Short Interest in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:FTLS) Grows By 138.8%

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:FTLS) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 108,423 shares, a growth of 138.8% from the December 31st total of 45,401 shares. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 149,419 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Based on an average daily volume of 149,419 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF Trading Down 0.2%

NYSEARCA:FTLS traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $71.72. 435,156 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 154,743. The company has a market capitalization of $2.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.59 and a beta of 0.48. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $71.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $69.60. First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF has a one year low of $58.90 and a one year high of $72.20.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC increased its position in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 21.3% during the fourth quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 31,785 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,256,000 after buying an additional 5,582 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 27,855 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,977,000 after acquiring an additional 7,782 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 28,154 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,999,000 after purchasing an additional 755 shares in the last quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners raised its stake in shares of First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Live Oak Investment Partners now owns 87,375 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,203,000 after buying an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF in the fourth quarter worth about $725,000.

About First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF

The First Trust Long\u002FShort Equity ETF (FTLS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in long\u002Fshort alternatives. The fund takes both long and short position in US-listed equity with US and foreign exposure. The actively managed funds will typically be 90-100% long and 0-50% short. FTLS was launched on Sep 9, 2014 and is managed by First Trust.