Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Shares Down 10.2% – Should You Sell?

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)’s share price was down 10.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $194.06 and last traded at $195.00. Approximately 58,929 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 51% from the average daily volume of 39,041 shares. The stock had previously closed at $217.12.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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 Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $207.18 and a 200-day moving average of $151.94. The company has a market cap of $1.31 billion, a PE ratio of 14.03 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.51%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.09%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at $3,206,280. This trade represents a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total transaction of $4,066,200.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 81,164 shares in the company, valued at $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310 in the last quarter. Insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter valued at about $27,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at $146,000. Lakewood Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter valued at $227,000. Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth $283,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the third quarter valued at about $312,000. 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.