Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Third Quarter Pre-tax Profit of $6.1 million

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Nov. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported third quarter total revenues of $70.8 million and pre-tax profit of $6.1 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $56.6 million and spare parts and equipment sales were $5.1 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 and gain on sale of leased equipment partially offset by a reduction in long-term maintenance revenue.

“We are encouraged to see some of the early stages of a recovery reflected in our improved quarterly performance,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “While we are still a long way from a pre-COVID environment, and many hurdles still exist on that path, we are pleased to see our customers beginning to use the equipment they have more and increasingly requesting additional support. The aviation industry is important to the global recovery, and we are proud to be part of it.”

“The continuing recovery of our airline and MRO customers, and the industry in general, has had a direct impact on our own success,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “And we believe our airline customers will continue to benefit from leveraging our scale and diversity of product and service offerings, whether in the form of capital, lease assets or technical and asset management services, as they focus on the huge task of repaying government loans while working feverishly to return whole fleets from storage.”

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights (at or for the periods ended September 30, 2021, as compared to September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020):

• Lease rent revenue increased to $32.9 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 primarily reflecting an increase in the number of engines acquired and placed on lease.
• Maintenance reserve revenue was $23.7 million in the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of 26.8% compared to $32.3 million in the same quarter of 2020. The decline in maintenance revenue was primarily influenced by lower long-term maintenance revenue, which is associated with engines returning from long-term lease, and increase in short-term maintenance revenue, which results from usage of the assets we have on short-term lease. Long-term maintenance reserve revenue was $18.6 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $30.6 million in the comparable prior period, and short-term maintenance reserve revenue was $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $1.7 million in the prior year period.
• Spare parts and equipment sales increased to $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in spare parts sales was driven by improved industry wide demand compared to the prior year period.
• 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. There was no gain on sale of leased equipment in the third quarter of 2020.
• Other revenue increased by $1.3 million to $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting interest income from our notes receivable and other service-related fees.
• Income before income taxes was $6.1 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2020.
• Our aggregate lease assets, inclusive of our equipment held for operating lease and notes receivable, at September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $2,167.4 million and $1,776.1 million, respectively, a 22.0% year-over-year increase.
• The book value of lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures, inclusive of our notes receivable, was $2,513.6 million at September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, the Company also managed 488 engines, aircraft and related equipment on behalf of other parties.
• The Company maintained $397 million of undrawn revolver capacity at September 30, 2021.
• Diluted weighted average earnings per common share were $0.32 for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $0.35 in the third quarter of 2020.
• Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $60.45 at September 30, 2021, compared to $59.40 at December 31, 2020.
  

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2021, the Company’s $1.971 billion equipment held for operating lease portfolio and $196.1 million notes receivable represented 313 engines, eight aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s $1.887 billion equipment held for operating lease portfolio and $158.7 million notes receivable represented 291 engines, eight 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 terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; 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 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 September30,
		2021			2020		% Change				2021				2020		% Change
REVENUE
Lease rent revenue	$	32,908		$	30,025		9.6	%		$	96,859			$	114,874		(15.7	%)
Maintenance reserve revenue		23,659			32,302		(26.8	%)			60,749				82,816		(26.6	%)
Spare parts and equipment sales		5,091			2,888		76.3	%			13,226				14,848		(10.9	%)
Gain on sale of leased equipment		2,440			—		100.0	%			2,440				1,367		(100.0	%)
Asset transition fee		—			—		—				6,256				—		100.0	%
Other revenue		6,693			5,398		24.0	%			18,858				13,300		41.8	%
Total revenue		70,791			70,613		0.3	%			198,388				227,205		(12.7	%)
EXPENSES
Depreciation and amortization expense		21,274			24,022		(11.4	%)			68,755				71,176		(3.4	%)
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales		3,921			4,125		(4.9	%)			11,008				13,461		(18.2	%)
Write-down of equipment		—			5,245		(100.0	%)			4,113				14,371		(71.4	%)
General and administrative		18,662			16,461		13.4	%			54,312				51,256		6.0	%
Technical expense		2,524			827		205.2	%			6,130				3,422		79.1	%
Net finance costs:
Interest expense		18,325			15,351		19.4	%			50,331				47,136		6.8	%
Loss on debt extinguishment		—			—		—	%			—				4,688		(100.0	%)
Total net finance costs		18,325			15,351		19.4	%			50,331				51,824		(2.9	%)
Total expenses		64,706			66,031		(2.0	%)			194,649				205,510		(5.3	%)
Earnings from operations		6,085			4,582		32.8	%			3,739				21,695		(82.8	%)
Earnings (loss) from joint ventures		21			1,457		(98.6	%)			(1,183	)			2,612		(145.3	%)
Income before income taxes		6,106			6,039		1.1	%			2,556				24,307		(89.5	%)
Income tax expense		3,222			3,055		5.5	%			946				11,665		(91.9	%)
Net income		2,884			2,984		(3.4	%)			1,610				12,642		(87.3	%)
Preferred stock dividends		819			819		—	%			2,431				2,440		(0.4	%)
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs		21			21		—	%			63				63		—	%
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	2,044		$	2,144		(4.7	%)		$	(884	)		$	10,139		(108.7	%)
Basic weighted average earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.33		$	0.36					$	(0.14	)		$	1.70
Diluted weighted average earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.32		$	0.35					$	(0.14	)		$	1.66
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		6,189			5,985						6,135				5,954
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		6,363			6,084						6,135				6,104

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)

		September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	15,092		$	42,540
Restricted cash		56,477			36,385
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation		1,971,252			1,886,613
Maintenance rights		22,511			20,097
Equipment held for sale		11,057			2,850
Receivables, net of allowances		42,595			28,269
Spare parts inventory		53,556			59,434
Investments		53,153			53,275
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation		30,800			31,753
Intangible assets, net		1,202			1,246
Notes receivable		196,146			158,708
Other assets		47,047			43,778
Total assets	$	2,500,888		$	2,364,948
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	50,124		$	26,977
Deferred income taxes		118,941			116,838
Debt obligations		1,814,208			1,693,753
Maintenance reserves		61,482			82,484
Security deposits		22,915			19,522
Unearned revenue		12,590			11,637
Total liabilities		2,080,260			1,951,211
Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)		49,785			49,722
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value)		66			66
Paid-in capital in excess of par		15,653			13,696
Retained earnings		354,486			355,370
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		638			(5,117	)
Total shareholders’ equity		370,843			364,015
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity	$	2,500,888		$	2,364,948

CONTACT:

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