GHP Investment Advisors Inc. Purchases 3,545 Shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 40.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,366 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,545 shares during the period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc.'s holdings in United Rentals were worth $7,091,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in URI. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its stake in shares of United Rentals by 71.4% during the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 48 shares of the construction company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Arlington Trust Co LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Rentals by 50.0% during the 4th quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 84 shares of the construction company's stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. 96.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at United Rentals

In other United Rentals news, CFO William E. Grace sold 775 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $655.62, for a total value of $508,105.50. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 6,323 shares in the company, valued at $4,145,485.26. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

United Rentals Price Performance

NYSE:URI traded up $3.51 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $685.64. The stock had a trading volume of 585,164 shares, compared to its average volume of 573,789. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $680.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $561.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.05 billion, a PE ratio of 19.40, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.75. United Rentals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $325.15 and a 12 month high of $732.37.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 24th. The construction company reported $11.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $10.85 by $0.41. The business had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.63 billion. United Rentals had a net margin of 16.91% and a return on equity of 36.80%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $9.74 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 43.05 earnings per share for the current year.

United Rentals announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, January 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the construction company to buy up to 3.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 14th were paid a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.95%. This is a boost from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Monday, January 8th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $500.00 price objective for the company. BNP Paribas reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a $485.00 target price on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Friday, January 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $510.00 to $718.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $575.00 to $740.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $494.00 to $591.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Rentals has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $572.20.

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.