Willis Lease Finance Corporation Reports Annual Pre-tax Profit of $17.3 million

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., March 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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,
	2020				2019				% Change				2020				2019				% Change
REVENUE
Lease rent revenue	$	28,021			$	48,206			(41.9	)	%		$	142,895			$	190,690			(25.1	)	%
Maintenance reserve revenue	22,549				18,000				25.3		%		105,365				108,998				(3.3	)	%
Spare parts and equipment sales	3,777				18,154				(79.2	)	%		18,625				74,651				(75.1	)	%
Gain on sale of leased equipment	2,024				765				164.6		%		3,391				20,044				(83.1	)	%
Other revenue	5,116				4,103				24.7		%		18,416				14,777				24.6		%
Total revenue	61,487				89,228				(31.1	)	%		288,692				409,160				(29.4	)	%
EXPENSES
Depreciation and amortization expense	23,365				23,199				0.7		%		94,541				86,236				9.6		%
Cost of spare parts and equipment sales	3,301				15,455				(78.6	)	%		16,762				62,647				(73.2	)	%
Write-down of equipment	6,169				6,899				(10.6	)	%		20,540				18,220				12.7		%
General and administrative	16,654				20,437				(18.5	)	%		67,910				86,523				(21.5	)	%
Technical expense	3,111				3,188				(2.4	)	%		6,533				8,122				(19.6	)	%
Net finance costs:
Interest expense	15,888				15,657				1.5		%		63,024				66,889				(5.8	)	%
Loss on debt extinguishment	—				—				—		%		4,688				220				2,030.9		%
Total net finance costs	15,888				15,657				1.5		%		67,712				67,109				0.9		%
Total expenses	68,488				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 ventures	30				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 dividends	819				819				—		%		3,259				3,250				0.3		%
Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs	21				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 earnings per common share	$	(0.62	)		$	0.71							$	1.07			$	10.90
Diluted weighted average earnings per common share	$	(0.62	)		$	0.68							$	1.05			$	10.50
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	5,988				5,850								5,963				5,836
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	5,988				6,099								6,128				6,058

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

		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	42,540			$	6,720
Restricted cash		36,385				56,948
Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation		1,886,613				1,650,918
Maintenance rights		20,097				3,133
Equipment held for sale		2,850				120
Receivables, net of allowances		28,269				24,059
Spare parts inventory		59,434				41,759
Investments		53,275				57,936
Property, equipment & furnishings, less accumulated depreciation		31,753				31,520
Intangible assets, net		1,246				1,312
Notes receivable		158,708				38,145
Other assets		43,778				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 taxes		116,838				110,418
Debt obligations		1,693,753				1,251,006
Maintenance reserves		82,484				106,870
Security deposits		19,522				20,569
Unearned revenue		11,637				6,121
Total liabilities		1,951,211				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 par		13,696				4,557
Retained earnings		355,370				348,965
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(5,117		)		(3,248		)
Total shareholders’ equity		364,015				350,338
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity		$	2,364,948			$	1,940,608

CONTACT:	Scott B. Flaherty
	Chief Financial Officer
	[phone]