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

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 92,757 shares, a growth of 30.2% from the January 15th total of 71,219 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 278,249 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 278,249 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Performance

EMD stock opened at $11.28 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $10.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.56. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a 52-week low of $8.56 and a 52-week high of $11.29.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.095 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 10.1%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EMD. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 92,651 shares of the company’s stock worth $916,000 after acquiring an additional 1,464 shares during the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 26,542 shares of the company’s stock worth $267,000 after purchasing an additional 1,033 shares in the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC grew its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 74,881 shares of the company’s stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 3,568 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 32,766 shares of the company’s stock valued at $329,000 after buying an additional 1,750 shares during the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 16.9% during the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 114,513 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,151,000 after buying an additional 16,587 shares in the last quarter. 33.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (NYSE: EMD) is a closed-end management investment company launched in December 2004 and managed by Western Asset Management Company, a global fixed-income specialist. The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income by investing primarily in debt securities issued by sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate issuers in emerging markets. Its diversified approach combines top-down macroeconomic analysis with bottom-up credit research to identify attractive risk-adjusted opportunities across developing economies.

EMD’s portfolio spans a wide range of instruments, including sovereign government bonds, supranational obligations, corporate credits and other fixed-income securities.