I here a whisper that Ashtead may become the target of a takeover bid. Anybody have any further news on this? I've been holding this little gem for a while now. Got in at 11.25p and then sold 2/3rds of my stock at 18p to break even. Can't quite decide when to take my mega profit. 1 by Christmas? Here's hoping.

banked very nice profit on trading position ..... got a bit greedy so missed the top, but not fussed

tempted to buy back in
i think the fall has been heavily overdone ..... furthermore the chart indicates that a support level may have been hit - eg level itself and also just touching 50 ema (or dma = much the same)

==============

put money with mouth for a modest number on my trading a/c at 1904

TIDM: AHT

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

NOTIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS/PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND CONNECTED PERSONS

Ashtead Group plc (the "Company") announces the following changes in the
interests of directors in ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the share capital
of the Company ("shares"):

On 12 December 2017, Geoff Drabble, Chief Executive, sold 941,940 shares at a
price of 2054 pence per share. Geoff Drabble continues to hold 392,219 shares
representing 0.079% of the Company's issued share capital. In addition, Geoff
Drabble holds 367,565 awards over shares pursuant to the Company's Long Term
Incentive Scheme.

On 12 December 2017, Suzanne Wood, Financial Director, sold 145,000 shares at a
price of 2046 pence per share. Suzanne Wood continues to hold 63,805 shares
representing 0.012% of the Company's issued share capital. In addition, Suzanne
Wood holds 164,418 awards over shares pursuant to the Company's Long Term
Incentive Scheme.

On 12 December 2017, Brendan Horgan, Chief Executive of Sunbelt, sold 175,000
shares at a price of 2040 pence per share. Brendan Horgan continues to hold
318,874 shares representing 0.064% of the Company's issued share capital. In
addition, Brendan Horgan holds 230,129 awards over shares pursuant to the
Company's Long Term Incentive Scheme.

Contact:

Eric Watkins 020 7726 9700



END

Please Note - Streaming News is only available to subscribers to the Active Level and above



Ashtead group pretax profit jumps 26%
StockMarketWire.com
Ashtead Group reported underlying pre-tax profits of £205.1m during the third quarter, up 26% from £178.7m in the prior period.

Rental revenues rose to £845.5m from £729.2m - up 24% at constant currencies - and EBITDA increased to £408.8m, up 20% from £366.9m.

On a statutory basis, revenues rose to £916.1m from £804.5m and pre-tax profits of £194.3m were up from £171.2m.

Nine month underlying pre-tax profit rose to £742m from £604.6m, while revenues of £2,619.5m were up 21% from £2,173.8m.

Ashtead's chief executive, Geoff Drabble, said: 'The Group continues to perform well and delivered another strong quarter with reported rental revenue increasing 21% for the nine months and underlying pre-tax profit increasing by 24% at constant currency to £742m.'

'Our end markets remain strong and a wide range of metrics have shown consistent improvement. We continue to execute well on our strategy through a combination of organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions, investing £859m by way of capital expenditure and £315m on bolt-on acquisitions in the period.'

'With the continuing opportunity for profitable growth, we expect capital expenditure for the year to be towards the upper end of our guidance (c. £1.2bn). Looking forward to 2018/19, we anticipate a similar level of capital expenditure to this year as we execute on our strategic plan through to 2021.'

'All our divisions continue to perform well in supportive end markets. While currency continues to be a headwind, we expect this to be mitigated by the strong underlying performance in North America. Therefore, we anticipate full year results to be line with prior expectations.'

-=--=--=-

What am I missing?

Maybe it's had a decent run since Sept and the figures disappointed? Otherwise there's something else hidden in the detail?

figures disappointed because they only met forecast and perhaps a bit of backwash from rubbish AGK numbers

stop loss in place at 1750 although pretty sure they will not go down that far.
If so then so be it as it has been a "good little earner" to date

sp finished -5.4% which is near the bottom of the day's range
good argument that the fall is overdone, but stay well aware that the market(s) remain unstable

StockMarketWire.com
Equipment hire group Ashtead said Tuesday underlying pre-tax profits rose by 21% in the year through April compared to the previous year supported by acquisitions and solid growth across its divisions.

In the 12 months to 30 April, underlying profit before tax rose 21% to £927.3m, group rental revenues rose 21% to £3.42bn and underlying earnings (EBITDA) rose by 19% to £1.73bn.

The upbeat performance was driven by strong growth in each of the company's divisions as Sunbelt US, A-Plant and Sunbelt Canada delivered 20%, 13% and 152% rental only revenue growth respectively.

The acquisition of CRS in August 2017 more than doubled the size of the Sunbelt Canada business as revenues grew to C$223m from C$77m the previous year.

On a statutory basis, revenues rose 20% at £3.71bn and pre-tax profits nearly doubled to £968.8m from £501.0m .

Ashtead proposed a final dividend of 27.5p, taking the total for the year to 33.0p, up 20% from 27.5p a year ago.

Capital expenditure for the year was £1,239m gross and £1,081m net of disposal proceeds, slightly higher than the £1,086m gross and £917m net seen last year.

'Looking forward, we anticipate a similar level of capital expenditure in 2018/19 consistent with our strategic plan. So, with all divisions performing well and a strong balance sheet to support our plans, the Board continues to look to the medium term with confidence,' saud Ashtead's chief executive, Geoff Drabble.

not a day to have disappointing results

Jefferies International Buy 2,333.50 2200.00 2750.00 Reiterates

StockMarketWire.com
Ashtead Group boosted its outlook on full-year profits and expanded its share buyback programme after reporting Tuesday pre-tax profits rose by more than fifth in fiscal first quarter as demand for tools and equipment remained strong.

'With the benefit of weaker sterling, we expect full year results to be ahead of our expectations and the Board continues to look to the medium term with confidence,' Ashtead said.

In the three months to 31 July, statutory profit before tax rose 23% to £274.4m, group revenues rose 22% to £1.05bn and underlying earnings (EBITDA) rose by 20% to £503.7m.

The upbeat performance was driven by strong growth in each of the company's divisions as Sunbelt US, A-Plant and Sunbelt Canada delivered 19%, 5% and 243% rental only revenue growth, respectively.

On a underlying basis, revenues rose 19% to £961m and pre-tax profits gained 23% to £285.6m from £238.5m .

The company said it would expand its buyback programme to £125m per quarter, resulting in a total outlay of £675m under the programme announced in December 2017.

'The programme would be extended for financial year 2019/20 with an anticipated spend of at least £500m,'

Maybe of interest to holders.

https://www.ii.co.uk/analysis-commentary/can-ashtead-shares-break-new-ground-time-ii506738/?&utm_source=IBMW&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=afternoon_newsletter_110918&utm_source=IBMW&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Afternoon%20round-up%20newsletter%20110918%20(1)&utm_content=&spMailingID=4096366&spUserID=MTIzOTQwMjM2Mjk3S0&spJobID=1110575531&spReportId=MTExMDU3NTUzMQS2

Harris Ass. adds https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6170624

AHT top pick in this weeks Shares magazine.

Mind you the article also says the yield is 19% which I assume should read 1.9% which would be some sort of prospective number??

Director adds big time https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6183863

it's a very good company, but sp does fly around a bit for no obvious reason
i hold in my sipp, though i do occasionally trade it as well, but assuredly not in the present climate

Yes Fred recommended AHT ages ago to me and your right not a good time to trade it.

fred also recommends JC and the militant hard left, so his recommendations are more than little suspect

Of dear there you go again telling fibs.