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.

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.

what fibs?

Broker Forecast - HSBC issues a broker note on Ashtead Group PLC.

HSBC today reaffirms its buy investment rating on Ashtead Group PLC (LON:AHT) and cut its price target to 2500p (from 2850p).

Story provided by StockMarketWire.com

Broker Forecasts data provided by www.sharesmagazine.co.uk

Ceo steps down https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6224919

Ceo steps down or https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6225326

Looking good https://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=6239810