Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV Buys Shares of 3,020 Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 3,020 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $627,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Barclays PLC lifted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 221.7% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,738 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $556,000 after acquiring an additional 2,576 shares during the last quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth about $227,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 32.5% in the 4th quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 2,778 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 681 shares during the last quarter. Precision Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter valued at about $257,000. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth about $297,000. 93.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,539 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.90, for a total value of $263,015.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 69,296 shares in the company, valued at $11,842,686.40. The trade was a 2.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $544,479.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 206,644 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,612,556.08. This represents a 1.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,465 shares of company stock worth $2,439,074. Corporate insiders own 53.85% of the company's stock.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 1.0%

WLFC stock traded down $1.40 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $144.34. 73,124 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 36,123. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $153.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $184.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.23 and a beta of 1.13. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 52-week low of $58.63 and a 52-week high of $235.43.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The transportation company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.41 by ($2.20). Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%. The company had revenue of $157.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is presently 6.85%.

Willis Lease Finance 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.