Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 686,000 shares, a growth of 44.2% from the February 13th total of 475,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 513,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.3 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Shares of HIO traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $4.07. 335,269 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 426,818. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $3.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.98. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a twelve month low of $3.69 and a twelve month high of $4.15.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Monday, March 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.0355 per share. This represents a $0.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 24th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $82,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 32.1% during the fourth quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 16,247 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 3,951 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 106,700 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $419,000 after acquiring an additional 3,584 shares during the period. Choreo LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $58,000. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 531,334 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $2,152,000 after purchasing an additional 6,000 shares during the period.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

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