Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (NYSE:JOF) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (NYSE:JOF) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 28,300 shares, an increase of 371.7% from the November 30th total of 6,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 76,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $104,000. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. increased its stake in shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 23.6% during the third quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 16,119 shares of the company’s stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 3,075 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund by 7.7% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 22,471 shares of the company’s stock worth $181,000 after purchasing an additional 1,609 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mraz Amerine & Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $259,000.

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund stock traded down $0.06 during trading on Friday, hitting $7.60. 126,574 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 59,357. Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund has a 1-year low of $6.89 and a 1-year high of $8.34. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.77.

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 19th were paid a $0.3118 dividend. This is a positive change from Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund’s previous annual dividend of $0.27. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 19th. This represents a yield of 3.3%.

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Company Profile

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Nomura Asset Management U.SA Inc It is managed by Nomura Asset Management Co, Ltd. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Japan. It invests in stocks traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Stock Exchanges, JASDAQ, Mothers, Hercules, Centrex, and other indices.