<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-12-416688.txt : 20121213
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-12-416688.hdr.sgml : 20121213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20121005151606
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-12-416688
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20121005

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZWEIG FUND INC /MD/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000812090
		IRS NUMBER:				133353326
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-272-2700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000836412
		IRS NUMBER:				133474242
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-272-2700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MUNSON STREET
		CITY:			GREENFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01301
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
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<TITLE>&lt;![CDATA[The Zweig Fund Inc &amp; The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.]]&gt;</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>The Zweig Fund, Inc. </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">101 Munson Street </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Greenfield, MA 01301-9683 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">October&nbsp;5, 2012 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">United
States Securities and Exchange Commission </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attn: Jeff Long </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">100 F Street, NE </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Re:</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Zweig Fund, Inc. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Investment Company Act File No.&nbsp;811-04739 </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Investment Company Act File No.&nbsp;811-05620 </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(Each a &#147;Fund&#148; and together &#147;Funds&#148;) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dear Mr.&nbsp;Long: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to our conversation on September&nbsp;19, 2012,
please see the below responses, submitted on behalf of the Funds, to your three comments relating to the Funds&#146; financial statements. I have set forth (and underlined) each of your comments preceding our responses in the following enumerated
items. We understand that the responses to these comments are to be applied to all of the Funds&#146; financial statements that are dated after the date of our above referenced conversation. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>With regard to the Funds&#146; balance statements, pursuant to Article 604 of Regulation S-X, please add a line item for payable Directors&#146; fees, if
applicable.</U> The Funds&#146; future balance sheet statements will break-out applicable Directors&#146; fees. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>With regard to the Funds&#146; financial highlights, pursuant to Item&nbsp;4 in Form N-2,&nbsp;if a Fund shows multiple expense ratios: set forth the ratio required
by the Form within the highlights; and if the registrant desires to show other expense ratios, they may be shown in a footnote to the financial highlights.</U> In preparing the Funds&#146; financial highlights, it is our goal to provide shareholders
and potential shareholders the most relevant information. In seeking to fulfill that goal and pursuant to ASC 946-20-50, which suggests gross ratios be either in the table or a footnote, we respectfully intend to continue to show the Net and Gross
ratios within the financial highlights. We will move the disclosure of all other forms of the expense ratio to a footnote. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>In the Funds&#146; semi-annual reports, for the amount of dividends and distributions, if applicable, please estimate what the sources will
ultimately be of any distributions, instead of showing all distributions and dividends being made from ordinary income.&nbsp;Footnote any estimate to disclose that it is an estimate and may change.</U> For semi-annual reporting periods, the
statement of changes currently discloses distribution dollars from net investment income with a footnote on the bottom of the statement disclosing the estimated sources of distribution as a percent.&nbsp;We also refer the reader to the inside front
cover, which discloses a link to the Fund&#146;s website for Section&nbsp;19(a) notices sent out with each distribution and identifying estimated sources on a book basis.&nbsp;For generally accepted accounting principles, distributions should be
reclassified to equal tax </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>

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<TD WIDTH="8%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
numbers.&nbsp;However, the six month period is not complete and investment changes can materially change the characterization for tax purposes.&nbsp;Also, tax distribution dollars can be split
across multiple years and differ from total book distribution dollars in the financials based on timing. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">While
we believe for the above reasons that the current disclosure is sufficient, we propose to make the following change for future semi-annual reports.&nbsp;Distribution dollars can be split into 2 components: &#147;Net investment income&#148; and
&#147;In excess of net investment income&#148; with a footnote mirroring the existing footnote and adding in additional disclosure.&nbsp;We believe the &#147;in excess&#148; label is more accurate for tax purposes on an interim basis than the line
item labeled &#147;Tax return of capital&#148;.&nbsp;We also don&#146;t want to mislead shareholders on the level of income, capital gains or return of capital. A sample footnote follows for Zweig Fund.</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>Sample Disclosure: Zweig Fund 6/30/2012 statement of changes</U> </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dividends and distributions to shareholders from: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="89%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
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<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Net investment income</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1,134</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In excess of net investment income</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">11,464</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Total distributions</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">12,598&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(1)&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1px">
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-top:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Please note that the tax status of our distributions is determined at the end of the taxable year. However, based on interim data as of June&nbsp;30, 2012, we estimate
9% of the distributions presented will represent net investment income, 18% will represent excess gain distributions which are taxed as ordinary income and 73% will represent return of capital. Also refer to the inside front cover for the Managed
Distribution Plan. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this statement are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend
upon the fund&#146;s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the Commission&#146;s press release (&#147;SEC Staff to Publicly Release Comment Letters and Responses,&#148; 2004-89), the Funds acknowledge the following: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Each Fund is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its filings; </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments in the filings reviewed by the staff do not foreclose the Commission from taking
any action with respect to the filings; and </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Each Fund may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of
the United States. </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Should you have any questions or comments relating to the foregoing, please feel free to
contact me at (646)&nbsp;376-5912 or by e-mail at William.Renahan@Virtus.com. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Most Sincerely, </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ William Renahan </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">William Renahan
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Secretary of the Funds </FONT></P>
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