Leases commercial aircraft and aircraft engines to airlines and other operators. Sells aftermarket engine parts, whole engines, and engine modules. Now — the numbers.
Revenue is spread across several lines; no single product carries the company.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 25% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
The gap is $2.7B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Clearly above the class average — a step short of the very top.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly below the class average.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
The stock trades 30% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The net profit margin is 17% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 4 years, sales grew about 25% a year on average.
It pays out $0.53 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
The company’s market value is 35 times its annual profit. Even a small disappointment could hit the price hard.
Over the last 12 months, executives reported 126 sells against just 25 buys. Not an alarm bell by itself, but a number worth watching.
On our five-subject report card, WLFC sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: WLFC is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.
Analysts’ average target sits above today’s price, yet the valuation grade (46/100) says the stock isn’t cheap.