Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Increases By 61.7%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 29th, there was short interest totaling 210,438 shares, an increase of 61.7% from the May 14th total of 130,107 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 402,183 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

Shares of HIX stock traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $3.99. The stock had a trading volume of 29,801 shares, compared to its average volume of 346,894. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $3.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.07. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a one year low of $3.75 and a one year high of $4.40.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 24th will be given a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 24th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.8%.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Fund II

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS Group AG lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,906,673 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $16,252,000 after acquiring an additional 276,280 shares during the period. GraniteShares Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,762,000. United Asset Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter worth approximately $70,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 60,686 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 2,718 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors bought a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 4th quarter worth approximately $418,000.

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.