Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Here's Why

Shares of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 58,335 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 18% from the previous session's volume of 49,523 shares.The stock last traded at $140.22 and had previously closed at $139.08.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 1.7%

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.35 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95. The firm's fifty day moving average is $141.00 and its 200-day moving average is $172.14.

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 analysts' consensus estimates of $4.41 by ($2.20). The firm had revenue of $157.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $149.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 17.21% and a return on equity of 19.69%.

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 paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is currently 6.85%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,539 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.90, for a total value of $263,015.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 69,296 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,842,686.40. This trade represents a 2.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $544,479.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 206,644 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,612,556.08. The trade was a 1.64% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,139 shares of company stock worth $4,754,215. Insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Willis Lease Finance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 7,073 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $1,468,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth about $208,000. Navellier & Associates Inc. grew its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 95.2% in the fourth quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 6,890 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,430,000 after acquiring an additional 3,361 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 18,770 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $3,896,000 after acquiring an additional 1,988 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of 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 worth $4,813,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

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.

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