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Ashland Inc. reports preliminary fiscal second-quarter EPS from continuing operations of 25 cents, adjusted EPS of $1.02 excluding key items

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04/27/2010

Ashland Inc. reports preliminary fiscal second-quarter EPS from continuing operations of 25 cents, adjusted EPS of $1.02 excluding key items

Ashland Inc. reports preliminary fiscal second-quarter EPS from continuing operations of 25 cents, adjusted EPS of $1.02 excluding key items
04/27/2010

COVINGTON, Ky. – Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced preliminary(1) results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the second quarter of its 2010 fiscal year.


    (in millions except per-share
     amounts)                            Quarter Ended      Quarter Ended
                                            March 31,          March 31,
    -----------------------------             2010               2009
                                           ----------         ----------
    Operating income                              $151               $112
    Adjusted EBITDA*                               224                221

    Diluted earnings per share
     (EPS)
       From continuing operations                $0.25              $0.65
       Less: key items*                           0.77               0.20

          Adjusted*                              $1.02              $0.85

    Cash flows provided by
     operating activities                         $183               $220
       from continuing operations
    Free cash flow*                                138                173



    * See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for definitions and U.S. GAAP
    reconciliations.



Fiscal Second-Quarter GAAP(2) Results
For its 2010 second quarter, Ashland reported sales of $2,248 million, operating income of $151 million and net income of $22 million (27 cents per share). Net income was favorably affected by $2 million aftertax (2 cents per share) from discontinued operations. Cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $183 million.



Adjusted Results
Adjusting for the impact of key items in both the current and prior-year quarters, Ashland’s results for the March 2010 quarter versus the March 2009 quarter were as follows:

  • sales increased 13 percent from $1,990 million to $2,248 million;
  • adjusted operating income increased 13 percent from $134 million to $151 million;
  • adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 1 percent from $221 million to $224 million; and
  • adjusted EPS from continuing operations increased 20 percent from 85 cents to $1.02.

Key Items
Two key items affected results for the March 2010 quarter. First, accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs and prepayment penalties associated with Ashland’s debt refinancing resulted in both a $62 million noncash charge and a $4 million cash expense (54 cents negative EPS impact combined). Second, the enactment of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act resulted in a $19 million aftertax charge (23 cents negative EPS impact), composed of a $14 million income tax expense and a $5 million net loss on divestitures.

In total, key items had a net unfavorable EPS impact on continuing operations of 77 cents in the March 2010 quarter. In the year-ago quarter, three key items combined for a net unfavorable impact on earnings of 20 cents per share. Refer to Table 5 of the accompanying financial statements for details of key items in both periods.

Results also included noncash intangible amortization expense of $17 million pretax (14 cents negative EPS impact) in the March 2010 quarter and $21 million pretax (18 cents negative EPS impact) in the March 2009 quarter. Amounts in both periods primarily reflect the addition of intangible assets from the Hercules acquisition.

Performance Summary
Commenting on the March 2010 quarter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James J. O’Brien said, “Ashland’s results reflect significant volume increases across our businesses, as well as the progress we have made in resizing our cost structure during the past two years. These were important factors in our ability to maintain EBITDA and generate $138 million of free cash flow despite a rapid increase in raw material costs averaging 7 percent during the March quarter alone. All of our businesses have been implementing significant price increases to offset these escalating costs. Once raw materials stabilize, we expect our pricing to fully recover the cost increases.”

Commenting on the performance of Ashland’s commercial units, O’Brien said, “In particular, Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients improved its volume and profitability dramatically versus the March 2009 quarter on a comparable basis, while Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) continued to deliver strong results, producing its fifth straight quarter with an EBITDA margin in excess of 18 percent.”

O’Brien concluded, “We completed the refinancing and restructuring of our debt on March 31. This reduces our interest expense going forward by approximately $50 million per year. In addition, the last major step in the integration of Hercules was completed earlier this month, as we successfully moved the acquired businesses onto Ashland’s ERP platform. Essentially all of Ashland’s businesses are now on a unified, global operating system.”

Business Performance
In order to aid understanding of Ashland’s ongoing business performance, the results of Ashland’s business segments are presented on an adjusted basis and EBITDA is reconciled to GAAP in Table 7 of this news release.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients recorded sales of $240 million in the March 2010 quarter, 8 percent above the year-ago quarter. Volume increased 36 percent excluding the amounts associated with the Pinova business divested in January 2010 and with a renegotiated supply contract in the oilfield sector in the prior-year period. Volumes increased significantly in every market, with the regulated, energy and coatings-additives markets all increasing about 40 percent on a comparable basis. On the same basis, volumes increased dramatically in all regions. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 34.9 percent was a 530-basis-point improvement over the March 2009 quarter. Selling, general and administrative and research and development (SG&A) expenses declined 2 percent versus the prior-year quarter. In total, Functional Ingredients’ EBITDA in the March 2010 quarter increased 23 percent versus the prior March quarter, to $58 million, and represented 24.2 percent of sales, a 310-basis-point improvement.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies’ sales grew to $449 million in the March 2010 quarter, a 4-percent increase over the same year-ago quarter. Excluding the marine business sold in August 2009, sales grew 13 percent. On the same basis, growth was strongest in Latin America, at 24 percent, while Europe and Asia Pacific grew by 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Sales in North America increased by 9 percent. Gross profit as a percent of sales was 34.5 percent, a 190-basis-point improvement over the March 2009 quarter. SG&A expenses declined 3 percent. EBITDA of $52 million was 37 percent above the prior-year quarter and represented 11.6 percent of sales, a 280-basis-point improvement.

Ashland Performance Materials’ sales of $304 million increased 17 percent versus the same prior-year quarter, while volume per day was up 19 percent. Sequentially, volume improved 10 percent. Volume growth was broad-based across regions and markets. Gross profit as a percent of sales decreased 430 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 16.5 percent, due primarily to rapidly rising raw material costs. To offset these cost increases, Performance Materials has announced and is implementing significant price increases. However, the lag between cost increases and realization of selling price increases led to the margin compression during the quarter. SG&A expenses rose only 4 percent in spite of the 19-percent volume increase, providing early evidence of the operating leverage within the business. EBITDA was $18 million in the March 2010 quarter, down 22 percent versus the prior-year March quarter, and EBITDA as a percent of sales declined 300 basis points to 5.9 percent.

Ashland Consumer Markets’ sales increased 6 percent over the year-ago March quarter, to $430 million, and total lubricant volume increased by 16 percent. Same-store sales at Valvoline Instant Oil Change increased 4 percent over the prior year. Gross profit was 33.0 percent of sales in the March 2010 quarter versus 32.2 percent in the year-ago quarter and 33.9 percent in the December 2009 quarter. SG&A expenses rose 16 percent over the year-ago March quarter, largely the result of higher pension, benefit and incentive costs, along with higher advertising expenses. Sequentially, SG&A increased 4 percent. Overall, Consumer Markets’ quarterly EBITDA was $78 million, as compared with $75 million in the year-ago March quarter and $76 million in the December 2009 quarter. The EBITDA margin was 18.1 percent in the March 2010 quarter, the fifth consecutive quarter in excess of 18 percent.

Ashland Distribution’s sales for the March 2010 quarter increased 23 percent to $857 million, and volume per day increased 8 percent versus the March 2009 quarter. Gross profit as a percent of sales was 9.3 percent versus 12.8 percent in the prior March quarter. The March 2009 quarter included an $11 million benefit from a quantity LIFO adjustment that was not repeated in the 2010 quarter. SG&A expenses rose 8 percent versus the prior-year quarter as previously implemented cost reductions were more than offset by increased pension, benefit and incentive costs. As a result, EBITDA declined 37 percent versus the prior-year March quarter, to $24 million, and was 2.8 percent of sales. Sequentially, EBITDA was up 85 percent on an 8-percent increase in volume, while SG&A expense rose only 3 percent. As a result of this operating leverage, the EBITDA margin increased by 100 basis points.

Outlook
Commenting on Ashland’s outlook, O’Brien said, “We are continuing to demonstrate our ability to generate the consistent earnings, gross margins and cash flows characteristic of specialty chemicals companies. By eliminating more than $400 million from our cost structure during the past two years, we have positioned the company to take advantage of improving demand. Over the last few quarters, we have begun to benefit from economic growth. In the short term, the full benefit of operating leverage has been tempered by significant raw material cost escalation. Once raw materials stabilize and our increased pricing recaptures these costs, the favorable impact of improving volumes on operating leverage should become much more evident.”

Conference Call Webcast
Today at 9 a.m. EDT, Ashland will provide a live webcast of its second-quarter conference call with securities analysts. The webcast will be accessible through Ashland’s website, www.ashland.com. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast will be available for 12 months at http://investor.ashland.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
This news release includes certain non-GAAP measures. Such measurements are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be construed as an alternative to reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the use of such non-GAAP measures assists investors in understanding the ongoing operating performance of the company and its segments. The non-GAAP information provided may not be consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. All non-GAAP information is reconciled with reported GAAP results in Tables 5, 6 and 7 of the financial statements provided below.

About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions, including those mentioned within this news release. Performance estimates are also based upon internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends; management plans and strategies; operating efficiencies and economic conditions; and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Other risks and uncertainties include those that are described in filings made by Ashland with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com or at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations are reasonable, but cannot assure they will be achieved. Forward-looking information may prove to be inaccurate, and actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated. Ashland is not obligated to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this news release.

(1) Preliminary Results
Financial results are preliminary until Ashland’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

(2) Generally accepted accounting principles (U.S.)

    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                     Table 1
    STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
    (In millions except per share data -preliminary and unaudited)

                           Three months ended Six months ended
                                March 31          March 31
                                --------          --------
                              2010             2009    2010       2009 (e)
                              ----             ----    ----       ----

    SALES                   $2,248           $1,990  $4,268     $3,956

    COSTS AND EXPENSES
      Cost of sales (a)      1,738            1,531   3,272      3,172
      Selling, general and
       administrative
       expenses (a)            354              329     688        646
      Research and
       development
       expenses (b)             20               23      40         50
                               ---              ---     ---        ---
                             2,112            1,883   4,000      3,868
    EQUITY AND OTHER
     INCOME                     15                5      29         17
                               ---              ---     ---        ---

    OPERATING INCOME           151              112     297        105
      Net interest and
       other financing
       expense (c)            (103)             (54)   (145)       (82)
      Net loss on
       divestitures             (5)              (1)     (5)         -
      Other income and
       expenses (d)              -                -       1        (86)
                               ---              ---     ---        ---
    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS
      BEFORE INCOME TAXES       43               57     148        (63)
      Income tax expense        23                9      53          8
                               ---              ---     ---        ---
    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                 20               48      95        (71)
      Income from
       discontinued
       operations (net of
       income taxes)             2                -      13          -
                               ---              ---     ---        ---
    NET INCOME (LOSS)          $22              $48    $108       $(71)
                               ===              ===    ====       ====

    DILUTED EARNINGS PER
     SHARE
      Income (loss) from
       continuing
       operations             $.25             $.65   $1.21     $(1.00)
      Income from
       discontinued
       operations              .02                -     .16          -
                                                ---                ---
      Net income (loss)       $.27             $.65   $1.37     $(1.00)
                              ====             ====   =====     ======

    AVERAGE COMMON
     SHARES AND ASSUMED
     CONVERSIONS                80               74      79         71

    SALES
      Functional
       Ingredients            $240             $223    $450       $342
      Water Technologies       449              433     892        751
      Performance
       Materials               304              259     576        583
      Consumer Markets         430              407     830        795
      Distribution             857              698   1,586      1,551
      Intersegment sales       (32)             (30)    (66)       (66)
                            $2,248           $1,990  $4,268     $3,956
                            ======           ======  ======     ======
    OPERATING INCOME
     (LOSS)
      Functional
       Ingredients             $34              $(3)    $61       $(10)
      Water Technologies        31               13      70          7
      Performance
       Materials                 6                5      14         11
      Consumer Markets          69               66     136         85
      Distribution              17               31      22         40
      Unallocated and
       other                    (6)               -      (6)       (28)
                                                ---
                              $151             $112    $297       $105
                              ====             ====    ====       ====



    (a)  The three and six months ended March 31, 2009 includes a $5 million
         and $31 million severance charge within the selling, general and
         administrative expenses caption for the ongoing integration and
         reorganization from the Hercules acquisition and other cost
         reduction programs and a $16 million and $37 million charge recorded
         within the cost of sales caption for a one-time fair value
         assessment of Hercules inventory as of the date of the transaction.
    (b)  The six months ended March 31, 2009 includes a $10 million charge
         related to the valuation of the ongoing research and development
         projects at Hercules as of the acquisition date.  In accordance with
         applicable GAAP and SEC accounting regulations, these purchased in-
         process research and development costs should be expensed upon
         acquisition.
    (c)  The three and six months ended March 31, 2010 includes a $66 million
         charge related to the refinancing and significant extinguishment of
         debt completed during this period.
    (d)  The six months ended March 31, 2009 includes a $54 million loss on
         currency swaps related to the Hercules acquisition and a $32 million
         loss on auction rate securities.
    (e)  Results from November 14, 2008 forward include operations acquired
         from Hercules Incorporated.

    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                      Table 2
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (In millions -preliminary and unaudited)


                                                     March 31
                                                     --------
                                                   2010              2009
                                                   ----              ----
    ASSETS
      Current assets
        Cash and cash equivalents                  $499              $203
        Accounts receivable                       1,494             1,357
        Inventories                                 581               579
        Deferred income taxes                        98                93
        Other current assets                         61                75
        Current assets held for sale                  2                93
                                                    ---               ---
                                                  2,735             2,400

      Noncurrent assets
        Auction rate securities                      86               214
        Goodwill                                  2,167             2,074
        Intangibles                               1,150             1,293
        Asbestos insurance receivable               478               440
        Deferred income taxes                        91                 -
        Other noncurrent assets                     545               584
        Noncurrent assets held for sale              23                86
                                                    ---               ---
                                                  4,540             4,691

      Property, plant and equipment
        Cost                                      3,386             3,410
        Accumulated depreciation and
         amortization                            (1,422)           (1,264)
                                                  1,964             2,146
                                                  -----             -----

      Total assets                               $9,239            $9,237
                                                 ======            ======

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY
      Current liabilities
        Short-term debt                            $339               $84
        Current portion of long-term debt            23                94
        Trade and other payables                  1,056               738
        Accrued expenses and other
         liabilities                                440               457
        Current liabilities held for sale             -                16
                                                    ---               ---
                                                  1,858             1,389

      Noncurrent liabilities
        Long-term debt                            1,101             2,084
        Employee benefit obligations              1,126               667
        Asbestos litigation reserve                 899               796
        Deferred income taxes                         -               218
        Other noncurrent liabilities                573               540
                                                    ---               ---
                                                  3,699             4,305
                                                  -----             -----

      Stockholders' equity                        3,682             3,543
                                                  -----             -----

      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity                      $9,239            $9,237
                                                 ======            ======


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries Table 3
    STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)

                                                     Six months ended
                                                         March 31
                                                         --------
                                                    2010              2009
                                                    ----              ----
    CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Net income (loss)                             $108              $(71)
      Income from discontinued operations (net
       of income taxes)                              (13)                -
      Adjustments to reconcile income (loss)
       from continuing operations to
        cash flows from operating activities
        Depreciation and amortization                153               156
        Debt issuance cost amortization               74                16
        Purchased in-process research and
         development amortization                      -                10
        Deferred income taxes                         55                 2
        Equity income from affiliates                (12)               (7)
        Distributions from equity affiliates           6                 4
        Gain from sale of property and equipment      (4)                -
        Stock based compensation expense               7                 3
        Stock contributions to qualified savings
         plans                                        13                 4
        Net loss on divestitures                       5                 -
        Loss on early retirement of debt               4                 -
        Inventory fair value adjustment related to
         Hercules acquisition                          -                37
        Loss on currency swaps related to Hercules
         acquisition                                   -                54
        (Gain) loss on auction rate securities        (1)               32
        Change in operating assets and liabilities
         (a)                                       (177)                54
                                                    ----               ---
                                                     218               294
    CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Additions to property, plant and equipment     (60)              (80)
      Proceeds from disposal of property, plant
       and equipment                                   9                 4
      Purchase of operations -net of cash
       acquired                                        -            (2,078)
      Proceeds from sale of operations                60                 7
      Settlement of currency swaps related to
       Hercules acquisition                            -               (95)
      Proceeds from sales and maturities of
       available-for-sale securities                  85                29
                                                     ---               ---
                                                      94            (2,213)
    CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt       300             2,000
      Repayment of long-term debt                  (773)              (645)
      Proceeds from/repayments of issuance of
       short-term debt                               317                43
      Debt issuance costs                            (12)             (137)
      Cash dividends paid                            (12)              (11)
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options          4                 -
      Excess tax benefits related to share-
       based payments                                  1                 -
                                                     ---               ---
                                                   (175)             1,250
                                                    ----             -----
    CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                                      137              (669)
      Cash provided by discontinued operations
        Operating cash flows                          12                 3
      Effect of currency exchange rate changes
       on cash and cash equivalents                   (2)              (17)
                                                     ---               ---
    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                                     147              (683)
    Cash and cash equivalents -beginning of
     year                                            352               886
                                                     ---               ---
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD       $499              $203
                                                    ====              ====

    DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
      Functional Ingredients                         $51               $49
      Water Technologies                              46                41
      Performance Materials                           24                27
      Consumer Markets                                18                18
      Distribution                                    14                15
      Unallocated and other                            -                 6
                                                     ---               ---
                                                    $153              $156
                                                    ====              ====
    ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
      Functional Ingredients                         $25               $27
      Water Technologies                              11                 9
      Performance Materials                            7                18
      Consumer Markets                                 9                15
      Distribution                                     1                 1
      Unallocated and other                            7                10
                                                     ---               ---
                                                     $60               $80
                                                     ===               ===



    (a)  Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold.

    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries Table 4
    INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT
    (In millions -preliminary and unaudited)

                             Three months ended        Six months ended
                                  March 31                 March 31
                                  --------                 --------
                              2010            2009   2010            2009
                              ----            ----   ----            ----
    FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS
     (a) (b)
      Sales per shipping day  $3.8            $3.5   $3.6            $3.7
      Metric tons sold
       (thousands)            41.9            46.4   79.3            70.8
      Gross profit as a
       percent of sales       34.9%           22.4%  34.3%           20.0%
    WATER TECHNOLOGIES (a)
     (b)
      Sales per shipping day  $7.1            $6.9   $7.1            $6.0
      Gross profit as a
       percent of sales       34.5%           32.6%  35.5%           31.6%
    PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
     (a)
      Sales per shipping day  $4.8            $4.1   $4.6            $4.7
      Pounds sold per
       shipping day            4.4             3.7    4.2             4.0
      Gross profit as a
       percent of sales       16.5%           19.5%  17.4%           17.5%
    CONSUMER MARKETS (a)
      Lubricant sales
       (gallons)              43.7            37.7   83.9            70.7
      Premium lubricants
       (percent of U.S.
       branded volumes)       29.6%           29.1%  29.0%           28.2%
      Gross profit as a
       percent of sales       33.0%           32.2%  33.4%           27.1%
    DISTRIBUTION (a)
      Sales per shipping day $13.6           $11.1  $12.7           $12.4
      Pounds sold per
       shipping day           15.4            14.3   14.9            14.9
      Gross profit as a
       percent of sales (c)    9.3%           12.8%   9.3%           10.5%




    (a) Sales are defined as net sales.  Gross profit as a percent of sales
        is defined as sales, less cost of sales divided by sales.
    (b) Industry segment results from November 14, 2008 forward include
        operations acquired from Hercules Incorporated.
    (c) Distribution's gross profit as a percentage of sales for the three
        and six months ended March 31, 2009 includes a LIFO quantity credit
        of $11 million.


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                       Table 5
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)




                            Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

                   Functional           Water           Performance   Consumer
                   Ingredients       Technologies        Materials     Markets
                   -----------       ------------        ---------     -------
    OPERATING
     INCOME (LOSS)
      All other
       operating
       income (loss)       $34              $31              $6       $69

    NET INTEREST
     AND OTHER
     FINANCING
     EXPENSE
       Accelerated
       amortization
       of debt
       issuance
       costs
      Loss on
       early debt
       retirement
      All other
       net interest
       and other
       financing
       expense

    NET LOSS ON
     DIVESTITURES
      Medicare
       Part D
       accrual
       for MAP
       retirees

    INCOME TAX
     EXPENSE
      Medicare
       Part D
       deferred
       tax accrual
      All other
       income tax
       expense



    INCOME (LOSS)
     FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS            $34              $31              $6       $69
                           ===              ===             ===       ===



                                Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

                                                 Unallocated
                               Distribution         & Other           Total
                               ------------         -------           -----
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
      All other operating
       income (loss)                 $17             $(6)          $151

    NET INTEREST AND OTHER
     FINANCING EXPENSE
      Accelerated
       amortization
       of debt
       issuance
       costs                                         (62)           (62)
      Loss on early debt
       retirement                                     (4)            (4)
      All other net interest
       and other financing
       expense                                       (37)           (37)
                                                     ---            ---
                                                    (103)         (103)
    NET LOSS ON DIVESTITURES
      Medicare Part D accrual
       for MAP retirees                               (5)            (5)

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE
      Medicare Part D deferred
       tax accrual                                   (14)           (14)
      All other income tax
       expense                                        (9)            (9)
                                                     ---            ---
                                                     (23)           (23)


    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS           $17           $(137)           $20
                                     ===           =====            ===




                                Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

                   Functional         Water           Performance   Consumer
                   Ingredients     Technologies        Materials     Markets
                   -----------     ------------        ---------     -------
     OPERATING
     INCOME (LOSS)
      Severance           $(1)              $-             $(3)         $-
       Inventory
       fair value
       adjustment         (16)               -               -           -
      Asset
       impairments and
       accelerated
       depreciation         -                -              (2)          -
       Currency
       gain on
       intracompany
       loan                 -                -               -           -
      All other
       operating
       income              14               13              10          66
      Operating
       income
       (loss)              (3)              13               5          66
                          ---              ---             ---         ---

    NET INTEREST
     AND OTHER
     FINANCING
     EXPENSE

    NET LOSS ON
     DIVESTITURES

    INCOME TAX
     EXPENSE


    INCOME (LOSS)
     FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS           $(3)             $13              $5         $66
                          ===              ===             ===         ===




                                 Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

                                                  Unallocated
                                Distribution         & Other         Total
                                ------------         -------         -----
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
      Severance                  $      -             $(1)         $(5)
      Inventory fair value
       adjustment                       -               -          (16)
      Asset impairments and
       accelerated depreciation         -              (4)          (6)
      Currency gain on
       intracompany loan                -               5            5
      All other operating
       income                          31               -          134
      Operating income (loss)          31               -          112
                                      ---             ---          ---

    NET INTEREST AND OTHER
     FINANCING EXPENSE                                (54)         (54)

    NET LOSS ON DIVESTITURES                           (1)          (1)

    INCOME TAX EXPENSE                                 (9)          (9)


    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS            $31            $(64)         $48
                                      ===            ====          ===


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries       Table 6
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - FREE CASH FLOW
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)

                                         Three months
                                            ended           Six months ended
                                          March 31              March 31
                                          --------              --------
    Free cash flow                    2010          2009  2010          2009
    --------------                    ----          ----  ----          ----
    Total cash flows provided by
     operating activities
       from continuing operations     $183          $220  $218          $294
    Less:
         Additions to property, plant
          and equipment               (39)          (42)  (60)          (80)
         Cash dividends paid            (6)           (5) (12)          (11)
                                       ---           ---   ---           ---
    Free cash flows                   $138          $173  $146          $203
                                      ====          ====  ====          ====


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                     Table 7
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)

                                                      Three months
                                                         ended
                                                       March 31
                                                       --------
    Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Inc.                 2010          2009
    ------------------------------                 ----          ----
    Operating Income                               $151          $112
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                  73            93
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -            16
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                $224          $221
                                                   ====          ====


    Adjusted EBITDA -Ashland Aqualon
     Functional Ingredients
    --------------------------------
    Operating Income                                $34           $(3)
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                  24            33
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -            17
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                 $58           $47
                                                    ===           ===


    Adjusted EBITDA - Water Technologies
    ------------------------------------
    Operating Income                                $31           $13
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                  21            25
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -             -
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                 $52           $38
                                                    ===           ===


    Adjusted EBITDA -Performance
     Materials
    ----------------------------
    Operating Income                                 $6            $5
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                  12            13
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -             5
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                 $18           $23
                                                    ===           ===


    Adjusted EBITDA - Consumer Markets
    ----------------------------------
    Operating Income                                $69           $66
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                   9             9
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -             -
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                 $78           $75
                                                    ===           ===


    Adjusted EBITDA - Distribution
    ------------------------------
    Operating Income                                $17           $31
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                   7             7
      Key items (see Table 5)                         -             -
                                                    ---           ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                                 $24           $38
                                                    ===           ===