Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) Short Interest Up 357.0% in July

Key Points

• Willis Lease Finance Corporation experienced a substantial increase in short interest in July, rising by 357.0% to a total of 365,600 shares, representing approximately 12.7% of the company's shares shorted.
• The company reported earnings of $2.21 per share for the last quarter, significantly missing analysts' expectations of $4.41, although revenue exceeded estimates at $157.73 million.
• Insider transactions included Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis selling 11,250 shares for over $1.5 million and CEO Austin Chandler Willis selling 3,450 shares for approximately $483,000.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 365,600 shares, anincreaseof357.0% from the June 30th total of 80,000 shares. Approximately12.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 119,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 119,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.1 days. Approximately12.7% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 11,250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the chairman owned 987,046 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $134,188,903.70. The trade was a 1.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.01, for a total transaction of $483,034.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 196,181 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $27,467,301.81. The trade was a 1.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 39,895 shares of company stock worth $5,488,698 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 53.85% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 27.4% in the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 298 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth $104,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% in the fourth 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. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 780.8% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 687 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $143,000 after buying an additional 609 shares during the period. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth about $208,000. 93.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

WLFC stock opened at $135.00 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $140.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $158.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 2.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.25 and a beta of 1.13. Willis Lease Finance has a 52-week low of $85.05 and a 52-week high of $235.43.

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

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th will be paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is 6.85%.

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.

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