Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) Holdings Boosted by Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc.

Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) by 9.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,643 shares of the transportation company's stock after buying an additional 2,867 shares during the period. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. owned 0.49% of Willis Lease Finance worth $5,157,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WLFC. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 11.8% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 18,770 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,896,000 after buying an additional 1,988 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,188 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,813,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 14.9% during the fourth quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 20,295 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,212,000 after buying an additional 2,632 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,204,000. Finally, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,819,000. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WLFC traded down $1.19 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $135.84. 191,160 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 55,891. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $67.58 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.61. The firm has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of 9.30 and a beta of 1.04. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $140.15 and a 200-day simple moving average of $166.52.

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

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 paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is presently 6.85%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 7,295 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the president owned 100,760 shares in the company, valued at $14,626,321.60. This trade represents a 6.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 11,250 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.95, for a total transaction of $1,529,437.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman owned 987,046 shares in the company, valued at approximately $134,188,903.70. This trade represents a 1.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 39,895 shares of company stock worth $5,488,698 over the last quarter. 53.85% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.