What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to disclose, under Regulation FD, that United Rentals has made investor presentation materials available on its website. These materials provide insights into the company's business and financial performance, including non-GAAP financial measures.

What are EBITDA and free cash flow, and why is United Rentals highlighting them?

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) is presented as a measure of operating performance, while free cash flow is shown as an indicator of cash available for debt service and working capital. United Rentals' management believes these non-GAAP measures offer a useful perspective beyond traditional GAAP reporting, though they are not replacements for GAAP metrics.

What are the major risks and uncertainties mentioned in the filing?

The filing flags several risks, including unfavorable economic conditions, reduced construction spending, challenges in accessing capital, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, potential pricing pressures, substantial debt obligations, a known weakness in internal controls, an ongoing SEC inquiry, and various related litigation matters. These factors could cause actual results to deviate significantly from forward-looking statements.

Where can investors find more detailed information about the company's financial health and risks?

Investors can find more detailed information in the presentation materials available on the company's website (www.unitedrentals.com) and in United Rentals' other SEC filings, such as its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and subsequent filings.

URI 8-K: Regulation FD

Summary

This Form 8-K filing from United Rentals, Inc. (URI) on November 1, 2006, primarily serves as a Regulation FD Disclosure. The company announced that information regarding its business, intended for investor presentations starting in November 2006, is now available on its website (www.unitedrentals.com). This presentation includes non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA and free cash flow, with reconciliations to GAAP equivalents provided. Management believes these metrics offer valuable insights into operating performance and cash availability. Investors should note that the filing also contains significant forward-looking statements and discusses material risks and uncertainties. These include potential impacts of economic conditions, construction spending, capital access, acquisition integration challenges, pricing pressures, significant leverage, a previously disclosed material weakness in internal controls, an ongoing SEC inquiry, and related litigation. The company emphasizes that actual results could differ materially from these projections.

Key Highlights

1United Rentals is providing investor presentation materials on its website starting November 1, 2006.
2The presentation includes non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA and free cash flow, with reconciliations to GAAP.
3EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
4Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less purchases of rental and other equipment, plus proceeds from equipment sales.
5The company acknowledges that these non-GAAP measures should not replace GAAP measures like net income or cash flow from operations.
6Forward-looking statements are included, indicating potential risks and uncertainties that could impact future results.
7Key risks highlighted include economic downturns, construction spending fluctuations, capital availability, acquisition integration, pricing, significant debt leverage, internal control weaknesses, and ongoing SEC inquiry and related litigation.

UNITED RENTALS, INC. 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Nov 1, 2006)

Summary

Key Highlights

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