iShares Semiconductor ETF Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:SOXX)

iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) was the target of some unusual options trading on Thursday. Stock traders acquired 49,561 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 29% compared to the average volume of 38,560 put options.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Semiconductor ETF

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its stake in shares of iShares Semiconductor ETF by 245.0% in the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 69 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Semiconductor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $51,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in iShares Semiconductor ETF by 203.6% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 85 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA acquired a new position in iShares Semiconductor ETF during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Semiconductor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000.

iShares Semiconductor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:SOXX traded up $28.85 during trading on Thursday, reaching $590.88. 6,572,244 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,267,576. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $559.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $422.67. The firm has a market cap of $42.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.84 and a beta of 1.77. iShares Semiconductor ETF has a 12-month low of $232.33 and a 12-month high of $655.95.

iShares Semiconductor ETF Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.2827 per share. This is an increase from iShares Semiconductor ETF’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. This represents a $1.13 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th.

About iShares Semiconductor ETF

iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF, formerly iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the United States-listed semiconductor stocks as represented by the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index (the Index). The Index is an equity benchmark for the United States-listed semiconductor stocks. The Index includes companies primarily involved in the design, distribution, manufacture and sale of semiconductors.