Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Shares Shorted: Short Interest Down 47.5% in September

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 143,715 shares, a drop of 47.5% from the August 31st total of 273,726 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 204,892 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Down 1.6%

EMD traded down $0.15 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $9.37. 332,265 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 211,398. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $10.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.44. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a 1 year low of $9.28 and a 1 year high of $11.30.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.0950 per share. This is a boost from Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s previous monthly dividend of $0.0330. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 23rd. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.2%.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EMD. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC lifted its holdings in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC now owns 79,335 shares of the company’s stock valued at $779,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 93,448 shares of the company’s stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 2,026 shares during the last quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 5.1% during the fourth quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA now owns 50,535 shares of the company’s stock worth $537,000 after buying an additional 2,450 shares in the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 23.3% during the first quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 14,157 shares of the company’s stock worth $139,000 after buying an additional 2,673 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 4.6% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 69,423 shares of the company’s stock valued at $682,000 after buying an additional 3,050 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 33.05% of the company’s stock.

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc (NYSE: EMD) is a closed-end investment company that seeks to provide investors with high current income and opportunities for total return through capital appreciation. The fund is managed by Western Asset Management Company, LLC, an investment manager specializing in fixed-income strategies.

The fund invests primarily in debt securities issued by governments, government-related entities and companies in emerging-market countries. Its portfolio may include sovereign and corporate bonds, loans and other fixed-income instruments denominated in both local currencies and major foreign currencies.