United Rentals Inc. in Greenwich fell into the red in the second quarter due to costs tied to its spring buyout of a Canadian firm but equipment rentals and sales were strong.
For three months ended June 30, United lost $52 million, or 63 cents a share. That compares to $27 million, or 37 cents a share, netted the same period last year.
Second-quarter revenue was $993 million vs. $629 million a year ago.
CEO Michael Kneeland said the higher revenue reflects both increased rentals and higher rates, which boosted operating margins 7 percentage points, to 42 percent in the quarter.
Meantime, the integration of former RSC Holdings of Canada into United continues, with about a third of the way into consolidating 185 branches.
United finalized its $4.2 billion purchase of RSC in April.
