Contrasting Willis Lease Finance (WLFC) & Its Rivals

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) is one of 14 publicly-traded companies in the “TRANS – EQP&LSNG” industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Willis Lease Finance to related companies based on the strength of its valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Willis Lease Finance and its rivals’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Willis Lease Finance	18.77%	21.75%	3.61%
Willis Lease Finance Competitors	10.41%	5.23%	2.85%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Willis Lease Finance and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Net Income	Price/Earnings Ratio
Willis Lease Finance	$569.22 million	$108.61 million	7.75
Willis Lease Finance Competitors	$3.76 billion	$360.72 million	21.09

Willis Lease Finance’s rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Willis Lease Finance. Willis Lease Finance is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Willis Lease Finance has a beta of 1.06, meaning that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Willis Lease Finance’s rivals have a beta of 1.02, meaning that their average stock price is 2% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Willis Lease Finance and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Willis Lease Finance	0	1	0	0	2.00
Willis Lease Finance Competitors	130	571	997	66	2.57

As a group, “TRANS – EQP&LSNG” companies have a potential upside of 10.29%. Given Willis Lease Finance’s rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Willis Lease Finance has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Dividends

Willis Lease Finance pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Willis Lease Finance pays out 5.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, “TRANS – EQP&LSNG” companies pay a dividend yield of 1.5% and pay out 19.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

93.7% of Willis Lease Finance shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.4% of shares of all “TRANS – EQP&LSNG” companies are held by institutional investors. 57.0% of Willis Lease Finance shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.7% of shares of all “TRANS – EQP&LSNG” companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Willis Lease Finance rivals beat Willis Lease Finance on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

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. The Spare Parts Sales segment purchases and resells after-market engine parts, whole engines, engine modules, and portable aircraft components. The company also focuses on engine management and consulting business. It serves commercial aircraft operators, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations. As of December 31, 2023, it had a total lease portfolio of 337 engines, 12 aircraft, one marine vessel, and other leased parts and equipment, and with 74 lessees in 42 countries; and managed a total lease portfolio of 198 engines, aircraft, and related equipment for other parties. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida.