Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTY) saw a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, an increase of 50.0% from the December 15th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 88,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Ashtead Group Stock Performance

Ashtead Group stock traded up $0.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $256.63. The company had a trading volume of 65,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 31,797. The company has a 50 day moving average of $284.73 and a 200-day moving average of $287.05. 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 firm has a market cap of $28.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.19, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.69. Ashtead Group has a 52 week low of $235.29 and a 52 week high of $337.95.

Ashtead Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 10th will be given a dividend of $1.44 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Ashtead Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.40%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.