Navellier & Associates Inc. Makes New Investment in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 3,529 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $525,000. Navellier & Associates Inc. owned about 0.05% of Willis Lease Finance at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the second quarter valued at about $44,000. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $146,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $312,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 3,258 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.41, for a total value of $356,457.78. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 89,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,841,976.55. This represents a 3.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,314 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.84, for a total transaction of $139,073.76. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 99,587 shares in the company, valued at $10,540,288.08. This represents a 1.30 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 47,860 shares of company stock valued at $7,575,964 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 3.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ WLFC opened at $199.14 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $171.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $111.41. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 52 week low of $44.07 and a 52 week high of $235.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.11 and a beta of 1.06.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.09%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com cut Willis Lease Finance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report 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.