United Rentals sees higher EPS in 2008 on lower total sales

CHICAGO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - United Rentals Inc (URI.N) said on Thursday it expects to earn $2.80 to $3.00 a share in 2008, up from $2.55 to $2.60 a share in 2007.

The company, the world's largest equipment rental company, said it expects to report rental revenue of $2.71 billion in 2008, up from an expected $2.63 billion in 2007.

But it said its sees total revenue -- which includes trench safety operations, contractor supplies and used equipment sales

-- slipping to $3.53 billion in 2008, down from an expected -- slipping to $3.53 billion in 2008, down from an expected $3.73 billion in 2007.

((Reporting by James B. Kelleher; Reuters Messaging: james.kelleher.reuters.com@reuters.net; email: james.kelleher@reuters.com; +1 312 408 8130)) Keywords: UNITEDRENTALS OUTLOOK/

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