Hertz shares plummet after company's disappointing first-quarter results, $250 million stock offering

Core Viewpoint - Hertz Global's shares experienced a significant decline following the release of disappointing first-quarter earnings and the announcement of a $250 million stock offering aimed at deleveraging the company [1][2]. Financial Performance - Hertz reported a loss per share of $1.12 adjusted, which was worse than the expected loss of 97 cents [7]. - The company's automotive revenue was $1.81 billion, falling short of the expected $2 billion [7]. - Revenue decreased by 13% year-over-year, primarily due to a reduced fleet capacity, which was down 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 [5]. Strategic Initiatives - Hertz's CFO indicated that the combination of an improved earnings profile, refinancing options, and the stock offering provides multiple alternatives for addressing upcoming maturities [3]. - The company is implementing a "Back-to-Basics Roadmap" plan to optimize vehicle utilization and create more demand than it can satisfy, aiming to improve profitability [6]. Market Conditions - Investors are concerned about Hertz's strategy to reduce the number of cars available for rent due to lower bookings and the impact of auto tariffs on vehicle prices [4]. - The company is also facing challenges from lower consumer sentiment and decreased U.S. tourism [4].