Franklin Resources Inc. Invests $283,000 in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 1,901 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $283,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 2.9% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 67,021 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $9,975,000 after acquiring an additional 1,886 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 39,926 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $5,941,000 after purchasing an additional 2,805 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares during the period. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,136,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,990 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,421,000 after purchasing an additional 14,590 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total value of $4,066,200.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 81,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,501,452.84. This represents a 19.77 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total value of $97,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at $3,206,280. The trade was a 2.94 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Shares of Willis Lease Finance stock opened at $207.55 on Thursday. 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 firm has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.71 and a beta of 1.09. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a one year low of $45.32 and a one year high of $235.43. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $202.91 and its 200-day moving average is $141.19.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is presently 7.09%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Willis Lease Finance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th.

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.