Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) saw a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 204,300 shares, a growth of 46.6% from the September 15th total of 139,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 339,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days. Based on an average trading volume of 339,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE HIX opened at $4.26 on Thursday. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 52 week low of $3.65 and a 52 week high of $4.54. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $4.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.23.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.049 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 13.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 24th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIX. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 210,655 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $881,000 after acquiring an additional 17,684 shares in the last quarter. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 231.5% during the 1st quarter. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. now owns 65,345 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 45,636 shares in the last quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 37.5% during the 1st quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC now owns 504,744 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $2,110,000 after acquiring an additional 137,644 shares in the last quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Melfa Wealth Management Inc. now owns 135,946 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $568,000 after acquiring an additional 17,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gries Financial LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the 1st quarter worth approximately $95,000.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

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.