Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 25,500 shares, a decline of 16.9% from the May 15th total of 30,700 shares. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.2 days.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, insider Hans Jorg Hunziker sold 789 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.32, for a total transaction of $38,913.48. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 24,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,193,790.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 2,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.43, for a total transaction of $110,946.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 110,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,580,230.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Hans Jorg Hunziker sold 789 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.32, for a total value of $38,913.48. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 24,205 shares in the company, valued at $1,193,790.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 49,300 shares of company stock worth $3,087,841. Company insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 104,869 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,204,000 after buying an additional 865 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,095,000 after buying an additional 1,575 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 14.0% during 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 last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at $225,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Shares of WLFC opened at $59.86 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.76. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $58.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.68. Willis Lease Finance has a 52 week low of $38.29 and a 52 week high of $67.50. The stock has a market cap of $393.28 million, a P/E ratio of 6.90 and a beta of 1.08.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The transportation company reported $3.00 EPS for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 13.77% and a net margin of 13.45%. The firm had revenue of $119.08 million for the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 30th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 30th.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on WLFC. StockNews.com raised Willis Lease Finance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. TheStreet cut Willis Lease Finance from a “c-” rating to a “d” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th.

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.