Short Interest in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) Expands By 21.7%

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 21,570 shares, an increase of 21.7% from the January 15th total of 17,719 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 42,579 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 42,579 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $207,000. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund in the 2nd quarter worth about $132,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $990,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 76,584 shares of the company’s stock valued at $917,000 after purchasing an additional 1,825 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Icon Advisers Inc. Co. increased its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 59.1% during the 2nd quarter. Icon Advisers Inc. Co. now owns 664,463 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,960,000 after purchasing an additional 246,846 shares in the last quarter.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Shares of HYI stock traded up $0.04 on Wednesday, reaching $11.25. 11,873 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 42,755. The company has a 50-day moving average of $11.13 and a 200-day moving average of $11.44. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund has a one year low of $10.87 and a one year high of $12.21.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $0.095 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Company Profile

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund, Inc (NYSE: HYI) is a diversified closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with a high level of current income and the potential for capital appreciation. Organized under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in below-investment-grade fixed income securities, including high yield corporate debt, convertible bonds and other credit instruments. Its portfolio may also include unrated debt securities that the adviser deems to be of comparable quality.

Under normal market conditions, the fund allocates at least 80% of its managed assets to high yield securities issued by U.S.