BUZZ-Ashtead: US PMI dip takes bite out of stock

** Ashtead biggest FTSE 100 faller, down 4.6 pct as US PMI disappoints.

** Index of US factory activity fell to 56.6 on Tuesday, below 58.5 forecasted and its lowest level since June.

** Second-most traded on index by average volume at more than four times the FTSE 100 average.

** Equipment rental company derives 84 pct of revenues from US, sensitive to changes in manufacturing output. Chart: http://link.reuters.com/nav72w

** Ashtead vs US ISM: http://link.reuters.com/dyt92w

** Ashtead's fleet in the United States is worth $3.9 billion and in the Britain is worth around 492 million pounds ($811 million).

** Still a comfortable outperformer versus the index: up 58.4 pct in last year against 1.4 pct for FTSE 100.

** Fifteen analysts cover stock: sentiment bullish with nine "strong buy" and six "buy". (RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : alasdair.pal.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)