Short Interest in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) Expands By 460.9%

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) saw a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 35,900 shares, a growth of 460.9% from the January 15th total of 6,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 58,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HYI. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $8,392,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 73,596 shares of the company’s stock valued at $870,000 after buying an additional 2,271 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 151.3% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 12,580 shares of the company’s stock valued at $149,000 after purchasing an additional 7,574 shares in the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 25.7% during the fourth quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,138 shares of the company’s stock valued at $179,000 after acquiring an additional 3,091 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp raised its position in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp now owns 73,857 shares of the company’s stock valued at $873,000 after buying an additional 1,221 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Stock Performance

Shares of HYI stock opened at $12.03 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $12.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.09. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund has a fifty-two week low of $11.38 and a fifty-two week high of $12.44.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, January 27th were paid a $0.095 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 24th. This represents a dividend yield of 9.46%.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Company Profile

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund 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 Pte. Ltd., Western Asset Management Company Ltd and Western Asset Management Company Limited.