Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Trading 5.3% Higher – Time to Buy?

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)’s share price rose 5.3% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $207.12 and last traded at $207.00. Approximately 6,345 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 23,117 shares. The stock had previously closed at $196.51.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of 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 company has a market capitalization of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.94 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $198.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.14.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.51%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.09%.

Insider Activity

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

Institutional Trading of Willis Lease Finance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Navellier & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth $525,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,912,000 after acquiring an additional 9,326 shares in the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth about $4,136,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its position in Willis Lease Finance by 48.0% in the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,663 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,628,000 after acquiring an additional 5,731 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,990 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,421,000 after purchasing an additional 14,590 shares during the last quarter. 93.70% of the stock is 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.