First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FRI) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FRI) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 22,227 shares, a growth of 95.0% from the July 30th total of 11,396 shares. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 75,142 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of FRI stock traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $31.63. 11,034 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 30,727. The firm has a market capitalization of $192.94 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.23 and a beta of 0.94. First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund has a 12-month low of $27.11 and a 12-month high of $33.44. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $32.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $30.85.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund by 265.4% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 149,934 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,095,000 after acquiring an additional 108,899 shares during the last quarter. TrueWealth Financial Partners bought a new stake in shares of First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund during the fourth quarter worth $2,942,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund during the third quarter valued at $1,432,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund by 60.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 110,493 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,989,000 after purchasing an additional 41,547 shares during the period. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund by 261.4% during the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 48,804 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,333,000 after purchasing an additional 35,298 shares during the period.

About First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund

First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of an equity index called the S&P United States REIT Index (the Index). The Index measures the securitized United States real estate investment trust (REIT) market and maintains a constituency that reflects the composition of the overall REIT market. The Index contains securities selected for market representation according to geography and property type. All securities in the Index satisfy the Index’s liquidity, price and market capitalization requirements.