Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Hits New 12-Month High - Still a Buy?

Shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $180.80 and last traded at $180.00, with a volume of 8113 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $174.85.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Willis Lease Finance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 2.9 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $119.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $82.91. The firm has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.45 and a beta of 1.09.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The transportation company reported $6.21 EPS for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.16% and a return on equity of 19.51%. The business had revenue of $151.12 million for the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.77%.

Insider Activity

In other Willis Lease Finance news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,225 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.08, for a total value of $112,798.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 27,905 shares in the company, valued at $2,569,492.40. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,225 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.08, for a total value of $112,798.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,905 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,569,492.40. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.22, for a total transaction of $190,261.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 93,213 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,180,723.86. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 38,903 shares of company stock worth $4,123,692. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WLFC. ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the second quarter worth $44,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the second quarter worth $69,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the first quarter worth $114,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter valued at $146,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.