BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) Short Interest Up 55.6% in December

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 252,400 shares, an increase of 55.6% from the December 15th total of 162,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 201,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DSU. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 52,254 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 1,802 shares in the last quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 41,585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $447,000 after purchasing an additional 3,549 shares during the period. Monterey Private Wealth Inc. purchased a new stake in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund during the 4th quarter worth about $161,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund in the 4th quarter worth about $109,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund during the 4th quarter valued at about $194,000. 24.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Price Performance

NYSE DSU traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $10.68. 927,854 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 296,432. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund has a 12-month low of $10.11 and a 12-month high of $11.40. The business has a 50 day moving average of $10.82 and a 200-day moving average of $10.88.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0987 per share. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.10%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 15th.

About BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of companies' debt instruments, including corporate loans, which are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (BBB or lower by S&P's or Baa or lower by Moody's) or unrated debt instruments, which are in the judgment of the investment adviser of equivalent quality.