Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Short Interest Update

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) was the target of a large increase in short interest in 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. Approximately 7.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 46,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, 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. This represents a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total value of $4,066,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 81,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310 in the last ninety days. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WLFC. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth $146,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth $312,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,912,000 after acquiring an additional 9,326 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 48.0% in the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,663 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,628,000 after purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the period. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WLFC opened at $191.19 on Thursday. 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 has a 1 year low of $46.70 and a 1 year high of $235.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.26 billion, a PE ratio of 13.55 and a beta of 1.11. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $206.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $160.33.

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

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.52%. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is 7.09%.

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.