Short Interest in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Decreases By 52.7%

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 71,219 shares, a decline of 52.7% from the December 31st total of 150,642 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 234,920 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 234,920 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE EMD opened at $10.93 on Thursday. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a fifty-two week low of $8.56 and a fifty-two week high of $11.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $10.72 and a 200-day moving average of $10.47.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a $0.095 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the third quarter valued at $116,000. Level Four Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 8.9% in the 2nd quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,615 shares of the company’s stock valued at $137,000 after acquiring an additional 1,115 shares in the last quarter. Gries Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at about $144,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 2nd quarter valued at about $153,000. Finally, Wedbush Securities Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 4.6% during the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 22,725 shares of the company’s stock worth $228,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. 33.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Company Profile

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (NYSE: EMD) is a closed-end management investment company launched in December 2004 and managed by Western Asset Management Company, a global fixed-income specialist. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in debt securities issued by sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate issuers in emerging markets. Its diversified approach combines top-down macroeconomic analysis with bottom-up credit research to identify attractive risk-adjusted opportunities across developing economies.

EMD’s portfolio spans a wide range of instruments, including sovereign government bonds, supranational obligations, corporate credits and other fixed-income securities.