(4)(6)(7)
       26         —(9)
Parsley Energy LLC 144A
4.125%, 2/15/28(1)(4)
      345        322
  Par Value   Value
       
Energy—continued    
Pertamina Persero PT 144A
2.300%, 2/9/31(1)(4)
$      480   $     397
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. 144A
6.000%, 5/16/24(1)(4)(8)
      665         20
Petroleos Mexicanos      
6.500%, 3/13/27(1)     1,325      1,167
7.690%, 1/23/50(1)       610        416
Petronas Capital Ltd. 144A
3.500%, 4/21/30(1)(4)
      375        360
Reliance Industries Ltd. 144A
2.875%, 1/12/32(1)(4)
      570        483
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. 144A
2.250%, 11/24/30(1)(4)
      555        482
State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic RegS
6.950%, 3/18/30(1)(3)
      280        288
Targa Resources Partners LP
4.875%, 2/1/31(1)
      120        111
Teine Energy Ltd. 144A
6.875%, 4/15/29(1)(4)
      330        301
Transcanada Trust
5.600%, 3/7/82(1)
      570        528
Transocean Guardian Ltd. 144A
5.875%, 1/15/24(1)(4)
       60         57
Transocean, Inc. 144A
11.500%, 1/30/27(1)(4)
       45         43
USA Compression Partners LP
6.875%, 4/1/26(1)
      240        225
Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC      
144A 3.875%, 8/15/29(1)(4)        40         35
144A 4.125%, 8/15/31(1)(4)       340        295
        15,234
       
 
Financials—4.4%    
Acrisure LLC 144A
7.000%, 11/15/25(1)(4)
      710        669
Allstate Corp. (The) Series B
5.750%, 8/15/53(1)
      545        500
Ally Financial, Inc. Series B
4.700% (1)(6)
      819        676
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
9

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Financials—continued    
Ascot Group Ltd. 144A
4.250%, 12/15/30(1)(4)
$      580   $     510
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. 144A
4.400%, 5/19/26(1)(4)
      395        388
Banco Mercantil del Norte S.A. 144A
6.625% (1)(4)(6)
      620        526
Banco Santander Chile 144A
3.177%, 10/26/31(1)(4)
      575        487
Bancolombia S.A.
4.625%, 12/18/29(1)
      200        174
Bank of America Corp.
2.482%, 9/21/36(1)
      605        469
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) Series G
4.700% (1)(6)
      530        521
BBVA Bancomer S.A. 144A
5.125%, 1/18/33(1)(4)
      485        432
Blackstone Private Credit Fund
2.625%, 12/15/26(1)
      317        268
Blue Owl Finance LLC 144A
3.125%, 6/10/31(1)(4)
      415        315
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.
5.625%, 5/15/30(1)
      560        553
BroadStreet Partners, Inc. 144A
5.875%, 4/15/29(1)(4)
      270        223
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) Series H
4.000% (1)(6)
      605        492
Citadel LP 144A
4.875%, 1/15/27(1)(4)
      525        503
Cobra Acquisition Co. LLC 144A
6.375%, 11/1/29(1)(4)
      360        263
Corebridge Financial, Inc. 144A
6.875%, 12/15/52(1)(4)
      326        315
Doric Nimrod Air Alpha Pass-Through Trust 2013-1, A 144A
5.250%, 5/30/23(1)(4)
      384        378
  Par Value   Value
       
Financials—continued    
Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP 144A
3.875%, 2/15/26(1)(4)
$      720   $     660
Intercorp Peru Ltd. 144A
3.875%, 8/15/29(1)(4)
      630        522
Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. 144A
3.875%, 4/15/31(1)(4)
      760        682
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1.953%, 2/4/32(1)
    1,165        924
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP 144A
4.250%, 2/1/27(1)(4)
      345        302
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. 144A
4.125%, 12/15/51(1)(4)
      515        426
Lincoln National Corp. (3 month LIBOR + 2.040%)
4.750%, 4/20/67(1)(5)
      515        384
MetLife, Inc. Series G
3.850% (1)(6)
      435        404
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust 144A
6.500%, 5/1/28(1)(4)
      475        407
Navient Corp.
6.750%, 6/25/25(1)
      540        521
OWL Rock Core Income Corp.
4.700%, 2/8/27(1)
      319        290
Prudential Financial, Inc.      
5.875%, 9/15/42(1)       440        440
5.625%, 6/15/43(1)       400        398
5.125%, 3/1/52(1)       148        137
6.000%, 9/1/52(1)        89         88
Santander Holdings USA, Inc.
4.400%, 7/13/27(1)
      435        419
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.
4.000%, 5/6/31(1)
      705        622
Wells Fargo & Co. Series BB
3.900% (1)(6)
      905        798
        17,086
       
 
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
10

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Health Care—1.2%    
Akumin, Inc. 144A
7.000%, 11/1/25(1)(4)
$      400   $     340
Bausch Health Americas, Inc. 144A
9.250%, 4/1/26(1)(4)
       90         54
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.      
144A 6.125%, 2/1/27(1)(4)        35         26
144A 7.000%, 1/15/28(1)(4)       170         65
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
3.700%, 3/15/32(1)
      148        132
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH 144A
5.500%, 1/15/28(1)(4)
      705        604
Community Health Systems, Inc.      
144A 6.875%, 4/15/29(1)(4)        35         22
144A 6.125%, 4/1/30(1)(4)(5)       445        276
144A 4.750%, 2/15/31(1)(4)       285        210
DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.
3.250%, 6/1/30(1)
      520        428
Endo Dac 144A
9.500%, 7/31/27(1)(4)(8)
       94         25
Illumina, Inc.
2.550%, 3/23/31(1)
      495        406
Lannett Co., Inc. 144A
7.750%, 4/15/26(1)(4)
      135         42
Legacy LifePoint Health LLC 144A
6.750%, 4/15/25(1)(4)
       10         10
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. 144A
7.500%, 4/1/27(1)(4)(8)
      187        159
Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.      
144A 6.750%, 7/1/25(1)(4)       425        410
144A 10.000%, 4/15/27(1)(4)       145        145
Team Health Holdings, Inc. 144A
6.375%, 2/1/25(1)(4)
      395        312
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III B.V.      
3.150%, 10/1/26(1)       230        191
  Par Value   Value
       
Health Care—continued    
4.750%, 5/9/27(1) $      230   $     202
Universal Health Services, Inc. 144A
2.650%, 1/15/32(1)(4)
      595        451
         4,510
       
 
Industrials—1.9%    
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust 2020-1, A 144A
4.800%, 8/15/27(1)(4)
      455        450
Allied Universal Holdco LLC 144A
6.625%, 7/15/26(1)(4)
      645        604
American Airlines, Inc. 144A
11.750%, 7/15/25(1)(4)
      325        359
Aviation Capital Group LLC 144A
3.500%, 11/1/27(1)(4)
      605        518
Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd. 144A
4.375%, 5/1/26(1)(4)
      335        310
BlueLinx Holdings, Inc. 144A
6.000%, 11/15/29(1)(4)
      250        212
Boeing Co. (The)      
5.150%, 5/1/30(1)       365        359
3.750%, 2/1/50(1)       205        147
5.930%, 5/1/60(1)       147        140
British Airways Pass-Through Trust 2021-1, A 144A
2.900%, 3/15/35(1)(4)
      494        411
CoStar Group, Inc. 144A
2.800%, 7/15/30(1)(4)
      593        483
Deluxe Corp. 144A
8.000%, 6/1/29(1)(4)
      190        169
Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. 144A
7.500%, 4/15/32(1)(4)
      460        377
Icahn Enterprises LP      
6.250%, 5/15/26(1)       245        235
5.250%, 5/15/27(1)        40         36
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
11

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Industrials—continued    
Oscar AcquisitionCo. LLC 144A
9.500%, 4/15/30(1)(4)
$      345   $     301
OT Merger Corp. 144A
7.875%, 10/15/29(1)(4)
      180        129
Pentair Finance S.a.r.l.
5.900%, 7/15/32(1)
      480        478
Science Applications International Corp. 144A
4.875%, 4/1/28(1)(4)
      305        282
Sempra Global 144A
3.250%, 1/15/32(1)(4)
      599        508
SRS Distribution, Inc. 144A
6.125%, 7/1/29(1)(4)
      235        195
Titan Acquisition Ltd. 144A
7.750%, 4/15/26(1)(4)
      265        241
TransDigm, Inc.
5.500%, 11/15/27(1)
      405        364
         7,308
       
 
Information Technology—1.0%    
CDW LLC
3.569%, 12/1/31(1)
      704        591
Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc.      
144A 6.000%, 10/15/26(1)(4)        75         68
144A 6.500%, 10/15/28(1)(4)       115        103
Dell International LLC
8.100%, 7/15/36(1)
      474        550
Entegris Escrow Corp. 144A
4.750%, 4/15/29(1)(4)
      485        446
HP, Inc.
5.500%, 1/15/33(1)
      610        587
Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. 144A
3.150%, 10/15/31(1)(4)
      575        402
Leidos, Inc.
2.300%, 2/15/31(1)
      415        326
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
4.600%, 5/23/29(1)
       10          9
Oracle Corp.
2.875%, 3/25/31(1)
      230        191
  Par Value   Value
       
Information Technology—continued    
TD SYNNEX Corp.
2.375%, 8/9/28(1)
$      720   $     605
Viasat, Inc. 144A
5.625%, 9/15/25(1)(4)
      150        132
         4,010
       
 
Materials—1.7%    
Albemarle Corp.
5.050%, 6/1/32(1)
      545        531
ARD Finance S.A. PIK 144A
6.500%, 6/30/27(1)(4)(10)
      490        380
Avient Corp. 144A
7.125%, 8/1/30(1)(4)
       65         64
Bayport Polymers LLC 144A
5.140%, 4/14/32(1)(4)
      565        538
Celanese U.S. Holdings LLC      
5.900%, 7/5/24(1)       180        182
6.165%, 7/15/27(1)       155        155
6.379%, 7/15/32(1)       132        131
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. 144A
6.750%, 3/15/26(1)(4)
      180        182
Eldorado Gold Corp. 144A
6.250%, 9/1/29(1)(4)
      430        344
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
5.450%, 3/15/43(1)
      455        410
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. 144A
2.300%, 11/1/30(1)(4)
      515        422
Inversiones CMPC S.A. 144A
3.850%, 1/13/30(1)(4)
      595        535
LSB Industries, Inc. 144A
6.250%, 10/15/28(1)(4)
      480        444
New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. 144A
9.750%, 7/15/28(1)(4)
      450        389
Suzano Austria GmbH
2.500%, 9/15/28(1)
      385        326
Taseko Mines Ltd. 144A
7.000%, 2/15/26(1)(4)
      650        536
Teck Resources Ltd.
6.125%, 10/1/35(1)
      425        433
Trident TPI Holdings, Inc.      
144A 9.250%, 8/1/24(1)(4)       280        260
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
12

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Materials—continued    
144A 6.625%, 11/1/25(1)(4) $      400   $     351
WR Grace Holdings LLC 144A
5.625%, 8/15/29(1)(4)
      170        134
         6,747
       
 
Real Estate—1.1%    
EPR Properties
4.750%, 12/15/26(1)
      570        537
GLP Capital LP      
5.250%, 6/1/25(1)       225        222
5.750%, 6/1/28(1)       277        275
3.250%, 1/15/32(1)        47         38
Iron Mountain, Inc. 144A
4.500%, 2/15/31(1)(4)
      385        320
Kite Realty Group Trust
4.750%, 9/15/30(1)
      610        554
MPT Operating Partnership LP      
4.625%, 8/1/29(1)       140        119
3.500%, 3/15/31(1)       270        203
Office Properties Income Trust
4.500%, 2/1/25(1)
      490        458
Ontario Teachers’ Cadillac Fairview Properties Trust 144A
2.500%, 10/15/31(1)(4)
      355        298
Phillips Edison Grocery Center Operating Partnership I LP
2.625%, 11/15/31(1)
      610        468
Service Properties Trust      
4.950%, 2/15/27(1)       340        275
4.375%, 2/15/30(1)       230        169
VICI Properties LP      
4.950%, 2/15/30(1)       135        130
5.125%, 5/15/32(1)       135        129
144A 4.625%, 6/15/25(1)(4)        65         63
144A 5.750%, 2/1/27(1)(4)       190        187
         4,445
       
 
Utilities—0.8%    
CMS Energy Corp.
4.750%, 6/1/50(1)
      570        523
  Par Value   Value
       
Utilities—continued    
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. 144A
7.125%, 2/11/25(1)(4)
$      695   $     652
Ferrellgas LP      
144A 5.375%, 4/1/26(1)(4)       125        108
144A 5.875%, 4/1/29(1)(4)       130        106
Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT 144A
4.125%, 5/15/27(1)(4)
      855        826
Southern Co. (The) Series 21-A
3.750%, 9/15/51(1)
      628        543
Vistra Corp. 144A
8.000% (1)(4)(6)
      190        182
         2,940
       
 
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Identified Cost $87,877)
    77,115
       
 
Leveraged Loans—7.1%
Aerospace—0.4%    
Air Canada (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.420%, 8/11/28(5)
       83         80
Amentum Government Services Holdings LLC (1-6 month Term SOFR + 4.000%)
4.777% - 5.597%, 2/15/29(5)
      165        160
Brown Group Holding LLC (1 month LIBOR + 2.500%)
5.020%, 6/7/28(5)
      207        204
KKR Apple Bidco LLC      
(1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 9/22/28(5)
      294        286
Second Lien (1 month LIBOR + 5.750%)
8.270%, 9/21/29(5)
       25         24
Mileage Plus Holdings LLC Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 5.250%)
7.310%, 6/21/27(5)
      300        304
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
13

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Aerospace—continued    
TransDigm, Inc.      
Tranche E (1 month LIBOR + 2.250%)
4.770%, 5/30/25(5)
$      212   $     207
Tranche F (1 month LIBOR + 2.250%)
4.770%, 12/9/25(5)
      143        139
         1,404
       
 
Chemicals—0.2%    
Aruba Investments Holdings LLC First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.440%, 11/24/27(5)
      207        199
Diamond BC B.V. Tranche B (1-3 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.274% - 5.556%, 9/29/28(5)
      213        205
Ineos U.S. Finance LLC 2024 (2 month LIBOR + 2.000%)
4.590%, 4/1/24(5)
      474        468
           872
       
 
Consumer Non-Durables—0.2%    
DS Parent, Inc. Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 5.750%)
6.760%, 12/8/28(5)
      224        216
Parfums Holding Co., Inc. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.370%, 6/30/24(5)
      317        301
ZEP, Inc. First Lien (12 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
5.000%, 8/12/24(5)
      325        283
           800
       
 
Energy—0.4%    
Citgo Petroleum Corp. 2019, Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 6.250%)
8.770%, 3/28/24(5)
      274        273
  Par Value   Value
       
Energy—continued    
Hamilton Projects Acquiror LLC (3 month LIBOR + 4.500%)
6.750%, 6/17/27(5)
$      304   $     299
Medallion Midland Acquisition LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 10/18/28(5)
      306        301
Oryx Midstream Services Permian Basin LLC Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
6.210%, 10/5/28(5)
      322        316
Traverse Midstream Partners LLC (6 month Term SOFR + 4.250%)
5.950%, 9/27/24(5)
      504        499
         1,688
       
 
Financial—0.0%    
Citadel Securities LP Tranche B
0.000%, 2/2/28(5)(11)
      125        123
Financials—0.1%    
Asurion LLC Tranche B-9 (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 7/31/27(5)
      215        197
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. First Lien (3 month Term SOFR + 3.000%)
5.050%, 6/15/25(5)
      213        204
           401
       
 
Food / Tobacco—0.2%    
H-Food Holdings LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.690%)
6.210%, 5/23/25(5)
      261        242
Pegasus Bidco B.V. Tranche B-2 (1 month Term SOFR + 4.250%)
6.960%, 7/12/29(5)
      190        184
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
14

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Food / Tobacco—continued    
Shearer’s Foods LLC First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.020%, 9/23/27(5)
$      265   $     257
Triton Water Holdings, Inc. First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
5.750%, 3/31/28(5)
      182        170
           853
       
 
Forest Prod / Containers—0.4%    
Anchor Glass Container Corp. 2017 (1-3 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.098% - 5.274%, 12/7/23(5)
      162        129
BWay Holding Co. (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.620%, 4/3/24(5)
      558        545
Klockner Pentaplast of America, Inc. Tranche B (6 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
8.320%, 2/12/26(5)
      340        311
Spectrum Holdings III Corp. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 1/31/25(5)
      227        213
TricorBraun, Inc. (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 3/3/28(5)
      252        244
         1,442
       
 
Gaming / Leisure—0.7%    
Caesars Resort Collection LLC Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 12/23/24(5)
      582        574
Carnival Corp. Tranche B (6 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
5.880%, 6/30/25(5)
       93         88
  Par Value   Value
       
Gaming / Leisure—continued    
ECL Entertainment LLC Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 7.500%)
9.750%, 5/1/28(5)
$      209   $     208
Fertitta Entertainment LLC Tranche B (1 month Term SOFR + 4.000%)
6.460%, 1/26/29(5)
      199        191
J&J Ventures Gaming LLC (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.250%, 4/26/28(5)
      223        212
Playa Resorts Holding B.V. (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 4/29/24(5)
      688        673
Pug LLC Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.020%, 2/12/27(5)
      402        376
Raptor Acquisition Corp. Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.100%, 11/1/26(5)
      115        113
Scientific Games Holdings LP (3 month Term SOFR + 3.500%)
5.620%, 4/4/29(5)
       75         72
UFC Holdings LLC Tranche B-3 (3 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.520%, 4/29/26(5)
      309        300
         2,807
       
 
Health Care—1.1%    
ASP Navigate Acquisition Corp. (3 month LIBOR + 4.500%)
7.410%, 10/6/27(5)
      172        162
CHG Healthcare Services, Inc. First Lien (6 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
4.750%, 9/29/28(5)
      319        311
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
15

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Health Care—continued    
Gainwell Acquisition Corp. Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.250%, 10/1/27(5)
$      330   $     322
Heartland Dental LLC 2021 (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.440%, 4/30/25(5)
      381        365
Hunter Holdco 3 Ltd. First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 4.250%)
6.500%, 8/19/28(5)
      190        185
LifePoint Health, Inc. Tranche B, First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 11/16/25(5)
      211        204
One Call Corp. Tranche B, First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 5.500%)
8.310%, 4/22/27(5)
      240        195
Packaging Coordinators Midco, Inc. Tranche B, First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.000%, 11/30/27(5)
      211        205
Pearl Intermediate Parent LLC First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 2/14/25(5)
      420        403
PetVet Care Centers LLC 2021, First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.020%, 2/14/25(5)
      193        186
Phoenix Guarantor, Inc.      
Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 3/5/26(5)
      303        292
Tranche B-3 (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
5.940%, 3/5/26(5)
      233        225
Phoenix Newco, Inc. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 11/15/28(5)
      130        126
Sunshine Luxembourg VII S.a.r.l. Tranche B-3 (3 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.000%, 10/1/26(5)
      173        166
  Par Value   Value
       
Health Care—continued    
Surgery Center Holdings, Inc. 2021 (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.140%, 8/31/26(5)
$      321   $     311
Upstream Newco, Inc. 2021 (1 month Term SOFR + 4.250%)
6.820%, 11/20/26(5)
      231        220
Viant Medical Holdings, Inc. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 7/2/25(5)
      310        292
         4,170
       
 
Housing—0.2%    
Chariot Buyer LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.020%, 11/3/28(5)
      239        227
Quikrete Holdings, Inc. Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
5.520%, 6/9/28(5)
      359        347
SRS Distribution, Inc.      
2021 (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.310%, 6/2/28(5)
      168        162
2022 (3 month Term SOFR + 3.500%)
6.180%, 6/2/28(5)
       35         33
           769
       
 
Information Technology—1.0%    
Applied Systems, Inc. Second Lien (3 month LIBOR + 5.500%)
7.750%, 9/19/25(5)
      208        205
BMC Software 2021 (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 10/2/25(5)
      207        200
CDK Global, Inc. (3 month Term SOFR + 4.500%)
6.610%, 7/6/29(5)
      115        112
ConnectWise LLC (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
5.750%, 9/29/28(5)
      109        105
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
16

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Information Technology—continued    
Epicor Software Corp. Tranche C (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 7/30/27(5)
$      420   $     407
Greeneden U.S. Holdings II LLC Tranche B-4 (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.520%, 12/1/27(5)
      266        261
Hyland Software, Inc. 2018 (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.020%, 7/1/24(5)
      482        475
Infinite Bidco LLC First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.500%, 3/2/28(5)
      252        245
Magenta Buyer LLC First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
7.250%, 7/27/28(5)
      233        222
Project Ruby Ultimate Parent Corp. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 3/10/28(5)
      256        248
Proofpoint, Inc. (3 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
6.320%, 8/31/28(5)
      108        104
Quest Software U.S. Holdings, Inc. First Lien (3 month Term SOFR + 4.400%)
6.980%, 2/1/29(5)
      255        231
RealPage, Inc. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
5.520%, 4/24/28(5)
      312        300
Sophia LP      
2022, Tranche B-1 (1 month Term SOFR + 4.000%)
6.460%, 10/7/27(5)
      135        132
Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
5.750%, 10/7/27(5)
      249        240
  Par Value   Value
       
Information Technology—continued    
UKG, Inc.      
2021, Second Lien (3 month LIBOR + 5.250%)
7.540%, 5/3/27(5)
$       20   $      19
2021-2, First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.540%, 5/4/26(5)
      212        205
         3,711
       
 
Manufacturing—0.3%    
Alliance Laundry Systems LLC Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
5.960%, 10/8/27(5)
      255        249
Arcline FM Holdings LLC      
First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
7.000%, 6/23/28(5)
      168        162
Second Lien (1 month LIBOR + 8.250%)
11.130%, 6/25/29(5)
       95         90
Filtration Group Corp. (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
5.520%, 3/31/25(5)
      294        288
Safe Fleet Holdings LLC 2022 (1 month Term SOFR + 3.850%)
6.150%, 2/23/29(5)
       65         63
Star U.S. Bidco LLC (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%)
6.770%, 3/17/27(5)
      312        298
         1,150
       
 
Media / Telecom - Cable/Wireless
Video—0.1%
   
DIRECTV Financing LLC (1 month LIBOR + 5.000%)
7.520%, 8/2/27(5)
      266        254
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
17

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Media / Telecom - Diversified
Media—0.2%
   
Cinemark USA, Inc. (1-3 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
4.010% - 7.280%, 3/31/25(5)
$      230   $     219
McGraw-Hill Education, Inc. (1-6 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
7.274% - 8.316%, 7/28/28(5)
      219        211
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.280%, 5/18/25(5)
      255        246
           676
       
 
Media / Telecom -
Telecommunications—0.0%
   
Consolidated Communications, Inc. Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%)
6.000%, 10/2/27(5)
      153        137
Metals / Minerals—0.1%    
Covia Holdings Corp. (3 month LIBOR + 4.000%)
6.290%, 7/31/26(5)
      340        326
Peabody Energy Corp. Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.050%, 3/31/25(5)
      224        213
           539
       
 
Retail—0.2%    
CNT Holdings I Corp. First Lien (1 month Term SOFR + 3.500%)
5.810%, 11/8/27(5)
      207        202
Great Outdoors Group LLC Tranche B-2 (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 3/6/28(5)
      235        227
  Par Value   Value
       
Retail—continued    
Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. 2021 (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 10/19/27(5)
$      219   $     208
PetsMart LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 2/11/28(5)
      167        163
Rising Tide Holdings, Inc. First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
7.270%, 6/1/28(5)
      188        163
           963
       
 
Service—0.8%    
Apex Group Treasury Ltd. First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.560%, 7/27/28(5)
      358        347
Carlisle Foodservice Products, Inc. First Lien (3 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
6.570%, 3/20/25(5)
      270        247
Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)      
2022, Tranche B-2 (1 month Term SOFR + 3.250%)
5.540%, 1/18/29(5)
       50         49
Tranche B (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.740%, 2/6/26(5)
      309        300
DXP Enterprises, Inc. (1 month LIBOR + 4.750%)
7.270%, 12/23/27(5)
      207        198
Garda World Security Corp. Tranche B-2 (3 month LIBOR + 4.250%)
7.240%, 10/30/26(5)
       75         73
Grab Holdings, Inc. (1 month LIBOR + 4.500%)
7.030%, 1/29/26(5)
      279        261
NAB Holdings LLC First Lien (3 month Term SOFR + 3.150%)
5.200%, 11/23/28(5)
      189        182
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
18

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Par Value   Value
       
Service—continued    
Peraton Corp. Tranche B, First Lien (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 2/1/28(5)
$      401   $     389
PODS LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%)
5.520%, 3/31/28(5)
      209        202
Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. 2019 (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 9/3/26(5)
      204        201
St. George’s University Scholastic Services LLC (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 2/10/29(5)
      204        197
Sweetwater Borrower LLC (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%)
6.810%, 8/7/28(5)
      239        224
Weld North Education LLC 2021 (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.270%, 12/21/27(5)
      290        282
         3,152
       
 
Transportation - Automotive—0.3%    
Clarios Global LP Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 3.250%)
5.770%, 4/30/26(5)
      224        218
Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc. Tranche B-1 (1 month LIBOR + 2.000%)
4.520%, 11/2/23(5)
      675        639
Mavis Tire Express Services Topco Corp. First Lien (1 month Term SOFR + 4.000%)
6.380%, 5/4/28(5)
      317        309
PAI Holdco, Inc. Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 3.750%)
6.560%, 10/28/27(5)
      109        105
         1,271
       
 
  Par Value   Value
       
Utility—0.2%    
Brookfield WEC Holdings, Inc. (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%)
5.270%, 8/1/25(5)
$      208   $     203
Generation Bridge II LLC      
Tranche B (3 month LIBOR + 5.000%)
7.250%, 2/23/29(5)
      117        115
Tranche C (3 month LIBOR + 5.000%)
7.250%, 2/23/29(5)
       15         14
Lightstone HoldCo LLC      
Tranche B (2 month Term SOFR + 5.750%)
8.050%, 2/1/27(5)
      537        481
Tranche C (1 month Term SOFR + 5.750%)
8.050%, 2/1/27(5)
       30         27
           840
       
 
Total Leveraged Loans
(Identified Cost $28,909)
    28,022
    
  Shares  
Preferred Stocks—0.6%
Financials—0.5%  
Capital Farm Credit ACA Series 1 144A, 5.000%(1)(4)       310(12)      277
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Series HH, 4.600%(1)       285(12)      251
MetLife, Inc. Series D, 5.875%(1)       329(12)      322
Truist Financial Corp. Series Q, 5.100%(1)       565(12)      535
Zions Bancorp NA, 6.950%(1)    17,485      453
       1,838
     
 
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
19

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Shares   Value
       
Industrials—0.1%    
General Electric Co. Series D, (3 month LIBOR + 3.330%), 5.159%(1)(5)       622(12)   $     588
Total Preferred Stocks
(Identified Cost $2,596)
     2,426
       
 
Common Stocks—89.2%
Communication Services—1.8%    
Cellnex Telecom S.A.(1)   175,393      6,834
Consumer Discretionary—0.0%    
MYT Holding LLC Class B(1)(7)(13)    22,362         24
NMG Parent LLC(1)(7)(13)       368         64
            88
       
 
Energy—14.9%    
Cheniere Energy, Inc.(1)    97,185     15,567
DT Midstream, Inc.(1)    68,245      3,768
Enbridge, Inc.(1)   150,436      6,201
Frontera Energy Corp.(1)(13)       273          2
ONEOK, Inc.(1)   117,625      7,202
Pembina Pipeline Corp.(1)   195,985      6,921
Targa Resources Corp.(1)   152,951     10,436
TC Energy Corp.(1)    67,798      3,268
Williams Cos., Inc. (The)(1)   150,720      5,129
        58,494
       
 
Industrials—23.0%    
Aena SME S.A.(1)(13)    90,484     11,126
Atlantia SpA(1)   418,795      9,608
Atlas Arteria Ltd.(1) 1,151,970      6,267
Auckland International Airport Ltd.(1)(13) 1,244,966      5,741
Canadian National Railway Co.(1)    48,805      5,803
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.(1)    77,365      5,792
CSX Corp.(1)   105,775      3,348
Ferrovial S.A.(1)   208,930      5,245
Flughafen Zurich AG Registered Shares(1)(13)    31,380      5,297
  Shares   Value
       
Industrials—continued    
Norfolk Southern Corp.(1)    16,286   $   3,960
Transurban Group(1) 1,893,433     17,964
Union Pacific Corp.(1)    26,882      6,035
Vinci S.A.(1)    44,161      4,094
        90,280
       
 
Real Estate—8.4%    
American Tower Corp.(1)    76,185     19,355
Crown Castle, Inc.(1)    80,295     13,716
        33,071
       
 
Utilities—41.1%    
Ameren Corp.(1)    54,535      5,051
American Electric Power Co., Inc.(1)    72,620      7,276
American Water Works Co., Inc.(1)    24,645      3,659
Atmos Energy Corp.(1)    57,200      6,485
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.(1)   289,745      9,136
CMS Energy Corp.(1)    64,125      4,331
Dominion Energy, Inc.(1)   181,110     14,815
EDP - Energias de Portugal S.A.(1)   914,548      4,377
Emera, Inc.(1)   142,110      6,576
Enel SpA(1)   912,190      4,304
Entergy Corp.(1)    31,940      3,683
Evergy, Inc.(1)    74,680      5,118
Eversource Energy(1)    85,750      7,691
Iberdrola S.A.(1)   389,543      4,065
National Grid plc(1)   802,755     10,053
NextEra Energy, Inc.(1)   249,429     21,216
Orsted AS(1)    42,168      4,142
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.(1)   125,106      8,052
Sempra Energy(1)    86,280     14,234
Severn Trent plc(1)   102,830      3,329
Southern Co. (The)(1)    75,490      5,818
Xcel Energy, Inc.(1)   102,820      7,634
       161,045
       
 
Total Common Stocks
(Identified Cost $321,816)
   349,812
       
 
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
20

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
  Shares   Value
       
Exchange-Traded Fund—1.0%
iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF(1)(14)    44,881   $   3,828
Total Exchange-Traded Fund
(Identified Cost $4,050)
     3,828
       
 
Rights—0.0%
Utilities—0.0%    
Vistra Energy Corp.(7)     2,084          3
Total Rights
(Identified Cost $2)
         3
       
 
Total Long-Term Investments—138.8%
(Identified Cost $535,619)
    544,284
       
 
Short-Term Investment—1.7%
Money Market Mutual Fund—1.7%
Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund - Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 2.111%)(1)(14) 6,757,073      6,757
Total Short-Term Investment
(Identified Cost $6,757)
     6,757
    Value
     
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—140.5%
(Identified Cost $542,376)
 $551,041
Other assets and liabilities, net—(40.5)% (158,880)
NET ASSETS—100.0%  $392,161
    
Abbreviations:
ABS Asset-Backed Securities
ACA American Capital Access Financial Guarantee Corp.
BAM Build America Municipal Insured
ETF Exchange-Traded Fund
JSC Joint Stock Company
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
LLC Limited Liability Company
LLLP Limited Liability Limited Partnership
LP Limited Partnership
NA National Association
PIK Payment-in-Kind Security
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
    
Footnote Legend:
(1) All or a portion of securities is segregated as collateral for borrowings.
(2) Security in default; no interest payments are being received.
(3) Regulation S security. Security is offered and sold outside of the United States; therefore, it is exempt from registration with the SEC under Rules 903 and 904 of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
21

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
(4) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2022, these securities amounted to a value of $103,479 or 26.4% of net assets.
(5) Variable rate security. Rate disclosed is as of August 31, 2022. Information in parenthesis represents benchmark and reference rate for each security. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or, for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
(6) No contractual maturity date.
(7) The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the Fair Value Hierarchy table located after the Schedule of Investments.
(8) Security in default; no interest payments are being received during the bankruptcy proceedings.
(9) Amount is less than $500.
(10) 100% of the income received was in cash.
(11) This loan will settle after August 31, 2022, at which time the interest rate, based on the LIBOR and the agreed upon spread on trade date, will be reflected.
(12) Value shown as par value.
(13) Non-income producing.
(14) Shares of this fund are publicly offered, and its prospectus and annual report are publicly available.
    
Country Weightings
United States 70%
Canada 7
Spain 5
Australia 5
United Kingdom 3
Italy 3
New Zealand 1
Other 6
Total 100%
% of total investments as of August 31, 2022.
 
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
22

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
($ reported in thousands)
The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2022, based on the inputs used to value them (See Security Valuation Note 1 in the Notes to Schedule of Investments):
  Total
Value at
August 31, 2022
  Level 1
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Assets:              
Debt Securities:              
Asset-Backed Securities $23,470   $  $23,470   $—
Corporate Bonds and Notes 77,115     77,113   2
Foreign Government Securities 8,545     8,545  
Leveraged Loans 28,022     28,022  
Mortgage-Backed Securities 28,960     28,960  
Municipal Bonds 2,249     2,249  
U.S. Government Securities 19,854     19,854  
Equity Securities:              
Common Stocks 349,812   319,752   29,972   88
Preferred Stocks 2,426   453   1,973  
Rights 3       3
Exchange-Traded Fund 3,828   3,828    
Money Market Mutual Fund 6,757   6,757    
Total Investments $551,041   $330,790   $220,158   $93
Security held by the Fund with an end of period value of $88 was transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a decrease in trading activities during the period.
Securities held by the Fund with an end of period value of $979 were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 due to an increase in trading activities during the period.
Some of the Fund’s investments that were categorized as Level 3 may have been valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. If applicable, such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of Level 3 investments.
Management has determined that the amount of Level 3 securities compared to total net assets is not material; therefore, the rollforward of Level 3 securities and assumptions are not shown for the period ended August 31, 2022.
See Notes to Schedule of Investments
23

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC. 
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
August 31, 2022
Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies
The Fund utilizes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of Level 3 at the end of the reporting period.
•    Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities (security types generally include listed equities).
•    Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
•    Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Committee’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
Equity securities are valued at the official closing price (typically last sale) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded or, if no closing price is available, at the last bid price and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. Restricted equity securities and private placements that are illiquid, or are internally fair valued by the Valuation Committee, are generally categorized as Level 3 in the hierarchy.
Certain non-U.S. securities may be fair valued in cases where closing prices are not readily available or are deemed not reflective of readily available market prices. For example, significant events (such as movement in the U.S. securities market, or other regional and local developments) may occur between the time that non-U.S. markets close (where the security is principally traded) and the time that the Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4 p.m. Eastern time) that may impact the value of securities traded in these non-U.S. markets. In such cases, the Fund fair values non-U.S. securities using an independent pricing service which considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the non-U.S. security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments such as American Depositary Receipts, financial futures, Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), and certain indexes, as well as prices for similar securities. Such fair valuations are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Because the frequency of significant events is not predictable, fair valuation of certain non-U.S. common stocks may occur on a frequent basis.
Debt securities, including convertible bonds, and restricted securities, are valued based on evaluated quotations received from independent pricing services or from dealers who make markets in such securities. For most bond types, the pricing service utilizes matrix pricing that considers one or more of the following factors: yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, current cash flows, type, activity of the underlying equities, and current day trade information, as well as dealer supplied prices. These valuations are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Structured debt instruments, such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may also incorporate collateral analysis and utilize cash flow models for valuation and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Pricing services do not provide pricing for all securities and therefore indicative bids from dealers are utilized which are based
24

VIRTUS TOTAL RETURN FUND INC. 
NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (Continued)
August 31, 2022
on pricing models used by market makers in the security and are generally categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Debt securities that are internally fair valued by the Valuation Committee are generally categorized as Level 3 in the hierarchy.
Listed derivatives, such as options, that are actively traded are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange and are categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy. Over-the-counter derivative contracts, which include forward currency contracts and equity-linked instruments, do not require material subjectivity as pricing inputs are observed from actively quoted markets and are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy.
Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at NAV. Investments in closed-end funds and ETFs are valued as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE each business day. Each is categorized as Level 1 in the hierarchy.
A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s net assets by each major security type is disclosed at the end of the Schedule of Investments for the Fund. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
For additional information about significant accounting policies, refer to the Fund’s most recent semi or annual report.
25