BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE:DSU) Short Interest Up 243.5% in May

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

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DSU traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $10.46. 177,349 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 212,651. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $10.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.55. BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund has a 12-month low of $8.72 and a 12-month high of $11.19.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were given a dividend of $0.0987 per share. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DSU. Truist Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 7.0% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 73,692 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $793,000 after purchasing an additional 4,797 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 17.5% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 248,135 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,670,000 after buying an additional 36,960 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 26.2% during the fourth quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 26,030 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $280,000 after acquiring an additional 5,405 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund by 6.9% during the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 520,058 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $5,596,000 after acquiring an additional 33,639 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,635,000. 24.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund Company Profile

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.