Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO) saw a large decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 321,500 shares, adecreaseof28.7% from the July 31st total of 450,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 272,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days. Based on an average trading volume of 272,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

In other news, Director Peter Daniel Charles Mason acquired 10,000 shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 14th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $4.02 per share, for a total transaction of $40,200.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 10,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $40,200. This trade represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Accredited Investor Services LLC purchased a new position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the first quarter valued at $44,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 807.2% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 11,721 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 10,429 shares during the period. Elequin Capital LP purchased a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp bought a new stake in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $69,000.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund stock traded up $0.02 during trading on Monday, reaching $3.96. The company had a trading volume of 155,481 shares, compared to its average volume of 405,435. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has a 12-month low of $3.36 and a 12-month high of $4.15. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $3.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.92.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.0355 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 10.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 24th.

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.