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

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 206,458 shares, an increase of 73.2% from the February 26th total of 119,224 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 474,834 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Kanen Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund in the first quarter worth about $1,448,000. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $139,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 807.2% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,721 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 10,429 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 8.2% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 77,992 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $310,000 after acquiring an additional 5,937 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MAI Capital Management raised its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 14.6% in the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 24,967 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 3,175 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Stock Down 1.3%

HIO stock traded down $0.05 on Friday, reaching $3.54. 356,792 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 416,646. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.78. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a one year low of $3.36 and a one year high of $4.05.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company 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. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.1%.

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.