Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Key Points

• Short interest plunged 78.4% to 14,241 shares as of September 30, representing approximately 0.0% of Virtus Total Return Fund’s shares and just 0.1 days to cover.
• ZTR shares rose 2.0% to $6.19, trading between a 52-week low of $5.92 and high of $7.11.
• The fund declared a monthly dividend of $0.055 per share, equivalent to $0.66 annually and a 10.7% yield; institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.14% of the stock.

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR - Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 14,241 shares, a decline of 78.4% from the September 15th total of 66,027 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 155,242 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the company's stock are sold short.

Virtus Total Return Fund Trading Up 2.0%

NYSE ZTR traded up $0.12 on Friday, hitting $6.19. 95,746 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 170,927. Virtus Total Return Fund has a fifty-two week low of $5.92 and a fifty-two week high of $7.11. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $6.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.67.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 12th will be given a dividend of $0.0550 per share. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Total Return Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bayban acquired a new position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $65,000. Advisory Solutions Group LLC purchased a new stake in Virtus Total Return Fund in the second quarter valued at $100,000. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors lifted its position in Virtus Total Return Fund by 21.9% in the second quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 16,578 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $113,000 after acquiring an additional 2,982 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Virtus Total Return Fund by 85.4% in the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 22,341 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $153,000 after acquiring an additional 10,291 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avise Financial Cooperative Inc. acquired a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund in the second quarter valued at $160,000. 47.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Virtus Total Return Fund

Virtus Total Return Fund NYSE: ZTR is a closed-end investment fund designed to pursue total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. Rather than operating as a traditional company, the fund invests shareholder capital in a diversified portfolio of securities.

The fund may invest in equity securities, fixed-income instruments, convertible securities and other investments issued by companies and governments in the United States and international markets.

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