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

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) was the target of a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,000 shares, a growth of 136.1% from the January 15th total of 7,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 35,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

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

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the fourth quarter valued at $224,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 131,821 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $1,346,000 after acquiring an additional 18,392 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its holdings in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 10.8% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 82,710 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $844,000 after acquiring an additional 8,088 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 13.9% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 153,912 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $1,571,000 after acquiring an additional 18,787 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 12.9% in the fourth quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 17,357 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 1,982 shares in the last quarter.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Stock Up 0.2 %

HEQ stock traded up $0.02 during trading on Thursday, reaching $10.62. 15,471 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 28,932. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a 52-week low of $9.57 and a 52-week high of $11.12. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $10.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.68.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, December 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 12th.

About John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Wellington Management Company LLP. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.