John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 1,303 shares, a decline of 87.2% from the January 29th total of 10,194 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 37,792 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 37,792 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Trading Up 0.0%

HEQ traded up $0.00 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $11.49. 36,348 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 49,168. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a 52 week low of $9.23 and a 52 week high of $11.58. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $11.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.85.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HEQ. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 11.2% in the 2nd quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 18,895 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $200,000 after buying an additional 1,908 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 5.4% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 44,387 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $477,000 after acquiring an additional 2,275 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 2.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 133,693 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $1,414,000 after acquiring an additional 3,171 shares during the last quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. 1607 Capital Partners LLC now owns 129,782 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $1,395,000 after acquiring an additional 7,442 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 14.4% during the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 65,693 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $700,000 after acquiring an additional 8,287 shares in the last quarter.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Company Profile

The John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of income coupled with the potential for capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. The fund’s investment objective emphasizes total return, balancing dividend and option premium income with equity market participation.

The fund pursues its goal by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S.