First Trust Advisors LP Purchases 393 Shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME)

First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE:BME) by 6.1% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,856 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 393 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP’s holdings in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust were worth $260,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BME. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $3,250,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its stake in BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 40.5% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 32,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,244,000 after acquiring an additional 9,455 shares during the period. Hara Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $832,000. Yakira Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $322,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust by 8.9% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 223,316 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,470,000 after acquiring an additional 18,213 shares in the last quarter.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of BME stock opened at $36.12 on Friday. BlackRock Health Sciences Trust has a 1-year low of $34.18 and a 1-year high of $42.64. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $38.85.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.2621 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.71%.

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.