TOP NEWS SUMMARY: US Senate to debate stimulus; OPEC to meet on output Tue, 2nd Mar 2021 11:00 (Alliance News) - The following is a summary of top news stories Tuesday. COMPANIES Ashtead guided to full-year results ahead of previous expectations. The equipment rental firm said that in the third quarter, underlying rental revenue was down 1% at GBP1.08 billion, with underlying pretax profit down 10% to GBP225 million. Statutory revenue was down 1% to GBP1.21 billion for the third quarter and down 2% to GBP3.76 billion for the nine-month period to January 31. Statutory pretax profit was down 4% to GBP210 million in the third quarter and down 17% to GBP716 million in the nine months. "This performance illustrates the successful execution of our long-term strategy, which we embarked upon after the last recession, to broaden and diversify our end markets and strengthen our balance sheet. This has enabled us to capitalise on our increasing scale while, at the same time, maintaining the business' agility," said Chief Executive Brendan Horgan.