Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NYSE:NFJ) Short Interest Up 368.7% in December

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NYSE:NFJ) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 356,200 shares, a growth of 368.7% from the December 15th total of 76,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 196,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days.

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund Price Performance

NYSE NFJ traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $12.45. The stock had a trading volume of 298,128 shares, compared to its average volume of 232,575. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $12.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.73. Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund has a 1 year low of $11.72 and a 1 year high of $13.30.

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 12th were issued a $0.305 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 12th. This represents a $1.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.80%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at about $17,092,000. Capstone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund during the third quarter valued at approximately $3,079,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund by 1,204.0% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 209,944 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $2,738,000 after buying an additional 193,844 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund in the second quarter worth approximately $2,179,000. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $1,436,000.

About Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund

AllianzGI NFJ Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC and NFJ Investment Group LLC. It invests in public equity markets of the United States.