Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 81,200 shares, a growth of 9.3% from the August 31st total of 74,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 180,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EMD. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 18.9% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 719,729 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,629,000 after acquiring an additional 114,263 shares in the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its stake in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 41.6% during the fourth quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 16,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $147,000 after acquiring an additional 4,700 shares in the last quarter. PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. grew its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. now owns 419,136 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,860,000 after acquiring an additional 11,836 shares during the last quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the fourth quarter valued at about $48,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 510,119 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,698,000 after purchasing an additional 48,934 shares during the period. 33.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EMD remained flat at $10.18 during trading on Tuesday. The stock had a trading volume of 252,241 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,052. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a fifty-two week low of $7.85 and a fifty-two week high of $10.29. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.55.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be paid a $0.0845 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 24th. This represents a $1.01 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.96%.

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc is an open ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe.