United Rentals Inc (URI): Today's Featured Diversified Services Winner

United Rentals (URI) pushed the Diversified Services industry higher today making it today's featured diversified services winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 1.2%. By the end of trading, United Rentals rose $1.36 (4.1%) to $34.89 on light volume. Throughout the day, 2.2 million shares of United Rentals exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.6 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $33.63-$34.99 after having opened the day at $33.69 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $33.53. Other companies within the Diversified Services industry that increased today were: Willdan Group (WLDN), up 26.9%, China HGS Real Estate (HGSH), up 13.2%, Daegis (DAEG), up 12.9%, and Cambium Learning Group (ABCD), up 9.7%.

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United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It offers approximately 3,000 classes of equipment for rent to customers comprising construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities. United Rentals has a market cap of $3.02 billion and is part of the services sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 17.1, below the average diversified services industry P/E ratio of 17.5 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 9.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are eight analysts that rate United Rentals a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and one rates it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates United Rentals as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, robust revenue growth and good cash flow from operations. However, as a counter to these strengths, we find that the company has not been very careful in the management of its balance sheet.

• You can view the full United Rentals Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Bridgepoint Education (BPI), down 24.7%, Scientific Learning Corporation (SCIL), down 14.4%, Spar Group (SGRP), down 8.3%, and China Distance Education Holdings (DL), down 6.8%, were all losers within the diversified services industry with Apollo Group (APOL) being today's diversified services industry loser.

• Use our diversified services section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the diversified services industry could consider iShares Dow Jones US Cons Services (IYC) while those bearish on the diversified services industry could consider ProShares Ultra Short Consumer Sers (SCC).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on United Rentals Inc click any of the following:

• United Rentals Inc Stock Price

• United Rentals Inc Analyst Ratings

• United Rentals Inc Key Stats & Profile

• United Rentals Inc Earnings

• United Rentals Inc Ratio Comparison

• United Rentals Inc Growth Rates

• United Rentals Inc Balance Sheet

• United Rentals Inc Cash Flow

• United Rentals Inc Income Statement