Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - What's Next?

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 downgraded Willis Lease Finance from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 4.1%

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $141.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $170.87. 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 company has a market capitalization of $1.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.91 and a beta of 1.05.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last issued 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). Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 19.69% and a net margin of 17.21%. The company had revenue of $157.73 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $149.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is currently 6.85%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 2,807 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.49, for a total transaction of $369,092.43. Following the transaction, the president now owns 110,948 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $14,588,552.52. This represents a 2.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.37, for a total value of $453,226.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 199,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,240,369.28. This represents a 1.70% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,600 shares of company stock valued at $4,491,200 over the last ninety days. 53.85% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% during 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 during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $897,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $312,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 205,266.7% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,161 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $973,000 after buying an additional 6,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 68.5% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,324 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $482,000 after buying an additional 945 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

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.