1324 ET - WillScot Holdings' initiated cash dividend has two sides to consider. On the one hand, the dividend of 7 cents a share should be well-received and help open up its investor base, says Jefferies' Philip Ng in a research note, though he would prefer excess cash be diverted to M&A. While the dividend may soothe things over after choppy results and stock performance over the last two years, Ng says it may also raise questions that inorganic opportunities are more narrow after it and fellow portable-building company McGrath Rentcorp in September called off a roughly $3 billion merger. Shares are up 1% to $38.40. (denny.jacob@wsj.com; @pennedbyden)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 18, 2025 13:24 ET (18:24 GMT)

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