BUZZ-United Rentals: Worst day in 7 years on 2016 warning

** World's largest equipment rental company biggest S&P 500 loser after co issues cautious guide

** Stock slumps more than 17 pct, hits lowest level since June 2013; on pace for worst one-day percentage fall since Dec 2008

** United Rentals (NYSE: URI - news) reports lower-than-expected Q4 profit as oil and gas headwinds crimp rental revenue

** Forecasts 2016 revenue of $5.65-5.95 bln vs average analysts' estimate of $5.91 bln

** Plans to cut Q1 2016 capex by more than 50 pct yr/yr and will adjust full year spend based on the level of demand - CEO Michael Keeland

** UBS (NYSEArca: FBGX - news) downgrades stock to "neutral", slashes its target by 40 pct to $56

** "Absent a rally in oil prices, we see few upside catalysts near-term," analysts write in note

** Of 20 analysts covering the stock, 11 still rate it a "buy" or higher, 8 rate it "hold" and 1 sell recommendation; median PT $79

** More than twice United Rentals' 30-day avg volumes have traded

** URI last $46.87 and has nearly halved over past 12 mths

** United Rentals' news drags U.K.-based peer Ashtead down more than 7 pct

(RM (LSE: RM.L - news) : lance.tupper.tr.com@reuters.net)