• Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Third Quarter Pre-tax Income of $8.4 million

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 02 Nov 2022 06:00:13   America/New_York

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported third quarter total revenues of $76.9 million and pre-tax earnings of $8.4 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $60.0 million and spare parts and equipment sales were $7.0 million. The Company reported increased total revenues in the third quarter when compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in lease rent revenue.

    “Another strong quarter for our business,” said Austin Willis, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “The post COVID recovery is driving growth and profitability, however we remain watchful of macroeconomic and geopolitical risk.”

    “We have been building the business for years to deliver the programmatic solutions the industry is beginning to recognize as the preferred option in almost all cases,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “We will continue to innovate and support our customers’ efforts to navigate an environment that sprouts new challenges on a daily basis.”

    Third Quarter 2022 Highlights (at or for the periods ended September 30, 2022, as compared to September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021):

    • Lease rent revenue increased by $6.6 million, or 20.1%, to $39.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $32.9 million in the same quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting an increase in the number of engines acquired and placed on lease.
    • Maintenance reserve revenue was $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, a decrease of 13.6% compared to $23.7 million in the same quarter of 2021. This decrease was due primarily to a reduction of $14.1 million in long-term maintenance revenue relative to the comparable period in 2021, which was offset by a quarter-over-quarter increase of $11.0 million in short-term maintenance reserve revenue, which is directly influenced by on lease engine flight hours and cycles.
    • Spare parts and equipment sales increased to $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2021. The increase in spare parts sales was driven by improved industry wide demand for surplus material compared to the prior year period.
    • Gain on sale of leased equipment was $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflecting the sale of two engines. Gain on sale of leased equipment was $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting the sale of six engines, one airframe and other parts and equipment.
    • The Company generated $8.4 million of pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $6.1 million in the comparable quarter of 2021.
    • The book value of lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures, inclusive of our notes receivable, maintenance rights, and investment in sales-type leases, was $2,488.9 million at September 30, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company also managed 333 engines, aircraft and related equipment on behalf of other parties.
    • The Company maintained $298.0 million of undrawn revolver capacity at September 30, 2022.
    • Diluted weighted average income per common share was $0.89 for the third quarter of 2022, compared to $0.32 in the third quarter of 2021.
    • Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $64.28 at September 30, 2022, compared to $59.23 at December 31, 2021.

    Balance Sheet

    As of September 30, 2022, $2,078.8 million of equipment held in our operating lease portfolio, $82.5 million notes receivable, $21.4 million of maintenance rights, and $6.7 million investment in sales-type leases, represented 337 engines, twelve aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $1,991.4 million equipment held for operating lease portfolio, $115.5 million notes receivable, and $22.5 million of maintenance rights, which represented 304 engines, twelve aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment.

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation

    Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers in 120 countries. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services supported by cutting edge technology through its subsidiary, Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through its subsidiary, Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc.

    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 the COVID-19 pandemic; 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
    September 30,
       Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      
      2022   2021 % Change  2022   2021  % Change
    REVENUE           
    Lease rent revenue$39,515  $32,908 20.1 % $114,344  $96,859  18.1 %
    Maintenance reserve revenue 20,438   23,659 (13.6)%  59,517   60,749  (2.0)%
    Spare parts and equipment sales 6,966   5,091 36.8 %  20,388   13,226  54.2 %
    Gain on sale of leased equipment 920   2,440 (62.3)%  3,716   2,440  52.3 %
    Gain on sale of financial assets     N/A   3,116     N/A 
    Asset transition fee     N/A      6,256  (100.0)%
    Other revenue 9,052   6,693 35.2 %  22,702   18,858  20.4 %
    Total revenue 76,891   70,791 8.6 %  223,783   198,388  12.8 %
                
    EXPENSES           
    Depreciation and amortization expense 22,059   21,274 3.7 %  65,480   68,755  (4.8)%
    Cost of spare parts and equipment sales 4,204   3,921 7.2 %  16,080   11,008  46.1 %
    Write-down of equipment 654    N/A   21,849   4,113  431.2 %
    General and administrative 22,788   18,662 22.1 %  66,820   54,312  23.0 %
    Technical expense 2,139   2,524 (15.3)%  11,222   6,130  83.1 %
    Net finance costs:           
    Interest expense 16,304   18,325 (11.0)%  49,209   50,331  (2.2)%
    Total net finance costs 16,304   18,325 (11.0)%  49,209   50,331  (2.2)%
    Total expenses 68,148   64,706 5.3 %  230,660   194,649  18.5 %
                
    Income (loss) from operations 8,743   6,085 43.7 %  (6,877)  3,739  (283.9)%
    Income (loss) from joint ventures (384)  21 (1,928.6)%  (1,531)  (1,183) 29.4 %
    Income (loss) before income taxes 8,359   6,106 36.9 %  (8,408)  2,556  (429.0)%
    Income tax expense 1,970   3,222 (38.9)%  496   946  (47.6)%
    Net income (loss) 6,389   2,884 121.5 %  (8,904)  1,610  (653.0)%
    Preferred stock dividends 819   819  %  2,431   2,431   %
    Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs 21   21  %  63   63   %
    Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders$5,549  $2,044 171.5 % $(11,398) $(884) 1,189.4 %
                
    Basic weighted average income (loss) per common share$0.91  $0.33   $(1.88) $(0.14)  
    Diluted weighted average income (loss) per common share$0.89  $0.32   $(1.88) $(0.14)  
                
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 6,093   6,189    6,058   6,135   
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 6,270   6,363    6,058   6,135   


    Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (In thousands, except per share data)

      September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
    ASSETS    
    Cash and cash equivalents $11,914 $14,329
    Restricted cash  69,473  81,312
    Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation  2,078,775  1,991,368
    Maintenance rights  21,358  22,511
    Equipment held for sale  3,853  6,952
    Receivables, net of allowances  49,544  39,623
    Spare parts inventory  41,901  50,959
    Investments  54,283  55,927
    Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation  34,525  31,327
    Intangible assets, net  1,144  1,188
    Notes receivable  82,487  115,456
    Investment in sales-type leases  6,735  
    Other assets  85,976  51,975
    Total assets $2,541,968 $2,462,927
         
    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
    Liabilities:    
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses $29,493 $26,858
    Deferred income taxes  130,288  124,332
    Debt obligations  1,851,650  1,790,264
    Maintenance reserves  58,022  65,976
    Security deposits  19,909  19,349
    Unearned revenue  13,331  10,458
    Total liabilities  2,102,693  2,037,237
         
    Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)  49,868  49,805
         
    Shareholders’ equity:    
    Common stock ($0.01 par value)  66  65
    Paid-in capital in excess of par  17,810  15,401
    Retained earnings  343,990  355,388
    Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax  27,541  5,031
    Total shareholders’ equity  389,407  375,885
    Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity $2,541,968 $2,462,927


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

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