iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSEARCA:EWQ) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

iShares MSCI France ETF (NYSEARCA:EWQ) saw a significant decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 606,542 shares, a decline of 17.7% from the January 29th total of 736,560 shares. Currently, 7.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 392,172 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 392,172 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.5 days. Currently, 7.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI France ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI France ETF by 8.4% during the 4th quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 14,804 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $666,000 after buying an additional 1,153 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF during the fourth quarter valued at $261,000. Zacks Investment Management increased its stake in iShares MSCI France ETF by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 60,297 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $2,713,000 after buying an additional 2,812 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI France ETF during the fourth quarter worth approximately $240,000. Finally, Prostatis Group LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI France ETF by 11.4% during the 4th quarter. Prostatis Group LLC now owns 89,180 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $4,012,000 after purchasing an additional 9,150 shares in the last quarter. 73.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

iShares MSCI France ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA EWQ traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $45.23. 657,461 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 403,023. iShares MSCI France ETF has a one year low of $35.24 and a one year high of $48.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $388.98 million, a PE ratio of 17.82 and a beta of 0.98. The company’s 50 day moving average is $46.03 and its 200 day moving average is $44.75.

About iShares MSCI France ETF

iShares MSCI France ETF, formerly iShares MSCI France Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the French market, as measured by the MSCI France Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the French equity market. The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Paris Stock Exchange. The Fund invests in sectors, such as industrials, financials, energy, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, healthcare, materials, telecommunication services, utilities and information technology.