Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 79,623 shares, an increase of 262.8% from the December 31st total of 21,945 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 151,826 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 151,826 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Blackrock Income Trust Stock Performance

BKT remained flat at $11.08 during trading hours on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 91,401 shares, compared to its average volume of 140,265. Blackrock Income Trust has a twelve month low of $10.85 and a twelve month high of $12.11. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $11.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.31.

Blackrock Income Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be given a $0.0882 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.6%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its position in Blackrock Income Trust by 6.7% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,235,387 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,516,000 after acquiring an additional 77,724 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Blackrock Income Trust by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 1,053,326 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,377,000 after purchasing an additional 112,201 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in Blackrock Income Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,957,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in Blackrock Income Trust by 18.2% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 256,017 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,008,000 after buying an additional 39,410 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp increased its position in Blackrock Income Trust by 311.8% during the 2nd quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp now owns 197,232 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,317,000 after buying an additional 149,338 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

Blackrock Income Trust Company Profile

BlackRock Income Trust (NYSE: BKT) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company sponsored by BlackRock, Inc The fund seeks to provide current income through investments in a broad array of fixed-income securities. Its holdings typically include high-yield corporate bonds, investment-grade corporate debt, government and agency obligations and securitized products such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities.

The trust employs active portfolio management, aiming to capitalize on credit opportunities across global and domestic markets.