QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-14387
Commission File Number 1-13663
___________________________________
United Rentals, Inc.
United Rentals (North America), Inc.
(Exact Names of Registrants as Specified in Their Charters)
___________________________________
Delaware
06-1522496
Delaware
86-0933835
(States of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)
100 First Stamford Place, Suite 700
Stamford
Connecticut
06902
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrants’ Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (203) 622-3131
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value, of United Rentals, Inc.
URI
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. xYeso No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yesx No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐Yes x No
As of April 24, 2023, there were 68,731,157 shares of United Rentals, Inc. common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding. There is no market for the common stock of United Rentals (North America), Inc., all outstanding shares of which are owned by United Rentals, Inc.
This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by (i) United Rentals, Inc. and (ii) United Rentals (North America), Inc. (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Rentals, Inc.). United Rentals (North America), Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this report with the reduced disclosure format permitted by such instruction.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “on-track,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend” or “anticipate,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or outlook. You are cautioned that our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and, consequently, our actual results may differ materially from those projected.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following:
•the impact of global economic conditions (including inflation, increased interest rates, supply chain constraints, potential trade wars and sanctions and other measures imposed in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine) and public health crises and epidemics on us, our customers and our suppliers, in the United States and the rest of the world;
•declines in construction or industrial activity, which could adversely impact our revenues and, because many of our costs are fixed, our profitability;
•rates we charge and time utilization we achieve being less than anticipated;
•changes in customer, fleet, geographic and segment mix;
•excess fleet in the equipment rental industry;
•inability to benefit from government spending, including spending associated with infrastructure projects;
•trends in oil and natural gas, including significant increases in the prices of oil or natural gas, could adversely affect the demand for our services and products;
•competition from existing and new competitors;
•the cyclical nature of the industry in which we operate and the industries of our customers, such as those in the construction industry;
•costs we incur being more than anticipated, including as a result of inflation, and the inability to realize expected savings in the amounts or time frames planned;
•our significant indebtedness (which totaled $11.6 billion at March 31, 2023) requires us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow for debt service and can constrain our flexibility in responding to unanticipated or adverse business conditions;
•inability to refinance our indebtedness on terms that are favorable to us, including as a result of volatility and uncertainty in capital or credit markets or increases in interest rates, or at all;
•incurrence of additional debt, which could exacerbate the risks associated with our current level of indebtedness;
•noncompliance with financial or other covenants in our debt agreements, which could result in our lenders terminating the agreements and requiring us to repay outstanding borrowings;
•restrictive covenants and the amount of borrowings permitted under our debt instruments, which can limit our financial and operational flexibility;
•inability to access the capital that our businesses or growth plans may require, including as a result of uncertainty in capital or credit markets;
•the possibility that companies that we have acquired or may acquire could have undiscovered liabilities, or that companies or assets that we have acquired or may acquire could involve other unexpected costs, may strain our management capabilities, or may be difficult to integrate, and that we may not realize the expected benefits from an acquisition over the timeframe we expect, or at all;
•incurrence of impairment charges;
•fluctuations in the price of our common stock and inability to complete stock repurchases in the time frame and/or on the terms anticipated;
•our charter provisions as well as provisions of certain debt agreements and our significant indebtedness may have the effect of making more difficult or otherwise discouraging, delaying or deterring a takeover or other change of control of us;
•inability to manage credit risk adequately or to collect on contracts with a large number of customers;
•turnover in our management team and inability to attract and retain key personnel, as well as loss, absenteeism or the inability of employees to work or perform key functions in light of public health crises or epidemics;
•inability to obtain equipment and other supplies for our business from our key suppliers on acceptable terms or at all, as a result of supply chain disruptions, insolvency, financial difficulties or other factors;
•increases in our maintenance and replacement costs and/or decreases in the residual value of our equipment;
•inability to sell our new or used fleet in the amounts, or at the prices, we expect;
•risks related to security breaches, cybersecurity attacks, failure to protect personal information, compliance with data protection laws and other significant disruptions in our information technology systems;
•risks related to climate change and climate change regulation;
•risks related to our ability to meet our environmental and social goals, including our greenhouse gas intensity reduction goal;
•the fact that our holding company structure requires us to depend in part on distributions from subsidiaries and such distributions could be limited by contractual or legal restrictions;
•shortfalls in our insurance coverage;
•increases in our loss reserves to address business operations or other claims and any claims that exceed our established levels of reserves;
•incurrence of additional expenses (including indemnification obligations) and other costs in connection with litigation, regulatory and investigatory matters;
•the costs of complying with environmental, safety and foreign laws and regulations, as well as other risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including currency exchange risk, and tariffs;
•the outcome or other potential consequences of regulatory matters and commercial litigation;
•labor shortages and/or disputes, work stoppages or other labor difficulties, which may impact our productivity and increase our costs, and changes in law that could affect our labor relations or operations generally; and
•the effect of changes in tax law.
For a more complete description of these and other possible risks and uncertainties, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as to our subsequent filings with the SEC. Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof, and we make no commitment to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events, circumstances or changes in expectations.
Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt
$
156
$
161
Accounts payable
1,117
1,139
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,007
1,145
Total current liabilities
2,280
2,445
Long-term debt
11,492
11,209
Deferred taxes
2,703
2,671
Operating lease liabilities
857
642
Other long-term liabilities
167
154
Total liabilities
17,499
17,121
Common stock—$0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 114,941,392 and 68,934,902 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at March 31, 2023 and 114,758,508 and 69,356,981 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2022
1
1
Additional paid-in capital
2,598
2,626
Retained earnings
10,003
9,656
Treasury stock at cost—46,006,490 and 45,401,527 shares at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Net income
$
451
$
367
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
1
17
Fixed price diesel swaps
(1)
3
Other comprehensive (loss) income (1)
—
20
Comprehensive income
$
451
$
387
(1)There were no material reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected in other comprehensive income (loss) during 2023 or 2022. There was no material tax impact related to the foreign currency translation adjustments. In 2021, we remitted the cumulative amount of identified cash in our foreign operations in excess of near-term working capital needs. We continue to expect that the remaining balance of our undistributed foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested. If we determine that all or a portion of such foreign earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested, we may be subject to additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes. There were no material taxes associated with other comprehensive income (loss) during 2023 or 2022.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Number of Shares (1)
Amount
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Number of Shares
Amount
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (2)
Balance at December 31, 2022
69
$
1
$
2,626
$
9,656
45
$
(4,957)
$
(264)
Net income
451
Dividends declared (3)
(104)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1
Fixed price diesel swaps
(1)
Stock compensation expense, net
1
24
Tax withholding for share based compensation
—
(52)
Repurchase of common stock
(1)
1
(251)
Balance at March 31, 2023
69
$
1
$
2,598
$
10,003
46
$
(5,208)
$
(264)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Number of Shares (1)
Amount
Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Number of Shares
Amount
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (2)
Balance at December 31, 2021
72
$
1
$
2,567
$
7,551
42
$
(3,957)
$
(171)
Net income
367
Foreign currency translation adjustments
17
Fixed price diesel swaps
3
Stock compensation expense, net
1
24
Tax withholding for share based compensation
—
(56)
Repurchase of common stock
(1)
1
(262)
Balance at March 31, 2022
72
$
1
$
2,535
$
7,918
43
$
(4,219)
$
(151)
(1)Common stock outstanding decreased by approximately three million net shares during the year ended December 31, 2022.
(2)The Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss balance primarily reflects foreign currency translation adjustments.
(3)In January 2023, our Board of Directors approved our first-ever quarterly dividend program (accordingly, there were no dividends declared during 2022). We declared dividends of $1.48 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
1. Organization, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
United Rentals, Inc. (“Holdings,” “URI” or the “Company”) is principally a holding company and conducts its operations primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary, United Rentals (North America), Inc. (“URNA”), and subsidiaries of URNA. Holdings’ primary asset is its sole ownership of all issued and outstanding shares of common stock of URNA. URNA’s various credit agreements and debt instruments place restrictions on its ability to transfer funds to its shareholder.
We rent equipment to a diverse customer base that includes construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and government entities. We primarily operate in the United States and Canada, and have a limited presence in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to renting equipment, we sell new and used rental equipment, as well as related contractor supplies, parts and service.
We have prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the accounting policies described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) and the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2022 Form 10-K.
In our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition, operating results and cash flows for the interim periods presented have been made. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results of the full year.
2. Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition Accounting Standards
We recognize revenue in accordance with two different accounting standards: 1) Topic 606 (which addresses revenue from contracts with customers) and 2) Topic 842 (which addresses lease revenue). Under Topic 606, revenue from contracts with customers is measured based on the consideration specified in the contract with the customer, and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer, and is the unit of account under Topic 606. As reflected below, most of our revenue is accounted for under Topic 842. Our contracts with customers generally do not include multiple performance obligations. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
In the following table, revenue is summarized by type and by the applicable accounting standard.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Topic 842
Topic 606
Total
Topic 842
Topic 606
Total
Revenues:
Owned equipment rentals
$
2,266
$
—
$
2,266
$
1,797
$
—
$
1,797
Re-rent revenue
52
—
52
49
—
49
Ancillary and other rental revenues:
Delivery and pick-up
—
203
203
—
157
157
Other
165
54
219
124
48
172
Total ancillary and other rental revenues
165
257
422
124
205
329
Total equipment rentals
2,483
257
2,740
1,970
205
2,175
Sales of rental equipment
—
388
388
—
211
211
Sales of new equipment
—
44
44
—
45
45
Contractor supplies sales
—
34
34
—
29
29
Service and other revenues
—
79
79
—
64
64
Total revenues
$
2,483
$
802
$
3,285
$
1,970
$
554
$
2,524
Revenues by reportable segment are presented in note 4 of the condensed consolidated financial statements, using the revenue captions reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The majority of our revenue is recognized in our general rentals segment and in the U.S. (for the three months ended March 31, 2023, 75 percent and 91 percent, respectively). We believe that the disaggregation of our revenue from contracts to customers as reflected above, coupled with the further discussion below and the reportable segment disclosures in note 4, depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Lease revenues (Topic 842)
The accounting for the types of revenue that are accounted for under Topic 842 is discussed below.
Owned equipment rentals represent our most significant revenue type (they accounted for 69 percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023) and are governed by our standard rental contract. We account for such rentals as operating leases. The lease terms are included in our contracts, and the determination of whether our contracts contain leases generally does not require significant assumptions or judgments. Our lease revenues do not include material amounts of variable payments.
Owned equipment rentals: Owned equipment rentals represent revenues from renting equipment that we own. We do not generally provide an option for the lessee to purchase the rented equipment at the end of the lease, and do not generate material revenue from sales of equipment under such options.
We recognize revenues from renting equipment on a straight-line basis. Our rental contract periods are hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. By way of example, if a customer were to rent a piece of equipment and the daily, weekly and monthly rental rates for that particular piece were (in actual dollars) $100, $300 and $900, respectively, we would recognize revenue of $32.14 per day. The daily rate for recognition purposes is calculated by dividing the monthly rate of $900 by the monthly term of 28 days. This daily rate assumes that the equipment will be on rent for the full 28 days, as we are unsure of when the customer will return the equipment and therefore unsure of which rental contract period will apply.
As part of this straight-line methodology, when the equipment is returned, we recognize as incremental revenue the excess, if any, between the amount the customer is contractually required to pay, which is based on the rental contract period applicable to the actual number of days the equipment was out on rent, over the cumulative amount of revenue recognized to date. In any given accounting period, we will have customers return equipment and be contractually required to pay us more than the cumulative amount of revenue recognized to date under the straight-line methodology. For instance, continuing the above example, if the customer rented the above piece of equipment on December 29 and returned it at the close of business on January 1, we would recognize incremental revenue on January 1 of $171.44 (in actual dollars, representing the difference between the amount the customer is contractually required to pay, or $300 at the weekly rate, and the cumulative amount recognized to date on a straight-line basis, or $128.56, which represents four days at $32.14 per day).
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
We record amounts billed to customers in excess of recognizable revenue as deferred revenue on our balance sheet. We had deferred revenue (associated with both Topic 842 and Topic 606) of $129 and $131 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
As noted above, we are unsure of when the customer will return rented equipment. As such, we do not know how much the customer will owe us upon return of the equipment and cannot provide a maturity analysis of future lease payments. Our equipment is generally rented for short periods of time. Lessees do not provide residual value guarantees on rented equipment.
We expect to derive significant future benefits from our equipment following the end of the rental term. Our rentals are generally short-term in nature, and our equipment is typically rented for the majority of the time that we own it. We additionally recognize revenue from sales of rental equipment when we dispose of the equipment.
Re-rent revenue: Re-rent revenue reflects revenues from equipment that we rent from vendors and then rent to our customers. We account for such rentals as subleases. The accounting for re-rent revenue is the same as the accounting for owned equipment rentals described above.
“Other” equipment rental revenue is primarily comprised of 1) Rental Protection Plan (or "RPP") revenue associated with the damage waiver customers can purchase when they rent our equipment to protect against potential loss or damage, 2) environmental charges associated with the rental of equipment, 3) charges for rented equipment that is damaged by our customers and 4) charges for setup and other services performed on rented equipment.
Revenues from contracts with customers (Topic 606)
The accounting for the types of revenue that are accounted for under Topic 606 is discussed below. Substantially all of our revenues under Topic 606 are recognized at a point-in-time rather than over time.
Delivery and pick-up: Delivery and pick-up revenue associated with renting equipment is recognized when the service is performed.
“Other” equipment rental revenue is primarily comprised of revenues associated with the consumption of fuel by our customers which are recognized when the equipment is returned by the customer (and consumption, if any, can be measured).
Sales of rental equipment, new equipment and contractor supplies are recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when collectibility is probable.
Service and other revenues primarily represent revenues earned from providing repair and maintenance services on our customers’ fleet (including parts sales). Service revenue is recognized as the services are performed.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
Receivables and contract assets and liabilities
As reflected above, most of our equipment rental revenue is accounted for under Topic 842 (such revenue represented 76 percent of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023). The customers that are responsible for the remaining revenue that is accounted for under Topic 606 are generally the same customers that rent our equipment. We manage credit risk associated with our accounts receivables at the customer level. Because the same customers generate the revenues that are accounted for under both Topic 606 and Topic 842, the discussions below on credit risk and our allowance for credit losses address receivables arising from revenues from both Topic 606 and Topic 842.
Concentration of credit risk with respect to our receivables is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers makes up our customer base. Our largest customer accounted for less than one percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and for each of the last three full years. Our customer with the largest receivable balance represented approximately one percent of total receivables at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. We manage credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and other monitoring procedures.
Our allowance for credit losses reflects our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience and, as applicable, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectibility. Our estimate could require change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the particular circumstances of individual customers. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our allowance. Trade receivables that have contractual maturities of one year or less are written-off when they are determined to be uncollectible based on the criteria necessary to qualify as a deduction for federal tax purposes. Write-offs of such receivables require management approval based on specified dollar thresholds. See the table below for a rollforward of our allowance for credit losses.
The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information from past events, including historical experiences, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectibility. Trade receivables are the only material financial asset we have that is subject to the requirement to measure expected credit losses as noted above, as this requirement does not apply to receivables arising from operating lease revenues. Substantially all of our non-lease trade receivables are due in one year or less. As discussed above, most of our equipment rental revenue is accounted for as lease revenue (such revenue represented 76 percent of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and these revenues account for corresponding portions of the $2.034 billion of net accounts receivable and the associated allowance for credit losses of $146 as of March 31, 2023).
As discussed above, most of our equipment rental revenue is accounted for under Topic 842. The customers that are responsible for the remaining revenue that is accounted for under Topic 606 are generally the same customers that rent our equipment. We manage credit risk associated with our accounts receivables at the customer level. The rollforward of our allowance for credit losses (in total, and associated with revenues arising from both Topic 606 and Topic 842) is shown below.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Beginning balance
$
134
$
112
Charged to costs and expenses (1)
3
1
Charged to revenue (2)
13
8
Deductions and other (3)
(4)
(5)
Ending balance
$
146
$
116
_________________
(1) Reflects bad debt expenses recognized within selling, general and administrative expenses (associated with Topic 606 revenues).
(2) Primarily reflects credit losses associated with lease revenues that were recognized as a reduction to equipment rentals revenue (primarily associated with Topic 842 revenues).
(3) Primarily represents write-offs of accounts, net of immaterial recoveries and other activity.
We do not have material contract assets, or impairment losses associated therewith, or material contract liabilities, associated with contracts with customers. Our contracts with customers do not generally result in material amounts billed to
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
customers in excess of recognizable revenue. We did not recognize material revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023 or 2022 that was included in the contract liability balance as of the beginning of such periods.
Performance obligations
Most of our Topic 606 revenue is recognized at a point-in-time, rather than over time. Accordingly, in any particular period, we do not generally recognize a significant amount of revenue from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods, and the amounts of such revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were not material. We also do not expect to recognize material revenue in the future related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2023.
Payment terms
Our Topic 606 revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration. Our payment terms vary by the type and location of our customer and the products or services offered. The time between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. Our contracts do not generally include a significant financing component. For certain products or services and customer types, we require payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer. Our contracts with customers do not generally result in significant obligations associated with returns, refunds or warranties. See above for a discussion of how we manage credit risk.
Revenue is recognized net of taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.
Contract costs
We do not recognize any assets associated with the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer (for example, a sales commission) that we expect to recover. Most of our revenue is recognized at a point-in-time or over a period of one year or less, and we use the practical expedient that allows us to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.
Contract estimates and judgments
Our revenues accounted for under Topic 606 generally do not require significant estimates or judgments, primarily for the following reasons:
•The transaction price is generally fixed and stated in our contracts;
•As noted above, our contracts generally do not include multiple performance obligations, and accordingly do not generally require estimates of the standalone selling price for each performance obligation;
•Our revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration, or result in significant obligations associated with returns, refunds or warranties; and
•Most of our revenue is recognized as of a point-in-time and the timing of the satisfaction of the applicable performance obligations is readily determinable. As noted above, our Topic 606 revenue is generally recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer.
Our revenues accounted for under Topic 842 also generally do not require significant estimates or judgments. We monitor and review our estimated standalone selling prices on a regular basis.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
3. Acquisitions
On December 7, 2022, we completed the acquisition of assets of Ahern Rentals, Inc. ("Ahern Rentals"), which was accounted for as a business combination. Ahern Rentals was the eighth largest equipment rental company in North America and served customers primarily in the construction and industrial sectors across 30 states. The acquisition:
• Increased capacity in key geographies, with concentrations on both U.S. coasts and in the Gulf region;
• Increased availability of high-demand aerial and material handling equipment for our customers; and
• Created immediate cross-sell opportunities to an expanded customer base.
The aggregate consideration paid to acquire Ahern Rentals was $2.012 billion. The acquisition and related fees and expenses were funded through the issuance of $1.5 billion principal amount of 6 percent Senior Secured Notes and drawings on our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (“ABL facility”).
The table below summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The initial accounting for the acquisition is incomplete, principally related to finalizing 1) the measurement of the acquired net working capital, 2) the valuation of the acquired rental equipment (inclusive of the completion of our usual and customary procedures to validate the existence of the acquired rental fleet) and intangible assets and 3) the associated income tax considerations. All amounts below could change, potentially materially, as there is significant additional information that we must obtain to finalize the valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, primarily because of the proximity of the acquisition date to the balance sheet date of March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we recognized measurement period adjustments primarily to establish preliminary values for intangibles assets and lease assets and liabilities. These adjustments resulted in a substantial reduction to goodwill versus the previously reported amount (see note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of goodwill changes). Non-rental depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2023 includes $8 of intangible asset amortization that would have been recognized in 2022 if the intangible asset values had been preliminarily established as of December 31, 2022.
Inventory
$
30
Rental equipment
1,290
Property and equipment
187
Intangibles (1)
450
Operating lease right-of-use assets
211
Other assets
9
Total identifiable assets acquired
2,177
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
(33)
Operating lease liabilities
(199)
Debt (finance leases)
(38)
Total liabilities assumed
(270)
Net identifiable assets acquired
1,907
Goodwill (2)
105
Net assets acquired
$
2,012
(1)The following table reflects the fair values and useful lives of the acquired intangible assets identified based on our preliminary purchase accounting assessments:
Fair value
Life (years)
Customer relationships
$
260
9
Non-compete agreements
190
5
Total
$
450
(2)All of the goodwill was assigned to our general rentals segment. As noted above, we have not yet obtained all the information required to finalize the valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. As such, goodwill could change from the amount noted above. Once finalized, we expect that the goodwill that results from the acquisition will be primarily reflective of Ahern Rentals' going-concern value, the value of Ahern Rentals' assembled workforce and new customer
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
relationships expected to arise from the acquisition. All of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes (because the acquisition is a purchase of assets, the goodwill that is deductible for income tax purposes equals the total acquired goodwill. As noted above, goodwill could change from the amount above).
The debt issuance costs associated with the issuance of debt to partially fund the acquisition are reflected, net of amortization subsequent to the acquisition date, in long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2023, we initiated a restructuring program following the closing of the Ahern Rentals acquisition. For additional information on the restructuring charges, which generally involve the closure of a large number of branches over a short period of time, often in periods following a major acquisition, see "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations-Other costs/(income)-restructuring charges" below.
It is not practicable to reasonably estimate the amounts of revenue and earnings of Ahern Rentals since the acquisition date, primarily due to the movement of fleet between URI locations and the acquired Ahern Rentals locations, as well as our corporate structure and the allocation of corporate costs.
Pro forma financial information
The pro forma information below gives effect to the Ahern Rentals acquisition as if it had been completed on January 1, 2021. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of our results had the acquisition been completed on the above date, nor is it necessarily indicative of our future results. The pro forma information reflects Ahern Rentals’ historic revenue presented in accordance with our revenue mapping, does not reflect any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that could result from the acquisition, and also does not reflect additional revenue opportunities following the acquisition. The pro forma information includes adjustments to record the acquired assets and liabilities of Ahern Rentals at their respective fair values and to give effect to the financing for the acquisition. The pro forma adjustments reflected in the table below are subject to change as additional analysis is performed. The purchase price allocations for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to change as we obtain additional information during the acquisition measurement period. Increases or decreases in the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired may impact our statements of income in future periods. The table below presents unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information as if Ahern Rentals had been included in our consolidated results for the entire period reflected:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2022
United Rentals historic revenues
$
2,524
Ahern Rentals historic revenues
203
Pro forma revenues
2,727
United Rentals historic pretax income
483
Ahern Rentals historic pretax (loss) income
(9)
Combined pretax income
474
Pro forma adjustments to combined pretax income:
Impact of fair value mark-ups/useful life changes on depreciation (1)
(25)
Impact of the fair value mark-up of acquired fleet on cost of rental equipment sales (2)
(10)
Intangible asset amortization (3)
(21)
Interest expense (4)
(25)
Elimination of historic interest (5)
13
Elimination of historic legal and financing costs (6)
2
Pro forma pretax income
$
408
________________
(1) Depreciation of rental equipment and non-rental depreciation were adjusted for the fair value mark-ups, and the changes in useful lives and salvage values, of the equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
(2) Cost of rental equipment sales was adjusted for the fair value mark-ups, and the changes in useful lives and salvage values, of rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
(3) Intangible asset amortization was adjusted to include amortization of the acquired intangible assets.
(4) As discussed above, the acquisition and related fees and expenses were funded through the issuance of senior notes and drawings on our ABL facility. Interest expense was adjusted to reflect interest on the debt used to finance the acquisition.
(5) Historic interest on debt that is not part of the combined entity was eliminated.
(6) Reflects legal and financing costs incurred by Ahern Rentals that do not relate to the combined entity (specifically, legal costs related to a particular lawsuit and costs related to an attempted financing).
During 2023 and 2022, we completed other acquisitions that were not significant individually or in the aggregate. See the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the total cash outflow for purchases of other companies, net of cash acquired.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
4. Segment Information
Our reportable segments are i) general rentals and ii) specialty. For general rentals, the divisions discussed below, which are our operating segments, are aggregated into the reportable segment. The specialty segment is a single division that is both an operating segment and a reportable segment. We believe that the divisions that are aggregated into our reportable segments have similar economic characteristics, as each division is capital intensive, offers similar products to similar customers, uses similar methods to distribute its products, and is subject to similar competitive risks. The aggregation of our divisions also reflects the management structure that we use for making operating decisions and assessing performance. We evaluate segment performance primarily based on segment equipment rentals gross profit.
The general rentals segment includes the rental of i) general construction and industrial equipment, such as backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment and material handling equipment, ii) aerial work platforms, such as boom lifts and scissor lifts and iii) general tools and light equipment, such as pressure washers, water pumps and power tools. The general rentals segment reflects the aggregation of four geographic divisions—Central, Northeast, Southeast and West—and operates throughout the United States and Canada.
The specialty segment, which, as noted above, is a single division that is both an operating segment and a reportable segment, includes the rental of specialty construction products such as i) trench safety equipment, such as trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring systems, slide rails, crossing plates, construction lasers and line testing equipment for underground work, ii) power and HVAC equipment, such as portable diesel generators, electrical distribution equipment, and temperature control equipment, iii) fluid solutions equipment primarily used for fluid containment, transfer and treatment, and iv) mobile storage equipment and modular office space. The specialty segment’s customers include construction companies involved in infrastructure projects, municipalities and industrial companies. This segment primarily operates in the United States and Canada, and has a limited presence in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
The following tables set forth financial information by segment.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Total reportable segment assets
General rentals
$
19,944
$
19,604
Specialty
4,685
4,579
Total assets
$
24,629
$
24,183
Equipment rentals gross profit is the primary measure management reviews to make operating decisions and assess segment performance. The following is a reconciliation of equipment rentals gross profit to income before provision for income taxes:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Total equipment rentals gross profit
$
1,003
$
834
Gross profit from other lines of business
238
158
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(382)
(323)
Restructuring charge (1)
(1)
—
Non-rental depreciation and amortization
(118)
(97)
Interest expense, net
(150)
(94)
Other income, net
4
5
Income before provision for income taxes
$
594
$
483
___________________
(1)Primarily reflects severance and branch closure charges associated with our restructuring programs. For additional information on the restructuring charges, which generally involve the closure of a large number of branches over a short period of time, often in periods following a major acquisition, see "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations-Other costs/(income)-restructuring charges" below.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Equipment (1)
$
12
$
17
Insurance
16
31
Advertising reimbursements (2)
19
25
Income taxes (3)
148
235
Other (4)
72
73
Prepaid expenses and other assets
$
267
$
381
_________________
(1) Reflects refundable deposits on expected purchases, primarily of rental equipment, pursuant to advance purchase agreements. Such deposits are presented as a component of our cash flow from operations when paid.
(2) Reflects reimbursements due for advertising that promotes a vendor’s products or services.
(3) Primarily relates to tax depreciation benefits associated with the Ahern Rentals acquisition discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. The tax depreciation deductions generated by the Ahern Rentals acquisition resulted in an income tax receivable associated with U.S. federal and state tax payments made prior to the acquisition. The decrease reflected above from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023 reflects the use of a portion of the receivable to reduce cash paid for income taxes, and we expect that the remaining receivable will further reduce the cash paid for income taxes throughout the remainder of 2023.
(4) Includes multiple items, none of which are individually significant.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
General rentals
Specialty
Total
Balance at January 1, 2023 (1)
$
4,980
$
1,046
$
6,026
Goodwill related to acquisitions (2)
(309)
(11)
(320)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
—
2
2
Balance at March 31, 2023 (1)
$
4,671
$
1,037
$
5,708
_________________
(1)The total carrying amount of goodwill for all periods in the table above is reflected net of $1.557 billion of accumulated impairment charges, which were primarily recorded in our general rentals segment.
(2)Includes goodwill adjustments for the effect on goodwill of changes to net assets acquired during the measurement period. The decrease in goodwill related to acquisitions above primarily reflects measurement period adjustments associated with the December 2022 acquisition of Ahern Rentals. For additional detail on the Ahern Rentals acquisition, see note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Other intangible assets were comprised of the following at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023
Weighted-Average Remaining Amortization Period
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Amount
Non-compete agreements
4 years
$
266
$
38
$
228
Customer relationships
6 years
$
2,647
$
2,011
$
636
Trade names and associated trademarks
3 years
$
14
$
10
$
4
December 31, 2022
Weighted-Average Remaining Amortization Period
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Amount
Non-compete agreements
3 years
$
69
$
22
$
47
Customer relationships
5 years
$
2,349
$
1,949
$
400
Trade names and associated trademarks
3 years
$
14
$
9
$
5
Our other intangibles assets, net at March 31, 2023 include the assets set forth in the table below associated with the acquisition of Ahern Rentals that is discussed in note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. No residual value has been assigned to these assets. The non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis and the customer relationships are being amortized using the sum of the years' digits method, and we believe that such methods best reflect the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits will be consumed. The intangible asset values are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to change as we obtain additional information during the acquisition measurement period.
March 31, 2023
Weighted-Average Remaining Amortization Period
Net Carrying Amount
Non-compete agreements
5 years
$
177
Customer relationships
9 years
243
Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $79 and $62 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The year-over-year increase primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition discussed above.
As of March 31, 2023, estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
2023
$
199
2024
211
2025
172
2026
130
2027
85
Thereafter
71
Total
$
868
7. Fair Value Measurements
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the amounts of our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value were immaterial.
Fair value measurements are categorized in one of the following three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety:
Level 1- Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2- Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities include:
a)quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
b)quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
c)inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;
d)inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3- Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity) and significant to the fair value measure.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets for accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate to short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair values of our variable rate debt facilities and finance leases approximated their book values as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The estimated fair values of our other financial instruments, all of which are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 have been calculated based upon available market information, and were as follows:
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Senior notes
$
7,714
$
7,311
$
7,712
$
7,143
8. Debt
Debt, net of unamortized original issue discounts or premiums, and unamortized debt issuance costs, consists of the following:
(1)The table below presents financial information associated with our variable rate indebtedness as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023. There is no borrowing capacity under the repurchase facility because it is an uncommitted facility. The repurchase facility expires on June 23, 2023 unless extended by the mutual consent of the parties to the repurchase facility agreement. If the facility is not extended, we believe we have sufficient liquidity to repay the outstanding debt under the facility. We have borrowed the full available amount under the term loan facility. The principal obligation under the term loan facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments in an aggregate amount equal to 1.0 percent per annum, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility. The average amount of debt outstanding under the term loan facility decreases slightly each quarter due to the requirement to repay a portion of the principal obligation.
ABL facility
Accounts receivable securitization facility
Term loan facility
Repurchase facility
Borrowing capacity, net of letters of credit
$
2,336
$
220
$
—
Letters of credit
67
Interest rate at March 31, 2023
5.9
%
5.7
%
6.6
%
5.9
%
Average month-end debt outstanding
1,750
966
957
100
Weighted-average interest rate on average debt outstanding
5.7
%
5.6
%
6.4
%
5.7
%
Maximum month-end debt outstanding
1,848
1,100
958
100
(2)Borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization facility are permitted only to the extent that the face amount of the receivables in the collateral pool, net of applicable reserves and other deductions, exceeds the outstanding loans. As of March 31, 2023, there were $1.348 billion of receivables, net of applicable reserves and other deductions, in the collateral pool.
(3)In April 2023, the term loan facility was amended to transition to an interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR").
(4)URNA separately issued 4 7/8 percent Senior Notes in August 2017 and in September 2017. Following the issuances, URNA consummated an exchange offer pursuant to which most of the 4 7/8 percent Senior Notes issued in September 2017 were exchanged for additional notes fungible with the 4 7/8 percent Senior Notes issued in August 2017. As of March 31, 2023, the total above is comprised of two separate 4 7/8 percent Senior Notes, one with a book value of $1.659 billion and one with a book value of $4.
(5)Short-term debt primarily reflects borrowings under the repurchase facility and the short-term portion of our finance leases.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
(Dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants and other provisions of the ABL, accounts receivable securitization, term loan and repurchase facilities and the senior notes. Any failure to be in compliance with any material provision or covenant of these agreements could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and operations.
The only financial covenant that currently exists under the ABL facility is the fixed charge coverage ratio. Subject to certain limited exceptions specified in the ABL facility, the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under the ABL facility will only apply in the future if specified availability under the ABL facility falls below 10 percent of the maximum revolver amount under the ABL facility. When certain conditions are met, cash and cash equivalents and borrowing base collateral in excess of the ABL facility size may be included when calculating specified availability under the ABL facility. As of March 31, 2023, specified availability under the ABL facility exceeded the required threshold and, as a result, this financial covenant was inapplicable. Under our accounts receivable securitization facility, we are required, among other things, to maintain certain financial tests relating to: (i) the default ratio, (ii) the delinquency ratio, (iii) the dilution ratio and (iv) days sales outstanding. The accounts receivable securitization facility also requires us to comply with the fixed charge coverage ratio under the ABL facility, to the extent the ratio is applicable under the ABL facility.
9. Legal and Regulatory Matters
We are subject to a number of claims and proceedings that generally arise in the ordinary course of our business. These matters include, but are not limited to, general liability claims (including personal injury, property and auto claims), indemnification and guarantee obligations, employee injuries and employment-related claims, self-insurance obligations, contract and real estate matters, and other general business litigation. Based on advice of counsel and available information, including current status or stage of proceeding, and taking into account accruals for matters where we have established them, we currently believe that any liabilities ultimately resulting from such claims and proceedings will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
10. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Numerator:
Net income available to common stockholders
451
367
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average common shares
69,414
72,372
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options
4
4
Restricted stock units
327
308
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average common shares
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (dollars in millions, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)
Global Economic Conditions
Our operations are impacted by global economic conditions, including inflation, increased interest rates and supply chain constraints, and we take actions to modify our plans to address such economic conditions. In 2022, for example, we intentionally held back on sales of rental equipment to ensure we had sufficient rental capacity for our customers. To date, our supply chain disruptions have been limited, but we may experience more severe supply chain disruptions in the future. Interest rates on our debt instruments have increased recently. For example, in November 2022, URNA issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes at a 6 percent interest rate, while URNA's immediately prior issuance in August 2021 of $750 aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes was at a 3 ¾ percent interest rate. Additionally, the weighted average interest rates on our variable debt instruments were 5.9 percent and 1.6 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We have experienced and are continuing to experience inflationary pressures. A portion of inflationary cost increases is passed on to customers. The most significant cost increases that are passed on to customers are for fuel and delivery, and there are other costs for which the pass through to customers is less direct, such as repairs and maintenance, and labor. The impact of inflation and increased interest rates may be significant in the future.
We also continue to monitor any developments relating to the coronavirus (“COVID-19”). The health and safety of our employees and customers has been, and remains, our top priority, and we also implemented a detailed COVID-19 response plan, which we believe helped mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our results. The COVID-19 impact on our business was most pronounced in 2020, and we have seen evidence of a continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets since 2021. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed in 2021 and 2020 include detailed disclosures addressing the COVID-19 impact on our business.
We continue to assess the economic environment in which we operate and any developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and take appropriate actions to address the economic and other challenges we face.
Executive Overview
We are the largest equipment rental company in the world, with an integrated network of 1,525 rental locations. We primarily operate in the United States and Canada, and have a limited presence in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Although the equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and diverse, we believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of this environment because, as a larger company, we have more extensive resources and certain competitive advantages. These include a fleet of rental equipment with a total original equipment cost (“OEC”) of $20.0 billion, and a North American branch network that operates in 49 U.S. states and every Canadian province, and serves 99 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Our size also gives us greater purchasing power, the ability to provide customers with a broader range of equipment and services, the ability to provide customers with equipment that is more consistently well-maintained and therefore more productive and reliable, and the ability to enhance the earning potential of our assets by transferring equipment among branches to satisfy customer needs.
We offer approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent to a diverse customer base that includes construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and government entities. Our revenues are derived from the following sources: equipment rentals, sales of rental equipment, sales of new equipment, contractor supplies sales and service and other revenues. Equipment rentals represented 83 percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
For the past several years, as we continued to manage the impact of COVID-19, we executed a strategy focused on improving the profitability of our core equipment rental business through revenue growth, margin expansion and operational efficiencies. In particular, we have focused on customer segmentation, customer service differentiation, rate management, fleet management and operational efficiency. Our general strategy focuses on profitability and return on invested capital, and, in particular, calls for:
•A consistently superior standard of service to customers, often provided through a single lead contact who can coordinate the cross-selling of the various services we offer throughout our network. We utilize a proprietary software application, Total Control®, which provides our key customers with a single in-house software application that enables them to monitor and manage all their equipment needs. Total Control® is a unique customer offering that enables us to develop strong, long-term relationships with our larger customers. Our digital capabilities, including our Total Control® platform, allow our sales teams to provide contactless end-to-end customer service;
•The further optimization of our customer mix and fleet mix, with a dual objective: to enhance our performance in serving our current customer base, and to focus on the accounts and customer types that are best suited to our strategy for profitable growth. We believe these efforts will lead to even better service of our target accounts, primarily large construction and industrial customers, as well as select local contractors. Our fleet team's analyses
are aligned with these objectives to identify trends in equipment categories and define action plans that can generate improved returns;
•A continued focus on “Lean” management techniques, including kaizen processes focused on continuous improvement. We have a dedicated team responsible for reducing waste in our operational processes, with the objectives of: condensing the cycle time associated with preparing equipment for rent; optimizing our resources for delivery and pickup of equipment; improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our repair and maintenance operations; and implementing customer service best practices;
•The continued expansion and cross-selling of adjacent specialty and services products, which enables us to provide a "one-stop" shop for our customers. We believe that the expansion of our specialty business, as exhibited by our acquisition of General Finance Corporation ("General Finance") in May 2021, as well as our tools and onsite services offerings, will further position United Rentals as a single source provider of total jobsite solutions through our extensive product and service resources and technology offerings; and
•The pursuit of strategic acquisitions to continue to expand our core equipment rental business, as exhibited by our recently completed acquisition of assets of Ahern Rentals, which is discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Strategic acquisitions allow us to invest our capital to expand our business, further driving our ability to accomplish our strategic goals.
Financial Overview
Prior to taking actions pertaining to our financial flexibility and liquidity, we assess our available sources and anticipated uses of cash, including, with respect to sources, cash generated from operations and from the sale of rental equipment. As of March 31, 2023, we had available liquidity of $2.655 billion, comprised of cash and cash equivalents, and availability under the ABL and accounts receivable securitization facilities.
In October 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a $1.25 billion share repurchase program. This program was paused through the initial phase of the integration of the Ahern Rentals acquisition, and repurchases began in the first quarter of 2023. We expect to repurchase $1.0 billion of common stock under the program in 2023, and have repurchased $250 under the program through March 31, 2023. A 1 percent excise tax is imposed on “net repurchases” (certain purchases minus certain issuances) of common stock. The repurchases above (as well as the total program size and expected 2023 repurchases) do not include the excise tax, which totaled $1 year-to-date through March 31, 2023.
Our Board of Directors also approved our first-ever quarterly dividend program in January 2023, and the first dividend under the program was paid in February 2023. We did not pay any dividends prior to 2023, and during the three months ended March 31, 2023, we paid dividends totaling $103 ($1.48 per share). On April 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share, payable on May 24, 2023 to stockholders of record on May 10, 2023.
Net income. Net income and diluted earnings per share are presented below.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Net income
$
451
$
367
Diluted earnings per share
$
6.47
$
5.05
Net income and diluted earnings per share include the after-tax impacts of the items below. The tax rates applied to the items below reflect the statutory rates in the applicable entities.
Impact on depreciation related to acquired fleet and property and equipment (2)
(22)
(0.32)
(7)
(0.10)
Impact of the fair value mark-up of acquired fleet (3)
(31)
(0.44)
(5)
(0.06)
Restructuring charge (4)
(1)
(0.02)
—
—
(1)This reflects the amortization of the intangible assets acquired in the major acquisitions that significantly impact our operations (the "major acquisitions," each of which had annual revenues of over $200 prior to acquisition). The increase in 2023 primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
(2)This reflects the impact of extending the useful lives of equipment acquired in certain major acquisitions, net of the impact of additional depreciation associated with the fair value mark-up of such equipment. The increase in 2023 primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
(3)This reflects additional costs recorded in cost of rental equipment sales associated with the fair value mark-up of rental equipment acquired in certain major acquisitions that was subsequently sold. The increase in 2023 primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
(4)This primarily reflects severance and branch closure charges associated with our restructuring programs. For additional information on the restructuring charges, which generally involve the closure of a large number of branches over a short period of time, often in periods following a major acquisition, see "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations-Other costs/(income)-restructuring charges" below.
EBITDA GAAP Reconciliations. EBITDA represents the sum of net income, provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, depreciation of rental equipment and non-rental depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus the sum of the restructuring charges, stock compensation expense, net and the impact of the fair value mark-up of the acquired fleet. See below for further detail on each adjusting item. These items are excluded from adjusted EBITDA internally when evaluating our operating performance and for strategic planning and forecasting purposes, and allow investors to make a more meaningful comparison between our core business operating results over different periods of time, as well as with those of other similar companies. The net income and adjusted EBITDA margins represent net income or adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue. Management believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with the Company’s results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA help investors gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced. However, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity.
The table below provides a reconciliation between net income and EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:
Impact of the fair value mark-up of acquired fleet (3)
41
6
Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,503
$
1,139
Net income margin
13.7
%
14.5
%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
45.8
%
45.1
%
The table below provides a reconciliation between net cash provided by operating activities and EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
939
$
886
Adjustments for items included in net cash provided by operating activities but excluded from the calculation of EBITDA:
Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts
(4)
(3)
Gain on sales of rental equipment
190
116
Gain on sales of non-rental equipment
4
2
Insurance proceeds from damaged equipment
9
7
Restructuring charge (1)
(1)
—
Stock compensation expense, net (2)
(24)
(24)
Changes in assets and liabilities
117
(34)
Cash paid for interest
178
149
Cash paid for income taxes, net
29
10
EBITDA
$
1,437
$
1,109
Add back:
Restructuring charge (1)
1
—
Stock compensation expense, net (2)
24
24
Impact of the fair value mark-up of acquired fleet (3)
41
6
Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,503
$
1,139
___________________
(1)This primarily reflects severance and branch closure charges associated with our restructuring programs. For additional information on the restructuring charges, which generally involve the closure of a large number of branches over a short period of time, often in periods following a major acquisition, see "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Results of Operations-Other costs/(income)-restructuring charges" below.
(2)Represents non-cash, share-based payments associated with the granting of equity instruments.
(3)This reflects additional costs recorded in cost of rental equipment sales associated with the fair value mark-up of rental equipment acquired in certain major acquisitions that was subsequently sold. The increase in 2023 primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, net income increased $84, or 22.9 percent, and net income margin decreased 80 basis points to 13.7 percent. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, adjusted EBITDA increased $364, or 32.0 percent, and adjusted EBITDA margin increased 70 basis points to 45.8 percent.
The year-over-year decrease in net income margin primarily reflects lower gross margins, primarily due to the Ahern Rentals acquisition, from equipment rentals and sales of rental equipment, and increased net interest expense, partially offset by reductions in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense and non-rental depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue, and revenue mix benefits. Depreciation and repairs and maintenance expenses for the rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition were higher than for our other rental equipment, which negatively impacted equipment rentals gross margin year-over-year. Net interest expense increased $56, or 59.6 percent, primarily due to increased average debt, including the debt issued to partially fund the Ahern Rentals acquisition, and higher variable debt interest rates (as noted above, the weighted average interest rates on our variable debt instruments were 5.9 percent and 1.6 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively). The favorable margin impact of SG&A expense and non-rental depreciation and amortization both reflect better fixed cost absorption on higher revenue.
The increase in the adjusted EBITDA margin primarily reflects reduced SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue and revenue mix benefits, partially offset by a 60 basis point decrease in equipment rentals gross margin (excluding depreciation and stock compensation expense).The favorable margin impact of SG&A expense reflects better fixed cost absorption on higher revenue. The decreased gross margin from equipment rentals (excluding depreciation and stock compensation expense) primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition (in particular, repairs and maintenance expense for the rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition was higher than for our other rental equipment, which negatively impacted equipment rentals gross margin year-over-year).
Revenues are noted below. Fleet productivity is a comprehensive metric that provides greater insight into the decisions made by our managers in support of equipment rental growth and returns. Specifically, we seek to optimize the interplay of rental rates, time utilization and mix to drive rental revenue. Fleet productivity aggregates, in one metric, the impact of changes in rates, utilization and mix on owned equipment rental revenue. We believe that this metric is useful in assessing the effectiveness of our decisions on rates, time utilization and mix, particularly as they support the creation of shareholder value. The table below includes the components of the year-over-year change in rental revenue using the fleet productivity methodology.
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Change
Equipment rentals*
$
2,740
$
2,175
26.0
%
Sales of rental equipment
388
211
83.9
%
Sales of new equipment
44
45
(2.2)
%
Contractor supplies sales
34
29
17.2
%
Service and other revenues
79
64
23.4
%
Total revenues
$
3,285
$
2,524
30.2
%
*Equipment rentals variance components:
Year-over-year change in average OEC
25.6
%
Assumed year-over-year inflation impact (1)
(1.5)
%
Fleet productivity (2)
2.0
%
Contribution from ancillary and re-rent revenue (3)
(0.1)
%
Total change in equipment rentals
26.0
%
*Pro forma equipment rentals variance components (4):
Year-over-year change in average OEC
12.2
%
Assumed year-over-year inflation impact (1)
(1.5)
%
Fleet productivity (2)
5.9
%
Contribution from ancillary and re-rent revenue (3)
—
%
Total change in equipment rentals
16.6
%
___________________
(1)Reflects the estimated impact of inflation on the revenue productivity of fleet based on OEC, which is recorded at cost.
(2)Reflects the combined impact of changes in rental rates, time utilization, and mix that contribute to the variance in owned equipment rental revenue. See note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the different types of equipment rentals revenue. Rental rate changes are calculated based on the year-over-year variance in average contract rates, weighted by the prior period revenue mix. Time utilization is calculated by dividing the amount of time an asset is on rent by the amount of time the asset has been owned during the year. Mix includes the impact of changes in customer, fleet, geographic and segment mix.
(3)Reflects the combined impact of changes in the other types of equipment rentals revenue (see note 2 for further detail), excluding owned equipment rental revenue.
(4)As discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, we completed the acquisition of Ahern Rentals in December 2022. The pro forma information includes the standalone, pre-acquisition results of Ahern Rentals.
Equipment rentals include our revenues from renting equipment, as well as revenue related to the fees we charge customers: for equipment delivery and pick-up; to protect the customer against liability for damage to our equipment while on rent; for fuel; and for environmental and other miscellaneous costs and services. Sales of rental equipment represent our revenues from the sale of used rental equipment. Sales of new equipment represent our revenues from the sale of new equipment. Contractor supplies sales represent our sales of supplies utilized by contractors, which include construction consumables, tools, small equipment and safety supplies. Services and other revenues primarily represent our revenues earned from providing repair and maintenance services on our customers’ fleet (including parts sales). See note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our revenue recognition accounting.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, total revenues of $3.285 billion increased 30.2 percent compared with 2022. Equipment rentals and sales of rental equipment are our largest revenue types (together, they accounted for 95 percent of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023). Equipment rentals increased $565, or 26.0 percent, primarily due to a 25.6 percent increase in average OEC. The increase in average OEC includes the impact of the acquisition of Ahern Rentals that is discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as increased capital expenditures. On a pro forma basis including the pre-acquisition results of Ahern Rentals, year-over-year, equipment rentals increased 16.6 percent, primarily reflecting an increase in average OEC of 12.2 percent and increased fleet productivity of 5.9 percent. Beginning in 2021 and continuing through March 31, 2023, we have seen evidence of a continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets. Sales of rental equipment increased 83.9 percent year-over-year, primarily reflecting the normalization of volumes, after we intentionally held back on sales of rental equipment in 2022 to ensure sufficient rental capacity for our customers, as well as the impact of sales of rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition. Pricing on sales of rental equipment remains strong.
Results of Operations
As discussed in note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, our reportable segments are general rentals and specialty. The general rentals segment includes the rental of construction, aerial, industrial and homeowner equipment and related services and activities. The general rentals segment’s customers include construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and government entities. This segment operates throughout the United States and Canada. The specialty segment includes the rental of specialty construction products such as i) trench safety equipment, such as trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring systems, slide rails, crossing plates, construction lasers and line testing equipment for underground work, ii) power and HVAC equipment, such as portable diesel generators, electrical distribution equipment, and temperature control equipment, iii) fluid solutions equipment primarily used for fluid containment, transfer and treatment, and iv) mobile storage equipment and modular office space. The specialty segment’s customers include construction companies involved in infrastructure projects, municipalities and industrial companies. This segment primarily operates in the United States and Canada, and has a limited presence in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
As discussed in note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we aggregate our four geographic divisions—Central, Northeast, Southeast and West—into our general rentals reporting segment. Historically, there have occasionally been variances in the levels of equipment rentals gross margins achieved by these divisions, though such variances have generally been small (close to or less than 10 percent, measured versus the equipment rentals gross margins of the aggregated general rentals' divisions). For the five year period ended March 31, 2023, there was no general rentals' division with an equipment rentals gross margin that differed materially from the equipment rentals gross margin of the aggregated general rentals' divisions. The rental industry is cyclical, and there historically have occasionally been divisions with equipment rentals gross margins that varied by greater than 10 percent from the equipment rentals gross margins of the aggregated general rentals' divisions, though the specific divisions with margin variances of over 10 percent have fluctuated, and such variances have generally not exceeded 10 percent by a significant amount. We monitor the margin variances and confirm margin similarity between divisions on a quarterly basis.
We believe that the divisions that are aggregated into our segments have similar economic characteristics, as each division is capital intensive, offers similar products to similar customers, uses similar methods to distribute its products, and is subject to similar competitive risks. The aggregation of our divisions also reflects the management structure that we use for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Although we believe aggregating these divisions into our reporting segments for segment reporting purposes is appropriate, to the extent that there are significant margin variances that do not converge, we may be required to disaggregate the divisions into separate reporting segments. Any such disaggregation would have no impact on our consolidated results of operations.
These reporting segments align our external segment reporting with how management evaluates business performance and allocates resources. We evaluate segment performance primarily based on segment equipment rentals gross profit. Our revenues, operating results, and financial condition fluctuate from quarter to quarter reflecting the seasonal rental patterns of our customers, with rental activity tending to be lower in the winter.
Revenues by segment were as follows:
General rentals
Specialty
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Equipment rentals
$
2,018
$
722
$
2,740
Sales of rental equipment
350
38
388
Sales of new equipment
18
26
44
Contractor supplies sales
21
13
34
Service and other revenues
72
7
79
Total revenue
$
2,479
$
806
$
3,285
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Equipment rentals
$
1,593
$
582
$
2,175
Sales of rental equipment
184
27
211
Sales of new equipment
29
16
45
Contractor supplies sales
18
11
29
Service and other revenues
58
6
64
Total revenue
$
1,882
$
642
$
2,524
Equipment rentals represented 83 percent of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, equipment rentals of $2.740 billion increased $565, or 26.0 percent, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to a 25.6 percent increase in average OEC. The increase in average OEC includes the impact of the acquisition of Ahern Rentals that is discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as increased capital expenditures. On a pro forma basis including the pre-acquisition results of Ahern Rentals, year-over-year, equipment rentals increased 16.6 percent, primarily reflecting an increase in average OEC of 12.2 percent and increased fleet productivity of 5.9 percent. Beginning in 2021 and continuing through March 31, 2023, we have seen evidence of a continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, equipment rentals represented 81 percent of total revenues for the general rentals segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, general rentals equipment rentals increased $425, or 26.7 percent, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets and increased average OEC, which includes the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition as well as increased capital expenditures. On a pro forma basis including the pre-acquisition results of Ahern Rentals, year-over-year, equipment rentals increased 14.3 percent, primarily reflecting increases in average OEC and fleet productivity. As noted above, beginning in 2021 and continuing through March 31, 2023, we have seen evidence of a continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, equipment rentals represented 90 percent of total revenues for the specialty segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, specialty equipment rentals increased $140, or 24.1 percent, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets and increased average OEC. As noted above, beginning in 2021 and continuing through March 31, 2023, we have seen evidence of a continuing recovery of activity across our end-markets.
Sales of rental equipment. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, sales of rental equipment represented approximately 12 percent of our total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, sales of rental equipment increased
83.9 percent year-over-year, primarily reflecting the normalization of volumes, after we intentionally held back on sales of rental equipment in 2022 to ensure sufficient rental capacity for our customers, as well as the impact of sales of rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition. Pricing on sales of rental equipment remains strong.
Sales of new equipment. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, sales of new equipment represented approximately 1 percent of our total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, sales of new equipment did not change significantly year-over-year.
Contractor supplies sales represent our revenues associated with selling a variety of supplies, including construction consumables, tools, small equipment and safety supplies. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, contractor supplies sales represented approximately 1 percent of our total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, contractor supplies sales did not change significantly year-over-year.
Service and other revenues primarily represent our revenues earned from providing repair and maintenance services on our customers’ fleet (including parts sales). For the three months ended March 31, 2023, service and other revenues represented approximately 2 percent of our total revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, service and other revenues increased 23.4 percent year-over-year, primarily due to growth initiatives.
Segment Equipment Rentals Gross Profit
Segment equipment rentals gross profit and gross margin were as follows:
General rentals
Specialty
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Equipment Rentals Gross Profit
$
663
$
340
$
1,003
Equipment Rentals Gross Margin
32.9
%
47.1
%
36.6
%
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Equipment Rentals Gross Profit
$
575
$
259
$
834
Equipment Rentals Gross Margin
36.1
%
44.5
%
38.3
%
General rentals. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, equipment rentals gross profit increased by $88, and equipment rentals gross margin decreased by 320 basis points, from 2022, primarily due to the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and repairs and maintenance expenses for the rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition were higher than for our other rental equipment, which negatively impacted equipment rentals gross margin year-over-year.
Specialty. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, equipment rentals gross profit increased by $81, and equipment rentals gross margin increased by 260 basis points, from 2022. Gross margin increased primarily due to better cost performance and fixed cost absorption on higher revenue.
Gross Margin. Gross margins by revenue classification were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Change
Total gross margin
37.8%
39.3%
(150) bps
Equipment rentals
36.6%
38.3%
(170) bps
Sales of rental equipment
49.0%
55.0%
(600) bps
Sales of new equipment
18.2%
17.8%
40 bps
Contractor supplies sales
29.4%
31.0%
(160) bps
Service and other revenues
38.0%
39.1%
(110) bps
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, total gross margin decreased 150 basis points from the same period in 2022. Equipment rentals gross margin decreased 170 basis points from 2022, primarily due to the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and repairs and maintenance expenses for the rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition were higher than for our other rental equipment, which negatively impacted equipment rentals gross margin year-over-year. Gross margin from sales of rental equipment decreased 600 basis points from the same period in 2022, primarily due to the impact of lower margin sales of rental equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition. The equipment acquired in the Ahern Rentals acquisition was recorded at fair value as of the December 2022 acquisition date, and
the gross margins on the sale of such acquired equipment were less than the gross margins achieved upon the sale of other rental equipment. As reflected in the above gross margin, pricing on sales of rental equipment remains strong. The gross margin fluctuations from sales of new equipment, contractor supplies sales and service and other revenues generally reflect normal variability, and such revenue types did not account for a significant portion of total gross profit (gross profit for these revenue types represented 4 percent of total gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023).
Other costs/(income)
The table below includes the other costs/(income) in our condensed consolidated statements of income, as well as key associated metrics:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2023
2022
Change
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense
$382
$323
18.3%
SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue
11.6%
12.8%
(120) bps
Restructuring charge
1
—
—%
Non-rental depreciation and amortization
118
97
21.6%
Interest expense, net
150
94
59.6%
Other income, net
(4)
(5)
(20.0)%
Provision for income taxes
143
116
23.3%
Effective tax rate
24.1%
24.0%
10 bps
SG&A expense primarily includes sales force compensation, information technology costs, third party professional fees, management salaries, bad debt expense and clerical and administrative overhead. SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased from the same period in 2022 primarily due to better fixed cost absorption on higher revenue (in particular, salaries and benefits declined as a percentage of revenue).
The restructuring charges primarily reflect severance and branch closure charges associated with our restructuring programs. We incur severance costs and branch closure charges in the ordinary course of our business. We only include such costs that are part of a restructuring program as restructuring charges. The designated restructuring programs generally involve the closure of a large number of branches over a short period of time, often in periods following a major acquisition, and result in significant costs that we would not normally incur absent a major acquisition or other triggering event that results in the initiation of a restructuring program. Since the first such program was initiated in 2008, we have completed six restructuring programs and have incurred total restructuring charges of $353.
In the first quarter of 2023, we initiated a restructuring program following the closing of the Ahern Rentals acquisition discussed above. We expect to complete the restructuring program in 2023, and we currently expect to incur approximately $15 of additional expenses under the program. As of March 31, 2023, the total liability associated with our open and closed restructuring programs was $6.
Non-rental depreciation and amortization includes i) the amortization of other intangible assets and ii) depreciation expense associated with equipment that is not offered for rent (such as computers and office equipment) and amortization expense associated with leasehold improvements. Our other intangible assets consist of customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names and associated trademarks. The year-over-year increase in non-rental depreciation and amortization primarily reflects the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition discussed above.
Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased 59.6 percent year-over-year, primarily due to increased average debt, including the debt issued to partially fund the Ahern Rentals acquisition discussed above, and higher variable debt interest rates. The weighted average interest rates on our variable debt instruments were 5.9 percent and 1.6 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Other (income) expense, net primarily includes i) currency gains and losses, ii) finance charges, iii) gains and losses on sales of non-rental equipment and iv) other miscellaneous items.
The effective tax rates for 2023 and 2022 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to the geographical mix of income between foreign and domestic operations, the impact of state and local taxes, stock compensation, other deductible and nondeductible charges. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 did not change significantly year-over-year.
Balance sheet. Prepaid expenses and other assets decreased by $114, or 29.9 percent, from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, primarily due to the use of a portion of a tax receivable associated with the Ahern Rentals acquisition to reduce
cash paid for income taxes (see note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail). Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased by $138, or 12.1 percent, from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, primarily due to the payment of accrued bonuses. Operating lease right-of-use assets increased by $245, or 29.9 percent, and operating lease liabilities increased by $215, or 33.5 percent, from December 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, and both increases primarily reflect the impact of the Ahern Rentals acquisition, as discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. See the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for further information on changes in cash and cash equivalents, the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for further information on changes in stockholders’ equity and note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on debt changes.
We manage our liquidity using internal cash management practices, which are subject to (i) the policies and cooperation of the financial institutions we utilize to maintain and provide cash management services, (ii) the terms and other requirements of the agreements to which we are a party and (iii) the statutes, regulations and practices of each of the local jurisdictions in which we operate.
On October 24, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a $1.25 billion share repurchase program. This program was paused through the initial phase of the integration of the Ahern Rentals acquisition, and repurchases began in the first quarter of 2023. We expect to repurchase $1.0 billion of common stock under the program in 2023, and have repurchased $250 under the program through March 31, 2023. A 1 percent excise tax is imposed on “net repurchases” (certain purchases minus certain issuances) of common stock. The repurchases above (as well as the total program size and expected 2023 repurchases) do not include the excise tax, which totaled $1 year-to-date through March 31, 2023. Since 2012, we have repurchased a total of $5.208 billion (inclusive of immaterial excise taxes, which were first imposed in 2023) of Holdings' common stock under our share repurchase programs (comprised of seven programs that have ended and the current program).
Our Board of Directors also approved our first-ever quarterly dividend program in January 2023, and the first dividend under the program was paid in February 2023. We did not pay any dividends prior to 2023, and during the three months ended March 31, 2023, we paid dividends totaling $103 ($1.48 per share). On April 26, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share, payable on May 24, 2023 to stockholders of record on May 10, 2023.
Our principal existing sources of cash are cash generated from operations and from the sale of rental equipment, and borrowings available under our ABL facility and accounts receivable securitization facility. As of March 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $99. We believe that our existing sources of cash will be sufficient to support our existing operations over the next 12 months. The table below presents financial information associated with our principal sources of cash as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
ABL facility:
Borrowing capacity, net of letters of credit
$
2,336
Outstanding debt, net of debt issuance costs
1,838
Interest rate at March 31, 2023
5.9
%
Average month-end principal amount of debt outstanding
1,750
Weighted-average interest rate on average debt outstanding
5.7
%
Maximum month-end principal amount of debt outstanding
1,848
Accounts receivable securitization facility:
Borrowing capacity
220
Outstanding debt, net of debt issuance costs
879
Interest rate at March 31, 2023
5.7
%
Average month-end principal amount of debt outstanding
966
Weighted-average interest rate on average debt outstanding
5.6
%
Maximum month-end principal amount of debt outstanding
1,100
We expect that our principal needs for cash relating to our operations over the next 12 months will be to fund (i) operating activities and working capital, (ii) the purchase of rental equipment and inventory items offered for sale, (iii) payments due under operating leases, (iv) debt service, (v) share repurchases, (vi) dividends and (vii) acquisitions. We plan to fund such cash requirements from our existing sources of cash. In addition, we may seek additional financing through the securitization of some of our real estate, the use of additional operating leases or other financing sources as market conditions permit.
To access the capital markets, we rely on credit rating agencies to assign ratings to our securities as an indicator of credit quality. Lower credit ratings generally result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to debt capital markets. Credit ratings also affect the costs of derivative transactions, including interest rate and foreign currency derivative transactions. As a result, negative changes in our credit ratings could adversely impact our costs of funding. Our credit ratings as of April 24, 2023 were as follows:
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for a given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn by a rating agency in the future.
Loan Covenants and Compliance. As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenants and other provisions of the ABL, accounts receivable securitization, term loan and repurchase facilities and the senior notes. Any failure to be in compliance with any material provision or covenant of these agreements could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and operations.
The only financial covenant that currently exists under the ABL facility is the fixed charge coverage ratio. Subject to certain limited exceptions specified in the ABL facility, the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under the ABL facility will only apply in the future if specified availability under the ABL facility falls below 10 percent of the maximum revolver amount under the ABL facility. When certain conditions are met, cash and cash equivalents and borrowing base collateral in excess of the ABL facility size may be included when calculating specified availability under the ABL facility. As of March 31, 2023, specified availability under the ABL facility exceeded the required threshold and, as a result, this financial covenant was inapplicable. Under our accounts receivable securitization facility, we are required, among other things, to maintain certain financial tests relating to: (i) the default ratio, (ii) the delinquency ratio, (iii) the dilution ratio and (iv) days sales outstanding. The accounts receivable securitization facility also requires us to comply with the fixed charge coverage ratio under the ABL facility, to the extent the ratio is applicable under the ABL facility.
URNA’s payment capacity is restricted under the covenants in the ABL and term loan facilities and the indentures governing its outstanding indebtedness. Although this restricted capacity limits our ability to move operating cash flows to Holdings, because of certain intercompany arrangements, we do not expect any material adverse impact on Holdings’ ability to meet its cash obligations.
Sources and Uses of Cash. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we (i) generated cash from operating activities of $939, (ii) generated cash from the sale of rental and non-rental equipment of $400 and (iii) received cash from debt proceeds, net of payments, of $220. We used cash during this period principally to (i) purchase rental and non-rental equipment and intangible assets of $870, (ii) purchase other companies for $299 (iii) purchase shares of our common stock for $303 and (iv) pay dividends of $103. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we (i) generated cash from operating activities of $886 and (ii) generated cash from the sale of rental and non-rental equipment of $216. We used cash during this period principally to (i) purchase rental and non-rental equipment and intangible assets of $537, (ii) purchase other companies for $77, (iii) make debt payments, net of proceeds, of $217 and (iv) purchase shares of our common stock for $318.
Free Cash Flow GAAP Reconciliation. We define “free cash flow” as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of, and plus proceeds from, equipment and intangible assets. The equipment and intangible asset purchases and proceeds are included in cash flows from investing activities. Management believes that free cash flow provides useful additional information concerning cash flow available to meet future debt service obligations and working capital requirements. However, free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP. Accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to net income or cash flow from operating activities as an indicator of operating performance or liquidity. The table below provides a reconciliation between net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
939
$
886
Purchases of rental equipment
(797)
(482)
Purchases of non-rental equipment and intangible assets
(73)
(55)
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment
388
211
Proceeds from sales of non-rental equipment
12
5
Insurance proceeds from damaged equipment
9
7
Free cash flow
$
478
$
572
Free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $478, a decrease of $94 as compared to $572 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Free cash flow decreased primarily due to increased net rental capital expenditures (purchases of rental equipment less the proceeds from sales of rental equipment), partially offset by increased net cash provided by operating activities. Net rental capital expenditures increased $138 year-over-year.
Relationship between Holdings and URNA. Holdings is principally a holding company and primarily conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, URNA, and subsidiaries of URNA. Holdings licenses its tradename and other
intangibles and provides certain services to URNA in connection with its operations. These services principally include: (i) senior management services; (ii) finance and tax-related services and support; (iii) information technology systems and support; (iv) acquisition-related services; (v) legal services; and (vi) human resource support. In addition, Holdings leases certain equipment and real property that are made available for use by URNA and its subsidiaries.
Information Regarding Guarantors of URNA Indebtedness
URNA is 100 percent owned by Holdings and has certain outstanding indebtedness that is guaranteed by both Holdings and, with the exception of its U.S. special purpose vehicle which holds receivable assets relating to the Company’s accounts receivable securitization facility (the “SPV”), captive insurance subsidiary and immaterial subsidiaries acquired in connection with the General Finance acquisition, all of URNA’s U.S. subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”). Other than the guarantee by our Canadian subsidiary of URNA's indebtedness under the ABL facility, none of URNA’s indebtedness is guaranteed by URNA's foreign subsidiaries, the SPV, captive insurance subsidiary or immaterial subsidiaries acquired in connection with the General Finance acquisition (together, the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”). The receivable assets owned by the SPV have been sold or contributed by URNA to the SPV and are not available to satisfy the obligations of URNA or Holdings’ other subsidiaries. Holdings consolidates each of URNA and the guarantor subsidiaries in its consolidated financial statements. URNA and the guarantor subsidiaries are all 100 percent-owned and controlled by Holdings. Holdings’ guarantees of URNA’s indebtedness are full and unconditional, except that the guarantees may be automatically released and relieved upon satisfaction of the requirements for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance under the applicable indenture being met. The Holdings guarantees are also subject to subordination provisions (to the same extent that the obligations of the issuer under the relevant notes are subordinated to other debt of the issuer) and to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by Holdings will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws.
The guarantees of Holdings and the guarantor subsidiaries are made on a joint and several basis. The guarantees of the guarantor subsidiaries are not full and unconditional because a guarantor subsidiary can be automatically released and relieved of its obligations under certain circumstances, including sale of the guarantor subsidiary, the sale of all or substantially all of the guarantor subsidiary's assets, the requirements for legal defeasance or covenant defeasance under the applicable indenture being met, designating the guarantor subsidiary as an unrestricted subsidiary for purposes of the applicable covenants or the notes being rated investment grade by both Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or, in certain circumstances, another rating agency selected by URNA. Like the Holdings guarantees, the guarantees of the guarantor subsidiaries are subject to subordination provisions (to the same extent that the obligations of the issuer under the relevant notes are subordinated to other debt of the issuer) and to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws.
All of the existing guarantees by Holdings and the guarantor subsidiaries rank equally in right of payment with all of the guarantors' existing and future senior indebtedness. The secured indebtedness of Holdings and the guarantor subsidiaries (including guarantees of URNA’s existing and future secured indebtedness) will rank effectively senior to guarantees of any unsecured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Future guarantees of subordinated indebtedness will rank junior to any existing and future senior indebtedness of the guarantors. The guarantees of URNA’s indebtedness are effectively junior to any indebtedness of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors, including our foreign subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2023, the indebtedness of our non-guarantors was comprised of (i) $879 of outstanding borrowings by the SPV in connection with the Company’s accounts receivable securitization facility, (ii) $117 of outstanding borrowings under the ABL facility by non-guarantor subsidiaries and (iii) $8 of finance leases of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Covenants in the ABL facility, accounts receivable securitization and term loan facilities, and the other agreements governing our debt, impose operating and financial restrictions on URNA, Holdings and the guarantor subsidiaries, including limitations on the ability to make share repurchases and dividend payments. As of March 31, 2023, the amount available for distribution under the most restrictive of these covenants was $1.158 billion. The Company’s total available capacity for making share repurchases and dividend payments includes the intercompany receivable balance of Holdings. As of March 31, 2023, our total available capacity for making share repurchases and dividend payments, which includes URNA’s capacity to make restricted payments and the intercompany receivable balance of Holdings, was $6.185 billion.
Based on our understanding of Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X ("Rule 3-10"), we believe that Holdings’ guarantees of URNA indebtedness comply with the conditions set forth in Rule 3-10, which enable us to present summarized financial information for Holdings, URNA and the consolidated guarantor subsidiaries in accordance with Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X. The summarized financial information excludes the financial information of the non-guarantor subsidiaries. In accordance with Rule 3-10, separate financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been presented. Our presentation below excludes the investment in the non-guarantor subsidiaries and the related income from the non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our exposure to market risk primarily consists of (i) interest rate risk associated with our variable and fixed rate debt and (ii) foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our foreign operations.
Interest Rate Risk. As of March 31, 2023, we had an aggregate of $3.8 billion of indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates, comprised of borrowings under the ABL, accounts receivable securitization, term loan and repurchase facilities. The amount of variable rate indebtedness outstanding under these facilities may fluctuate significantly. See note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the amounts outstanding, and the interest rates thereon, as of March 31, 2023 under these facilities. As of March 31, 2023, based upon the amount of our variable rate debt outstanding, our annual after-tax earnings would decrease by approximately $28 for each one percentage point increase in the interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt.
At March 31, 2023, we had an aggregate of $7.9 billion of indebtedness that bears interest at fixed rates. A one percentage point decrease in market interest rates as of March 31, 2023 would increase the fair value of our fixed rate indebtedness by approximately six percent. For additional information concerning the fair value of our fixed rate debt, see note 7 (see “Fair Value of Financial Instruments”) to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Currency Exchange Risk. We primarily operate in the U.S. and Canada, and have a limited presence in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, our foreign subsidiaries accounted for $301, or 9 percent, of our total revenue of $3.285 billion, and $57, or 10 percent, of our total pretax income of $594. Based on the size of our foreign operations relative to the Company as a whole, we do not believe that a 10 percent change in exchange rates would have a material impact on our earnings. We do not engage in purchasing forward exchange contracts for speculative purposes.
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of March 31, 2023. Based on the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2023.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The information set forth under note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference in answer to this item.
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Our results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties described in our 2022 Form 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. You should carefully consider the risk factors in our 2022 Form 10-K in conjunction with the other information contained in this report. Should any of these risks materialize, our business, financial condition and future prospects could be negatively impacted.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(c) The following table provides information about purchases of Holdings’ common stock by Holdings during the first quarter of 2023:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2)
Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (2)
January 1, 2023 to January 31, 2023
63,945
(1)
$
391.95
—
February 1, 2023 to February 28, 2023
110,898
(1)
$
450.63
109,836
March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023
553,458
(1)
$
411.01
495,127
Total
728,301
$
415.37
604,963
$
1,000,001,111
(1)In January 2023, February 2023 and March 2023, 63,945, 1,062 and 58,331 shares, respectively, were withheld by Holdings to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards. These shares were not acquired pursuant to any repurchase plan or program.
(2)On October 24, 2022, our Board authorized a $1.25 billion share repurchase program, which was paused through the initial phase of the integration of the Ahern Rentals acquisition that is discussed in note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Repurchases under the program began in the first quarter of 2023, and we expect to repurchase $1.0 billion of common stock under the program in 2023. A 1 percent excise tax is imposed on “net repurchases” (certain purchases minus certain issuances) of common stock. The repurchases above (as well as the total program size and expected 2023 repurchases) do not include the excise tax, which totaled $1 million year-to-date through March 31, 2023.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED RENTALS, INC.
Dated:
April 26, 2023
By:
/S/ ANDREW B. LIMOGES
Andrew B. Limoges Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.
Dated:
April 26, 2023
By:
/S/ ANDREW B. LIMOGES
Andrew B. Limoges Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
