Ashtead Group [LSE: AHT]
Ashtead Group published quarterly figures this morning. The company leases industrial equipment to other businesses and although it has UK roots, the bulk of income now comes from the US via its Sunbelt operation. The strength of the US economy in recent months has been driving growth here and this shows no signs of letting up. Income from Sunbelt rose 20% whilst this division also has the highest operating margins. This does however mean that the company’s fortunes will become increasing aligned with those of the US economy as a whole.
Just Eat [LSE: JE]
Full year numbers are out today from Just Eat, the online food ordering and delivery service. The headlines are impressive with 10.5 million customers spending £1.9 billion on food from 28,400 different restaurants in the UK alone. Acquisitions have also helped spur growth, with Hungryhouse and SkipTheDishes both having been integrated into the business over the last year, pushing global revenues up by 45% and leaving the company in a positon to invest in further growth – especially with investment in its own delivery network – into the future.
Aggreko [LSE: AGK]
Aggreko is a portable power generation specialist, which works in fields as varied as disaster relief to music festivals. The company has posted its full year results this morning, with a solid set of numbers being tabled. £100m worth of cost savings have been realised and revenues have advanced by 14%, although this number was arguably flattered by rising fuel prices. Ultimately it seems to be a case of steady as she goes for Aggreko, although there’s nothing to suggest we’ll see these numbers in isolation reverse the long term slide for the company’s shares.
