78,381 Shares in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) Bought by Four Tree Island Advisory LLC

Four Tree Island Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 78,381 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,268,000. Willis Lease Finance comprises 11.2% of Four Tree Island Advisory LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at $4,136,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 173.7% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,990 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $3,421,000 after purchasing an additional 14,590 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 39.4% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 33,008 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $4,912,000 after purchasing an additional 9,326 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 48.0% in the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,663 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $2,628,000 after purchasing an additional 5,731 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in Willis Lease Finance in the 3rd quarter worth about $531,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NASDAQ WLFC opened at $199.79 on Monday. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 52-week low of $46.70 and a 52-week high of $235.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.16 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $204.19 and a 200 day moving average price of $166.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.16.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 21st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s payout ratio is 7.09%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Rae Ann Mckeating sold 500 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.32, for a total value of $97,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 16,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,206,280. This trade represents a 2.94 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.19, for a total value of $1,000,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Willis Lease Finance 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.