Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:DMO) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:DMO) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 13,760 shares, a growth of 21.8% from the January 15th total of 11,297 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 81,354 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 81,354 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DMO. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 230,453 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,752,000 after acquiring an additional 8,793 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 17.9% during the second quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 38,143 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $455,000 after purchasing an additional 5,800 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 13.7% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 251,590 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,783,000 after purchasing an additional 30,402 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 2.7% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 388,487 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $4,592,000 after purchasing an additional 10,116 shares during the period. Finally, Journey Strategic Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 78.7% during the 3rd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 23,850 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 10,500 shares in the last quarter.

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of DMO stock traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $11.41. The stock had a trading volume of 24,251 shares, compared to its average volume of 73,844. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.59. Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund has a twelve month low of $10.81 and a twelve month high of $12.15.

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 12.6%.

About Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc (NYSE: DMO) is a closed‐end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income, with capital preservation as a secondary objective. The fund pursues these goals by allocating its assets among a diversified portfolio of mortgage‐related securities.

The fund’s core investments include agency and non‐agency residential mortgage‐backed securities (MBS), commercial mortgage‐backed securities (CMBS) and asset‐backed securities (ABS) secured by pools of auto loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans and other consumer debt obligations.