Short Interest in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) Grows By 44.3%

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) saw a large growth in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 11,400 shares, a growth of 44.3% from the February 13th total of 7,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 52,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund stock traded up $0.01 on Monday, hitting $11.83. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 98,433 shares, compared to its average volume of 58,940. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund has a 52-week low of $11.38 and a 52-week high of $12.44. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $12.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.10.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 24th will be given a $0.095 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 24th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 14,167 shares of the company’s stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp lifted its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp now owns 73,857 shares of the company’s stock valued at $873,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 73,596 shares of the company’s stock valued at $870,000 after purchasing an additional 2,271 shares in the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 25.7% in the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,138 shares of the company’s stock valued at $179,000 after purchasing an additional 3,091 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elequin Capital LP acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $53,000.

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.