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

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) saw 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. Based on an average daily volume of 149,845 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PDT. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its position in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 231,745 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $3,036,000 after purchasing an additional 2,702 shares in the last quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,708,000. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its position in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 36.6% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 142,765 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,870,000 after buying an additional 38,256 shares in the last quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the first quarter worth $1,145,000. Finally, Kestra Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 18.6% during the first quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 86,676 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $1,135,000 after buying an additional 13,576 shares during the last quarter. 12.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Price Performance

Shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $11.74. 186,753 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 141,083. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 1-year low of $11.56 and a 1-year high of $13.65. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $12.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.80.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.0883 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.0%.

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.