BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc. (NYSE:MVT) Short Interest Down 21.6% in August

Key Points

• Short interest in BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc. (NYSE:MVT) declined by 21.6% in August, dropping from 23,600 shares to 18,500 shares.
• The company declared a monthly dividend of $0.054 per share, representing an annualized yield of 6.0%, payable on October 1st.
• Institutional ownership among various hedge funds has increased, with notable lifts in holdings from Moors & Cabot Inc. and Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc. (NYSE:MVT - Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 18,500 shares, a decline of 21.6% from the August 15th total of 23,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 56,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company's shares are sold short. Currently, 0.1% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 56,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MVT. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II during the first quarter worth $1,597,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II by 28.5% during the second quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 446,113 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $4,604,000 after purchasing an additional 98,890 shares during the period. Mackay Shields LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II during the first quarter worth $694,000. Karpus Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II by 19.5% during the second quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 398,165 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $4,109,000 after purchasing an additional 65,037 shares during the period. Finally, Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniVest Fund II by 69.4% during the first quarter. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors Inc. now owns 73,069 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $772,000 after purchasing an additional 29,947 shares during the period. 34.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund II Price Performance

Shares of MVT stock traded down $0.10 on Monday, hitting $10.76. The stock had a trading volume of 32,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 67,189. The stock's 50 day moving average is $10.28 and its 200-day moving average is $10.26. BlackRock MuniVest Fund II has a 52-week low of $9.71 and a 52-week high of $11.50.

BlackRock MuniVest Fund II Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.054 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th.

About BlackRock MuniVest Fund II

BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in long-term municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes. BlackRock MuniVest Fund II, Inc was formed on March 29, 1993 and is domiciled in United States.