John Hancock Income Securities Trust Reports Higher September Short Positions

John Hancock Income Securities Trust had 38,045 shares sold short as of Sept. 30, a 229.7% increase from 11,539 on Sept. 15. The shorted amount equaled about 0.3% of shares, with 4.5 days needed to cover at average volume. The trust's shares edged up to $10.16, and it raised its quarterly payout to $0.1546, for a 6.1% annualized yield.

As of Sept. 30, JHS short interest reached 38,045 shares, up from 11,539 two weeks earlier. That represented roughly 0.3% of outstanding shares, with 4.5 days to cover at an average daily volume of 8,549 shares.

The closed-end investment company's stock changed hands at $10.16 after a $0.04 increase. It declared a quarterly distribution of $0.1546, up from $0.1535, equal to $0.62 annualized and a 6.1% yield. Several institutions adjusted stakes, including Susquehanna and Petra.