Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,480,000 shares, a growth of 115.7% from the February 28th total of 686,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 531,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.8 days.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Shares of HIO stock traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $4.00. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 276,598 shares, compared to its average volume of 430,961. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a one year low of $3.69 and a one year high of $4.15. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $4.01 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.99.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th will be issued a $0.0355 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 24th. This represents a yield of 10.47%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,759,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 256.1% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 277,938 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,092,000 after buying an additional 199,893 shares in the last quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. increased its stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 1,255,712 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $4,935,000 after acquiring an additional 108,624 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,516,137 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $13,818,000 after acquiring an additional 105,435 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FCA Corp TX boosted its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. FCA Corp TX now owns 1,089,059 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $4,280,000 after acquiring an additional 80,751 shares during the last quarter.

About Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc is a closed ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.