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Hertz Global Stock Rises 12.4% Since Q2 Earnings Release
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Key Takeaways
Hertz posted a Q2 adjusted loss of 11 cents per share as revenues rose 9.7% to $2.40 billion.
HTZ's revenues per day rose 9% & revenues per unit gained 8% despite operating with a 1% smaller fleet.
Hertz expects Q3 adjusted EBITDA of $275M-$325M and positive EPS, with transaction days up about 1%.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(HTZ - Free Report) reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Quarterly adjusted loss was 11 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 23 cents. The result represented a positive surprise of 52.2% and improved from the adjusted loss of 29 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues of $2.40 billion beat the consensus estimate of $2.28 billion by 4.9% and increased 9.7% year over year. Growth was driven by strong pricing execution, with revenues per day up 9% and revenues per unit rose 8%, while the company operated with a 1% smaller fleet.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The impressive results had a positive impact on the market, as the company’s shares have risen 12.4% since the earnings release on Aug. 6.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Adjusted corporate EBITDA was $81 million, up $63 million from the prior-year quarter. Adjusted corporate EBITDA margin improved to 3.4% from 0.8% a year earlier. The results included an estimated $30 million EBITDA headwind from elevated vehicle recalls.
Direct vehicle and operating expenses increased 4.3% year over year to $1.45 billion. Net depreciation of revenue-earning vehicles and lease charges rose 17.3% to $487 million, while selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.9% to $258 million. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A improved to 10.8% from 11.3%.
HTZ's Key Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Figures
HTZ exited the second quarter with total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.30 billion compared with $1.17 billion at the end of 2025. The company generated $381 million of net cash from operating activities and $162 million of adjusted free cash flow during the second quarter. Quarter-end liquidity was $984 million.
HTZ's 2026 Guidance
For the third quarter of 2026, Hertz expects adjusted corporate EBITDA of $275 million to $325 million and positive earnings per share. Transaction days are projected to increase approximately 1% year over year, while net depreciation per unit is expected to range from $285-$295 per month.
For full-year 2026, the company expects adjusted corporate EBITDA of $225 million to $275 million, net depreciation per unit of approximately $300 per month and transaction days growth of approximately 2%. Hertz expects to end 2026 with liquidity between $1.0 billion and $1.4 billion and anticipates positive free cash flow in the second half of the year.
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB - Free Report) , operating as Wabtec Corporation, reported encouraging second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.
Quarterly adjusted earnings of $2.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 by 4.9% and increased 21.6% year over year, owing to higher sales and operating margin expansion.
Revenues climbed 17.5% to $3.18 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.08 billion by 3.2%.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.99 per share, down 48.6% year over year but above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92 by 3.7%.
Operating revenues rose 16% to $17.67 billion and were essentially in line with the $17.68 billion consensus mark. A 12.1% increase in total revenues per available seat mile or TRASM, and broad-based gains across premium, loyalty and cargo revenues, supported the top line despite sharply higher fuel costs.
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Hertz Global Stock Rises 12.4% Since Q2 Earnings Release
Key Takeaways
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.(HTZ - Free Report) reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Quarterly adjusted loss was 11 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 23 cents. The result represented a positive surprise of 52.2% and improved from the adjusted loss of 29 cents per share reported in the year-ago quarter.
Revenues of $2.40 billion beat the consensus estimate of $2.28 billion by 4.9% and increased 9.7% year over year. Growth was driven by strong pricing execution, with revenues per day up 9% and revenues per unit rose 8%, while the company operated with a 1% smaller fleet.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Quote
The impressive results had a positive impact on the market, as the company’s shares have risen 12.4% since the earnings release on Aug. 6.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Adjusted corporate EBITDA was $81 million, up $63 million from the prior-year quarter. Adjusted corporate EBITDA margin improved to 3.4% from 0.8% a year earlier. The results included an estimated $30 million EBITDA headwind from elevated vehicle recalls.
Direct vehicle and operating expenses increased 4.3% year over year to $1.45 billion. Net depreciation of revenue-earning vehicles and lease charges rose 17.3% to $487 million, while selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.9% to $258 million. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A improved to 10.8% from 11.3%.
HTZ's Key Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Figures
HTZ exited the second quarter with total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.30 billion compared with $1.17 billion at the end of 2025. The company generated $381 million of net cash from operating activities and $162 million of adjusted free cash flow during the second quarter. Quarter-end liquidity was $984 million.
HTZ's 2026 Guidance
For the third quarter of 2026, Hertz expects adjusted corporate EBITDA of $275 million to $325 million and positive earnings per share. Transaction days are projected to increase approximately 1% year over year, while net depreciation per unit is expected to range from $285-$295 per month.
For full-year 2026, the company expects adjusted corporate EBITDA of $225 million to $275 million, net depreciation per unit of approximately $300 per month and transaction days growth of approximately 2%. Hertz expects to end 2026 with liquidity between $1.0 billion and $1.4 billion and anticipates positive free cash flow in the second half of the year.
Currently, HTZ has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Q2 Performances of Other Transportation Companies
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB - Free Report) , operating as Wabtec Corporation, reported encouraging second-quarter 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.
Quarterly adjusted earnings of $2.76 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63 by 4.9% and increased 21.6% year over year, owing to higher sales and operating margin expansion.
Revenues climbed 17.5% to $3.18 billion and surpassed the consensus mark of $3.08 billion by 3.2%.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.99 per share, down 48.6% year over year but above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.92 by 3.7%.
Operating revenues rose 16% to $17.67 billion and were essentially in line with the $17.68 billion consensus mark. A 12.1% increase in total revenues per available seat mile or TRASM, and broad-based gains across premium, loyalty and cargo revenues, supported the top line despite sharply higher fuel costs.