Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:FUND) Short Interest Update

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (NASDAQ:FUND) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 25,500 shares, an increase of 117.9% from the October 31st total of 11,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 43,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Insider Activity at Sprott Focus Trust

In related news, Portfolio Manager W Whitney George sold 26,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.58, for a total transaction of $197,080.00. Following the sale, the portfolio manager now directly owns 321,114 shares in the company, valued at $2,434,044.12. This trade represents a 7.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 50.59% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 392.5% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 63,348 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $474,000 after buying an additional 50,485 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 3.4% during the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 92,514 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $712,000 after acquiring an additional 3,028 shares during the period. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Sprott Focus Trust by 4.8% in the second quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 134,938 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,009,000 after purchasing an additional 6,198 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Sprott Focus Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $1,226,000. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Sprott Focus Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,867,000. 12.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sprott Focus Trust Stock Up 0.6 %

Sprott Focus Trust stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $8.14. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 5,590 shares, compared to its average volume of 32,884. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $7.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $7.76. Sprott Focus Trust has a 12 month low of $7.25 and a 12 month high of $8.14.

Sprott Focus Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.1301 per share. This is a positive change from Sprott Focus Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.39%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 16th.

About Sprott Focus Trust

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Sprott Asset Management, LP. The fund is co-managed by Sprott Asset Management USA Inc It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.