Mfs Govt Mkts (NYSE:MGF) Stock Short Interest Climbs 161.0%

Mfs Govt Mkts (NYSE:MGF) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 46,943 shares, a growth of 161.0% from the September 15th total of 17,985 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 42,567 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mfs Govt Mkts

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. 1607 Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Mfs Govt Mkts by 5.0% in the second quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,392,698 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,867,000 after acquiring an additional 113,961 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in shares of Mfs Govt Mkts by 3.6% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 1,425,641 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,191,000 after acquiring an additional 49,552 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Mfs Govt Mkts by 0.9% in the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,166,824 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,430,000 after acquiring an additional 10,850 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Mfs Govt Mkts by 44.5% in the second quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 139,560 shares of the company’s stock valued at $401,000 after acquiring an additional 42,989 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of Mfs Govt Mkts by 12.6% in the second quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 101,447 shares of the company’s stock valued at $291,000 after acquiring an additional 11,365 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.77% of the company’s stock.

Mfs Govt Mkts Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of MGF traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $13.40. 9,991 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,812. Mfs Govt Mkts has a fifty-two week low of $13.20 and a fifty-two week high of $15.65. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $13.94 and its 200-day moving average is $14.21.

Mfs Govt Mkts Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Investors of record on Friday, October 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 23rd. This is an increase from Mfs Govt Mkts’s previous monthly dividend of $0.10.

Mfs Govt Mkts Company Profile

MFS Government Markets Income Trust (NYSE: MGF) is a closed-end investment fund managed by MFS Investment Management. The fund seeks to provide current income by investing primarily in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as other government-related fixed-income investments.

The portfolio may include U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by government-sponsored entities, and other debt instruments considered consistent with the fund’s investment objective.