Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase – Here’s What Happened

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 14,858 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the previous session’s volume of 23,387 shares.The stock last traded at $212.00 and had previously closed at $204.65.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.67 and a beta of 1.09. 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 company’s 50-day moving average is $202.16 and its 200-day moving average is $139.68.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.48%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.09%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The stock was 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. This trade represents a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s 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 completion of the transaction, the president now owns 81,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth about $4,136,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,990 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,421,000 after acquiring an additional 14,590 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% during the 3rd 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 during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 48.0% during 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 purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $531,000. Institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

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.