First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,563 shares, a drop of 44.6% from the November 30th total of 4,630 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,494 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,494 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Dividend Strength ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP raised its holdings in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 41.0% in the 3rd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 13,222 shares of the company’s stock worth $735,000 after purchasing an additional 3,844 shares during the period. CreativeOne Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $543,000. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 20.1% during the 3rd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,203 shares of the company’s stock worth $512,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares during the period. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. raised its stake in shares of First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 40.7% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,710 shares of the company’s stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 495 shares during the period.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Trading Down 0.1%

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF stock opened at $57.11 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $25.70 million, a PE ratio of 14.53 and a beta of 0.96. First Trust Dividend Strength ETF has a 12 month low of $44.26 and a 12 month high of $57.67. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $55.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $54.65.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a $0.2484 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This is a positive change from First Trust Dividend Strength ETF’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%.

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.