John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS) Stock Crosses Below Fifty Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• JHS shares fell below their 50-day moving average, trading as low as $10.19 versus the $10.60 average, and last changed hands near $10.21. The 200-day moving average stood at $10.89.
• The trust increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1546 per share, equivalent to approximately $0.62 annually and a 6.1% yield.
• Several institutional investors expanded their positions, including Susquehanna International Group, which increased its stake by 79.5%, while JHS remains focused on generating income through investments in debt securities.

Shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS - Get Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.60 and traded as low as $10.19. John Hancock Income Securities Trust shares last traded at $10.2090, with a volume of 17,535 shares.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Trading Up 0.1%

The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $10.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.89.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 11th were given a dividend of $0.1546 per share. This represents a $0.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This is a positive change from John Hancock Income Securities Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.1535.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 34.2% in the first quarter. Petra Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 25,657 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 6,532 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 3.8% in the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 211,766 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,335,000 after purchasing an additional 7,715 shares during the last quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Riverbridge Partners LLC now owns 200,843 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,197,000 after purchasing an additional 7,788 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 79.5% during the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 18,052 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $199,000 after purchasing an additional 7,996 shares in the last quarter.

About John Hancock Income Securities Trust

John Hancock Income Securities Trust NYSE: JHS is a closed-end investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. The trust is part of the John Hancock family of investment products and is managed by John Hancock Investment Management, an asset-management business of Manulife Investment Management.

The trust invests primarily in income-producing debt securities. Its portfolio may include corporate bonds, government and agency obligations, mortgage-related securities, and other fixed-income instruments, including securities rated below investment grade.

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