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

Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eight analysts that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 4,933.13 ($63.46).

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on AHT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Ashtead Group from GBX 6,800 ($87.47) to GBX 6,500 ($83.61) and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a GBX 6,600 ($84.90) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 6,150 ($79.11) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th.

Insider Activity

In other Ashtead Group news, insider Renata Ribeiro purchased 160 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 5,273 ($67.83) per share, with a total value of £8,436.80 ($10,852.59). In related news, insider Lucinda Riches sold 4,000 shares of Ashtead Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,480 ($70.49), for a total transaction of £219,200 ($281,965.53). Also, insider Renata Ribeiro bought 160 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,273 ($67.83) per share, for a total transaction of £8,436.80 ($10,852.59). Corporate insiders own 0.67% of the company’s stock.

Ashtead Group Stock Performance

Shares of AHT opened at GBX 5,162 ($66.40) on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is GBX 5,399.12 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 5,459.11. Ashtead Group has a 12-month low of GBX 4,437 ($57.07) and a 12-month high of GBX 6,180 ($79.50). The stock has a market capitalization of £22.53 billion, a PE ratio of 1,773.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 162.35, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.13.

Ashtead Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.28%. This is a positive change from Ashtead Group’s previous dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 8th. Ashtead Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 2,749.14%.

About Ashtead Group

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.