Short Interest in Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY) Drops By 85.5%

Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,100 shares, a decline of 85.5% from the January 15th total of 21,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 47,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Ashtead Group Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of ASHTY stock traded up $0.26 during trading on Friday, reaching $255.52. The company's stock had a trading volume of 7,338 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,715. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $259.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $285.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The company has a market cap of $27.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.69. Ashtead Group has a one year low of $235.29 and a one year high of $337.95.

Ashtead Group (OTCMKTS:ASHTY - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $4.64 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.96 by ($0.32). Ashtead Group had a net margin of 14.78% and a return on equity of 22.65%. Analysts anticipate that Ashtead Group will post 15.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Ashtead Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Ashtead Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 19.70%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ASHTY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Ashtead Group from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Ashtead Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th.

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.