Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase - Here's Why

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 117,956 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 152% from the previous session's volume of 46,716 shares.The stock last traded at $144.76 and had previously closed at $143.96.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

The business's fifty day moving average price is $141.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $172.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a PE ratio of 9.53 and a beta of 1.05.

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

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is 6.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.37, for a total transaction of $453,226.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 199,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,240,369.28. This trade represents a 1.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,026 shares of Willis Lease Finance 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 79,270 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,625,315. This represents a 5.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 39,165 shares of company stock worth $5,681,512 over the last ninety days. 53.85% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WLFC. M3F Inc. raised its position in Willis Lease Finance by 6.0% during the first quarter. M3F Inc. now owns 534,261 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $84,397,000 after purchasing an additional 30,032 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 142,100 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $29,493,000 after buying an additional 19,078 shares in the last quarter. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 23.6% during the 1st quarter. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC now owns 96,900 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $15,307,000 after buying an additional 18,519 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 50,634.3% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 17,757 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $2,805,000 after buying an additional 17,722 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 511,472 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $106,154,000 after buying an additional 17,500 shares in the last quarter. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Lease Finance Company Profile

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.