Willis Lease Stock Price, News & Analysis

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced the launch of Willis Aviation Capital (WAC), a new asset management division to manage third-party engine and aviation asset portfolios through discretionary funds. WAC aims to generate recurring management fees, carried interest, and servicing revenues while supporting balance sheet deleveraging and expanding WLFC’s asset-management footprint.

WAC will manage partnerships including a $1 billion Blackstone credit & insurance leasing partnership and a up to $600 million Liberty Mutual credit strategy, oversee existing joint ventures with Mitsui and China Aviation Supplies Company, and supervise select third-party assets. Brian R. Hole will lead WAC as Global Head of Managed Funds and Credit.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) and Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI) announced a strategic aircraft engine leasing partnership to deploy over $1 billion in current and next‑generation engines and select aircraft over the next two years. WLFC identified a seed portfolio and near‑term pipeline expected to close into the partnership, aiming to scale WLFC’s asset management platform and diversify engine types and airline customers globally. BNP Paribas served as sole structuring agent and advisor to BXCI.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced that its subsidiary Willis Engine Structured Trust IX completed a private offering of fixed rate notes totaling $392.9 million on December 23, 2025. WEST issued $337.4M of Series A notes (5.159% coupon) and $55.5M of Series B notes (5.696% coupon), each issued at roughly par with an expected maturity of ~6 years, an expected weighted average life of 4.1 years, and a final maturity of 25 years.

The Notes are secured by WEST’s interests in a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and 2 airframes to be acquired from Willis Lease or its subsidiaries, and were sold under Rule 144A and Regulation S (not registered under the Securities Act).

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) closed a partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments to provide up to $600 million to fund WLFC’s credit strategy, focusing on loan and loan-like engine financings.

The capital commitment is supported by a warehouse debt facility from Bank of America N.A. and aims to scale WLFC’s asset management and credit platform by combining WLFC’s operating capabilities with LMI’s long-term capital.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced that subsidiary Willis Engine Structured Trust IX priced $337.4M of Series A fixed-rate notes and $55.5M of Series B fixed-rate notes, totaling $392.9M. The Notes are secured by WEST’s interests in a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and 2 airframes that WEST will acquire from WLFC under an asset purchase agreement. The Series A coupon is 5.159% and Series B is 5.696%, with an expected weighted average life of 4.1 years, expected maturity ~six years, final maturity of 25 years, and planned closing on Dec 23, 2025.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced that its subsidiary Willis Engine Structured Trust IX will offer a total of $392.9 million of fixed rate notes: $337.4M Series A and $55.5M Series B on Dec 10, 2025. The notes are secured by WEST’s interests in a portfolio of 47 engines and 2 airframes that WEST will acquire from WLFC under an asset purchase agreement.

Net proceeds will primarily pay offering fees and reserve deposits and will be used to pay WLFC over a 270-day delivery period; WLFC intends to apply any net proceeds it receives to repay asset-collateralized debt and for general corporate purposes. The notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons under Regulation S and will not be registered in the United States.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) announced the appointment of David Hooke as Senior Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, effective November 10, 2025.

Hooke will lead WLFC’s global M&A strategy to drive portfolio growth across leasing, trading, and services. He joins after more than a decade as Managing Director, Investment Banking at Bank of America, where he advised clients including WLFC on M&A and capital markets. Hooke is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former KC-130J aircraft commander with 17 years of service.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) reported Q3 2025 revenue $183.4M (+25.4% YoY) and pre-tax income $43.2M (+25.4% YoY). Income from operations was $38.0M (+12.8%). The company recorded record lease rent revenue of $76.6M (+17.9%) and record maintenance reserve revenue of $76.1M (+52.8%).

Balance sheet: lease-assets book value $3,302.6M and lease portfolio $2,888.5M as of Sept 30, 2025. The company raised its recurring quarterly dividend to $0.40 per share, payable Nov 26, 2025 (record Nov 17, 2025). Portfolio utilization rose to 86.0%.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) said its joint venture Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited (WMES) entered a new $750.0 million five-year revolving credit facility on October 31, 2025. The facility is available on a revolving basis until October 31, 2030 and may be extended subject to lender approval. Loans will bear interest at a floating rate (Term SOFR) plus a margin. Proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes. WMES is 50% owned by WLFC and 50% by Mitsui and is headquartered in Dublin. Management described the facility as strengthening financial flexibility and supporting strategic growth initiatives following a June acquisition.