Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) Short Interest Down 59.4% in May

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totaling 27,963 shares, a decline of 59.4% from the April 30th total of 68,871 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 42,613 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Stock Performance

EMF stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $23.30. The company had a trading volume of 26,601 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,276. Templeton Emerging Markets Fund has a 1-year low of $13.43 and a 1-year high of $23.97. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $20.14 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.97.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.24 per share. This is a positive change from Templeton Emerging Markets Fund’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 23rd. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Templeton Emerging Markets Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund during the first quarter worth $26,000. Murphy Middleton Hinkle & Parker Inc. purchased a new stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $51,000. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $140,000. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 15,404 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $262,000 after buying an additional 1,178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Closed End Fund Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $306,000. 49.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund Company Profile

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (NYSE:EMF) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks long-term capital appreciation and income by investing primarily in equity securities of companies located in emerging market countries. Managed by Franklin Templeton Investment Management, the fund employs a bottom-up, fundamental research approach to identify undervalued opportunities across local stock exchanges. Its emerging markets mandate spans a diverse range of industries, enabling investors to participate in the growth potential of developing economies.

The fund’s portfolio typically includes common stocks of issuers based in regions such as Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.