Short Interest in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Increases By 312.1%

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 23,617 shares, a growth of 312.1% from the January 15th total of 5,731 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 70,677 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 70,677 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BTO. Stephens Inc. AR lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 12,889 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $457,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 10,674 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $378,000 after buying an additional 491 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 2.5% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 22,951 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $813,000 after buying an additional 552 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 1.6% in the second quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 35,695 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,264,000 after acquiring an additional 568 shares during the period. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the third quarter worth $36,000. 19.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Price Performance

NYSE:BTO opened at $39.30 on Wednesday. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a 12 month low of $27.73 and a 12 month high of $39.85. The company’s 50 day moving average is $36.47 and its 200-day moving average is $35.63.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were given a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.6%.

About John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by John Hancock Investment Management, a division of Manulife Investment Management. Since its inception in August 2004, the fund has sought to deliver total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. As a publicly traded fund, it offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of financial services companies that might otherwise require direct equity investments or specialized mandates.

The fund primarily invests in common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities issued by companies in the banking, insurance, brokerage and specialty finance sectors.