Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Stock Position Decreased by Renaissance Technologies LLC

Renaissance Technologies LLC reduced its holdings in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Free Report) by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 237,897 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 6,100 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned approximately 3.60% of Willis Lease Finance worth $49,376,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 4th quarter worth $104,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 780.8% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 687 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $143,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $208,000. Rangeley Capital LLC purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter valued at about $208,000. Finally, Lakewood Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter worth about $227,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,026 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.50, for a total transaction of $927,297.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 79,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,625,315. This represents a 5.96 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.14, for a total value of $704,283.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 158,034 shares in the company, valued at $32,261,060.76. This trade represents a 2.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 13,465 shares of company stock worth $2,439,074. 57.02% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Willis Lease Finance Price Performance

Shares of WLFC stock traded down $2.35 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $140.44. 2,982 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 33,246. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $927.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.95 and a beta of 0.79. The stock's 50-day moving average is $173.33 and its 200-day moving average is $188.26. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 52 week low of $48.10 and a 52 week high of $235.43.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, March 10th. The transportation company reported $2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.92. Willis Lease Finance had a net margin of 18.56% and a return on equity of 20.62%. The firm had revenue of $152.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $145.54 million.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.50%.

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.