First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:FTXL) Short Interest Up 1,863.6% in December

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:FTXL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 463,400 shares, an increase of 1,863.6% from the December 15th total of 23,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 317,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC boosted its position in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 81.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 326 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $54,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 24.5% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 940 shares of the company’s stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $123,000.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Price Performance

FTXL traded up $2.01 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $90.63. 3,423 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 125,507. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $89.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $91.75. First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF has a 12 month low of $76.99 and a 12 month high of $107.74. The stock has a market cap of $389.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.77 and a beta of 1.29.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th were issued a dividend of $0.1657 per share. This is a positive change from First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF’s previous dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th.

About First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

The First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Nasdaq US Smart Semiconductor index. The fund tracks an index of the most liquid US semiconductor companies, weighted according to factors related to value, volatility and growth. FTXL was launched on Sep 20, 2016 and is managed by First Trust.