Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 6,550 ($82.40).

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AHT. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 6,500 ($81.77) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Berenberg Bank reissued a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 7,000 ($88.06) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 6,800 ($85.55) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Ashtead Group from GBX 6,600 ($83.03) to GBX 7,300 ($91.84) and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 6th.

Insider Activity at Ashtead Group

In other news, insider Brendan Horgan acquired 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 5,320 ($66.93) per share, for a total transaction of £212,800 ($267,706.63). Also, insider Lucinda Riches sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,880 ($73.97), for a total transaction of £58,800 ($73,971.57). 0.64% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Ashtead Group Price Performance

AHT opened at GBX 4,890 ($61.52) on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of £21.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,845.28, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 145.75, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.17. Ashtead Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 4,711 ($59.27) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 6,448 ($81.12). The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 5,855.78 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 5,554.54.

Ashtead Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.45%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 9th. Ashtead Group’s payout ratio is currently 3,018.87%.

Ashtead Group Company Profile

Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.