BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT) Short Interest Up 165.3% in February

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 118,600 shares, a growth of 165.3% from the January 31st total of 44,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 69,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.7 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Income Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock Income Trust during the third quarter worth about $13,380,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its stake in shares of BlackRock Income Trust by 34.3% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 66,493 shares of the company’s stock valued at $826,000 after acquiring an additional 17,000 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Income Trust by 19.3% during the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,641 shares of the company’s stock worth $157,000 after acquiring an additional 2,206 shares during the period. BDF Gestion acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock Income Trust in the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,000. Finally, Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. grew its holdings in BlackRock Income Trust by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. now owns 24,457 shares of the company’s stock valued at $282,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

BlackRock Income Trust Price Performance

NYSE:BKT traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $11.79. The stock had a trading volume of 59,459 shares, compared to its average volume of 64,338. BlackRock Income Trust has a 12-month low of $11.06 and a 12-month high of $12.67. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $11.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.97.

BlackRock Income Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.0882 per share. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th.

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.