Acuity Focused Total Return Trust declares distribution

    /THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES/

    TORONTO, Jan. 9 /CNW/ - (TSX: AFU.UN): Acuity Focused Total Return Trust
(the "Trust") announces an indicative distribution for the following twelve
months of $0.36 per unit ($0.03 per month). This is based upon the prevailing
market conditions and the Manager's estimate of distributable cash flow for
the year.
    The distribution per unit per month for record dates through to December
31, 2009, is as follows:

    
    Month        Record Date          Payment Date            Amount
    -----        -----------          ------------            ------

    January      January 30, 2009     February 12, 2009        $0.03

    February     February 27, 2009    March 12, 2009           $0.03

    March        March 31, 2009       April 9, 2009            $0.03

    April        April 30, 2009       May 14, 2009             $0.03

    May          May 29, 2009         June 11, 2009            $0.03

    June         June 30, 2009        July 9, 2009             $0.03

    July         July 31, 2009        August 13, 2009          $0.03

    August       August 31, 2009      September 10, 2009       $0.03

    September    September 30, 2009   October 8, 2009          $0.03

    October      October 30, 2009     November 12, 2009        $0.03

    November     November 30, 2009    December 10, 2009        $0.03

    December     December 31, 2009    January 14, 2010         $0.03
    

    Acuity Investment Management Inc. ("Acuity") provides investment advisory
and portfolio management services to the Trust. Acuity was formed in 1990 and
currently has assets under management of approximately $6 billion.

    %SEDAR: 00021528E

For further information:

For further information: Ian O. Ihnatowycz, President, or George Henry,
Chief Financial Officer, at Acuity Funds Ltd. at 1-800-461-4570