Short Interest in First Trust Senior Loan ETF (NASDAQ:FTSL) Increases By 1,424.8%

First Trust Senior Loan ETF (NASDAQ:FTSL) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 978,900 shares, an increase of 1,424.8% from the December 15th total of 64,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 270,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.6 days.

First Trust Senior Loan ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of FTSL stock traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $46.32. 90,850 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 311,589. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $46.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.10. First Trust Senior Loan ETF has a twelve month low of $45.23 and a twelve month high of $46.99.

First Trust Senior Loan ETF Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th were given a $0.275 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Senior Loan ETF

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in FTSL. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in First Trust Senior Loan ETF by 3,386.8% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 339,788 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,593,000 after buying an additional 330,043 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of First Trust Senior Loan ETF by 238.2% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 192,086 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,815,000 after acquiring an additional 135,283 shares during the period. Capital Investment Counsel LLC boosted its stake in First Trust Senior Loan ETF by 593.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Investment Counsel LLC now owns 140,405 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,443,000 after purchasing an additional 120,145 shares during the period. Asset Allocation & Management Company LLC grew its position in First Trust Senior Loan ETF by 561.4% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Allocation & Management Company LLC now owns 112,440 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,160,000 after purchasing an additional 95,440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in First Trust Senior Loan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,255,000.

First Trust Senior Loan ETF Company Profile

The First Trust Senior Loan Fund (FTSL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P\u002FLSTA U.S. Leveraged Loan 100 index. The fund holds senior floating rate bank loans from firms around the globe. The actively managed fund can hold up to 20% of assets in non-senior loans, including high-yield bonds and equities.