Trading Statement

Ashtead Group PLC
26 October 2004


                                ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

                                 TRADING UPDATE


Ashtead Group plc, the international equipment rental group serving the
construction, industrial and homeowner markets, today makes the following
trading update ahead of its interim results.

The press release of the Group's results for the first quarter issued on 20
September 2004 stated that trading conditions remained favourable in both the
Group's main markets and were being enhanced by the work necessary to deal with
the clean up of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and (since that date) Jeanne.
These favourable conditions have now continued throughout the second quarter to
date and, as a result, the Group expects that its profit before goodwill
amortisation and taxation for the six months ending 31 October 2004 will be
ahead of market expectations.

It is too soon to know whether the recent revenue trends will continue in the 
second half of the year. A further update on the outlook for the year ending 
30 April 2005 will be given with the interim results, which are scheduled for 
release on Thursday 16 December 2004.



ENDS


Contacts:

Cob Stenham         Non-executive chairman                020 7299 5562
George Burnett      Chief executive                )
Ian Robson          Finance director               )      01372 362300

Michelle Jeffery    The Maitland Consultancy              020 7379 5151



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