BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 826,593 shares, a drop of 56.2% from the August 15th total of 1,885,194 shares. Approximately 1.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 369,065 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Stock Performance

NYSE MUA traded up $0.10 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $9.71. 339,228 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 163,590. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund has a 12-month low of $9.62 and a 12-month high of $11.70. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $10.54.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.0555 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 11th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.9%.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MUA. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund in the 1st quarter worth about $52,000. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new position in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the 1st quarter worth about $95,000. Readystate Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at about $121,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the second quarter valued at approximately $147,000. Finally, Arlington Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $178,000. 20.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Company Profile

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc (NYSE: MUA) is a closed-end management investment company managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund seeks to provide investors with current income that is exempt from regular federal income tax by investing primarily in municipal bonds and other tax-exempt municipal obligations.

The fund’s portfolio may include bonds issued by states, cities, counties, municipalities and other public entities across the United States. These securities generally finance public infrastructure and services, such as transportation, utilities, education, healthcare and housing.