Brookfield Investment Management Inc. ("BIM") announced today that, at a joint special meeting held earlier today, shareholders of Helios Strategic Mortgage Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:HSM) approved the reorganization of HSM into Helios Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE:HTR) and shareholders of HTR approved the issuance of additional common shares of HTR in connection with the reorganization. In addition, shareholders of HTR approved a modification to the language of HTR's fundamental investment restriction relating to concentration. HSM and HTR are closed-end funds managed by BIM (the "Funds").

In connection with the reorganization, HTR will acquire all of the assets and liabilities of HSM in a tax-free transaction in exchange for common shares of HTR. The reorganization, if completed, will occur based on the relative net asset values of HSM and HTR. It is currently expected that the reorganization will be concluded in the second quarter of 2012, subject to all regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions being satisfied. The Funds will issue a press release announcing the closing date of the reorganization and the final distributions for HSM shareholders.

This press release is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of any of the Funds, including HTR, the surviving fund of the reorganization. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Funds carefully and consider in its entirety the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the reorganization which contains important information regarding the investment objectives and policies, risks, charges, expenses and other important information about HTR.

HTR is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high total return, including short- and long-term capital gains and a high level of current income, through the management of a portfolio of securities.

Helios Strategic Mortgage Income Fund, Inc. and Helios Total Return Fund, Inc. are managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc., a global investment manager focused on specialized equity and fixed income securities investments. The firm is a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a global alternative asset manager with approximately $150 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2011 and over 100 years of history in owning and operating assets with a focus on real estate, infrastructure, power and private equity.

Brookfield Investment Management Inc. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and with its affiliates, had approximately $21 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2011. Headquartered in New York, the firm maintains offices and investment teams in Chicago, Boston, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Toronto.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are referred to as "forward-looking statements" under the U.S. federal securities laws. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify the 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 differ from the historical experience of BIM, HSM or HTR and each of their present expectations or projections. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. BIM and the closed end funds managed by BIM undertake no responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.

The Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Funds with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the reorganization contains important information and shareholders are urged to read it. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is available free of charge by contacting BIM at the contact information below, by visiting BIM's website at www.brookfieldim.com or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Contacts: Helios Strategic Mortgage Income Fund, Inc. Helios Total Return Fund, Inc. Three World Financial Center, 200 Vesey Street, 24th Floor New York, NY 10281-1010 (800) 497-3746funds@brookfield.com

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