On Thursday, Citi updated its stance on United Rentals (NYSE:URI), increasing the price target to $955 from the previous $930 while keeping a Buy rating on the stock. The adjustment follows United Rentals' third-quarter results, which prompted slight upward revisions to Citi's fourth-quarter 2024 estimates. The firm's projections for the company's 2025 and 2026 revenues remain optimistic, anticipating mid-single-digit top-line growth, albeit with slightly reduced margin expectations.
The analysis indicates that United Rentals is expected to see growth in 2025, driven by large-scale projects, despite potential ongoing weakness in local markets. The company has also expressed confidence in the industry's ability to sustain rental rates into 2025, supported by continuous cost inflation and sector discipline. These sentiments echo those of peers within the National Rental Corporation (NRC).
Citi's endorsement of United Rentals as the preferred investment option is based on the company's outlook for the non-residential construction sector. The expectation is that significant projects and specialty services will bolster the company's performance in 2025. Additionally, any effects from Federal Reserve rate cuts are not anticipated to influence local markets until late in 2025.
In conclusion, Citi's raised target price to $955 is attributed to a slightly higher earnings multiple. United Rentals' third-quarter performance and future growth prospects, particularly in the face of industry challenges, have led to this positive outlook. The company's strategic focus on substantial projects and specialty service growth is expected to be the driving force behind its success in the coming years.
In other recent news, United Rentals reported third-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $11.80, missing the consensus estimate of $12.56. Revenue came in at $3.99 billion, slightly below the $4.01 billion analysts were expecting. Despite the miss, United Rentals saw solid year-over-year growth, with total revenue increasing 7.4% to $3.992 billion.
Rental revenue, the bulk of the company's business, rose 7.4% to $3.463 billion. United Rentals has adjusted its full-year 2024 guidance ranges, now expecting total revenue of $15.1 billion to $15.3 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $7.115 billion and $7.215 billion for the year.
The company's fleet productivity, a key metric, increased 3.5% year-over-year in Q3. Despite the quarterly results missing estimates, United Rentals maintains an optimistic outlook on long-term trends.
InvestingPro Insights
United Rentals' strong market position and financial performance are further highlighted by recent InvestingPro data. The company boasts a market capitalization of $54.06 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. With a P/E ratio of 21.63, United Rentals is trading at a premium compared to its near-term earnings growth, indicating investor confidence in its future prospects.
InvestingPro Tips reveal that United Rentals has demonstrated impressive returns, with a strong performance over the last three months and a remarkable 107.46% price total return over the past year. This aligns with Citi's optimistic outlook on the company's growth potential, particularly in large-scale projects and specialty services.
The company's financial health appears robust, with a revenue of $14.75 billion in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, representing an 11.87% growth. This solid top-line performance supports Citi's projection of mid-single-digit revenue growth in the coming years.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 14 additional tips on United Rentals, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market dynamics.
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