AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $116.17.

Several brokerages have recently commented on AER. Susquehanna raised their target price on AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $115.00 price target (up previously from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $119.00 price target on shares of AerCap in a research note on Thursday, November 21st.

AerCap Stock Performance

Shares of AER opened at $102.05 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $97.55 and a 200-day moving average of $96.19. The company has a market cap of $19.06 billion, a PE ratio of 8.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.81. AerCap has a one year low of $79.51 and a one year high of $107.36.

AerCap (NYSE:AER) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $3.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.56 by $0.75. The company had revenue of $2.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.97 billion. AerCap had a return on equity of 13.98% and a net margin of 32.38%. On average, equities research analysts predict that AerCap will post 11.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AerCap declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, February 26th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to reacquire up to 4.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.06%. This is a boost from AerCap’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. AerCap’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 9.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AerCap

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of AerCap during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp bought a new position in shares of AerCap during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 96.42% of the company’s stock.

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.