First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) Short Interest Down 44.6% in December

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (NASDAQ:FTDS) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,563 shares, a drop of 44.6% from the November 30th total of 4,630 shares. Approximately 0.6% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,494 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 1,494 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company’s stock are short sold.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ FTDS traded down $0.03 during trading on Monday, hitting $57.12. 615 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,808. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.53 and a beta of 0.96. The business’s fifty day moving average is $55.63 and its 200 day moving average is $54.69. First Trust Dividend Strength ETF has a fifty-two week low of $44.26 and a fifty-two week high of $57.67.

First Trust Dividend Strength ETF Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.2484 dividend. This represents a $0.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from First Trust Dividend Strength ETF’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Trust Dividend Strength ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP boosted its stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 41.0% during the 3rd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 13,222 shares of the company’s stock valued at $735,000 after purchasing an additional 3,844 shares during the last quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $543,000. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its position in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 20.1% in the 3rd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,203 shares of the company’s stock valued at $512,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its stake in First Trust Dividend Strength ETF by 40.7% during the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,710 shares of the company’s stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 495 shares in the last quarter.

About First Trust Dividend Strength ETF

The First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the The Dividend Strength index. The fund tracks an index of approximately 50 US stocks or REITs considered to be well-capitalized and have a history of increasing their dividends. Holdings are selected based on fundamental criteria and equally-weighted within the portfolio. FTDS was launched on Dec 6, 2006 and is managed by First Trust.