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

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 171,600 shares, a growth of 32.6% from the December 15th total of 129,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 468,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Fund II

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the third quarter worth about $11,520,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. raised its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 87.5% in the third quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 853,854 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $3,851,000 after buying an additional 398,413 shares during the period. Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 992.3% during the 3rd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 262,159 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,195,000 after buying an additional 238,159 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 481.4% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 156,979 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $708,000 after buying an additional 129,979 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 156,751 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $707,000 after acquiring an additional 8,000 shares during the period.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of HIX stock opened at $4.28 on Friday. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 52-week low of $4.15 and a 52-week high of $4.93. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.40.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 24th will be issued a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th.

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.