Pictet Asset Management Holding SA Raises Stock Holdings in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER)

Pictet Asset Management Holding SA raised its stake in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) by 15.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 172,043 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 23,279 shares during the period. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA owned 0.09% of AerCap worth $16,463,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of AerCap by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 230,945 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $21,875,000 after buying an additional 643 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its holdings in AerCap by 1.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,737,476 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $164,574,000 after purchasing an additional 22,346 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of AerCap during the third quarter worth $66,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AerCap during the 3rd quarter valued at $413,000. Finally, Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 3rd quarter worth $572,000. 96.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AerCap Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of AerCap stock opened at $102.38 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $19.12 billion, a PE ratio of 8.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.83. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $99.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.27. AerCap Holdings has a 1 year low of $81.93 and a 1 year high of $107.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

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

AerCap announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share 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 repurchase up to 4.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is a boost from AerCap’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. AerCap’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on AER. UBS Group lowered AerCap to an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $115.00 price objective (up from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. One 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $117.43.

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.