Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp Sells 1,182 Shares of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI)

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp reduced its stake in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI) by 3.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,450 shares of the construction company’s stock after selling 1,182 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp’s holdings in United Rentals were worth $21,450,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $171,733,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Rentals during the 4th quarter worth $164,493,000. TD Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of United Rentals by 207.8% during the fourth quarter. TD Asset Management Inc. now owns 234,366 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $165,097,000 after buying an additional 158,214 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of United Rentals by 15.4% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 787,877 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $637,968,000 after acquiring an additional 105,287 shares in the last quarter. Finally, National Pension Service grew its holdings in United Rentals by 79.8% during the 4th quarter. National Pension Service now owns 167,813 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $118,214,000 after acquiring an additional 74,479 shares in the last quarter. 96.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Rentals Stock Performance

Shares of United Rentals stock opened at $647.13 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.70, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.76. United Rentals, Inc. has a 52 week low of $585.27 and a 52 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 50 day moving average price of $689.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $755.06.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The construction company reported $11.59 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.65 by ($0.06). United Rentals had a return on equity of 34.21% and a net margin of 16.78%. Sell-side analysts expect that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.8 EPS for the current year.

United Rentals Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 12th were paid a dividend of $1.79 per share. This represents a $7.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.11%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 12th. This is an increase from United Rentals’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. United Rentals’s payout ratio is presently 18.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Rentals

In related news, CFO William E. Grace sold 1,100 shares of United Rentals 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 owns 6,880 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.53% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on URI. Evercore ISI reduced their price target 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 reduced their price objective on shares of United Rentals from $850.00 to $750.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised United Rentals from an “underperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and dropped their target price for the company from $705.00 to $666.00 in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on United Rentals from $940.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Baird R W raised United Rentals from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $804.15.

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.