First Trust Income Opportunities ETF (NASDAQ:FCEF) Short Interest Up 33.6% in December

First Trust Income Opportunities ETF (NASDAQ:FCEF) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 24,853 shares, an increase of 33.6% from the December 15th total of 18,596 shares. Currently, 0.9% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 12,252 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily volume of 12,252 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Currently, 0.9% of the company’s stock are short sold.

First Trust Income Opportunities ETF Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NASDAQ FCEF traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $23.25. The stock had a trading volume of 18,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 23,701. The company has a market cap of $67.43 million, a P/E ratio of 19.88 and a beta of 0.85. The business’s 50 day moving average is $22.86 and its 200-day moving average is $22.75. First Trust Income Opportunities ETF has a 52 week low of $18.85 and a 52 week high of $23.36.

First Trust Income Opportunities ETF Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 13th will be issued a $0.135 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 13th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of First Trust Income Opportunities ETF in the second quarter worth $64,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in First Trust Income Opportunities ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $256,000. Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting Inc. raised its position in First Trust Income Opportunities ETF by 31.0% in the second quarter. Boyce & Associates Wealth Consulting Inc. now owns 38,514 shares of the company’s stock worth $864,000 after acquiring an additional 9,104 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of First Trust Income Opportunities ETF by 405.2% in the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 3,890 shares of the company’s stock valued at $87,000 after acquiring an additional 3,120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smith Moore & CO. bought a new position in shares of First Trust Income Opportunities ETF in the third quarter worth about $273,000.

About First Trust Income Opportunities ETF

The First Trust Income Opportunity ETF (FCEF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S-Network Composite Closed-End Fund index. The fund is an actively managed ETF that holds closed-end funds to get exposure to US and non-US equity, fixed income securities, and commodities. The fund’s primary objective is to provide current income. FCEF was launched on Sep 27, 2016 and is managed by First Trust.