Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Short Interest Up 32.4% in December

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 132,093 shares, a growth of 32.4% from the December 15th total of 99,773 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 637,417 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 637,417 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

HIX stock opened at $4.24 on Tuesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $4.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.25. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 12 month low of $3.65 and a 12 month high of $4.42.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $0.049 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 13.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Comerica Bank increased its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 134.1% in the 1st quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 9,369 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 5,367 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II in the third quarter valued at about $45,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 288.4% in the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,531 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 8,562 shares during the last quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset High Income Fund II during the third quarter worth about $56,000. Finally, Accredited Investor Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the second quarter worth about $60,000.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

Western Asset High Income Fund II (NYSE: HIX) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide high current income by investing primarily in below-investment-grade debt instruments. The fund pursues a diversified portfolio of high-yield corporate bonds, senior loans, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, and emerging-market debt, aiming to generate attractive yield while managing credit and interest rate risk.

The fund may employ leverage through borrowings and the issuance of preferred shares to enhance its income potential.