Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 67,200 shares, an increase of 51.7% from the February 13th total of 44,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 215,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.2% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Institutional Trading of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cercano Management LLC acquired a new position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the fourth quarter worth $11,364,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 85.6% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,461,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,061,000 after acquiring an additional 674,337 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,833,000. Pathstone Holdings LLC boosted its stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 2,431,764 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,415,000 after purchasing an additional 327,811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,122,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 33.05% of the company’s stock.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Price Performance

Shares of EMD stock traded up $0.04 on Friday, reaching $9.72. 170,411 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 197,901. The company has a 50-day moving average of $9.82 and a 200-day moving average of $9.89. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a one year low of $8.89 and a one year high of $10.33.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 24th will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. This is a positive change from Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s previous dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 24th.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Company Profile

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc is an open ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Management Company Limited and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe.