Quantbot Technologies LP Takes $433,000 Position 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) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,741 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $433,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $133,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth about $897,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth about $312,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 205,266.7% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,161 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $973,000 after acquiring an additional 6,158 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 68.5% during 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 during the period. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Willis Lease Finance Trading Down 0.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:WLFC traded down $1.32 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $148.68. The company had a trading volume of 39,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 65,784. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53, a quick ratio of 5.55 and a current ratio of 5.98. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a 1-year low of $97.54 and a 1-year high of $235.43. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.84 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $144.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $152.29.

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, beating 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 business had revenue of $195.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $134.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of the firm's 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 sale, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 9,142 shares of the firm's 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 sale, the president owned 89,640 shares of the company's stock, 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 ninety days, insiders sold 75,353 shares of company stock worth $11,059,005. 53.85% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.