First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 25,325 shares, a decrease of 34.0% from the December 15th total of 38,394 shares. Currently, 1.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 19,617 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 19,617 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days. Currently, 1.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $732,445,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its position in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 796.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 252,824 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,979,000 after acquiring an additional 224,618 shares during the period. O Dell Group LLC purchased a new position in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the second quarter valued at $21,425,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 20,427.6% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 202,813 shares of the company’s stock valued at $20,038,000 after purchasing an additional 201,825 shares during the period. Finally, Nilsine Partners LLC grew its position in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 49.7% in the third quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 184,961 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,299,000 after purchasing an additional 61,385 shares during the period.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:QQXT traded down $0.24 during trading on Friday, reaching $100.49. 16,190 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,735. First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund has a fifty-two week low of $83.08 and a fifty-two week high of $101.41. The firm has a market cap of $206.00 million, a PE ratio of 23.20 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $99.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $98.98.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were issued a $0.6934 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This is an increase from First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $2.77 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%.

About First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund

The First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (QQXT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NASDAQ-100 Ex-Tech Sector index. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of NASDAQ 100 stocks that excludes technology companies. QQXT was launched on Feb 8, 2007 and is managed by First Trust.