Short Interest in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) Expands By 72.3%

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 62,200 shares, an increase of 72.3% from the December 15th total of 36,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 123,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund in the second quarter worth about $164,000. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 17,921 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $212,000. EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $229,000. Finally, Safe Harbor Fiduciary LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $291,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 12.98% of the company’s stock.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Trading Up 1.8 %

NYSE:PDT traded up $0.23 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $12.72. 119,757 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 107,306. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 12-month low of $10.41 and a 12-month high of $13.55. The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.72.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.0825 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 13th. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.78%.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Company Profile

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, with an emphasis on the utilities sector.