Trading update statement:
Will start a share buy-back program of up to 1 billion pounds
Expects to report fiscal 2018 results ahead of prior expectations
It also said that its chairman will retire next year
Anticipates having a number of years of good earnings growth, significant cash-flow generation and that it has a strong balance sheet
Ashtead raised the interim dividend 16% to 5.50 pence per share
As of 8.57am the stock was up c. 3.44% at c.2088.5p