Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE:USA) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE:USA) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 229,500 shares, a growth of 80.0% from the December 15th total of 127,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 630,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Price Performance

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund stock traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $7.18. The company had a trading volume of 515,165 shares, compared to its average volume of 811,737. Liberty All-Star Equity Fund has a 52 week low of $6.27 and a 52 week high of $7.49. The company has a 50 day moving average of $7.15 and a 200-day moving average of $7.02.

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Liberty All-Star Equity Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Annex Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund by 87.0% during the fourth quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 30,914 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $215,000 after acquiring an additional 14,383 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund by 28.9% in the fourth quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 20,275 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $141,000 after purchasing an additional 4,550 shares during the period. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC increased its position in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund by 15.8% in the fourth quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 17,507 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $122,000 after purchasing an additional 2,393 shares during the period. RB Capital Management LLC increased its position in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund by 2.9% in the third quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 143,621 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,020,000 after purchasing an additional 4,046 shares during the period. Finally, Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund in the third quarter worth about $176,000. 9.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Company Profile

Liberty All Star Equity Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by ALPS Advisers, Inc The fund is co-managed by Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, Pzena Investment Management, LLC, Delaware Investments Fund Advisers, Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP, and TCW Investment Management Company.