BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MVF) Short Interest Up 160.6% in July

Key Points

• BlackRock MuniVest Fund's short interest surged by 160.6% in July, totaling 132,400 shares as of July 31, which represents approximately 0.2% of the company's shares sold short.
• Institutional investors have increased their holdings, with LPL Financial growing its stake by 21.1%, and Bessemer Group increasing by 83.1% during the 4th quarter.
• The fund recently declared a monthly dividend of $0.036 per share, which yields 6.5%, payable on September 2nd to shareholders of record as of August 15th.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MVF - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 132,400 shares, anincreaseof160.6% from the July 15th total of 50,800 shares. Currently,0.2% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 110,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 110,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.2 days. Currently,0.2% of the company's stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock MuniVest Fund

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pathstone Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 1,837,292 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,974,000 after buying an additional 15,781 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,401,164 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,220,000 after purchasing an additional 80,567 shares in the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 1,043,379 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,314,000 after purchasing an additional 63,749 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 16.4% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 931,347 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,128,000 after purchasing an additional 131,439 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 447,153 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,148,000 after purchasing an additional 2,051 shares in the last quarter. 48.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MVF traded down $0.0450 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $6.5150. 235,003 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 104,857. BlackRock MuniVest Fund has a 52-week low of $6.43 and a 52-week high of $7.64. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $6.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.83.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.036 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th.

About BlackRock MuniVest Fund

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.