Short Interest in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Expands By 36.9%

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ WLFC traded up $1.40 during trading on Thursday, reaching $192.59. 18,827 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 38,544. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $206.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $160.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.27 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65 and a beta of 1.11. Willis Lease Finance has a fifty-two week low of $46.70 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The transportation company reported $3.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%. The business had revenue of $146.22 million during the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance's dividend payout ratio is 7.09%.

Insider Activity at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total transaction of $97,160.00. Following 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total transaction of $4,066,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 81,164 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. The trade was a 19.77 % 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 worth $5,164,310 over the last quarter. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Willis Lease Finance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 7,073 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $1,468,000 after buying an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management boosted its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 32.5% during the 4th quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 2,778 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $577,000 after purchasing an additional 681 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $146,000. Finally, Lakewood Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $227,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.70% of the company's stock.

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.