Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:DMO) Short Interest Up 39.9% in February

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:DMO) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 19,253 shares, an increase of 39.9% from the January 29th total of 13,760 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 65,171 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 65,171 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 391,231 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $4,327,000 after acquiring an additional 14,948 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 35,897 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $397,000 after purchasing an additional 1,097 shares during the last quarter. Marex Group plc bought a new position in shares of Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund during the fourth quarter worth about $189,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 13.7% in the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 251,590 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,783,000 after purchasing an additional 30,402 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aviance Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 40,548 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 1,489 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE DMO opened at $11.33 on Monday. Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund has a 1 year low of $10.81 and a 1 year high of $12.15. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $11.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.56.

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st.

About Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc (NYSE: DMO) is a closed‐end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income, with capital preservation as a secondary objective. The fund pursues these goals by allocating its assets among a diversified portfolio of mortgage‐related securities.

The fund’s core investments include agency and non‐agency residential mortgage‐backed securities (MBS), commercial mortgage‐backed securities (CMBS) and asset‐backed securities (ABS) secured by pools of auto loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans and other consumer debt obligations.