Ashtead Group PLC (LON:AHT) reported slower growth in the past quarter in the US and declines in the UK, confirming fears from the end of last year, but said it was extending its share buyback with another £500mln.
The FTSE 100-listed construction equipment hire business reported 8% revenue growth to £1.2bn in the third quarter to 31 January, down on the 13% in the first half.
READ: Ashtead shares sink on US construction concerns, despite good growth in North American business
Underlying profit (EBITDA) grew 10% to £584mln compared to 11% growth in the first half, while statutory profit before tax declined 1% to £225mln after growing 6% in the first half.
Nine-month profits from A-plant in the UK were reduced by around 31% compared to the same point a year earlier, though this is less than 4% of the group total, while profits from North America's Sunbelt arm were up 13.6%.
Chief executive Brendan Horgan said UK market conditions remain “challenging” and so the decision had been taken to “refocus the business”.
Ashtead’s key North American end markets, he said, remain “supportive” but it was a “moderating growth environment”, with the company still generating “industry-leading rental revenue growth”, with organic growth supplemented by £407mln spent on bolt-on acquisitions so far this year.
“Although construction markets are moderating, we expect results to be in line with expectations and the board continues to look to the medium term with confidence.”
With £376mln spent out of the planned £500mln under the current share buyback programme, Horgan said the same amount would be spent again in the next financial year.
Reaction
Ashtead shares fell more than 1% to 2,375p on Tuesday morning.
“Tough UK trading was expected for this release following the group’s December update and therefore it’s not too much of a surprise this has dragged results," said Joe Healey, analyst at The Share Centre.
“Structural drivers for Ashtead remain relatively supportive with its US and Canadian markets continuing to post solid top-line rental growth and new stores continuing to grow. Margins in its core markets remain healthy and the group continues to capitalise on acquisition opportunities, therefore we feel the outlook for the group remains positive.”
Analysts at UBS said the slowing growth in the US was driven by softer volumes, with pricing yields broadly flat, with the slowdown due to both tough comparatives from the prior year and a moderating rate of growth in construction markets, but margins were "still solid" and Sunbelt Canada remains "strong".
They noted that the first look at guidance for 2021 capital expenditure saw a reduction to £1.1-1.3bn, "implying US volumes continue to slow into mid/high single digit growth".
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