BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Short interest more than doubled to 171,414 shares as of August 14, up 102.4% from July 30. Short interest represents about 0.3% of shares outstanding, with a days-to-cover ratio of 2.1.
• Several institutional investors increased their positions, including Fiera Capital, Guggenheim Capital, LPL Financial, Cetera Investment Advisers, and Wells Fargo. Institutional investors collectively own 15.13% of MUJ.
• MUJ recently traded at $12.04, within its 52-week range of $10.88 to $12.68, and declared a monthly dividend of $0.054 per share, representing a stated yield of 5.4%.

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 171,414 shares, an increase of 102.4% from the July 30th total of 84,674 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 82,681 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fiera Capital Corp raised its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 51.8% in the 4th quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 394,623 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $4,696,000 after buying an additional 134,600 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 18.4% during the 4th quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 552,534 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $6,575,000 after acquiring an additional 85,935 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 19.5% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 229,167 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,727,000 after acquiring an additional 37,445 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 59.5% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 97,864 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,165,000 after acquiring an additional 36,513 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund by 21.2% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 189,563 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,256,000 after acquiring an additional 33,221 shares during the last quarter. 15.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Price Performance

MUJ opened at $12.04 on Friday. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund has a 52-week low of $10.88 and a 52-week high of $12.68. The business's fifty day moving average is $12.22 and its 200-day moving average is $12.19.

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.054 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%.

About BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund NYSE: MUJ is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income exempt from federal and New Jersey state income taxes. The fund primarily invests in investment-grade municipal securities issued by or on behalf of the State of New Jersey and its municipalities, authorities, and instrumentalities. By concentrating on high-quality New Jersey public finance obligations, MUJ aims to offer tax-efficient income for investors with exposure to the state's credit profile.

The fund's portfolio is actively managed by BlackRock's municipal fixed income team, which conducts credit analysis and sector allocation to identify opportunities within New Jersey's diverse municipal marketplace.

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