Herc Holdings Inc. experienced a price increase of 5.98%, reaching a 20-day high, amid positive market conditions with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.88% and the S&P 500 up 0.63%.
The stock's rise is attributed to Wells Fargo's upgrade of Herc Holdings to overweight, with a target price of $200, implying a 27% upside. This upgrade reflects confidence in the company's ability to resolve initial integration challenges following the HEES deal and achieve significant cost synergies of approximately $125 million by FY26. Additionally, the broader market is expected to benefit from a potential tax refund-driven market rebound, which could positively impact heavily shorted stocks like Herc Holdings.
This upgrade and the anticipated market rebound suggest a favorable outlook for Herc Holdings, as the company aims to enhance profitability through strategic cost management and improved salesforce stability.
Wall Street analysts forecast HRI stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HRI is 175.00 USD with a low forecast of 150.00 USD and a high forecast of 200.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
7 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast HRI stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for HRI is 175.00 USD with a low forecast of 150.00 USD and a high forecast of 200.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 147.020
Low
150.00
Averages
175.00
High
200.00
Current: 147.020
Low
150.00
Averages
175.00
High
200.00
Barclays
Adam Seiden
Overweight
maintain
$160 -> $175
2026-01-23
Reason
Barclays
Adam Seiden
Price Target
$160 -> $175
AI Analysis
2026-01-23
maintain
Overweight
Reason
Barclays analyst Adam Seiden raised the firm's price target on Herc Holdings to $175 from $160 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the machinery and construction group as part of a Q4 preview. Companies benefiting from interest rate cuts "still reign supreme," the analyst tells investors in a research note. Barclays anticipates "conservative" initial outlooks for 2026.
Wells Fargo
Overweight
maintain
$170 -> $189
2026-01-23
Reason
Wells Fargo
Price Target
$170 -> $189
2026-01-23
maintain
Overweight
Reason
Wells Fargo raised the firm's price target on Herc Holdings to $189 from $170 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm reiterates its positive outlook for the Machinery, Industrials & Environmental Services space heading into earnings. Wells argues the Machinery supply-driven recovery is broadening to new equipment, non-residential lead indicators are accelerating, and cash conversion is improving.
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KeyBanc
Sector Weight -> Overweight
upgrade
$200
2025-12-16
Reason
KeyBanc
Price Target
$200
2025-12-16
upgrade
Sector Weight -> Overweight
Reason
KeyBanc upgraded Herc Holdings to Overweight from Sector Weight with a $200 price target. The ongoing momentum in secular mega project strength and the potential for inflecting local account activity spurred by lower interest rates support a more "attractive" risk-reward in KeyBanc's equipment rental coverage heading into 2026, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Citi
Buy
upgrade
$160 -> $170
2025-12-11
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$160 -> $170
2025-12-11
upgrade
Buy
Reason
Citi raised the firm's price target on Herc Holdings to $170 from $160 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm updated models in the machinery group as part of its 2026 outlook. Citi sees value in the space and has the most conviction in construction and mining growth entering next year. The agriculture and truck markets could remain challenged in the near-term, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About HRI
Herc Holdings Inc. is an equipment rental supplier. It operates through subsidiaries, including Herc Rentals Inc. In addition to its principal business of equipment rental, it sells used equipment and contractor supplies, such as construction consumables, tools, small equipment and safety supplies; provides repair, maintenance, equipment management services and safety training to certain of its customers; offer equipment re-rental services and provides on-site support to its customers; and provide ancillary services, such as equipment transport, rental protection, cleaning, refueling and labor. Its classic fleet includes aerial, earthmoving, material handling, trucks and trailers, air compressors, compaction, and lighting equipment. Its ProSolutions offering includes industry-specific, solutions-based services in tandem with power generation, climate control, remediation and restoration, pumps, and trench shorting equipment as well as its ProContractor professional grade tools.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
