John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Stock Short Interest Jumps 229.7%

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 38,045 shares, a growth of 229.7% from the September 15th total of 11,539 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,549 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.5 days. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s stock are sold short.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Trading Down 0.6%

NYSE JHS traded down $0.07 on Tuesday, reaching $10.14. The company had a trading volume of 3,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,812. The company’s fifty day moving average is $10.68 and its 200 day moving average is $10.91. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a 52-week low of $10.03 and a 52-week high of $11.93.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 11th were paid a $0.1546 dividend. This represents a $0.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This is a positive change from John Hancock Income Securities Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.1535.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Susquehanna International Group LLP grew its position 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 purchasing an additional 7,996 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 3.8% in 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 buying an additional 7,715 shares during the last quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. increased its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 34.2% in the 1st quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 25,657 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $281,000 after buying an additional 6,532 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 200,843 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,197,000 after buying an additional 7,788 shares in the last quarter.

About John Hancock Income Securities Trust

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a closed-end investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The trust is part of the John Hancock family of investment products and is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, an asset-management business of Manulife Investment Management.

The trust invests primarily in income-producing debt securities. Its portfolio may include corporate bonds, government and agency obligations, mortgage-related securities, and other fixed-income instruments, including securities rated below investment grade.