First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (NASDAQ:FEMS) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (NASDAQ:FEMS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 6,404 shares, an increase of 593.8% from the December 15th total of 923 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 17,735 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 17,735 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund by 100.0% in the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,066 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 533 shares during the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $61,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its position in First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund by 9.4% during the 2nd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 5,935 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $241,000 after buying an additional 508 shares during the last quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC raised its position in First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund by 100.3% during the 2nd quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC now owns 10,864 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $441,000 after buying an additional 5,440 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $562,000.

First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund Price Performance

NASDAQ:FEMS traded up $0.33 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $44.60. 4,034 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,085. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $42.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $254.19 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.10 and a beta of 0.63. First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund has a 52-week low of $32.31 and a 52-week high of $45.10.

First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a $0.6494 dividend. This is a positive change from First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.8%.

About First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund

The First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Small Cap index. The fund aims to outperform other index funds by selecting small-cap emerging markets securities using quantitative metrics. FEMS was launched on Feb 15, 2012 and is managed by First Trust.