Northcape Capital Pty Ltd Lowers Stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Northcape Capital Pty Ltd trimmed its position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) by 50.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,095 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 1,101 shares during the period. United Rentals accounts for 0.1% of Northcape Capital Pty Ltd’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Northcape Capital Pty Ltd’s holdings in United Rentals were worth $771,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of URI. Range Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in United Rentals during the fourth quarter valued at about $387,000. Diversified Trust Co raised its stake in United Rentals by 42.1% during the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 2,240 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,578,000 after purchasing an additional 664 shares during the period. Burkett Financial Services LLC bought a new position in United Rentals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $100,000. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its holdings in United Rentals by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 732,954 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $517,018,000 after buying an additional 52,037 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of United Rentals by 6.2% during the fourth quarter. Everence Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,880 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $1,324,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.26% of the company’s stock.

United Rentals Trading Up 0.1 %

URI stock opened at $684.56 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $44.92 billion, a PE ratio of 17.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.77. United Rentals, Inc. has a 12 month low of $533.70 and a 12 month high of $896.98. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $797.13 and its 200 day moving average is $758.28.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The construction company reported $11.80 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $12.49 by ($0.69). United Rentals had a return on equity of 34.73% and a net margin of 17.12%. The firm had revenue of $3.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $11.73 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that United Rentals, Inc. will post 43.46 EPS for the current year.

United Rentals Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 13th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 13th. United Rentals’s dividend payout ratio is currently 17.03%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Anthony S. Leopold sold 900 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $823.24, for a total value of $740,916.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,044 shares in the company, valued at $1,682,702.56. The trade was a 30.57 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.53% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on URI. Argus lifted their price target on shares of United Rentals from $840.00 to $880.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Bank of America lifted their target price on United Rentals from $800.00 to $910.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on United Rentals from $780.00 to $940.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Barclays upped their price objective on United Rentals from $400.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of United Rentals from $565.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $792.69.

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.