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8-K - 8-K - WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPwlfc-20210315.htm

Exhibit 99.1
wlfclogojpghoriz1a.jpg
 
 
CONTACT:
Scott B. Flaherty
NEWS RELEASE Chief Financial Officer
 (561) 349-9989
 

Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports
Annual Pre-tax Profit of $17.3 million
 
COCONUT CREEK, FL — March 15, 2021 — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported annual total revenues of $288.7 million and pre-tax profit of $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company reported lower revenue in 2020 when compared to the prior year, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The slowdown in global travel has led to a reduction in aircraft and engine utilization as well as a reduction in demand for aircraft and engine spare parts which keep airline fleets in operation. For the year ended December 31, 2020, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $248.3 million and spare parts and equipment sales were $18.6 million.
 
“The COVID-19 pandemic obviously has had a dramatic impact on global travel and the aircraft and aircraft engine lessors, including our Company, have felt the effects of the slowdown,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “We have worked hard this year to protect our own liquidity, focus on our customers and invest in new technology equipment, which we believe has positioned the Company well for continued growth and the industry’s eventual emergence from this crisis.”

“The entire industry has suffered as a result of the pandemic-driven disappearance of air travel, but we are proud of the way we have navigated this crisis and the way our employees have delivered for our shareholders and our customers,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “This Company has a long track record of innovating and fighting through cycles and we are excited for the opportunity to continue that trend now.”

2020 Highlights (at or for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to December 31, 2019):
 
Total revenue was $288.7 million in 2020, a 29.4% decrease when compared to $409.2 million in the prior year.
Lease rent revenue was $142.9 million in 2020.
Maintenance reserve revenue was $105.4 million in 2020, a decrease of 3.3% compared to $109.0 million in 2019. Long term maintenance reserve revenue, which is influenced by end of lease compensation, increased to $87.7 million in 2020, compared to $37.6 million in the prior year. Short term maintenance reserve revenue, which is influenced by our customers' usage of assets we lease to them, was $17.7 million in 2020 compared to $71.4 million in the prior year.
Spare parts and equipment sales were $18.6 million in 2020, compared to $74.7 million in 2019.
Income before income taxes was $17.3 million in 2020, compared to $88.9 million in 2019.
Our aggregate lease assets, inclusive of our equipment held for operating lease and notes receivable, at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $2,045.3 million and $1,689.1 million, respectively, a 21.1% year-over-year increase.
The book value of lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures was $2,384.7 million at December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company also managed 400 engines, aircraft and related equipment on behalf of third parties.
The Company maintained $223 million of undrawn revolver capacity at December 31, 2020.
Diluted weighted average earnings per common share were $1.05 for 2020, compared to $10.50 in 2019.
Under the Company's repurchase plan, the Company repurchased a total of 55,426 of common stock during 2020 for $1.5 million.
Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $59.40 at December 31, 2020, compared to $57.83 at December 31, 2019.




Balance Sheet

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. As of December 31, 2019, the Company's $1.651 billion equipment held for operating lease portfolio and $38.1 million notes receivable represented 263 engines, 12 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 December 31,Years Ended December 31,
 20202019% Change20202019% Change
REVENUE 
Lease rent revenue$28,021 $48,206 (41.9)%$142,895 $190,690 (25.1)%
Maintenance reserve revenue22,549 18,000 25.3 %105,365 108,998 (3.3)%
Spare parts and equipment sales3,777 18,154 (79.2)%18,625 74,651 (75.1)%
Gain on sale of leased equipment2,024 765 164.6 %3,391 20,044 (83.1)%
Other revenue5,116 4,103 24.7 %18,416 14,777 24.6 %
Total revenue61,487 89,228 (31.1)%288,692 409,160 (29.4)%
EXPENSES
Depreciation and amortization expense23,365 23,199 0.7 %94,541 86,236 9.6 %
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales3,301 15,455 (78.6)%16,762 62,647 (73.2)%
Write-down of equipment6,169 6,899 (10.6)%20,540 18,220 12.7 %
General and administrative16,654 20,437 (18.5)%67,910 86,523 (21.5)%
Technical expense3,111 3,188 (2.4)%6,533 8,122 (19.6)%
Net finance costs:
     Interest expense15,888 15,657 1.5 %63,024 66,889 (5.8)%
     Loss on debt extinguishment— — — %4,688 220 2,030.9 %
Total net finance costs15,888 15,657 1.5 %67,712 67,109 0.9 %
Total expenses68,488 84,835 (19.3)%273,998 328,857 (16.7)%
(Loss) earnings from operations(7,001)4,393 (259.4)%14,694 80,303 (81.7)%
Earnings from joint ventures30 3,791 (99.2)%2,642 8,578 (69.2)%
(Loss) income before income taxes(6,971)8,184 (185.2)%17,336 88,881 (80.5)%
Income tax (benefit) expense(4,077)3,188 (227.9)%7,588 21,959 (65.4)%
Net (loss) income(2,894)4,996 (157.9)%9,748 66,922 (85.4)%
Preferred stock dividends819 819 — %3,259 3,250 0.3 %
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs21 21 — %84 84 — %
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders$(3,734)$4,156 (189.8)%$6,405 $63,588 (89.9)%
Basic weighted average (loss) earnings per common share$(0.62)$0.71 $1.07 $10.90 
Diluted weighted average (loss) earnings per common share$(0.62)$0.68 $1.05 $10.50 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding5,988 5,850 5,963 5,836 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding5,988 6,099 6,128 6,058 





Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$42,540 $6,720 
Restricted cash36,385 56,948 
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation1,886,613 1,650,918 
Maintenance rights20,097 3,133 
Equipment held for sale2,850 120 
Receivables, net of allowances28,269 24,059 
Spare parts inventory59,434 41,759 
Investments53,275 57,936 
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation31,753 31,520 
Intangible assets, net1,246 1,312 
Notes receivable158,708 38,145 
Other assets43,778 28,038 
Total assets$2,364,948 $1,940,608 
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$26,977 $45,648 
Deferred income taxes116,838 110,418 
Debt obligations1,693,753 1,251,006 
Maintenance reserves82,484 106,870 
Security deposits19,522 20,569 
Unearned revenue11,637 6,121 
Total liabilities1,951,211 1,540,632 
Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)49,722 49,638 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value)66 64 
Paid-in capital in excess of par13,696 4,557 
Retained earnings355,370 348,965 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax(5,117)(3,248)
Total shareholders’ equity364,015 350,338 
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity$2,364,948 $1,940,608