Fintel reports that on September 8, 2026, Deutsche Bank initiated coverage of Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQGM:WLFC) with a Buy recommendation.
Prior to this rating action, the stock closed at $56.22 on September 4, 2026, which also represents the latest close price as of September 4, 2026. Looking at recent market performance, the stock experienced a price change of +5.24% over one week, compared to a baseline close of $53.42 on August 28, 2026. Over a one-month period, the stock saw a price change of -20.39% from a baseline close of $70.62 on August 4, 2026.
As of August 28, 2026, the current consensus target mean and median for the stock were both $72.42, representing an implied change of +28.82% from the baseline. This consensus target reflects a revision of -5.75% from the prior consensus target mean of $76.84 recorded on August 4, 2026. In terms of broader analyst sentiment, the current recommendation period as of September 1, 2026, shows a total of 7 recommendations, consisting of 2 strong buy, 4 buy, 1 hold, 0 sell, and 0 strong sell ratings. This represents 85.7% positive recommendations and 14.3% hold recommendations. This is a shift from the prior recommendation period as of August 1, 2026, which had a total of 6 recommendations, consisting of 0 strong buy, 0 buy, 3 hold, 1 sell, and 2 strong sell ratings, representing 0.0% positive, 50.0% hold, and 50.0% negative recommendations.
Prior to Deutsche Bank’s action, Freedom Broker upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy on August 12, 2026. Willis Lease Finance reported its latest earnings on August 4, 2026, with an actual EPS of 1.55 compared to an estimate of 0.918, representing a surprise of +68.85%. Actual revenue was reported at $194,017,000,000,000.00, compared to an estimate of $178,500,000,000,000.00.
According to the company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 4, 2026, for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2026, the registrant is located at 4700 Lyons Technology Parkway, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073. Additionally, in an EX-99.1 filing dated August 4, 2026, titled “Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Solid Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results,” the company, described as the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and global provider of aviation services, reported income from operations of $34.0 million, representing an increase of 20.2% compared to the second quarter of 2025. The filing also noted quarterly lease rent revenue of $77.1 million, an increase of 6.7%, and quarterly core lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues of $123.6 million.
Recent analyst actions
Recent analyst upgrades, downgrades, initiations, and maintained ratings Date Analyst Prior Latest recommendation Action September 8, 2026 Deutsche Bank Buy initiated coverage August 12, 2026 Freedom Broker Hold Buy upgrade
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