Form 4: WLFC CEO Austin Willis Sells Shares Under 10b5-1 Plan

Willis Lease Finance Corp CEO Austin C. Willis sold 3,400 shares of common stock in early February 2026, pursuant to a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Summary

• Austin Chandler Willis, Chief Executive Officer, Director, and 10% Owner of Willis Lease Finance Corp (WLFC), reported sales of common stock.
• A total of 3,400 shares of WLFC Common Stock were sold on February 2, 2026.
• These sales were executed pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which was adopted by the reporting person on June 3, 2025.
• The shares were sold at weighted average prices ranging from $183.00 to $187.49 per share.
• Following these transactions, Austin C. Willis directly beneficially owns 184,746 shares of Common Stock.
• Indirect beneficial ownership totals 676,310 shares, held through various family trusts and CFW Partners.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral event. The sales were pre-scheduled under a 10b5-1 plan, indicating personal financial planning rather than a reaction to new company-specific information or a change in fundamental outlook.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider sales executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan are pre-scheduled and typically reflect personal financial planning or diversification strategies rather than a change in management's outlook on the company's future prospects. Such transactions are generally viewed as routine disclosures.

Related Party Transactions

• Indirect beneficial ownership of 1,822 shares through Rooster A. Willis 2019 Trust, with Austin Willis as Trustee.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 1,822 shares through Wilder Grace Willis 2019 Trust, with Austin Willis as Trustee.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 22,322 shares through Charles F. Willis V 2019 Trust, with Austin Willis as Trustee.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 3,449 shares through Austin C. Willis 2019 Irrevocable Trust, with Mary Willis as Trustee.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 8,692 shares through CFW V 2016 Trust, with Austin Willis as Trustee.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 232,715 shares through 2019 Willis Family Trust, with Austin Willis as Trustee, including 213,415 shares with shared voting power of CFW Partners with Charles F. Willis IV.
• Indirect beneficial ownership of 405,488 shares through CFW Partners, with shared voting power with Charles F. Willis IV.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minimal direct impact, as these are pre-scheduled insider sales and not indicative of new material information.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The reported sales by CEO Austin C. Willis were executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, adopted several months prior. Such transactions are typically for personal financial management and diversification and do not inherently signal a change in the company's fundamental outlook or warrant an immediate shift in investment strategy. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as this filing provides no new material information to alter an existing investment thesis.

Keywords

WLFC, Willis Lease Finance Corp, Austin C. Willis, Insider Trading, Form 4, Stock Sale, 10b5-1 Plan, CEO, Director, 10% Owner