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

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:FUND) was the recipient 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 volume of 43,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sprott Focus Trust

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 stock was sold at an average price of $7.58, for a total transaction of $197,080.00. Following the sale, the portfolio manager now owns 321,114 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,434,044.12. This represents a 7.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 50.59% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 392.5% in 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 purchasing an additional 50,485 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 92,514 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $712,000 after buying an additional 3,028 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Sprott Focus Trust by 4.8% in 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 buying an additional 6,198 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Sprott Focus Trust in the second quarter valued at about $1,226,000. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Sprott Focus Trust during the first quarter worth about $1,867,000. 12.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sprott Focus Trust Stock Performance

Shares of FUND traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $8.14. 5,590 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,884. Sprott Focus Trust has a fifty-two week low of $7.25 and a fifty-two week high of $8.14. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $7.83 and its 200 day moving average is $7.76.

Sprott Focus Trust Increases Dividend

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

About Sprott Focus Trust

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.