Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Shares Shorted: Short Interest Up 51.2% in September

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 157,224 shares, a growth of 51.2% from the August 31st total of 104,001 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 513,364 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in HIO. Sit Investment Associates Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 33.2% during the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 2,235,264 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $8,293,000 after acquiring an additional 556,840 shares in the last quarter. Rareview Capital LLC grew its stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 30.7% in the second quarter. Rareview Capital LLC now owns 903,653 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $3,597,000 after purchasing an additional 212,012 shares in the last quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 43.4% during the 1st quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC now owns 469,158 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,703,000 after buying an additional 141,927 shares during the last quarter. RFG Advisory LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 58.8% in the 1st quarter. RFG Advisory LLC now owns 287,063 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,042,000 after buying an additional 106,280 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FCA Corp TX raised its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 5.8% during the first quarter. FCA Corp TX now owns 1,206,739 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $4,380,000 after acquiring an additional 66,178 shares in the last quarter.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Trading Up 0.5%

NYSE HIO opened at $3.27 on Thursday. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 12 month low of $3.24 and a 12 month high of $3.89. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $3.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.58.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE:HIO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The closed-end fund reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 30th. Investors of record on Friday, November 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.0355 per share. This represents a $0.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 13.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 20th.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc is a closed-end investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HIO. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective, by investing primarily in fixed-income securities.

The fund generally focuses on below-investment-grade corporate bonds and other high-yield debt securities. Its portfolio may also include loans, emerging-market debt and other income-producing instruments, allowing it to invest across multiple sectors and geographic regions while emphasizing credit markets with higher income potential.

HIO is managed by Western Asset Management Company, a global fixed-income investment manager and a subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc Western Asset has roots dating to 1971 and manages portfolios for institutional and individual investors worldwide.