Virtu Financial LLC Takes $2.59 Million Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 3,677 shares of the construction company's stock, valued at approximately $2,590,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in United Rentals in the 4th quarter worth about $10,290,000. Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of United Rentals by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,754 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,940,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 8.0% in the fourth quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 22,399 shares of the construction company's stock worth $15,779,000 after buying an additional 1,665 shares during the period. HUB Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of United Rentals by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,346 shares of the construction company's stock worth $948,000 after acquiring an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. boosted its holdings in United Rentals by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 54,502 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $38,393,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.26% of the company's stock.

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United Rentals Stock Up 1.2 %

NYSE URI traded up $8.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $655.11. 322,230 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 547,776. United Rentals, Inc. has a 52 week low of $585.27 and a 52 week high of $896.98. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $695.59 and its 200-day simple moving average is $756.81. The company has a market cap of $42.78 billion, a PE ratio of 16.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI - Get Free Report) last issued 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%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast 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. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th were given a $1.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 12th. This represents a $7.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.09%. This is an increase from United Rentals's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Rentals's payout ratio is presently 18.48%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on URI shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on United Rentals from $775.00 to $765.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of United Rentals from $1,004.00 to $974.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Baird R W raised shares of United Rentals from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, 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 report on Tuesday, January 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $804.15.

Insider Activity at United Rentals

In other United Rentals news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of United Rentals stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 6,880 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,390,128. The trade was a 13.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.