Short Interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Rises By 34.2%

Key Points

• Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) experienced a 34.2% growth in short interest, amounting to 128,700 shares as of August 31st.
• The fund announced a monthly dividend of $0.05 per share, with an annualized yield of 9.6%, set to be paid on November 26th.
• Institutional investors hold 47.14% of Virtus Total Return Fund's stock, with notable recent investments from several firms including Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC and XTX Topco Ltd.

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 128,700 shares, an increase of 34.2% from the August 15th total of 95,900 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 190,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 190,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Virtus Total Return Fund Stock Performance

Shares of ZTR traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $6.21. 244,562 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 194,162. Virtus Total Return Fund has a fifty-two week low of $5.22 and a fifty-two week high of $6.40. The firm's fifty day moving average is $6.25 and its 200 day moving average is $6.08.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th.

Institutional Trading of Virtus Total Return Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 18.6% during the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,092 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 1,900 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 12.5% during the 1st quarter. Integrated Capital Management Inc. now owns 45,003 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $269,000 after buying an additional 5,013 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 258,888 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $1,546,000 after buying an additional 7,129 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 21.5% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 40,765 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $243,000 after buying an additional 7,203 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund in the first quarter valued at about $71,000. 47.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Virtus Total Return Fund Company Profile

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.