FIL Ltd Buys 3,309 Shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

FIL Ltd grew its position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) by 58.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,929 shares of the construction company's stock after acquiring an additional 3,309 shares during the period. FIL Ltd's holdings in United Rentals were worth $6,290,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in United Rentals in the third quarter worth $2,147,000. Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of United Rentals by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 8,295 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,717,000 after acquiring an additional 624 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp lifted its position in United Rentals by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 634 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $513,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in United Rentals by 6.1% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 996,014 shares of the construction company's stock worth $862,110,000 after acquiring an additional 57,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Trust grew its holdings in United Rentals by 206.3% in the third quarter. American Trust now owns 1,207 shares of the construction company's stock worth $977,000 after purchasing an additional 813 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.26% of the company's stock.

United Rentals Stock Performance

United Rentals stock traded up $5.57 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $590.80. 367,847 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 588,088. United Rentals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $525.91 and a 12 month high of $896.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The business has a 50 day moving average of $632.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $735.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.25, 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 results 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, research analysts predict that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 earnings per share for the current year.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th were given a $1.79 dividend. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. This is a boost from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 12th. United Rentals's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Rentals

In related news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $638.10, for a total value of $701,910.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 6,880 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,390,128. This trade represents a 13.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on URI shares. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on United Rentals from $1,004.00 to $974.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. Baird R W raised United Rentals from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on United Rentals from $956.00 to $732.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. UBS Group cut shares of United Rentals from a "buy" rating to a "sell" rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $910.00 to $485.00 in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of United Rentals from $1,000.00 to $750.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, United Rentals presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $729.79.

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.