Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Shares Sold by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced its holdings in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) by 43.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,730 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 1,328 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s holdings in Willis Lease Finance were worth $257,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WLFC. ProShare Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter worth about $146,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 2.9% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 67,021 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $9,975,000 after buying an additional 1,886 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the third quarter worth $283,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter valued at $312,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ WLFC opened at $193.92 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a fifty-two week low of $46.70 and a fifty-two week high of $235.43. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $205.87 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $161.40. The stock has a market cap of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.11.

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

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 7.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In other Willis Lease Finance news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.31, for a total transaction of $4,066,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 81,164 shares in the company, valued at $16,501,452.84. The trade was a 19.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of the firm’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 completion of the transaction, 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 sold a total of 25,500 shares of company stock worth $5,164,310 in the last 90 days. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.