Willis Lease Finance

WLFC

Market cap $1.18B

Willis Lease Finance Corporation now offers asymmetric upside with a 11x FY26 P/E and a substantial NAV discount. WLFC is pivoting to an asset-light model, leveraging Blackrock and Liberty Mutual capital to reduce capital intensity.

Sifting the World's Chris DeMuth Jr. shares his strategy for focusing on mispricings, hidden value, and opportunities in overlooked or misunderstood situations. WLFC's asset value is underappreciated; partnerships could monetize up to $800M of its $1B market cap, clarifying true inventory worth.

Seeks enhancements to stockholder communication, investment community engagement and corporate governance Raises concerns regarding the material undervaluation of the company's shares and dramatic underperformance relative to public comparables FTAI Aviation and AerCap Believes issues plaguing company are readily addressable through straightforward remedies that would benefit all stockholders Issues letter publicly after efforts at private engagement failed PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Four Tree Island Advisory LLC, one of the largest stockholders of Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), today issued the following open letter to WLFC's board of directors: Dear Members of the Board, As you know, Four Tree Island Advisory has built a significant, long-term position in WLFC and is now one of the Company's top ten stockholders.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. and NEW YORK, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, and Blackstone Credit & Insurance (“BXCI”) announced a strategic aircraft engine leasing partnership with plans to deploy over $1 billon in the next two years in current and next generation aircraft engines and select aircraft. This unique partnership brings together a leading engine leasing specialist with Blackstone's scaled private credit business to focus on the engine asset class.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Willis Engine Structured Trust IX (“WEST”), has completed the previously announced offering of $337,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series A Fixed Rate Notes (the “Series A Notes”) and $55,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series B Fixed Rate Notes (the “Series B Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes are secured by, among other things, WEST's direct and indirect interests in a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes, which WEST will acquire from WLFC or its other subsidiaries pursuant to an asset purchase agreement.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced the closing of an investment partnership that will invest up to $600 million to fund WLFC's growing credit strategy. This inaugural partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments (“LMI”), the investment firm for Liberty Mutual Group, is supported by a warehouse debt facility provided by Bank of America N.A. and will invest in loan and loan-like engine financings, a business WLFC pioneered with its first revolving credit lease in 2021.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Willis Engine Structured Trust IX (“WEST”), has priced $337,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series A Fixed Rate Notes (the “Series A Notes”) and $55,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series B Fixed Rate Notes (the “Series B Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes will be secured by, among other things, WEST's direct and indirect interests in a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes, which WEST will acquire from WLFC or its other subsidiaries pursuant to an asset purchase agreement. The planned closing date is December 23, 2025.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), a leading lessor of commercial jet engines, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Willis Engine Structured Trust IX (“WEST”), proposes to offer $337,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series A Fixed Rate Notes (the “Initial Series A Notes”) and $55,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series B Fixed Rate Notes (the “Initial Series B Notes” and, together with the Initial Series A Notes, the “Initial Notes”). The Notes will be secured by, among other things, WEST's direct and indirect interests in a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and 2 airframes, which WEST will acquire from WLFC or its other subsidiaries pursuant to an asset purchase agreement.

Willis Lease Finance now trades at a 34% discount to adjusted book value, following a 40% YTD price drop despite strong aviation demand. WLFC's Q3 revenue grew 25% YoY, with robust leasing and maintenance reserves, but rising OPEX and finance expenses are pressuring margins. The company is aggressively expanding, resulting in negative free cash flow, but continues to increase dividends and grow its asset base.

WLFC's Q3 earnings fall slightly due to higher taxes and expenses, but reported a 25% revenue surge. Management raises its quarterly dividend on strong leasing demand.