Short Interest in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) Drops By 21.8%

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 22,900 shares, a decrease of 21.8% from the February 13th total of 29,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 124,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.0% of the company’s stock are short sold.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund stock traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $12.85. 91,341 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 113,185. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.93. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a twelve month low of $10.65 and a twelve month high of $13.55.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.0825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 13th. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.71%.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 112.3% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 1,923 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,017 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $77,000. BankPlus Trust Department bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $113,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new position in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund in the fourth quarter worth about $146,000. Finally, Arlington Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 15.2% in the fourth quarter. Arlington Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,426 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $184,000 after acquiring an additional 1,906 shares during the last quarter. 12.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.