Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Downgraded by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report released on Wednesday morning.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 0.3 %

WLFC stock opened at $109.84 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $81.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $63.22. The company has a market cap of $722.75 million, a P/E ratio of 12.65 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.80. Willis Lease Finance has a fifty-two week low of $39.50 and a fifty-two week high of $112.88.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its earnings results 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 company had revenue of $151.12 million for the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is presently 11.52%.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.04, for a total value of $1,981,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 948,533 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $62,641,119.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,225 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.08, for a total transaction of $112,798.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 27,905 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,569,492.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.04, for a total transaction of $1,981,200.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 948,533 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,641,119.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 44,294 shares of company stock valued at $3,164,316. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 14.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,887 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.