Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Declines By 12.4%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 150,300 shares, a decline of 12.4% from the December 31st total of 171,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 475,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Stock Performance

NYSE HIX opened at $4.28 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $4.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.39. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 1 year low of $4.15 and a 1 year high of $4.64.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, January 27th will be given a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 24th. This represents a dividend yield of 13.64%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II during the third quarter worth about $11,520,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 87.5% in the 3rd 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 purchasing an additional 398,413 shares during the last quarter. Absolute Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,545,000. Shaker Financial Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 992.3% during the third quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 262,159 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $1,195,000 after purchasing an additional 238,159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 481.4% during the third quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 156,979 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $708,000 after purchasing an additional 129,979 shares during the period.

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.