Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Record Annual Pre-tax Profit of $56.3 Million - Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC)

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation WLFC today reported a record annual pre-tax profit of $56.3 million, from $36.0 million in 2017, including record total revenues of $348.3 million. The Company's 2018 pretax results were driven by continued revenue growth in the core leasing business and an increase in spare parts and equipment sales. Aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues of $262.6 million were driven by high utilization of a lease portfolio that grew 24.6% to $1.673 billion at year-end.

"We are very pleased to have delivered strong performance across the Willis Lease Platform in 2018," said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. "Our global client base is recognizing the value of our vertically integrated offering of core lease services, materials, fleet transition solutions, asset management and materials services."

"The continued evolution of our Platform lets us offer the industry new options for financing, managing and transitioning into and out of equipment," said Brian R. Hole, President. "This includes our ConstantAccess program, which allows customers seeking operational and cost efficiency to leverage our portfolio instead of buying too many new, dedicated spare engines. We are pleased to be able to support our customers with these unique products and services during a period of very high demand in the market."

2018 Highlights (at or for the period ended December 31, 2018, as compared to December 31, 2017):

Total revenue increased by 26.7% to $348.3 million in 2018, compared to $274.8 million in 2017.
Lease rent revenue achieved an annual high of $175.6 million in 2018; 34.7% growth from $130.4 million in 2017.
Earnings before tax were $56.3 million in 2018, up 56.3% when compared to $36.0 million in 2017.
General and administrative expenses increased, primarily due to one-time costs associated with facility relocations and employee transitions, increased headcount to support our broadening Platform and increased compensation accruals due to operating performance.
Utilization at the end of 2018 was 89% and consistent with 2017 year-end levels.
Our equipment lease portfolio grew 24.6% to $1.673 billion, from $1.343 billion at December 31, 2017, net of asset sales and depreciation expense.
The book value of 308 lease assets we own directly or through our joint ventures was $2.0 billion at December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the Company managed 422 engines, aircraft and related equipment on behalf of third parties.
The Company maintained $463 million of undrawn revolver capacity at December 31, 2018.
A total of 471,595 shares of common stock were repurchased in 2018 under the Company's repurchase plan for $16.2 million. On December 31, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved the renewal of the stock repurchase plan, extending the plan through December 31, 2020 allowing for the repurchase of up to $60 million.
Diluted weighted average earnings per common share was $6.60 per share for the year 2018.
Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $47.43 at December 31, 2018, compared to $41.63 at December 31, 2017.

Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a total lease portfolio consisting of 244 engines and related equipment, 17 aircraft and 10 other leased parts and equipment with a net book value of $1.673 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a total lease portfolio consisting of 225 engines, 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 Limited, 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.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended							Years Ended
	December 31,					%		December 31,					%
		2018		2017		Change			2018		2017		Change
REVENUE
Lease rent revenue	$	45,900	$	35,324		29.9	%	$	175,609	$	130,369		34.7	%
Maintenance reserve revenue		30,154		15,977		88.7	%		87,009		80,189		8.5	%
Spare parts and equipment sales (1)		34,973		10,150		244.6	%		71,141		51,423		38.3	%
Gain on sale of leased equipment (1)		5,282		245		2055.9	%		6,944		4,929		40.9	%
Other revenue		1,881		1,493		26.0	%		7,644		7,930		(3.6	)%
Total revenue		118,190		63,189		87.0	%		348,347		274,840		26.7	%

EXPENSES
Depreciation and amortization expense		21,214		17,238		23.1	%		76,814		66,023		16.3	%
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales (1)		30,501		11,302		169.9	%		61,025		40,848		49.4	%
Write-down of equipment		5,858		2,687		118.0	%		10,651		24,930		(57.3	)%
General and administrative		21,504		15,164		41.8	%		72,021		55,737		29.2	%
Technical expense		1,943		2,384		(18.5	)%		11,142		9,729		14.5	%
Interest expense		17,603		12,322		42.9	%		64,220		48,720		31.8	%
Total expenses		98,623		61,097		61.4	%		295,873		245,987		20.3	%

Earnings from operations		19,567		2,092		835.3	%		52,474		28,853		81.9	%
Earnings from joint ventures		2,231		1,103		102.3	%		3,800		7,158		(46.9	)%
Income before income taxes		21,798		3,195		582.3	%		56,274		36,011		56.3	%
Income tax expense (benefit)		3,684		(39,515	)	(109.3	)%		13,043		(26,147	)	(149.9	)%
Net income		18,114		42,710		(57.6	)%		43,231		62,158		(30.4	)%
Preferred stock dividends		819		825		(0.7	)%		3,250		1,813		79.3	%
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs		21		21		0.0	%		83		46		80.4	%
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	17,274	$	41,864		(58.7	)%	$	39,898	$	60,299		(33.8	)%

Basic weighted average earnings per common share	$	2.99	$	6.87				$	6.75	$	9.93
Diluted weighted average earnings per common share	$	2.91	$	6.75				$	6.60	$	9.69

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		5,782		6,090					5,915		6,074
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		5,939		6,201					6,046		6,220

(1) Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers and has identified the transfer of engines and airframes from the lease portfolio to the Spare Parts segment for part out as sales to customers in accordance with the ordinary operations of our Spare Parts reportable segment. As such, we present the sale of these assets on a gross basis and have reclassified the gross revenue and costs of sale to the Spare parts and equipment sales and Cost of spare parts and equipment sales line items from the net gain (loss) presentation within the Gain on sale of leased equipment line item. The reclassification resulted in an increase in Spare parts and equipment sales of $1.9 million, a decrease in Gain on sale of leased equipment of $0.2 million and an increase in Cost of spare parts and equipment sales of $1.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, the reclassification resulted in an increase in Spare parts and equipment sales of $16.4 million, a decrease in Gain on sale of leased equipment of $0.7 million and an increase in Cost of spare parts and equipment sales of $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption, with no restatement of comparative periods. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC Topic 605 – Revenue Recognition.



Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,688	$	7,052
Restricted cash		70,261		40,272
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation		1,673,135		1,342,571
Maintenance rights		14,763		14,763
Equipment held for sale (1)		789		34,172
Receivables, net of allowances		23,270		18,848
Spare parts inventory (1)		48,874		16,379
Investments		47,941		50,641
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation		27,679		26,074
Intangible assets, net		1,379		1,727
Other assets		15,164		50,932
Total assets	$	1,934,943	$	1,603,431

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	42,939	$	22,072
Deferred income taxes		90,285		78,280
Debt obligations		1,337,349		1,085,405
Maintenance reserves		94,522		75,889
Security deposits		28,047		25,302
Unearned revenue		5,460		8,102
Total liabilities		1,598,602		1,295,050

Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value)		49,554		49,471

Shareholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value)		62		64
Paid-in capital in excess of par		-		2,319
Retained earnings		286,623		256,301
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		102		226
Total shareholders' equity		286,787		258,910
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders' equity	$	1,934,943	$	1,603,431

(1) Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers and has identified the transfer of engines and airframes from the lease portfolio to the Spare Parts segment for part out as sales of nonfinancial assets to customers of the reporting entity. As such, as of December 31, 2018, $22.9 million of these assets which had previously been included in Equipment held for sale are now within the Spare parts inventory line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption, with no restatement of comparative 2017 periods. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC Topic 605 – Revenue Recognition.

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

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