Four Tree Island Advisory Calls for WLFC to Improve Corporate Governance
Four Tree Island Advisory, one of the largest stockholders of Willis Lease Finance Corporation, issued the following open letter to WLFC's board of directors: "As you know, Four Tree Island Advisory has built a significant, long-term position in WLFC and is now one of the Company's top ten stockholders. We made our initial investment in 2024 after months of detailed diligence and analysis, which led to a strong conviction that WLFC should trade at a materially higher valuation than it does today. Our conviction has only grown as the gap between WLFC's underlying value and its market valuation expanded over the course of 2025. WLFC's -34% total shareholder return in 2025 lagged its closest public comparables, FTAI Aviation Ltd. and AerCap Holdings N.V., by approximately 72% and 85%, respectively, despite what we believe are strong - albeit poorly communicated and difficult-to-analyze - financial results. As a result, we have continued to add to our position throughout the past year. To date, despite our efforts to encourage improvements in stockholder communication, investment community engagement and corporate governance - including publishing constructive buy-side research, asking probing questions on earnings calls and holding candid private discussions with the Company - WLFC has been reluctant to implement needed changes. We now believe the time has come for a broader, public discussion about WLFC's potential and the steps required to realize it. Given the importance of setting WLFC on a stronger trajectory through a transparent and timely process, we are releasing the enclosed letter, which we originally sent to the Board privately in late November, so that our fellow stockholders and other interested parties can fully participate in this dialogue...To reiterate, it is our sincere desire to work constructively with the Board to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to improve the Company and drive value."
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- Lease Agreement Details: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has entered into a purchase and leaseback agreement with Nauru Airlines for seven CFM56-7B engines, ensuring reliable ConstantThrust® support for the airline's Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 fleets over the next six years, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Operational Assurance: The ConstantThrust® program will provide seamless engine exchanges for Nauru Airlines, ensuring continuous availability during major maintenance intervals, thereby reducing downtime and improving flight punctuality.
- Global Service Capability: This agreement highlights Willis Lease's global expertise in technical management and maintenance services, catering to Nauru Airlines' operational needs in a remote environment, further solidifying its leadership in air transportation across the Central and South Pacific region.
- Strategic Partnership Outlook: The Minister for Nauru Airlines noted that partnering with a global lessor like WLFC will provide operational leverage, and the flexible terms of the agreement will support future aircraft deliveries, facilitating Nauru Airlines' continued growth.

- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Willis Lease Finance has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Yield Information: The forward yield of 0.87% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more income-focused investors.
- Shareholder Timeline: The dividend is payable on February 20, with a record date of February 11 and an ex-dividend date also on February 11, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns.
- Shift to Asset-Light Model: Willis Lease Finance is transitioning to an asset-light model, which is expected to drive share prices higher and enhance the company's competitive position in the market.

- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has declared a $0.40 per share dividend, expected to be paid on February 20, 2026, reflecting the company's stability and profitability in the aviation leasing market.
- Commitment to Shareholder Returns: CEO Austin C. Willis emphasized that this dividend underscores the company's ongoing commitment to delivering long-term value to shareholders, aiming to boost investor confidence and attract further investment.
- Integrated Business Advantages: Willis Lease not only provides leasing services for commercial aircraft engines but also integrates engine and aircraft trading, asset management, and various end-of-life solutions, enhancing overall business competitiveness.
- Market Outlook: Despite facing multiple risks and uncertainties in the airline industry, the company remains committed to maintaining growth through flexible responses to market changes, ensuring continued shareholder returns.

- Strategic Partnership: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has formed a strategic partnership with Blackstone Credit & Insurance, planning to invest over $1 billion in current and next-generation aircraft engines over the next two years, significantly enhancing the scale and diversification of its asset management business.
- Market Leadership: As a leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines, WLFC is further solidifying its market leadership position through its technical expertise and customer relationships, which is expected to attract more high-quality clients.
- Capital Diversification: The investment from Blackstone not only provides capital diversification for the Willis platform but also accelerates the growth of its asset management business, enhancing its competitiveness in the aviation industry.
- Global Impact: This partnership will enable Willis Lease to better meet the global aviation market's demand for engine solutions, driving continued expansion and innovation in its aviation services sector.
- Successful Bond Offering: Willis Lease's wholly-owned subsidiary WEST completed the issuance of $337.4 million in Series A and B Fixed Rate Notes, totaling $392.9 million, demonstrating the company's strong financing capabilities.
- Interest Rate Advantage: The fixed rates of 5.159% for Series A and 5.696% for Series B provide the company with relatively stable financing costs, aiding in optimizing its capital structure and reducing financial risk.
- Asset Backing: The bonds are secured by a portfolio of 47 aircraft engines and two airframes, ensuring investor security while enhancing the company's competitiveness in the aviation leasing market.
- Market Positioning: This bond issuance further solidifies Willis Lease's leadership in the aviation services sector, with expectations to provide funding support for future expansions and investments.
- Investment Partnership: Willis Lease Finance Corporation has formed an investment partnership with Liberty Mutual Investments to invest up to $600 million, marking a significant expansion in the company's credit strategy within the aviation financing sector.
- Financing Support: This collaboration is backed by a warehouse debt facility from Bank of America, demonstrating Willis Lease's financial strength and market credibility, which is expected to accelerate the growth of its asset management business.
- Industry Leadership: Since pioneering its first revolving credit lease in 2021, Willis Lease has established a leading position in loan and loan-like engine financings, and this partnership will further solidify its dominance in the aircraft engine leasing market.
- Long-term Growth Potential: The involvement of Liberty Mutual Investments not only provides flexible long-term capital for Willis Lease but also aims to leverage both parties' expertise to drive growth and explore adjacent opportunities in aviation finance.







