First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:FGB) Short Interest Up 171.2% in February

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:FGB) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 14,100 shares, a growth of 171.2% from the February 13th total of 5,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 36,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:FGB traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $4.15. 14,363 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,639. First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund has a 52 week low of $3.49 and a 52 week high of $4.64. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $4.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.22.

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.64%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CSS LLC IL lifted its stake in First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund by 357.9% during the fourth quarter. CSS LLC IL now owns 58,141 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $245,000 after buying an additional 45,444 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund during the fourth quarter valued at about $99,000. CF Capital LLC purchased a new stake in First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund during the fourth quarter valued at about $756,000. Almitas Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund by 18.8% in the fourth quarter. Almitas Capital LLC now owns 213,162 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 33,676 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund in the fourth quarter worth approximately $86,000.

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund Company Profile

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by First Trust Advisors L.P. It is co-managed by Confluence Investment Management LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the specialty finance and other financial sectors.