Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Short Interest Up 64.5% in August

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 143,762 shares, an increase of 64.5% from the July 30th total of 87,388 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 337,865 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Shares of HIO opened at $3.48 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $3.57 and its 200-day moving average is $3.63. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a fifty-two week low of $3.46 and a fifty-two week high of $4.05.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE:HIO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 20th. The closed-end fund reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.0355 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 20th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HIO. Laurel Oak Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 84.7% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,900 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. One Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 807.2% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,721 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 10,429 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $47,000.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (NYSE: HIO) is a diversified closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in high-yield and other fixed-income securities. The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of Franklin Templeton, and may include below-investment-grade corporate debt, emerging-market sovereign and corporate bonds, bank loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities.