Aercap (NYSE:AER) Upgraded by Zacks Research to Strong-Buy Rating

Zacks Research upgraded shares of Aercap (NYSE:AER) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on AER. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Aercap from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Truist Financial raised their price target on Aercap from $161.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Aercap in a research note on Monday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $173.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Aercap from $164.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Aercap from $160.00 to $155.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $168.67.

Aercap Stock Up 2.2%

Aercap stock opened at $151.59 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $25.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.94. Aercap has a 1-year low of $105.65 and a 1-year high of $155.99. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $143.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34.

Aercap (NYSE:AER) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The financial services provider reported $5.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Aercap had a net margin of 45.22% and a return on equity of 16.01%. The firm had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter. Research analysts anticipate that Aercap will post 17.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aercap announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 4.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Aercap Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 13th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 13th. Aercap’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.01%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aercap

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AER. Groupe la Francaise raised its stake in Aercap by 221.4% in the first quarter. Groupe la Francaise now owns 180 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aercap in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Greenline Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Aercap during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Aercap during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aercap during the 1st quarter worth approximately $44,000. Institutional investors own 96.42% of the company’s stock.

Aercap News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Aercap this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded Aercap from hold to strong-buy, which can support the stock by signaling improved analyst confidence in the company’s outlook.
• Positive Sentiment: Citi initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $173 price target, implying further upside from recent trading levels and reinforcing bullish sentiment on Aercap shares.
• Positive Sentiment: Aercap announced a direct order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, increasing its 787 fleet to about 140 aircraft. The deal highlights continued fleet growth and should help preserve Aercap’s position as a major aircraft lessor. AerCap Announces Order for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
• Positive Sentiment: Aercap also signed an agreement with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance to form a 50/50 LEAP engine leasing joint venture, a move that expands its engine-leasing platform and exposure to growing spare-engine demand. AerCap and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance to Establish LEAP Engine Joint Venture
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple reports confirmed the Boeing order, suggesting the news is already well covered and may have less incremental impact beyond reinforcing AerCap’s growth strategy.
• Negative Sentiment: Some commentary noted a potential cargo leasing test for AerCap, which could indicate ongoing operational or market challenges in parts of the leasing business. AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) Faces A Cargo Leasing Test

About Aercap

AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) is a global aircraft leasing and aviation finance company that acquires, leases, sells and manages commercial aircraft and engines. Its core services include operating leases, finance leases, sale-and-leaseback transactions, aircraft trading and remarketing, and asset management for airline customers. The company also provides related commercial and technical support services designed to optimize fleet utilization and residual values over the life cycle of aircraft and engines.

Operating with a broad global footprint, AerCap serves airlines and other aviation customers across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.