Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 86,234 shares, a decline of 39.8% from the January 15th total of 143,364 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 399,540 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 399,540 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

NYSE HIO traded up $0.03 on Friday, hitting $3.81. 401,326 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 437,781. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a twelve month low of $3.36 and a twelve month high of $4.15. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $3.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.83.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 504.8% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 7,584 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 6,330 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 84.7% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,900 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Laurel Oak Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $40,000. One Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 807.2% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,721 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 10,429 shares during the period.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (NYSE: HIO) is a diversified closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in high-yield and other fixed-income securities. The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of Franklin Templeton, and may include below-investment-grade corporate debt, emerging-market sovereign and corporate bonds, bank loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities.