Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 132,093 shares, a growth of 32.4% from the December 15th total of 99,773 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 637,417 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 637,417 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Up 1.1%

HIX opened at $4.24 on Friday. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 52-week low of $3.65 and a 52-week high of $4.42. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $4.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.25.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $0.049 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 13.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Comerica Bank boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 134.1% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 9,369 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 5,367 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 288.4% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,531 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 8,562 shares in the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the third quarter worth $56,000. Finally, Accredited Investor Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the second quarter valued at about $60,000.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Fund II (NYSE: HIX) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income by investing primarily in below-investment-grade debt instruments. The fund pursues a diversified portfolio of high-yield corporate bonds, senior loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and emerging-market debt, aiming to generate attractive yield while managing credit and interest rate risk.

The fund may employ leverage through borrowings and the issuance of preferred shares to enhance its income potential.