Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. Boosts Stock Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 18.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 9,898 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 1,571 shares during the period. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc.'s holdings in United Rentals were worth $6,203,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in URI. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in United Rentals during the fourth quarter worth approximately $695,716,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of United Rentals by 77,674.5% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 887,407 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $556,138,000 after buying an additional 886,266 shares during the last quarter. Leigh Baldwin & CO. LLC acquired a new stake in United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth $330,989,000. Capital World Investors lifted its position in United Rentals by 17.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,221,228 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,564,722,000 after acquiring an additional 323,636 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors lifted its position in United Rentals by 41.0% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 1,051,365 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $740,624,000 after acquiring an additional 305,491 shares during the last quarter. 96.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Rentals Stock Up 1.8%

URI stock opened at $787.72 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.20 billion, a PE ratio of 20.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a fifty day moving average of $700.20 and a 200-day moving average of $682.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.85. United Rentals, Inc. has a one year low of $525.91 and a one year high of $896.98.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $8.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $8.92 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a return on equity of 33.11% and a net margin of 16.38%. The firm had revenue of $3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.61 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $9.15 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current year.

United Rentals Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th were paid a $1.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.54%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Andrew B. Limoges sold 708 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $705.86, for a total transaction of $499,748.88. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 1,921 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,355,957.06. This represents a 26.93% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael D. Durand sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $626.28, for a total transaction of $688,908.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 8,748 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,478,697.44. This represents a 11.17% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

URI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded United Rentals from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $705.00 to $666.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Redburn Atlantic lowered United Rentals from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $760.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Morgan Stanley raised United Rentals from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $702.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of United Rentals from $974.00 to $921.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, United Rentals has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $766.23.

United Rentals Profile

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.

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