Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Rises By 127.1%

Posted by Brian Himes on Jul 29th, 2026

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO – Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 219,943 shares, an increase of 127.1% from the June 30th total of 96,833 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 289,382 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.8 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 84.7% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,900 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Oak Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth $40,000. One Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth $43,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 807.2% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,721 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 10,429 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund in the third quarter valued at $47,000.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of HIO traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $3.48. The stock had a trading volume of 555,423 shares, compared to its average volume of 369,724. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 52-week low of $3.48 and a 52-week high of $4.05. The business’s fifty day moving average is $3.62 and its 200 day moving average is $3.67.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 24th will be issued a $0.0355 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 12.2%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 24th.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (NYSE: HIO) is a diversified closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in high-yield and other fixed-income securities. The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of Franklin Templeton, and may include below-investment-grade corporate debt, emerging-market sovereign and corporate bonds, bank loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities.