Principal Securities Inc. Has $1.87 Million Stock Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Principal Securities Inc. raised its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 43.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,658 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 805 shares during the quarter. Principal Securities Inc.'s holdings in United Rentals were worth $1,873,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of URI. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. lifted its position in shares of United Rentals by 80.0% in the third quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 45 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HM Payson & Co. acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

United Rentals Price Performance

NYSE URI traded down $38.35 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $656.42. The company had a trading volume of 1,067,453 shares, compared to its average volume of 668,090. The company has a market capitalization of $42.87 billion, a PE ratio of 16.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.68. 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 firm has a 50-day moving average price of $733.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $769.42. United Rentals, Inc. has a twelve month low of $596.48 and a twelve month high of $896.98.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The construction company reported $11.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.65 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 34.21%. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.79 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. This is a boost from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Rentals's payout ratio is 18.48%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

URI has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on United Rentals from $940.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Robert W. Baird raised United Rentals from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $658.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Argus lifted their price target on United Rentals from $840.00 to $880.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and set a $956.00 price target (down from $963.00) on shares of United Rentals in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price target on United Rentals from $1,004.00 to $974.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $829.00.

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.