Update on Short Interest for BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT)

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BKT - Get Free Report) experienced a significant increase in short interest throughout December. By December 15th, short interest had risen to 44,000 shares, marking a remarkable growth of 105.6% compared to the 21,400 shares reported on November 30th. This surge indicates a notable change in market sentiment regarding the trust, as investors position themselves based on anticipated stock performance.

Current Trading Status

On Friday, the shares of NYSE:BKT saw a slight increase of 0.1%, closing at $11.47. During the trading session, 51,716 shares changed hands, slightly below the average trading volume of 62,669. The stock's performance has seen a one-year low of $11.06 and a high of $12.67. Additionally, the 50-day moving average stands at $11.85, while the 200-day moving average is at $12.08, showcasing a relatively stable trading pattern over the longer term.

Dividend Insight

Recently, BlackRock Income Trust announced a regular monthly dividend, which was paid on December 23rd. This dividend amounted to $0.0882 per share for shareholders who were on record as of December 16th. The ex-dividend date coincided with the record date, confirming that investors had to own the shares by that date to receive the dividend. This represents an annualized dividend of $1.06, providing a substantial yield of 9.23% to investors.

Institutional Investor Activity

Multiple institutional investors have adjusted their positions in BlackRock Income Trust. Among the recent changes, Canal Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in the second quarter, valued at $231,000, while Choreo LLC also entered with a new investment, worth approximately $233,000. Additionally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased their holdings by 4.2% in the third quarter, resulting in a total of 43,779 shares valued at $544,000 after acquiring 1,780 more shares. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans expanded its stake by 34.3% during the same period, now holding 66,493 shares worth $826,000. Lastly, Melfa Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake by 1.3%, bringing its total shares to 374,393, valued at $4,654,000. Currently, institutional investors possess about 39.43% of the total shares of BlackRock Income Trust.

About BlackRock Income Trust

BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. is a closed-end fixed-income mutual fund managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund primarily invests in the U.S. fixed income market, acquiring various securities from companies across different sectors, contributing to a diversified investment portfolio.

BlackRock, Income, Trust