Short Interest in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) Decreases By 21.8%

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 22,900 shares, a drop of 21.8% from the February 13th total of 29,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 124,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s stock are short sold.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Performance

Shares of PDT traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $12.85. The company had a trading volume of 98,101 shares, compared to its average volume of 113,257. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 1 year low of $10.65 and a 1 year high of $13.55. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $12.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.92.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.0825 per share. This represents a $0.99 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 13th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PDT. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 112.3% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 1,923 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 1,017 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $77,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $113,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $146,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 11.2% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,903 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $177,000 after acquiring an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. 12.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

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.