BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT) Short Interest Up 12.3% in January

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 49,400 shares, a growth of 12.3% from the December 31st total of 44,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 61,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days.

BlackRock Income Trust Stock Performance

Shares of BlackRock Income Trust stock traded down $0.10 during trading on Monday, reaching $11.53. The stock had a trading volume of 238,080 shares, compared to its average volume of 61,775. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $11.67 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.02. BlackRock Income Trust has a 52 week low of $11.06 and a 52 week high of $12.67.

BlackRock Income Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th were given a $0.0882 dividend. This represents a $1.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.18%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 15th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock Income Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKT. International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock Income Trust in the 3rd quarter worth about $13,380,000. Raymond James & Associates increased its holdings in BlackRock Income Trust by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 414,630 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,154,000 after purchasing an additional 19,061 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its holdings in BlackRock Income Trust by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 66,493 shares of the company’s stock worth $826,000 after purchasing an additional 17,000 shares in the last quarter. BDF Gestion purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Income Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $67,000. Finally, Melfa Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Income Trust by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. now owns 374,393 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,654,000 after buying an additional 4,896 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

BlackRock Income Trust Company Profile

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests in securities of companies that operate across diversified sectors. It invests in securities such as U.S.