Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Stock Price Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Willis Lease Finance's stock price has crossed above its 200-day moving average of $147.61, with a recent high of $151.03, although the shares last traded at $145.81.
• The company's latest earnings report showed an impressive EPS of $8.43, significantly exceeding analysts' expectations, with revenue of $195.50 million compared to an estimate of $134.00 million.
• Insider selling has occurred, with Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis selling 30,000 shares at an average price of $155.02, indicating a 3.04% decrease in his position and total transactions exceeding $4.6 million.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $147.61 and traded as high as $151.03. Willis Lease Finance shares last traded at $145.81, with a volume of 178,227 shares.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 5.55, a current ratio of 5.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.83 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $147.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $146.79.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The transportation company reported $8.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.57 by $5.86. The business had revenue of $195.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $134.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 21.75% and a net margin of 18.77%.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is currently 5.95%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,400 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.15, for a total value of $493,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 189,463 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,500,554.45. This represents a 1.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.02, for a total value of $4,650,600.00. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 957,046 shares of the company's stock, valued at $148,361,270.92. The trade was a 3.04% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 58,003 shares of company stock valued at $8,753,643. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 742.5% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 337 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 297 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. boosted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 22.5% during the second quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 365 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at $54,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth $109,000. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey boosted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 32.7% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 820 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $117,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other 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.