Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 153,408 shares, a growth of 94.6% from the November 30th total of 78,821 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 464,651 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 464,651 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Total Return Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ZTR. Gridiron Partners LLC boosted its stake in Virtus Total Return Fund by 7,620.7% in the 3rd quarter. Gridiron Partners LLC now owns 1,442,455 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $9,304,000 after buying an additional 1,423,772 shares in the last quarter. North Ground Capital lifted its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 121.5% during the third quarter. North Ground Capital now owns 1,197,000 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $7,721,000 after acquiring an additional 656,500 shares during the period. Alpine Global Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at $4,064,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 47.3% in the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 462,962 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,884,000 after purchasing an additional 148,688 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund in the 2nd quarter worth about $651,000. 47.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Virtus Total Return Fund Stock Performance

NYSE ZTR traded down $0.01 on Monday, reaching $6.30. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 254,542 shares, compared to its average volume of 250,252. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $6.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.33. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 52 week low of $5.22 and a 52 week high of $6.66.

Virtus Total Return Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th.

Virtus Total Return Fund Company Profile

Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc (NYSE: ZTR) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with high total return with moderate income. The fund, which began operations in 2005, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners. ZTR offers investors access to a diversified mix of fixed-income and equity opportunities within a single vehicle.

To pursue its stated objective, the fund typically allocates across a broad range of asset classes, including corporate debt securities, high-yield bonds, convertible securities, preferred stocks, common stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).