Short Interest in John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Drops By 61.4%

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,154 shares, a decrease of 61.4% from the November 30th total of 10,764 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 31,218 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 31,218 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Stock Performance

JHS stock traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $11.54. The company had a trading volume of 52,557 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,023. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a one year low of $10.62 and a one year high of $12.09. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $11.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.52.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a $0.1831 dividend. This is a positive change from John Hancock Income Securities Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $0.73 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.3%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Riverbridge Partners LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 96,001 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,083,000 after buying an additional 2,954 shares in the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $42,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 5,395.0% in the second quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 5,495 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 5,395 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 16.1% during the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 78,037 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $911,000 after purchasing an additional 10,836 shares during the period. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 23.9% during the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 60,103 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $678,000 after purchasing an additional 11,587 shares during the period.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Company Profile

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with high current income while preserving capital. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange since its launch in the late 1970s, the trust offers investors access to a broad portfolio of fixed-income securities under a professional management structure.

The fund’s primary investment activities include purchasing U.S. government and agency obligations, investment-grade corporate debt, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, preferred stocks, and selected foreign debt instruments.