Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) Short Interest Update

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HYI) saw a large decline in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,500 shares, a decline of 59.0% from the June 30th total of 25,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 70,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 6.8% during the first quarter. Prevail Innovative Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,637 shares of the company’s stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 1,321 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 498,754 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,965,000 after acquiring an additional 1,972 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 66,894 shares of the company’s stock worth $809,000 after purchasing an additional 2,160 shares during the last quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 8.1% in the first quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC now owns 33,175 shares of the company’s stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC raised its holdings in Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund by 27.6% during the first quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC now owns 15,695 shares of the company’s stock worth $188,000 after purchasing an additional 3,393 shares in the last quarter.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Stock Performance

NYSE:HYI opened at $11.74 on Friday. Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund has a 52 week low of $10.99 and a 52 week high of $12.24. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.79.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 23rd will be issued a $0.095 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 23rd. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.71%.

About Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund 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 Pte. Ltd., Western Asset Management Company Ltd and Western Asset Management Company Limited.