Short Interest in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Declines By 52.7%

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 6,900 shares, a drop of 52.7% from the February 13th total of 14,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 47,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. US Bancorp DE acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the third quarter valued at about $30,000. Focus Partners Wealth purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $212,000. L.M. Kohn & Company grew its position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 3.5% during the third quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 12,691 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $421,000 after buying an additional 425 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the third quarter valued at $511,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 15,445 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $551,000 after acquiring an additional 1,467 shares during the last quarter. 19.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Price Performance

BTO traded up $0.31 during trading on Friday, hitting $32.43. 38,286 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 51,575. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a 1 year low of $26.11 and a 1 year high of $39.87. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $35.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.37.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.02%.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Company Profile

John Hancock Financial Opportunities 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 across the globe. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across the financial services sector.