Short Interest in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF) Expands By 199.3%

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 44,000 shares, a growth of 199.3% from the January 31st total of 14,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 44,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Up 0.6 %

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II stock traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $17.12. 30,883 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 43,407. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $17.32. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a fifty-two week low of $15.39 and a fifty-two week high of $19.00.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 13th were issued a dividend of $0.1235 per share. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.66%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 13th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 2,654.0% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 23,271 shares of the company’s stock worth $434,000 after buying an additional 22,426 shares in the last quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 14.0% during the third quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth now owns 420,003 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,833,000 after buying an additional 51,730 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the third quarter worth $69,000. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 1.0% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 141,507 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,639,000 after buying an additional 1,465 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the fourth quarter worth $203,000.

About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income 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 fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors.