Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) Shares Shorted: Short Interest Down 68.9% in September

Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 33,569 shares, a drop of 68.9% from the August 31st total of 107,967 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 120,514 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Blackrock Income Trust Price Performance

Shares of BKT remained flat at $9.55 during midday trading on Monday. 154,858 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 121,070. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $10.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.46. Blackrock Income Trust has a 52 week low of $9.49 and a 52 week high of $11.34.

Blackrock Income Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 11th will be paid a $0.0882 dividend. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Blackrock Income Trust

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Blackrock Income Trust in the second quarter valued at approximately $4,983,000. Aspire Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,649,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,069,000. Hutchens & Kramer Investment Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $216,000. Finally, Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. raised its stake in Blackrock Income Trust by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. now owns 30,742 shares of the company’s stock valued at $330,000 after acquiring an additional 1,872 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

About Blackrock Income Trust

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc (NYSE: BKT) is a closed-end investment company managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies.

BKT’s portfolio may include mortgage-backed securities associated with programs and issuers such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).