Willis Lease Finance Corporation's joint venture, WMES, secured a $750 million revolving credit facility for strategic growth initiatives.
Quiver AI Summary
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) announced that its joint venture, Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited (WMES), has secured a new $750 million revolving credit facility for five years. This agreement, effective October 31, 2025, allows WMES to use the funds for general corporate purposes and can be extended with lender approval until 2030. The facility aims to enhance WMES's financial flexibility and support strategic growth initiatives following the acquisition of Willis Mitsui & Co. Asset Management Limited earlier this year. The interest on loans will be tied to a floating rate. Both WLFC and Mitsui own WMES equally, which was established in 2011 and is based in Dublin.
Potential Positives
- Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited has secured a new $750 million revolving credit facility, enhancing financial flexibility for the company.
- The new credit agreement reflects continued confidence from lenders in the joint venture, indicating strong financial health and support for future growth initiatives.
- Proceeds from the credit facility can be utilized for general corporate purposes, allowing for strategic investments and agility in capitalizing on new opportunities.
- The announcement follows the successful acquisition of Willis Mitsui & Co. Asset Management Limited, positioning the company for expanded growth in the aviation sector.
Potential Negatives
- The significant reliance on a new $750 million revolving credit facility may indicate potential cash flow issues or funding challenges faced by the company.
- The forward-looking statements include numerous risks and uncertainties, suggesting that the company faces various external factors that could adversely impact its future performance.
- The reference to the company's dependence on market conditions and risks associated with asset ownership and leasing may raise concerns about its operational stability and financial health.
FAQ
What is the new revolving credit facility amount announced by WLFC?
The new revolving credit facility amount announced by WLFC is $750.0 million.
How long is the term of the new credit facility?
The term of the new credit facility is five years, available until October 31, 2030.
What will the proceeds from the credit facility be used for?
The proceeds from the credit facility may be used for general corporate purposes.
Who are the joint venture partners in WMES?
Willis Lease Finance Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. are the joint venture partners in WMES.
Where is WMES headquartered?
WMES is headquartered in Dublin.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$WLFC Insider Trading Activity
$WLFC insiders have traded $WLFC stock on the open market 58 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 58 have been sales.
Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $WLFC stock by insiders over the last 6 months:
- CHARLES F IV WILLIS (Executive Chairman) has made 0 purchases and 17 sales selling 50,000 shares for an estimated $7,388,133.
- BRIAN RICHARD HOLE (PRESIDENT) has made 0 purchases and 8 sales selling 24,153 shares for an estimated $3,490,541.
- AUSTIN CHANDLER WILLIS (Chief Executive Officer) has made 0 purchases and 32 sales selling 22,418 shares for an estimated $3,100,037.
- COLM BARRINGTON sold 2,000 shares for an estimated $314,259
To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.
$WLFC Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 82 institutional investors add shares of $WLFC stock to their portfolio, and 44 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- OPHIR ASSET MANAGEMENT PTY LTD removed 141,418 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $20,191,662
- TWO SIGMA INVESTMENTS, LP added 84,670 shares (+1104.8%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $12,089,182
- MORGAN STANLEY added 72,459 shares (+132.8%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $10,345,696
- ROYAL BANK OF CANADA added 65,875 shares (+455.8%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $9,405,632
- UBS GROUP AG added 58,862 shares (+275.9%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $8,404,316
- ORION PORFOLIO SOLUTIONS, LLC added 56,543 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $8,073,209
- BLACKROCK, INC. added 45,459 shares (+22.8%) to their portfolio in Q2 2025, for an estimated $6,490,636
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
Full Release
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Nov. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and a global provider of aviation services, today announced that on October 31, 2025, Willis Mitsui & Co. Engine Support Limited (“WMES”), the Company’s long-standing joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”), entered into a new $750.0 million, five-year, revolving credit facility (“Credit Agreement”).
Proceeds from the revolving credit facility may be used for general corporate purposes. The credit facility will be available on a revolving basis until October 31, 2030, and WMES may request to extend the maturity, subject to lender approval. Loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest based on a floating rate (Term SOFR) plus a margin.
“We are extremely pleased with the successful completion of this new revolving credit facility,” said Hagen S. Disch, Treasurer of WLFC, “which strengthens our financial flexibility and demonstrates the continued confidence our lenders have in our joint venture."
“We are thrilled to announce a new credit facility for WMES as we focus on expanding our strategic growth initiatives,” said Akira Kaido, Chairperson and Director of WMES. “This announcement closely follows the close of our acquisition of Willis Mitsui & Co. Asset Management Limited in June, and this credit agreement will help us capitalize on new opportunities with agility and strength.”
WMES, which is 50% owned by WLFC and 50% owned by Mitsui, was established in 2011 and headquartered in Dublin.
About Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines 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, 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. Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to develop, build and operate projects to help decarbonize aviation.
Forward-Looking Statements
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. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are subject to change in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, either expressly or implicitly, 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 natural disasters; 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, as well as the impact of new or increased tariffs; 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 and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
CONTACT:
Scott B. Flaherty
EVP & Chief Financial Officer
561.413.0112