Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Trading 5.3% Higher – What’s Next?

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) shares traded up 5.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $207.12 and last traded at $207.00. 6,345 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 23,117 shares. The stock had previously closed at $196.51.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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 Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.53 and a beta of 1.09. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $199.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.61.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is 7.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.19, for a total transaction of $1,000,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 74,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,005,241.45. This represents a 6.25 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction of $97,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 16,500 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,206,280. The trade was a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310. Insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Willis Lease Finance

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 4.0% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 6,691 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $464,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth $44,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter valued at about $146,000. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter worth about $69,000. 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.