Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Short Interest Up 32.6% in January

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 171,600 shares, a growth of 32.6% from the December 31st total of 129,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 468,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Performance

Shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Thursday, reaching $4.26. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 403,282 shares, compared to its average volume of 409,957. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $4.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $4.39. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a one year low of $4.15 and a one year high of $4.64.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, January 27th will be given a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th. This represents a yield of 13.64%.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Fund II

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 3rd quarter worth about $11,520,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 87.5% during the 3rd quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 853,854 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $3,851,000 after buying an additional 398,413 shares during the period. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 4th quarter worth about $1,545,000. Shaker Financial Services LLC grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 992.3% in the 3rd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 262,159 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,195,000 after purchasing an additional 238,159 shares during the period. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 481.4% in the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 156,979 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $708,000 after purchasing an additional 129,979 shares during the period.

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.