Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE:WEA) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 15,800 shares, a growth of 71.7% from the December 15th total of 9,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 32,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 24,200 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $254,000 after purchasing an additional 2,592 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $294,000. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $354,000. Invictus Private Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 11.4% during the third quarter. Invictus Private Wealth LLC now owns 48,818 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $551,000 after acquiring an additional 5,009 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in Western Asset Premier Bond Fund by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 57,726 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $651,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund stock traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $11.00. The stock had a trading volume of 28,924 shares, compared to its average volume of 29,825. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $10.93 and its 200 day moving average is $10.98. Western Asset Premier Bond Fund has a twelve month low of $10.40 and a twelve month high of $11.34.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.64%.

About Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Western Asset Management Company. The fund is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd., and Western Asset Management Company Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.