Company Description
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. is a diversified, closed-end management investment company whose common shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol HIO. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek high current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective. It is part of the Western Asset fund family and is structured as an income-oriented closed-end fund rather than an operating company with products or services.
The Fund invests a majority of its net assets in high-yield corporate debt securities. Its portfolio may also include common stock equivalents, including options, warrants and rights. The investment record describes exposure across multiple corporate sectors, including energy, technology, utilities, industrials, communications, finance and capital goods, reflecting a diversified credit-oriented portfolio rather than a single-industry operating business.
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. It is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, LLC and Western Asset Management Company Limited, which are also indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources and affiliates of the investment manager. This adviser and sub-adviser structure places portfolio management within the Western Asset fixed income organization.
As a closed-end fund, HIO has a fixed common-share structure that trades in the public market, while fund-level disclosures also reference net asset value mechanics. The Fund has used issuer tender-offer activity for common stock, with repurchase pricing tied to per-share net asset value and untendered shares remaining outstanding. Governance disclosures for the Fund include annual stockholder meeting matters such as director elections and ratification of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm.
Stock Performance
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (HIO) stock last traded at $3.65, up 0.55% from the previous close. Over the past 12 months, the stock has lost 6.7%, ranking #1,486 in 52-week price change. At a market capitalization of $344.3M, HIO is classified as a small-cap stock with approximately 95.1M shares outstanding.
HIO Rankings
Latest News
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has 10 recent news articles. Of the recent coverage, 6 articles coincided with positive price movement and 3 with negative movement. View all HIO news →
SEC Filings
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 1 Form 3, 1 Form 4, 1 Form SCHEDULE 13G, 1 Form 424B3. The most recent filing was submitted on May 11, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all HIO SEC filings →
Insider Radar
Insider selling at Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund over the past 90 days can reflect routine portfolio management, scheduled trading plans (Rule 10b5-1), tax planning, or compensation-related dispositions rather than a directional view on the stock.
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events
Portfolio manager departure
Fiscal Year End
Annual stockholder meeting
2029 Annual Meeting
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund has 4 upcoming scheduled events. The next event, "Portfolio manager departure", is scheduled for September 30, 2026 (in 105 days). 1 of the upcoming events are financial in nature, such as earnings calls or quarterly results. Investors can track these dates to stay informed about potential catalysts that may affect the HIO stock price.
Short Interest History
Short interest in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (HIO) currently stands at 88.6 thousand shares, down 59.3% from the previous reporting period, representing 0.1% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has decreased by 74.1%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (HIO) currently stands at 1.0 days. This low days-to-cover ratio indicates high liquidity, allowing short sellers to quickly exit positions if needed. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 days.
HIO Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund (HIO) operates in the Asset Management industry within the broader Financial Services sector and is listed on the NYSE. Among dividend-paying stocks, HIO ranks #97 by dividend yield. In monthly performance, the stock ranks #2,329 among all tracked companies.
Investors comparing HIO often look at related companies in the same sector, including Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI), Western Asset High Income Fund II (HIX), First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund (FFA), Stellus Cap Invt Corp (SCM), and BlackRock MuniVest (MVF). Comparing financial metrics, valuation ratios, and stock performance across these peers can help investors evaluate HIO's relative position within its industry.