WNC vs WLFC

For growth investors, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the stronger pick with 18.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -20. 8% for Wabash National Corporation (WNC). Wabash National Corporation (WNC) offers the better valuation at 1. 5x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Wabash National Corporation (WNC) is the cheapest at 1.

5x versus Willis Lease Finance Corporation at 15. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) delivered a total return of +475.

9%, compared to -47. 9% for Wabash National Corporation (WNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WLFC returned +888. 3% versus WNC's -22. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

66β versus Wabash National Corporation's 1. 93β — meaning WNC is approximately 16% more volatile than WLFC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Wabash National Corporation (WNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 120% versus 4% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is pulling ahead at 18.

7% versus -20. 8% for Wabash National Corporation (WNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Wabash National Corporation grew EPS 179. 2% year-over-year, compared to 0. 3% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, WLFC leads at 29. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the more profitable company, earning 16.

8% net margin versus 13. 7% for Wabash National Corporation — meaning it keeps 16. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WLFC leads at 32. 3% versus 20. 8% for WNC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WLFC leads at 65. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Wabash National Corporation (WNC) offers the highest yield at 4. 2%, versus 0. 3% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+888.

3% 10Y return). Wabash National Corporation (WNC) carries a higher beta of 1. 93 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WLFC: +888. 3%, WNC: -22. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: WNC is a small-cap deep-value stock; WLFC is a small-cap high-growth stock. WNC pays a dividend while WLFC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.