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

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:FTXL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in 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 currently 1.5 days.

Institutional Trading of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of FTXL. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 11,762.7% in the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 150,656 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,067,000 after acquiring an additional 149,386 shares during the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF by 2,290.5% in the 3rd quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 76,617 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,147,000 after acquiring an additional 73,412 shares during the last quarter. Proactive Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,484,000. Tudor Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $955,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $899,000.

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF Price Performance

NASDAQ:FTXL traded down $1.47 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $86.75. 3,309 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 124,104. The stock has a market capitalization of $373.03 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.77 and a beta of 1.29. First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF has a 52-week low of $76.99 and a 52-week high of $107.74. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $89.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $91.95.

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 given a dividend of $0.1657 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 13th. This is an increase from First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF’s previous dividend of $0.12.

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.