Lakewood Asset Management LLC Makes New $227,000 Investment in Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)

Lakewood Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 1,093 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $227,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $283,000. Barclays PLC increased its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 221.7% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,738 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $556,000 after purchasing an additional 2,576 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 67,021 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $9,975,000 after purchasing an additional 1,886 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $531,000. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Willis Lease Finance by 7.6% during the 3rd 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. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Willis Lease Finance news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the president now owns 81,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,501,452.84. This trade represents a 19.77 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief financial officer now owns 74,955 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,005,241.45. This trade represents a 6.25 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 25,500 shares of company stock worth $5,164,310. 57.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Down 6.5 %

Shares of WLFC stock opened at $202.99 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.34 billion, a PE ratio of 14.39 and a beta of 1.11. Willis Lease Finance Co. has a 1-year low of $45.32 and a 1-year high of $235.43. The business has a 50-day moving average of $207.80 and a 200 day moving average of $151.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.84, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.09%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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.