Herc Rentals Q1 Revenue $1.14B, Exceeds Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy HRI?
Reports Q1 revenue $1.14B, consensus $1.06B. "The first quarter of 2026 marked a defining milestone for Herc Rentals as we successfully completed the integration of our H&E acquisition - the largest in the history of our industry - and we are already capturing the strategic benefits we anticipated: 25% more specialty locations, a stronger and deeper sales network, expanded share in local and regional accounts, and greater density in top metropolitan markets, where construction activity is most resilient. Financial performance in the first quarter was in line with our expectations and seasonal trends. While we expect performance to build as we move through the second half of 2026, the value of this combination will be realized over our three-year synergy plan, and we are executing against that roadmap with confidence," said Larry Silber, CEO.
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Analyst Views on HRI
Wall Street analysts forecast HRI stock price to rise
7 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 139.210
Low
150.00
Averages
175.00
High
200.00
Current: 139.210
Low
150.00
Averages
175.00
High
200.00
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.
Herc Holdings CEO to Attend Conference
- Executive Participation: Herc Holdings CEO Larry Silber and CFO Mark Humphrey will participate in Bank of America's Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in the industry.
- Webcast Arrangement: A fireside chat discussion will take place at 11:50 AM ET on that day, with an audio webcast available for investors to access real-time company updates, enhancing transparency and investor trust.
- Company Background: Founded in 1965, Herc Holdings operates through Herc Rentals, which has 609 rental locations across North America and reported total revenues of approximately $4.4 billion in 2025, demonstrating its strong position in the equipment rental market.
- Digital Platform Advantage: Herc Rentals' ProControl digital platform combines e-commerce experiences with project and fleet management tools, leveraging real-time analytics to help customers optimize productivity, further enhancing the company's competitive edge.
See More
Herc Holdings Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Integration Complete: CEO Lawrence Silber announced the successful completion of the integration of H&E Equipment Services, the largest acquisition in the industry, which is expected to drive growth and efficiencies through leveraging the new scale.
- Revenue Growth: In Q1, equipment rental revenue increased approximately 33% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA also rising by 33%, indicating strong market performance, although the adjusted EBITDA margin was impacted by the lower-margin acquired business.
- Synergy Realization: CFO W. Humphrey confirmed that cost synergies are running ahead of expectations, with an incremental $90 million expected this year to fully realize the $125 million target, demonstrating improved profitability post-integration.
- Market Outlook: Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, anticipating revenue growth in the second half, particularly in rental income and market share, reflecting confidence in future performance.
See More
Herc (HRI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
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Herc Holdings Surges 10% on Strong Q1 Results
- Earnings Beat: Herc Holdings (HRI) reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.21 for Q1, comfortably exceeding expectations and driving a 10% surge in stock price, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's performance.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved a 32.4% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.14 billion, primarily driven by a 33% rise in equipment rental revenue, indicating robust demand trends in large-scale construction projects.
- Strong Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA rose 33% to $448 million, with margins steady at 39%, demonstrating operational discipline despite integration costs impacting profitability.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting equipment rental revenue between $4.275 billion and $4.4 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of $2 billion to $2.1 billion, with expectations for performance to strengthen in the second half as acquisition synergies ramp up.
See More
Herc Holdings Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Herc Holdings reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.21, beating expectations by $0.42, indicating a significant improvement in profitability that boosts investor confidence.
- Robust Revenue Growth: The company achieved $1.14 billion in revenue for Q1, a 32.4% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $80 million, reflecting sustained demand in the equipment rental sector and further solidifying its market position.
- Increase in Rental Revenue: Equipment rental revenue reached $981 million, up 33%, demonstrating the company's growing competitiveness in the equipment rental market, which is crucial for future growth.
- Improved Cash Flow: Free cash flow was $94 million, nearly doubling from $49 million in the prior year, showcasing effective financial management that provides stronger support for future investments.
See More
Herc Holdings Set to Announce Q1 Earnings
- Earnings Announcement Date: Herc Holdings (HRI) is scheduled to announce its Q1 earnings on April 28 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at -$0.21 and revenue expected at $1.06 billion, reflecting a 23.1% year-over-year growth potential.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, HRI has beaten EPS estimates only 25% of the time while exceeding revenue estimates 63% of the time, indicating a relatively stable performance in revenue but ongoing challenges in profitability.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates, with six downward adjustments, while revenue estimates also saw no upward revisions and four downward adjustments, suggesting market caution regarding the company's future profitability.
- Future Growth Targets: Herc Holdings has set a rental revenue growth target of 13%-17% for 2026, indicating a strategic intent to accelerate integration and specialty expansion, aimed at enhancing market competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth.
See More
Herc Holdings CEO to Attend Conference
- Executive Participation: Herc Holdings CEO Larry Silber and CFO Mark Humphrey will participate in Bank of America's Industrials, Transportation & Airlines Key Leaders Conference on May 12, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in the industry.
- Webcast Arrangement: A fireside chat discussion will take place at 11:50 AM ET on that day, with an audio webcast available for investors to access real-time company updates, enhancing transparency and investor trust.
- Company Background: Founded in 1965, Herc Holdings operates through Herc Rentals, which has 609 rental locations across North America and reported total revenues of approximately $4.4 billion in 2025, demonstrating its strong position in the equipment rental market.
- Digital Platform Advantage: Herc Rentals' ProControl digital platform combines e-commerce experiences with project and fleet management tools, leveraging real-time analytics to help customers optimize productivity, further enhancing the company's competitive edge.
See More
Herc Holdings Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Integration Complete: CEO Lawrence Silber announced the successful completion of the integration of H&E Equipment Services, the largest acquisition in the industry, which is expected to drive growth and efficiencies through leveraging the new scale.
- Revenue Growth: In Q1, equipment rental revenue increased approximately 33% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA also rising by 33%, indicating strong market performance, although the adjusted EBITDA margin was impacted by the lower-margin acquired business.
- Synergy Realization: CFO W. Humphrey confirmed that cost synergies are running ahead of expectations, with an incremental $90 million expected this year to fully realize the $125 million target, demonstrating improved profitability post-integration.
- Market Outlook: Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance, anticipating revenue growth in the second half, particularly in rental income and market share, reflecting confidence in future performance.
See More
Herc (HRI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
Herc Holdings Surges 10% on Strong Q1 Results
- Earnings Beat: Herc Holdings (HRI) reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.21 for Q1, comfortably exceeding expectations and driving a 10% surge in stock price, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's performance.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved a 32.4% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.14 billion, primarily driven by a 33% rise in equipment rental revenue, indicating robust demand trends in large-scale construction projects.
- Strong Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA rose 33% to $448 million, with margins steady at 39%, demonstrating operational discipline despite integration costs impacting profitability.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting equipment rental revenue between $4.275 billion and $4.4 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of $2 billion to $2.1 billion, with expectations for performance to strengthen in the second half as acquisition synergies ramp up.
See More
Herc Holdings Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Herc Holdings reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.21, beating expectations by $0.42, indicating a significant improvement in profitability that boosts investor confidence.
- Robust Revenue Growth: The company achieved $1.14 billion in revenue for Q1, a 32.4% year-over-year increase, surpassing market expectations by $80 million, reflecting sustained demand in the equipment rental sector and further solidifying its market position.
- Increase in Rental Revenue: Equipment rental revenue reached $981 million, up 33%, demonstrating the company's growing competitiveness in the equipment rental market, which is crucial for future growth.
- Improved Cash Flow: Free cash flow was $94 million, nearly doubling from $49 million in the prior year, showcasing effective financial management that provides stronger support for future investments.
See More
Herc Holdings Set to Announce Q1 Earnings
- Earnings Announcement Date: Herc Holdings (HRI) is scheduled to announce its Q1 earnings on April 28 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at -$0.21 and revenue expected at $1.06 billion, reflecting a 23.1% year-over-year growth potential.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past two years, HRI has beaten EPS estimates only 25% of the time while exceeding revenue estimates 63% of the time, indicating a relatively stable performance in revenue but ongoing challenges in profitability.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates, with six downward adjustments, while revenue estimates also saw no upward revisions and four downward adjustments, suggesting market caution regarding the company's future profitability.
- Future Growth Targets: Herc Holdings has set a rental revenue growth target of 13%-17% for 2026, indicating a strategic intent to accelerate integration and specialty expansion, aimed at enhancing market competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth.
See More
