BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short interest plunged 92.9% to 58,845 shares as of September 15, representing just 0.1% of MUA’s outstanding shares and a short-interest ratio of 0.1 days.
• Institutional investors increased their positions, led by RiverNorth Capital Management, which raised its stake by 177.9%; institutions collectively own 20.38% of the fund.
• MUA traded at $9.50 and recently declared a monthly dividend of $0.0555 per share, equal to approximately $0.67 annually and a 7.0% yield.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUA - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 58,845 shares, a decline of 92.9% from the August 31st total of 826,593 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 402,335 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUA. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 177.9% in the second quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC now owns 868,104 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $9,451,000 after purchasing an additional 555,694 shares in the last quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 42.0% during the second quarter. Robinson Capital Management LLC now owns 183,406 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $2,008,000 after purchasing an additional 54,283 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 27.0% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 428,231 shares of the investment management company's stock valued at $4,715,000 after purchasing an additional 90,992 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund by 89.2% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 171,937 shares of the investment management company's stock worth $1,824,000 after purchasing an additional 81,069 shares during the period. Finally, Absolute Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock MuniAssets Fund in the first quarter worth about $1,349,000. Institutional investors own 20.38% of the company's stock.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Price Performance

NYSE MUA traded down $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $9.50. The stock had a trading volume of 616,633 shares, compared to its average volume of 370,804. The company's 50-day moving average is $10.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.48. BlackRock MuniAssets Fund has a one year low of $9.43 and a one year high of $11.34.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 11th will be issued a $0.0555 dividend. This represents a $0.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 11th.

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund Company Profile

BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc NYSE: MUA is a closed-end management investment company managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund seeks to provide investors with current income that is exempt from regular federal income tax by investing primarily in municipal bonds and other tax-exempt municipal obligations.

The fund's portfolio may include bonds issued by states, cities, counties, municipalities and other public entities across the United States. These securities generally finance public infrastructure and services, such as transportation, utilities, education, healthcare and housing.

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