Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF (NYSEARCA:FTSD) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF (NYSEARCA:FTSD) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 48,335 shares, an increase of 175.2% from the February 26th total of 17,562 shares. Approximately 1.6% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 38,336 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF Price Performance

Shares of FTSD stock traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $90.61. 82,674 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 33,362. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $90.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $90.96. Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF has a 52 week low of $89.65 and a 52 week high of $93.40.

Institutional Trading of Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FTSD. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF by 891.5% in the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $63,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $180,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $217,000. Finally, StoneX Group Inc. bought a new position in Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $224,000.

About Franklin Liberty Short Duration US Government ETF

The Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (FTSD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively-managed ETF that aims for a targeted duration of less than three years by investing in short-term debt securities issued or guaranteed by the US-government. The fund manager may also invest in certain interest rate-related derivative transactions. FTSD was launched on Nov 4, 2013 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.