Short Interest in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME) Increases By 102.7%

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 15,000 shares, an increase of 102.7% from the December 31st total of 7,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 56,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BME. AlphaStar Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $878,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 40.5% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 32,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,244,000 after buying an additional 9,455 shares during the period. Fountainhead AM LLC purchased a new stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $204,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its position in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 42.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 85,565 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,588,000 after acquiring an additional 25,457 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp grew its position in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp now owns 42,574 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,785,000 after acquiring an additional 2,853 shares in the last quarter.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE BME traded down $0.19 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.44. 17,746 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 63,264. BlackRock Health Sciences Trust has a 12-month low of $36.87 and a 12-month high of $42.75. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $38.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $40.49.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.2621 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $3.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.78%.

About BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating in the health sciences and related sectors, which include businesses involved in researching, developing, producing, distributing or delivering medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, supplies, equipment, or services.