Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Shares Up 4.7%

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)’s stock price rose 4.7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $146.00 and last traded at $145.30. Approximately 12,071 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 16,273 shares. The stock had previously closed at $138.76.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Willis Lease Finance Trading Up 6.8 %

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $105.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $75.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95. The stock has a market cap of $973.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.99 and a beta of 1.07.

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

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is currently 11.52%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 8,670 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.17, for a total value of $946,503.90. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 933,380 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $101,897,094.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Willis Lease Finance news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,378 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.66, for a total value of $146,977.48. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 7,119 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $759,312.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 8,670 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.17, for a total value of $946,503.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 933,380 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $101,897,094.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 38,903 shares of company stock valued at $4,123,692. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,095,000 after buying an additional 1,575 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 6.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,732 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,367,000 after purchasing an additional 1,187 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at $69,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 104,869 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $5,204,000 after buying an additional 865 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.