Short Interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Expands By 40.4%

Key Points

• Short interest in Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. rose by 40.4% in August, jumping from 68,300 shares to 95,900 shares.
• Following significant trading activity, the firm will pay a monthly dividend of $0.05 per share on November 26th, representing an annualized yield of 9.7%.
• Institutional investors now hold 47.14% of the company’s stock, with various large investors increasing their stakes in the fund over recent quarters.

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 95,900 shares, an increase of 40.4% from the July 31st total of 68,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 174,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 174,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Virtus Total Return Fund Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE ZTR traded down $0.01 on Friday, hitting $6.31. 187,588 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 188,489. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 52-week low of $5.22 and a 52-week high of $6.40. The company's 50-day moving average price is $6.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.07.

Virtus Total Return Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Total Return Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,101,550 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $6,863,000 after acquiring an additional 33,822 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 794,894 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $4,952,000 after acquiring an additional 23,490 shares in the last quarter. Tabor Asset Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $4,055,000. North Ground Capital grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 2,931.3% during the 1st quarter. North Ground Capital now owns 485,000 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $2,929,000 after acquiring an additional 469,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 47.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 462,962 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $2,884,000 after acquiring an additional 148,688 shares in the last quarter. 47.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.