Short Interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Drops By 31.9%

Key Points

• Short interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. decreased by 31.9% in September, dropping from 128,700 shares to 87,700 shares.
• Several institutional investors, including Osaic Holdings Inc. and Bank of America Corp DE, significantly increased their stakes in the fund during the second quarter.
• The fund declared a monthly dividend of $0.05 per share, set to be paid on November 26th, representing an annualized yield of 9.1%.

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR - ) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 87,700 shares, a drop of 31.9% from the August 31st total of 128,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 193,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 193,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Total Return Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 150.8% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 65,798 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $410,000 after purchasing an additional 39,567 shares during the last quarter. Tactive Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund during the second quarter valued at $131,000. Sculptor Capital LP grew its stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 9.8% during the 2nd quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 346,864 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $2,161,000 after acquiring an additional 30,833 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 33.9% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 338,441 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $2,108,000 after acquiring an additional 85,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 85.1% during the second quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 73,618 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $459,000 after buying an additional 33,844 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.14% of the company's stock.

Virtus Total Return Fund Price Performance

Shares of ZTR traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $6.56. The stock had a trading volume of 144,751 shares, compared to its average volume of 236,344. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 12-month low of $5.22 and a 12-month high of $6.59. The company's 50-day moving average is $6.29 and its 200 day moving average is $6.12.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 9.1%.

About Virtus Total Return Fund

Virtus Global Dividend & Income Fund Inc is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc The fund is co-managed by Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States.

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