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

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

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Performance

Shares of HIX stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $4.21. The company had a trading volume of 175,552 shares, compared to its average volume of 430,767. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $4.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $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 Announces Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4,343.7% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,668,693 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $7,025,000 after acquiring an additional 1,631,141 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 12.2% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 968,678 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $4,078,000 after purchasing an additional 105,401 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 85.7% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 781,455 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $3,290,000 after purchasing an additional 360,547 shares during the period. 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. Finally, Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 268,264 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,129,000 after purchasing an additional 6,105 shares during the period.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Company Profile

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.