Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) Short Interest Down 74.1% in December

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,500 shares, a drop of 74.1% from the December 15th total of 21,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 62,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

HYI traded down $0.09 on Wednesday, reaching $15.15. The company had a trading volume of 56,782 shares, compared to its average volume of 50,905. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund has a 52-week low of $9.74 and a 52-week high of $16.46. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $15.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $14.58.

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 19th will be given a dividend of $0.0945 per share. This represents a $1.13 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.49%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 18th.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stifel Financial Corp boosted its stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 63.3% in the second quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 21,069 shares of the company’s stock worth $294,000 after buying an additional 8,165 shares in the last quarter. Rockbridge Investment Management LCC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund in the 2nd quarter worth $42,000. Camelot Portfolios LLC lifted its stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 10.6% in the third quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC now owns 150,791 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,116,000 after purchasing an additional 14,498 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 1.7% during the third quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 56,469 shares of the company’s stock valued at $792,000 after buying an additional 964 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 3.5% during the third quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 576,548 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,089,000 after buying an additional 19,272 shares during the last quarter.

About Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund 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 Pte. Ltd., Western Asset Management Company Ltd and Western Asset Management Company Limited.

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