Market's view on Ashtead Group
Published on April 2024
- HSBC upgraded Ashtead’s rating to ‘buy’ with a price target of 6600 pence.
- Ashtead’s share price has seen a significant increase due to positive financial results from URI, questioning whether there is sufficient market demand to sustain the current price level.
- URI reported a 6.9% increase in rental revenue and a 20.2% increase in net income in the first quarter of 2024, setting new records for the period.
- Despite overall positive financial performance, URI’s used equipment sales saw a decrease in adjusted gross margin due to market normalization.
- Ashtead’s dividend has been increased by 10%, with an optimistic full-year guidance announced.
- Concerns were raised about the share price potentially being overbought, as indicated by the RSI, and whether it might retrace to fill the gap at 5760.
- Caterpillar’s first-quarter profits exceeded expectations, although sales declined and the pre-market share price dropped.
- Ashtead’s steady progress was noted, with anticipation for the Q4 and year-end results announcement on 18th June.
- Ashtead’s capital markets day is scheduled for the next Monday, where plans for the next five years will be discussed under the initiative ‘Sunbelt 4.0’.
- There is speculation about potential market reactions to upcoming U.S. quarterly earnings and Federal Reserve decisions affecting the stock’s attractiveness and price movements.