Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD) Trading 0.5% Higher – Still a Buy?

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD)’s stock price traded up 0.5% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $7.25 and last traded at $7.2250. 92,049 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 6% from the average session volume of 98,089 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.19.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Down 0.2%

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $7.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.45.

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 1.6% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 452,466 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,176,000 after purchasing an additional 7,294 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 61.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 18,440 shares of the company’s stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 6,990 shares during the period. Independent Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the first quarter worth $166,000. Calamos Advisors LLC boosted its position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 13.5% during the first quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 62,632 shares of the company’s stock worth $440,000 after purchasing an additional 7,455 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new position in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the first quarter worth $28,000.

About Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE:MSD) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. The fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign and corporate debt securities issued by governments and corporations in emerging market countries.

MSD’s investment strategy emphasizes diversification across regions, sectors and issuers. The fund’s portfolio managers use fundamental credit analysis to identify opportunities in markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.