April used equipment values increased 0.8% from March values, according to the May Rouse Rental Report. This is 5.1% higher than the prior peak period of 43.3 in April 2007, and 53.2% higher than the prior trough period in June 2009.
Put in other terms, the April Rouse Value Index for used equipment prices increased to 45.5, up from 43.3 in April of 2007 and 29.7 in June of 2009 (see accompanying chart).
The Rouse Value Index measures the average Orderly Liquidation Values (OLV) for benchmark models across 14 major rental category indices on a monthly basis.
Also in the May report, Rouse states that April auction sales of rental and construction equipment averaged 3.5% higher than Rouse March Forced Liquidation Values (FLV). Rouse recorded 1,892 units that sold at 25 separate sales conducted across North America. The units represented a combined FLV (as of March 31) of $48.9 million and generated $50.6 million of gross auction proceeds.
Lastly, February rental rates, as measured by the Rouse Rate Index, decreased 1% on average for the rental companies participating in the Rouse Analytics Rental Metrics Benchmark Service. Rates are up 4.3% relative to February 2013, and up 22% relative to February 2011. February physical utilization is up 1.8% from January.
