First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (NASDAQ:LDSF) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (NASDAQ:LDSF) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in October. As of October 30th, there was short interest totaling 1,514 shares, an increase of 357.4% from the October 15th total of 331 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 22,453 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:LDSF traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $18.57. 346 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 28,820. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $18.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.87. First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF has a 52 week low of $18.37 and a 52 week high of $19.59.

First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 21st were paid a dividend of $0.0760 per share. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 21st. This is a positive change from First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF’s previous monthly dividend of $0.0750.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF by 27.9% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,654,575 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,305,000 after purchasing an additional 360,432 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF by 38.8% during the 1st quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 232,698 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,403,000 after purchasing an additional 65,050 shares during the period. StoneX Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,849,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new position in shares of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,034,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 93,559 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,768,000 after buying an additional 568 shares in the last quarter.

About First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF

The First Trust Low Duration Strategic Focus ETF (LDSF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund-of-funds. Holdings consist of short-term fixed income securities, primarily from US issuers LDSF was launched on Jan 3, 2019 and is managed by First Trust.