Rafferty Asset Management LLC Acquires 366 Shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Rafferty Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 6.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,425 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLC's holdings in United Rentals were worth $4,526,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in URI. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in United Rentals during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in United Rentals in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in United Rentals by 241.7% in the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 41 shares of the construction company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management purchased a new position in shares of United Rentals during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Rentals during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Rentals Stock Up 1.9%

Shares of NYSE URI opened at $726.59 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.23 billion, a PE ratio of 18.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.70. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $626.76 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $709.52. United Rentals, Inc. has a 12-month low of $525.91 and a 12-month high of $896.98.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last announced its 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). The company had revenue of $3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.61 billion. United Rentals had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 34.21%. The firm's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $9.15 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Rentals Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th will be given a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 14th. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.54%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on URI. Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Rentals from $720.00 to $650.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on United Rentals from $1,004.00 to $974.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. UBS Group upgraded United Rentals from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $485.00 to $780.00 in a report on Friday. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on United Rentals from $535.00 to $571.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded United Rentals from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $702.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Rentals currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $748.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Rentals

In other news, VP Andrew B. Limoges sold 708 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 now owns 1,921 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,355,957.06. This trade represents a 26.93% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $638.10, for a total value of $701,910.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,880 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,390,128. The trade was a 13.78% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,908 shares of company stock valued at $1,890,567. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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