First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FDL) Short Interest Up 164.8% in December

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FDL) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 439,882 shares, a growth of 164.8% from the December 15th total of 166,124 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 593,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 593,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 6.7% in the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 4,511,414 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $195,840,000 after purchasing an additional 285,187 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 2.2% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,998,214 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $173,422,000 after acquiring an additional 87,037 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 6.2% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,515,726 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $105,333,000 after acquiring an additional 146,164 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 11.5% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 2,075,810 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $86,914,000 after acquiring an additional 213,565 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,806,321 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $78,412,000 after purchasing an additional 73,063 shares in the last quarter.

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund Stock Performance

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $46.27. 1,839,843 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,213,244. First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund has a 12 month low of $37.29 and a 12 month high of $46.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $44.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.59. The company has a market cap of $6.43 billion, a PE ratio of 13.96 and a beta of 0.73.

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund Company Profile

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index (the Index). The Fund will invest at least 90% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in common stocks that comprise the Index. The objective of the Index is to offer investors a benchmark for dividend portfolios, as well as a means to invest in a portfolio of stocks that have a consistent record of growing dividends, as well as the ability to sustain them.