Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totaling 122,010 shares, an increase of 65.2% from the March 15th total of 73,846 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 360,678 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Vanguard Utilities ETF Price Performance

Shares of VPU stock traded down $2.60 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $200.29. 200,551 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 291,135. The stock has a market cap of $8.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 0.66. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $198.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $193.34. Vanguard Utilities ETF has a 52-week low of $162.93 and a 52-week high of $206.10.

Institutional Trading of Vanguard Utilities ETF

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jessup Wealth Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF during the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF during the third quarter valued at about $38,000.

About Vanguard Utilities ETF

Vanguard Utilities ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded class of shares issued by Vanguard Utilities Index Fund. The Fund tracks the performance of Morgan Stanley Capital International United States Investable Market Utilities Index, an index made up of stocks of large, medium-size and small United States companies in the utilities sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). This GICS sector is made up of those companies considered electric, gas, or water utilities, or companies that operate as independent producers and/or distributors of power.