Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 686,000 shares, an increase of 44.2% from the February 13th total of 475,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 513,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Stock Performance

HIO opened at $4.06 on Friday. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 1-year low of $3.69 and a 1-year high of $4.15. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $3.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.98.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 24th will be paid a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a $0.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 24th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 531,334 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $2,152,000 after buying an additional 6,000 shares during the period. Pathstone Holdings LLC increased its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 32.2% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 2,965,491 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $12,011,000 after buying an additional 722,483 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 25.7% during the 3rd quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 28,404 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $115,000 after buying an additional 5,802 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $4,858,000. Finally, Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $41,000.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

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.