Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 482,007 shares, a growth of 94.3% from the July 15th total of 248,069 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 361,662 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

Western Asset High Income Fund II stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $3.94. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 214,551 shares, compared to its average volume of 341,060. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a fifty-two week low of $3.75 and a fifty-two week high of $4.40. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $3.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.01.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 30th. Investors of record on Friday, November 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.049 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 20th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 14.9%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Arax Advisory Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Comerica Bank increased its stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 134.1% in the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 9,369 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 5,367 shares in the last quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the fourth quarter worth $42,000. One Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the fourth quarter worth $43,000. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the third quarter valued at $45,000.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Fund II (NYSE: HIX) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income by investing primarily in below-investment-grade debt instruments. The fund pursues a diversified portfolio of high-yield corporate bonds, senior loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and emerging-market debt, aiming to generate attractive yield while managing credit and interest rate risk.

The fund may employ leverage through borrowings and the issuance of preferred shares to enhance its income potential.