Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLB) Short Interest Up 108.6% in December

Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLB) saw a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 15,998,475 shares, a growth of 108.6% from the November 30th total of 7,669,481 shares. Approximately 12.6% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 10,962,650 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 10,962,650 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.5 days. Approximately 12.6% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund Stock Performance

Shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund stock traded up $0.27 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $46.11. 5,020,529 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 12,634,583. Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund has a 52 week low of $36.56 and a 52 week high of $46.43. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $44.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.61. The company has a market cap of $5.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.55 and a beta of 1.03.

Institutional Trading of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $209,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund by 29.7% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 548,131 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $47,131,000 after buying an additional 125,601 shares during the last quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund by 194.8% in the 1st quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC now owns 16,576 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $1,425,000 after acquiring an additional 10,954 shares during the period. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new position in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund during the 1st quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Calton & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund during the first quarter valued at about $258,000. Institutional investors own 75.78% of the company’s stock.

About Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund

Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Materials Select Sector Index (the Index). The Index includes companies involved in such industries as chemicals; metals and mining; paper and forest products; containers and packaging, and construction materials. The Fund’s investment advisor is SSgA Funds Management, Inc