Caxton Associates LLP Takes $758,000 Position in Willis Lease Finance Corporation $WLFC

Key Points

• Caxton Associates LLP acquired 4,801 shares of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, making a new investment worth approximately $758,000 during the first quarter.
• Willis Lease Finance reported significantly strong earnings of $8.43 per share, exceeding analysts' expectations and marking a substantial revenue of $195.5 million for the quarter.
• Insider sales included Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis selling 30,000 shares and CEO Austin Chandler Willis selling 3,400 shares, indicating a decrease in ownership for both executives.

Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,801 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $758,000. Caxton Associates LLP owned approximately 0.06% of Willis Lease Finance at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of WLFC. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter worth approximately $897,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter worth about $312,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 205,266.7% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,161 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $973,000 after buying an additional 6,158 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 68.5% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,324 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $482,000 after acquiring an additional 945 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,400 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.15, for a total transaction of $493,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 189,463 shares in the company, valued at $27,500,554.45. This represents a 1.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.02, for a total transaction of $4,650,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 957,046 shares in the company, valued at $148,361,270.92. This represents a 3.04% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 58,003 shares of company stock valued at $8,753,643. Company insiders own 53.85% of the company's stock.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

WLFC stock traded down $3.06 during trading on Friday, hitting $147.80. 27,437 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 43,839. The company has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.79 and a beta of 1.14. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a 1 year low of $112.22 and a 1 year high of $235.43. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $146.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $149.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53, a current ratio of 5.98 and a quick ratio of 5.55.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The transportation company reported $8.43 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.57 by $5.86. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 21.75% and a net margin of 18.77%.The firm had revenue of $195.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $134.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is 5.95%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

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.