Franklin Resources Inc. Makes New Investment in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 1,901 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $283,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the third quarter worth $146,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth $312,000. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 6,691 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $464,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the period. Finally, Navellier & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter valued at $525,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of WLFC stock opened at $207.55 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.71 and a beta of 1.09. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 1 year low of $45.32 and a 1 year high of $235.43. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $202.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $141.19. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.48%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is presently 7.09%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total value of $4,066,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 81,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 25,500 shares of company stock valued at $5,164,310 over the last three months. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.