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HERTZ GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC (HTZ)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Hertz delivered its best results in nearly two years, posting positive Adjusted Corporate EBITDA of $1 million and a ~$0.5B YoY improvement, driven by sharply lower vehicle depreciation, higher utilization, and cost control .
- Revenue of $2.185B modestly beat S&P Global consensus, and Adjusted EPS of -$0.34 beat consensus (-$0.41), reflecting operational progress despite pricing headwinds; GAAP diluted EPS was -$0.95 . Revenue/EPS vs consensus: $2.169B*/-0.41* → $2.185B/-0.34 *.
- Management raised near-term specificity on guidance: expects Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA margin mid-high single digits and first positive EPS since 2023; Q4 slightly positive EBITDA margin; full-year EBITDA now “slightly below breakeven” vs prior “slightly above” given delayed pricing uplift .
- Key catalysts: DPU at $251, below <$300 North Star; utilization to 83%; DOE per day ~$36; retail car sales strongest Q2 in five years; liquidity >$1.45B, with facility extensions bolstering flexibility .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- DPU of $251 beat the < $300 target by 16%, supported by favorable MY2025 pricing and fleet rotation; gross DPU ~ $280 and expected to remain < $300 in H2 .
- Utilization rose to 83% (+300 bps YoY), with ~80% of the core U.S. fleet < 1 year old, improving reliability and economics; retail vehicle sales hit a five-year Q2 high .
- First quarter of positive Adjusted Corporate EBITDA in nearly two years, reflecting disciplined fleet and cost actions; DOE down 3% YoY, DOE per transaction day ~$36 and improving .
- CEO: “Our transformation is taking hold… We’re building a stronger, more resilient Hertz” .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue declined 7% YoY to $2.185B on smaller fleet (-6%) and RPD down 5% (mix-adjusted down ~2–3 pts); Americas revenue down 10% YoY .
- Pricing uplift materialized later than expected; Q3/Q4 EBITDA levels revised modestly lower, pushing FY EBITDA to slightly below breakeven vs prior slightly above .
- Non-vehicle interest expense remained elevated ($232M in Q2), contributing to a GAAP net loss of -$294M; net debt rose to $16.7B; corporate leverage still high .
Financial Results
S&P Global disclaimer: *Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Breakdown (Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024):
KPIs and Operating Metrics:
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “For the first time in seven quarters, Hertz delivered positive adjusted corporate EBITDA… We exceeded our North Star target for depreciation per unit… and had our highest fleet utilization in nearly two years” .
- CFO: “Adjusted corporate EBITDA came in at a positive $1 million… DOE per transaction day of about $36 improved… We expect Q3 to show our first positive EPS since 2023” .
- CCO: “We are several quarters into a multiyear partnership with Amadeus… our next major upgrade remains on track for deployment at the end of Q3” .
Q&A Highlights
- Pricing trajectory and mix: Pricing was down mid-to-high single digits market-wide in Q2; Hertz’s RPD down ~5% but only ~2–3 pts after mix normalization; pricing improvement delayed but narrowing YoY; RM upgrade expected to be accretive .
- Recalls: Minimal Q2 impact; ~2% of U.S. fleet on recall in Q3 with OEM fix/parts availability gating resolution; younger fleet reduces exposure .
- Retail dispositions: Retail channels are most accretive; Cox partnership enabling full digital sales and AI pricing; focus on higher net retention value from vehicles sold .
- Liquidity and debt: Company expects to be cash flow positive in H2; ample flexibility for 2026 maturity via cash generation, capital markets (ATM optionality), and refinancing .
- Fleet size and DOE: Fleet maintained ~6% below 2024 through year-end to sustain unit economics; focus on off-airport/mobility channels; DOE target in low-$30s reiterated .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025: Revenue $2.185B beat S&P Global consensus of $2.169B*; Adjusted EPS -$0.34 beat -$0.41*; consensus had 7 estimates on both metrics *.
- Q1 2025: Revenue $1.813B missed $2.010B*; Adjusted EPS -$1.12 missed -$0.98* *.
- Q4 2024: Revenue $2.040B missed $2.134B*; Adjusted EPS -$1.18 missed -$0.72* *.
- Forward: Management expects Q3 positive EPS and mid-high single digit Adjusted EBITDA margin; consensus implies improvement consistent with narrative . S&P Global disclaimer: *Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Fleet economics have inflected: DPU achieved $251 vs <$300 target; gross DPU expected < $300 through H2—durably supporting margin repair .
- Near-term earnings cadence: Q3 poised for first positive EPS since 2023 with mid-high single digit Adjusted EBITDA margin; Q4 slightly positive margin—trade tactically around pricing momentum and RM upgrade go-live late Q3 .
- Pricing upside delayed but improving: Expect gradual normalization as supply tightens (OEM delays, recalls) and Amadeus RM capabilities roll out; monitor RPD and RPU trajectory .
- Mix shift and utilization underpin revenue durability: Utilization at 83% and retail dispositions scaling via Cox and Rent2Buy; watch continued channel diversification (off-airport, mobility) .
- Balance sheet watchpoints: Elevated non-vehicle interest persists ($232M in Q2); liquidity >$1.45B with extended facilities; expect H2 cash generation and 2026 flexibility (ATM optionality) .
- Estimate revisions likely: Post-beat on Q2, Street may raise H2 EPS/EBITDA modestly but reflect delayed pricing; full-year EBITDA “slightly below breakeven” guides downside vs prior .
- Risk monitor: Pricing execution, recall resolution pace, tariff/supply chain on MY2026, and litigation timing (Wells Fargo) can sway cash and sentiment .
Sources: Q2 2025 press release and supplemental tables **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_0]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_1]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_8]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_11]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_13]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_18]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_19]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_22]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_23]** **[1657853_67cd5eff5de843e097e2a76c7afa1df9_24]**; Q2 2025 8-K and exhibits **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:1]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:5]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:7]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:8]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:9]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:11]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:13]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:14]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:16]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:17]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:18]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000095_q22025earningsrelease.htm:19]**; Earnings call transcript **[1657853_2063015_1]** **[1657853_2063015_2]** **[1657853_2063015_4]** **[1657853_2063015_5]** **[1657853_2063015_6]** **[1657853_2063015_7]** **[1657853_2063015_10]** **[1657853_2063015_11]** **[1657853_2063015_12]** **[1657853_2063015_13]** **[1657853_2063015_14]** **[1657853_2063015_15]** **[1657853_2063015_17]**; Prior quarter references Q1 2025 **[1657853_0001657853-25-000059_q12025earningsrelease.htm:0]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000059_q12025earningsrelease.htm:9]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000059_q12025earningsrelease.htm:12]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000059_q12025earningsrelease.htm:16]**; Q4 2024 **[1657853_0001657853-25-000011_q42024earningsrelease.htm:6]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000011_q42024earningsrelease.htm:10]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000011_q42024earningsrelease.htm:11]** **[1657853_0001657853-25-000011_q42024earningsrelease.htm:15]**; Financing press release (May 2025) **[1657853_20250509NY84650:0]**.