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

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) was the target of a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 48,800 shares, an increase of 119.8% from the August 15th total of 22,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 74,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Price Performance

Shares of MUA traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $12.53. 67,880 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 80,952. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.38. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund has a 52 week low of $8.61 and a 52 week high of $12.61.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.0555 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $0.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.32%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock MuniAssets Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Robinson Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 23.0% during the 4th quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 306,212 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $3,281,000 after buying an additional 57,351 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 14.8% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 253,744 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $2,943,000 after purchasing an additional 32,744 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 87,149 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $923,000 after purchasing an additional 1,131 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $371,000. Finally, Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 11.1% in the 1st quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,045 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.38% of the company’s stock.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Company Profile

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It seeks to provide current income exempt from federal income taxes by investing primarily in a portfolio of medium-to-lower grade or unrated municipal obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxes.