Apis Capital Advisors LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Willis Lease Finance Corporation $WLFC

Key Points

• Apis Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Willis Lease Finance Corporation by 112.9%, now holding 19,800 shares valued at approximately $3.13 million.
• Willis Lease Finance reported an impressive EPS of $8.43 for the last quarter, significantly surpassing analyst estimates of $2.57, with revenues of $195.50 million.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25, resulting in a yield of 0.7%, with a payout ratio of 5.95%.

Apis Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) by 112.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,800 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 10,500 shares during the period. Willis Lease Finance makes up about 1.5% of Apis Capital Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Apis Capital Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.26% of Willis Lease Finance worth $3,128,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in WLFC. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter valued at about $419,000. Invesco Ltd. purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $272,000. Barclays PLC lifted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 31.4% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 4,913 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,020,000 after purchasing an additional 1,175 shares during the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,202,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $216,000. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,400 shares of the 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 transaction, the chief executive officer owned 189,463 shares in the company, valued at $27,500,554.45. This trade represents a 1.76% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 9,142 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.13, for a total value of $1,372,488.46. Following the sale, the president directly owned 89,640 shares in the company, valued at $13,457,653.20. The trade was a 9.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 58,003 shares of company stock worth $8,753,643. Company insiders own 53.85% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Shares of Willis Lease Finance stock traded down $0.40 during trading on Friday, reaching $147.81. The company's stock had a trading volume of 16,009 shares, compared to its average volume of 74,831. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.80 and a beta of 1.14. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $97.54 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $145.29 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $150.97. The company has a current ratio of 5.98, a quick ratio of 5.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53.

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

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

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

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.