Willis Lease Finance Corp, with its subsidiaries, is a lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft and aircraft engines... Show more
Willis Lease Finance Corporation is a leading lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft engines and aircraft, headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida. The company operates through two primary segments — Leasing and Related Operations, and Spare Parts Sales — and uses a vertically integrated model that combines engine ownership with in-house maintenance, repair, and parts recycling through its Willis Aeronautical Services subsidiary.
The company leases spare engines to airlines and other operators, helping carriers avoid large upfront purchases, and provides maintenance, overhaul, storage, and asset-management services. As of mid-2026, it served dozens of lessees across more than 40 countries. Investors follow WLFC for its exposure to global air-travel demand, engine shop-visit cycles, and its growing third-party asset-management and fund businesses.
Over the past 30 days, WLFC shares declined from a closing level of about $54.32 to near $37, a drop of approximately 32%. The selling was persistent rather than event-driven, with the stock printing lower lows through late September and early-to-mid October before touching a fresh 52-week low.
The recent move is an extension of a longer downtrend. Over the trailing three months, the stock has fallen roughly 43%, well below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Despite this pullback, the company continues to trade at a single-digit price-to-earnings ratio, reflecting the market's reassessment of the company's valuation after a multi-year run.
The most significant headwind has been the interest-rate environment. An elevated September inflation report revived concerns about tighter Federal Reserve policy and pushed Treasury yields higher. As a capital-intensive lessor with a debt-to-equity ratio above 3x, Willis Lease is particularly sensitive to higher financing costs, and the stock sold off in sympathy with the broader pressure on leveraged aircraft-leasing names.
Sentiment was also weighed down by significant insider activity. Company executives and a large shareholder sold roughly $12 million worth of stock during the latest reported quarter, according to filings. Separately, a securities-law firm announced investigations into the company's executive compensation practices, adding to investor unease.
Offsetting some of the negativity, Deutsche Bank initiated coverage with a Buy rating and an $80 price target, and the company announced a $35 million preferred stock purchase agreement with the Development Bank of Japan. These developments, however, were not enough to reverse the broader de-rating.
The quarterly decline reflects a combination of macro and company-specific factors. The company posted a strong second-quarter earnings report, with earnings per share and revenue exceeding analyst estimates, yet the stock continued to fall as the market focused on rising rates, elevated leverage, and valuation concerns after an extended rally.
Over the same period, the company executed a 3-for-1 forward stock split, announced a roughly $379 million acquisition of aviation assets from WNG Capital, and expanded its asset-management footprint through fund partnerships with Liberty Mutual and Blackstone Credit. Analyst actions were mixed, with several firms maintaining or initiating Buy ratings while others adopted more cautious stances. The overall effect was a steady repricing of the shares rather than a single catalyst-driven move.
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Looking ahead, investors will monitor the company's next quarterly earnings report, scheduled for early November, for updates on lease revenue, maintenance activity, and guidance. The trajectory of interest rates and Treasury yields remains a central risk given the company's leverage profile.
Other factors include demand for modern engines such as the LEAP and GTF platforms, aircraft and engine transaction volumes, and the pace of portfolio and fund growth. Analysts' consensus price target remains well above the current share price, but the path of financing costs, insider activity, and any resolution of the executive-compensation inquiries will likely shape near-term sentiment.
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The 10-day moving average for WLFC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 10 of 12 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 83%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WLFC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 65%.
The Aroon Indicator for WLFC entered a downward trend on October 22, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where WLFC's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 18 of 20 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 44 of 56 cases where WLFC's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 22, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on WLFC as a result. In 71 of 96 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 74%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for WLFC just turned positive on October 22, 2026. Looking at past instances where WLFC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 36 of 54 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
Following a +9.04% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WLFC advanced for three days, in 238 of 324 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 73%.
WLFC may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 17 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 68 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. WLFC’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 72, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 78 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.203) is normal, around the industry mean (2.003). P/E Ratio (9.680) is within average values for comparable stocks, (27.923). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.560) is also within normal values, averaging (0.988). Dividend Yield (0.013) settles around the average of (0.037) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.552) is also within normal values, averaging (1.703).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 85 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. WLFC’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
a provider of aviation services
Industry FinanceRentalLeasing