AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) Short Interest Down 15.8% in February

AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,190,000 shares, a decline of 15.8% from the January 31st total of 2,600,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,110,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

AerCap Trading Down 3.1 %

Shares of AerCap stock traded down $3.16 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $98.04. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 907,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,336,695. The business has a fifty day moving average of $97.79 and a 200 day moving average of $96.26. AerCap has a 1-year low of $80.90 and a 1-year high of $107.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The company has a market capitalization of $18.31 billion, a PE ratio of 7.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.81.

AerCap (NYSE:AER) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $3.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.75. AerCap had a net margin of 32.38% and a return on equity of 13.98%. The company had revenue of $2.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.97 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AerCap will post 11.29 EPS for the current year.

AerCap announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, February 26th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to repurchase up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.10%. This is an increase from AerCap’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. AerCap’s dividend payout ratio is currently 9.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $115.00 target price (up from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $119.00 price target on shares of AerCap in a report on Thursday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AerCap presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $117.43.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AerCap

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AerCap in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp bought a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Truvestments Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in AerCap during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new position in AerCap in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. 96.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About AerCap

AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews.