Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:FUND) Short Interest Up 117.9% in November

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:FUND) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 25,500 shares, a growth of 117.9% from the October 31st total of 11,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 43,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Portfolio Manager W Whitney George sold 26,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.58, for a total transaction of $197,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the portfolio manager now owns 321,114 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,434,044.12. This represents a 7.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 50.59% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 392.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 63,348 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $474,000 after buying an additional 50,485 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in Sprott Focus Trust by 3.4% in the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 92,514 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $712,000 after acquiring an additional 3,028 shares in the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 4.8% during the second quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 134,938 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,009,000 after purchasing an additional 6,198 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Sprott Focus Trust in the second quarter valued at $1,226,000. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Sprott Focus Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $1,867,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 12.63% of the company’s stock.

Sprott Focus Trust Price Performance

FUND traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, hitting $8.14. 5,590 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,884. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $7.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $7.76. Sprott Focus Trust has a 1 year low of $7.25 and a 1 year high of $8.14.

Sprott Focus Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th were given a $0.1301 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 16th. This is a positive change from Sprott Focus Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.39%.

Sprott Focus Trust Company Profile

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Sprott Asset Management, LP. The fund is co-managed by Sprott Asset Management USA Inc It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.