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

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 36,100 shares, an increase of 58.3% from the November 30th total of 22,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 120,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Performance

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund stock traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $12.50. 123,961 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 119,331. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a one year low of $10.41 and a one year high of $13.55. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $12.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.59.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be given a $0.0825 dividend. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.92%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1,225.2% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 550,563 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $7,278,000 after purchasing an additional 509,016 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 484,495 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $5,707,000 after acquiring an additional 48,169 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC raised its stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 223,925 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $2,637,000 after acquiring an additional 4,118 shares during the period. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its position in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 81.8% during the second quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 212,585 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $2,504,000 after purchasing an additional 95,639 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1.7% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 120,791 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $1,423,000 after purchasing an additional 2,041 shares in the last quarter. 12.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Company Profile

John Hancock Premium Dividend 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 of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, with an emphasis on the utilities sector.