John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) Short Interest Up 236.8% in December

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,031 shares, a growth of 236.8% from the November 30th total of 1,197 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 47,197 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 47,197 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BTO opened at $35.88 on Friday. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $27.73 and a twelve month high of $38.80. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $34.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.25.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, December 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BTO. Centaurus Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $102,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 19.3% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 49,343 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,775,000 after purchasing an additional 7,998 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund by 9.5% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 25,140 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $905,000 after purchasing an additional 2,189 shares during the period. Creative Planning acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at $237,000. Finally, Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new position in John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund in the 3rd quarter worth about $744,000. Institutional investors own 19.55% of the company’s stock.

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund Company Profile

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) is a closed-end management investment company sponsored by John Hancock Investment Management, a division of Manulife Investment Management. Since its inception in August 2004, the fund has sought to deliver total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. As a publicly traded fund, it offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of financial services companies that might otherwise require direct equity investments or specialized mandates.

The fund primarily invests in common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities issued by companies in the banking, insurance, brokerage and specialty finance sectors.