Short Interest in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) Increases By 45.7%

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 102,000 shares, a growth of 45.7% from the February 28th total of 70,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 241,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DSU. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. increased its holdings in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. now owns 161,011 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,737,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. raised its position in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 34,008 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $366,000 after acquiring an additional 1,513 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its stake in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 52,254 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $562,000 after acquiring an additional 1,802 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 78,849 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $848,000 after purchasing an additional 1,981 shares during the period. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 444,027 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,778,000 after purchasing an additional 3,439 shares in the last quarter. 24.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Stock Performance

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund stock traded down $0.06 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $10.47. 538,167 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 193,725. The business has a fifty day moving average of $10.64 and a 200 day moving average of $10.80. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund has a 1-year low of $10.11 and a 1-year high of $11.19.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.0987 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.32%.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Company Profile

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of companies' debt instruments, including corporate loans, which are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (BBB or lower by S&P's or Baa or lower by Moody's) or unrated debt instruments, which are in the judgment of the investment adviser of equivalent quality.