RB Global Ord Shs - RBA STOCK NEWS

Ritchie Bros. reports a significant boost in online engagement, with website traffic rising by 35% and online bidder registrations up 71% in 2020. The company plans to host its first 100% online mega auction from February 15 to 20, 2021, amid growing demand due to COVID-19. Over 27 million visits were logged on the website, and active bidders made over 300,000 PriorityBids. The Orlando auction site will remain open for in-person inspections while introducing new features to enhance customer experience.

This week, Ritchie Bros held its final auctions of 2020 in Fort Worth and Edmonton, achieving significant sales amidst the pandemic. The Fort Worth auction generated over US$69 million from 5,000+ items sold, while Edmonton raised US$41 million from 5,500+ items. The auctions saw record bidder participation, with Fort Worth attracting 11,700+ bidders, a 40% increase year-over-year. Online demand for equipment remains strong, resulting in a 64% rise in bidder registrations from Fort Worth in 2020. Overall, both sites demonstrated robust sales and demand despite COVID-19 challenges.

Ritchie Bros. has successfully completed its acquisition of Rouse Services, a firm specializing in data intelligence and performance benchmarking solutions. This strategic move aims to enhance data analytics and service offerings for customers in the industrial equipment sector. CEO Ann Fandozzi stated that combining resources will accelerate growth and improve customer services. Rouse will continue to operate from Los Angeles. The deal is expected to strengthen relationships with fleet owners and lenders, positioning Ritchie Bros. as more than just an auction house.

Ritchie Bros. reported stable excavator pricing in 2020, with median prices at $50,000 in Q1 and $47,000 in Q3. Despite COVID-19, demand surged, with over 15,000 excavators sold in the U.S. for more than $850 million since January 2017. Key brands sold included Caterpillar, Komatsu, and John Deere, with 57% of sales going to out-of-state buyers.

The December Market Trends Summary also revealed steady prices for used heavy equipment and notable increases for truck tractors.

Ritchie Bros achieved record results in its recent Grande Prairie auction, selling over 4,900 items for more than CA$82 million (US$63 million), a 32% increase over the previous record set in March 2016. The event attracted over 12,350 bidders from 53 countries, predominantly Canadian buyers. Notable sales included excavators totaling CA$19 million and a unique pink pipelayer sold for CA$245,000, with proceeds donated to charity. These results underscore the company's strong online auction capabilities amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Ritchie Bros has scheduled its 2021 Orlando auction from February 15 to 20, featuring over 13,000 items. In 2020, their auctions transitioned to 100% online, resulting in a 71% increase in bidder registrations and a 35% rise in website traffic. The company reported over $57 billion in purchasing power among online buyers. The upcoming event is expected to attract global participants, with last year's auction seeing registrations from 85 countries. Interested sellers are encouraged to contact Ritchie Bros for participation.

Ritchie Bros. reported a record-breaking two-day online auction in Houston, generating over US$53 million with more than 11,300 bidders from 67 countries, marking a 39% increase in participation year-over-year. The auction, held solely online due to COVID-19, saw approximately 85% of sales going to U.S. buyers, including 40% from Texas. Significant sales included a 2012 Link-Belt crane sold for US$425,000.

Ritchie Bros. continues to demonstrate strong market demand despite pandemic challenges, with its final Texas auction scheduled for December 8-9, 2020.

Ritchie Bros. achieved record sales in Q3 2020, with over 1,500 forklifts sold in the U.S. for US$10 million. In the past three years, the company has sold over 15,000 forklifts for an aggregate of US$99 million. This surge is attributed to increasing online retail demands and a gap in supply due to production halts during COVID-19. Additionally, the November Market Trends Summary highlights steady equipment prices in the U.S. and Canada, with some categories showing annual price increases. For more details, the report can be accessed via their website.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE: RBA) reported strong Q3 2020 results, with net income up 80% to $45.4 million and diluted EPS increasing 78% to $0.41. Total revenue rose 14% to $331.5 million, driven by a 25% increase in service revenue. However, inventory sales revenue dipped 2% to $108.9 million. The company launched a $100 million share repurchase program and announced the acquisition of Rouse Services for $275 million. Cash on hand was $590.3 million. The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per common share, payable on December 16, 2020.