On Wednesday, BofA Securities adjusted its outlook on Herc Holdings (NYSE:HRI), raising the price target to $115 from $110, while maintaining an Underperform rating on the stock. The revision follows Herc's first-quarter results, which, according to the firm, surpassed consensus estimates but were slightly below BofA Securities' expectations. The company's core results, excluding contributions from Cinelease, fell marginally short of consensus projections.
Herc Holdings reported overall revenue of $774 million, excluding Cinelease, which was 1% below the consensus. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding a $10 million contribution from Cinelease, was $329 million, also slightly below the $333 million consensus. Despite the core operations not meeting expectations, the company experienced a notable 5.1% year-over-year rate growth in the first quarter and anticipates normal seasonality for the rest of the year.
The firm highlighted that Herc Holdings' first-quarter performance showed resilience, with rate growth accelerating sequentially throughout the quarter. The company's 2024 outlook was reiterated, supported by increased visibility. Herc Holdings has actively expanded its footprint, spending $148 million on mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter, which added 11 new locations, and opened four additional greenfield locations.
While BofA Securities acknowledges the positive aspects of Herc's performance and remains optimistic about the rental market, it prefers United Rentals (NYSE:URI), which carries a Buy rating, over Herc Holdings for investment, citing a more favorable free cash flow profile.
InvestingPro Insights
Amid the discussion of Herc Holdings' (NYSE:HRI) recent performance and future outlook, real-time data and InvestingPro Tips provide a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position. With a market capitalization of $4.32 billion and a P/E ratio sitting at 12.66, Herc Holdings is trading at a valuation that aligns closely with its near-term earnings growth, as indicated by a PEG ratio of 1.73. The company's revenue has grown by nearly 15% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, showcasing its ability to expand despite market challenges.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that Herc Holdings has increased its dividend for three consecutive years, signaling a commitment to returning value to shareholders. Additionally, the stock has experienced a large price uptick over the last six months, with a 46.5% return, reflecting investor confidence in the company's trajectory. However, it's also noted that the stock exhibits high volatility, which could be a consideration for risk-averse investors. For those interested in a deeper dive, there are more InvestingPro Tips available, which can provide further guidance on Herc Holdings' investment potential. Use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription to access these insights.
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