Insider Selling: Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Insider Sells 554 Shares of Stock

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) insider Robert J. Keady sold 554 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.60, for a total transaction of $61,272.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,804 shares in the company, valued at $1,305,522.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Willis Lease Finance stock opened at $105.81 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $695.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 1.05. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $83.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $64.57. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a fifty-two week low of $39.50 and a fifty-two week high of $114.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.80.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The transportation company reported $6.21 EPS for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.16% and a return on equity of 19.51%. The business had revenue of $151.12 million during the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 11.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Willis Lease Finance from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,887 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 7.7% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,095,000 after purchasing an additional 1,575 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Willis Lease Finance by 0.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 104,869 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $5,204,000 after purchasing an additional 865 shares during the last quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 1st quarter valued at $114,000. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter valued at $69,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Willis Lease Finance

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.