Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Invests $3.61 Million in Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of Air Lease Corporation (NYSE:AL - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 74,670 shares of the transportation company's stock, valued at approximately $3,607,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.07% of Air Lease at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Air Lease by 7.2% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,384,230 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $259,574,000 after buying an additional 362,585 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Air Lease by 19.7% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,353,803 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $162,492,000 after buying an additional 553,080 shares during the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Air Lease by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 2,577,931 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $124,282,000 after buying an additional 9,809 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in shares of Air Lease by 50.7% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 2,050,000 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $98,830,000 after buying an additional 690,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Reinhart Partners LLC. grew its stake in shares of Air Lease by 11.9% during the first quarter. Reinhart Partners LLC. now owns 1,773,830 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $85,694,000 after buying an additional 188,040 shares during the last quarter. 94.59% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Air Lease Trading Down 1.8%

NYSE:AL traded down $1.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $54.38. The stock had a trading volume of 348,536 shares, compared to its average volume of 840,250. Air Lease Corporation has a one year low of $38.25 and a one year high of $60.41. The company has a market capitalization of $6.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.51, a PEG ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $57.65 and a 200 day moving average of $50.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53.

Air Lease (NYSE:AL - Get Free Report) last announced its 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. The business had revenue of $738.28 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $709.70 million. Air Lease had a return on equity of 8.04% and a net margin of 24.77%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.87 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Air Lease Corporation will post 5.16 EPS for the current year.

Air Lease Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 4th were given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 4th. Air Lease's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.38%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on AL shares. Wall Street Zen raised Air Lease from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup raised Air Lease from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $45.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $67.00 price objective (up previously from $56.00) on shares of Air Lease in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $59.50.

Insider Transactions at Air Lease

In other news, EVP Grant A. Levy sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.85, for a total value of $568,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 146,316 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,318,064.60. This trade represents a 6.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 6.64% of the company's stock.

Air Lease Profile

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.