Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Reaches New 12-Month Low – What’s Next?

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $114.22 and last traded at $114.43, with a volume of 34096 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $119.76.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Willis Lease Finance from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Willis Lease Finance currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $783.95 million, a PE ratio of 6.84 and a beta of 1.10. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $131.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $139.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53, a quick ratio of 5.55 and a current ratio of 5.98.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The transportation company reported $3.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.34 by ($0.09). Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.77% and a return on equity of 21.75%. The company had revenue of $154.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $156.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Willis Lease Finance’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is presently 9.58%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 2,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.52, for a total transaction of $341,604.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 2,722 shares in the company, valued at approximately $344,387.44. This trade represents a 49.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders have sold a total of 12,200 shares of company stock valued at $1,657,187 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 53.85% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Willis Lease Finance

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 1,498.3% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 66,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $9,049,000 after buying an additional 61,878 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter worth $8,073,000. M3F Inc. raised its position in Willis Lease Finance by 6.9% in the third quarter. M3F Inc. now owns 606,026 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $83,080,000 after purchasing an additional 39,085 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at $5,542,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 357.4% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 40,289 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,752,000 after purchasing an additional 31,480 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

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.