Here's Why We Think Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Might Deserve Your Attention Today

Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free.

How Fast Is Willis Lease Finance Growing Its Earnings Per Share?

Over the last three years, Willis Lease Finance has grown earnings per share (EPS) at as impressive rate from a relatively low point, resulting in a three year percentage growth rate that isn't particularly indicative of expected future performance. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. It's good to see that Willis Lease Finance's EPS has grown from US$14.63 to US$17.16 over twelve months. This amounts to a 17% gain; a figure that shareholders will be pleased to see.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. It's noted that Willis Lease Finance's revenue from operations was lower than its revenue in the last twelve months, so that could distort our analysis of its margins. On the revenue front, Willis Lease Finance has done well over the past year, growing revenue by 30% to US$674m but EBIT margin figures were less stellar, seeing a decline over the last 12 months. If EBIT margins are able to stay balanced and this revenue growth continues, then we should see brighter days ahead.

You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.

See our latest analysis for Willis Lease Finance

While it's always good to see growing profits, you should always remember that a weak balance sheet could come back to bite. So check Willis Lease Finance's balance sheet strength, before getting too excited.

Are Willis Lease Finance Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It should give investors a sense of security owning shares in a company if insiders also own shares, creating a close alignment their interests. Shareholders will be pleased by the fact that insiders own Willis Lease Finance shares worth a considerable sum. Notably, they have an enviable stake in the company, worth US$229m. This totals to 27% of shares in the company. Enough to lead management's decision making process down a path that brings the most benefit to shareholders. Very encouraging.

Should You Add Willis Lease Finance To Your Watchlist?

One positive for Willis Lease Finance is that it is growing EPS. That's nice to see. For those who are looking for a little more than this, the high level of insider ownership enhances our enthusiasm for this growth. The combination definitely favoured by investors so consider keeping the company on a watchlist. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Willis Lease Finance you should know about.

While opting for stocks without growing earnings and absent insider buying can yield results, for investors valuing these key metrics, here is a carefully selected list of companies in the US with promising growth potential and insider confidence.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.