Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY) Short Interest Update

Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, a decline of 93.3% from the November 30th total of 3,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 42,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on ASHTY. Royal Bank of Canada raised Ashtead Group from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Ashtead Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Berenberg Bank raised shares of Ashtead Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th.

Ashtead Group Stock Performance

ASHTY traded down $3.85 on Thursday, hitting $251.37. The company had a trading volume of 10,611 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,572. Ashtead Group has a 1-year low of $241.94 and a 1-year high of $337.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $304.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $290.78. The stock has a market cap of $27.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.64.

Ashtead Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 10th will be given a $1.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 10th. Ashtead Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 19.70%.

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.