Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Rises By 135.0%

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 134,900 shares, a growth of 135.0% from the May 31st total of 57,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 392,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HIO. Weiss Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $50,000. Cetera Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $63,000. CTC Alternative Strategies Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter valued at $90,000. Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter worth $99,000. Finally, Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 15.9% in the 4th quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 28,990 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $112,000 after acquiring an additional 3,967 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Stock Performance

HIO traded up $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $3.81. The stock had a trading volume of 542,484 shares, compared to its average volume of 352,324. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 1-year low of $3.52 and a 1-year high of $4.03. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $3.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.86.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.036 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 24th. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.34%. This is a boost from Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund’s previous monthly dividend of $0.04.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Company Profile

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