Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Short Interest Down 81.3% in March

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 527,700 shares, a decline of 81.3% from the February 29th total of 2,820,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 440,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

Shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II stock traded up $0.03 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $4.45. 268,682 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 455,305. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 1-year low of $4.16 and a 1-year high of $5.07. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $4.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.58.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.049 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 22nd. This represents a $0.59 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 13.23%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 106,576 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $642,000 after purchasing an additional 3,445 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 69,904 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $345,000 after purchasing an additional 3,629 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 183,499 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,105,000 after purchasing an additional 3,937 shares during the period. Sage Capital Advisors llc grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Sage Capital Advisors llc now owns 79,430 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 4,520 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 111,100 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $669,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares during the period.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Company Profile

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. The fund is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited, and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets across the globe.