Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Short Interest Update

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 209,690 shares, an increase of 201.9% from the June 30th total of 69,453 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 188,033 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.1 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Virtus Total Return Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ZTR. Saba Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund during the first quarter worth $7,512,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Virtus Total Return Fund by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 125,650 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $810,000 after buying an additional 9,676 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 33.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 338,441 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,108,000 after buying an additional 85,767 shares during the period. Sculptor Capital LP lifted its position in Virtus Total Return Fund by 9.8% during the second quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 346,864 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $2,161,000 after buying an additional 30,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,246,096 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $7,850,000 after buying an additional 24,583 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.14% of the company’s stock.

Virtus Total Return Fund Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:ZTR traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $6.81. The stock had a trading volume of 133,464 shares, compared to its average volume of 186,870. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 1 year low of $6.14 and a 1 year high of $7.11. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $6.76 and its 200-day moving average is $6.72.

Virtus Total Return Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 13th will be given a dividend of $0.055 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 13th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.7%.

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).