Earnings/Recap
MGRCMcGrath RentCorp

Earnings Recap — Q2 FY2026

CY Q3 2026 · Reported July 29, 2026 · Beat 5 of last 7 quarters

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What this means for the buildout

McGrath's TRS segment continues to benefit directly from the AI-driven data center buildout, with rental revenue up 17% and utilization at its highest level since 2021. Management's decision to raise CapEx guidance to fund incremental TRS investment signals sustained demand for electronic test equipment used in data center commissioning. The company's modular business also sees strength from large data center projects, providing temporary structures and services, reinforcing its role as an indirect beneficiary of AI infrastructure spending.

Results vs consensus
EstimateActualvs est
Revenue$237M$221M-6.5%miss
EPS$1.47$1.37-6.8%miss
What was said

Total revenue decreased 6% to $221 million and adjusted EBITDA decreased 4% to $83 million, as rental operations growth was offset by lower sales at Enviroplex and Mobile Modular. Mobile Modular rental revenue grew 2% with bookings up 11%, and utilization improved sequentially for the first time since 2022. TRS delivered strong results with rental revenue up 17% and utilization at its highest since Q1 2021. Portable storage rental revenue was flat with continued weak demand, and Enviroplex sales declined sharply due to project timing shifts to the second half. The company increased rental equipment purchases to $124 million year-to-date, up from $50 million, and completed $27 million of share repurchases.

Key metrics
Rental Operations Revenue Growth
+6% YoY
Driven by Mobile Modular and TRS-RenTelco, offsetting lower sales revenue.
TRS Rental Revenue Growth
+17% YoY
Strong demand across data centers, aerospace/defense, and semiconductors.
Mobile Modular Utilization
70.6%
Sequential improvement from 70.0% in Q1; first sequential increase since 2022.
TRS Utilization
68.9%
Highest level since Q1 2021, up from 64.8% a year ago.
Gross Rental Equipment CapEx Guidance
$200M–$220M
Raised to support incremental TRS investment.
Management outlook

Management tightened full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $955M–$985M and adjusted EBITDA to $363M–$375M, with midpoints unchanged. They raised gross rental equipment CapEx guidance to $200M–$220M to fund incremental TRS investment, reflecting confidence in sustained demand. Mobile Modular is expected to show continued strength with a positive inflection in utilization, while TRS is expected to outperform original expectations, offsetting weaker portable storage and Enviroplex performance. Portable storage remains challenged by weak small local construction markets, with no improvement expected this year. Management expressed optimism about the second half, citing momentum in modular bookings and TRS demand, and highlighted continued focus on geographic expansion and services growth.

From the call

We are pleased to see rental operations revenues up 6 percent year over year, driven by continued momentum in our 2 largest rental businesses, both Mobile Modular and TRS RenTelco grew rental revenues and improved utilization sequentially during the quarter.

on Quarterly performance

We feel good that kind of the trends changed. We may not see this move up every single quarter consistently, but we do believe we turn the corner on the trend on the modular side.

on Modular utilization inflection

Data centers a main contributor to that growth. It feels like we are still in the early to mid-innings of that data center build out.

on TRS demand and data centers

What analysts asked

Noted shipments exceeded returns in each month of the quarter. Could you provide some color on the extent to which that was driven primarily by large commercial projects and specific end markets versus the regional expansion efforts or broader improvement across the customer base? Also interested in your comments as to whether that trend has continued into July.

Philip Hawkins noted the utilization improvement is driven by more mega project wins combined with geographic expansion initiatives, partially offset by education returns. He expressed optimism that they have turned the corner on the trend, though it may not be linear. Keith Pratt emphasized these are encouraging signs but just the beginning of the turn.

I want to go over and dig into TRS because I think we saw it accelerate now in the high teens year over year. And that is against a tough comp rental revenue growth. So very impressive to see. I think if you could just elaborate on the trends there, the sustainability of the trends. And, yes, a little bit of extra CapEx in that business.

Philip Hawkins said demand remains strong across several end markets with no immediate sign of slowing, with data centers a main contributor. He noted they are still in the early to mid-innings of the data center buildout and see opportunity to add CapEx. Keith Pratt added that they were not constrained in Q2 and are happy to add capital given healthy demand.

Wanted to just go back to Enviroplex. Curious if any of those delayed sales have now been executed and your prior comments would imply based on what we have seen in H1 that H2, we think, would be up slightly year over year. Just curious of your expectations for sales kind of Q3 and then the remainder of the year there?

Keith Pratt explained that some delays are a matter of weeks, others a few months, but all are contracted projects. He expects Enviroplex to have a very strong second half, with both Q3 and Q4 likely showing healthy sales, though he was careful about pinning down exact timing.

Potential supply chain impact
KEYSKeysight is a major manufacturer of general purpose electronic test equipment that TRS-RenTelco rents. Strong TRS demand could signal continued healthy demand for Keysight's equipment, though it may also indicate competitive pressure if customers choose rental over purchase.
VIAVViavi is a significant manufacturer of communications test equipment used by TRS-RenTelco. The strong TRS rental growth, particularly in data center-related projects, could imply robust demand for Viavi's products, though rental versus purchase dynamics could affect direct sales.