First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT) Stock Short Interest Report for October

Key Points

• QQXT short interest fell sharply by 49.8% in October to 826 shares as of October 15, representing just 0.1% of shares outstanding and a short-interest ratio of 0.1 days.
• QQXT shares traded at $100.01, near their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, with a market capitalization of $135.01 million and a 12-month trading range of $95.51 to $105.03.
• The fund increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1919, equivalent to approximately $0.77 annually and a 0.8% yield. Institutional investors, including Citadel Advisors, also increased or initiated positions in the fund.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund (NASDAQ:QQXT - ) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totaling 826 shares, a drop of 49.8% from the September 30th total of 1,644 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 14,785 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company's shares are sold short.

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

Shares of QQXT stock traded up $0.08 on Friday, hitting $100.01. The company had a trading volume of 4,972 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,555. The stock's 50-day moving average is $99.18 and its two-hundred day moving average is $99.47. First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund has a twelve month low of $95.51 and a twelve month high of $105.03. The firm has a market cap of $135.01 million, a P/E ratio of 23.20 and a beta of 0.83.

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

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 24th were paid a $0.1919 dividend. This represents a $0.77 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund's previous quarterly dividend of $0.1870. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 24th.

Institutional Trading of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new position in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the first quarter valued at about $254,000. Equitable Trust Co. bought a new position in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund during the first quarter valued at about $351,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 7.5% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 3,623 shares of the company's stock valued at $354,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in First Trust NASDAQ-100 Ex-Technology Sector Index Fund by 109.3% during the second quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 19,550 shares of the company's stock worth $1,908,000 after buying an additional 10,209 shares during the last quarter.

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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