Donald Smith & CO. Inc. Lowers Position in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER)

Donald Smith & CO. Inc. cut its position in shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER - Free Report) by 2.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,451,419 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 73,888 shares during the quarter. AerCap accounts for about 7.9% of Donald Smith & CO. Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. owned about 1.74% of AerCap worth $330,301,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp bought a new position in shares of AerCap during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in AerCap during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in AerCap in the third quarter valued at $66,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in AerCap in the 3rd quarter valued at $78,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC lifted its position in AerCap by 1,148.5% during the 4th quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $121,000 after buying an additional 1,160 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.42% of the company's stock.

AerCap Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AER traded up $2.09 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $91.51. 1,172,643 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,495,204. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.09 billion, a PE ratio of 7.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.46. AerCap Holdings has a 12 month low of $81.93 and a 12 month high of $107.36. The company's 50 day moving average price is $99.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $97.27.

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AerCap (NYSE:AER - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $3.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.56 by $0.75. The firm had revenue of $2.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. AerCap had a net margin of 32.38% and a return on equity of 13.98%. As a group, analysts predict that AerCap Holdings will post 11.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AerCap announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, February 26th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were given a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. This is an increase from AerCap's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. AerCap's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AER shares. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $115.00 price objective (up previously from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Bank of America raised their price target on AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, UBS Group downgraded AerCap to an "underperform" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $117.43.

AerCap Company Profile

AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews.