First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (NYSEARCA:FXZ) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (NYSEARCA:FXZ) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 45,274 shares, a growth of 143.8% from the December 31st total of 18,573 shares. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 30,349 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 30,349 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Approximately 1.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund Stock Performance

Shares of FXZ stock traded down $2.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $71.87. 93,686 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 58,119. First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund has a twelve month low of $46.13 and a twelve month high of $75.44. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $67.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $62.90. The firm has a market cap of $265.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.24 and a beta of 1.15.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Motco acquired a new position in shares of First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. NBC Securities Inc. grew its position in First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund by 25.7% in the fourth quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 837 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund by 9.7% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund during the second quarter worth $135,000. Finally, CX Institutional raised its holdings in First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund by 26,611.1% during the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 2,404 shares of the company’s stock worth $148,000 after buying an additional 2,395 shares during the period.

About First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund

The First Trust Materials AlphaDEX Fund (FXZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the StrataQuant Materials index. The fund tracks a tiered, equal-weighted index of large- and mid-cap basic materials firms in the US. Holdings are selected and weighted based on growth and value metrics. FXZ was launched on May 8, 2007 and is managed by First Trust.