United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) Shares Sold by Applied Finance Capital Management LLC

Key Points

• Applied Finance Capital Management LLC reduced its position in United Rentals, Inc. by 47.1% during the first quarter, holding 26,754 shares worth approximately $16.77 million.
• United Rentals reported a $10.47 earnings per share (EPS), slightly missing analysts' expectations, with a total revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter, reflecting a 4.5% year-over-year increase.
• Several analysts have adjusted their ratings and price targets for United Rentals, with the consensus rating being "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $812.64.

Applied Finance Capital Management LLC trimmed its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 47.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,754 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 23,796 shares during the period. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC's holdings in United Rentals were worth $16,767,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Forum Financial Management LP raised its position in shares of United Rentals by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 749 shares of the construction company's stock worth $528,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. increased its position in United Rentals by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 999 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $704,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. increased its position in United Rentals by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 515 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Baer Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in United Rentals by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Baer Investment Advisory LLC now owns 3,202 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $2,007,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HBK Sorce Advisory LLC increased its position in United Rentals by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 490 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $307,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. 96.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United Rentals Stock Performance

Shares of URI traded up $5.45 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $887.69. The company had a trading volume of 135,592 shares, compared to its average volume of 664,872. United Rentals, Inc. has a 52-week low of $525.91 and a 52-week high of $903.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.96, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.69. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $754.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $697.14.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The construction company reported $10.47 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $10.54 by ($0.07). United Rentals had a return on equity of 32.01% and a net margin of 16.11%. The company had revenue of $3.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $10.70 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 earnings per share for the current year.

United Rentals Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 13th will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 13th. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.81%. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio is currently 18.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

URI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on United Rentals from $770.00 to $850.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Barclays lifted their target price on United Rentals from $565.00 to $620.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $920.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $780.00 to $835.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Cfra Research upgraded shares of United Rentals to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $830.71.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Andrew B. Limoges sold 708 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $705.86, for a total value of $499,748.88. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 1,921 shares in the company, valued at $1,355,957.06. The trade was a 26.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.

About United Rentals

United Rentals, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities.