Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Declines By 58.2%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 95,600 shares, a decrease of 58.2% from the February 28th total of 228,600 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 474,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4,343.7% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,668,693 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $7,025,000 after purchasing an additional 1,631,141 shares in the last quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,545,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 85.7% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 781,455 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $3,290,000 after acquiring an additional 360,547 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the fourth quarter worth about $896,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $827,000.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIX traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $4.21. 175,552 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 430,767. The business’s fifty day moving average is $4.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.37. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a one year low of $4.15 and a one year high of $4.54.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be issued a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 24th. This represents a dividend yield of 13.8%.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. The fund is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited, and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe.