John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) was the target of a large decline in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,303 shares, a decline of 87.2% from the January 29th total of 10,194 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 37,792 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 37,792 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bulldog Investors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the 4th quarter worth about $4,104,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 11.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 288,281 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $3,050,000 after acquiring an additional 30,102 shares during the period. Saba Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 11.0% during the fourth quarter. Saba Capital Management L.P. now owns 281,328 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $3,024,000 after acquiring an additional 27,958 shares in the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 9.9% in the third quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 247,175 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,632,000 after purchasing an additional 22,211 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 3.3% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 138,049 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $1,470,000 after purchasing an additional 4,356 shares during the period.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:HEQ traded up $0.04 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $11.57. The stock had a trading volume of 45,455 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,812. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $11.06 and its 200 day moving average is $10.84. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a 12 month low of $9.23 and a 12 month high of $11.58.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.6%.

About John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

The John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of income coupled with the potential for capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. The fund’s investment objective emphasizes total return, balancing dividend and option premium income with equity market participation.

The fund pursues its goal by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S.