First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (NASDAQ:FTXG) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (NASDAQ:FTXG) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 29,168 shares, a growth of 28.0% from the December 31st total of 22,781 shares. Currently, 3.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,495 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,495 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days. Currently, 3.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FTXG. Miller Global Investments LLC bought a new stake in First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $147,000. Citadel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 35,284 shares of the company’s stock valued at $756,000 after acquiring an additional 885 shares during the period. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP bought a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $916,000. Finally, UBS Group AG purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF in the 3rd quarter worth $1,000,000.

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF Price Performance

Shares of FTXG opened at $22.81 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.25 million, a P/E ratio of 15.14 and a beta of 0.42. First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF has a one year low of $20.43 and a one year high of $24.66. The business has a fifty day moving average of $21.50 and a 200 day moving average of $21.73.

First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a dividend of $0.195 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $0.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is an increase from First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.16.

About First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF

The First Trust Nasdaq Food & Beverage ETF (FTXG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Nasdaq US Smart Food & Beverage index. The fund follows a liquidity-selected, multi-factor-weighted index of US food & beverage companies. FTXG was launched on Sep 20, 2016 and is managed by First Trust.