The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Herc (NYSE: HRI) and the rest of the specialty equipment distributors stocks fared in Q4.

Historically, specialty equipment distributors have boasted deep selection and expertise in sometimes narrow areas like single-use packaging or unique lighting equipment. Additionally, the industry has evolved to include more automated industrial equipment and machinery over the last decade, driving efficiencies and enabling valuable data collection. Specialty equipment distributors whose offerings keep up with these trends can take share in a still-fragmented market, but like the broader industrials sector, this space is at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and manufacturing propelling industry volumes.

The 8 specialty equipment distributors stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 10.9% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q4: Herc (NYSE: HRI)

Formerly a subsidiary of Hertz Corporation and with a logo that still bears some similarities to its former parent, Herc Holdings (NYSE: HRI) provides equipment rental and related services to a wide range of industries.

Herc reported revenues of $1.21 billion, up 27.1% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with full-year revenue and EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

“2025 was a pivotal year for Herc Rentals. In June, we completed the largest acquisition in our industry, bringing together two high‑quality equipment rental operators to create significant long‑term strategic and financial value,” said Larry Silber, chief executive officer.

Herc delivered the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 37% since reporting and currently trades at $109.06.

Read our full report on Herc here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL)

Founded in 1947, Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL) is a distributor of power grid and microwave tubes as well as consumables related to those products.

Richardson Electronics reported revenues of $52.29 million, up 5.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. The business had an exceptional quarter with EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 5.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $11.09.

Is now the time to buy Richardson Electronics? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

United Rentals (NYSE: URI)

Owning the largest rental fleet in the world, United Rentals (NYSE: URI) provides equipment rental and related services to construction, industrial, and infrastructure industries.

United Rentals reported revenues of $4.21 billion, up 2.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 18.4% since the results and currently trades at $737.02.

Read our full analysis of United Rentals’s results here.

SiteOne (NYSE: SITE)

Known for distributing John Deere tractors and LESCO turf care products, SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE: SITE) provides landscaping products and services to professionals, including irrigation, lighting, and nursery supplies.

SiteOne reported revenues of $1.05 billion, up 3.2% year on year. This print came in 0.9% below analysts' expectations. Aside from that, it was a strong quarter as it logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 12.7% since reporting and currently trades at $129.82.

Read our full, actionable report on SiteOne here, it’s free.

Hudson Technologies (NASDAQ: HDSN)

Founded in 1991, Hudson Technologies (NASDAQ: HDSN) specializes in refrigerant services and solutions, providing refrigerant sales, reclamation, and recycling.

Hudson Technologies reported revenues of $44.41 million, up 28.2% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 16.5%. However, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Hudson Technologies pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 18.9% since reporting and currently trades at $5.76.

Read our full, actionable report on Hudson Technologies here, it’s free.

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