First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 8,283 shares, an increase of 134.6% from the July 15th total of 3,530 shares. Approximately 1.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 2,008 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.1 days.

Institutional Trading of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FTDS. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $95,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $169,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. bought a new stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $209,000. Truist Financial Corp acquired a new stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $220,000. Finally, Key Client Fiduciary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $230,000.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF stock traded up $0.08 during trading on Friday, hitting $66.47. 457 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,099. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.88 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.53 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $62.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $61.45. First Trust Dividend Strength ETF has a 1-year low of $53.43 and a 1-year high of $66.47.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 25th were issued a dividend of $0.1928 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 25th. This represents a $0.77 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%.

About First Trust Dividend Strength ETF

The First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the The Dividend Strength index. The fund tracks an index of approximately 50 US stocks or REITs considered to be well-capitalized and have a history of increasing their dividends. Holdings are selected based on fundamental criteria and equally-weighted within the portfolio. FTDS was launched on Dec 6, 2006 and is managed by First Trust.