Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Short Interest Up 94.6% in December

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 153,408 shares, a growth of 94.6% from the November 30th total of 78,821 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 464,651 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 464,651 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ZTR. Gridiron Partners LLC lifted its stake in Virtus Total Return Fund by 7,620.7% in the 3rd quarter. Gridiron Partners LLC now owns 1,442,455 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $9,304,000 after buying an additional 1,423,772 shares in the last quarter. North Ground Capital lifted its position in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund by 121.5% in the third quarter. North Ground Capital now owns 1,197,000 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $7,721,000 after acquiring an additional 656,500 shares in the last quarter. Alpine Global Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund during the third quarter valued at $4,064,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC increased its position in Virtus Total Return Fund by 47.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 462,962 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,884,000 after purchasing an additional 148,688 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Virtus Total Return Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $651,000. 47.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Virtus Total Return Fund Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE ZTR traded down $0.03 on Friday, hitting $6.30. 277,533 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 326,302. Virtus Total Return Fund has a fifty-two week low of $5.22 and a fifty-two week high of $6.66. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $6.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.33.

Virtus Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.5%.

About Virtus Total Return Fund

Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc (NYSE: ZTR) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide investors with high total return with moderate income. The fund, which began operations in 2005, trades on the New York Stock Exchange and is sponsored by Virtus Investment Partners. ZTR offers investors access to a diversified mix of fixed-income and equity opportunities within a single vehicle.

To pursue its stated objective, the fund typically allocates across a broad range of asset classes, including corporate debt securities, high-yield bonds, convertible securities, preferred stocks, common stocks and real estate investment trusts (REITs).