First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:FTXL) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. FMR LLC increased its stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 81.1% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 326 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new stake in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF during the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF during the third quarter worth about $49,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF during the third quarter worth about $54,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 24.5% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 940 shares of the company’s stock worth $94,000 after buying an additional 185 shares in the last quarter.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:FTXL traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $86.12. 25,209 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 107,700. First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF has a 52-week low of $78.34 and a 52-week high of $107.74. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $89.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $91.08. The company has a market capitalization of $322.97 million, a PE ratio of 24.77 and a beta of 1.29.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders 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.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Company Profile

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.