It's one of the great investments of the past decade, and its value-creating formula can still work from here.When it comes to boring investments, United Rentals (URI 1.05%) likely makes the short list. And yet the stock for this equipment rental company is trading up 35% year to date, as of this writing, crushing the 12.5% comparable return for the S&P 500. Moreover, its returns in 2025 aren't a fluke -- the stock is up 1,310% over the last 10 years, and that's before accounting for its dividend.Boring sto ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue of $511 million for Q2 2025, representing a 21% increase compared to 2024. Adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA both grew by 17% to $157 million and $93 million, respectively [14][21]. - Average utilization of the rental fleet improved to just under 78%, up from 72% in Q2 2024, while average OEC on rent increased to over $1.2 billion, a 16% year-over-year rise [14][15]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ERS segment generated $170 million in revenue, up more than 23% from $138 million in Q2 2024, with significant increases in both rental revenue and rental asset sales [15][17]. - The PES segment achieved over $100 million in sales for two consecutive months, marking a historical milestone, with year-over-year sales growth exceeding 22% [8][17]. - The APS segment reported revenue of $38 million, reflecting a 3% increase year-over-year [19]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand in core T and D markets remained strong, contributing to robust results across ERS and TES segments [6][12]. - Signed orders from local and regional customers increased by more than 45% year-over-year, driving overall signed order growth of just under 35% [9][18]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue investing in its rental fleet to meet current and projected demand, with a focus on maintaining adequate equipment levels [8][16]. - The management expressed confidence in achieving expected growth targets for 2025, reaffirming revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance [6][21]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the macroeconomic environment remains volatile but expressed optimism due to strong fundamentals and order flow [6][12]. - The company is closely monitoring legislative and regulatory changes, particularly regarding tariffs and emission standards, which are expected to have minimal impact on business this year [10][11][25]. Other Important Information - The company finished Q2 with net leverage of 4.66x, an improvement from the end of Q1, and aims to reduce net leverage to below three times by the end of fiscal 2026 [20][21]. - The company expects to generate meaningful levered free cash flow in 2025, targeting over $50 million [21]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on tariff impact for 2025 and quarterly cadence - Management indicated that the tariff impact will be minimal this year, with some costs expected to hit in Q3 and Q4, but overall, the business is well-managed regarding supply base [24][25]. Question: Concern regarding backlog decline - Management acknowledged the backlog decline but emphasized that revenue growth of 21% is a positive trend, with strong order volume still being observed [26][28].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total rental revenue grew by 4.5% year over year to $3.9 billion, with rental revenue increasing by 6.2% to $3.4 billion, both setting second quarter records [7][17] - Adjusted EBITDA reached a second quarter record of $1.8 billion, translating to a margin of nearly 46% [7][19] - Adjusted EPS was reported at $10.47 [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Specialty rental revenue grew by 14% year over year, with 21 cold starts opened in the second quarter [8] - Rental gross profit increased by $86 million, while used gross profit saw a decline of $36 million due to market normalization [19] - Ancillary and re-rent revenue grew by approximately 10% year on year, contributing an additional $59 million [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The construction end market experienced significant growth, particularly in infrastructure and non-residential construction [8] - The industrial end market showed strength in power, metals and minerals, and chemical processes [8] - The company sold $600 million of used equipment, maintaining healthy demand in the used market [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive profitable growth by partnering with customers and enhancing productivity through technology [12] - The utility vertical has become a significant revenue contributor, now accounting for over 10% of total revenue, up from 4% a decade ago [13] - The company continues to focus on M&A as a core strategy, seeking opportunities for attractive returns [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the remainder of the year, supported by strong customer demand and a positive Customer Confidence Index [5][6] - The updated guidance for total revenue growth is projected at 4% to 5% for the year, with EBITDA margins expected to remain above 46% [11][24] - Management noted that the inflationary environment and ongoing investments in technology and specialty services are expected to support future growth [21] Other Important Information - The company generated free cash flow of $1.2 billion year to date, with expectations to reach between $2.4 billion and $2.6 billion for the full year [9][25] - A total of $534 million was returned to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends in the quarter, with a full-year expectation of nearly $2.4 billion [10][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Utilization and Price-Cost Dynamics - Management acknowledged that while utilization has improved, the price-cost dynamics and ancillary growth have been somewhat disappointing, with expectations for improvement in the second half of the year [27][30] Question: Free Cash Flow Outlook - Management confirmed that the new baseline for free cash flow is expected to be around $2.4 billion, influenced by recent tax reforms [43][45] Question: Equipment Recovery and Market Dynamics - Management indicated that used equipment recovery has stabilized, with a sequential improvement in recovery rates, reflecting a balanced supply-demand dynamic [86] Question: CapEx Guidance and Market Conditions - Management reiterated that CapEx guidance remains unchanged, with no expected price increases, and expressed confidence in maintaining the same number of units planned for the year [95][96] Question: M&A Pipeline and Growth Drivers - Management highlighted a robust M&A pipeline and indicated that multiple paths to growth, including large projects and market conditions, are being pursued [68][99]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast that United Rentals (URI) will report quarterly earnings of $10.54 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 1.5%, with anticipated revenues of $3.91 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised downward by 0.4% over the past 30 days, indicating a collective reassessment by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts project 'Revenues- Equipment rentals' to reach $3.34 billion, a change of +3.8% from the year-ago quarter [5]. - 'Revenues- Service and other revenues' are expected to be $96.27 million, indicating a +7% change from the prior year [5]. - 'Revenues- Contractor supplies sales' are estimated at $41.45 million, reflecting a -1.3% year-over-year change [6]. - 'Revenues- Sales of new equipment' are projected to be $66.89 million, showing a +9.7% change [6]. - 'Revenues- Sales of rental equipment' are expected to be $358.01 million, indicating a -1.9% change [6]. - 'Revenues- Specialty- Contractor supplies sales' are estimated at $18.21 million, reflecting a -4.2% change [7]. - 'Revenues- Specialty- Equipment rentals' are projected to reach $1.09 billion, indicating an +8.4% change [7]. - 'Revenues- Specialty- Sales of new equipment' are expected to be $33.08 million, reflecting a -2.7% change [8]. - 'Revenues- Specialty- Sales of rental equipment' are projected at $49.22 million, indicating a -5.4% change [8]. - 'Revenues- Specialty- Service and other revenues' are expected to be $10.08 million, reflecting an +11.9% change [9]. - 'Total Revenues- General rentals' are projected to reach $2.71 billion, indicating a +2% change [9]. - 'Revenues- General Rentals- Service and other revenues' are expected to be $93.63 million, reflecting a +15.6% change [9]. Stock Performance - Shares of United Rentals have increased by +14.6% in the past month, outperforming the +5.4% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite [10].