Helix Partners Management LP Takes $7.18 Million Position in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER)

Helix Partners Management LP purchased a new position in shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 75,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $7,178,000. AerCap accounts for 1.3% of Helix Partners Management LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Toth Financial Advisory Corp acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in AerCap during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of AerCap in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $66,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of AerCap in the third quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of AerCap by 1,148.5% during the fourth quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 1,160 shares during the last quarter. 96.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group lowered shares of AerCap to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Susquehanna increased their price target on shares of AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $115.00 price objective (up previously from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a report on Thursday, February 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $117.43.

AerCap Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of AER opened at $103.95 on Thursday. AerCap Holdings has a twelve month low of $81.93 and a twelve month high of $107.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.24, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.45. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $100.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $97.32.

AerCap (NYSE:AER) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $3.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.75. The business had revenue of $2.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.97 billion. AerCap had a return on equity of 13.98% and a net margin of 32.38%. On average, research analysts predict that AerCap Holdings will post 11.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. This is a boost from AerCap’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. AerCap’s dividend payout ratio is presently 9.99%.

AerCap announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, February 26th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 4.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

AerCap Profile

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.