Herc Holdings Reports Record First Quarter 2023 Results and Affirms 2023 Full Year Guidance

Rhea-AI Summary

Herc Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRI) reported a strong first quarter for 2023, achieving a record equipment rental revenue of $654 million, a 24% increase, and total revenues of $740 million, up 30% year-over-year. Net income rose 16% to $67 million, or $2.28 per diluted share. The adjusted EBITDA increased by 30% to $308 million, with a margin of 41.6%. Rental pricing also saw a year-over-year increase of 7%. The company repurchased approximately 460,000 shares. Despite challenges like supply chain disruptions and a decline in studio entertainment revenue, Herc Holdings maintains a diversified business model and strategic investments to capture growth opportunities. Guidance for full-year adjusted EBITDA remains positive, anticipating a growth of 18% to 26% compared to 2022.

Positive

• Record equipment rental revenue of $654 million, a 24% increase.
• Total revenues increased 30% to $740 million.
• Net income rose 16% to $67 million, or $2.28 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased by 30% to $308 million; EBITDA margin at 41.6%.
• Rental pricing increased by 7% year-over-year.
• Repurchased approximately 460,000 shares for $52 million.
• Affirmed full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.45 billion to $1.55 billion.

Negative

• Dollar utilization decreased to 39.7% from 41.4% in the prior year.
• Interest expense increased significantly to $48 million from $23 million due to higher borrowings.
• Direct operating expenses rose by 24%, driven by higher maintenance and fuel costs.

First Quarter Highlights

– Record equipment rental revenue of $654 million, an increase of 24%

– Record total revenues of $740 million, an increase of 30%

– Net income increased 16% to $67 million, or $2.28 per diluted share

– Adjusted EBITDA of $308 million increased 30%; adjusted EBITDA margin at 41.6%

– Rental pricing increased 7.0% year-over-year

– Common stock repurchases of approximately 460,000 shares

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Herc Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRI) ("Herc Holdings" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Equipment rental revenue was $654 million and total revenues were $740 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to $527 million and $568 million, respectively, for the same period last year. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company reported net income of $67 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, an increase of 19% compared to $58 million, or $1.92 per diluted share, in the same 2022 period.

"We continue to build on our momentum coming out of 2022 with record first quarter revenue that significantly outpaced industry growth," said Larry Silber, president and chief executive officer. "Higher rental rates are more than offsetting inflation, while demand across regions and in our end markets is seasonally strong, benefiting from the multi-year fiscal stimulus, re-shoring and mega projects, as well as long-term industrial maintenance contracts for on-site fleet management."

Silber continued, "While macro concerns are focused on residential and commercial construction, we have very diversified end markets, with growing share in manufacturing and reshoring projects, the private and government spend in infrastructure, as well as industrial MRO, which is required in all economic environments. Investments to capitalize on these opportunities are strategic and disciplined, whether it be in fleet, people or acquisitions. As a tenured market leader with a strong reputation, a comprehensive product and service offering, broad capabilities and one of the leading teams in the industry, we will continue to execute on our strategies to win new business and deliver profitable growth."

2023 First Quarter Financial Results

• Total revenues increased 30% to $740 million compared to $568 million in the prior-year period. The year-over-year increase of $172 million primarily related to an increase in equipment rental revenue of $127 million, reflecting positive pricing of 7.0% and increased volume of 23.2%. Sales of rental equipment increased by $43 million during the period.
• Dollar utilization was 39.7% compared to 41.4% in the prior-year period. The change is primarily due to a slowdown in the studio entertainment business as a result of a potential writers' strike, as well as the Company's decision to continue to accept equipment deliveries in the seasonally slow fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, in order to ensure it has the fleet needed for the more robust construction season. Continued supply chain challenges have disrupted the optimal cadence of deliveries.
• Direct operating expenses of $281 million increased 24% compared to the prior-year period. The increase was primarily related to strong rental activity and associated additional headcount, in addition to higher maintenance, fuel prices and facilities expenses.
• Depreciation of rental equipment increased 28% to $152 million due to higher year-over-year average fleet size. Non-rental depreciation and amortization increased 24% to $26 million primarily due to amortization of acquisition intangible assets.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses was 19% higher primarily due to increases in selling expenses, including commissions and other variable compensation increases, and general payroll and benefits.
• Interest expense increased to $48 million compared with $23 million in the prior-year period due to increased borrowings on the ABL Credit Facility primarily to fund acquisition growth and higher interest rates on floating rate debt.
• Net income was $67 million compared to $58 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income increased 17% to $69 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, compared to $59 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The effective tax rate was 11% compared to 13% in the prior-year period.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 30% to $308 million compared to $237 million in the prior-year period, while adjusted EBITDA margin was 41.6% compared to 41.7% in the prior-year period. Sales of used equipment, which more than doubled over last year's first quarter sales, as well as a decline in the Company's studio entertainment revenue year over year impacted the margin performance in the latest quarter.

Rental Fleet

Net rental equipment capital expenditures were as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Rental equipment expenditures	$	332			$	287
Proceeds from disposal of rental equipment		(49	)			(29	)
Net rental equipment capital expenditures	$	283			$	258

• As of March 31, 2023, the Company's total fleet was approximately $5.9 billion at OEC.
• Average fleet at OEC in the first quarter increased year-over-year by 29% compared to the prior-year period.
• Average fleet age was 47 months as of March 31, 2023, compared to 48 months in the comparable prior-year period.

Disciplined Capital Management

• The Company completed three acquisitions with a total of six locations and opened three new greenfield locations during the quarter.
• Net debt was $3.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, with net leverage of 2.5x compared to 2.3x in the same prior-year period. Cash and cash equivalents and unused commitments under the ABL Credit Facility contributed to $1.5 billion of liquidity as of March 31, 2023.
• The Company announced a 10% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.6325, payable to shareholders of record as of February 22, 2023, with a payment date of March 9, 2023.
• The Company acquired approximately 460,000 shares of its common stock for $52 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, approximately $229 million remains available under the share repurchase program.

Outlook

The Company is affirming its full year 2023 adjusted EBITDA guidance range and net rental capital expenditures guidance presented below. The guidance range for the full year 2023 adjusted EBITDA reflects an increase of 18% to 26% compared to full year 2022 results.

Adjusted EBITDA:			$1.45 billion to $1.55 billion
Net rental equipment capital expenditures:			$1.0 billion to $1.2 billion

As a leader in an industry where scale matters, the Company expects to continue to gain share by capturing an outsized position of the forecasted higher construction spending in 2023 by investing in its fleet, capitalizing on strategic acquisitions and greenfield opportunities, and cross-selling a diversified product portfolio.

Earnings Call and Webcast Information

Herc Holdings' first quarter 2023 earnings webcast will be held today at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. Interested U.S. parties may call +1-888-660-6011 and international participants should call the country specific dial in numbers listed at https://events.q4irportal.com/custom/access/2324/, using the access code: 7812157. Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the call start time to ensure that you are connected to the call and to register your name and company.

Those who wish to listen to the live conference call and view the accompanying presentation slides should visit the Events and Presentations tab of the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at IR.HercRentals.com. The press release and presentation slides for the call will be posted to this section of the website prior to the call.

A replay of the conference call will be available via webcast on the Company website at IR.HercRentals.com, where it will be archived for 12 months after the call.

About Herc Holdings Inc.

Herc Holdings Inc., which operates through its Herc Rentals Inc. subsidiary, is one of the leading equipment rental suppliers with 364 locations in North America. With over 57 years of experience, we are a full-line equipment rental supplier offering a broad portfolio of equipment for rent. Our classic fleet includes aerial, earthmoving, material handling, trucks and trailers, air compressors, compaction and lighting. Our equipment rental business is supported by ProSolutions®, our industry-specific solutions-based services, which includes power generation, climate control, remediation and restoration, pumps, trench shoring, and studio and production equipment, and our ProContractor professional grade tools. Our product offerings and services are aimed at helping customers work more efficiently, effectively and safely. The Company has approximately 6,700 employees who equip our customers and communities to build a brighter future. Herc Holdings’ 2022 total revenues were approximately $2.7 billion. All references to “Herc Holdings” or the “Company” in this press release refer to Herc Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. For more information on Herc Holdings and its products and services, visit: www.HercRentals.com.

Certain Additional Information

In this release we refer to the following operating measures:

• Dollar utilization: calculated by dividing rental revenue (excluding re-rent, delivery, pick-up and other ancillary revenue) by the average OEC of the equipment fleet for the relevant time period, based on the guidelines of the American Rental Association (ARA).
• OEC: original equipment cost based on the guidelines of the ARA, which is calculated as the cost of the asset at the time it was first purchased plus additional capitalized refurbishment costs (with the basis of refurbished assets reset at the refurbishment date).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements as that term is defined by the federal securities laws, including statements concerning our business plans and strategy, projected profitability, performance or cash flows, future capital expenditures, our growth strategy, including our ability to grow organically and through M&A, anticipated financing needs, business trends, our capital allocation strategy, liquidity and capital management, and other information that is not historical information. Forward looking statements are generally identified by the words "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts," "looks," and future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "should," "could" or "may," as well as variations of such words or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions and, there can be no assurance that our current expectations will be achieved. They are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties - many of which are beyond our control - as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information on the risks that may affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other SEC filings. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results calculated according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company has provided certain information in this release that is not calculated according to GAAP (“non-GAAP”), such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted common share and free cash flow. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate operating performance and period-over-period performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions, and believes that investors will likewise find these non-GAAP measures useful in evaluating the Company’s performance. These measures are frequently used by security analysts, institutional investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP and, as calculated, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For the definitions of these terms, further information about management’s use of these measures as well as a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the supplemental schedules that accompany this release.

(See Accompanying Tables)

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Unaudited
(In millions, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Revenues:
Equipment rental	$	654			$	527
Sales of rental equipment		71				28
Sales of new equipment, parts and supplies		8				8
Service and other revenue		7				5
Total revenues		740				568
Expenses:
Direct operating		281				226
Depreciation of rental equipment		152				119
Cost of sales of rental equipment		46				19
Cost of sales of new equipment, parts and supplies		5				5
Selling, general and administrative		106				89
Non-rental depreciation and amortization		26				21
Interest expense, net		48				23
Other expense (income), net		1				(1	)
Total expenses		665				501
Income before income taxes		75				67
Income tax provision		(8	)			(9	)
Net income	$	67			$	58
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		29.0				29.8
Diluted		29.4				30.4
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	2.31			$	1.96
Diluted	$	2.28			$	1.92
A-1

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Unaudited
(In millions)
	March 31, 2023			December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	40		$	54
Receivables, net of allowances		514			523
Other current assets		71			67
Total current assets		625			644
Rental equipment, net		3,699			3,485
Property and equipment, net		415			392
Right-of-use lease assets		597			552
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		907			850
Other long-term assets		33			34
Total assets	$	6,276		$	5,957
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt and financing obligations	$	16		$	16
Current maturities of operating lease liabilities		43			42
Accounts payable		348			318
Accrued liabilities		186			228
Total current liabilities		593			604
Long-term debt, net		3,215			2,922
Financing obligations, net		107			108
Operating lease liabilities		573			528
Deferred tax liabilities		655			647
Other long term liabilities		46			40
Total liabilities		5,189			4,849
Total equity		1,087			1,108
Total liabilities and equity	$	6,276		$	5,957
A-2

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Unaudited
(In millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	67			$	58
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of rental equipment		152				119
Depreciation of property and equipment		17				15
Amortization of intangible assets		9				6
Amortization of deferred debt and financing obligations costs		1				1
Stock-based compensation charges		4				6
Provision for receivables allowances		13				9
Deferred taxes		3				5
Gain on sale of rental equipment		(25	)			(9	)
Other		2				1
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables		13				(23	)
Other assets		(2	)			(8	)
Accounts payable		8				(9	)
Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities		(27	)			(28	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		235				143
Cash flows from investing activities:
Rental equipment expenditures		(332	)			(287	)
Proceeds from disposal of rental equipment		49				29
Non-rental capital expenditures		(33	)			(13	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		3				2
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(138	)			(73	)
Other investing activities		—				(5	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(451	)			(347	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and securitization		640				345
Repayments on revolving lines of credit and securitization		(347	)			(118	)
Principal payments under finance lease and financing obligations		(4	)			(4	)
Dividends paid		(20	)			(17	)
Repurchase of common stock		(44	)			—
Other financing activities, net		(23	)			(14	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		202				192
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—				—
Net change in cash and cash equivalents during the period		(14	)			(12	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		54				35
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	40			$	23
A-3

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATIONS
Unaudited
(In millions)

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA - EBITDA represents the sum of net income (loss), provision (benefit) for income taxes, interest expense, net, depreciation of rental equipment and non-rental depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus the sum of merger and acquisition related costs, restructuring and restructuring related charges, spin-off costs, non-cash stock-based compensation charges, loss on extinguishment of debt (which is included in interest expense, net), impairment charges, gain (loss) on the disposal of a business and certain other items. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA do not purport to be alternatives to net income as an indicator of operating performance. Additionally, neither measure purports to be an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, as they do not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments and tax payments.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin - Adjusted EBITDA Margin, calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Total Revenues, is a commonly used profitability ratio.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Net income	$	67			$	58
Income tax provision		8				9
Interest expense, net		48				23
Depreciation of rental equipment		152				119
Non-rental depreciation and amortization		26				21
EBITDA		301				230
Non-cash stock-based compensation charges		4				6
Merger and acquisition related costs		2				1
Other		1				—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	308			$	237
Total revenues	$	740			$	568
Adjusted EBITDA	$	308			$	237
Adjusted EBITDA margin		41.6	%			41.7	%
A-4

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
ADJUSTED NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
Unaudited
(In millions)

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share - Adjusted Net Income represents the sum of net income (loss), restructuring and restructuring related charges, spin-off costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, impairment charges, merger and acquisition-related costs, gain (loss) on the disposal of a business and certain other items. Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share represents Adjusted Net Income divided by diluted shares outstanding. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share are important measures to evaluate our results of operations between periods on a more comparable basis and to help investors analyze underlying trends in our business, evaluate the performance of our business both on an absolute basis and relative to our peers and the broader market, provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our core operating results and operational strength of our business.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Net income	$	67			$	58
Merger and acquisition related costs		2				1
Other		1				—
Tax impact of adjustments(1)		(1	)			—
Adjusted net income	$	69			$	59
Diluted shares outstanding		29.4				30.4
Adjusted earnings per diluted share	$	2.35			$	1.95
(1) The tax rate applied for adjustments is 25.7% and reflects the statutory rates in the applicable entities.
A-5

HERC HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES
FREE CASH FLOW
Unaudited
(In millions)

Free cash flow represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less rental equipment expenditures and non-rental capital expenditures, plus proceeds from disposal of rental equipment, proceeds from disposal of property and equipment, and other investing activities. Free cash flow is used by management in analyzing the Company’s ability to service and repay its debt, fund potential acquisitions and to forecast future periods. However, this measure does not represent funds available for investment or other discretionary uses since it does not deduct cash used to service debt or for other non-discretionary expenditures.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2023				2022
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	235			$	143
Rental equipment expenditures		(332	)			(287	)
Proceeds from disposal of rental equipment		49				29
Net rental equipment expenditures		(283	)			(258	)
Non-rental capital expenditures		(33	)			(13	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment		3				2
Other		—				(5	)
Free cash flow	$	(78	)		$	(131	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(138	)			(73	)
Increase in net debt, excluding financing activities	$	(216	)		$	(204	)
A-6

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230420005031/en/

Paul Dickard

Vice President, Communications

Paul.Dickard@hercrentals.com

239-301-1214

Leslie Hunziker

Senior VP Investor Relations & Communications

Leslie.Hunziker@hercrentals.com

239-301-1675

Source: Herc Holdings Inc.

FAQ

What were the first quarter 2023 results for Herc Holdings (HRI)?

Herc Holdings reported record equipment rental revenue of $654 million and total revenues of $740 million, both representing significant increases year-over-year.

How did net income for Herc Holdings perform in Q1 2023?

Net income for Q1 2023 was $67 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, which is a 16% increase compared to the previous year.

What is the adjusted EBITDA for Herc Holdings in Q1 2023?

The adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2023 was $308 million, reflecting a 30% increase with an EBITDA margin of 41.6%.

What factors contributed to Herc Holdings' revenue growth in Q1 2023?

Revenue growth was driven by a 7% increase in rental pricing and a 23.2% increase in rental volume.

Did Herc Holdings recommence share buybacks in Q1 2023?

Yes, Herc Holdings repurchased approximately 460,000 shares for a total of $52 million.