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

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at $3,206,280. This trade represents a 2.94 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter valued at $146,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew 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 last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its position 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 valued at $2,628,000 after purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $525,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised 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 worth $3,421,000 after buying an additional 14,590 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 1.7 %

NASDAQ:WLFC traded up $3.22 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $195.84. 16,617 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 33,497. Willis Lease Finance has a one year low of $46.70 and a one year high of $235.43. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $203.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $169.44. The company has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a PE ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 1.10. 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 Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.51%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.09%.

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.