John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) Short Interest Update

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 44,779 shares, an increase of 79.4% from the August 31st total of 24,955 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 149,845 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Down 0.3%

PDT traded down $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $11.68. The company had a trading volume of 42,504 shares, compared to its average volume of 127,130. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $12.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.80. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 1-year low of $11.56 and a 1-year high of $13.65.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th were issued a dividend of $0.0883 per share. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 11th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PDT. 1607 Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $2,708,000. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,145,000. Calamos Advisors LLC bought a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $769,000. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 36.6% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 142,765 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,870,000 after purchasing an additional 38,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Saba Capital Management L.P. acquired a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $380,000. 12.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests primarily in dividend-paying securities, including preferred and common stocks, with an emphasis on companies in the utility and energy sectors.

The fund’s portfolio may include securities issued by electric, gas and water utilities, telecommunications companies, pipelines and other infrastructure-related businesses.