Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Second Quarter Pre-tax Profit of $11.6 Million

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.

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(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.

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