Markel Group Inc. Increases Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Markel Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 14.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,650 shares of the construction company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,700 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc.'s holdings in United Rentals were worth $20,887,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in United Rentals during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management bought a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 96.26% of the company's stock.

United Rentals Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of URI traded down $11.55 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $597.80. 178,734 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 717,737. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $39.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.76. United Rentals, Inc. has a 1 year low of $585.27 and a 1 year high of $896.98. The firm's fifty day moving average is $705.09 and its 200-day moving average is $762.28.

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United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The construction company reported $11.59 EPS 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%. As a group, sell-side 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th were paid a dividend of $1.79 per share. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 12th. This is an increase from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Rentals's payout ratio is presently 18.48%.

Insider Activity

In other United Rentals news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $638.10, for a total transaction of $701,910.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,880 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,390,128. This trade represents a 13.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on URI shares. Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $956.00 price objective (down previously from $963.00) on shares of United Rentals in a research note on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on United Rentals from $940.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Baird R W upgraded shares of United Rentals from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a 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 for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on United Rentals from $985.00 to $835.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. One equities 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 company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $829.00.

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.