Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 150,704 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 271% from the previous session's volume of 40,595 shares.The stock last traded at $142.62 and had previously closed at $135.29.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Separately, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Willis Lease Finance from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd.
Read Our Latest Report on WLFC
Willis Lease Finance Price Performance
The firm has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a PE ratio of 10.31 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $140.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $177.08.
Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The transportation company reported $2.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.41 by ($2.20). The firm had revenue of $157.73 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.56% and a return on equity of 20.62%.
Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is currently 6.85%.
Insider Activity
In related news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,026 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.50, for a total transaction of $927,297.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 79,270 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,625,315. This trade represents a 5.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 11,250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.95, for a total transaction of $1,529,437.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 987,046 shares in the company, valued at $134,188,903.70. This represents a 1.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 39,165 shares of company stock valued at $5,681,512. Insiders own 53.85% of the company's stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in Willis Lease Finance by 27.4% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 298 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,622 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $337,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 5,783 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% in the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,188 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $4,813,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. 93.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Willis Lease Finance
(
Get Free Report)
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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