Short Interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Grows 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 significant increase in short interest during the month of 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 company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 190,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 190,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.2% of the company's shares are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Virtus Total Return Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 150.8% during the second 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 bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund during the second quarter worth $131,000. Sculptor Capital LP lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 9.8% during the second quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 346,864 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $2,161,000 after purchasing an additional 30,833 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 33.9% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 338,441 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $2,108,000 after purchasing an additional 85,767 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Walleye Capital LLC lifted 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 worth $459,000 after purchasing an additional 33,844 shares during the last quarter. 47.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Virtus Total Return Fund Stock Down 0.6%

ZTR traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $6.21. The company had a trading volume of 244,562 shares, compared to its average volume of 194,162. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.08. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 52 week low of $5.22 and a 52 week high of $6.40.

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 given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.7%.

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.