Short Interest in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) Increases By 55.6%

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 252,400 shares, a growth of 55.6% from the December 15th total of 162,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 201,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of DSU. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund during the 3rd quarter worth about $5,081,000. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 444,027 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,778,000 after acquiring an additional 3,439 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 4.7% in the third quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. now owns 159,611 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,761,000 after purchasing an additional 7,200 shares during the last quarter. Matrix Private Capital Group LLC lifted its position in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 8.2% in the second quarter. Matrix Private Capital Group LLC now owns 109,322 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,185,000 after purchasing an additional 8,318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 8.9% during the third quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 86,930 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $959,000 after purchasing an additional 7,072 shares during the last quarter. 24.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Stock Performance

Shares of DSU stock traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $10.69. The company had a trading volume of 291,031 shares, compared to its average volume of 236,186. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund has a 1-year low of $10.11 and a 1-year high of $11.40. The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.82 and a 200 day moving average of $10.88.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a $0.0987 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.09%.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Company Profile

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of companies' debt instruments, including corporate loans, which are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (BBB or lower by S&P's or Baa or lower by Moody's) or unrated debt instruments, which are in the judgment of the investment adviser of equivalent quality.