Short Interest in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Grows By 36.9%

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 166,300 shares, an increase of 36.9% from the December 31st total of 121,500 shares. Currently, 7.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 46,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction 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 $3,206,280. This represents a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total transaction of $4,066,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 81,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 25,500 shares of company stock worth $5,164,310. 57.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Willis Lease Finance

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WLFC. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at $16,268,000. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,136,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% in 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 period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% in the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 48.0% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,663 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,628,000 after purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of WLFC opened at $193.92 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $205.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $161.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.11. Willis Lease Finance has a 1-year low of $46.70 and a 1-year high of $235.43.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The transportation company reported $3.37 earnings per share for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.56% and a return on equity of 20.62%. The business had revenue of $146.22 million for the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.09%.

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.