Hertz Global Holdings Inc (HTZ)

In the past six months, Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (HTZ) stock has experienced several notable events. As of January 12, 2026, the stock price was $5.47. On January 13, 2026, the stock saw a 2.74% decline, closing at $5.32. While the stock has fallen in 6 of the last 10 days, it showed a 0.76% increase over the preceding two weeks (as of January 13, 2026). The 52-week high for HTZ was $9.39, and the 52-week low was $3.255. In November 2025, Hertz's stock price surged by nearly 40% following its Q3 2025 earnings call, which indicated a return to profitability. In December 2025, Morgan Stanley maintained an "Equal-Weight" recommendation for HTZ. Earlier, in June 2025, the stock was up 90% for the year, largely attributed to Ackman's investment. However, the company also faced headwinds from high insurance and damage costs, elevated interest rates, reduced demand, and a decrease in asset value due to falling used car prices. A significant event from January 2024, which may still have lingering effects, was Hertz's decision to sell off a third of its electric vehicle (EV) fleet and reinvest in gasoline-powered cars, citing weak demand and high repair costs for EVs.

Demand seasonality significantly impacts the car rental industry, including Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. Peak periods for car rentals typically coincide with holidays, summer vacations, Spring Break, and major events. In colder regions, winter weather can also lead to increased demand for specific vehicle types. Off-peak seasons usually occur in the months between these peak periods, including post-holiday lulls, the fall season, and late winter. Hertz actively adjusts its rental car rates on a daily basis to reflect seasonal demand and vehicle availability, with prices generally being highest during the summer months and lowest in the off-season. Overall demand patterns are influenced by tourism seasons, business travel, and significant regional events. Car rental demand has experienced a structural weakening due to long-term declines in both vacation and business travel.

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. operates in the vehicle renting business as a global asset management company. It is involved in acquiring, renting, and selling vehicles. The company operates under the Consumer Discretionary sector, specifically within the Rental/Leasing Companies industry, and is also categorized within Passenger Transportation Services and Automotive. Its services include vehicle rental through brands like Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly, used vehicle sales via Hertz Car Sales, and car-sharing in Europe through Hertz 24/7. Hertz also collaborates with ride-share companies.

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. has a global presence with over 11,000 to 12,000 locations in approximately 160 countries and jurisdictions, including the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The company's headquarters is in Estero, Florida, USA. As of 2025, Hertz has 2,719 locations throughout 52 states and territories in the United States, with a strong presence in major urban centers like New York City, Orlando, Dallas, San Antonio, and Chicago.

Hertz's brand reputation in the past year has been mixed, with customer service experiences varying across different locations and territories. Positive feedback often highlights the company's well-maintained fleet, diverse vehicle selection, and efficient pick-up and drop-off processes. Frequent business travelers particularly value the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program for its expedited service, priority pick-up, and occasional upgrades. However, customers have also expressed concerns regarding issues with service, pricing, the payment process, and the attitude of staff. Common complaints include long wait times, unexpected fees, and difficulties in resolving disputes, particularly concerning damage claims and refunds. The company's January 2024 decision to sell a portion of its EV fleet may have also impacted its reputation.

The ownership of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is concentrated among institutional investors, holding approximately 72.53% to 91.29% of the company's stock. Insiders hold about 2.52% to 5.03%, and retail investors account for roughly 6.19%. Major institutional owners include Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, UBS Group AG, BlackRock, Inc., Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., Vanguard Group Inc, Toronto Dominion Bank, Susquehanna International Group, Llp, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc., State Street Global Advisors, Inc., and Morgan Stanley. The largest individual shareholder is Stephen M. Scherr, who owns approximately 1.33% of Hertz Global's equity, equating to about 4.14 million HTZ shares. Tom Wagner and Ara Cohen are also noted as significant individual shareholders.