BUZZ-Ashtead: 2nd-top FTSE 100 gainer on U.S. buy
** Ashtead +1.2%, 2nd top FTSE 100 gainer & trading near life highs after British equipment hire firm agrees to buy Pride Equipment Crop, based in Long Island, New York, for $279 mln cash
** Jefferies estimate Pride is c2% accretive to cons FY18 Ashtead PBT/EPS on an annualised basis
** Co, which hires out diggers and tools on short-term contracts, expected to benefit from U.S. President Trump's plans to boost infrastructure; gained since election results