Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR) Short Interest Up 153.8% in January

Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. (NYSE:ZTR - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 84,116 shares, an increase of 153.8% from the December 31st total of 33,147 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 198,932 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily volume of 198,932 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.Virtus Total Return Fund Price PerformanceShares of ZTR traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $6.50. The company had a trading volume of 193,852 shares, compared to its average volume of 185,806. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $6.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.35. Virtus Total Return Fund has a 1-year low of $5.22 and a 1-year high of $6.66. Virtus Total Return Fund Announces DividendThe business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Virtus Total Return FundInstitutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC grew its position in Virtus Total Return Fund by 854.9% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,582 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 6,788 shares in the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Virtus Total Return Fund by 18.6% in the second quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,092 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares in the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Virtus Total Return Fund during the 2nd quarter worth about $107,000. Tactive Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Total Return Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $131,000. Finally, Integrated Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Virtus Total Return Fund by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Capital Management Inc. now owns 43,477 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $274,000 after purchasing an additional 3,684 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.14% of the company's stock. About Virtus Total Return Fund (Get Free Report)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).Featured ArticlesFive stocks we like better than Virtus Total Return FundDo not delete, read immediatelyNEW LAW: Congress Approves Setup For Digital Dollar?“Fed Proof” Your Bank Account with THESE 4 Simple StepsA U.S. “birthright” claim worth trillions - activated quietlyIf You Keep Cash In A U.S. Bank Account… Read This NOWThis instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.Should You Invest $1,000 in Virtus Total Return Fund Right Now?Before you consider Virtus Total Return Fund, you'll want to hear this.MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Virtus Total Return Fund wasn't on the list.While Virtus Total Return Fund currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.View The Five Stocks Here