Willis Lease Finance Reports Net Profit of $7.5 Million, or $0.92 Per Share, Year-to-Date

NOVATO, Calif., Nov. 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (Nasdaq:WLFC), the premier independent jet engine lessor in the commercial finance sector, today reported third quarter 2014 net income of $1.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2014 and a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2013. The loss in the year ago period included $4.3 million of non-cash write-downs.

In the first nine months of 2014, net income was $7.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $9.1 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2013. Earnings in the year ago period were positively impacted by a one-time $8.6 million tax benefit related to a reduction in the Company’s deferred tax liability. In addition, the recording of $3.4 million of maintenance reserve revenue related to the termination of aircraft leases within the WOLF joint venture boosted earnings in the year ago period, but was offset by the $4.3 million non-cash write-down mentioned above.

“We continue to position our business for the future, with a special emphasis on the launch of our newest joint venture in China, CASC Willis Engine Leasing Company, Ltd. This ground-breaking joint venture with China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Corporation Limited (”CASC") is making solid progress on new business opportunities even in advance of the grand opening ceremony scheduled for November 7," said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “We’re also moving forward with the development of our supply chain and ‘end-of-life’ solutions business, leveraging Willis Aero and several other exciting new initiatives that we’re working to deliver in the near term.”

Third Quarter 2014 Highlights (at or for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014, compared to September 30, 2013, and June 30, 2014):

Tangible book value per share increased 8.8% to $26.39 at quarter end, compared to $24.27 a year ago.
Repurchased 127,649 shares of common stock in the quarter for $2.8 million.
Lease rent revenues dropped 2.4% in the third quarter to $25.2 million, compared to the year ago quarter, primarily due to lower portfolio utilization. Lease rent revenues increased year-to-date by 2.5% to $76.9 million, as the average size of the lease portfolio increased compared to the prior year.
Maintenance reserve revenues increased 47.0% to $13.1 million in the third quarter and grew 39.3% to $41.7 million in the first nine months of the year, compared to the year ago periods.
Total revenues increased 12.6% to $42.7 million in 3Q14 from $38.0 million in 3Q13, reflecting higher maintenance reserve revenues and increased spare parts sales due to the continued growth of Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. (Willis Aero), the wholly-owned subsidiary launched in the fourth quarter of 2013, which provides innovative ‘end-of-life’ solutions for aircraft and engines.
Average utilization in the current quarter was 82% compared to 84% in the third quarter of 2013.
Utilization was 82% at quarter end, compared to 82% at the end of the second quarter and 85% a year ago.
Liquidity under the revolving credit facility was $357 million at quarter end, up from $138 million a year ago, reflecting the upsizing of the revolver in the second quarter of 2014.
“We continue to see strength in our market, particularly for the V2500 and the CFM56-5B engines, both of which power the Airbus A320 family of aircraft,” said Donald A. Nunemaker, President. “As always, we are focused on reducing the number of off-lease engines in our portfolio, which over the last six months has included an unusually large number of CFM56-7B engines. That backlog is already beginning to clear, and we’re seeing improvement in our overall utilization, which increased to 84% in October from 82% at the end of the third quarter.”

“The continued development of Willis Aero added $1.9 million to third quarter and $2.5 million to year-to-date revenues,” added Brad Forsyth, Chief Financial Officer. “We expect this business to continue to grow while at the same time generating synergies for our own engine portfolio, showing the benefit of having the in-house capability to efficiently and cost-effectively manage the process of exiting older engines.”

Balance Sheet

At September 30, 2014, Willis Lease had 196 commercial aircraft engines, 5 aircraft parts packages and 4 aircraft and other engine-related equipment in its lease portfolio, with a net book value of $1.006 billion, compared to 194 commercial aircraft engines, 4 aircraft parts packages and 4 aircraft and other engine-related equipment in its lease portfolio, with a net book value of $1.016 billion, a year ago. The Company’s funded debt-to-equity is 3.50 to 1 at quarter end, compared to 3.44 to 1 at June 30, 2014, and 3.60 to 1 a year ago.