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

Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) was the target of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 131,936 shares, an increase of 149.2% from the July 30th total of 52,944 shares. Currently, 0.4% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 142,310 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Blackrock Income Trust Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of BKT stock opened at $10.38 on Friday. Blackrock Income Trust has a twelve month low of $10.16 and a twelve month high of $11.86. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.63.

Blackrock Income Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $0.0882 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.2%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Blackrock Income Trust

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in Blackrock Income Trust by 18.2% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 256,017 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,008,000 after buying an additional 39,410 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,235,387 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,516,000 after acquiring an additional 77,724 shares during the period. Comerica Bank increased its holdings in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 43.0% in the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 10,533 shares of the company’s stock valued at $118,000 after acquiring an additional 3,166 shares during the period. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust in the 3rd quarter worth $2,957,000. Finally, Rock Point Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 171.3% in the 4th quarter. Rock Point Advisors LLC now owns 250,023 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,760,000 after acquiring an additional 157,850 shares in the last quarter. 39.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.