BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE:BDJ) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE:BDJ) saw a large growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totaling 228,060 shares, a growth of 167.5% from the June 15th total of 85,249 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 665,502 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BDJ. Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 4,044,382 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $36,844,000 after buying an additional 63,639 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 3.1% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,384,703 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $21,725,000 after acquiring an additional 71,953 shares during the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its position in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 11.4% in the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 2,297,905 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $21,784,000 after acquiring an additional 234,887 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 3.0% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,866,062 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $17,690,000 after acquiring an additional 54,826 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 1,132,105 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $10,732,000 after acquiring an additional 20,177 shares during the last quarter.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust stock opened at $9.63 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $9.30 and a 200-day moving average of $9.28. BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust has a 1-year low of $8.42 and a 1-year high of $9.76.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0619 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.7%.

About BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE: BDJ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in dividend-paying equity securities. The trust pursues an enhanced dividend strategy, focusing on U.S. large-capitalization common stocks with a history of dividend payments. To augment income generation, BDJ may also employ an option overlay strategy, writing covered call options on select securities or indices.

Since commencing operations in 2006, BDJ has been advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors, one of the world’s largest asset managers.