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

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 107,600 shares, an increase of 50.3% from the September 30th total of 71,600 shares. Currently, 4.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 32,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.4 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,187 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.17, for a total transaction of $126,023.79. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 96,589 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,254,854.13. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 534 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.84, for a total transaction of $59,722.56. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 13,424 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,501,340.16. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,187 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.17, for a total transaction of $126,023.79. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 96,589 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,254,854.13. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 38,903 shares of company stock worth $4,123,692 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 1st quarter worth approximately $114,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $146,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Performance

Willis Lease Finance stock opened at $184.91 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $138.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Willis Lease Finance has a 1-year low of $41.53 and a 1-year high of $214.90. The stock has a market cap of $1.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.37 and a beta of 1.09.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 firm had revenue of $151.12 million for the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.54%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.77%.

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.