Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 110,394 shares, a growth of 113.7% from the February 26th total of 51,653 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 131,381 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.8 days.

Blackrock Income Trust Trading Down 0.7%

Blackrock Income Trust stock opened at $10.46 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $10.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.11. Blackrock Income Trust has a 52-week low of $10.42 and a 52-week high of $12.11.

Blackrock Income Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0882 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 15th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Blackrock Income Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BKT. Riverbridge Partners LLC acquired a new position in Blackrock Income Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,154,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in Blackrock Income Trust by 11.9% in the second quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,053,326 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,377,000 after acquiring an additional 112,201 shares in the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. raised its stake in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 9.4% during the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 5,050,211 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,754,000 after purchasing an additional 435,016 shares during the period. Rock Point Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 171.3% during the fourth quarter. Rock Point Advisors LLC now owns 250,023 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,760,000 after purchasing an additional 157,850 shares during the period. Finally, Rareview Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 394.6% during the fourth quarter. Rareview Capital LLC now owns 132,356 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,555,000 after purchasing an additional 105,594 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

About Blackrock Income Trust

BlackRock Income Trust (NYSE: BKT) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company sponsored by BlackRock, Inc The fund seeks to provide current income through investments in a broad array of fixed-income securities. Its holdings typically include high-yield corporate bonds, investment-grade corporate debt, government and agency obligations and securitized products such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities.

The trust employs active portfolio management, aiming to capitalize on credit opportunities across global and domestic markets.