Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Shares Gap Down on Disappointing Earnings

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $156.24, but opened at $127.50. Willis Lease Finance shares last traded at $134.26, with a volume of 9,480 shares.

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 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%. The business had revenue of $157.73 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $149.00 million.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,539 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.90, for a total value of $263,015.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 69,296 shares in the company, valued at $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 available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.14, for a total transaction of $704,283.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 158,034 shares in the company, valued at $32,261,060.76. The trade was a 2.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,465 shares of company stock worth $2,439,074 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Barclays PLC raised its position in Willis Lease Finance by 221.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,738 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $556,000 after purchasing an additional 2,576 shares during the last quarter. Lakewood Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth about $227,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 32.5% in the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 2,778 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $577,000 after acquiring an additional 681 shares during the period. Precision Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $257,000. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $297,000. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company's stock.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Up 2.6 %

The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $155.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $184.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market cap of $1.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.90 and a beta of 1.13.

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.