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

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 194,600 shares, an increase of 20.0% from the January 15th total of 162,200 shares. Currently, 8.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 41,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.7 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total value of $97,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,206,280. This represents a 2.94 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at $146,000. Empowered Funds LLC boosted 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 worth $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake 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 worth $2,628,000 after purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the third quarter worth about $525,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,990 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,421,000 after purchasing an additional 14,590 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Up 1.7 %

Willis Lease Finance stock traded up $3.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $195.84. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 16,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,497. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $203.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $169.44. 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 12 month low of $46.70 and a 12 month high of $235.43. The stock has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 1.10.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.51%. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is currently 7.09%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

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.