John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Short Interest Update

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 51,100 shares, a growth of 149.3% from the March 15th total of 20,500 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 50,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.0 days.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE BTO traded up $0.44 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $30.21. The company had a trading volume of 33,754 shares, compared to its average volume of 51,727. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $33.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $35.25. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a one year low of $26.11 and a one year high of $39.87.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.61%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BTO. Focus Partners Wealth purchased a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $212,000. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the third quarter worth approximately $511,000. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 15,445 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 1,467 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 18,486 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $660,000 after purchasing an additional 425 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 19,628 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $701,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. 19.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund

John Hancock Financial Opportunities 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 across the globe. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across the financial services sector.