Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NYSE:NFJ) Short Interest Update

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NYSE:NFJ) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 78,849 shares, a growth of 128.6% from the January 15th total of 34,496 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 195,672 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 195,672 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund Stock Performance

NFJ traded up $0.08 during trading on Friday, hitting $13.80. The stock had a trading volume of 165,519 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,931. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $13.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.99. Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund has a one year low of $10.02 and a one year high of $13.81.

Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were given a $0.305 dividend. This represents a $1.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th.

Insider Activity at Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund

In other Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 123,765 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $13.51 per share, with a total value of $1,672,065.15. Following the acquisition, the insider owned 9,734,470 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $131,512,689.70. The trade was a 1.29% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 430,690 shares of company stock worth $5,811,788.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Royal Bank of Canada raised its stake in Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund by 303.0% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 459,053 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $5,568,000 after purchasing an additional 345,156 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund in the 1st quarter valued at about $265,000. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund by 33.7% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,958 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 998 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,519,650 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $18,844,000 after buying an additional 75,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. lifted its holdings in shares of Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund by 33.3% during the 2nd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 17,747 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $220,000 after acquiring an additional 4,436 shares during the period.

About Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund

The Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NYSE: NFJ) is a diversified closed-end management investment company that seeks to deliver current income and total return through a combination of equity securities, fixed-income instruments and an equity option‐writing strategy. The fund allocates its assets among U.S.-listed common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and corporate bonds, while employing covered call and put option overlays to generate additional premium income and enhance yield.

Launched in February 2011, NFJ is managed by the investment professionals at Virtus Investment Advisers, LLC, who focus on identifying dividend-paying companies with strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.