Short Interest in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FDL) Expands By 48.8%

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FDL) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 383,551 shares, an increase of 48.8% from the February 12th total of 257,685 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,017,769 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,017,769 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Institutional Trading of First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. StoneX Group Inc. boosted its position in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 249.3% in the second quarter. StoneX Group Inc. now owns 43,046 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $1,802,000 after buying an additional 30,723 shares during the last quarter. Proactive Wealth Strategies LLC raised its position in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Proactive Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 77,732 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $3,255,000 after buying an additional 563 shares during the last quarter. Trustmark Bank Trust Department raised its position in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 70.0% during the 2nd quarter. Trustmark Bank Trust Department now owns 17,000 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $712,000 after buying an additional 7,000 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,733,258 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $72,572,000 after acquiring an additional 187,827 shares during the period. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund by 36.6% during the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 136,406 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $5,711,000 after acquiring an additional 36,514 shares during the period.

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSEARCA:FDL traded up $0.16 on Friday, hitting $49.96. 1,130,286 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,278,079. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.96 and a beta of 0.73. First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund has a 1-year low of $37.29 and a 1-year high of $51.46. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $48.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.39.

About First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund

First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index (the Index). The Fund will invest at least 90% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in common stocks that comprise the Index. The objective of the Index is to offer investors a benchmark for dividend portfolios, as well as a means to invest in a portfolio of stocks that have a consistent record of growing dividends, as well as the ability to sustain them.