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

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of 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 company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 15,612 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP lifted its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 79.5% in the second quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 18,052 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $199,000 after buying an additional 7,996 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 3.8% during the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 211,766 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,335,000 after acquiring an additional 7,715 shares during the period. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 6,532 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Riverbridge Partners LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 4.0% in the 1st 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 period.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Stock Performance

JHS stock traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.40. 12,283 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, 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’s fifty day moving average price is $10.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.97.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be given 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th.

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.