Quantbot Technologies LP Makes New $433,000 Investment in Willis Lease Finance Corporation $WLFC

Key Points

• Quantbot Technologies LP has invested approximately $433,000 in Willis Lease Finance Corporation by purchasing 2,741 shares in the first quarter.
• Notable increases in positions by other institutional investors include JPMorgan Chase & Co. raising its stake by 147.9% in the fourth quarter, now holding shares worth $890,000.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 0.7%.

Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,741 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $433,000.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 152,536 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $24,096,000 after acquiring an additional 10,436 shares during the last quarter. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 23.6% in the 1st quarter. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC now owns 96,900 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $15,307,000 after acquiring an additional 18,519 shares during the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 32,643 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $5,157,000 after acquiring an additional 2,867 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 5.9% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 30,118 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $6,251,000 after acquiring an additional 1,687 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Palisades Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Palisades Investment Partners LLC now owns 21,224 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,353,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 approximately $148,361,270.92. This trade represents a 3.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 9,142 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.13, for a total value of $1,372,488.46. Following the transaction, the president owned 89,640 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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. Insiders have sold 71,903 shares of company stock worth $10,605,778 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:WLFC traded down $1.32 during trading on Monday, hitting $148.68. 39,113 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 64,046. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a 52 week low of $97.54 and a 52 week high of $235.43. The company has a current ratio of 5.98, a quick ratio of 5.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53. The company has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.84 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $145.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $151.39.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The transportation company reported $8.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $195.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $134.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th were issued 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 was Tuesday, August 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is 5.95%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.