• Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports First Quarter Pre-tax Loss of $1.7 million

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 04 May 2021 05:00:00   America/Chicago

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., May 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported first quarter total revenues of $61.1 million and pre-tax loss of $1.7 million. The Company reported lower revenue in the first quarter when compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The slowdown in global travel continues to impact aircraft and engine utilization as well as demand for aircraft and engine spare parts. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $51.3 million and spare parts and equipment sales were $4.6 million.

    “Despite significant progress in the development and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, the pandemic continues to weigh on global travel and that, obviously, has had a negative impact on our business and the industry as a whole,” said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. “We are not satisfied with our quarterly results, but we continue to focus on the long-term and our Platform is well-positioned, whether in providing capital, assets or services, to support our customers’ slow recovery from a nearly complete and worldwide shutdown of air travel.”

    “Our results this quarter are disappointing, but not surprising given the lack of flying worldwide,” said Brian R. Hole, President. “Those things are out of our control so instead we are focused on what we can control. We are delivering liquidity to our customers, continuing to innovate, including closing our first transaction with our brand new revolving credit lease engine financing product, and developing programmatic solutions that will help our customers conserve capital while transitioning out of aircraft and engines or returning them to service without being forced to invest in costly maintenance.”

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

    • Total revenue was $61.1 million in the first quarter of 2021, a 25.1% decrease when compared to $81.6 million in the same quarter of 2020.
    • Lease rent revenue was $31.5 million in the first quarter of 2021.
    • Maintenance reserve revenue was $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2021, a decrease of 3.5% compared to $20.5 million in the same quarter of 2020. Long term maintenance reserve revenue, which is influenced by end of lease compensation, increased to $17.2 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $8.6 million in the comparable prior period. Short term maintenance reserve revenue, which is influenced by our customers’ usage of assets we lease to them, was $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $11.9 million in the comparable prior period.
    • Spare parts and equipment sales were $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2020.
    • Other revenue increased to $5.2 million, or 48.7%, in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting interest income from our Notes receivable.
    • (Loss) income before income taxes was $(1.7) million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2020.
    • Our aggregate lease assets, inclusive of our equipment held for operating lease and notes receivable, at March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $2,085.4 million and $1,813.6 million, respectively, a 15.0% year-over-year increase.
    • The book value of lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures was $2,420.1 million at March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, the Company also managed 385 engines, aircraft and related equipment on behalf of third parties.
    • The Company maintained $183 million of undrawn revolver capacity at March 31, 2021.
    • Diluted weighted average (loss) earnings per common share were $(0.36) for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $0.56 in the first quarter of 2020.
    • Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $62.12 at March 31, 2021, compared to $59.40 at December 31, 2020.

    Balance Sheet

    As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s $1.888 billion equipment held for operating lease portfolio and $197.6 million notes receivable represented 295 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 March 31,  
     2021 2020 % Change
    REVENUE     
    Lease rent revenue$31,520   $46,395  (32.1)%
    Maintenance reserve revenue19,812   20,528  (3.5)%
    Spare parts and equipment sales4,566   9,105  (49.9)%
    Gain on sale of leased equipment   2,067  (100.0)%
    Other revenue5,227   3,514  48.7 %
    Total revenue61,125   81,609  (25.1)%
          
    EXPENSES     
    Depreciation and amortization expense24,141   23,390  3.2 %
    Cost of spare parts and equipment sales3,809   6,688  (43.0)%
    Write-down of equipment1,867   2,129  (12.3)%
    General and administrative16,151   19,567  (17.5)%
    Technical expense1,310   1,127  16.2 %
    Net finance costs:     
    Interest expense15,019   15,696  (4.3)%
    Loss on debt extinguishment   4,688  (100.0)%
    Total net finance costs15,019   20,384  (26.3)%
    Total expenses62,297   73,285  (15.0)%
          
    (Loss) earnings from operations(1,172)  8,324  (114.1)%
    (Loss) earnings from joint ventures(519)  207  (350.7)%
    (Loss) income before income taxes(1,691)  8,531  (119.8)%
    Income tax (benefit) expense(359)  4,245  (108.5)%
    Net (loss) income(1,332)  4,286  (131.1)%
    Preferred stock dividends801   810  (1.1)%
    Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs21   21   %
    Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders$(2,154)  $3,455  (162.3)%
          
    Basic weighted average (loss) earnings per common share$(0.36)  $0.59   
    Diluted weighted average (loss) earnings per common share$(0.36)  $0.56   
          
    Basic weighted average common shares outstanding5,995   5,860   
    Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding5,995   6,124   



    Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

    (In thousands, except per share data)

      March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
    ASSETS    
    Cash and cash equivalents $26,490  $42,540 
    Restricted cash 38,274  36,385 
    Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation 1,887,884  1,886,613 
    Maintenance rights 20,097  20,097 
    Equipment held for sale 2,850  2,850 
    Receivables, net of allowances 40,483  28,269 
    Spare parts inventory 57,870  59,434 
    Investments 56,142  53,275 
    Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation 31,169  31,753 
    Intangible assets, net 1,232  1,246 
    Notes receivable 197,552  158,708 
    Other assets 49,631  43,778 
    Total assets $2,409,674  $2,364,948 
         
    LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
    Liabilities:    
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses $24,391  $26,977 
    Deferred income taxes 118,570  116,838 
    Debt obligations 1,724,130  1,693,753 
    Maintenance reserves 88,782  82,484 
    Security deposits 19,658  19,522 
    Unearned revenue 11,988  11,637 
    Total liabilities 1,987,519  1,951,211 
         
    Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value) 49,743  49,722 
         
    Shareholders’ equity:    
    Common stock ($0.01 par value) 66  66 
    Paid-in capital in excess of par 16,580  13,696 
    Retained earnings 353,216  355,370 
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,550  (5,117)
    Total shareholders’ equity 372,412  364,015 
    Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity $2,409,674  $2,364,948 


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

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