BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MQY) Stock Short Interest Rises 272.2%

Key Points

• Short interest surged 272.2% to 413,778 shares as of September 30, up from 111,165 shares two weeks earlier. Despite the increase, short interest represented just 0.3% of outstanding shares, with a 0.3-day days-to-cover ratio.
• MQY shares rose 0.7% to $9.97, near the lower end of their 12-month range of $9.66 to $11.94 and below both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• The fund declared a monthly dividend of $0.058 per share, equivalent to approximately $0.70 annually and a 7.0% yield. Institutional investors and hedge funds owned 25.51% of the fund.

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MQY - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 413,778 shares, a growth of 272.2% from the September 15th total of 111,165 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,205,445 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.3% of the company's stock are sold short.

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of MQY traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $9.97. 1,280,168 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,369,070. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.70 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.14. BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund has a 12-month low of $9.66 and a 12-month high of $11.94.

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.0580 per share. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allied Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Ballast Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.51% of the company's stock.

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund Company Profile

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc NYSE: MQY is a closed-end investment fund managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund seeks to provide current income that is exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.

The fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations issued by states, municipalities, and other governmental entities throughout the United States. Its portfolio may include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and other tax-exempt securities used to finance public infrastructure and services.

As a national municipal bond fund, BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund generally invests across multiple U.S.

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