Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (NYSE:JCE) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (NYSE:JCE) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 20,520 shares, an increase of 50.7% from the February 26th total of 13,620 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 36,968 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Institutional Trading of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in JCE. Shaker Financial Services LLC raised its stake in Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 560,717 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,938,000 after purchasing an additional 20,479 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its stake in Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 522,261 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,095,000 after purchasing an additional 13,942 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 11.2% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 270,120 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,306,000 after buying an additional 27,289 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 268,892 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,286,000 after buying an additional 14,280 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 181,869 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,899,000 after buying an additional 7,322 shares during the last quarter.

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Trading Down 2.2%

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund stock traded down $0.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $14.13. The company had a trading volume of 35,072 shares, compared to its average volume of 46,450. Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund has a 12-month low of $12.51 and a 12-month high of $16.31. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $15.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.71.

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be given a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.6%. This is a boost from Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th.

About Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (NYSE: JCE) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company sponsored by Nuveen, a TIAA company. The fund’s primary objective is to seek total return through a combination of income and capital appreciation. Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund manages its portfolio primarily in U.S. equity securities, focusing on established, large-capitalization companies across multiple sectors.

Under the direction of Nuveen’s equity specialists, the fund employs a bottom-up research process to identify companies with attractive valuation, quality earnings prospects and sustainable cash flow.