John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short interest fell 78.2% to 3,336 shares as of September 15, representing virtually 0% of outstanding shares and only 0.1 days to cover.
• JHI shares traded at $12.23, near the one-year low of $12.15, while remaining below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
• The quarterly dividend was reduced slightly to $0.294 per share, implying an annualized dividend of $1.18 and a 9.6% yield; institutional investors own 27.01% of the fund.

John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE:JHI - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,336 shares, a decrease of 78.2% from the August 31st total of 15,313 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 29,128 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

John Hancock Investors Trust Price Performance

JHI traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $12.23. 20,416 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,861. John Hancock Investors Trust has a one year low of $12.15 and a one year high of $14.27. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $13.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $13.18.

John Hancock Investors Trust Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.2940 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th. This is a negative change from John Hancock Investors Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.2970.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Investors Trust

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. IFP Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust during the second quarter worth $32,000. World Investment Advisors bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Investors Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $299,000. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 33,545 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $433,000 after buying an additional 863 shares during the period. Riverbridge Partners LLC raised its stake in John Hancock Investors Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 47,763 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $617,000 after buying an additional 1,855 shares during the period. Finally, Sit Investment Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in John Hancock Investors Trust by 12.1% during the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 597,048 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $8,162,000 after acquiring an additional 64,495 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 27.01% of the company's stock.

About John Hancock Investors Trust

John Hancock Investors Trust NYSE: JHI is a closed-end investment company that seeks to provide investors with exposure to a professionally managed portfolio of securities. As a closed-end fund, it raises capital through an offering of shares and invests that capital in accordance with its stated investment strategy.

The fund is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, an asset-management organization associated with John Hancock. Its portfolio may include investments in publicly traded companies and other securities, with the objective of generating investment income and pursuing long-term capital appreciation, subject to market conditions and the fund's governing documents.

John Hancock Investors Trust is designed for investors seeking a listed, professionally managed investment vehicle rather than operating as an operating company that sells products or services.

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