Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Rises By 148.5%

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 119,224 shares, an increase of 148.5% from the February 12th total of 47,986 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 327,627 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 327,627 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Stock Down 0.4%

HIO traded down $0.02 on Friday, reaching $3.66. The stock had a trading volume of 492,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 425,087. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $3.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.80. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 12-month low of $3.36 and a 12-month high of $4.11.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. MAI Capital Management raised its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 24,967 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $99,000 after buying an additional 3,175 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 98,413 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $365,000 after acquiring an additional 3,341 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 20,295 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 3,486 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 398,939 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,480,000 after acquiring an additional 4,559 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in 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 acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the period.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Company Profile

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.