Ardmore Shipping: Doubling The Payout Turns It Into A Buy (Ratings Upgrade)

Ardmore Shipping is upgraded to buy following a surprise doubling of its dividend payout ratio to 66% of earnings. ASC's robust financial position, low leverage, and asset sales at record valuations support capital returns and future fleet growth. Q2 MR tanker rates near $50,000/day drive expected annualized dividend yields close to 20% and EPS around $1.25.