First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:FTLS) Short Interest Up 138.8% in January

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:FTLS) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 108,423 shares, a growth of 138.8% from the December 31st total of 45,401 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 149,419 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Currently, 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 149,419 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days.

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA FTLS traded down $0.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $71.72. 435,156 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 154,743. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $71.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.63. The stock has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.59 and a beta of 0.48. First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF has a 1-year low of $58.90 and a 1-year high of $72.20.

Institutional Trading of First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF in the third quarter worth $25,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC raised its stake in shares of First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 87.3% during the 3rd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 399 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the period. Burkett Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new position in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its position in First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF by 456.0% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 467 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 383 shares during the period.

First Trust Long/Short Equity ETF Company Profile

The First Trust Long\u002FShort Equity ETF (FTLS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in long\u002Fshort alternatives. The fund takes both long and short position in US-listed equity with US and foreign exposure. The actively managed funds will typically be 90-100% long and 0-50% short. FTLS was launched on Sep 9, 2014 and is managed by First Trust.