BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 166,600 shares, a growth of 243.5% from the April 30th total of 48,500 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 249,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 9.9% in the first quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,127 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. now owns 161,011 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,737,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 34,008 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $366,000 after buying an additional 1,513 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 60,075 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 1,624 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its holdings in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 52,254 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $562,000 after purchasing an additional 1,802 shares in the last quarter. 24.29% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Stock Down 0.2%

NYSE DSU traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.50. 196,469 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 212,650. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $10.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.54. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund has a 52 week low of $8.72 and a 52 week high of $11.19.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a $0.0987 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.28%.

About BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of companies' debt instruments, including corporate loans, which are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (BBB or lower by S&P's or Baa or lower by Moody's) or unrated debt instruments, which are in the judgment of the investment adviser of equivalent quality.