Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Trading Up 6.7% – Here’s What Happened

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) was up 6.7% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $220.00 and last traded at $219.12. Approximately 32,485 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 35,474 shares. The stock had previously closed at $205.40.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut Willis Lease Finance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.23 and a beta of 1.11. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $207.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $151.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.50%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.09%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.19, for a total value of $1,000,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,955 shares in the company, valued at $15,005,241.45. The trade was a 6.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction of $97,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,206,280. The trade was a 2.94 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 25,500 shares of company stock worth $5,164,310 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 221.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,738 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $556,000 after acquiring an additional 2,576 shares in the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the third quarter worth $525,000. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth about $531,000. Finally, Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth about $4,136,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.