Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Short Interest Update

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 87,848 shares, a growth of 75.6% from the July 30th total of 50,038 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 121,279 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Virtus Total Return Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ZTR remained flat at $6.77 on Tuesday. The stock had a trading volume of 17,772 shares, compared to its average volume of 173,830. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 52 week low of $6.17 and a 52 week high of $7.11. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $6.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.78.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 13th were issued a $0.055 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 13th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Saba Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Virtus Total Return Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $7,512,000. Sculptor Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,487,000. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,529,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC grew its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 99.8% during the first quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC now owns 226,800 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $1,501,000 after buying an additional 113,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HRT Financial LP bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund in the fourth quarter worth $63,000. 47.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Virtus Total Return Fund Company Profile

Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc (NYSE: ZTR) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with high total return with moderate income. The fund, which began operations in 2005, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners. ZTR offers investors access to a diversified mix of fixed-income and equity opportunities within a single vehicle.

To pursue its stated objective, the fund typically allocates across a broad range of asset classes, including corporate debt securities, high-yield bonds, convertible securities, preferred stocks, common stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).