Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) Short Interest Down 50.7% in July

Blackrock Income Trust (NYSE:BKT) saw a large decrease in short interest in July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 52,944 shares, a decrease of 50.7% from the July 15th total of 107,421 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 97,875 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKT. Rock Point Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Blackrock Income Trust by 171.3% during the 4th quarter. Rock Point Advisors LLC now owns 250,023 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,760,000 after buying an additional 157,850 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in Blackrock Income Trust by 231.6% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 181,020 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,913,000 after acquiring an additional 126,426 shares during the period. Sit Investment Associates Inc. grew its position in Blackrock Income Trust by 9.4% in the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 5,050,211 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,754,000 after acquiring an additional 435,016 shares during the period. Rareview Capital LLC raised its stake in Blackrock Income Trust by 394.6% during the fourth quarter. Rareview Capital LLC now owns 132,356 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,555,000 after acquiring an additional 105,594 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its stake in Blackrock Income Trust by 4.4% during the first quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 43,420 shares of the company’s stock worth $459,000 after acquiring an additional 1,830 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 39.43% of the company’s stock.

Blackrock Income Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BKT traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $10.45. 74,782 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 113,056. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $10.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.67. Blackrock Income Trust has a 12 month low of $10.16 and a 12 month high of $11.86.

Blackrock Income Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be paid a $0.0882 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 15th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.1%.

Blackrock Income Trust Company Profile

BlackRock Income Trust (NYSE: BKT) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company sponsored by BlackRock, Inc The fund seeks to provide current income through investments in a broad array of fixed-income securities. Its holdings typically include high-yield corporate bonds, investment-grade corporate debt, government and agency obligations and securitized products such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities.

The trust employs active portfolio management, aiming to capitalize on credit opportunities across global and domestic markets.