John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) Short Interest Up 734.6% in March

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 20,639 shares, an increase of 734.6% from the February 26th total of 2,473 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 63,478 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 63,478 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $144,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund during the second quarter worth approximately $168,000. &PARTNERS bought a new stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $174,000. Kovack Advisors Inc. raised its stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 22.0% in the third quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 23,060 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $246,000 after buying an additional 4,165 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $283,000.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HEQ traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.73. The stock had a trading volume of 70,492 shares, compared to its average volume of 51,537. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a 12 month low of $9.23 and a 12 month high of $11.58. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $11.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.89.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th.

About John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

The John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of income coupled with the potential for capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. The fund’s investment objective emphasizes total return, balancing dividend and option premium income with equity market participation.

The fund pursues its goal by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S.