United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) Shares Sold by Blue Trust Inc.

Blue Trust Inc. cut its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 66.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 301 shares of the construction company's stock after selling 605 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.'s holdings in United Rentals were worth $212,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of United Rentals by 13.3% in the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 2,475 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,743,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC grew its position in United Rentals by 9.4% in the fourth quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 373 shares of the construction company's stock worth $263,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management grew its position in United Rentals by 19.8% in the fourth quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 97 shares of the construction company's stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares during the period. Values First Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in United Rentals in the fourth quarter worth approximately $144,000. Finally, Davidson Capital Management Inc. grew its position in United Rentals by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Davidson Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,648 shares of the construction company's stock worth $3,274,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the period. 96.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Rentals Stock Down 5.7 %

United Rentals stock traded down $39.83 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $654.94. The company's stock had a trading volume of 534,871 shares, compared to its average volume of 650,878. United Rentals, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $596.48 and a fifty-two week high of $896.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The company has a market cap of $42.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $733.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $769.42.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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, research analysts expect 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. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th will be paid a $1.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 12th. This is a boost from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.09%. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.48%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on URI. Citigroup lowered their price objective on United Rentals from $985.00 to $835.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company 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 for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird upgraded United Rentals from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $658.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Baird R W upgraded United Rentals from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on United Rentals from $400.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, United Rentals currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $829.00.

United Rentals 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.