Short Interest in Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) Declines By 81.3%

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (NYSE:HIX) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 527,700 shares, a decrease of 81.3% from the February 29th total of 2,820,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 440,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.2 days.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset High Income Fund II

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UBS Group AG grew its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,516,846 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $11,225,000 after acquiring an additional 47,964 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 260,974 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,294,000 after buying an additional 11,947 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 247,316 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,197,000 after buying an additional 10,828 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its position in shares of Western Asset High Income Fund II by 253.7% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 233,477 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,151,000 after buying an additional 167,474 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Western Asset High Income Fund II by 107.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 216,889 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $968,000 after purchasing an additional 112,486 shares during the last quarter.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE HIX traded up $0.02 during trading on Thursday, reaching $4.47. The company had a trading volume of 414,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 456,698. Western Asset High Income Fund II has a 12-month low of $4.16 and a 12-month high of $5.07. The business’s 50-day moving average is $4.48 and its 200 day moving average is $4.57.

Western Asset High Income Fund II Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be issued a $0.049 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. This represents a $0.59 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.15%.

About Western Asset High Income Fund II

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