Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 174,231 shares, a growth of 105.1% from the November 30th total of 84,964 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 212,467 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 212,467 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days.

Vanguard Utilities ETF Trading Down 0.1%

Vanguard Utilities ETF stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $185.51. 115,838 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 191,618. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $191.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $186.45. Vanguard Utilities ETF has a fifty-two week low of $154.00 and a fifty-two week high of $203.15. The firm has a market cap of $7.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 0.61.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vanguard Utilities ETF

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 12.1% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 480 shares of the company’s stock worth $91,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vivaldi Capital Management LP now owns 1,352 shares of the company’s stock worth $256,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors raised its position in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors now owns 3,185 shares of the company’s stock valued at $603,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC lifted its position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF by 1.0% during the third quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 5,679 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,076,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Guardian Asset Advisors LLC increased its position in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 4.8% in the third quarter. Guardian Asset Advisors LLC now owns 1,197 shares of the company’s stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period.

About Vanguard Utilities ETF

Vanguard Utilities ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded class of shares issued by Vanguard Utilities Index Fund. The Fund tracks the performance of Morgan Stanley Capital International United States Investable Market Utilities Index, an index made up of stocks of large, medium-size and small United States companies in the utilities sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). This GICS sector is made up of those companies considered electric, gas, or water utilities, or companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power.