BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (NYSE:BUI) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (NYSE:BUI) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 70,500 shares, a growth of 26.8% from the December 15th total of 55,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 49,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 15.2% during the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 12,898 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $302,000 after acquiring an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 216.6% during the fourth quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 48,017 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 32,852 shares during the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 1,494.8% during the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 13,795 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 12,930 shares during the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 6.9% during the fourth quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,374 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $220,000 after acquiring an additional 603 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust by 4.4% during the third quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 15,241 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $369,000 after acquiring an additional 639 shares during the last quarter.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust Stock Performance

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $23.48. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 44,766 shares, compared to its average volume of 68,306. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $23.35 and its 200 day moving average is $23.29. BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust has a 1-year low of $20.11 and a 1-year high of $24.94.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a $0.136 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $1.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.95%.

About BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

BlackRock Utility, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in public equity markets across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the utilities and infrastructure sectors.