John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,900 shares, a growth of 148.6% from the March 15th total of 7,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 29,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Stock Down 0.5 %

HEQ stock traded down $0.05 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $9.84. 33,708 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 30,548. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.56. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a twelve month low of $9.23 and a twelve month high of $11.12.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 13th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of HEQ. Kovack Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 14,859 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $152,000 after buying an additional 1,632 shares in the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 17,357 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $177,000 after acquiring an additional 1,982 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $224,000. Robinson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $309,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the fourth quarter worth $318,000.

About John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Wellington Management Company LLP. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.