United Rentals Announces Third Quarter 2007 Results

United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) today announced third quarter 2007 continuing operations diluted earnings per share of $0.97, an increase of 23% compared with $0.79 for the third quarter 2006. Income from continuing operations for the third quarter 2007 increased 26% to $111 million, compared with $88 million for the third quarter 2006. Net income for the third quarter 2007 was $112 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, including the discontinued operation after-tax income of $1 million or $0.01 per diluted share. By comparison, net income for the third quarter 2006 was $95 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, including the discontinued operation after-tax income of $7 million or $0.06 per diluted share. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA”), a non-GAAP measure, improved $20 million to $342 million, a quarterly record for the company. Net income for the third quarter 2007 included a non-cash reduction in interest expense of $5 million after-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the mark-to-market impact of certain interest rate swaps, and a reduction in its income tax provision of $2 million after-tax, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the reversal of a valuation allowance associated with state net operating loss carryforwards. The favorable impact of these matters was partially offset by charges of $4 million after-tax, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the aggregate impact of costs associated with the anticipated merger with affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management L.P. (”Cerberus”) and the amendment of the company’s former chairman’s service agreement. Net income for the third quarter 2006 included charges of $4 million after-tax, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to two debt prepayments. Reflecting increased traction from the company’s enhanced cost-cutting efforts, these results were achieved on revenues of $994 million in third quarter 2007, up 1% from $983 million in third quarter 2006. Equipment rentals revenue grew 4% and more than offset declines of 10% and 6%, respectively, within the company’s used equipment and contractor supplies businesses. These trends were consistent with the company’s renewed focus on its core rental business and its repositioning of contractor supplies. The size of the rental fleet, as measured by the original equipment cost, was $4.3 billion and the age of the rental fleet was 37 months at September 30, 2007. Third Quarter 2007 Financial Highlights from Continuing Operations For the third quarter 2007 compared with last year’s third quarter: Time utilization, on a larger fleet, improved 4.0 percentage points, more than offsetting a 2.0% decline in rental rates. Same-store rental revenue increased 2.8%. SG&A expense ratio improved 0.6 percentage points to 15.3% of revenues. Return on invested capital at September 30, 2007 improved 0.4 percentage points to 13.9%. Michael Kneeland, chief executive officer of United Rentals, said, "These strong third quarter results reflect the intense focus and great energy of our employees in pursuing our core rental business as profitably as possible. We realized improvements in several key financial metrics, including earnings per share, EBITDA, time utilization and return on invested capital. At the same time, our ongoing initiatives to reduce costs are clearly succeeding. We look forward to the additional opportunities created by new ownership when the anticipated sale of the company to Cerberus is completed.” First Nine Months Results For the first nine months 2007, the company reported continuing operations diluted earnings per share of $1.87, an increase of 19% compared with $1.57 for the first nine months 2006. Income from continuing operations increased 22% to $210 million for the first nine months 2007, compared with $172 million for the same period last year. Net income for the first nine months 2007 was $209 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, including the discontinued operation after-tax loss of $1 million. EBITDA for the first nine months 2007 increased to $850 million, up 7% from $793 million for the first nine months 2006. Net income for the first nine months 2007 included charges of $5 million after-tax, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to the aggregate impact of costs associated with the anticipated merger with Cerberus and the amendment of our former chairman’s service agreement, partially offset by a year-over-year reduction in bad debt expense of $5 million after-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share. By comparison, net income for the first nine months 2006 was $171 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, including the discontinued operation after-tax loss of $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, second quarter 2006 charges of $6 million after-tax, or $0.05 per diluted share, to correct previously recorded depreciation expense and provide for a tax contingency, and the third quarter 2006 charges of $0.03 per diluted share related to two debt prepayments. Total revenues of $2.80 billion for the first nine months 2007 increased 3.7% from the first nine months 2006. Free Cash Flow Free cash flow for the third quarter 2007 was $43 million after total rental and non-rental capital expenditures of $209 million, compared with free cash flow of $123 million after total rental and non-rental capital expenditures of $187 million for the same period last year. The year-over-year reduction of $80 million in free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was largely the result of increased working capital usage. For the first nine months 2007, free cash usage was $119 million after total rental and non-rental capital expenditures of $866 million, compared with free cash flow of $13 million after total rental and non-rental capital expenditures of $837 million for the same period last year. The year-over-year reduction in free cash flow largely reflects an increase in working capital usage and cash taxes paid in 2007. The company's total cash balance was $112 million at September 30, 2007, a decrease of $7 million from December 31, 2006, and a decrease of $28 million from September 30, 2006. Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Return on invested capital was 13.9% for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007, an improvement of 0.4 percentage points from the same period a year ago. The company’s ROIC metric uses operating income for the trailing twelve months divided by the averages of stockholders’ equity, debt and deferred taxes, net of average cash. The company reports ROIC to provide information on the company’s efficiency and effectiveness in deploying its capital and improving shareholder value. Merger Agreement On July 23, 2007, the company announced that it had signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Cerberus. The signing followed the April 10, 2007 announcement that the board of directors had authorized a process to explore a broad range of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The board of directors then approved the merger agreement and recommended the adoption of the merger agreement by United Rentals stockholders. On October 19, 2007, at a special meeting, stockholders approved the merger agreement. Subject to the provisions of the merger agreement, the company currently expects the transaction to close on or about November 16, 2007. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, but is not subject to a financing condition. The acquiring Cerberus affiliate has obtained debt and equity financing commitments for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the aggregate proceeds of which will be sufficient to pay the aggregate merger consideration, related fees and expenses and any required refinancings or repayments of existing company indebtedness. Due to the signing of the merger agreement and the expected timing of the closing, the company has discontinued providing earnings guidance and will not hold a third quarter earnings conference call. Additional Information For additional information concerning the company’s third quarter 2007 results, including segment performance for its general rentals and trench safety, pump and power businesses, as well as the status of the previously announced SEC inquiry of the company and related matters, please see the company’s third quarter 2007 Form 10-Q filed today with the SEC. The third quarter 2007 Form 10-Q is available online at www.unitedrentals.com, and an update of the company’s historical financial model to reflect third quarter 2007 results will be posted shortly. About United Rentals United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world, with an integrated network of over 690 rental locations in 48 states, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The company’s approximately 11,500 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers for rent over 20,000 classes of rental equipment with a total original cost of $4.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index® and is headquartered in Greenwich, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at www.unitedrentals.com. Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements generally can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "on track" or "anticipates," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of vision, strategy or outlook. Our businesses and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expected by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expected, and therefore also could cause significant fluctuations in the price of our common stock, include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of, or a material change in the terms of, the merger agreement, (2) the inability to complete the merger due to the failure to satisfy any conditions to the completion of the merger, (3) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the merger, (4) certain significant costs, fees and expenses related to the merger, such as legal and accounting fees, remain payable regardless of whether or not the proposed merger is consummated, (5) under certain circumstances, if the merger is not completed, we may be required to pay a termination (break-up) fee of up to $100,000,000, (6) weaker or unfavorable economic or industry conditions can reduce demand and prices for our products and services, (7) non-residential construction spending or governmental funding for infrastructure and other construction projects may not reach expected levels, (8) we may not always have access to capital at desirable rates for our businesses or growth plans, (9) any companies we acquire could have undiscovered liabilities, may strain our management capabilities or may be difficult to integrate, (10) rates we can charge may be less than anticipated, or costs we incur may be more than anticipated, (11) we are subject to an ongoing inquiry by the SEC, and there can be no assurance as to its outcome, or any other potential consequences thereof for us, and (12) we may incur additional significant costs and expenses in connection with the SEC inquiry, the class action lawsuits and derivative actions that were filed in light of the SEC inquiry, the U.S. Attorney's Office requests for information, or other litigation, regulatory or investigatory matters related to the SEC inquiry, the proposed merger or otherwise. For a fuller description of these and other possible uncertainties, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, 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. UNITED RENTALS, INC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (In millions, except per share data)             Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change   Revenues: Equipment rentals $ 719 $ 693 3.8 % $ 1,947 $ 1,874 3.9 % Sales of rental equipment 78 87 (10.3 %) 243 248 (2.0 %) New equipment sales 56 60 (6.7 %) 177 172 2.9 % Contractor supplies sales 96 102 (5.9 %) 301 288 4.5 % Service and other revenues   45     41 9.8 %   133     119   11.8 % Total revenues   994     983 1.1 %   2,801     2,701   3.7 %   Cost of revenues: Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation 303 296 885 850 Depreciation of rental equipment 111 107 321 304 Cost of rental equipment sales 56 59 174 172 Cost of new equipment sales 47 48 147 141 Cost of contractor supplies sales 78 82 245 234 Cost of service and other revenue   20     20   60       58   Total cost of revenues   615     612 0.5 %   1,832     1,759   4.2 % Gross profit 379 371 2.2 % 969 942 2.9 %   Selling, general and administrative expenses 152 156 (2.6 %) 447 453 (1.3 %) Non-rental depreciation and amortization   13     10 30.0 %   38     37   2.7 % Operating income 214 205 4.4 % 484 452 7.1 % Interest expense, net 44 57 146 157 Interest expense - subordinated convertible debentures 2 4 7 11 Other income, net   (4 )   -   (7 )   -     Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes 172 144 19.4 % 338 284 19.0 %   Provision for income taxes   61     56   128     112   Income from continuing operations 111 88 26.1 % 210 172 22.1 %   Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of taxes   1     7   (1 )   (1 )   Net income $ 112   $ 95 17.9 % $ 209   $ 171   22.2 % Diluted earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.97 $ 0.79 22.8 % $ 1.87 $ 1.57 19.1 % Income (loss) from discontinued operation   0.01     0.06   -     (0.01 ) Net income $ 0.98   $ 0.85 15.3 % $ 1.87   $ 1.56   19.9 % UNITED RENTALS, INC CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (In millions)     September 30,   December 31, 2007   2006 2006 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 112 $ 140 $ 119 Accounts receivable, net 582 541 502 Inventory 123 153 139 Assets of discontinued operation - 160 107 Prepaid expenses and other assets 51 53 56 Deferred taxes   51   73   82 Total current assets 919 1,120 1,005   Rental equipment, net 2,918 2,659 2,561 Property and equipment, net 415 343 359 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 1,407 1,370 1,376 Other long-term assets   58   69   65 Total assets $ 5,717 $ 5,561 $ 5,366 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current maturities of long-term debt $ 78 $ 285 $ 37 Accounts payable 248 263 218 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 273 292 322 Liabilities related to discontinued operation   -   31   22 Total current liabilities 599 871 599   Long-term debt 2,535 2,513 2,519 Subordinated convertible debentures 146 159 146 Deferred taxes 472 413 463 Other long-term liabilities   100     104   101   Total liabilities   3,852   4,060   3,828 Common stock 1 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 1,479 1,424 1,421 Retained earnings 278 16 69 Accumulated other comprehensive income   107   60   47 Total stockholders' equity   1,865   1,501   1,538   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,717 $ 5,561 $ 5,366 UNITED RENTALS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (In millions)         Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Income from continuing operations $ 111 $ 88 $ 210 $ 172 Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 124 117 359 341 Amortization of deferred financing costs 2 3 7 8 Gain on sales of rental equipment (22 ) (28 ) (69 ) (76 ) Gain on sales of non-rental equipment (3 ) (1 ) (5 ) (2 ) Non-cash adjustments to equipment (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) 8 Write-off of deferred financing costs - 8 - 8 Amortization of deferred compensation 2 6 12 11 Increase in deferred taxes 21 46 41 92 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts receivable (29 ) (45 ) (79 ) (29 ) Decrease in inventory 39 21 16 4 Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets 9 3 1 6 (Decrease) increase in accounts payable (100 ) (17 ) 30 40 Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities   8     19     (38 )   6   Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations 161 219 484 589 Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operation   3     18     9     17   Net cash provided by operating activities   164     237     493     606     Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Purchases of rental equipment (181 ) (164 ) (785 ) (787 ) Purchases of non-rental equipment (28 ) (23 ) (81 ) (50 ) Proceeds from sales of rental equipment 78 87 243 248 Proceeds from sales of non-rental equipment 13 4 20 13 Purchases of other companies   (2 )   -     (23 )   (39 ) Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations (120 ) (96 ) (626 ) (615 ) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities - discontinued operation   (2 )   (6 )   67     (11 ) Net cash used in investing activities   (122 )   (102 )   (559 )   (626 )   Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Proceeds from debt 194 265 421 265 Payments on debt (255 ) (408 ) (420 ) (423 ) Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options 5 1 22 64 Proceeds received in conjunction with partial termination of interest rate caps - 3 - 3 Subordinated convertible debentures repurchased and retired - (64 ) - (64 ) Shares repurchased and retired (3 ) - (4 ) (1 ) Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements   18     -     28     -     Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (41 ) (203 ) 47 (156 )   Effect of foreign exchange rates   7     -     12     -     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8 (68 ) (7 ) (176 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   104     208     119     316     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 112   $ 140   $ 112   $ 140   UNITED RENTALS, INC. SEGMENT PERFORMANCE (UNAUDITED) ($ in millions)             Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change   General Rentals Total revenues $ 932 $ 921 1.2 % $ 2,632 $ 2,535 3.8 % Operating income 195 187 4.3 % 440 409 7.6 % Operating margin 20.9 % 20.3 % 0.6 pts 16.7 % 16.1 % 0.6 pts   Trench Safety, Pump and Power Total revenues 62 62 - 169 166 1.8 % Operating income 19 18 5.6 % 44 43 2.3 % Operating margin 30.6 % 29.0 % 1.6 pts 26.0 % 25.9 % 0.1 pts   Total United Rentals Total revenues $ 994 $ 983 1.1 % $ 2,801 $ 2,701 3.7 % Operating income 214 205 4.4 % 484 452 7.1 % Operating margin 21.5 % 20.9 % 0.6 pts 17.3 % 16.7 % 0.6 pts   DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATION (UNAUDITED) (In millions, except per share data)     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change   Income from continuing operations $ 111 $ 88 26.1 % $ 210 $ 172 22.1 % Income (loss) from discontinued operation, net of taxes   1     7     (1 )   (1 ) Net income 112 95 17.9 % 209 171 22.2 % Convertible debt interest - - 1 1 Subordinated convertible debt interest   1     2     4     6   Net income available to common stockholders $ 113 $ 97 16.5 % $ 214 $ 178 20.2 %     Weighted average common shares 84.1 80.6 4.3 % 82.5 79.1 4.3 % Series C and D preferred shares 17.0 17.0 - 17.0 17.0 - Convertible shares 6.5 6.5 - 6.5 6.5 - Stock options, warrants, restricted stock units and phantom shares 4.2 4.8 (12.5 %) 5.3 6.4 (17.2 %) Subordinated convertible debentures   3.3     5.1   (35.3 %)   3.3     5.1   (35.3 %) Total weighted average diluted shares 115.1 114.0 1.0 % 114.6 114.1 0.4 %   Diluted earnings available to common stockholders: Income from continuing operations $ 0.97 $ 0.79 22.8 % $ 1.87 $ 1.57 19.1 % Income (loss) from discontinued operation   0.01     0.06     -     (0.01 ) Net income $ 0.98   $ 0.85   15.3 % $ 1.87   $ 1.56   19.9 % UNITED RENTALS, INC. FREE CASH FLOW GAAP RECONCILIATION (In millions)         We define "free cash flow" as (i) net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations less (ii) purchases of rental and non-rental equipment plus (iii) proceeds from sales of rental and non-rental equipment. Management believes 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 Generally Accepted Accounting principles ("GAAP"). Accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered an alternative to net income or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Information reconciling forward-looking free cash flow expectations to a GAAP financial measure is unavailable to the company without unreasonable effort. The table below provides a reconciliation between net cash flow provided by operating activities and free cash flow.       Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006   Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations $ 161 $ 219 $ 484 $ 589 Purchases of rental equipment (181 ) (164 ) (785 ) (787 ) Purchases of non-rental equipment (28 ) (23 ) (81 ) (50 ) Proceeds from sales of rental equipment 78 87 243 248 Proceeds from sales of non-rental equipment   13     4     20     13   Free Cash Flow $ 43   $ 123   $ (119 ) $ 13   UNITED RENTALS, INC. EBITDA GAAP RECONCILIATION (In millions)         "EBITDA" represents the sum of income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes, interest expense, net, interest expense-subordinated convertible debentures, depreciation-rental equipment and non-rental depreciation and amortization. Management believes EBITDA provides useful information about operating performance and period over period growth. However, EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and accordingly 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 income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and EBITDA.     Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006   Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 172 $ 144 $ 338 $ 284 Interest expense, net 44 57 146 157 Interest expense - subordinated convertible debentures 2 4 7 11 Depreciation - rental equipment 111 107 321 304 Non-rental depreciation and amortization 13 10 38 37         EBITDA $ 342 $ 322 $ 850 $ 793