Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 59,395 shares, a growth of 240.9% from the February 26th total of 17,425 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 231,088 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Virtus Total Return Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ZTR opened at $6.61 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $6.70 and its 200 day moving average is $6.50. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 1-year low of $5.22 and a 1-year high of $7.11.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 11th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 11th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Virtus Total Return Fund

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 854.9% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,582 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 6,788 shares in the last quarter. HRT Financial LP purchased a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund in the 4th quarter worth $63,000. Bayban purchased a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund in the 4th quarter worth $65,000. Closed End Fund Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Virtus Total Return Fund in the fourth quarter worth $66,000. Finally, Tactive Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Virtus Total Return Fund in the second quarter worth $131,000. 47.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Virtus Total Return Fund

Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc (NYSE: ZTR) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with high total return with moderate income. The fund, which began operations in 2005, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners. ZTR offers investors access to a diversified mix of fixed-income and equity opportunities within a single vehicle.

To pursue its stated objective, the fund typically allocates across a broad range of asset classes, including corporate debt securities, high-yield bonds, convertible securities, preferred stocks, common stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).