Short Interest in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Increases By 172.5%

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totaling 8,786 shares, an increase of 172.5% from the May 31st total of 3,224 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 43,471 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $2,671,000. Readystate Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,481,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 5.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 558,810 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $19,793,000 after buying an additional 28,231 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its holdings in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 667,192 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $23,405,000 after buying an additional 23,822 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at $744,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.55% of the company’s stock.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Stock Down 0.1%

BTO stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $39.18. 41,799 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 50,433. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $37.07 and its 200 day moving average is $36.58. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $32.01 and a twelve month high of $39.85.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 11th will be given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 11th.

About John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by John Hancock Investment Management, a division of Manulife Investment Management. Since its inception in August 2004, the fund has sought to deliver total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. As a publicly traded fund, it offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of financial services companies that might otherwise require direct equity investments or specialized mandates.

The fund primarily invests in common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities issued by companies in the banking, insurance, brokerage and specialty finance sectors.