iShares Biotechnology ETF Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NASDAQ:IBB)

iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Stock traders bought 66,590 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of 1,205% compared to the average daily volume of 5,103 put options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Biotechnology ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Biotechnology ETF by 29.3% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,380,229 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $346,561,000 after acquiring an additional 538,899 shares during the period. Commerce Bank lifted its holdings in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 743,366 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $108,234,000 after purchasing an additional 12,921 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its holdings in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 32.9% during the 3rd quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 663,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $96,533,000 after purchasing an additional 164,000 shares during the last quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC now owns 593,370 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $86,395,000 after purchasing an additional 14,535 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares Biotechnology ETF by 24.6% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 217,047 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,792,000 after purchasing an additional 42,822 shares during the last quarter. 62.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ IBB traded down $0.67 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $132.71. The stock had a trading volume of 994,555 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,450,031. iShares Biotechnology ETF has a twelve month low of $117.28 and a twelve month high of $150.57. The business’s fifty day moving average is $144.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $141.78.

iShares Biotechnology ETF Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 25th were issued a dividend of $0.2005 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 25th.

About iShares Biotechnology ETF

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (the Index). The Index contains securities of NASDAQ listed companies that are classified according to the Industry Classification Benchmark as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, which also meet other eligibility criteria determined by NASDAQ.