Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 857,500 shares, an increase of 724.5% from the December 15th total of 104,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 450,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,516,137 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $13,818,000 after purchasing an additional 105,435 shares in the last quarter. Encompass More Asset Management acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $62,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 12.3% during the 3rd quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 256,468 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,038,000 after acquiring an additional 28,060 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $4,858,000.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

HIO remained flat at $3.93 during midday trading on Monday. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 254,714 shares, compared to its average volume of 538,670. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.95. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 52 week low of $3.69 and a 52 week high of $4.07.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be paid a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc is a closed ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.