John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Stock Short Interest Jumps 305.3%

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,838 shares, a growth of 305.3% from the August 31st total of 947 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 33,873 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the company’s shares are sold short.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Stock Performance

BTO stock traded up $0.23 on Friday, hitting $36.71. 18,852 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 47,420. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $32.01 and a twelve month high of $42.00. The business’s fifty day moving average is $39.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $37.87.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 11th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BTO. Fifth Third Bancorp acquired a new stake in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the first quarter worth about $206,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,415 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315 shares in the last quarter. Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 9,229 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $331,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 4.4% in the first quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,090 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $541,000 after buying an additional 639 shares during the period. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 3.4% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 23,961 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $859,000 after buying an additional 796 shares in the last quarter. 19.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Company Profile

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund is a closed-end investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BTO. The fund is designed to provide investors with exposure to the financial services sector through a professionally managed portfolio of securities.

The fund invests primarily in the equity securities of companies involved in banking, insurance, diversified financial services, capital markets, consumer finance, real estate finance and related activities.