Benchmark Investment Advisors LLC Increases Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Benchmark Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 38.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,651 shares of the construction company's stock after buying an additional 1,573 shares during the period. United Rentals accounts for 2.6% of Benchmark Investment Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Benchmark Investment Advisors LLC's holdings in United Rentals were worth $3,981,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of URI. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its stake in shares of United Rentals by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 355 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP grew its holdings in United Rentals by 76.3% during the 3rd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 7,509 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $6,080,000 after buying an additional 3,250 shares in the last quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC increased its position in shares of United Rentals by 8.6% during the third quarter. SageView Advisory Group LLC now owns 682 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $552,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. Weiss Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the third quarter worth about $3,675,000. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of United Rentals by 17.6% in the third quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,697 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,374,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares during the period. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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United Rentals Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE URI traded up $0.39 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $580.33. The company had a trading volume of 270,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 587,298. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $647.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $742.14. 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 one year low of $525.91 and a one year high of $896.98. The stock has a market cap of $37.91 billion, a PE ratio of 14.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.72.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The construction company reported $11.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $11.65 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 34.21%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 earnings per share for the current year.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th were given a $1.79 dividend. This is a boost from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.23%. United Rentals's payout ratio is presently 18.48%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of United Rentals from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $658.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Baird R W upgraded United Rentals from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on United Rentals from $775.00 to $765.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, United Rentals has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $752.14.

Insider Activity

In other United Rentals news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $638.10, for a total transaction of $701,910.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 6,880 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,390,128. This represents a 13.78 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.51% 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.