Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC Purchases 2,236 Shares of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Key Points

• Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC increased its stake in Willis Lease Finance Corporation by 25.5% during the first quarter, now owning 11,000 shares valued at approximately $1.74 million.
• Willis Lease Finance reported $2.21 earnings per share, falling short of the consensus estimate of $4.41, and had revenue of $157.73 million, surpassing analyst expectations.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, representing an annualized dividend yield of 0.70%, with a payout ratio of 6.85%.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC grew its stake in Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) by 25.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,000 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,236 shares during the quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.14% of Willis Lease Finance worth $1,738,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of WLFC. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 27.4% in the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 298 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $104,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 780.8% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 687 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $143,000 after acquiring an additional 609 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rangeley Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter valued at $208,000. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.01, for a total value of $483,034.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 196,181 shares of the company's stock, valued at $27,467,301.81. This represents a 1.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 7,295 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.16, for a total transaction of $1,058,942.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 100,760 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,626,321.60. This trade represents a 6.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 39,895 shares of company stock valued at $5,488,698 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

NASDAQ WLFC traded down $0.01 on Monday, reaching $143.54. 54,830 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 78,105. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $139.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $160.02. The firm has a market cap of $1.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.83 and a beta of 1.04. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $84.28 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 2.17.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The transportation company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.41 by ($2.20). The firm had revenue of $157.73 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $149.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 17.21% and a return on equity of 19.69%.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.85%.

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.