Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE:USA) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE:USA) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 248,198 shares, a growth of 585.3% from the July 15th total of 36,220 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,501,656 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund in the fourth quarter worth about $37,000. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new stake in shares of Liberty All-Star Equity Fund during the first quarter valued at $44,000. Canal Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Liberty All-Star Equity Fund in the first quarter valued at about $60,000. Investmark Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Liberty All-Star Equity Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Three Magnolias Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Liberty All-Star Equity Fund by 25.0% during the first quarter. Three Magnolias Financial Advisors LLC now owns 12,500 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. 9.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:USA traded down $0.01 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $6.05. 666,862 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,280,289. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $5.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.83. Liberty All-Star Equity Fund has a 12-month low of $5.40 and a 12-month high of $6.65.

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, July 16th will be issued a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 16th. This is an increase from Liberty All-Star Equity Fund’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.2%.

About Liberty All-Star Equity Fund

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (NYSE: USA) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks long-term capital appreciation through an actively managed portfolio of equity securities. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange since its inception, the fund offers investors access to both U.S. and international markets within a single vehicle. It is designed to appeal to those seeking a diversified equity strategy combined with the liquidity of an exchange-traded security.

The fund’s investment approach centers on a diversified mix of common stocks and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), spanning large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap issuers.