BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME) Short Interest Update

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 6,000 shares, an increase of 22.4% from the September 30th total of 4,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 28,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BME. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 22,036 shares of the company’s stock valued at $900,000 after acquiring an additional 1,649 shares during the period. Calamos Advisors LLC grew its position in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 46.4% during the 2nd quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 7,884 shares of the company’s stock worth $322,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 4.3% in the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 54,605 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,231,000 after purchasing an additional 2,240 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates increased its stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 7.0% in the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 44,877 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,833,000 after purchasing an additional 2,931 shares during the period. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 8.3% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 27,837 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,154,000 after buying an additional 2,122 shares during the last quarter.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Stock Performance

Shares of BME stock traded down $0.21 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.29. 45,251 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,774. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $41.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.83. BlackRock Health Sciences Trust has a 12-month low of $35.92 and a 12-month high of $42.86.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.213 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.34%.

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.