Soros Fund Management LLC Reduces Holdings in AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER)

Soros Fund Management LLC reduced its holdings in shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER) by 6.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,486,337 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 103,559 shares during the period. AerCap makes up 2.1% of Soros Fund Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 10th largest position. Soros Fund Management LLC owned approximately 0.75% of AerCap worth $142,242,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its position in shares of AerCap by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 19,192 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,837,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in AerCap by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 5,717 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $547,000 after buying an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC boosted its position in shares of AerCap by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 5,322 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $509,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of AerCap by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 6,336 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $606,000 after buying an additional 209 shares during the period. Finally, Williamson Legacy Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of AerCap by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. Williamson Legacy Group LLC now owns 10,674 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,022,000 after purchasing an additional 261 shares in the last quarter. 96.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AerCap Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of AER stock opened at $103.82 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. AerCap Holdings has a 12 month low of $82.21 and a 12 month high of $107.36. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $99.26 and a 200-day moving average of $97.43. The firm has a market cap of $19.39 billion, a PE ratio of 8.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.46.

AerCap (NYSE:AER) last issued 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. The company had revenue of $2.07 billion during 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, equities analysts predict that AerCap Holdings will post 11.29 EPS for the current year.

AerCap announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, February 26th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 4.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

AerCap Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were paid a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. This is a positive change from AerCap’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. AerCap’s payout ratio is presently 9.99%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on AER. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $115.00 price objective (up from $113.00) on shares of AerCap in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. UBS Group cut AerCap to an “underperform” rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Bank of America raised their price target on AerCap from $105.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on AerCap from $112.00 to $101.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on AerCap from $108.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $117.14.

AerCap Company 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.