Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Expands By 41.8%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 187,365 shares, a growth of 41.8% from the December 31st total of 132,093 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 293,122 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 293,122 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.6 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Fund II

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. GraniteShares Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,762,000. UBS Group AG grew its position in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 13.1% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,630,393 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $15,792,000 after buying an additional 420,852 shares during the period. NWF Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 69.6% in the third quarter. NWF Advisory Services Inc. now owns 417,800 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,817,000 after buying an additional 171,500 shares in the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 21.2% during the 3rd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 550,959 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $2,424,000 after acquiring an additional 96,521 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 69.9% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 209,123 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $910,000 after acquiring an additional 86,043 shares during the period.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Price Performance

Shares of HIX stock opened at $4.24 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4.24. 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 Announces Dividend

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

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.