United Rentals: A Little Wobble, But Still Sturdy

Now, listen closely. United Rentals – URI, as the grown-ups call it – had a bit of a tumble today. Shares went down, down, down, like a poorly-aimed custard pie. A whopping 14% drop! Seems the company’s latest report wasn’t quite bursting with jolly good news. They missed what the Wall Street wizards expected, you see. A bit of a fumble, really. But don’t you fret just yet. It’s not as ghastly as it sounds.

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A Long View for Clever Investors

You see, when you’re picking stocks – which is a bit like choosing sweets from a very large jar – you mustn’t get distracted by a single, slightly-sour bonbon. Focus on the whole jar, and how many lovely sweets it holds over the next few years. That’s what a sensible portfolio manager does, and believe me, I’m rather sensible. United Rentals, despite this little hiccup, is still a very promising sweet indeed.

Their “specialty unit” – a rather grand name for bits and bobs like mats, tools, and even temporary buildings – is growing at a tremendous rate. A full 9% up in the last quarter! It’s like a sneaky little vine, wrapping around the main business and pulling it upwards. They’ve been at this vine-growing for years, adding 20% each year since 2015. A clever bit of gardening, if you ask me. Even with the world being a bit wobbly at the moment, this specialty section is showing some real muscle.

Now, the bosses at United Rentals – a rather portly bunch, I imagine, with pockets bulging with profits – are rather clever chaps. They’re like squirrels, hoarding cash. This company is a proper money-making machine, and they share the spoils with those who own the shares. They’ve been buying back shares, shrinking the total number, which makes each remaining share a little more valuable. It’s a bit like taking slices out of a pie – fewer slices, but each one is bigger! If they don’t fancy buying back shares, they gobble up smaller companies, like a hungry caterpillar munching on leaves. And now, they’ve even started handing out dividends – a little treat for shareholders. A 10% raise on those payments, no less!

At just 16 times future earnings, United Rentals is a top-notch compounder, available at a fair price. It’s a sturdy, reliable sweet, and while it may have wobbled today, I suspect it will be a rather tasty addition to any sensible portfolio. Just remember, don’t get distracted by a single sour bonbon. Focus on the whole jar.

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2026-01-29 20:54