Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 29,700 shares, an increase of 21.7% from the June 30th total of 24,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 379,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HIX. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 260,974 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,294,000 after acquiring an additional 11,947 shares during the last quarter. Significant Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the fourth quarter valued at $711,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the fourth quarter valued at $112,000. PFG Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the first quarter valued at $154,000. Finally, Hartline Investment Corp acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the first quarter worth about $48,000.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Performance

Shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II stock remained flat at $4.34 during trading on Tuesday. 525,127 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 416,295. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $4.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.45. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 1-year low of $4.16 and a 1-year high of $5.07.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.049 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 23rd. This represents a $0.59 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.55%.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

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.