BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 25,800 shares, a growth of 83.0% from the February 28th total of 14,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 130,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Mariner LLC grew its stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 32.8% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 1,110,045 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $12,255,000 after purchasing an additional 273,870 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund in the 4th quarter worth about $2,457,000. Keybank National Association OH lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 14.2% during the fourth quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 1,004,022 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $11,084,000 after purchasing an additional 124,464 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 10.1% during the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,152,278 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $12,721,000 after purchasing an additional 106,107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,003,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.38% of the company’s stock.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Price Performance

Shares of MUA stock traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $10.74. The company had a trading volume of 91,531 shares, compared to its average volume of 94,967. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund has a twelve month low of $10.64 and a twelve month high of $12.69. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $10.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.55.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.0555 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. This represents a $0.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.20%.

About BlackRock MuniAssets Fund

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It seeks to provide current income exempt from federal income taxes by investing primarily in a portfolio of medium-to-lower grade or unrated municipal obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income taxes.