Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Makes New $3.08 Million Investment in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR bought a new position in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 32,222 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,084,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new stake in shares of AerCap during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new position in AerCap in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AerCap during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AerCap during the 3rd quarter worth about $64,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap during the 3rd quarter valued at about $66,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.42% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AER has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group lowered shares of AerCap to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Barclays reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $115.00 price objective (up from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price target on AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $117.43.

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AerCap Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AER traded up $1.24 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $103.45. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,684,083 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,269,928. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $98.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.20, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.83. AerCap Holdings has a fifty-two week low of $81.93 and a fifty-two week high of $107.36.

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

AerCap Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is a boost from AerCap's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. AerCap's dividend payout ratio is presently 9.99%.

AerCap declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, February 26th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to reacquire up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

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.