KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $104,000 in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 500 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $104,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Four Tree Island Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 4th quarter valued at $16,268,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 2.9% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 67,021 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $9,975,000 after acquiring an additional 1,886 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Willis Lease Finance by 7.6% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 39,926 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $5,941,000 after acquiring an additional 2,805 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Willis Lease Finance by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 34,628 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $7,187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 23,188 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $4,813,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the period. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Willis Lease Finance

In related news, EVP Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,539 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.90, for a total transaction of $263,015.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 69,296 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,842,686.40. This represents a 2.17 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Austin Chandler Willis sold 3,450 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total transaction of $544,479.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 206,644 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,612,556.08. This trade represents a 1.64 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 13,465 shares of company stock worth $2,439,074 in the last 90 days. 57.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Willis Lease Finance Stock Down 2.3 %

WLFC opened at $136.90 on Friday. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 1 year low of $48.10 and a 1 year high of $235.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $176.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $188.22. 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 company has a market cap of $904.36 million, a PE ratio of 9.70 and a beta of 0.79.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 10th. The transportation company reported $2.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.92. The company had revenue of $152.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $145.54 million. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 20.62% and a net margin of 18.56%.

Willis Lease Finance Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio is currently 6.50%.

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.