BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MVF) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MVF) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 80,200 shares, a decline of 44.7% from the January 15th total of 145,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 121,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniVest Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in BlackRock MuniVest Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $4,978,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 231,763 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,632,000 after purchasing an additional 80,197 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 166,940 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,175,000 after purchasing an additional 8,229 shares during the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. raised its position in BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 318.5% in the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 979,630 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,897,000 after purchasing an additional 745,558 shares during the period. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in BlackRock MuniVest Fund during the fourth quarter worth $108,000. 48.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE MVF traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $7.25. The stock had a trading volume of 19,235 shares, compared to its average volume of 100,035. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $7.20 and its 200 day moving average is $7.35. BlackRock MuniVest Fund has a twelve month low of $6.74 and a twelve month high of $7.64.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a dividend of $0.036 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.96%.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund Company Profile

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade, long term municipal obligations that are exempt from federal income taxes.