WLFC
IndustrialsWillis Lease Finance Corporation · Rental & Leasing Services · $1B
What is Willis Lease Finance Corporation?
Willis Lease Finance Corporation is a global lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft engines and related equipment. Operating since 1985 and headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida, the company serves airlines and maintenance organizations across dozens of countries.
Willis Lease Finance generates revenue by acquiring commercial aircraft, engines, and equipment and leasing them to airlines and operators worldwide. A second revenue stream comes from purchasing and reselling aftermarket engine parts, modules, and components through its Spare Parts Sales segment. The company also provides engine management and consulting services, and manages lease portfolios on behalf of third parties — broadening its income base beyond direct ownership.
Willis Lease Finance was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida.
- Commercial aircraft engine leasing to global operators
- Aircraft and aviation equipment leasing
- Aftermarket spare parts and engine module resales
- Third-party lease portfolio management services
- Engine management and aviation consulting
Is WLFC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WLFC as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but nuanced profile across its five pillars.
The Growth pillar stands out as a relative bright spot, suggesting the business has been expanding its revenue and earnings base at a pace that compares favorably within its sector. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced relative to its fundamentals — a meaningful consideration for value-oriented investors.
Both the Risk and Moat pillars are rated Weak, indicating that competitive differentiation is limited and the business carries above-average financial or operational risk relative to peers.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WLFC pay dividends?
Yes — Willis Lease Finance Corporation pays a dividend.
Willis Lease Finance pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap industrial lessors. The dividend reflects the company's ability to generate recurring cash flows from its lease portfolio. Income-focused investors should review the current yield and payout consistency on the company's investor relations page, as dividend levels can shift with fleet utilization and financing costs.
When does WLFC report earnings?
Willis Lease Finance reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed public companies.
Revenue trends have been supported by demand for aircraft engine leasing as global air travel continues its post-pandemic recovery. Spare parts activity and third-party portfolio management have added incremental contribution. Results can vary quarter to quarter depending on lease expirations, asset sales, and interest expense.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Willis Lease Finance's investor relations page directly.
WLFC Price History
+345.6% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Willis Lease Finance Corporation?
Based on Willis Lease Finance Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
WLFC Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar suggests Willis Lease Finance has meaningful forward momentum driven by structural demand for aircraft engine leasing. However, the Weak Risk pillar signals that leverage levels and asset concentration could weigh on outcomes if air travel demand softens or financing conditions tighten. The Attractive Valuation pillar indicates the market may not yet be fully pricing in the growth trajectory, though the Weak Moat rating tempers long-term conviction.
Growth drivers
- Continued recovery in global commercial aviation driving engine lease demand
- Expansion of third-party portfolio management generating fee-based income
- Aftermarket spare parts demand rising alongside aging global fleets
Key risks
- High financial leverage amplifying sensitivity to interest rate changes
- Limited competitive moat in a fragmented aircraft leasing market
- Cyclical exposure to airline industry downturns affecting lease utilization
WLFC vs Peers
Willis Lease Finance operates in the broader equipment leasing and specialty finance space, where it competes for capital allocation alongside other asset-light and asset-heavy lessors.
Vestis focuses on uniform and workplace supplies services rather than aviation assets, representing a different end-market within the broader industrial services landscape.
PROG Holdings operates lease-to-own consumer financing programs, targeting retail consumers rather than commercial aviation operators.
Custom Truck One Source specializes in leasing and selling specialized truck equipment, serving utility and infrastructure sectors rather than aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Willis Lease Finance do?
Willis Lease Finance acquires and leases commercial aircraft engines, aircraft, and related equipment to airlines and operators worldwide. It also buys and resells aftermarket engine parts through its Spare Parts Sales segment and provides engine management consulting and third-party lease portfolio management services.
Does WLFC pay dividends?
Yes, Willis Lease Finance pays a regular dividend. This is notable for a small-cap industrial lessor. Investors should check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule, as these can change based on business conditions.
When does WLFC report earnings?
Willis Lease Finance reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. The company's investor relations page is the best source for upcoming earnings dates and recent quarterly filings.
Is WLFC a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates WLFC as Good overall. The Growth and Valuation pillars are relative strengths, while the Risk and Moat pillars are rated Weak. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is WLFC overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for WLFC is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamentals at the time of scoring. Valuation assessments can shift as earnings and market prices change, so reviewing the full analysis regularly is worthwhile.
How does WLFC compare to its competitors?
Willis Lease Finance occupies a specialized niche in commercial aviation engine leasing, which differs meaningfully from peers like PROG Holdings in consumer lease-to-own or Custom Truck One Source in specialty vehicle leasing. Direct comparisons are best made using the UQS pillar-by-pillar breakdown available to Pro members.
What is WLFC's market cap bracket?
Willis Lease Finance is classified as a small-cap company. Small-cap stocks can offer growth potential but typically carry higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers in the same sector.
Who founded Willis Lease Finance?
Willis Lease Finance was founded by Charles F. Willis IV. The company has been headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida since its early years and has grown into a globally active aircraft engine lessor serving operators in dozens of countries.
Is WLFC a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, WLFC's Good UQS Score reflects meaningful growth characteristics and an attractive valuation, but the Weak Moat and Risk ratings suggest the business faces competitive and financial pressures that could affect durability. Long-term investors should weigh these factors carefully using the full Pro analysis.
What is the main competitive advantage of Willis Lease Finance?
Willis Lease Finance's primary advantage lies in its established global network of airline and MRO relationships, its diversified lease portfolio spanning hundreds of engines and aircraft, and its ability to generate fee income through third-party portfolio management — though the UQS Moat pillar rates this competitive position as Weak relative to peers.
What sector does WLFC belong to?
Willis Lease Finance is classified in the Industrials sector, specifically within aviation equipment leasing and services. The company's revenues are tied to commercial aviation demand cycles, making it sensitive to broader trends in global air travel and airline fleet management.
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Pro Analysis
WLFC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 54.1 | 57.3 | 32.0 | 69.6 | 24.2 | 94.8 | -0.1 |
| May 17, 2026 | 54.2 | 57.3 | 32.0 | 69.6 | 24.2 | 95.7 | +3.6 |
| May 8, 2026 | 50.6 | 33.3 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 37.9 | 89.5 | -2.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 52.7 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 86.8 | -1.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 53.9 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 94.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 54.1 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 96.0 | +0.7 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 53.4 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 91.4 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 53.6 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 92.8 | -0.3 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 53.9 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 94.7 | -0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 54.0 | 51.9 | 32.0 | 75.8 | 23.6 | 95.5 | -0.7 |
WLFC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 57.3/100 (25%)Willis Lease Finance Corporation shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 69.6/100 (20%)Willis Lease Finance Corporation demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 24.2/100 (15%)Willis Lease Finance Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 94.9/100 (15%)Willis Lease Finance Corporation appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 32/100 (25%)Willis Lease Finance Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WLFC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the WLFC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Willis Lease Finance Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Willis Lease Finance Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Willis Lease Finance Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.