United Rentals, Inc., Greenwich, CT, reported third quarter sales of $873 million, down 11.8% from the third quarter 2007. Rental revenue accounted for $677 million. Profit declined 33.9% to $74 million. Continued softness in the company’s end market were the primary factor in the decline.
 
For the first nine months, the company reported sales of $2.5 billion, down 11.3% from the prior year. Profit was down 28.7% to $149 million. The decline primarily reflects a softening construction environment as well as the previously announced second quarter $14 million after-tax charge in anticipation of the September SEC settlement. …