Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) Short Interest Up 176.3% in March

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 22,100 shares, an increase of 176.3% from the February 28th total of 8,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 60,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:EMF traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $13.16. 5,063 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 34,167. Templeton Emerging Markets Fund has a one year low of $11.14 and a one year high of $14.44. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $12.76 and a 200 day moving average of $12.77.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.69%.

Institutional Trading of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Modern Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $143,000. Family Firm Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Family Firm Inc. now owns 268,707 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,211,000 after buying an additional 797 shares in the last quarter. Alexander Randolph Advisory Inc. lifted its stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Alexander Randolph Advisory Inc. now owns 128,758 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,539,000 after purchasing an additional 4,764 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 56.6% in the fourth quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 112,049 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,339,000 after buying an additional 40,497 shares in the last quarter. Finally, C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors bought a new position in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $59,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.86% of the company’s stock.

About Templeton Emerging Markets Fund

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Franklin Resources Inc The fund is managed by Templeton Asset Management Ltd. It invests in the public equity markets of emerging market countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.