Epoch Investment Partners Inc. Takes Position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Epoch Investment Partners Inc. purchased a new position in shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 33,032 shares of the construction company’s stock, valued at approximately $23,269,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Rialto Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in United Rentals during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of United Rentals by 241.7% during the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 41 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management purchased a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 96.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Rentals Price Performance

NYSE:URI opened at $590.80 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $628.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $733.18. The stock has a market cap of $38.60 billion, a PE ratio of 15.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.98. United Rentals, Inc. has a one year low of $525.91 and a one year high of $896.98.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The construction company reported $11.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $11.65 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a return on equity of 34.21% and a net margin of 16.78%. Equities research analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 12th were issued a $1.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date was 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 1.21%. United Rentals’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s 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 completion of 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI cut 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. Baird R W upgraded United Rentals from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Robert W. Baird upgraded United Rentals from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $658.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, UBS Group cut shares of United Rentals from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $910.00 to $485.00 in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $729.79.

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.