Allianz Asset Management GmbH Takes Position in Willis Lease Finance Corporation $WLFC

Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 3,732 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $533,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.8% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,700 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $269,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 1.8% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 14,452 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,283,000 after acquiring an additional 255 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.2% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 7,249 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,145,000 after acquiring an additional 291 shares during the period. Palisades Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 1.4% during the first quarter. Palisades Investment Partners LLC now owns 21,224 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $3,353,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 48.7% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,949 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $308,000 after buying an additional 638 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 1.3%

NASDAQ:WLFC opened at $129.77 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.53, a quick ratio of 5.55 and a current ratio of 5.98. The company has a market cap of $883.73 million, a PE ratio of 7.72 and a beta of 1.06. Willis Lease Finance Corporation has a 52-week low of $124.90 and a 52-week high of $235.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $141.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $142.01.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The transportation company reported $8.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.57 by $5.86. The business had revenue of $195.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $134.00 million. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 21.75% and a net margin of 18.77%.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings lowered Willis Lease Finance from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Charles F. Iv Willis sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.02, for a total transaction of $4,650,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman directly owned 957,046 shares in the company, valued at approximately $148,361,270.92. This trade represents a 3.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 9,142 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.13, for a total value of $1,372,488.46. Following the transaction, the president owned 89,640 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,457,653.20. The trade was a 9.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 47,258 shares of company stock worth $7,211,666. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Willis Lease Finance 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.