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

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE:HEQ) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,900 shares, an increase of 148.6% from the March 15th total of 7,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 29,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.89. 27,575 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 30,533. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $9.23 and a fifty-two week high of $11.12. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.57.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 13th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.11%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 13th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HEQ. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 12.3% during the fourth quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 14,859 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $152,000 after purchasing an additional 1,632 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund by 12.9% during the 4th quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 17,357 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $177,000 after acquiring an additional 1,982 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $224,000. Robinson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund in the fourth quarter worth about $309,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund during the fourth quarter worth approximately $318,000.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund Company Profile

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.