WLFC
Willis Lease Finance Corporation
Rental & Leasing Services
Market Cap$1.74B
5Y Perf.+986.8%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
WLFC vs FTAI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
FTAI
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
Rental & Leasing Services
Market Cap$25.07B
5Y Perf.+2442.9%
WLFC vs FTAI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | WLFC | FTAI |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Rental & Leasing Services | Rental & Leasing Services |
| Market Cap | $1.74B | $25.07B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $758M | $2.84B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $121M | $537M |
| Gross Margin | 53.6% | 31.0% |
| Operating Margin | 19.8% | 28.2% |
| Forward P/E | 16.5x | 33.3x |
| Total Debt | $2.71B | $3.45B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $16M | $300M |
WLFC vs FTAI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WLFC
FTAI
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willis Lease Financ… (WLFC) | 100 | 1086.8 | +986.8% |
| FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI) | 100 | 2542.9 | +2442.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WLFC vs FTAI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FTAI leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Willis Lease Finance Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
WLFC
Willis Lease Finance Corporation
The Defensive Pick
WLFC is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.66, current ratio 3.09x
- Lower P/E (16.5x vs 33.3x)
- Beta 1.66 vs FTAI's 1.79, lower leverage
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
FTAI
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
The Income Pick
FTAI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.79, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 43.2%, EPS growth 15.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 51.4%
- 29.1% 10Y total return vs WLFC's 8.4%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FTAI | 43.2% revenue growth vs WLFC's 18.7% |
| Value | WLFC | Lower P/E (16.5x vs 33.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | FTAI | 18.9% margin vs WLFC's 15.9% |
| Stability / Safety | WLFC | Beta 1.66 vs FTAI's 1.79, lower leverage |
| Dividends | FTAI | 0.5% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs WLFC's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | FTAI | +143.9% vs WLFC's +47.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FTAI | 12.4% ROA vs WLFC's 3.2%, ROIC 16.8% vs 5.3% |
WLFC vs FTAI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
WLFC vs FTAI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFTAILAGGINGWLFC
WLFCWillis Lease Finance …
2leads
FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WLFCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WLFC5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FTAI6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
FTAI5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
WLFC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
FTAI2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — WLFC and FTAI each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FTAI is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.8B annually — 3.7x WLFC's $758M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 18.9% (FTAI) to 15.9% (WLFC). On growth, FTAI holds the edge at +65.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $758M | $2.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $267M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $121M | $537M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$277M | -$1.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +53.6% | +31.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +19.8% | +28.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +15.9% | +18.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -36.6% | -48.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.2% | +65.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +57.9% | +48.3% |
Evenly matched — WLFC and FTAI each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WLFC leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.9x trailing earnings, WLFC trades at a 72% valuation discount to FTAI's 53.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WLFC's 13.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than FTAI's 28.3x.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.7B | $25.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.4B | $28.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.89x | 53.12x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.53x | 33.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.21x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.47x | 28.34x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.58x | 10.00x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.22x | 75.94x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
WLFC leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FTAI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FTAI delivers a 181.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $181 in annual profit, vs $17 for WLFC. WLFC carries lower financial leverage with a 3.74x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FTAI's 10.32x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FTAI scores 5/9 vs WLFC's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +16.8% | +181.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.2% | +12.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.3% | +16.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.2% | +20.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 3.74x | 10.32x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.7B | $3.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $16M | $300M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.7B | $3.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.67x | 3.46x |
FTAI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FTAI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FTAI five years ago would be worth $105,955 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $55,180 for WLFC. Over the past 12 months, FTAI leads with a +143.9% total return vs WLFC's +47.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FTAI at 107.7% vs WLFC's 64.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +71.1% | +16.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +47.5% | +143.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +347.5% | +796.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +451.8% | +959.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +837.9% | +2909.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +64.8% | +107.7% |
FTAI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WLFC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WLFC is the less volatile stock with a 1.66 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FTAI's 1.79 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WLFC currently trades 99.6% from its 52-week high vs FTAI's 75.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.66x | 1.79x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $230.00 | $323.51 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $114.01 | $89.75 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.6% | +75.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.6 | 48.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 73K | 1.6M |
WLFC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
FTAI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WLFC as "Buy" and FTAI as "Buy". For income investors, FTAI offers the higher dividend yield at 0.51% vs WLFC's 0.35%.
| Metric | WLFCWillis Lease Fina… | FTAIFTAI Aviation Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $297.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.81 | $1.23 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +0.5% |
FTAI leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
FTAI leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). WLFC leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallFTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
WLFC vs FTAI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WLFC or FTAI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(FTAI) is the stronger pick with 43. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 18. 7% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC). Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) offers the better valuation at 14. 9x trailing P/E (16. 5x forward), 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.
02Which has the better valuation — WLFC or FTAI?
On trailing P/E, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the cheapest at 14.
9x versus FTAI Aviation Ltd. at 53. 1x. On forward P/E, Willis Lease Finance Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — WLFC or FTAI?
Over the past 5 years, FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(FTAI) delivered a total return of +959. 5%, compared to +451. 8% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FTAI returned +29. 1% versus WLFC's +837. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — WLFC or FTAI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
66β versus FTAI Aviation Ltd. 's 1. 79β — meaning FTAI is approximately 8% more volatile than WLFC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 10% for FTAI Aviation Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — WLFC or FTAI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(FTAI) is pulling ahead at 43. 2% versus 18. 7% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FTAI Aviation Ltd. grew EPS 1538% year-over-year, compared to 0. 3% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, FTAI leads at 51. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — WLFC or FTAI?
FTAI Aviation Ltd.
(FTAI) is the more profitable company, earning 20. 0% net margin versus 16. 8% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation — meaning it keeps 20. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WLFC leads at 32. 3% versus 30. 7% for FTAI. 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.
07Is WLFC or FTAI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) trades at 16.
5x forward P/E versus 33. 3x for FTAI Aviation Ltd. — 16. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — WLFC or FTAI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI) offers the highest yield at 0. 5%, versus 0. 4% for Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC).
09Is WLFC or FTAI better for a retirement portfolio?
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 (+837.
9% 10Y return). FTAI Aviation Ltd. (FTAI) carries a higher beta of 1. 79 — 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: +837. 9%, FTAI: +29. 1%), 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.
10What are the main differences between WLFC and FTAI?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
FTAI 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
Revenue Growth>
%
(WLFC: 23.2% · FTAI: 65.5%)Net Margin>
%
(WLFC: 15.9% · FTAI: 18.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
(WLFC: 14.9x · FTAI: 53.1x)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.