Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Hits New 1-Year High – What’s Next?

Shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $214.90 and last traded at $208.98, with a volume of 12674 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $202.95.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Willis Lease Finance from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 3.2 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 1.09. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $128.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $87.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The transportation company reported $6.21 EPS for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.16% and a return on equity of 19.51%. The company had revenue of $151.12 million during the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is 7.77%.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.22, for a total value of $190,261.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 93,213 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,180,723.86. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.22, for a total value of $190,261.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 93,213 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,180,723.86. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,314 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.84, for a total transaction of $139,073.76. Following the sale, the president now owns 99,587 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,540,288.08. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 38,903 shares of company stock worth $4,123,692. Company insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth approximately $146,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the second quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth approximately $312,000. 93.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Willis Lease Finance

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.