Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totaling 69,903 shares, a decline of 42.3% from the May 31st total of 121,228 shares. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 256,473 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Institutional Trading of Vanguard Utilities ETF

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VPU. Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new position in Vanguard Utilities ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $235,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 57.4% in the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 428 shares of the company’s stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its stake in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 57.3% in the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 10,106 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 3,681 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 481.0% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 11,429 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,017,000 after buying an additional 9,462 shares during the period. Finally, Main Street Financial Solutions LLC lifted its stake in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 29.5% in the 2nd quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 11,508 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,031,000 after purchasing an additional 2,624 shares in the last quarter.

Vanguard Utilities ETF Stock Performance

VPU remained flat at $197.54 during trading hours on Friday. 271,969 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 261,696. The stock has a market cap of $8.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 0.59. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $194.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $194.21. Vanguard Utilities ETF has a 1 year low of $173.75 and a 1 year high of $206.10.

Vanguard Utilities ETF Company Profile

Vanguard Utilities ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded class of shares issued by Vanguard Utilities Index Fund. The Fund tracks the performance of Morgan Stanley Capital International United States Investable Market Utilities Index, an index made up of stocks of large, medium-size and small United States companies in the utilities sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). This GICS sector is made up of those companies considered electric, gas, or water utilities, or companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power.