NOVATO, Calif., Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported a pre-tax profit of $11.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, driven by strong sales in each of our leasing, spare parts and asset management businesses. The Company achieved record quarterly lease rent revenue of $43.1 million in the period driven by continued high utilization and 14.9% growth of our portfolio to $1.542 billion at quarter-end compared to $1.343 billion at December 31, 2017. Aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $65.1 million for the second quarter 2018, up 37.5% and 85.5% respectively.

“We continue to deliver strong cash flow and profits during a significant growth period for the Company,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO.  “Our focus is on growing and shaping our portfolio, and the business generally, to ensure that we have the right assets and services in the right places, at the right time, delivering maximum value for our customers.”

“The industry continues to see high demand for lease engines, parts and services and we are poised to deliver on each because of the strength and depth of our asset portfolio and our Platform,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “We believe we are leading a fundamental industry change as airlines realize it is more efficient to access our Platform of assets and services on demand than to acquire a large number of perpetually under-utilized spare engines.”

Second Quarter 2018 Highlights (at or for the periods ended June 30, 2018, as compared to June 30, 2017, and December 31, 2017):

  • Total revenue grew by 9.5% to $74.3 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $67.8 million in the prior year period.

  • Lease rent revenue achieved a record quarterly high of $43.1 million in the second quarter of 2018; 37.5% growth from $31.3 million in the same quarter of 2017.

  • Quarterly maintenance reserve revenue increased by $10.2 million over the prior year period due to an increase in long-term lease transition relative to the prior year period.

  • Spare parts and equipment sales decreased $12.3 million versus the second quarter of 2017 as there were no equipment sales in the current period.

  • General and administrative expenses increased, primarily due to costs associated with relocating and transitioning employees in our various offices and hiring to support our broadening Platform.

  • Utilization at the end of the second quarter of 2018 was 88% compared to 89% at 2017 year-end.  Utilization was negatively impacted by delivery of new, off lease engines over the period.

  • Our equipment lease portfolio grew 14.9% to $1.542 billion, from $1.343 billion at December 31, 2017, net of asset sales and depreciation expense.  The book value of lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures was $1.9 billion at June 30, 2018.

  • The Company purchased $104.5 million of equipment in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $76.9 million in the second quarter of 2017.

  • The Company maintained $224 million of undrawn revolver capacity at June 30, 2018.

  • Tangible book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $43.33 at June 30, 2018, compared to $41.63 at December 31, 2017.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had a total lease portfolio consisting of 246 engines and related equipment, 15 aircraft and 10 other leased parts and equipment with a net book value of $1.542 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a total lease portfolio consisting of 225 engines and related equipment, 16 aircraft and 7 other leased parts and equipment, with a net book value of $1.343 billion.

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, as well as various end-of-life solutions for aircraft, 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 terrorist activity, changes in oil prices and other disruptions to the 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 the 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   Six Months Ended  
  June 30, % June 30, %
  2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
REVENUE                 
Lease rent revenue $43,081 $31,337 37.5% $82,726 $61,572  34.4%
Maintenance reserve revenue  22,045  11,881 85.5%  37,485  43,843  (14.5)%
Spare parts and equipment sales  7,061  19,383 (63.6)%  13,347  31,979  (58.3)%
Gain on sale of leased equipment  245  3,527 (93.1)%  886  4,509  (80.4)%
Other revenue  1,871  1,716 9.0%  3,752  3,888  (3.5)%
Total revenue  74,303  67,844 9.5%  138,196  145,791  (5.2)%
                  
EXPENSES                 
Depreciation and amortization expense  18,384  16,015 14.8%  35,739  32,644  9.5%
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales (1)  5,906  14,656 (59.7)%  10,689  24,973  (57.2)%
Write-down of equipment (1)  3,578  1,351 164.8%  3,578  13,442  (73.4)%
General and administrative  16,782  13,065 28.5%  32,393  26,265  23.3%
Technical expense  3,232  2,448 32.0%  6,909  4,740  45.8%
Interest expense  15,138  11,312 33.8%  28,732  22,178  29.6%
Total expenses  63,020  58,847 7.1%  118,040  124,242  (5.0)%
                  
Earnings from operations  11,283  8,997 25.4%  20,156  21,549  (6.5)%
Earnings from joint ventures  316  1,161 (72.8)%  1,063  3,015  (64.7)%
Income before income taxes  11,599  10,158 14.2%  21,219  24,564  (13.6)%
Income tax expense  3,240  4,168 (22.3)%  5,776  10,406  (44.5)%
Net income  8,359  5,990 39.5%  15,443  14,158  9.1%
Preferred stock dividends  810  324 150.0%  1,612  646  149.5%
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs  21  9 133.3%  42  17  147.1%
Net income attributable to common shareholders $7,528 $5,657 33.1% $13,789 $13,495  2.2%
                  
Basic weighted average earnings per common share $1.28 $0.94   $2.30 $2.22   
Diluted weighted average earnings per common share (2) $1.26 $0.92   $2.25 $2.17   
                  
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding  5,878  6,036    5,990  6,075   
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (2)  5,991  6,158    6,123  6,213   
                  

_______________________________
(1) The amounts herein include reclassifications of scrap inventory write-offs and lower of cost or market write-downs that were previously presented within Write-down of equipment to the Costs of spare parts and equipment sales expense line item. The three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were impacted by a reclassification of $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, reflected as an increase to Cost of spare parts and equipment sales and a decrease to Write-down of equipment.

(2) Diluted earnings per common share and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding have been adjusted to properly exclude the effects of income tax benefits on unvested restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09. The adjustment did not impact diluted earnings per common share and impacted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding by approximately 16,000 shares for the second quarter of 2017. The adjustment impacted diluted earnings per common share and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the first half of 2017 by $0.01 and approximately 12,000 shares, respectively.

 
 
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents $8,938 $7,052
Restricted cash  37,880  40,272
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation  1,542,329  1,342,571
Maintenance rights  14,763  14,763
Equipment held for sale  18,430  34,172
Operating lease related receivables, net of allowances  20,238  18,848
Spare parts inventory  27,146  16,379
Investments  50,749  50,641
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation  25,967  26,074
Intangible assets, net  1,525  1,727
Other assets  35,470  50,932
Total assets $1,783,435 $1,603,431
       
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Liabilities:      
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $28,137 $22,072
Deferred income taxes  83,814  78,280
Debt obligations  1,232,847  1,085,405
Maintenance reserves  88,114  75,889
Security deposits  27,143  25,302
Unearned revenue  8,581  8,102
Total liabilities  1,468,636  1,295,050
       
Redeemable preferred stock ($0.0l par value)  49,512  49,471
       
Shareholders' equity:      
Common stock ($0.0l par value)  64  64
Paid-in capital in excess of par  1,474  2,319
Retained earnings  262,548  256,301
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax  1,201  226
Total shareholders' equity  265,287  258,910
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders' equity $1,783,435 $1,603,431
       


Scott B. Flaherty
Chief Financial Officer
(415) 408-4700