WLFC Willis Lease Finance Corp.

Record Results by Willis Lease Finance Corporation with Second Quarter Pre-tax Income of $57.9 million. Willis Declares First, Regular Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 Per Share.

Record Results by Willis Lease Finance Corporation with Second Quarter Pre-tax Income of $57.9 million. Willis Declares First, Regular Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 Per Share.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”) today reported record second quarter total revenues of $151.1 million and record quarterly pre-tax income of $57.9 million. The Company also announced its first regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, expected to be paid on August 21, 2024, with a record holder date of August 12, 2024. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, aggregate, core lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were at an all-time high of $118.8 million, up 32% as compared to $89.8 million in 2023. The growth was predominantly driven by core, recurring lease and maintenance revenues associated with a strong, resurging aviation marketplace, and airlines leveraging the Company’s leasing, parts and maintenance capabilities in order to avoid protracted engine shop visits.

“We have been deliberate in the selection of engines and investment in our services businesses,” said Austin C. Willis, Chief Executive Officer. “This strategy has distinguished us as a value added lessor.”

“Our financial results would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our employees,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “Their dedication to our customers and to the Company are what allow us to deliver our multi-faceted engine products and services with the speed and quality the Company’s position in the industry requires.”

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights (at or for the period ended June 30, 2024, as compared to June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023):

  • Lease rent revenue was a record $55.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 2.7%, compared to $54.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we purchased equipment (including capitalized costs) totaling $258.8 million, which consisted of three aircraft, 11 engines, and other parts and equipment purchased for our lease portfolio. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we purchased equipment (including capitalized costs) totaling $55.8 million, which consisted of nine engines and other parts and equipment purchased for our lease portfolio.
  • Maintenance reserve revenue was a record $62.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 77.6%, compared to $35.4 million in the same quarter of 2023, reflecting the high level of usage of our assets by our customer base. Engines on lease with “non-reimbursable” usage fees generated $45.9 million of short-term maintenance revenues in 2024, compared to $28.6 million in the prior year. There was $17.0 million of long-term maintenance revenue recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $6.8 million long-term maintenance revenue recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, there were $24.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively, of deferred in-substance fixed payment use fees included in Unearned revenue associated with engines on short-term leases. These deferred in-substance fixed payment use fees represent portfolio utilization beyond the maintenance reserve revenues reflected in our Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income.
  • Spare parts and equipment sales increased to $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in spare parts sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 reflects variations in the timing of sales.
  • Gain on sale of leased equipment was $14.4 million in the second quarter of 2024, an increase of 223.4% compared to that of the comparable period, reflecting the sale of seven engines, eight airframes, and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, we sold two engines and other parts and equipment from the lease portfolio for a net gain of $4.5 million.
  • The Company generated a quarterly record of $57.9 million of pre-tax income in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the pre-tax income of $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2023.
  • The book value of lease assets directly owned or through our joint ventures, inclusive of our notes receivable, maintenance rights, and investments in sales-type leases was $2,803.3 million as of June 30, 2024.
  • Diluted weighted average income per common share was $6.21 for the second quarter 2024, compared to diluted weighted average income per common share of $2.02 in the second quarter of 2023.
  • Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $73.64 at June 30, 2024, compared to $67.73 at December 31, 2023.
  • The Company paid a special dividend of $1.00 per share in the second quarter and also declared its first regular quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, expected to be paid on August 21, 2024, with a record holder date of August 12, 2024.

Conference Call

WLFC will hold a conference call on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss its second quarter results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial: US and Canada (800) 289-0459, International (646) 828-8082, wait for the conference operator and provide the operator with the Conference ID 573492. The conference call may also be accessed by registering via the following link: /starthere.jsp?ei=1681417&tp_key=20bee9dac9. A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference. To access the replay, please visit our website at under the Investor Relations section for details.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,465.0 million, consisting of $2,317.9 million of equipment held in our operating lease portfolio, $115.5 million of notes receivable, $25.5 million of maintenance rights, and $6.2 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 344 engines, 12 aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s lease portfolio was $2,223.4 million, consisting of $2,112.8 million of equipment held in our operating lease portfolio, $92.6 million of notes receivable, $9.2 million of maintenance rights, and $8.8 million of investments in sales-type leases, which represented 337 engines, 12 aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and pandemics; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data) 

 Three months ended June 30,  Six months ended June 30,  
  2024   2023  % Change  2024   2023  % Change
REVENUE          
Lease rent revenue$55,866  $54,416  2.7% $108,747  $107,636  1.0%
Maintenance reserve revenue 62,897   35,415  77.6%  106,767   58,913  81.2%
Spare parts and equipment sales 6,186   4,550  36.0%  9,474   9,602  (1.3)%
Interest revenue 2,284   2,258  1.2%  4,553   4,304  5.8%
Gain on sale of leased equipment 14,428   4,461  223.4%  23,629   4,328  446.0%
Maintenance services revenue 6,781   5,849  15.9%  12,008   10,508  14.3%
Other revenue 2,678   2,047  30.8%  5,025   3,240  55.1%
Total revenue 151,120   108,996  38.6%  270,203   198,531  36.1%
           
EXPENSES          
Depreciation and amortization expense 22,167   22,494  (1.5)%  44,653   45,043  (0.9)%
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales 5,437   3,058  77.8%  8,142   7,557  7.7%
Cost of maintenance services 5,671   4,843  17.1%  11,245   8,770  28.2%
Write-down of equipment    1,671  (100.0)%  261   1,671  (84.4)%
General and administrative 34,687   31,727  9.3%  64,268   59,558  7.9%
Technical expense 4,518   6,676  (32.3)%  12,773   11,018  15.9%
Net finance costs:          
Interest expense 24,562   19,085  28.7%  47,565   37,474  26.9%
Total net finance costs 24,562   19,085  28.7%  47,565   37,474  26.9%
Total expenses 97,042   89,554  8.4%  188,907   171,091  10.4%
           
Income from operations 54,078   19,442  178.2%  81,296   27,440  196.3%
Income (loss) from joint ventures 3,825   (474) nm   6,499   (1,635) nm 
Income before income taxes 57,903   18,968  205.3%  87,795   25,805  240.2%
Income tax expense 15,317   5,152  197.3%  24,340   7,595  220.5%
Net income 42,586   13,816  208.2%  63,455   18,210  248.5%
Preferred stock dividends 910   811  12.2%  1,810   1,612  12.3%
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs 12   21  (42.9)%  24   42  (42.9)%
Net income attributable to common shareholders$41,664  $12,984  220.9% $61,621  $16,556  272.2%
           
Basic weighted average income per common share$6.34  $2.04    $9.51  $2.65   
Diluted weighted average income per common share$6.21  $2.02    $9.22  $2.57   
           
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 6,570   6,354     6,479   6,239   
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 6,714   6,442     6,687   6,449   
                    

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

  June 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
ASSETS    
Cash and cash equivalents $5,044  $7,071 
Restricted cash  142,869   160,958 
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation  2,317,903   2,112,837 
Maintenance rights  25,469   9,180 
Equipment held for sale  8,058   805 
Receivables, net  54,095   58,485 
Spare parts inventory  81,913   40,954 
Investments  63,765   58,044 
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation  35,968   37,160 
Intangible assets, net  5,428   1,040 
Notes receivable, net  115,488   92,621 
Investments in sales-type leases, net  6,179   8,759 
Other assets  59,477   64,430 
Total assets $2,921,656  $2,652,344 
     
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $89,161  $52,937 
Deferred income taxes  169,933   147,779 
Debt obligations  1,946,761   1,802,881 
Maintenance reserves  104,724   92,497 
Security deposits  28,936   23,790 
Unearned revenue  39,735   43,533 
Total liabilities  2,379,250   2,163,417 
     
Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)  49,988   49,964 
     
Shareholders’ equity:    
Common stock ($0.01 par value)  71   68 
Paid-in capital in excess of par  31,683   29,667 
Retained earnings  452,263   397,781 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax  8,401   11,447 
Total shareholders’ equity  492,418   438,963 
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity $2,921,656  $2,652,344 



CONTACT:Scott B. Flaherty
 Chief Financial Officer
 (561) 349-9989


EN
01/08/2024

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