Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New Investment in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 45,796 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $32,261,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned approximately 0.07% of United Rentals as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital World Investors boosted its position in shares of United Rentals by 17.1% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,221,228 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,564,722,000 after purchasing an additional 323,636 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in United Rentals by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,587,203 shares of the construction company's stock worth $1,115,142,000 after acquiring an additional 20,401 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its position in United Rentals by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,250,324 shares of the construction company's stock worth $880,778,000 after acquiring an additional 172,340 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in United Rentals by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,093,350 shares of the construction company's stock worth $770,199,000 after acquiring an additional 97,336 shares during the period. Finally, Capital International Investors lifted its position in United Rentals by 41.0% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 1,051,365 shares of the construction company's stock worth $740,624,000 after acquiring an additional 305,491 shares during the period. 96.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America reduced their price target on United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 21st. Cfra Research raised United Rentals to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group raised United Rentals from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $485.00 to $780.00 in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Morgan Stanley upgraded United Rentals from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $702.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price objective on United Rentals from $720.00 to $650.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $753.15.

United Rentals Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE URI traded down $6.09 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $708.89. The company had a trading volume of 729,807 shares, compared to its average volume of 602,450. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. United Rentals, Inc. has a 1-year low of $525.91 and a 1-year high of $896.98. The firm's 50 day moving average is $643.68 and its 200-day moving average is $702.16.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The construction company reported $8.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $8.92 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a return on equity of 34.21% and a net margin of 16.78%. The firm had revenue of $3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.61 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $9.15 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.7% 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 fiscal year.

United Rentals Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 14th were paid a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 14th. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio is currently 18.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Rentals

In related news, EVP Michael D. Durand sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $626.28, for a total value of $688,908.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 8,748 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,478,697.44. This represents a 11.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Andrew B. Limoges sold 708 shares of the 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 transaction, the vice president now owns 1,921 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,355,957.06. The trade was a 26.93% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.53% 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.