Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Declines By 39.8%

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 86,234 shares, a drop of 39.8% from the January 15th total of 143,364 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 399,540 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 399,540 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of HIO traded up $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3.81. 401,326 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 437,781. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $3.75 and its 200-day moving average is $3.83. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a fifty-two week low of $3.36 and a fifty-two week high of $4.15.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 13.5% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 776,289 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $2,880,000 after buying an additional 92,096 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Oak Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 111.7% in the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 195,056 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $724,000 after purchasing an additional 102,915 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 14.6% in the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 57,443 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $213,000 after purchasing an additional 7,331 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 37.8% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 385,003 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,428,000 after purchasing an additional 105,685 shares during the last quarter.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

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.