John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 4,709 shares, an increase of 34.4% from the February 26th total of 3,505 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 29,350 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s shares are sold short.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of JHS opened at $10.83 on Tuesday. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a twelve month low of $10.62 and a twelve month high of $12.09. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $11.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.59.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a $0.1377 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 72.1% in the fourth quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 19,125 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after purchasing an additional 8,010 shares during the period. Brick & Kyle Associates acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the 2nd quarter worth about $238,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the 2nd quarter worth about $377,000. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 23.9% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 60,103 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $678,000 after buying an additional 11,587 shares during the last quarter.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Company Profile

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with high current income while preserving capital. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange since its launch in the late 1970s, the trust offers investors access to a broad portfolio of fixed-income securities under a professional management structure.

The fund’s primary investment activities include purchasing U.S. government and agency obligations, investment-grade corporate debt, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, preferred stocks, and selected foreign debt instruments.