Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 166,300 shares, a growth of 36.9% from the December 15th total of 121,500 shares. Currently, 7.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 46,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com cut Willis Lease Finance from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.19, for a total transaction of $1,000,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 74,955 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $15,005,241.45. The trade was a 6.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction of $97,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,206,280. The trade was a 2.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310 over the last three months. 57.02% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WLFC. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.0% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 6,691 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $464,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 32.5% in the fourth quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 2,778 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $577,000 after buying an additional 681 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the third quarter worth about $146,000. Finally, Lakewood Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the fourth quarter worth approximately $227,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WLFC traded down $2.14 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $200.85. 53,231 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 47,633. The business's 50-day moving average price is $207.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $151.60. Willis Lease Finance has a 12 month low of $45.50 and a 12 month high of $235.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.23 and a beta of 1.11.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance's payout ratio is 7.09%.

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.