John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the target of a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 11,539 shares, a growth of 235.8% from the August 31st total of 3,436 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 15,612 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of JHS traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.40. 12,283 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,106. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a one year low of $10.36 and a one year high of $12.09. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $10.81 and a 200-day moving average of $10.97.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.1546 per share. This is an increase from John Hancock Income Securities Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.1535. This represents a $0.62 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 79.5% in the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 18,052 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $199,000 after acquiring an additional 7,996 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 211,766 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,335,000 after acquiring an additional 7,715 shares during the last quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 34.2% during the first quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 25,657 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $281,000 after purchasing an additional 6,532 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 4.0% in the first quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 200,843 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,197,000 after purchasing an additional 7,788 shares during the last quarter.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Company Profile

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a diversified, closed-end investment company. The trust seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income by investing in a portfolio of income-producing securities.

Its investments primarily include debt securities issued by corporations and other entities, with the portfolio managed to balance income generation and credit risk. The trust may also invest in other fixed-income and preferred securities as permitted by its investment policies.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust is advised by John Hancock Investment Management, an investment-management business associated with Manulife Investment Management.