BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (NYSE:BUI) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (NYSE:BUI) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 83,600 shares, a growth of 41.5% from the February 28th total of 59,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 54,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $22.65. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 78,270 shares, compared to its average volume of 50,367. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $22.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $23.32. BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust has a one year low of $20.11 and a one year high of $24.94.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a $0.136 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.20%.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BUI. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust during the fourth quarter valued at about $5,473,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 9.4% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 435,893 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $10,213,000 after buying an additional 37,284 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 216.6% during the 4th quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 48,017 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 32,852 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 57.8% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 76,415 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $1,790,000 after acquiring an additional 27,979 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 409,909 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $9,580,000 after purchasing an additional 19,078 shares in the last quarter.

About BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

BlackRock Utility, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in public equity markets across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the utilities and infrastructure sectors.