Short Interest in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) Rises By 43.5%

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 14,178 shares, an increase of 43.5% from the March 31st total of 9,881 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 16,678 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 8.1% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 24,075 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $255,000 after buying an additional 1,800 shares during the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 979,214 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $10,801,000 after buying an additional 49,505 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 11.9% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 117,609 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $1,297,000 after buying an additional 12,518 shares during the last quarter. Smith Asset Management Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 10.5% during the fourth quarter. Smith Asset Management Co. LLC now owns 14,963 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $165,000 after buying an additional 1,426 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 24.6% during the fourth quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 268,770 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $2,965,000 after buying an additional 53,119 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of WEA traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $10.68. 55,966 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 34,235. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $10.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.98. Western Asset Premier Bond Fund has a 12 month low of $10.30 and a 12 month high of $11.44.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.9%.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Company Profile

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Inc (NYSE: WEA) is a publicly traded closed-end management investment company that primarily seeks to provide a high level of current income. The fund achieves this objective through a diversified portfolio of fixed-income instruments, including government and corporate debt, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and other income-producing debt obligations. By investing across various sectors and credit qualities, the fund aims to balance income generation with risk management.

The fund’s investment strategy emphasizes active security selection and broad diversification.