Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Increases By 61.7%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 29th, there was short interest totaling 210,438 shares, a growth of 61.7% from the May 14th total of 130,107 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 402,183 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:HIX traded up $0.03 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $3.99. The stock had a trading volume of 29,801 shares, compared to its average volume of 346,894. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 52 week low of $3.75 and a 52 week high of $4.40. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $3.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.07.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 24th will be given a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 24th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 14.8%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HIX. Arax Advisory Partners bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Comerica Bank raised its position 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 during the last quarter. Williams Jones Wealth Management LLC. bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. One Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

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.