Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NYSE:NIE) Short Interest Up 241.2% in April

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NYSE:NIE) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 66,200 shares, an increase of 241.2% from the March 31st total of 19,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 70,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund by 29.8% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 578,389 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,504,000 after buying an additional 132,872 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund by 2.9% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 377,074 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,443,000 after buying an additional 10,786 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 345,824 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,231,000 after buying an additional 19,491 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund by 1,868.3% in the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 259,702 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,430,000 after buying an additional 246,508 shares during the period. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund by 2,140.0% in the first quarter. Global Assets Advisory LLC now owns 246,400 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,517,000 after buying an additional 235,400 shares during the period.

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund Stock Performance

NYSE:NIE opened at $21.91 on Friday. Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund has a 12 month low of $18.61 and a 12 month high of $22.80. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $22.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.18.

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th were given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 8th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.13%.

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund Company Profile

Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.