UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Takes $897,000 Position in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 4,321 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $897,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned about 0.07% of Willis Lease Finance as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bleakley Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter valued at about $297,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 34,628 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $7,187,000 after purchasing an additional 1,620 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 7,073 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,468,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $208,000. Finally, Navellier & Associates Inc. grew its position in Willis Lease Finance by 95.2% during the 4th quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 6,890 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,430,000 after purchasing an additional 3,361 shares during the last quarter. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

WLFC traded down $3.30 on Friday, reaching $142.41. 88,631 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 45,884. 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 company's 50-day moving average price is $140.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $175.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a PE ratio of 10.09 and a beta of 1.06. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a fifty-two week low of $58.63 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43.

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

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is 6.85%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 8,750 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.07, for a total value of $1,208,112.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 998,296 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $137,834,728.72. The trade was a 0.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total transaction of $544,479.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 206,644 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,612,556.08. This trade represents a 1.64% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 39,165 shares of company stock valued at $5,681,512. Company insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Willis Lease Finance from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd.

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.