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 decrease in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 143,715 shares, a decrease of 47.5% from the August 31st total of 273,726 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 204,892 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Approximately 0.5% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC lifted its stake 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 worth $779,000 after purchasing an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 2.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 93,448 shares of the company’s stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 2,026 shares in the last quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA grew its position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 5.1% in the fourth quarter. Gould Asset Management LLC CA now owns 50,535 shares of the company’s stock valued at $537,000 after purchasing an additional 2,450 shares in the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its position in 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 lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 4.6% during the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 69,423 shares of the company’s stock worth $682,000 after buying an additional 3,050 shares in the last quarter. 33.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Trading Down 0.5%

EMD stock traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $9.31. The stock had a trading volume of 312,030 shares, compared to its average volume of 211,933. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a 52-week low of $9.20 and a 52-week high of $11.30. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $10.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.44.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 23rd were given a $0.0950 dividend. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.2%. This is a positive change from Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s previous monthly dividend of $0.0330. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 23rd.

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.