GlobeNewswire Inc | Aug 3, 2021 06:00AM EDT

August 03, 2021

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Aug. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) today reported second quarter total revenues of $66.5 million and pre-tax loss of $1.9 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were $49.7 million and spare parts and equipment sales were $3.6 million. The Company reported lower revenue in the second quarter when compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the pandemics impact on global travel and, consequently, worldwide fleet utilization.

The industry continues to feel the effects of the global pandemic despite significant progress in the development and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, said Charles F. Willis, Chairman and CEO. While we are disappointed with our current financial results, we continue to position the Company for future performance by partnering with key customers on a variety of opportunities and building the Companys long term capital base with the successful completion of our WEST VI asset backed securitization.

Unlike COVIDs initial impact on the aviation industry, which was severe and immediate, the recovery is happening much more slowly, said Brian R. Hole, President. But the recovery is underway and we are focused on what we can control: helping our customers rebuild with long term capital solutions; spare engine programs that allow airlines to defer maintenance spend; a wide variety of asset management services; and technical support for aircraft and engines.

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights (at or for the periods ended June 30, 2021, as compared to June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2020):

-- The Company successfully completed a $336.7 million WEST VI notes offering secured by, among other things, the interests in 29 aircraft engines and one airframe. This financing was the Companys seventh financing from its WEST platform, has an expected maturity of 8 years and a blended yield of 3.55%. -- The Company entered into definitive agreements with Scandinavian Airlines for the purchase and long-term lease back of 20 V2500 aircraft engines, which is expected to fully close by September of 2021. -- Total revenue was $66.5 million in the second quarter of 2021, an 11.4% decrease when compared to $75.0 million in the same quarter of 2020. -- Lease rent revenue was $32.4 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $38.5 million in the second quarter of 2020. -- Maintenance reserve revenue was $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of 42.4% compared to $30.0 million in the same quarter of 2020. The decline in maintenance revenue was primarily influenced by lower long-term maintenance revenue, which is associated with engines returning from long-term lease. Long-term maintenance reserve revenue was $14.8 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $27.2 million in the comparable prior period. -- The Company recognized a $6.3 million asset transition fee in the second quarter of 2021 as a result of the close out of an engine transition program. -- Other revenue increased to $6.9 million, or 58.1%, in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $4.4 million in the second quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting interest income from our notes receivable and other service related fees. -- Losses before income taxes were $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to income before income taxes of $9.7 million in the second quarter of 2020. -- Our aggregate lease assets, inclusive of our equipment held for operating lease and notes receivable, at June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $2,085.6 million and $1,824.1 million, respectively, a 14.3% year-over-year increase. -- Diluted weighted average (loss) earnings per common share were $(0.12) for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $0.74 in the second quarter of 2020. -- Book value per diluted weighted average common share outstanding increased to $60.37 at June 30, 2021, compared to $59.40 at December 31, 2020.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2021, the Companys $1.890 billion equipment held for operating lease portfolio and $195.6 million notes receivable represented 300 engines, eight aircraft, one marine vessel and other leased parts and equipment. As of December 31, 2020, the Companys $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.

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 Companys 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 June Six months ended June 30, 30, 2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % ChangeREVENUE Lease rent $ 32,431 $ 38,454 (15.7 ) % $ 63,951 $ 84,849 (24.6 ) %revenueMaintenancereserve 17,278 29,986 (42.4 ) % 37,090 50,514 (26.6 ) %revenueSpare partsand equipment 3,569 2,855 25.0 % 8,135 11,960 (32.0 ) %sales(Loss) gain onsale of leased ? (700 ) (100.0 ) % ? 1,367 (100.0 ) %equipmentAsset 6,256 ? 100.0 % 6,256 ? 100.0 %transition feeOther revenue 6,938 4,388 58.1 % 12,165 7,902 53.9 %Total revenue 66,472 74,983 (11.4 ) % 127,597 156,592 (18.5 ) % EXPENSES Depreciationand 23,340 23,764 (1.8 ) % 47,481 47,154 0.7 %amortizationexpenseCost of spareparts and 3,278 2,648 23.8 % 7,087 9,336 (24.1 ) %equipmentsalesWrite-down of 2,246 6,997 (67.9 ) % 4,113 9,126 (54.9 ) %equipmentGeneral and 19,499 15,228 28.0 % 35,650 34,795 2.5 %administrativeTechnical 2,296 1,468 56.4 % 3,606 2,595 39.0 %expenseNet finance costs:Interest 16,987 16,089 5.6 % 32,006 31,785 0.7 %expenseLoss on debt ? ? ? % ? 4,688 (100.0 ) %extinguishmentTotal net 16,987 16,089 5.6 % 32,006 36,473 (12.2 ) %finance costsTotal expenses 67,646 66,194 2.2 % 129,943 139,479 (6.8 ) % (Loss)earnings from (1,174 ) 8,789 (113.4 ) % (2,346 ) 17,113 (113.7 ) %operations(Loss)earnings from (685 ) 948 (172.3 ) % (1,204 ) 1,155 (204.2 ) %joint ventures(Loss) incomebefore income (1,859 ) 9,737 (119.1 ) % (3,550 ) 18,268 (119.4 ) %taxesIncome tax(benefit) (1,917 ) 4,365 (143.9 ) % (2,276 ) 8,610 (126.4 ) %expenseNet income 58 5,372 (98.9 ) % (1,274 ) 9,658 (113.2 ) %(loss)Preferredstock 811 811 ? % 1,612 1,621 (0.6 ) %dividendsAccretion ofpreferred 21 21 ? % 42 42 ? %stock issuancecostsNet (loss)incomeattributable $ (774 ) $ 4,540 (117.0 ) % $ (2,928 ) $ 7,995 (136.6 ) %to commonshareholders Basic weightedaverage (loss) $ (0.12 ) $ 0.75 $ (0.48 ) $ 1.35 earnings percommon shareDilutedweightedaverage (loss) $ (0.12 ) $ 0.74 $ (0.48 ) $ 1.31 earnings percommon share Basic weightedaverage common 6,218 6,016 6,107 5,938 sharesoutstandingDilutedweightedaverage common 6,218 6,103 6,107 6,113 sharesoutstanding

UnauditedConsolidatedBalanceSheets(Inthousands,exceptpersharedata)

June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,455 $ 42,540 Restricted cash 212,734 36,385 Equipment held for operating lease, less 1,889,908 1,886,613 accumulated depreciationMaintenance rights 22,468 20,097 Equipment held for sale 13,402 2,850 Receivables, net of allowances 45,112 28,269 Spare parts inventory 54,777 59,434 Investments 52,940 53,275 Property, equipment& furnishings, less 31,148 31,753 accumulated depreciationIntangible assets, net 1,217 1,246 Notes receivable 195,645 158,708 Other assets 49,170 43,778 Total assets $ 2,584,976 $ 2,364,948 LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS? EQUITYLiabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 34,702 $ 26,977 Deferred income taxes 115,657 116,838 Debt obligations 1,911,159 1,693,753 Maintenance reserves 73,397 82,484 Security deposits 20,574 19,522 Unearned revenue 11,034 11,637 Total liabilities 2,166,523 1,951,211 Redeemable preferred stock ($0.01 par value) 49,764 49,722 Shareholders? equity: Common stock ($0.01 par value) 67 66 Paid-in capital in excess of par 16,196 13,696 Retained earnings 352,442 355,370 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (16 ) (5,117 )Total shareholders? equity 368,689 364,015 Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and $ 2,584,976 $ 2,364,948 shareholders? equity

CONTACT: Scott B. Flaherty Chief Financial Officer (561) 349-9989