iShares Agency Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGZ) Short Interest Up 216.9% in February

iShares Agency Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGZ) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 17,482 shares, an increase of 216.9% from the January 29th total of 5,516 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 22,282 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.8 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 22,282 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.8 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AGZ. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares Agency Bond ETF by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 474,523 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,316,000 after buying an additional 27,873 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of iShares Agency Bond ETF by 7.4% during the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 426,879 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,067,000 after acquiring an additional 29,378 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Agency Bond ETF by 1.7% during the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 293,497 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,393,000 after acquiring an additional 4,788 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of iShares Agency Bond ETF by 13.0% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 250,754 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,646,000 after acquiring an additional 28,913 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Faithward Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Agency Bond ETF by 5.9% in the second quarter. Faithward Advisors LLC now owns 194,717 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,360,000 after acquiring an additional 10,898 shares in the last quarter. 9.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

iShares Agency Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:AGZ traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $110.96. 17,275 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 20,546. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $110.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $110.28. iShares Agency Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $107.44 and a 52-week high of $111.00.

About iShares Agency Bond ETF

THE ISHARES BARCLAYS AGENCY BOND FUND seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the agency sector of the U.S. government bond market as defined by the Barclays Capital U.S. Agency Index.