Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Volume Increase - Should You Buy?

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 29,065 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 56% from the previous session's volume of 18,598 shares.The stock last traded at $177.50 and had previously closed at $188.05.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.80. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $136.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $91.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.19 billion, a PE ratio of 14.11 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 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 during the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 0.55%. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.77%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,314 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.84, for a total transaction of $139,073.76. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 99,587 shares in the company, valued at $10,540,288.08. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 1,314 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.84, for a total transaction of $139,073.76. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 99,587 shares in the company, valued at $10,540,288.08. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Robert J. Keady sold 1,378 shares of the firm'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 transaction of $146,977.48. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 7,119 shares in the company, valued at $759,312.54. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 38,903 shares of company stock worth $4,123,692 over the last ninety days. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

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

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.