StockNews.com Downgrades Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) to Hold

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

NASDAQ WLFC traded up $36.95 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $217.79. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 112,024 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,886. 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 business has a 50-day simple moving average of $148.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $99.34. Willis Lease Finance has a 52 week low of $42.61 and a 52 week high of $220.16. The stock has a market cap of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 15.44 and a beta of 1.06.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 2,528 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.08, for a total value of $230,250.24. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 22,478 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,047,296.24. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 2,528 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.08, for a total transaction of $230,250.24. Following the sale, the insider now owns 22,478 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,047,296.24. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,187 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.17, for a total value of $126,023.79. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 96,589 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,254,854.13. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 38,903 shares of company stock valued at $4,123,692 over the last quarter. Insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth approximately $312,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 6.4% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,732 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,367,000 after purchasing an additional 1,187 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 7.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,095,000 after purchasing an additional 1,575 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter worth approximately $69,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position 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 worth $242,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

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.