John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF) Short Interest Down 18.6% in April

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF) was the target of a large decline in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 40,320 shares, a decline of 18.6% from the March 31st total of 49,547 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 34,292 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Guggenheim Capital LLC lifted its holdings in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 73.1% during the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 243,009 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,905,000 after purchasing an additional 102,627 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 339,995 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,729,000 after purchasing an additional 25,779 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 57.5% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 66,744 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,073,000 after purchasing an additional 24,354 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 182,941 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,083,000 after buying an additional 23,622 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $322,000.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE HPF traded up $0.18 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $16.09. 60,121 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 38,304. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a 1 year low of $15.06 and a 1 year high of $17.13. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $15.79 and a 200 day moving average of $16.12.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.1235 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 13th.

About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE: HPF) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund primarily invests in preferred securities issued by U.S. and, to a lesser extent, international issuers. Its diversified portfolio may include investment-grade and below-investment-grade preferred stocks, corporate debt securities, convertible securities and, when deemed appropriate, common equity.

Launched in June 2006, HPF employs leverage through preferred share borrowings and other forms of financing to enhance income potential.