Short Interest in First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:AFSM) Expands By 183.9%

First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:AFSM) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 29,990 shares, an increase of 183.9% from the January 15th total of 10,565 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 21,289 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days. Approximately 1.3% of the company’s shares are short sold. Approximately 1.3% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 21,289 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.4 days.

First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF stock traded down $0.63 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $34.32. The stock had a trading volume of 1,315 shares, compared to its average volume of 20,663. First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF has a 1 year low of $24.42 and a 1 year high of $35.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.21 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.11 and a beta of 1.04. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.71.

First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a dividend of $0.0622 per share. This is a boost from First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AFSM. LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF by 83.8% in the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 118,063 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,882,000 after purchasing an additional 53,837 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF by 258.3% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 106,115 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,489,000 after acquiring an additional 76,498 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF by 1.2% in the fourth quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 61,679 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,028,000 after purchasing an additional 731 shares in the last quarter. FSB Premier Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF by 14.6% during the 4th quarter. FSB Premier Wealth Management Inc. now owns 9,366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC lifted its position in shares of First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF by 555.2% in the 4th quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 70,566 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,320,000 after acquiring an additional 59,796 shares in the last quarter.

About First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF

The First Trust Active Factor Small Cap ETF (AFSM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund is an actively managed portfolio of US small-cap companies that exhibit exposure to one or more investing factors. AFSM was launched on Dec 3, 2019 and is managed by First Trust.