Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Stock Price Down 5.7% – Here’s Why

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)’s share price was down 5.7% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $204.10 and last traded at $204.10. Approximately 10,951 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 23,071 shares. The stock had previously closed at $216.45.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Willis Lease Finance Trading Down 3.0 %

The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $195.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $128.14. The firm has a market cap of $1.39 billion, a PE ratio of 14.88 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is currently 7.09%.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 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 filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total transaction of $4,066,200.00. Following the sale, the president now owns 81,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. The trade was a 19.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth $525,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings 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 valued at $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares in the last quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter valued at $4,136,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings 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 worth $2,628,000 after buying an additional 5,731 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth about $312,000. 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.