BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (NYSE:BST) Short Interest Up 135.8% in January

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (NYSE:BST) saw a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 78,300 shares, a growth of 135.8% from the January 15th total of 33,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 128,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BST. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust by 3.4% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 31,058 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,098,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $244,000. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust by 77.8% in the 3rd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 46,823 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,659,000 after acquiring an additional 20,491 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its stake in shares of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust by 10.8% in the third quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 8,342 shares of the company’s stock worth $296,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the period. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust during the second quarter worth $326,000.

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust Price Performance

Shares of BST opened at $38.90 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $37.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $36.26. BlackRock Science and Technology Trust has a 1-year low of $31.38 and a 1-year high of $39.59.

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust Dividend Announcement

The company 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 $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.71%.

About BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests directly and indirectly through derivative such as options in public equity markets of countries across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across the science and technology sector.