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

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE:BDJ) saw a significant growth in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 332,100 shares, a growth of 34.1% from the January 31st total of 247,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 491,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BDJ. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. purchased a new stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust by 1,203.3% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,539 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 5,114 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust in the fourth quarter worth $74,000. Finally, South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust during the fourth quarter valued at $81,000.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Price Performance

NYSE BDJ traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $8.85. The stock had a trading volume of 413,524 shares, compared to its average volume of 472,488. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $8.68 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.66. BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust has a 1 year low of $7.80 and a 1 year high of $9.07.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.0619 per share. This is an increase from BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust’s previous monthly dividend of $0.05. This represents a $0.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.40%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th.

About BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It primarily invests in dividend paying stocks of companies across all market capitalizations.