Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase - Should You Buy?

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 55,059 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 24% from the previous session's volume of 44,553 shares.The stock last traded at $146.33 and had previously closed at $144.37.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a PE ratio of 10.33 and a beta of 1.06. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $140.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $175.95.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%. The business had revenue of $157.73 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.69%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.85%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 11,250 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.95, for a total value of $1,529,437.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 987,046 shares in the company, valued at $134,188,903.70. The trade was a 1.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,026 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 24th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $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 90 days. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 643 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $133,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter valued at $312,000. Deutsche Bank AG raised its position in Willis Lease Finance by 68.5% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,324 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $482,000 after purchasing an additional 945 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth $897,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth $208,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.