Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase – What’s Next?

Shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 117,956 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 152% from the previous session’s volume of 46,716 shares.The stock last traded at $144.76 and had previously closed at $143.96.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Willis Lease Finance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.16 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $140.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is $173.97.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The transportation company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.41 by ($2.20). The business had revenue of $157.73 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $149.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.85%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $544,479.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 206,644 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $32,612,556.08. This trade represents a 1.64% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 11,250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.95, for a total transaction of $1,529,437.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 987,046 shares in the company, valued at approximately $134,188,903.70. This represents a 1.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 39,165 shares of company stock worth $5,681,512. Company insiders own 53.85% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $312,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $897,000. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 68.5% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,324 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $482,000 after purchasing an additional 945 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $208,000. 93.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Lease Finance Company Profile

Willis Lease Finance Corporation operates as a lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft and aircraft engines worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Leasing and Related Operations, and Spare Parts Sales. The Leasing and Related Operations segment engages in acquiring and leasing commercial aircraft, aircraft engines, and other aircraft equipment, as well as the purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment, and other related businesses.