Two Sigma Investments LP Takes $1.84 Million Position in Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL)

Two Sigma Investments LP purchased a new stake in Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 38,067 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $1,835,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AL. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in Air Lease in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Air Lease during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Engine Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Air Lease in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position in Air Lease by 5,245.0% in the fourth quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 1,069 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 1,049 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in Air Lease by 1,506.8% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,189 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 1,115 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.59% of the company's stock.

Air Lease Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AL traded down $0.67 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $56.74. The company's stock had a trading volume of 859,984 shares, compared to its average volume of 784,874. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $49.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $48.43. Air Lease Co. has a one year low of $38.25 and a one year high of $59.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.33.

Air Lease (NYSE:AL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The transportation company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.27. Air Lease had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 8.01%. The company had revenue of $738.28 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $709.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.87 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Air Lease Co. will post 5.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Air Lease Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 4th will be given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 4th. Air Lease's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.38%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on AL shares. Bank of America downgraded shares of Air Lease from a "buy" rating to an "underperform" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $72.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Air Lease from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Air Lease from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Air Lease from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $45.00 to $68.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, UBS Group set a $50.00 price target on shares of Air Lease in a report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $57.43.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Grant A. Levy sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.85, for a total transaction of $568,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 146,316 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,318,064.60. This represents a 6.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 6.64% of the company's stock.

About Air Lease

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.