Short Interest in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Grows By 60.1%

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 148,459 shares, an increase of 60.1% from the January 29th total of 92,757 shares. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 242,142 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 242,142 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.6 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. lifted its holdings in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 32.0% in the 4th quarter. Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management inc. now owns 26,400 shares of the company’s stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 6,400 shares in the last quarter. Evolve Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the fourth quarter worth about $124,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its holdings in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 16.4% in the 4th quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 448,049 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,763,000 after acquiring an additional 63,113 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 49,295 shares of the company’s stock worth $524,000 after purchasing an additional 2,494 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Equitable Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $118,000. 33.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of EMD traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $11.02. 229,728 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 245,060. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a 1-year low of $8.56 and a 1-year high of $11.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.92 and a 200-day moving average of $10.61.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.095 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.3%.

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (NYSE: EMD) is a closed-end management investment company launched in December 2004 and managed by Western Asset Management Company, a global fixed-income specialist. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in debt securities issued by sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate issuers in emerging markets. Its diversified approach combines top-down macroeconomic analysis with bottom-up credit research to identify attractive risk-adjusted opportunities across developing economies.

EMD’s portfolio spans a wide range of instruments, including sovereign government bonds, supranational obligations, corporate credits and other fixed-income securities.