Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) Short Interest Update

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 22,100 shares, an increase of 176.3% from the February 28th total of 8,000 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 60,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 6.3% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,918 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $182,000 after purchasing an additional 819 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,455,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 59,305 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $709,000 after acquiring an additional 4,101 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 17.9% in the fourth quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 91,303 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,091,000 after acquiring an additional 13,890 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 968.4% during the fourth quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 207,769 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,483,000 after acquiring an additional 188,322 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 49.86% of the company’s stock.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE EMF opened at $12.98 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $12.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.78. Templeton Emerging Markets Fund has a 52-week low of $11.14 and a 52-week high of $14.44.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th.

About Templeton Emerging Markets Fund

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Franklin Resources Inc The fund is managed by Templeton Asset Management Ltd. It invests in the public equity markets of emerging market countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.