Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) Short Interest Up 9.3% in September

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (NYSE:EMD) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totalling 81,200 shares, an increase of 9.3% from the August 31st total of 74,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 180,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Price Performance

Shares of EMD remained flat at $10.18 during trading hours on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 252,241 shares, compared to its average volume of 201,052. Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a one year low of $7.85 and a one year high of $10.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $9.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.55.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.0845 per share. This represents a $1.01 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EMD. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the second quarter worth $28,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 1,221.9% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,772 shares of the company’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 4,411 shares in the last quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the fourth quarter valued at about $48,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the first quarter valued at about $96,000. Finally, Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund in the fourth quarter worth about $104,000. 33.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund

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.