Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase - Here's What Happened

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 14,405 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the previous session's volume of 16,672 shares.The stock last traded at $173.25 and had previously closed at $163.40.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 7.0 %

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 firm has a market capitalization of $1.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.59 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $119.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $82.45.

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

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.57%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.77%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.22, for a total value of $190,261.24. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 93,213 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,180,723.86. This trade represents a 0.00 % 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 link. In other Willis Lease Finance news, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,378 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.66, for a total value of $146,977.48. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,119 shares of the company's stock, valued at $759,312.54. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the firm'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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 93,213 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,180,723.86. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 38,903 shares of company stock worth $4,123,692 over the last quarter. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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

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.