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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549



                                 FORM 10-Q



          Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934



              FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997



                       Commission file number 1-2918



                                ASHLAND INC.
                          (a Kentucky corporation)



                           I.R.S. No. 61-0122250
                             1000 Ashland Drive
                          Russell, Kentucky 41169



                      Telephone Number: (606) 329-3333




                  Indicate  by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (1) has
              filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)
              of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
              12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
              required to file such  reports),  and (2) has been subject to
              such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ___

                  At January 31,  1998,  there were  75,272,427  shares of
              Registrant's Common Stock outstanding.  One Right to purchase
              one-thousandth   of  a  share  of   Series  A   Participating
              Cumulative Preferred Stock accompanies each outstanding share
              of Registrant's Common Stock.


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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended December 31 --------------------------- (In millions except per share data) 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUES Sales and operating revenues (including excise taxes) $ 3,550 $ 3,545 Equity income (1) 3 3 Other 52 28 --------- --------- 3,605 3,576 COSTS AND EXPENSES Cost of sales and operating expenses 2,755 2,765 Excise taxes on products and merchandise 254 250 Selling, general and administrative expenses 339 334 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 125 135 --------- --------- 3,473 3,484 --------- --------- OPERATING INCOME 132 92 Interest expense (net of interest income) (31) (44) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME --------- --------- TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST 101 48 Income taxes (39) (15) Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries (10) (9) --------- --------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 52 24 Income from discontinued operations - 12 --------- --------- NET INCOME 52 36 Dividends on convertible preferred stock - (5) --------- --------- NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHARES $ 52 $ 31 ========= ========= EARNINGS PER SHARE - Note F Basic Income from continuing operations $ .69 $ .30 Income from discontinued operations - .18 --------- --------- Net Income $ .69 $ .48 ========= ========= Diluted Income from continuing operations $ .68 $ .30 Income from discontinued operations - .17 --------- --------- Net Income $ .68 $ .47 ========= ========= DIVIDENDS PAID PER COMMON SHARE $ .275 $ .275 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Due to the adoption of FAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," effective October 1, 1997, equity income is now included in operating income, with prior periods restated. SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 31 September 30 December 31 (In millions) 1997 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 70 $ 268 $ 79 Accounts receivable 1,702 1,754 1,790 Allowance for doubtful accounts (23) (24) (27) Inventories - Note A 770 729 811 Other current assets 251 268 264 --------- --------- --------- 2,770 2,995 2,917 INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS Investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates 75 86 84 Investments of captive insurance companies 94 189 182 Cost in excess of net assets of companies acquired 127 120 137 Coal supply agreements 185 195 125 Net assets of discontinued operations held for sale 32 18 366 Other noncurrent assets 276 283 319 --------- --------- --------- 789 891 1,213 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Cost 7,814 7,471 7,527 Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (3,652) (3,580) (3,666) --------- --------- --------- 4,162 3,891 3,861 --------- --------- --------- $ 7,721 $ 7,777 $ 7,991 ========= ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Debt due within one year $ 222 $ 93 $ 170 Trade and other payables 1,915 2,045 2,103 Income taxes 58 123 38 --------- --------- --------- 2,195 2,261 2,311 NONCURRENT LIABILITIES Long-term debt (less current portion) 1,577 1,639 2,087 Employee benefit obligations 890 854 863 Reserves of captive insurance companies 175 161 162 Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits 549 565 479 Commitments and contingencies - Note E --------- --------- --------- 3,191 3,219 3,591 MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 279 273 241 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Convertible preferred stock - - 293 Common stockholders' equity 2,056 2,024 1,555 --------- --------- --------- 2,056 2,024 1,848 --------- --------- --------- $ 7,721 $ 7,777 $ 7,991 ========= ========= =========
SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preferred Common Paid-in Retained (In millions) stock stock capital earnings Other Total - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 1996 $ 293 $ 64 $ 280 $ 1,185 $ (8) $ 1,814 Net income 36 36 Dividends Preferred stock (5) (5) Common stock (18) (18) Issued common stock under Stock incentive plans 1 18 19 Employee savings plan 1 1 Other changes 1 1 ------ -------- ------- --------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996 $ 293 $ 65 $ 299 $ 1,198 $ (7) $ 1,848 ====== ======== ======= ========= ======= ======= BALANCE AT OCTOBER 1, 1997 $ - $ 75 $ 605 $ 1,379 $ (35) $ 2,024 Net income 52 52 Dividends on common stock (21) (21) Issued common stock under Stock incentive plans 4 4 Acquisition of operations of other companies 1 1 2 Other changes (1) (4) (5) ------ -------- ------- --------- ------- ------- BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 $ - $ 75 $ 609 $ 1,411 $ (39) $ 2,056 ====== ======== ======= ========= ======= ======= SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended December 31 -------------------------------- (In millions) 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS Income from continuing operations $ 52 $ 24 Expense (income) not affecting cash Depreciation, depletion and amortization 125 135 Deferred income taxes 16 11 Other noncash items 3 12 Change in operating assets and liabilities (1) (199) (91) -------- -------- (3) 91 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt - 87 Proceeds from issuance of capital stock 2 12 Repayment of long-term debt (63) (80) Increase in short-term debt 127 28 Dividends paid (23) (23) -------- -------- 43 24 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTMENT Additions to property, plant and equipment (350)(2) (94) Purchase of operations - net of cash acquired (20) (31) Proceeds from sale of operations 26 - Investment purchases (3) (103) (37) Investment sales and maturities (3) 199 37 Other - net 10 3 -------- -------- (238) (122) -------- -------- CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS (198) (7) Cash used by discontinued operations - (18) -------- -------- DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (198) (25) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD 268 104(4) -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD $ 70 $ 79 ======== ======== - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold. (2) Includes $228 million from purchases of leased assets associated with the formation of Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC. (3) Represents primarily investment transactions of captive insurance companies. (4) Includes $27 million of cash and cash equivalents of Arch Mineral Corporation that was presented on a consolidated basis effective October 1, 1996. SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 5 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE A - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Interim Financial Reporting The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, but are subject to any year-end audit adjustments which may be necessary. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with Ashland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997. Results of operations for the period ended December 31, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending September 30, 1998. Inventories
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 31 September 30 December 31 (In millions) 1997 1997 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crude oil $ 262 $ 277 $ 367 Petroleum products 319 289 375 Chemicals 381 341 376 Other products 153 174 172 Materials and supplies 66 64 70 Excess of replacement costs over LIFO carrying values (411) (416) (549) ------- ------ ------ $ 770 $ 729 $ 811 ======= ====== ======
NOTE B - RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR PERIOD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In addition to the restatement for discontinued operations described in Note C, the financial statements and information by industry segment for the period ended December 31, 1996, have been restated for three other items. None of these restatements had any impact on net income or earnings per share. Ashland Coal, Inc. and Arch Mineral Corporation merged on July 1, 1997, into a new corporation known as Arch Coal, Inc., in which Ashland has a 54% ownership interest. Beginning in the September 1997 quarter, Arch Coal was consolidated in Ashland's financial statements. Prior interim quarters in fiscal 1997 were restated to reflect Arch Mineral on a consolidated basis for comparison purposes. Arch Mineral was previously accounted for on the equity method. Effective October 1, 1997, Ashland adopted FAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." As a result of the adoption of FAS 131, Ashland redefined operating income to now include equity income and restated prior periods for comparison purposes. Effective October 1, 1997, responsibility for marketing of the petrochemicals and lube base stocks manufactured by Ashland Petroleum was transferred from Chemical and Valvoline, respectively, to Refining and Marketing. Information by industry segment for prior periods was restated to reflect the transfer. 6 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE C - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS On July 1, 1997, Ashland sold the domestic exploration and production operations of Blazer Energy Corporation. Ashland continues to pursue the sale of its exploration and production operations in Nigeria. Accordingly, results from the Exploration segment are shown as discontinued operations with prior periods restated. Components of amounts reflected in the income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements are presented in the following table.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended December 31 ---------------------------- (In millions) 1997 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME STATEMENT DATA Revenues $ - $ 80 Costs and expenses - (68) --------- --------- Operating income - 12 Income tax benefit (expense) - - --------- --------- Net income $ - $ 12 ========= ========== BALANCE SHEET DATA Current assets $ 87 $ 74 Investments and other assets 1 2 Property, plant and equipment - net 55 434 Current liabilities (47) (53) Noncurrent liabilities (64) (91) --------- --------- Net assets held for sale $ 32 $ 366 ========= ========= CASH FLOW DATA Cash flows from operations $ - $ (6) Cash flows from investment - (12) --------- --------- Cash used by discontinued operations $ - $ (18) ========= =========
NOTE D - ACQUISITIONS During the three months ended December 31, 1997, Ashland Chemical made two acquisitions to expand its distribution businesses and APAC acquired three construction businesses. One of the APAC acquisitions was accounted for as a pooling, but prior periods were not restated since the effects would have been insignificant. The other acquisitions were accounted for as purchases and did not have a significant effect on Ashland's consolidated financial statements. NOTE E - LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES Ashland is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that require remediation efforts at multiple locations, including operating facilities, previously owned or operated facilities, and Superfund or other waste sites. For information regarding environmental expenditures and reserves, see the "Miscellaneous - Governmental Regulation and Action - Environmental Protection" section of Ashland's Form 10-K. Environmental reserves are subject to considerable uncertainties that affect Ashland's ability to estimate its share of the ultimate costs of required remediation efforts. Such uncertainties involve the nature and extent of contamination at each site, the extent of required cleanup efforts under existing environmental regulations, widely varying costs of alternate cleanup methods, changes in environmental regulations, the potential effect of continuing improvements in remediation technology, and the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at multiparty sites. 7 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE E - LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES During 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed comprehensive inspections of three refineries owned by Ashland prior to the formation of Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), which evaluated Ashland's compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations at those facilities. Under the terms of the agreements pursuant to which the refineries were conveyed to MAP, Ashland agreed to retain responsibility for matters arising out of these inspections, including commencement of work as soon as practical on certain enumerated projects. Ashland continues to cooperate and participate in discussions with the EPA concerning the results of these inspections, including discussions about the nature and extent of any additional remediation actions or equipment modifications or upgrades that may be required to respond to the findings of the inspections. In addition to environmental matters, Ashland and its subsidiaries are parties to numerous claims and lawsuits, some of which are for substantial amounts. While these actions are being contested, the outcome of individual matters is not predictable with assurance. Ashland does not believe that any liability resulting from these matters, after taking into consideration its insurance coverages and amounts already provided for, will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position. NOTE F - COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (FAS 128), "Earnings per Share." FAS 128 replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) with basic and diluted EPS. Unlike primary EPS, basic EPS excludes any dilutive effects of options and convertible securities. Diluted EPS is very similar to the previously reported fully diluted EPS. EPS amounts for all periods have been presented, and where necessary, restated to conform to the FAS 128 requirements. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS from continuing operations. Common shares issuable upon conversion of convertible preferred stock and convertible debentures which were outstanding during the quarter ended December 31, 1996, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be antidilutive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three months ended December 31 ----------------------- (In millions except per share data) 1997 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NUMERATOR Income from continuing operations $ 52 $ 24 Preferred stock dividends - (5) -------- -------- Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - Income available to common shares $ 52 $ 19 ======== ======== DENOMINATOR Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted-average common shares outstanding 75 65 Common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options 1 1 -------- -------- Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions 76 66 ======== ======== BASIC EPS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ .69 $ .30 ======== ======== DILUTED EPS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ .68 $ .30 ======== ======== 8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTE G - REFINING AND MARKETING JOINT VENTURE Effective January 1, 1998, Ashland and Marathon Oil Company completed a transaction to form Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), which combines the refining, marketing and transportation operations of the two companies. Marathon has a 62 percent interest in the new company and Ashland holds a 38 percent interest. Ashland will account for its investment in the new company using the equity method of accounting. However, since the transaction did not close until January 1, 1998, Ashland continued to report its 100 percent ownership interest in the Ashland Petroleum and SuperAmerica divisions (Ashland's Refining and Marketing segment) on a consolidated basis in its financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 1997. Ashland's condensed financial statements included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 1998, will reflect the change in accounting method for its businesses contributed to MAP, retroactive to October 1, 1997, the beginning of Ashland's current fiscal year. Although the change to the equity method of accounting would have no effect on net income or stockholders' equity through December 31, 1997, it would reduce Ashland's consolidated assets, liabilities, revenues and costs and change certain components of cash flow. The following tables summarize the estimated impact on Ashland's financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 1997.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three months ended December 31, 1997 ----------------------------------- (In millions) As Reported Equity Method ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (estimated) INCOME STATEMENT DATA Revenues $ 3,605 $ 2,005 Costs and expenses (3,473) (1,873) ------------- --------------- Operating income 132 132 Interest, taxes and minority interest (80) (80) ------------- --------------- Net Income $ 52 $ 52 ============= =============== BALANCE SHEET DATA Current assets $ 2,770 $ 1,901 Investments and other assets 789 2,657 Property, plant and equipment 4,162 2,230 ------------- --------------- Total assets $ 7,721 $ 6,788 ============= =============== Current liabilities $ 2,195 $ 1,424 Noncurrent liabilities 3,191 3,029 Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries 279 279 Stockholders' equity 2,056 2,056 ------------- --------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,721 $ 6,788 ============= =============== CASH FLOW DATA Cash flows from continuing operations $ (3) $ (46) Cash flows from financing 43 43 Cash flows from investment (238) (195) ------------- --------------- Decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ (198) $ (198) ============= ===============
Ashland filed a Form 8-K on January 16, 1998, describing the formation of MAP. Financial statements required with such filing were not available at that time, but will be included with a Form 8-K/A to be filed by March 17, 1998. 9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three months ended December 31 ----------------------------- (Dollars in millions except as noted) 1997 1996 (1) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES Refining and Marketing $ 1,667 $ 1,777 Valvoline 254 250 Chemical 1,014 928 APAC 337 305 Coal 329 345 Intersegment sales Refining and Marketing (44) (52) Other (7) (8) ---------- ---------- $ 3,550 $ 3,545 ========== ========== OPERATING INCOME (2) Refining and Marketing $ 36 $ 16 Valvoline 11 13 Chemical 53 35 APAC 19 18 Coal 29 25 General corporate expenses (16) (15) ---------- ---------- $ 132 $ 92 ========== ========== OPERATING INFORMATION Refining and Marketing Refining inputs (thousand barrels per day) (3) 367.2 372.8 Value of products manufactured per barrel $ 23.96 $ 28.82 Input cost per barrel 19.47 24.76 ---------- ---------- Refining margin per barrel $ 4.49 $ 4.06 Refined product sales (thousand barrels per day) Wholesale sales to Ashland brand retail jobbers 22.3 24.2 Other wholesale customers (4) 300.4 301.9 SuperAmerica retail system 78.6 76.5 ---------- ---------- Total refined product sales 401.3 402.6 SuperAmerica merchandise sales $ 152 $ 144 Valvoline lubricant sales (thousand barrels per day) (4) 15.6 14.5 APAC construction backlog At end of period $ 651 $ 564 Decrease during period $ (42) $ (83) Coal (5) Tons sold (millions) 12.8 13.6 Sales price per ton $ 25.68 $ 25.33 - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Effective October 1, 1997, responsibility for marketing of the petrochemicals and lube base stocks manufactured by Ashland Petroleum was transferred from Chemical and Valvoline, respectively, to Refining and Marketing. Information by industry segment for prior periods has been restated to reflect the transfer. (2) Due to the adoption of FAS 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," effective October 1, 1997, equity income is now included in operating income, with prior periods restated. (3) Includes crude oil and other feedstocks. (4) Includes intersegment sales. (5) Amounts are reported on a 100% basis. Ashland's ownership interest is 54% in Arch Coal. 10 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Ashland recorded net income of $52 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, the first quarter of its 1997 fiscal year, which included an after-tax gain of $6 million on the sale of Ashland's 23% interest in Melamine Chemicals. Net income excluding the unusual gain totaled $46 million, compared to $36 million for the same period last year. Although last year's first quarter also included net income of $12 million from discontinued operations of the former Exploration segment, results for this year's first quarter were enhanced by lower net interest costs resulting from the use of the sales proceeds to reduce debt and invest in short-term securities. The improvement in earnings can be attributed to a rebound from Refining and Marketing operations and a solid performance by all business units. Results for the three months ended December 31, 1996, have been restated for a variety of reasons as described in Notes B and C to the condensed consolidated financial statements on Pages 6 and 7. These restatements present the results for the prior year's period on a basis consistent with the current year's presentation and all comparisons within this discussion reflect these restatements. Refining and Marketing Operating income from Refining and Marketing more than doubled to $36 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, compared to $16 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1996. This increase was achieved despite extremely volatile crude oil markets. Early in the quarter, crude oil prices rose rapidly as the market reacted to uncertainty over Iraqi oil exports. By quarter's end, crude oil prices were falling as tensions eased and OPEC increased its production ceiling to 27.5 million barrels per day. The net impact on Ashland was lower average crude oil costs for the quarter and improved refining margins, which were up $.43 per barrel compared to the December 1996 quarter. Retail gasoline margins also improved, and sales of gasoline and merchandise increased due to the addition of 21 stores since December 1996. At December 31, 1997, there were 771 retail outlets operating (647 SuperAmerica stores and 124 Rich outlets), compared to 750 at December 31, 1996 (629 SuperAmerica stores and 121 Rich outlets). Effective January 1, 1998, Ashland and Marathon Oil Company completed a transaction to form Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), which combines the refining, marketing and transportation operations of the two companies. As described in Note G to the condensed consolidated financial statements on Page 9, the transaction will result in the restatement of Ashland's financial statements for the quarter ended December 31, 1997. However, such restatement will not affect operating income reported for the Refining and Marketing segment. Results for the December 1997 quarter include various income and expense items, including severance costs, associated with the formation of MAP, but the net effect of these items was not significant. Potential efficiencies derived by MAP have been broadly estimated to be in excess of $200 million annually on a pretax basis. While a modest part of these efficiencies will be achieved in mid-to-late calendar 1998, full realization of efficiencies should occur over the next few years as MAP's integration plans are implemented. Valvoline Valvoline reported operating income of $11 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1997, compared to $13 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1996. The decrease in earnings reflected lower R-12 refrigerant sales volumes coupled with higher operating expenses related to the roll-out of new services for First Recovery, Valvoline's used oil collection business. In February 1998, Valvoline completed the acquisition of California-based Eagle One Industries. With a wide product portfolio that includes waxes, polishes and cleaners, the Eagle One acquisition fills Valvoline's need for a premium masterbrand for "above the hood," or appearance, applications. 11 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chemical Ashland Chemical was the leading earnings contributor to the quarter, with $53 million of operating income, compared to $35 million for the same period a year ago. The current quarter includes a pretax gain of $14 million on the sale of Ashland's 23% interest in Melamine Chemicals. Excluding the gain, the improvement in operating income reflects a record first quarter performance from the specialty chemicals group and better results from the petrochemicals group. Specialty chemicals benefited from sales volume and margin improvements for foundry products. The increase in petrochemicals reflected better margins for maleic anhydride. Results for the distribution group were down slightly, as margin declines in industrial chemicals and solvents were largely offset by higher sales volumes in most of the other businesses. APAC The APAC construction companies reported operating income of $19 million for the first quarter, compared to $18 million for the same period last year. Net revenue (total revenue less subcontract work) was up 12%, while hot mix asphalt production was up 7% and crushed aggregate production was up 20%. The construction backlog at December 31, 1997, amounted to $651 million (a record level for December) and represented a 15% improvement over the level of December 1996. In February 1998, APAC completed the acquisition of 10 Missouri-based companies known as the Masters-Jackson group. This is the largest acquisition for APAC in more than 10 years and provides an opportunity to improve APAC's competitive position in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Coal Arch Coal had a strong December quarter with operating income of $29 million, compared to combined earnings of $25 million from Arch Mineral and Ashland Coal for the same quarter last year. The current quarter results benefited from a stronger performance by the Lone Mountain mining complex and continued strength from the Mingo Logan complex. Cost savings resulting from the July 1997 merger of Arch Mineral and Ashland Coal also contributed to higher operating income. In December 1997, a long-term coal supply contract priced well above current open market prices expired. Arch expects to continue to supply a significant amount of similar coal to the customer at less favorable prices. In addition, another customer has informed Arch that one of its plants will require substantially less coal under an existing above-market contract. Arch is in discussions with the customer to attempt to minimize the reductions. General Corporate Expenses General corporate expenses amounted to $16 million in the quarter ended December 31, 1997, compared to $15 million for the quarter ended December 31, 1996. The increase reflects higher incentive compensation costs. Interest expense (net of interest income) For the three months ended December 31, 1997, interest expense (net of interest income) totaled $31 million, compared to $44 million for the December 1996 quarter. The decline reflected a 25% decrease in interest expense as a result of Ashland's improved financial position. Ashland used the proceeds from the July 1997 sale of its domestic exploration and production operations to significantly reduce its debt levels. Discontinued operations See Note C to the condensed consolidated financial statements on Page 7 for a discussion of the discontinued operations of the former Exploration segment. 12 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL POSITION Liquidity Ashland's financial position has enabled it to obtain capital for its financing needs and to maintain investment grade ratings on its senior debt of Baa2 from Moody's and BBB from Standard & Poor's. Ashland has a revolving credit agreement providing for up to $320 million in borrowings, under which no borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 1997. At that date, Arch Coal also had a revolving credit agreement providing for up to $500 million in borrowings, of which $190 million was in use. Under a shelf registration, Ashland can issue an additional $220 million in medium-term notes should future opportunities or needs arise. Ashland and Arch Coal also have access to various uncommitted lines of credit and commercial paper markets, under which short-term notes of $163 million were outstanding at December 31, 1997. Cash flows from continuing operations, a major source of Ashland's liquidity, amounted to a deficit of $3 million for the three months ended December 31, 1997, compared to $91 million for the three months ended December 31, 1996. This decrease was due to increased working capital requirements and the payment of income taxes related to the sale of Ashland's domestic exploration and production operations. Operating working capital (accounts receivable and inventories, less trade and other payables) at December 31 1997, was $534 million, compared to $414 million at September 30, 1997, and $471 million at December 31, 1996. Liquid assets (cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable) amounted to 80% of current liabilities at December 31, 1997, and 88% at September 30, 1997. Ashland's working capital is significantly affected by its use of the LIFO method of inventory valuation, which valued inventories $411 million below their replacement costs at December 31, 1997. Capital Resources For the three months ended December 31, 1997, property additions amounted to $350 million, compared to $94 million for the same period last year. The current quarter amount includes $228 million from purchases of leased assets associated with the formation of MAP. Property additions (excluding additions for MAP which will be self-funded) and cash dividends for the remainder of fiscal 1998 are estimated at $325 million and $70 million, respectively. Ashland anticipates meeting its remaining 1998 capital requirements for property additions, dividends and $47 million in contractual maturities of long-term debt from internally generated funds. However, external financing may be necessary to provide funds for acquisitions. On February 17, 1998, Ashland issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2008. The notes were sold to "qualified institutional buyers" in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. During January 1998, Ashland contributed an additional $104 million of assets to MAP. Such amount included $26 million of leased assets which were purchased in January 1998, an additional $42 million of assets on which the related lease obligations were retained by Ashland, and cash contributions of $36 million. The cash contributions resulted from capital expenditure levels during the preceding calendar year being less than the projected levels which were agreed upon in the formation of MAP. Ashland's capital employed at December 31, 1997, consisted of debt (43%), minority interest (7%) and common stockholders' equity (50%). Debt as a percent of capital employed was relatively unchanged from the level at September 30, 1997. At December 31, 1997, long-term debt included about $230 million of floating-rate debt, and the interest rates on an additional $290 million of fixed-rate debt had been converted to floating rates through interest rate swap agreements. As a result, interest costs for the remainder of 1998 will fluctuate based on short-term interest rates on about $520 million of Ashland's consolidated long-term debt, as well as on any short-term notes and commercial paper. 13 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment have resulted in higher operating costs and capital investments by the industries in which Ashland operates. Because of the continuing trends toward greater environmental awareness and increasingly stringent regulations, Ashland believes that expenditures for environmental compliance will continue to have a significant effect on its businesses. Although it cannot accurately predict how such trends will affect future operations and earnings, Ashland believes the nature and significance of its ongoing compliance costs will be comparable to those of its competitors in the chemical, mining and petroleum industries. For information on certain specific environmental proceedings and investigations, see the "Legal Proceedings" section of this Form 10-Q. For information regarding environmental expenditures and reserves, see the "Miscellaneous - Governmental Regulation and Action - Environmental Protection" section of Ashland's Form 10-K. Environmental reserves are subject to considerable uncertainties which affect Ashland's ability to estimate its share of the ultimate costs of required remediation efforts. Such uncertainties involve the nature and extent of contamination at each site, the extent of required cleanup efforts under existing environmental regulations, widely varying costs of alternate cleanup methods, changes in environmental regulations, the potential effect of continuing improvements in remediation technology, and the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at multiparty sites. During 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed comprehensive inspections of three refineries owned by Ashland prior to the formation of MAP. See Note E to the condensed consolidated financial statements on Page 8 for a discussion of this matter. Ashland does not believe that any liability resulting from environmental matters, after taking into consideration its insurance coverages and amounts already provided for, will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, cash flows or liquidity. YEAR 2000 Ashland began developing plans in 1994 to address the possible exposures related to the impact of the Year 2000 on its computer systems, as well as on the products and software it has purchased from third parties. Most of Ashland's key financial, information and operational systems have been assessed, and detailed plans have been developed to address systems modifications or replacements by December 31, 1999. Ashland is also communicating with systems providers in an attempt to ensure that purchased systems will handle the Year 2000 processing implications. Ashland expects to successfully implement the systems and programming changes necessary to address Year 2000 issues and believes that the future costs of such changes (including replacements of systems solely for Year 2000 concerns) are not expected to exceed $10 million, which would not be material to Ashland's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This Form 10-Q 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. Although Ashland believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure that the expectations contained in such statements will be achieved. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such statements are discussed in Note A to the Consolidated Financial Statements under risks and uncertainties in Ashland's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997. Other factors and risks affecting Ashland's revenues and operations are contained in Ashland's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 14 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASHLAND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS (continued) The above discussion under "Results of Operations - Refining and Marketing" contains forward-looking statements with respect to the amount and timing of efficiencies to be realized by MAP. Some factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ materially from present expectations include unanticipated costs to implement shared technology, difficulties in integrating corporate structures, delays in leveraging volume procurement advantages or delays in personnel rationalization. 15 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ENVIRONMENTAL PROCEEDINGS - (1) As of December 31, 1997, Ashland had been identified as a "potentially responsible party" ("PRP") under Superfund or similar state laws for potential joint and several liability for cleanup costs in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances in connection with 83 waste treatment or disposal sites. These sites are currently subject to ongoing investigation and remedial activities, overseen by the USEPA or a state agency, in which Ashland may be participating as a member of various PRP groups. Generally, the type of relief sought includes remediation of contaminated soil and/or groundwater, reimbursement for the costs of site cleanup or oversight expended, and/or long-term monitoring of environmental conditions at the sites. Ashland carefully monitors the investigatory and remedial activity at many of these sites. Based on its experience with site remediation, its familiarity with current environmental laws and regulations, its analysis of the specific hazardous substances at issue, the existence of other financially viable PRPs and its current estimates of investigatory, clean-up and monitoring costs at each site, Ashland believes that its liability at these sites, either individually or in the aggregate, after taking into account established reserves, will not have a material adverse effect on Ashland's consolidated financial position, cash flow or liquidity. Estimated costs for these matters are recognized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles governing the likelihood that costs will be incurred and Ashland's ability to reasonably estimate future costs. For additional information regarding Superfund, see the "Miscellaneous - Governmental Regulation and Action-Environmental Protection" section of Ashland's Form 10-K. (2) On March 19, 1996, after consultation with the USEPA, the Kentucky Division for Air Quality issued a finding that Ashland had not demonstrated compliance with certain air regulations governing emissions of volatile organic compounds ("VOC") at its Catlettsburg, Kentucky refinery, and referred the matter to USEPA - Region IV for formal enforcement action. On May 27, 1997, Kentucky and Ashland entered into an Agreed Order resolving the issues in contention. Under the terms of the Agreed Order, Ashland agreed to pay a civil penalty and to design, construct and install additional VOC controls. Separately, the USEPA issued a Notice of Violation to Ashland regarding this matter. In connection with the formation of MAP, the Catlettsburg Refinery was conveyed to Catlettsburg Refinery, LLC, a subsidiary of MAP. Under the terms of the agreements pursuant to which the Catlettsburg Refinery was conveyed, Ashland agreed to retain responsibility for matters arising out of the Agreed Order and Notice of Violation. (3) In the fall of 1996, the USEPA conducted multimedia inspections of Ashland's three refineries. Over the past several months, the USEPA and Ashland have engaged in discussions to resolve the issues identified during these inspections. The parties have reached a tentative agreement on many major issues and have begun the process of drafting a settlement document. Resolution is expected to involve both a penalty payment and environmental projects. Ashland expects to finalize the settlement agreement in calendar 1998. In connection with the formation of MAP, the refineries were conveyed to MAP (or a subsidiary of MAP). Under the terms of the agreements conveying Ashland's three refineries to MAP, Ashland agreed to retain responsibility for matters arising out of the multimedia inspections. (4) On October 24, 1996, the rock strata overlaying an abandoned underground mine adjacent to the coal-refuse impoundment used by an Arch Coal subsidiary's preparation plant failed, resulting in an accidental discharge of approximately 6.3 million gallons of water and fine coal slurry into a tributary of the Powell River in Lee County, Virginia. As a consequence, the Director of the State Water Control Board and the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy of the Commonwealth of Virginia filed a suit in Lee County Virginia Circuit Court against the Arch Coal subsidiary, Lone Mountain Processing, Inc., alleging violations of effluent limitations and reporting violations under Lone Mountain's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits under the Clean Water Act. The Commonwealth of Virginia agreed to vacate two notices of violation and a show of cause order in exchange for Lone Mountain's payment to the Commonwealth of a fine of approximately $1.4 million. A final order effectuating the settlement was 16 entered as a judgment by the court on October 29, 1997. At the request of the USEPA and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia also has opened a criminal investigation of the 1996 incident. Arch Coal is cooperating with the investigation, the results of which are not expected until sometime in calendar 1998. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS (a) Ashland's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on January 29, 1998, at the Ashland Petroleum Executive Office Building, Ashland Drive, Russell, Kentucky at 10:30 a.m. (b) At its Annual Meeting, Ashland's shareholders elected 2 directors to serve a three-year term: Votes ----- Affirmative Withheld ----------- -------- Samuel C. Butler 66,519,424 976,950 Mannie L. Jackson 66,505,928 990,446 Directors who continued in office: Frank C. Carlucci, Paul W. Chellgren, James B. Farley, Ralph E. Gomory, Patrick F. Noonan, Jane C. Pfeiffer, Michael D. Rose and W. L. Rouse, Jr. Jack S. Blanton, Thomas E. Bolger and Robert B. Stobaugh, directors of Ashland since 1988, 1987 and 1977, respectively, retired at the Annual Meeting. (c) At its Annual Meeting, Ashland's shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors for fiscal year 1998 by a vote of 66,646,555 affirmative to 635,596 negative and 214,221 abstention votes. (d) At its Annual Meeting, Ashland's shareholders approved an amendment of the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ashland to increase the number of shares of authorized Common Stock, par value $1.00, from 150,000,000 to 300,000,000 shares by a vote of 57,446,866 affirmative to 9,581,798 negative and 461,916 abstention votes. Passage of this amendment required the vote of a majority of Ashland's shares eligible to vote. (e) At its Annual Meeting, Ashland's shareholders rejected an amendment of the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ashland to provide for a single class of directors, elected annually, by a vote of 39,531,416 affirmative to 11,135,680 negative and 12,241,261 abstention votes. Passage of this amendment would have required the vote of 80% of Ashland's shares eligible to vote. (f) The results of voting on a shareholder proposal to nominate a wage roll employee to the Board of Directors were 55,637,425 negative to 6,072,152 affirmative and 1,340,796 abstention votes. 17 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits 3 Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ashland, amended January 30, 1998. 27 Financial Data Schedule 27 Restated Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K A report on Form 8-K was filed on December 12, 1997 to announce the signing of definitive agreements in connection with the formation of MAP. Ashland has a 38% ownership interest, and Marathon has a 62% ownership interest, in the company. A report on Form 8-K was filed on January 16, 1998 to announce the January 1 completion of a transaction forming MAP. 18 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Ashland Inc. ---------------------------------- (Registrant) Date /s/ Kenneth L. Aulen ------------------- ----------------------------------- Kenneth L. Aulen Administrative Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Officer) Date /s/ Thomas L. Feazell -------------------- ---------------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 19


                              [ASHLAND LOGO]






                                     ASHLAND INC.


                                 SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES
                                     OF INCORPORATION
                            (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO)







                                                 As Effective Jsnuary 30, 1998



                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                      RECORDING DATA
                         SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       ASHLAND INC.

Date Filed In Date Office of Recorded in Number of Secretary Office of Shares of State County Clerk Authorized - Document of Kentucky Clerk Explanation - ----------------- --------------- ---------------------- ------------------ 1. Second Restated January 29, 1987 Boyd Co., KY - January 30,000,000 shares Articles of 30, 1987, Arts. of Inc., Cumulative Preferred Incorporation Book 25, Page 461; Stock, no par value; Greenup Co., KY - January 150,000,000 shares 30, 1987, Arts. of Inc., Common Stock, $1 par Book 9, Page 543 value 2. Certificate and January 29, 1987 Boyd Co., KY - January 10,000,000 shares Statement, etc. 30, 1987, Arts. of Inc., initially issuable Establishing and Book 25, Page 470; Designating Greenup Co., KY - January Cumulative 30, 1987, Arts. of Inc., Preferred Stock, Book 9, Page 552 Series of 1987, etc. of AOI 3. Amendment No. 1 January 28, 1988 Boyd Co., KY - January New Article X 29, 1988, Arts. of Inc., Book 25, Page 954; Greenup Co., KY - January 29, 1988, Arts. of Inc., Book 10, Page 169 4. Amendment No. 2 January 27, 1989 Boyd Co., KY - January New Article XI 30, 1989, Arts. of Inc., Book 26, Page 522; Greenup Co., KY - January 30, 1989, Arts. of Inc., Book 10, Page 423 5. Amendment No. 3 May 18, 1993 Boyd Co., KY - May 6,000,000 shares of 18, 1993, Arts. of Inc., $3.125 Cumulative Book 30, Page 59; Convertible Greenup Co., KY - May Preferred Stock, 18, 1993, Arts. of Inc., no par value Book 12, Page 322 6. Amendment No. 4 January 27, 1995 Boyd Co., KY - January 27, New Article I 1995, Arts. of Inc., Book 31, Page 320; Greenup Co., KY - January 27, 1995, Arts. of Inc., Book 13, Page 147 7. Amendment No. 5 May 16, 1996 Boyd Co., KY - May 16, 500,000 shares initially 1996, Arts. of Inc., issuable of Series A Book 32, Page 292; Participating Cumulative Greenup Co., KY - Preferred Stock May 17, 1996, Arts. of Inc., Book 13, Page 487 8. Amendment No. 6 January 30, 1998 Boyd Co., KY - February 2, 300,000,000 shares Common 1998, Arts. of Inc., Stock, $1 par value Book 33, Page 374; Greenup Co., KY - February 2, 9198, Arts. of Inc., Book 14, Page 145
[STAMP] ORIGINAL COPY FILED SECRETARY OF STATE OF KENTUCKY FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY JANUARY 29, 1987 12:45 PM SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND OIL, INC. Pursuant to Section 271A.320 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, Ashland Oil, Inc., pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by its Board of Directors, hereby adopts the following Second Restated Articles of Incorporation (hereinafter called the "Articles of Incorporation"): ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is Ashland Oil, Inc. (hereinafter called the "Company" or the "Corporation"). ARTICLE II The purpose for which the Company is organized is the transaction of any or all lawful businesses for which corporations may be organized under the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, or any act amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor (hereinafter called the "Act"), and to do all things necessary, convenient, proper or desirable in connection with or incident to any of the Company's businesses. ARTICLE III A. The Company shall have all the powers conferred upon a corporation organized under the Act and shall have all powers necessary, convenient or desirable in order to fulfill and further the purpose of the Company. B. The Company shall have the power to purchase shares of the stock of the Company to the extent of unreserved and unrestricted capital and earned surplus of the Company and to any greater extent permitted by the Act. C. The Board of Directors of the Company may distribute to the shareholders of the Company a portion of the Company's assets, in cash or property, out of capital surplus of the Company and from any other source permitted by the Act. ARTICLE IV A. The aggregate number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 30,000,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value (hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock"), and 150,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter called the "Common Stock"). B. Preferred Stock (1) To the extent permitted by the Act, the Board of Directors is authorized, by resolution, to cause the Preferred Stock to be divided into and issued from time to time in one or more series and to fix and determine the designation and number of shares, and the relative rights and preferences of the shares, of each such series, and to change shares of one series that have been redeemed or reacquired into shares of another series. (2) All shares of Preferred Stock shall rank equally and be identical in all respects except as to the relative rights and preferences of any series fixed and determined by the Board of Directors, which may vary to the extent permitted by the Act. (3) The Preferred Stock shall be preferred over the Common Stock as to payment of dividends. Before any dividends or distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock) on the Common Stock shall be declared and set apart for payment or paid, the holders of shares of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends (either in cash, shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or otherwise) when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, at the rate and on the date or dates fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing such series, and no more. With respect to each series of Preferred Stock, the dividends on each share of such series shall be cumulative from the date of issue of such share unless some other date is fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing such series. Accruals of dividends shall not bear interest. (4) The Preferred Stock shall be preferred over the Common Stock as to assets so that the holders of each series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid, upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and before any distribution is made to the holders of Common Stock, the amount fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing such series, but in such case the holders of such series of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any other or further payment. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company its net assets shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding Preferred Stock are entitled, the entire remaining net assets of the Company shall be distributed among the holders of each series of Preferred Stock in amounts proportionate to the full amounts to which the holders of each such series are respectively so entitled. For purposes of this paragraph (4), the voluntary sale, lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's property or assets to, or its consolidation or merger with, one or more corporations shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. (5) All shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall be redeemable to the extent permitted by the Act and fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing such series. All shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock or into shares of any other series of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by the Act and fixed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing such series. (6) Unless otherwise provided herein or by the Act, or unless otherwise provided in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Preferred Stock held by them on all matters properly presented to shareholders, the holders of Common Stock and the holders of all series of Preferred Stock voting together as one class. (7) So long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall not: (a) Redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Common Stock if at the time of making such redemption, purchase or acquisition, the Company shall be in default with respect to any dividends accrued on, or any obligation to retire, shares of Preferred Stock. (b) Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent of the number of shares of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting or consenting (as the case may be) separately as a class without regard to series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a meeting called for the purpose, (i) create any class of stock ranking prior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation or increase the authorized number of shares of any such class of stock or (ii) alter or change any of the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation so as adversely to affect the relative rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock or (iii) increase the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock. (c) Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent of the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting or consenting (as the case may be) separately as a series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a meeting called for the purpose, alter or change any of the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation so as adversely to affect the relative rights and preferences of such series. 2 C. Common Stock (1) The holders of Common Stock of the Company shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held by them on all matters properly presented to shareholders, except as otherwise provided herein or by the Act. (2) Subject to the preferential rights of Preferred Stock set forth herein or in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors establishing any series of Preferred Stock, such dividends (either in cash, shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or otherwise) as may be determined by the Board of Directors may be declared and paid on the Common Stock from time to time in accordance with the Act. D. No holder of shares of any class of stock of the Company shall have any preemptive right to subscribe to stock, obligations, warrants, subscription rights or other securities of the Company of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized. ARTICLE V The Company shall have perpetual existence. ARTICLE VI Subject to the restriction that the number of directors shall not be less than the number required by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the number of directors may be fixed, from time to time, pursuant to the By-laws of the Company. The members of the Board of Directors (other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation pursuant to the terms of these Articles of Incorporation or of such class or series of stock) shall be classified (so long as the Board of Directors shall consist of at least nine members pursuant to the By-laws), with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as shall be provided in the By-laws of the Company, one class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the shareholders to be held in 1987, another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the shareholders to be held in 1988, and another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the shareholders to be held in 1989, with each class to hold office until the successors of such class are elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of the shareholders, the date of which shall be fixed by or pursuant to the By-laws of the Company, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Subject to any requirements of law and the rights of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation pursuant to the terms of these Articles of Incorporation or of such class or series of stock (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of such class or series), the affirmative vote of the holders of 80 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class, shall be required to remove any director without cause. For purposes of this Article VI, "cause" shall mean the willful and continuous failure of a director to substantially perform such director's duties to the Company, other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness, or the willful engaging by a director in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. As used in these Articles of Incorporation, "voting stock" shall mean shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors. Subject to any requirements of law and the rights of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation pursuant to the terms of these Articles of Incorporation or of such class or series of stock, newly created directorships resulting from any 3 increase in the number of directors may be filled by the Board of Directors, or as otherwise provided in the By-laws, and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, or as otherwise provided in the By-laws. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. ARTICLE VII In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to: A. adopt any By-laws that the Board of Directors may deem necessary or desirable for the efficient conduct of the affairs of the Company, including, but not limited to, provisions governing the conduct of, and the matters which may properly be brought before, annual or special meetings of the shareholders and provisions specifying the manner and extent to which prior notice shall be given of the submission of proposals to be considered at any such meeting or of nominations for election of directors to be held at any such meeting; and B. repeal, alter or amend the By-laws. In addition to any requirements of law and any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of any class or series of capital stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of such class or series), the affirmative vote of the holders of 80 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the By-laws. ARTICLE VIII A. A higher than majority vote of shareholders for certain Business Combinations shall be required as follows: (1) In addition to any affirmative vote otherwise required by law or these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of such class or series) and except as otherwise expressly provided in Section B of this Article VIII: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary with an Interested Shareholder or with any other corporation, whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder, which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate of an Interested Shareholder who was an Interested Shareholder prior to the transaction; (b) any sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition, other than in the ordinary course of business, in one transaction or a series of transactions in any twelve-month period, to any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Shareholder, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, of any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary having, measured at the time the transaction or transactions are approved by the Board of Directors, an aggregate book value as of the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter of 5 percent or more of the total market value of the outstanding stock of the Company or of its net worth as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal quarter; (c) the issuance or transfer by the Company or any Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of transactions in any twelve-month period, of any equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary which have an aggregate market value of 5% or more of the total market value of the outstanding stock 4 of the Company, determined as of the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to the first such issuance or transfer, to any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, except pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights to purchase securities offered pro rata to all holders of the Company's voting stock or any other method affording substantially proportionate treatment to the holders of voting stock; (d) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company in which anything other than cash will be received by an Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Shareholder; or (e) any reclassification of securities, including any reverse stock split; any recapitalization of the Company; any merger or consolidation of the Company with any Subsidiary; or any other transaction which has the effect, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of increasing by 5 percent or more the proportionate amount of the outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder; shall require the recommendation of the Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least (i) 80 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class, and (ii) two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock other than voting stock beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder who is, or whose Affiliate is, a party to the Business Combination or by an Affiliate or Associate of such Interested Shareholder, voting together as a single class. (2) The term "Business Combination" as used in this Article VIII shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (a) through (e) of paragraph (1) of Section A of this Article VIII. B. The provisions of Section A of this Article VIII shall not be applicable to any Business Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote (if any) as is required by law, any other provision of these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, if all conditions specified in either of the following paragraphs (1) or (2) are met: (1) The Business Combination shall have been approved by resolution by a majority of the Continuing Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors was present; or (2) All the following five conditions have been met: (a) The aggregate amount of the cash and the market value as of the Valuation Date of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination is at least equal to the highest of the following: (i) the highest per share price, including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of Common Stock (a) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or (b) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher; (ii) the market value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and (iii) the price per share equal to the market value per share of Common Stock determined pursuant to clause (ii) immediately preceding, multiplied by the fraction resulting from (a) the highest per share price, including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date, over (b) the market value per share of Common Stock on the first day in such two-year period on which the Interested Shareholder acquired any shares of Common Stock. 5 (b) The aggregate amount of the cash and the market value as of the Valuation Date of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class or series of outstanding stock other than Common Stock is at least equal to the highest of the following, whether or not the Interested Shareholder has previously acquired any shares of a particular class or series of stock: (i) the highest per share price, including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of such class of stock acquired by it (a) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or (b) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher; (ii) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares of such class of stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (iii) the market value per share of such class of stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and (iv) the price per share equal to the market value per share of such class of stock determined pursuant to clause (iii) immediately preceding, multiplied by the fraction resulting from (a) the highest per share price, including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Shareholder for any shares of any class of voting stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date over (b) the market value per share of the same class of voting stock on the first day in such two-year period on which the Interested Shareholder acquired any shares or the same class of voting stock. (c) In making any price calculation under paragraph (2) of this Section B, appropriate adjustments shall be made to reflect any reclassification or stock split (including any reverse stock split), stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of increasing or reducing the number of outstanding shares of the stock. The consideration to be received by holders of any class or series of outstanding stock is to be in cash or in the same form as the Interested Shareholder has previously paid for shares of the same class or series of stock. If the Interested Shareholder has paid for shares of any class of stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration for such class of stock shall be either in cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class or series of stock previously acquired by it. (d) After the Interested Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination: (i) there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the regular date thereof any full periodic dividends, whether or not cumulative, on any outstanding Preferred Stock of the Company or other capital stock entitled to a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation; (ii) there shall have been no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock, except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock, and no failure to increase the annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or other similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock; and (iii) the Interested Shareholder did not become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of stock of the Company except as part of the transaction which resulted in such Interested Shareholder or by virtue of proportionate stock splits or stock dividends. The provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) immediately preceding shall not apply if neither an Interested Shareholder nor any Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder voted as a director of the Company in a manner inconsistent with such clauses and the Interested Shareholder, within ten days after any act or failure to act inconsistent with such clauses, notifies the Board of Directors of the Company in writing that the Interested Shareholder disapproves thereof and requests in good faith that the Board of Directors rectify such act or failure to act. 6 (e) After the Interested Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder, the Interested Shareholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly, except proportionately as a shareholder, of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance provided by the Company or any Subsidiary, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise. C. For purposes of this Article VIII: (1) "Affiliate" or "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 1, 1985 (the term "registrant" in such Rule 12b-2 meaning in this case the Company). (2) "Announcement Date" means the first general public announcement of the proposal or intention to make a proposal of the Business Combination or its first communication generally to shareholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. (3) "Beneficial owner" when used with respect to any voting stock, means a person who, individually or with any Affiliate or Associate has: (i) the right to acquire voting stock, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time and whether or not such right is exercisable only after specified conditions are met pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; (ii) the right to vote voting stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding; or (iii) any agreement, arrangements, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of voting stock with any other person who beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such shares of voting stock. (4) "Continuing Director" means any member of the Board of Directors who is not an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder or any of its Affiliates, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, and who was a director of the Company prior to the time the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, and any other member of the Board of Directors who is not an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Director or any of its Affiliates, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, and was recommended or elected by a majority of the Continuing Directors at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of a majority of the Continuing Directors is present. (5) "Determination Date" means the date on which an Interested Shareholder first became an Interested Shareholder. (6) "Equity security" means: (a) any stock or similar security, certificate of interest, or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, voting trust certificate, or certificate of deposit for the foregoing; (b) any security convertible, with or without consideration, into an equity security, or any warrant or other security carrying any right to subscribe to or purchase an equity security; or (c) any put, call, straddle, or other option, right or privilege of acquiring an equity security from or selling an equity security to another without being bound to do so. (7) "Interested Shareholder" means any person, other than the Company or any Subsidiary, who: (a) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10 percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company; or (b) is an Affiliate of the Company and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company. 7 For the purpose of determining whether a person is an Interested Shareholder, the number of shares of voting stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned by the person through application of paragraph (3) of this Section C but shall not include any other shares of voting stock which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. Furthermore, any such beneficial ownership or voting power arising solely out of a trustee or custodial relationship of any person in connection with a Company "employee benefit or stock plan" shall be excluded for purposes of determining whether or not any such person is an Interested Stockholder. For purposes hereof, the term "employee benefit or stock plan" of the Company shall mean any option, bonus, appreciation, profit sharing, retirement, incentive, thrift, employee stock ownership, dividend reinvestment, savings or similar plan of the Company. (8) "Market value" means: (a) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30 calendar day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange listed stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on such Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30 calendar day period preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no such quotation is available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by a majority of the Continuing Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors is present; and (b) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by a majority of the Continuing Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum consisting of at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors is present. (9) "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which voting stock having a majority of the votes entitled to be cast is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. (10) "Valuation Date" means: (a) for a Business Combination voted upon by shareholders, the later of the day prior to the date of the shareholders' vote or the date 20 business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination; and (b) for a Business Combination not voted upon by shareholders, the date of the consummation of the Business Combination. (11) "Voting Stock" means shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors. D. In addition to any requirements of law and any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of any class or series of capital stock of the Company entitled to a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of such class or series), the affirmative vote of (1) the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class, and (2) the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company other than the Interested Shareholder, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article VIII. 8 ARTICLE IX In addition to any requirements of law and any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of any class or series of capital stock of the Company having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, these Articles of Incorporation or the terms of such class or series), the affirmative vote of the holders of 80 percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article IX or Article VI or VII of these Articles of Incorporation. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Article IX and Section D of Article VIII, the Company reserves the right from time to time to amend, alter, change, add to or repeal any provision contained in these Articles of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter prescribed by law and in these Articles of Incorporation, and all rights and powers at any time conferred upon shareholders, directors and officers of the Company by these Articles of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are subject to the provisions of this Article IX and Section D of Article VIII. The foregoing Second Restated Articles of Incorporation correctly set forth without change the corresponding provisions sequentially renumbered of the Restated Articles of Incorporation as heretofore amended, and supersede the Restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto. Dated: January 29, 1987. ASHLAND OIL, INC. /Thomas L. Feazell/ ------------------------------- By: Thomas L. Feazell Vice President /John P. Ward/ ------------------------------- By: John P. Ward Secretary COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ) ) SS: COUNTY OF GREENUP ) I, Teresa F. Gabbard, a notary public, do hereby certify that on this 29th day of January, 1987, personally appeared before me JOHN P. WARD, who, being duly sworn, declared that he is the Secretary of Ashland Oil, Inc., that he signed the foregoing document as such, and that the statements contained therein are true. My commission expires: October 9, 1989 /Teresa F. Gabbard/ ------------------------- Teresa F. Gabbard Notary Public Prepared by John P. Ward 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky /John P. Ward/ - ----------------------------- John P. Ward 9 [STAMP] [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 30 DAY OF JUNE THE 30 DAY OF JANUARY 1987 AT 9:57 AM. RECORDED 1987 AT 10:47 AM. RECORDED IN ART OF INC. BOOK IN ART OF INC. BOOK NO. 9 PAGE 552 NO. 25 PAGE 470 TAX ________ FEES $5.50 TAX $________ FEE $5.50 DONALD DAVIDSON, CLERK WILLIAM A. SELBEE, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BOYD COUNTY BY JOAN BURNETT, D.C. BY: DONNA MARCUM, D.C. [STAMP] ORIGINAL COPY FILED SECRETARY OF STATE OF KENTUCKY FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY JANUARY 29, 1987 12:50 PM DREXELL R. DAVIS ASHLAND OIL, INC. CERTIFICATE AND STATEMENT OF RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES OF 1987, AND FIXING AND DETERMINING CERTAIN RIGHTS THEREOF AND THE NUMBER OF SHARES INITIALLY ISSUABLE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that THOMAS L. FEAZELL, as a Vice President, and JOHN P. WARD, as the Secretary, of ASHLAND OIL INC., a Kentucky corporation (the "Company"), do hereby certify that at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company duly called and held in accordance with the laws of Kentucky and the By-laws of the Company on January 29, 1987, the following resolution establishing and designating the Series of 1987 of the Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company and fixing and determining certain rights thereof and the number of shares initially issuable was duly adopted. "RESOLVED, that, pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") by the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the "Articles"), this Board of Directors hereby establishes and designates a series of Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company and fixes and determines the number of shares to be initially issuable in such series and the relative rights and preferences thereof (in addition to the relative rights and preferences thereof set forth in the Articles which are applicable to Cumulative Preferred Stock of all series) as follows: SECTION 1. Designation, Number of Shares and Stated Value. The shares of such series shall be designated as "Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series of 1987" (the "Series 1987 Preferred Stock"). The stated value per share of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be $25. The number of shares initially issuable and constituting the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be 10,000,000. SECTION 2. Dividends or Distributions. (a) The dividend rate for shares of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be per share per annum the amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the sum of the Formula Amounts with respect to each quarterly dividend payable pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock. The Formula Amount with respect to each such quarterly dividend payable shall be the greater of (1) $1.25 or (2) the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate per whole share amount of (x) dividends payable in cash and (y) dividends or distributions payable in assets, securities or other forms of non-cash consideration (other than dividends or distributions solely in shares of common stock, par value $1.00 of the Company or any stock into which such common stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by the second proviso of this Section 2(a) (the "Common Stock")), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding date on which a quarterly dividend was payable under Section 2(b) hereof on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock (a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date") or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the aggregate per whole share amount of all non-cash dividends or distributions with respect to each quarterly payment of dividends on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be the cash amount equivalent to the fair market value of all non-cash dividends or distributions as determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be final and binding. On or before the record date fixed or determined pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof for each Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the date of issuance of any shares of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock, the Company shall submit for filing with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky a certificate which sets forth the dividend payable for each share of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock on such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date determined in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2(a). As used herein, the "Formula Number" shall be 10; provided, however, that if at any time after January 29, 1987, the Company shall (i) pay a dividend (regardless of when declared) or make a distribution, on its outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise) or split the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares that are outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the nearest whole number); and provided further that if at any time after January 29, 1987, the Company shall reclassify or change the outstanding shares of Common Stock into some other stock (including any such reclassification or change in connection with a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation), then in such event the Formula Number shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such reclassification or change. (b) Except as otherwise provided in the provisions of Article IV of the Articles, and unless prohibited by Kentucky law, the Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a), out of funds legally available therefor, immediately prior to the time it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution in shares of Common Stock), and such dividend or distribution on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV of the Articles) be payable on the same date on which the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock is payable, to holders of shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on the record date fixed by the Board of Directors, which shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV of the Articles) be the same as the record date for the corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock; provided, however, that, in the event no dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution in shares of Common Stock) shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the three month period after any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date (or with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date during the three month period after the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock), a dividend of $1.25 per share on the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall, unless prohibited by Kentucky law, nevertheless be payable, out of funds legally available therefor, 30 days after the last day of such three month period to holders of shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on the record date, which shall (except as otherwise provided in Article IV of the Articles) be 5 days after the last day of such three month period. SECTION 3. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in the provisions of Article IV of the Articles and by the provisions of applicable law, the holders of shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights: (a) Each holder of record of one whole share of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a number of votes equal to the Formula Number then in effect on all matters on which holders of the Common Stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Each holder of record of a fraction of a share of the Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be entitled, for each one-tenth (1/10th) of a share, to a number of votes equal to one-tenth (1/10th) of the Formula Number then in effect on all matters on which holders of the Common Stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote; and (b) The holders of shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the election of directors of the Company and on all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company. SECTION 4. Liquidation Rights. Upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and before any distribution is made to the holders of Common Stock, the holder of each full share or fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus an amount per whole share equal to the greater of (1) $25 per share or (2) the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock. SECTION 5. Consolidation, Merger, etc. Except as otherwise provided in Article IV of the Articles, in case the Company shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then in any such case the then outstanding shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. SECTION 6. No Redemption. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5, the shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Company or at the option of any holder of Series 1987 Preferred 2 Stock; provided, however, that the Company may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of Series 1987 Preferred Stock. SECTION 7. Fractional Shares. The Series 1987 Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated as of May 15, 1986, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent, as amended, (a copy of which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), in whole shares or, at the option of the Company, in any fraction of a share that is one-tenth (1/10th) of a share or any integral multiple of such fraction. At the election of the Company prior to the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock, either (1) certificates may be issued to evidence any such authorized fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock, or (2) any such authorized fraction of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock may be evidenced by scrip or warrants in registered form which shall entitle the holder thereof to receive a certificate for a full share upon the surrender of such scrip or warrants aggregating a full share. The holders of such scrip or warrants shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which the holders of fractional shares are entitled. In lieu of such fractional shares or scrip or warrants, the Company may pay registered holders cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a share of Series 1987 Preferred Stock (if any are outstanding) or the equivalent number of shares of Common Stock. SECTION 8. Amendments. The Board of Directors reserves the right by subsequent amendment of this resolution from time to time to increase and, in its discretion, to decrease the number of shares issuable in this series and in other respects to amend this resolution within the limitations provided by Kentucky law and the Articles. SECTION 9. Definitions. For purposes of this resolution, all terms defined in the Articles shall have the same meaning herein, except as otherwise specifically provided herein." IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness our signatures this 29th day of January, 1987. /Thomas L. Feazell/ ---------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell Vice President /John P. Ward/ ---------------------------- John P. Ward Secretary COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ) ) SS: COUNTY OF GREENUP ) I, Teresa F, Gabbard, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this 29th day of January, 1987, personally appeared before me JOHN P. WARD, who being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is the Secretary of ASHLAND OIL,INC., and that he signed the foregoing document as Secretary of the Company and that the statements therein contained are true. /TERESA F. GABBARD/ ------------------------------ Notary Public [STAMP] Prepared by: TERESA F. GABBARD John P. Ward My Commission expires October 9, 1989 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky 41169 /John P. Ward/ - ------------------------------- John P. Ward 3 [STAMP] [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 30 DAY OF JANUARY THE 30 DAY OF JANUARY 1987 AT 10:46 AM. RECORDED 1987 AT 9:56 AM. RECORDED IN ART OF INC. BOOK IN ART OF INC. BOOK NO. 25 PAGE 461 NO. 9 PAGE 543 TAX ________ FEES $14.50 TAX $________ FEE $14.50 WILLIAM A. SELBEE, CLERK DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK BOYD COUNTY GREENUP COUNTY BY: DONNA MARCUM, D.C. BY JOAN BURNETT, D.C. [STAMP] ORIGINAL COPY FILED SECRETARY OF STATE OF KENTUCKY, FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY JAN 28, 1988 11:05 AM BREMER EHRLER SECRETARY OF STATE AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND OIL, INC. AMENDMENT NO. 1 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that Thomas L. Feazell, as Vice President, and John P. Ward, as Secretary of Ashland Oil, Inc., a Kentucky corporation (the "Company") do hereby certify that, at a meeting on January 28, 1988 of the holders of its issued and outstanding stock, which meeting was duly called upon notice of the specific purpose, the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote adopted a new Article X of the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") of the Company which reads in its entirety as follows: Notwithstanding any right to indemnification provided by the Act to any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, the Company may, but shall not be required to, to the maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify any such person against costs and expenses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees) and any liabilities (including but not limited to judgments, fines, penalties and settlements) paid by or imposed against any such person in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other (including any appeal relating thereto) and whether made or brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, in which any such person is involved, whether as a party, witness, or otherwise, because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, employee benefit plan or other entity. The indemnification authorized by this Article X shall not supersede or be exclusive of any other right of indemnification which any such person may have or hereafter acquire under any provision of these Articles or the By-laws of the Company, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. The Company may take such steps as may be deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors to provide indemnification to any such person, including, without limitation, entering into contracts for indemnification between the Company and individual directors, officers, employees or agents which may provide rights to indemnification which are broader or otherwise different than the rights authorized by this Article. The Company may take such steps as may be deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors to secure, subject to the occurrence of such conditions or events as may be determined by the Board of Directors, the payment of such amounts as are required to effect any indemnification permitted or authorized by this Article, including, without limitation, purchasing and maintaining insurance, creating a trust fund, granting security interests or using other means (including, without limitation, irrevocable letters of credit). Any amendment or repeal of this Article X shall operate prospectively only and shall not affect any action taken, or failure to act, by the Company or any such person prior to such amendment or repeal. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness our signatures this 28th day of January, 1988. /Thomas L. Feazell/ /John P. Ward/ - ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell, Vice President John P. Ward, Secretary COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ) ) SS: COUNTY OF GREENUP ) I, Valerie J. Parks, Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this 28th day of January, 1988, personally appeared before me JOHN P. WARD, who being by me first duly sworn, declared that he is the Secretary of ASHLAND OIL, INC., and that he signed the foregoing document as such and that the statements therein contained are true. /VALERIE J. PARKS/ ---------------------------------- VALERIE J. PARKS [STAMP] VALERIE J. PARKS Prepared by John P. Ward My Commission expires November 11, 1000 Ashland Drive, 1990 Russell, Kentucky /John P. Ward/ - -------------------------------- John P. Ward [STAMP] [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 29th DAY OF JANUARY THE 29 DAY OF JANUARY 1988 AT 10:55 AM. RECORDED 1988 AT 10:15 AM. RECORDED IN ART OF INC. BOOK IN ART OF INC. BOOK NO. 25 PAGE _________ NO. 10 PAGE 169 TAX ________FEES $5.50 TAX $________ FEE $5.50 WILLIAM A. SELBEE, CLERK DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK BOYD COUNTY GREENUP COUNTY BY: D.R. MARCUM, D.C. BY: MARY STULTZ, D.C. [STAMP] DATE: JANUARY 27, 1989 TIME: 2:02 PM AMOUNT: $40.00 BREMER EHRLER SECRETARY OF STATE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND OIL, INC. AMENDMENT NO. 2 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 271B.10-060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation adopts the following articles of amendment to its Second Restated Articles of Incorporation: FIRST: The name of the corporation is Ashland Oil, Inc. SECOND: At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on November 3, 1988, the Board of Directors proposed that the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation be amended by adding a new Article XI, and directed that the proposed amendment be submitted to the shareholders with the affirmative recommendation of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the company's shareholders to be held on January 26, 1989 (the "Meeting"), which Meeting was duly called upon notice of the specific purpose. The text of the new Article XI is as follows: ARTICLE XI No director shall be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of his duties as a director except to the extent that the applicable law from time to time in effect shall provide that such liability may not be eliminated or limited. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article XI shall affect the liability of any director of the Company with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment or repeal. This Article XI is not intended to eliminate or limit any protection otherwise available to the directors of the Company. THIRD: There were 58,707,121 shares of Ashland Oil, Inc. Common Stock, each of which was entitled to cast one vote, outstanding at December 8, 1988, the record date for the Meeting, which represent all of the shares entitled to vote on such amendment. FOURTH: There were 50,687,052 shares of Ashland Oil, Inc. Common Stock indisputably represented at the Meeting. FIFTH: The total number of votes cast for such amendment was 47,745,995 and the total number of votes cast against such amendment was 2,231,353. Dated January 27, 1989. ASHLAND OIL, INC. /Thomas L. Feazell/ By: _____________________________ Thomas L. Feazell Administrative Vice President and General Counsel and /John P. Ward/ ----------------------------- John P. Ward Secretary COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ) COUNTY OF GREENUP ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 27th day of January, 1989, by Thomas L. Feazell, Administrative Vice President and General Counsel, and John P. Ward, Secretary, of ASHLAND OIL, INC., a Kentucky corporation, on behalf of the corporation. /Valerie J. Parks/ ------------------------------- Valerie J. Parks Notary Public [STAMP] VALERIE J. PARKS Prepared by John P. Ward My Commission Expires November 11, 1000 Ashland Drive 1990 Russell, Kentucky 41114 /John P. Ward/ - ------------------------- [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 30 DAY OF JANUARY 1989 AT 9:40 AM. RECORDED IN ART OF INC. BOOK NO. 10 PAGE 423 TAX $________ FEE $5.50 DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BY JOAN BURNETT, D.C. [STAMP] NO. LODGED FOR RECORD THE 30 DAY OF JAN 1989 AT 10:25 AM RECORDED IN ART OF INC BOOK NO. 26 PAGE 522 [STAMP] RECEIVED & FILED CH $40.00 MAY 18 10:52 AM 93 BOB BABBAGE SECRETARY OF STATE COMMONWEALTH KENTUCKY ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND OIL, INC. AMENDMENT NO. 3 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 271B.10-060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation adopts the following articles of amendment to set forth the preferences, limitations and relative rights of a series of shares of its Cumulative Preferred Stock, no par value, under Article IV of its Second Restated Articles of Incorporation: FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Ashland Oil, Inc. SECOND: The text of the amendment determining the terms of the series of shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock is as follows: I. Designation of Series and Number of Shares to be Issuable Therein. This series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be designated $3.125 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (hereinafter called the "Convertible Preferred Stock"), of which 6,000,000 shares shall be issuable. II. Rank. All shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall rank prior, both as to payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, to all of the Corporation's now or hereafter issued Common Stock (the "Common Stock"), to all of the Corporation s Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series of 1987, when and if issued, and to all of the Corporation s hereafter issued capital stock ranking junior to the Convertible Preferred Stock both as to the payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, when and if issued (the Common Stock, the Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series of 1987, and any such other capital stock being herein referred to as "Junior Stock"). III. Dividends. The holders of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds at the time legally available therefor, dividends at the rate of $3.125 per annum per share, and no more, which shall be fully cumulative, shall accrue without interest from the date of the initial issuance of such shares of Convertible Preferred Stock (on a daily basis whether or not such amounts would be available at that time for distribution to holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock) and shall be payable in cash quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year commencing June 15, 1993 (with respect to the period from such date of initial issuance to June 15, 1993) (except that if any such date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then such dividend shall be payable on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday) to holders of record as they appear upon the stock transfer books of the Corporation on such record dates, not more than sixty days nor less than ten days preceding the payment dates for such dividends, as are fixed by the Board of Directors (or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a duly authorized committee thereof). In no event shall any such dividend record date be fixed less than (a) six business days prior to any date fixed for the redemption of the Convertible Preferred Stock or (b) with respect to the dividend payment date occurring on March 15, 1997, less than ten business days prior to any date fixed for such redemption. For purposes hereof, the term "legal holiday" shall mean any day on which banking institutions are authorized to close in New York, New York and the term "business day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Subject to the next paragraph of this Section III, dividends on account of arrears for any past dividend period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any regular dividend payment date. The amount of dividends payable per share of Convertible Preferred Stock for each quarterly dividend period shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend amount by four. The amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period and any period shorter than a full quarterly period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. No interest shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the Convertible Preferred Stock which may be in arrears. No dividends or other distributions, other than dividends payable solely in shares of Junior Stock, shall be 1 declared, paid or set apart for payment on shares of Junior Stock or any other capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior as to dividends to the Convertible Preferred Stock (the Junior Stock and any such other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock being herein referred to as "Junior Dividend Stock"), unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or before the payment date of such dividends or other distributions on Junior Dividend Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. No payment on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of shares of Junior Dividend Stock or any other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock ranking junior to the Convertible Preferred Stock as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (the Junior Stock and any other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock ranking junior to the Convertible Preferred Stock as to such distributions being herein referred to as "Junior Liquidation Stock") shall be made unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or before such payment for such Junior Dividend Stock or Junior Liquidation Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment; provided, however, that the restrictions set forth in this sentence shall not apply to the purchase or other acquisition of Junior Dividend Stock or Junior Liquidation Stock either (A) pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter adopted or (B) in exchange solely for Junior Stock. No full dividends shall be declared, paid or set apart for payment on shares of any class or series of the corporation's capital stock hereafter issued ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with the Convertible Preferred Stock (any such class or series of the Corporation's capital stock being herein referred to as "Parity Dividend Stock") for any period unless full cumulative dividends have been, or contemporaneously are, paid or declared and set apart for such payment on the Convertible Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or before the payment date of such dividends on Parity Dividend Stock. No dividends shall be paid on Parity Dividend Stock except on dates on which dividends are paid on the Convertible Preferred Stock. All dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment on the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment pro rata so that the amount of dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment per share on the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock on any date shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of payment on the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Parity Dividend Stock bear to each other. No payment on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of shares of Junior Stock, Parity Dividend Stock or any class or series of the Corporation's capital stock ranking on a parity with the Convertible Preferred Stock as to distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (any such class or series of the Corporation's capital stock being herein referred to as "Parity Liquidation Stock") shall be made, and, other than dividends to the extent permitted by the preceding paragraph, no distributions shall be declared, paid or set apart for payment on shares of Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation Stock, unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock for all dividend payment periods ending on or before such payment for, or the payment date of such distributions on, such Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation Stock shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment; provided, however, that the restrictions set forth in this sentence shall not apply to the purchase or other acquisition of Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation Stock either (A) pursuant to any employee or director incentive or benefit plan or arrangement (including any employment, severance or consulting agreement) of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation hereafter adopted or (B) in exchange solely for Junior Stock. Any reference to "distribution" contained in this Section III shall not be deemed, except as expressly stated, to include any distribution made in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary. IV. Liquidation Preference. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, 2 whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders an amount equal to the dividends accrued and unpaid on such shares on the date of final distribution to such holders, whether or not declared, without interest, plus a sum equal to $50 per share, and no more, before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed to the holders of shares of Junior Liquidation Stock; provided, however, that such rights shall accrue to the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock only with respect to assets (if any) remaining after the Corporation's payments with respect to the liquidation preferences of the shares of any class or series of the Corporation capital stock hereafter issued ranking prior to the Convertible Preferred Stock as to distributions of assets upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up ("Senior Liquidation Stock") are fully met. The entire assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders after the liquidation preferences of the shares of Senior Liquidation Stock are fully met shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock and Parity Liquidation Stock in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which each is entitled (but only to the extent of such preferential amounts). After payment in full of the liquidation preferences of the shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock, the holders of such shares shall not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Corporation. The voluntary sale, lease, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's property or assets to, or its consolidation or merger with, one or more corporations shall not be deemed to be considered a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. V. Redemption at Option of the Corporation. The Convertible Preferred Stock may not be redeemed by the Corporation prior to March 25, 1997. On and after such date, the Convertible Preferred Stock may be redeemed by the Corporation, at its option on any date set by the Board of Directors, in whole or in part at any time, subject to the limitations, if any, imposed by the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, for an amount in cash equal to the applicable price per share set forth for the date fixed for redemption in the following table: Date Fixed for Redemption Price On or after March 25, 1997 and on or before March 14,1998. $51.88 After March 14, 1998 and on or before March 14, 1999...... $51.56 After March 14, 1999 and on or before March 14, 2000...... $51.25 After March 14, 2000 and on or before March 14, 2001...... $50.94 After March 14, 2001 and on or before March 14, 2002...... $50.63 After March 14, 2002 and on or before March 14, 2003...... $50.31 Any date after March 14, 2003............................. $50.00 plus, in each case, an amount in cash equal to all per share dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock accrued and unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, to but excluding the date fixed for redemption, such sum being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price". In case of the redemption of less than all of the then outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall designate by lot, or in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair, the shares to be redeemed, or shall effect such redemption pro rata. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not redeem less than all of the Convertible Preferred Stock at any time outstanding until all dividends accrued and in arrears upon all Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been paid in full for all past dividend periods. Not more than ninety nor less than thirty days prior to the date fixed for redemption by the Board of Directors, notice thereof by first class mail, postage prepaid, shall be given to the holders of record of the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock to be redeemed, addressed to such holders at their last addresses as shown upon the stock transfer books of the Corporation. Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption, the Redemption Price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, that on and after the date fixed for redemption dividends will cease to accrue on such shares, the then-effective conversion price pursuant to Section VI and that the right of holders to convert shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall terminate at the close of business on 3 the fifth business day prior to the date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price). Any notice that is mailed as herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock receives such notice; and failure to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice, to the holders of any shares designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Convertible Preferred Stock. On or after the date fixed for redemption as stated in such notice, each holder of the shares called for redemption shall surrender the certificate evidencing such shares to the Corporation at the place designated in such notice and shall thereupon be entitled to receive payment of the Redemption Price. If less than all the shares evidenced by any such surrendered certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued evidencing the unredeemed shares. No fractional shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be issued upon redemption of less than all Convertible Preferred Stock. If more than one certificate evidencing shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be held at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares issuable upon redemption of less than all of such shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock so held. Instead of any fractional share of Convertible Preferred Stock that would otherwise be issuable to a holder upon redemption of less than all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share in an amount equal to the same fraction of the fair value per share of Convertible Preferred Stock (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or in any manner prescribed by the Board of Directors) at the close of business on the date fixed for redemption. Notice having been given as aforesaid, if, on the date fixed for redemption, funds necessary for the redemption shall be available therefor and shall have been deposited with a bank or trust company with irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, then, notwithstanding that the certificates evidencing any shares so called for redemption shall not have been surrendered, dividends with respect to the shares so called shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, such shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding, the holders thereof shall cease to be shareholders of the Corporation and all rights whatsoever with respect to the shares so called for redemption (except the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price without interest upon surrender of their certificates therefor) shall terminate. If funds legally available for such purpose are not sufficient for redemption of the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock which were to be redeemed, then the certificates evidencing such shares shall be deemed not to be surrendered, such shares shall remain outstanding and the right of holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock thereafter shall continue to be only those of a holder of shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock. The shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be subject to the operation of any mandatory purchase, retirement or sinking fund. VI. Conversion Privilege. (a) Right of Conversion. Each share of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof, at any time prior to the close of business on the fifth business day prior to the date fixed for redemption of such share as herein provided, into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock, at the rate of that number of shares of Common Stock for each full share of Convertible Preferred Stock that is equal to $50 divided by the conversion price applicable per share of Common Stock, or into such additional or other securities, cash or property and at such other rates as required in accordance with the provisions of this Section VI. For purposes of this resolution, the "conversion price" applicable per share of Common Stock shall initially be equal to $32.343 and shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section VI. (b) Conversion Procedures. Any holder of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock desiring to convert such shares into Common Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates evidencing such shares of Convertible 4 Preferred Stock at the office of the transfer agent for the Convertible Preferred Stock, which certificate or certificates, if the Corporation shall so require, shall be duly endorsed to the Corporation or in blank, or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer to the Corporation or in blank, accompanied by irrevocable written notice to the Corporation that the holder elects so to convert such shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and specifying the name or names (with address or addresses) in which a certificate or certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock are to be issued. Subject to Section VI(l) hereof, no payments or adjustments in respect of dividends on shares of Convertible Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividend on the Common Stock issued upon conversion shall be made upon the conversion of any shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the holder will lose any right to payment of dividends on the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such deposit of certificates evidencing shares of Convertible Preferred Stock accompanied by the written notice and compliance with any other conditions herein contained, deliver at such office of such transfer agent to the person for whose account such shares of Convertible Preferred Stock were so surrendered, or to the nominee or nominees of such person, certificates evidencing the number of full shares of Common Stock to which such person shall be entitled as aforesaid, together with a cash adjustment in respect of any fraction of a share of Common Stock as hereinafter provided. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of such surrender of the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted, and the person or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of such Convertible Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common Stock on such date. (c) Adjustment of Conversion Price. The conversion price at which a share of Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows: (i) In case the Corporation shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock exclusively in Common Stock or shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution on any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation which dividend or distribution includes Common Stock, the conversion price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be reduced by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. (ii) In case the Corporation shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock consisting exclusively of, or shall otherwise issue to all holders of its Common Stock, rights or warrants entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the current market price per share (determined as provided in subparagraph (vi) of this Section VI(c)) of the Common Stock on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants, the conversion price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be reduced by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at such current market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such reduction to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such determination. In case any rights or warrants referred to in this subparagraph (ii) in respect of which an adjustment shall have been made shall 5 expire unexercised within 45 days after the same shall have been distributed or issued by the Corporation, the conversion price shall be readjusted at the time of such expiration to the conversion price that would have been in effect if no adjustment had been made on account of the distribution or issuance of such expired rights or warrants. For the purposes of this Section VI(c)(ii), if both (A) a Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and (B) an event set forth in Section 11(d)(i) or 13(a) of the Rights Agreement shall have occurred, then the later to occur of such events shall be deemed to constitute an issuance of rights to purchase shares of the related common stock. (iii) In case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the conversion price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, the conversion price in effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately increased, such reduction or increase, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or combination becomes effective. (iv) Subject to the last sentence of this subparagraph (iv), in case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of any class or series of capital stock, cash or assets (including securities, but excluding any rights or warrants referred to in subparagraph (ii) of this Section VI(c), any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash and any dividend or distribution referred to in subparagraph (i) of this Section VI(c)), the conversion price shall be reduced so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of the conversion price reduction contemplated by this subparagraph (iv) by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share (determined as provided in subparagraph (vi) of this Section VI(c)) of the Common Stock on the date fixed for the payment of such distribution (the "Reference Date") less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors), on the Reference Date, of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash and assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the Reference Date. If the Board of Directors determines the fair market value of any distribution for purposes of this subparagraph (iv) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities comprising such distribution, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the current market price per share of Common Stock pursuant to subparagraph (vi) of this Section VI(c). For purposes of this subparagraph (iv), any dividend or distribution that includes shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, cash, assets or shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants (making any further conversion price reduction required by this subparagraph (iv) immediately followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or warrants (making any further conversion price reduction required by subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section VI(c), except (A) the Reference Date of such dividend or distribution as defined in this subparagraph (iv) shall be substituted as "the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution or to exchange such Rights", "the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants" and "the date fixed for such determination" within the meaning of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section VI(c) and (B) any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed "outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination" within the meaning of subparagraph (i) of this Section VI(c)). (v) In case the Corporation shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock exclusively in cash (excluding (A) cash that is part of a distribution referred to in (iv) above and, (B) in the 6 case of any quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock, the portion thereof that does not exceed the per share amount of the next preceding quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section VI(c)), or all of such quarterly cash dividend if the amount thereof per share of Common Stock multiplied by four does not exceed 15 percent of the current market price per share (determined as provided in subparagraph (vi) of this Section VI(c) of the Common Stock on the Trading Day (as defined in Section VI(i) next preceding the date of declaration of such dividend), the conversion price shall be reduced so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the conversion price in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of the conversion price reduction contemplated by this subparagraph (v) by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price per share (determined as provided in subparagraph (vi) of this Section VI(c)) of the Common Stock on the date fixed for the payment of such distribution less the amount of cash so distributed and not excluded as provided above applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be such current market price per share of the Common Stock, such reduction to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for the payment of such distribution. (vi) For the purpose of any computation under subparagraphs (ii), (iv) and (v) of this Section VI(c), the current market price per share of Common Stock on any date in question shall be deemed to be the average of the daily Closing Prices (as defined in Section VI(i)) for the five consecutive Trading Days prior to and including the date in question; provided, however, that (1) if the "ex" date (as hereinafter defined) for any event (other than the issuance or distribution requiring such computation) that requires an adjustment to the conversion price pursuant to subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) above ("Other Event") occurs after the fifth Trading Day prior to the day in question and prior to the "ex" date for the issuance or distribution requiring such computation (the "Current Event"), the Closing Price for each Trading Day prior to the "ex" date for such Other Event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the same fraction by which the conversion price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such Other Event, (2) if the "ex" date, for any Other Event occurs after the "ex" date for the Current Event and on or prior to the date in question, the Closing Price for each Trading Day on and after the "ex" date for such Other Event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Closing Price by the reciprocal of the fraction by which the conversion price is so required to be adjusted as a result of such Other Event, (3) if the "ex" date for any Other Event occurs on the "ex" date for the Current Event, one of those events shall be deemed for purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of this proviso to have an "ex" date occurring prior to the "ex" date for the other event, and (4) if the "ex" date for the Current Event is on or prior to the date in question, after taking into account any adjustment required pursuant to clause (2) of this proviso, the Closing Price for each Trading Day on or after such "ex" date shall be adjusted by adding thereto the amount of any cash and the fair market value on the date in question (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors in a manner consistent with any determination of such value for purposes of paragraph (iv) or (v) of this Section VI(c), whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors) of the portion of the rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock or assets being distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "ex" date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Price was obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution and (2) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective. (vii) No adjustment in the conversion price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1 percent in the conversion price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this subparagraph (vii) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. 7 (viii) Whenever the conversion price is adjusted as herein provided: (1) the Corporation shall compute the adjusted conversion price and shall prepare a certificate signed by the Treasurer of the Corporation setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith be filed with the transfer agent for the Convertible Preferred Stock; and (2) a notice stating that the conversion price has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted conversion price shall forthwith be required, and as soon as practicable after it is required, such notice shall be mailed by the Corporation to all record holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the stock transfer books of the Corporation. (ix) The Corporation from time to time may reduce the conversion price by any amount for any period of time if the period is at least twenty days, the reduction is irrevocable during the period and the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have made a determination that such reduction would be in the best interest of the Corporation, which determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the conversion price is reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall mail to holders of record of the Convertible Preferred Stock a notice of the reduction at least fifteen days prior to the date the reduced conversion price takes effect, and such notice shall state the reduced conversion price and the period it will be in effect. (d) No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock. If more than one certificate evidencing shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock so surrendered. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable to a holder upon conversion of any shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fractional share in an amount equal to the same fraction of the market price per share of Common Stock (as determined by the Board of Directors or in any manner prescribed by the Board of Directors, which, so long as the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, shall be the reported last sale price regular way on the New York Stock Exchange) at the close of business on the day of conversion. (e) Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. In the event that the Corporation shall be a party to any transaction (including without limitation any recapitalization or reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination of the Common Stock), any consolidation of the Corporation with, or merger of the Corporation into, any other person, any merger of another person into the Corporation (other than a merger which does not result in a reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation), any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or any share exchange) pursuant to which the Common Stock is converted into the right to receive other securities, cash or other property, then lawful provisions shall be made as part of the terms of such transaction whereby the holder of each share of Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have the right thereafter to convert such share only into (i) in the case of any such transaction other than a Common Stock Fundamental Change and subject to funds being legally available for such purpose under applicable law at the time of such conversion, the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation into which such share of Convertible Preferred Stock might have been converted immediately prior to such transaction, after giving effect, in the case of any Non-Stock Fundamental Change, to any adjustment in the conversion price required by the provisions of Section VI(h), and (ii) in the case of a Common Stock Fundamental Change, common stock of the kind received by holders of Common Stock as a result of such Common Stock Fundamental Change in an amount determined pursuant to the provisions of Section VI(h). The Corporation or the person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets or which acquires the Corporation's shares, as the case may be, shall make provisions in its certificate or articles of incorporation or other constituent document to 8 establish such right. Such certificate or articles of incorporation or other constituent document shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such certificate or articles of incorporation or other constituent document, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Section VI. The above provisions shall similarly apply to successive transactions of the foregoing type. (f) Reservation of Shares; Etc. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights out of its authorized and unissued stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock, such number of shares of its Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock from time to time outstanding. The Corporation shall from time to time, in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to cause the authorized number of shares of Common Stock to be increased if at any time the number of shares of authorized and unissued Common Stock shall not be sufficient to permit the conversion of all the then-outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock. If any shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes of conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or State law before such shares may be issued upon conversion, the Corporation will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to cause such shares to be duly registered or approved as the case may be. If the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange, the Corporation will, if permitted by the rules of such exchange, list and keep listed on such exchange, upon official notice of issuance, all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock. (g) Prior Notice of Certain Events. In case: (i) the Corporation shall (1) declare any dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock, other than (A) a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or (B) a dividend payable in cash out of its retained earnings other than any special or nonrecurring or other extraordinary dividend or (2) declare or authorize a redemption or repurchase of in excess of 10 percent of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock; or (ii) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of stock of any class or series or of any other rights or warrants; or (iii) of any reclassification of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination of the outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which approval of any shareholders of the Corporation shall be required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or of any share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or other property; or (iv) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; then the Corporation shall cause to be filed with the transfer agent for the Convertible Preferred Stock, and shall cause to be mailed to the holders of record of the Convertible Preferred Stock, at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the stock transfer books of the Corporation, at least fifteen days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record (if any) is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, repurchase, rights or warrants or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation or winding up (but no failure to mail such notice or any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice). 9 (h) Adjustments in Case of Fundamental Changes. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section VI to the contrary, if any Fundamental Change (as defined in Section VI(i) occurs, then the conversion price in effect will be adjusted immediately after such Fundamental Change as described below. In addition, in the event of a Common Stock Fundamental Change (as defined in Section VI(i), each share of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible solely into common stock of the kind received by holders of Common Stock as the result of such Common Stock Fundamental Change. For purposes of calculating any adjustment to be made pursuant to this Section VI(h) in the event of a Fundamental Change, immediately after such Fundamental Change: (i) in the case of a Non-Stock Fundamental Change (as defined in Section VI(i)), the conversion price of the Convertible Preferred Stock shall thereupon become the lower of (A) the conversion price in effect immediately prior to such Non-Stock Fundamental Change, but after giving effect to any other prior adjustments effected pursuant to this Section VI, and (B) the result obtained by multiplying the greater of the Applicable Price (as defined in Section VI(i)) or the then applicable Reference Market Price (as defined in Section VI(i)) by a fraction of which the numerator shall be $50 and the denominator shall be (x) the then-current Redemption Price per share of Convertible Preferred Stock or (y) for any Non-Stock Fundamental Change that occurs before the Convertible Preferred Stock becomes redeemable by the Corporation pursuant to Section V, the applicable price per share set forth for the date of such Non-Stock Fundamental Change in the following table: Date of Non-Stock Fundamental Change Price After date of original issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock and on or before March 14,1994................. $53.13 After March 14, 1994 and on or before March 14,1995.......... . $52.81 After March 14, 1995 and on or before March 14,1996. .......... $52.50 After March 14, 1996 and on or before March 24,1997............ $52.19 plus, in any case referred to in this clause (y), an amount equal to all per share dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock accrued and unpaid thereon, whether or not declared, to but excluding the date of such Non-Stock Fundamental Change; and (ii) in the case of a Common Stock Fundamental Change, the conversion price of the Convertible Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to such Common Stock Fundamental Change, but after giving effect to any other prior adjustments effected pursuant to this Section VI, shall thereupon be adjusted by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the Purchaser Stock Price (as defined in Section VI(i)) and the denominator shall be the Applicable Price; provided, however, that in the event of a Common Stock Fundamental Change in which (A) 100 percent by value of the consideration received by a holder of Common Stock is common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash, if any, is paid with respect to any fractional interests in such common stock resulting from such Common Stock Fundamental Change) and (B) all of the Common Stock shall have been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for common stock (and cash with respect to fractional interests) of the successor, acquiror or other third party, the conversion price of the Convertible Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to such Common Stock Fundamental Change shall thereupon be adjusted by multiplying such conversion price by a fraction of which the numerator shall be one (1) and the denominator shall be the number of shares of common stock of the successor, acquiror, or other third party received by a holder of one share of Common Stock as a result of such Common Stock Fundamental Change. (i) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to terms used in this Section VI: (1) "Applicable Price" shall mean (i) in the event of a Non-Stock Fundamental Change in which the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash received by the holder of one share of Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any other Non-Stock Fundamental Change or any Common Stock Fundamental Change, the average of the daily Closing Prices of the Common Stock for the ten consecutive 10 Trading Days prior to and including the record date for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive cash, securities, property or other assets in connection with such Non-Stock Fundamental Change or Common Stock Fundamental Change, or, if there is no such record date, the date upon which the holders of the Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or other assets, in each case, as adjusted in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of Section VI(c). (2) "Closing Price" of any common stock on any day shall mean the last reported sale price regular way on such day or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way of the common stock in each case on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the common stock is not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange or quotation system on which the common stock is listed or admitted to trading or quoted, or, if not listed or admitted to trading or quoted on any national securities exchange or quotation system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of the common stock in the over-the-counter market on the day in question as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated, or a similarly generally accepted reporting service, or, if not so available in such manner, as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation for that purpose. (3) "Common Stock Fundamental Change" shall mean any Fundamental Change in which more than 50 percent by value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation) of the consideration received by holders of Common Stock consists of common stock that for each of the ten consecutive Trading Days referred to with respect to such Fundamental Change in Section VI(i)(1) above has been admitted for listing or admitted for listing subject to notice of issuance on a national securities exchange or quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") National Market System; provided, however, that a Fundamental Change shall not be a Common Stock Fundamental Change unless either (i) the Corporation continues to exist after the occurrence of such Fundamental Change and the outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock continue to exist as outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, or (ii) not later than the occurrence of such Fundamental Change, the outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock are converted into or exchanged for shares of convertible preferred stock of a corporation succeeding to the business of the Corporation, which convertible preferred stock has powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions, substantially similar to those of the Convertible Preferred Stock. (4) "Fundamental Change" shall mean the occurrence of any transaction or event in connection with a plan pursuant to which all or substantially all of the Common Stock shall be exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute solely the right to receive cash, securities, property or other assets (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise); provided, however, in the case of a plan involving more than one such transaction or event, for purposes of adjustment of the conversion price, such Fundamental Change shall be deemed to have occurred when substantially all of the Common Stock of the Corporation shall be exchanged for, converted into, or acquired for or constitute solely the right to receive cash, securities, property or other assets, but the adjustment shall be based upon the highest weighted average of consideration per share which a holder of Common Stock could have received in such transactions or events as a result of which more than 50 percent of the Common Stock of the Corporation shall have been exchanged for, converted into, or acquired for or constitute solely the right to receive cash, securities, property or other assets. (5) "Non-Stock Fundamental Change" shall mean any Fundamental Change other than a Common Stock Fundamental Change. (6) "Purchaser Stock Price" shall mean, with respect to any Common Stock Fundamental Change, the average of the daily Closing Prices of the Common Stock received in such Common Stock Fundamental Change for the ten consecutive Trading Days prior to and including the record date for the determination of the holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such common stock, or, if there is no such record date, 11 the date upon which the holders of the Common Stock shall have the right to receive such common stock, in each case, as adjusted in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of Section VI(c); provided, however, if no such Closing Prices of the common stock for such Trading Days exist, then the Purchaser Stock Price shall be set at a price determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. (7) "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $17.25 (which is an amount equal to 66 2/3 percent of the reported last sale price for the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 13, 1993), and in the event of any adjustment to the conversion price other than as a result of a Fundamental Change, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the ratio of the Reference Market Price to the conversion price after giving effect to any such adjustment shall always be the same as the ratio of $17.25 to the initial conversion price per share set forth in the last sentence of Section VI(a). (8) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which securities traded on the national securities exchange or quotation system or in the over-the-counter market used to determine the Closing Price. (j) Dividend or Interest Reinvestment Plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Corporation and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any such plan, and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any employee benefit plan or program of the Corporation or pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the date the Convertible Preferred Stock was first designated (except as expressly provided in Section VI(c)(1) or VI(c)(ii) with respect to certain events under the Rights Agreement), and any issuance of Rights (as hereinafter defined), shall not be deemed to constitute an issuance of Common Stock or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible securities by the Corporation to which any of the adjustment provisions described above applies. There shall also be no adjustment of the conversion price in case of the issuance of any stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock) of the Corporation except as specifically described in this Section VI. If any action would require adjustment of the conversion price pursuant to more than one of the provisions described above, only one adjustment shall be made and such adjustment shall be the amount of adjustment which has the highest absolute value to holders of Convertible Preferred Stock. (k) Preferred Share Purchase Rights. So long as Preferred Share Purchase Rights of the kind declared and distributed by the Corporation's Board of Directors in May 1986, as the same have been and may hereafter be amended ("Rights"), are attached to the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock prior to the earliest of any Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement), the date of redemption of the Rights or the date of expiration of the Rights shall be issued with Rights in an amount equal to the amount of Rights then attached to each such outstanding share of Common Stock. (l) Certain Additional Rights. In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, declare or make a distribution on its Common Stock referred to in Section VI(c)(iv) or VI(c)(v) (including, without limitation, dividends or distributions referred to in the last sentence of Section VI(c)(iv)), the holder of each share of Convertible Preferred Stock, upon the conversion thereof subsequent to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such distribution and prior to the effectiveness of the conversion price adjustment in respect of such distribution, shall also be entitled to receive for each share of Common Stock into which such share of Convertible Preferred Stock is converted, the portion of the shares of Common Stock, rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash and assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock; provided, however, that, at the election of the Corporation (whose election shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) with respect to all holders so converting, the Corporation may, in lieu of distributing to such holder any portion of such distribution not consisting of cash securities of the Corporation, pay such holder an amount in cash equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and 12 described in a resolution of the Board of Directors). If any conversion of a share of Convertible Preferred Stock described in the immediately preceding sentence occurs prior to the payment date for a distribution to holders of Common Stock which the holder of the share of Convertible Preferred Stock so converted is entitled to receive in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the Corporation may elect (such election to be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) to distribute to such holder a due bill for the shares of Common Stock, rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash or assets to which such holder is so entitled, provided that such due bill (i) meets any applicable requirements of the principal national securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is then traded and (ii) requires payment or delivery of such shares of Common Stock, rights, warrants, evidences of indebtedness, shares of capital stock, cash or assets no later than the date of payment or delivery thereof to holders of shares of Common Stock receiving such distribution. VII. Voting Rights. (a) General. The holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law. In connection with any right to vote, each holder of a share of Convertible Preferred Stock shall have one vote for each share held. Any shares of Convertible Preferred Stock owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity of which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares entitled to vote for directors, shall not have voting rights hereunder and shall not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. (b) Default Voting Rights. Whenever dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock or any other class or series of Parity Dividend Stock shall be in arrears in an aggregate amount equal to at least six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive), (i) the number of members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two, effective as of the time of election of such directors as hereinafter provided and (ii) the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class with all other affected classes or series of Parity Dividend Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) shall have the exclusive right to vote for and elect such two additional directors of the Corporation who shall continue to serve during the period such dividends remain in arrears. The right of the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock to vote for such two additional directors shall terminate when all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock and all other affected classes or series of Parity Dividend Stock have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. The term of office of all directors so elected shall terminate immediately upon the termination of the right of the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Dividend Stock to vote for such two additional directors, and the number of directors of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall immediately thereafter be reduced by two. The foregoing right of the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to the election of two directors may be exercised at any annual meeting of shareholders or at any special meeting of shareholders held for such purpose. If the right to elect directors shall have accrued to the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock more than ninety days preceding the date established for the next annual meeting of stockholders, the President of the Corporation shall, within twenty days after the delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written request for a special meeting signed by the holders of at least 10 percent of all outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, call a special meeting of the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock to be held within sixty days after the delivery of such request for the purpose of electing such additional directors. The holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and any Parity Dividend Stock referred to above voting as a class shall have the right to remove without cause at any time and replace any directors such holders shall have elected pursuant to this Section VII. VIII. Outstanding Shares. For purposes of this amendment, all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall be deemed outstanding, all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall be deemed outstanding except (i) from the date fixed for redemption pursuant to Section V, all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock that have been so called for redemption under Section V, to the extent 13 provided thereunder; (ii) from the date of surrender of certificates evidencing shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock converted into Common Stock; and (iii) from the date of registration of transfer, all shares of Convertible Preferred Stock owned, directly or indirectly, by any entity of which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares entitled to vote for directors. IX. Partial Payments. Upon an optional redemption by the Corporation, if at any time the Corporation does not pay amounts sufficient to redeem all Convertible Preferred Stock, then such funds which are paid shall be applied to redeem such shares of Convertible Preferred Stock as the Corporation may designate by lot or in such other manner as the Board of Directors may determine to be fair, or such redemption shall be effected pro rata. X. Severability of Provisions. Whenever possible, each provision hereof shall be interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision hereof is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or otherwise adversely affecting the remaining provisions hereof. If a court of competent jurisdiction should determine that a provision hereof would be valid or enforceable if a period of time were extended or shortened or a particular percentage were increased or decreased, then such court may make such change as shall be necessary to render the provision in question effective and valid under applicable law. XI. Miscellaneous. (a) The Corporation shall pay any and all stock transfer and documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates or instruments evidencing such shares or securities. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to which such shares or other securities are issued or delivered were registered, or in respect of any payment to any person with respect to any such shares or securities other than a payment to the registered holder thereof, and shall not be required to make any such issuance, delivery or payment unless and until the person otherwise entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid or is not payable. (b) In the event that a holder of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of such shares should be registered or to whom payment upon redemption of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock should be made or the address to which the certificates or instruments evidencing such shares or such payment, should be sent, the Corporation shall be entitled to register such shares and make such payment, in the name of the holder of such Convertible Preferred Stock as shown on the records of the Corporation and to send the certificates or instruments evidencing such shares or such payment, to the address of such holder shown on the records of the Corporation. THIRD: The Amendment was adopted on May 18, 1993. FOURTH: The Amendment was duly adopted by the Board of Directors. ASHLAND OIL, INC. /Paul W. Chellgren/ ------------------------- Paul W. Chellgren President COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ) COUNTY OF GREENUP ) 14 The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 17th day of May, 1993, by Paul W. Chellgren, President of ASHLAND OIL, INC., a Kentucky corporation, on behalf the corporation. /Mary E. Mell/ --------------------------------- Mary E. Mell Notary Public [STAMP] MARY E. MELL My commission expires: July 3, 1994 Prepared by Thomas L. Feazell 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky 41114 /Thomas L. Feazell/ - --------------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell 15 [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 18 DAY OF MAY 1993 AT 3:45 PM RECORDED IN ART. OF INC. BOOK NO. 12 PAGE 322 TAX $______ FEES $23.50 DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BY J. THOMPSON D.C. NO. ___________ [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 18 DAY OF MAY 1993 AT 2:55 PM RECORDED IN ART. OF INC. BOOK NO. 30 PAGE 59 [STAMP] RECEIVED & FILED $40.00 JAN 27 8:34AM '95 BOB BABBAGE SECRETARY OF STATE COMM. OF KENTUCKY BY: ACH ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND OIL, INC. AMENDMENT NO. 4 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 271B.10-060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation adopts the following articles of amendment to its Second Restated Articles of Incorporation: First: The name of the corporation is Ashland Oil, Inc. Second: At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on November 3, 1994, the Board of Directors proposed that the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation be amended by substituting a new Article I for the existing Article I, and directed that the proposed amendment be submitted to the shareholders with the affirmative recommendation of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the corporation's shareholders to be held on January 26, 1995 (the "Meeting"), which Meeting was duly called upon notice of the specific purpose. The text of the new Article I is as follows: ARTICLE I The name of the corporation is Ashland Inc. (hereinafter called the "Company" or the "Corporation"). Third: There were 60,754,474 shares of Ashland Oil, Inc. Common Stock, each of which was entitled to cast one vote, outstanding at November 28, 1994, the record date for the Meeting, which represent all of the shares entitled to vote on such amendment. Fourth: There were 52,983,021 shares of Ashland Oil, Inc. Common Stock indisputably represented at the Meeting. Fifth: The total number of undisputed votes cast for such amendment was 51,239,239 and the total number of votes cast against such amendment was 1,370,949. The number of votes cast for the amendment was sufficient for approval. Sixth: The amendment will become effective at 4:00 p.m. on January 27, 1995. ASHLAND OIL, INC. /Paul W. Chellgren/ By: _____________________________ Paul W. Chellgren President [STAMP] BOOK 31 PAGE 320 Commonwealth of Kentucky County of Greenup The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 27th day of January, 1995, by Paul W. Chellgren, President of Ashland Oil, Inc., a Kentucky corporation, on behalf of the corporation. /Teresa F. Gabbard/ --------------------------- Notary Public [STAMP] TERESA F. GABBARD My commission expires October 9, 1997 Prepared by Thomas L. Feazell 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky 41169 /Thomas L. Feazell/ - ----------------------------- [STAMP] DOCUMENT NO: 440448 RECORDED ON: JANUARY 27, 1995 12:58:53PM TOTAL FEES: $9.00 COUNTY CLERK: MAXINE SELBEE COUNTY: BOYD COUNTY DEPUTY CLERK: GAIL BOGGS BOOK 31 PAGE 321 [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 27 DAY OF JAN., 1995 AT 1:45PM RECORDED IN ART. OF INC. BOOK NO. 13 PAGE 147 TAX $_________ FEES $9.00 DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BY: JOAN BURNETT D.C. [STAMP] RECEIVED & FILED $40.00 MAY 16 11:03AM '96 JOHN Y BROWN III SECRETARY OF STATE COMM. OF KENTUCKY BY: GH ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND INC. AMENDMENT NO. 5 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 271B.10-060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation adopts the following articles of amendment to set forth the preferences, limitations and relative rights of a series of shares of its Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, under Article IV of its Second Restated Articles of Incorporation. FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Ashland Inc. SECOND: The text of the amendment determining the terms of the series of shares of the Cumulative Preferred Stock is as follows: I. DESIGNATION AND NUMBER OF SHARES. This series of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be designated as "Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). The number of shares initially issuable as the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 500,000; provided, however, that, if more than a total of 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon the exercise of Rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement dated as of May 16, 1996, between the Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement"), the Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 271B.10-060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, shall direct by resolution or resolutions that Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation be properly executed and filed with the Secretary of State of Kentucky providing for the total number of shares issuable as Series A Preferred Stock to be increased (to the extent that the Articles of Incorporation then permit) to the largest number of whole shares (rounded up to the nearest whole number) issuable upon exercise of such Rights. II. DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS. (a) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of shares of any other series of Preferred Stock or other class of capital stock of the Corporation ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of the assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, (i) quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal quarter in each year, or such other dates as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall approve (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in the amount of $.01 per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent), less the amount of all cash dividends declared on the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the following clause (ii) since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (the total of which shall not, in any event, be less than zero) and (ii) dividends payable in cash on the payment date for each cash dividend declared on the Common Stock in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the Formula Number (as hereinafter defined) then in effect times the cash dividends then to be paid on each share of Common Stock. In addition, if the Corporation shall pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other forms of non-cash consideration (other than dividends or distributions solely in shares of Common Stock), then, in each such case, the Corporation shall simultaneously pay or make on each outstanding whole share of Series A Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution in like kind equal to the Formula Number then in effect times such dividend or distribution on each share of the Common Stock. As used herein, the "Formula Number" shall be 1,000; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if at any time after May 16, 1996, the Corporation shall (x) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or make any distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (y) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock or (z) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then, in each such event, the Formula Number shall be adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the nearest whole number); and PROVIDED FURTHER, that, if at any time after May 16, 1996, the Corporation shall issue any shares of its capital stock in a merger, share exchange, reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then, in each such event, the Formula Number shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such merger, share exchange, reclassification or change so that each share of Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent of a Formula Number of shares of Common Stock prior to such merger, share exchange, reclassification or change. (b) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a) immediately prior to or at the same time it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution solely in shares of Common Stock); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the event no dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution in shares of Common Stock) shall have been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $.01 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be the same as the record date for any corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock. (c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from and after the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of original issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that dividends on such shares that are originally issued after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and on or prior to the next succeeding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from and after such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are originally issued prior to the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall be calculated as if cumulative from and after the last day of the fiscal quarter next preceding the date of original issuance of such shares. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding and entitled to receive such dividends. (d) So long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared, paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the Common Stock, unless, in each case, the dividend required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series A Preferred Stock shall have been declared and paid. (e) The holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions, except as provided herein. III. VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights: (a) Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a number of votes equal to the Formula Number then in effect, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock held of record on each matter on which holders of the Common Stock or shareholders generally are entitled to vote, multiplied by the maximum number of votes per share which any holder of the Common Stock or shareholders generally then have with respect to such matter (assuming any holding period or other requirement to vote a greater number of shares is satisfied). (b) Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one voting group for the election of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation. (c) If, at the time of any annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series A Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two. In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a voting group to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting of shareholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders), unless all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any Series A Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the Formula Number. Until the default in payments of all dividends that permitted the election of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have been so elected pursuant to the next preceding sentence may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast such number of votes as are required by law for the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled only by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to exist, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be divested of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith terminate to the extent permitted by law, and the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this Section 3(c) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock in this Section 3. (d) Except as provided herein, in Section 11 or by applicable law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for authorizing or taking any corporate action. IV. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS. (a) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not (i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; (ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock; PROVIDED that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes. (b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (a) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner. V. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, no distribution shall be made (a) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock, unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, plus an amount equal to the greater of (i) $.01 per whole share or (ii) an aggregate amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock or (b) to the holders of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. VI. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, share exchange, combination or other transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then, in any such case, the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event both this Section 6 and Section 2 appear to apply to a transaction, this Section 6 will control. VII. NO REDEMPTION; NO SINKING FUND. (a) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock. (b) The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund. VIII. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise in fixing the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. IX. FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a share or any integral multiple of such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting rights, participate in distributions and have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation, prior to the first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, may elect (a) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a share or any integral multiple thereof or (b) to issue depository receipts evidencing such authorized fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by the Corporation; PROVIDED that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. X. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancelation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Corporation, undesignated as to series, and may thereafter be reissued as part of a new series of such Preferred Stock as permitted by law. XI. AMENDMENT. None of the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Articles of Incorporation shall be amended in any manner that would alter or change the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect such holders adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate voting group; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such amendment approved by the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed to apply to the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock originally issued upon exercise of a Right after the time of such approval without the approval of such holder. THIRD: This amendment was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation without shareholder action on May 16, 1996. Shareholder action was not required. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed these Articles of Amendment as of this 16th day of May, 1996. ASHLAND INC. by /s/ Paul W. Chellgren ---------------------------------- Paul W. Chellgren President COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY) COUNTY OF GREENUP ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 16th day of May, 1996, by , of ASHLAND INC., a Kentucky corporation, on behalf of the corporation. Mary E. Mell ---------------------------------- Notary Public Prepared by Thomas L. Feazell 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky 41114 /s/ Thomas L. Feazell - ------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell [STAMP] DOCUMENT NO: 452017 RECORDED ON: MAY 16, 1996 01:42:31PM TOTAL FEES: $15.00 COUNTY CLERK: MAXINE SELBEE COUNTY: BOYD COUNTY CLERK DEPUTY CLERK: KATHY FISHER BOOK 32 PAGE 292 [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 17 DAY OF MAY, 1996, AT 9:00AM RECORDED IN ART. OF INC. BOOK NO. 13 PAGE 487 TAX $_________ FEES $15.00 DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BY: JOAN BURNETT D.C. [STAMP] RECEIVED & FILED $300,040.00 JAN 30 10:55AM '98 JOHN Y BROWN III SECRETARY OF STATE COMMONWEALTH OF KY BY SANDRA PERRY ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO SECOND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF ASHLAND INC. AMENDMENT NO. 6 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 271B.10 - 060 of the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation adopts the following articles of amendment to its Second Restated Articles of Incorporation: First: The name of the corporation is Ashland Inc. Second: At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on November 6, 1997, the Board of Directors proposed that the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation be amended by substituting a new Subsection A of Article IV for the existing Subsection A of Article IV, and directed that the proposed amendment be submitted to the shareholders with the affirmative recommendation of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the corporation's shareholders to be held on January 29, 1998 (the "Meeting"), which Meeting was duly called upon notice of the specific purpose. The text of the new Subsection A of Article IV is as follows: ARTICLE IV A. The aggregate number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 30,000,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock (hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock") and 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter called the "Common Stock"). Third: There were 75,056,489 shares of Ashland Inc. Common Stock, each of which was entitled to cast one vote, outstanding at November 24, 1997, the record date for the Meeting, which represent all of the shares entitled to vote on such amendment. Fourth: There were 67,000,600 shares of Ashland Inc. Common Stock indisputably represented at the Meeting. Fifth: The total number of undisputed votes cast for such amendment was 56,944,191 and the total number of votes cast against such amendment was 9,587,590. The number of votes cast for the amendment was sufficient for approval. Dated: January 29, 1998 ASHLAND INC. By: /s/ Thomas L. Feazell ----------------------------------- Thomas L. Feazell Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Commonwealth of Kentucky ) County of Greenup ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 29th day of January, 1998, by Thomas L. Feazell, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Inc., a Kentucky corporation, on behalf of the corporation. /s/ Teresa F. Gabbard ----------------------------------- Notary Public Prepared by Jami K. Suver 1000 Ashland Drive Russell, Kentucky 41169 /s/ Jami K. Suver - ---------------------------------- Jami K. Suver [STAMP] DOCUMENT NO: 468173 RECORDED ON: FEBRUARY 2, 1998 03:44:08PM TOTAL FEES: $9.00 COUNTY CLERK: MAXINE SELBEE COUNTY: BOYD COUNTY CLERK DEPUTY CLERK: TERESA CAUDILL BOOK 33 PAGE 374 [STAMP] LODGED FOR RECORD ON THE 2 DAY OF FEB. 1998 AT 2:55PM RECORDED IN ART. OF INC. BOOK NO. 14 PAGE 145 TAX $_________ FEES $9.00 DONALD L. DAVIDSON, CLERK GREENUP COUNTY BY: JUDITH THOMPSON D.C.
 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 1ST QUARTER 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q. 1,000,000 3-MOS SEP-30-1998 DEC-31-1997 70 0 1,702 23 770 2,770 7,814 3,652 7,721 2,195 1,577 75 0 0 1,981 7,721 3,550 3,605 3,134 3,134 0 0 31 101 39 52 0 0 0 52 .69 .68
 

5 THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ASHLAND INC.'S 1ST QUARTER 1998 10-Q WHICH RESTATED THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q AND NOTES B AND C OF NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT EXPLAIN THE RESTATEMENT. 1,000,000 3-MOS SEP-30-1997 DEC-31-1996 79 0 1,790 27 811 2,917 7,527 3,666 7,991 2,311 2,087 65 0 293 1,490 7,991 3,545 3,576 3,150 3,150 0 0 44 48 15 24 12 0 0 36 .48 .47