First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT) Short Interest Up 75.1% in September

Key Points

• The short interest in the First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ: QQXT) experienced a significant rise of 75.1% in September, reaching a total of 31,700 shares.
• Large institutional investors have been actively adjusting their positions, with notable increases from Nilsine Partners LLC (49.7%) and Osaic Holdings Inc. (291.2%) during recent quarters.
• The fund recently cut its dividend to $0.1463 per share, resulting in a 0.6% dividend yield for shareholders.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT - ) was the target of a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 31,700 shares, an increase of 75.1% from the August 31st total of 18,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 15,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 15,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nilsine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 49.7% during the 3rd quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 184,961 shares of the company's stock valued at $18,299,000 after buying an additional 61,385 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 291.2% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 8,235 shares of the company's stock worth $814,000 after acquiring an additional 6,130 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $17,518,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. bought a new position in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the second quarter valued at approximately $9,713,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,940,000.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund Stock Performance

Shares of QQXT traded down $0.15 on Monday, hitting $99.41. 15,110 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 86,354. First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund has a one year low of $83.08 and a one year high of $101.41. The company has a market capitalization of $1.10 billion, a PE ratio of 23.20 and a beta of 0.98. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $98.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $96.77.

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

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 25th were issued a dividend of $0.1463 per share. This represents a $0.59 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 25th.

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.

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