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United Rentals, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Rental revenue reached quarterly record: Rental revenue was $3.849 billion. Ancillary and re-rent revenue contributed 3.7 percentage points of the increase; total revenue was $4.410 billion. Source
  • Net income and EPS reached second-quarter records: Net income was $753 million, with diluted EPS of $12.03 and adjusted EPS of $12.76. Net income margin was 17.1%. Source
  • Specialty margin fell on revenue mix: Specialty rental revenue was $1.431 billion, up 24.8%. Rental gross margin fell to 44.4%, partly offset by lower labor and benefits as a percentage of revenue. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell excluding gain: Excluding the gain, adjusted EBITDA margin fell 40 basis points; the company attributed the decline primarily to specialty rental gross margin. Source
  • Large projects and backlogs cited as tailwinds: Management cited tailwinds across large projects and customer backlogs, and momentum year to date. Source
  • Growth accelerated and customers optimistic: Management said growth accelerated in the quarter and that customers remain optimistic, particularly around large projects. Source
  • Year-to-date operating cash flow up 20.1%: Free cash flow including restructuring payments fell 4.1% to $1.149 billion; the prior-year figure included a $52 million H&E merger termination benefit. Source

“As evidenced in our record second-quarter results across EPS, adjusted EBITDA and revenue, 2026 is on track to be a great year for United Rentals.”

Matthew Flannery, chief executive officer of United Rentals

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue Sourcefull year 2026$17.5 billion to $17.8 billionRaised from $16.9 billion to $17.4 billion
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$7.975 billion to $8.125 billionRaised from $7.625 billion to $7.875 billion
Net rental capital expenditures after gross purchases Sourcefull year 2026$3.4 billion to $3.8 billion, after gross purchases of $4.85 billion to $5.25 billionRaised from $2.95 billion to $3.35 billion, after gross purchases of $4.4 billion to $4.8 billion
Net cash provided by operating activities Sourcefull year 2026$5.85 billion to $6.65 billionRaised from $5.4 billion to $6.2 billion
Free cash flow excluding restructuring related payments Sourcefull year 2026$2.15 billion to $2.45 billionKept
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment Sourcefull year 2026$1,350-$1,550Kept
Net payments for non-rental equipment and intangible assets Sourcefull year 2026$(300)-$(400)Kept
Share repurchases Sourcefull year 2026$1.5 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 guidance raised on four lines: total revenue, adjusted EBITDA, net rental capital expenditures and net operating cash flow. Source
  • New: Part of the scaffolding business was sold, and the company recorded a gain on the sale. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Rental revenue reached quarterly record: Rental revenue was $3.849 billion. Ancillary and re-rent revenue contributed 3.7 percentage points of the increase; total revenue was $4.410 billion. Source
  • Net income and EPS reached second-quarter records: Net income was $753 million, with diluted EPS of $12.03 and adjusted EPS of $12.76. Net income margin was 17.1%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to record: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.056 billion, with a margin of 46.6%, discussed under costs and margins. Source

Segments and regions

  • General rentals revenue and margin rose: General rentals rental revenue was $2.418 billion. Rental gross margin rose 70 basis points to 35.8%, mainly from lower depreciation as a percentage of revenue. Source
  • Specialty margin fell on revenue mix: Specialty rental revenue was $1.431 billion, up 24.8%. Rental gross margin fell to 44.4%, partly offset by lower labor and benefits as a percentage of revenue. Source
  • Combined equipment rental margin rose: Combined equipment rental gross margin was 39.0%, up 30 basis points year over year. Source

“We believe the healthy growth we’ve seen will continue and that we will deliver what our shareholders expect of us”

Matthew Flannery, chief executive officer of United Rentals

Products and customers

  • Used equipment sales rose 4.1%: Used equipment sales generated $330 million of proceeds at a GAAP gross margin of 46.7%, versus 46.1% a year earlier; adjusted gross margin was 47.3%. Source
  • Fleet sold recovered 52.9% of cost: Recovery on fleet sold in the quarter was 52.9% of original equipment cost. Source
  • New equipment and supplies sales grew: New equipment sales were $86 million, up from $75 million; contractor supplies sales were $44 million, up from $41 million. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell excluding gain: Excluding the gain, adjusted EBITDA margin fell 40 basis points; the company attributed the decline primarily to specialty rental gross margin. Source
  • Net income margin rose excluding gain: Excluding the gain, net income margin rose 40 basis points, primarily from higher rental gross margin. Source
  • Selling and admin expense rose in dollars: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $472 million, against $422 million a year earlier. Rental equipment depreciation was $704 million, up from $651 million. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Large projects and backlogs cited as tailwinds: Management cited tailwinds across large projects and customer backlogs, and momentum year to date. Source
  • Growth accelerated and customers optimistic: Management said growth accelerated in the quarter and that customers remain optimistic, particularly around large projects. Source
  • Year-to-date rental revenue rose 10.8%: Year-to-date rental revenue rose 10.8%, with average OEC up 6.4%, fleet productivity up 2.9% and an assumed inflation impact of (1.5)%. Source

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Year-to-date operating cash flow up 20.1%: Free cash flow including restructuring payments fell 4.1% to $1.149 billion; the prior-year figure included a $52 million H&E merger termination benefit. Source
  • Net leverage fell to 1.8x: Total liquidity was $2.999 billion, including $112 million of cash and cash equivalents. Source
  • Gross rental capital spending year to date: Gross payments for purchases of rental equipment were $2.720 billion year to date. Source
  • Return on invested capital at 11.8%: Return on invested capital was 11.8% for the trailing 12 months. Source
  • Year-to-date returns reached $998 million: Year-to-date returns to shareholders were $998 million, split between share repurchases and dividends paid. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Acquisition cash outlay rose sharply: Year-to-date cash paid for purchases of other companies, net of cash acquired, was $400 million, against $16 million a year earlier. Source
  • Scaffolding sale brought in proceeds: Cash proceeds from the sale of business were $82 million in the quarter. Source
  • One-stop model and technology cited: Management said the one-stop-shop model, technology, service levels and focus on safety differentiate the company in the industry. Source

People, footprint and restructuring

  • Workforce of about 28,100: The company reported about 28,100 employees, up from about 27,900 in the first-quarter release. Source
  • Locations outside North America listed: Outside North America the company listed 44 locations in Europe, 47 in Australia and 18 in New Zealand. Source
  • Restructuring charges and payments reported: Restructuring charges were $6 million in the quarter and $51 million for six months; restructuring payments were $20 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 July 2026

  • Dividend payable August 26: Quarterly dividend of $1.97 per share, payable August 26, 2026 to holders of record August 12, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Fleet productivity, year over year Source3.4%
Average OEC, year over year Source7.1%
Fleet original cost Source$23.75 billion
Rental locations, North America Source1,665

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Restructuring related payments cannot be reasonably predicted, so the free cash flow range excludes them. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: A restructuring program covering common functions and other cost reduction measures was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Met: The prior $2.0 billion repurchase program was completed in the first half of 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.