Short Interest in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF) Grows By 57.0%

Posted by Brenda Bartman on Jun 16th, 2026

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF – Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 29th, there was short interest totaling 129,686 shares, an increase of 57.0% from the May 14th total of 82,586 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 42,864 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of HPF traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $15.91. 9,508 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 38,195. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $15.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.98. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a 12 month low of $15.06 and a 12 month high of $17.13.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.1235 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 11th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.3%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HPF. Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the 1st quarter worth $66,000. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the fourth quarter worth about $180,000. Readystate Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the third quarter valued at about $195,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the fourth quarter valued at about $322,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 4.0% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 20,178 shares of the company’s stock valued at $319,000 after acquiring an additional 770 shares in the last quarter.

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE: HPF) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the fund primarily invests in preferred securities issued by U.S. and, to a lesser extent, international issuers. Its diversified portfolio may include investment-grade and below-investment-grade preferred stocks, corporate debt securities, convertible securities and, when deemed appropriate, common equity.

Launched in June 2006, HPF employs leverage through preferred share borrowings and other forms of financing to enhance income potential.