John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 15,039 shares, a growth of 237.0% from the December 31st total of 4,463 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 9,022 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 9,022 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of JHS. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust in the third quarter worth about $42,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 5,395.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 5,495 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 5,395 shares during the last quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 72.1% in the fourth quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 19,125 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 8,010 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp grew its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 16.1% in the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 78,037 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $911,000 after purchasing an additional 10,836 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 23.9% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 60,103 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $678,000 after purchasing an additional 11,587 shares during the last quarter.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Stock Down 0.2%

JHS stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $11.74. The company had a trading volume of 9,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,745. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a twelve month low of $10.62 and a twelve month high of $12.09. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.60.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were issued a dividend of $0.1831 per share. This represents a $0.73 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.2%. This is a boost from John Hancock Income Securities Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th.

About John Hancock Income Securities Trust

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with high current income while preserving capital. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange since its launch in the late 1970s, the trust offers investors access to a broad portfolio of fixed-income securities under a professional management structure.

The fund’s primary investment activities include purchasing U.S. government and agency obligations, investment-grade corporate debt, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, preferred stocks, and selected foreign debt instruments.