8-K

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 16, 2010

Equus Total Return, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-19509 76-0345915

(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Eight Greenway Plaza, Suite 930 Floor, Houston, Texas 77046

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 529-0900

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On February 16, 2010, Equus Total Return, Inc. issued a press release announcing a write-down of its investment in Infinia Corporation, a Kennewick, WA-based Delaware corporation and Riptide Entertainment, LLC, a Miami, FL-based Delaware corporation. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release, dated February 16, 2010.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.
Dated: February 17, 2010	By:	/s/ L'Sheryl D. Hudson
		L'Sheryl D. Hudson Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: BRETT CHILES

(713) 529-0900

EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC. ANNOUNCES $13.8 MILLION WRITE DOWN

HOUSTON, TX - February 16, 2010 - Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS) (the "Fund") announces a decrease in the value of its portfolio securities of approximately $13.8 million. This decrease is related to the Fund's investments in Infinia Corporation ("Infinia") and Riptide Entertainment, LLC ("Riptide"). The Fund's Infinia holdings declined from $10.6 million to $1.5 million due to a recapitalization of the Infinia ownership structure related to its most recent fund raising efforts in which the Fund's holdings were diluted. The principal reason for Riptide's decline in value from $7.9 million to $3.2 million is due to Riptide's current financial position and operating performance.

Equus is a business development company that trades as a closed-end fund on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "EQS". Additional information on Equus Total Return, Inc. may be obtained from the Equus website at www.equuscap.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Fund's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, in particular, the risks and uncertainties described in the Fund's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, events and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. The Fund undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the fund or any other person th at the events or circumstances described in such statements are material.