New England Research & Management Inc. Has $5.48 Million Stock Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

New England Research & Management Inc. grew its position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) by 11.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,745 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 890 shares during the period. United Rentals comprises approximately 2.8% of New England Research & Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. New England Research & Management Inc.’s holdings in United Rentals were worth $5,480,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in URI. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals during the fourth quarter worth approximately $16,253,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in United Rentals by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 1,607 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $1,132,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC increased its holdings in United Rentals by 6.1% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 1,401 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its position in United Rentals by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 497 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $350,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Certuity LLC acquired a new position in United Rentals in the fourth quarter worth $229,000. Institutional investors own 96.26% of the company’s stock.

United Rentals Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of United Rentals stock opened at $695.09 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $662.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $692.54. The stock has a market cap of $45.18 billion, a PE ratio of 17.94, 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 12 month low of $525.91 and a 12 month high of $896.98.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI) last posted 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 analyst estimates of $3.61 billion. United Rentals had a return on equity of 34.21% and a net margin of 16.78%. United Rentals’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $9.15 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current year.

United Rentals Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 14th were paid a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 14th. United Rentals’s payout ratio is presently 18.54%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on URI. Cfra Research upgraded United Rentals to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of United Rentals from $780.00 to $920.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of United Rentals from $720.00 to $650.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of United Rentals from $732.00 to $786.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, United Rentals presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $753.64.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

United Rentals Company 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.