UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number
(a
I.R.S. No.
Telephone Number (
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Accelerated Filer |
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Non-Accelerated Filer |
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Smaller Reporting Company |
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Emerging Growth Company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
At December 31, 2021, there were
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
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Three months ended |
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December 31 |
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(In millions except per share data - unaudited) |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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Sales |
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$ |
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$ |
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Cost of sales |
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Gross profit |
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Selling, general and administrative expense |
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Research and development expense |
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Intangibles amortization expense |
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Equity and other income |
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Operating income |
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Net interest and other expense (income) |
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Net income on acquisitions and divestitures |
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Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
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Income tax expense (benefit) |
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Income from continuing operations |
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Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) - Note C |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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PER SHARE DATA |
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Basic earnings per share - Note M |
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Income from continuing operations |
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$ |
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$ |
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Income from discontinued operations |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Diluted earnings per share - Note M |
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Income from continuing operations |
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$ |
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$ |
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Income from discontinued operations |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Other comprehensive income, net of tax |
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Unrealized translation gain (loss) |
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( |
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Unrealized loss on commodity hedges |
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( |
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Other comprehensive income (loss) - Note N |
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( |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
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$ |
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SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
2
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions - unaudited) |
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December 31 |
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September 30 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
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$ |
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Accounts receivable (a) - Note H |
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Inventories - Note F |
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Other assets |
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Current assets held for sale - Note B |
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Total current assets |
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Noncurrent assets |
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Property, plant and equipment |
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Cost |
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Accumulated depreciation |
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Net property, plant and equipment |
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Goodwill - Note G |
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Intangibles - Note G |
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Operating lease assets, net - Note I |
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Restricted investments - Note E |
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Asbestos insurance receivable (b) - Note L |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Other assets |
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Total noncurrent assets |
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Total assets |
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$ |
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$ |
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Short-term debt - Note H |
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$ |
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$ |
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Current portion of long-term debt - Note H |
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Trade and other payables |
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
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Current operating lease obligations - Note I |
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Current liabilities held for sale - Note B |
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Total current liabilities |
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Noncurrent liabilities |
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Long-term debt - Note H |
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Asbestos litigation reserve - Note L |
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Deferred income taxes |
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Employee benefit obligations - Note K |
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Operating lease obligations - Note I |
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Other liabilities |
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Total noncurrent liabilities |
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and contingencies - Note L |
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Stockholders’ equity - Note N |
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Total liabilities and stockholders' equity |
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$ |
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$ |
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SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
3
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
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Three months ended |
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December 31 |
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(In millions - unaudited) |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM |
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Net income |
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$ |
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$ |
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Income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) |
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( |
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( |
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Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to |
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cash flows from operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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Original issue discount and debt issuance costs amortization |
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Deferred income taxes |
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( |
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Gain from sales of property and equipment |
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— |
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( |
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Stock based compensation expense |
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Income from restricted investments |
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( |
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( |
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Income on acquisitions and divestitures |
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— |
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( |
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Impairments |
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— |
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Pension contributions |
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( |
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( |
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Change in operating assets and liabilities (a) |
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( |
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Total cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations |
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CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM |
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Additions to property, plant and equipment |
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( |
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( |
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Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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Proceeds from sale or restructuring of operations |
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— |
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Net purchase of funds restricted for specific transactions |
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— |
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( |
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Reimbursements from restricted investments |
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Proceeds from sale of securities |
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Purchases of securities |
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( |
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( |
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Total cash flows used by investing activities from continuing operations |
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( |
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( |
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CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM |
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Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term debt |
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( |
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Cash dividends paid |
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( |
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( |
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Stock based compensation employee withholding taxes paid in cash |
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( |
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( |
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Total cash flows used by financing activities from continuing operations |
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( |
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( |
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CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
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( |
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( |
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Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations |
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Operating cash flows |
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( |
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Investing cash flows |
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( |
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( |
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Total cash provided by discontinued operations |
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( |
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Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
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( |
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INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
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( |
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( |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD |
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$ |
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$ |
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SEE NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
4
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These statements omit certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with Ashland Global Holdings Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (Ashland) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for the remaining quarters in the fiscal year.
On August 31, 2021, Ashland announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Performance Adhesives segment to Arkema, a French société anonyme. This expected divestiture represents a strategic shift in Ashland's business and qualified as a discontinued operation. As a result, the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows related to Performance Adhesives have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented within the Consolidated Financial Statements. See Notes B and C for additional information on this expected divestiture.
As a result of classifying the Performance Adhesives reporting segment as a discontinued operation, Ashland is now comprised of the following reportable segments: Life Sciences, Personal Care (formerly Personal Care and Household), Specialty Additives and Intermediates (formerly Intermediates and Solvents). Unallocated and Other includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. For additional information, see Note Q.
Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties
The preparation of Ashland’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangible assets), income taxes and liabilities and receivables associated with asbestos litigation and environmental remediation. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Ashland’s results are affected by domestic and international economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of certain key raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations. While Ashland maintains reserves for anticipated liabilities and carries various levels of insurance, Ashland could be affected by civil, criminal, regulatory or administrative actions, claims or proceedings relating to asbestos, environmental remediation or other matters.
New accounting pronouncements
A description of new U.S. GAAP accounting standards issued or adopted during the current year is required in interim financial reporting. A detailed listing of new accounting standards relevant to Ashland is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. There were no new standards that were either issued or adopted in the current fiscal year that will have a material impact on Ashland's consolidated financial statements.
5
NOTE B – DIVESTITURES
Performance Adhesives
On August 31, 2021, Ashland announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Performance Adhesives segment in a transaction valued at $
The transaction is expected to close prior to the end of the March 31, 2022 quarter, contingent on certain customary regulatory approvals, standard closing conditions and completion of required employee information and consultation processes. Upon the closing of this transaction, Ashland expects to recognize a gain within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Since this transaction represents a strategic shift in Ashland’s business and had a major effect on Ashland’s operations and financial results, the operating results and cash flows related to Performance Adhesives have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows, while the assets and liabilities that are to be sold have been classified within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under a held for sale designation. See Note C for the results of operations for Performance Adhesives for all periods presented.
Certain indirect corporate costs included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) that were previously allocated to the Performance Adhesives segment do not qualify for classification within discontinued operations and are now reported as selling, general and administrative expense within continuing operations on a consolidated basis and within the Unallocated and other segment. These costs were $
Subsequent to the completion of the sale, Ashland expects to provide certain transition services to Arkema for a fee. While the transition services are expected to vary in duration depending upon the type of service provided, Ashland does not expect these transition services will be significant.
Other manufacturing facility sales
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, Ashland completed the sale of a Specialty Additives facility, the assets and liabilities of which were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2020. Net proceeds received from the sale were approximately $
NOTE C– DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Ashland has divested certain businesses that have qualified as discontinued operations. The operating results from these divested businesses and subsequent adjustments related to ongoing assessments of certain retained liabilities and tax items have been recorded within the discontinued operations caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for all periods presented.
Components of amounts reflected in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) related to discontinued operations are presented in the following table for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Three months ended |
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December 31 |
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(In millions) |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax) |
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Performance Adhesives |
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$ |
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$ |
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Distribution |
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( |
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( |
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Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (net of taxes) |
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Composites/Marl facility |
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( |
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$ |
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$ |
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6
The following table presents a reconciliation of the captions within Ashland's Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Performance Adhesives for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Three months ended |
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December 31 |
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(In millions) |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable |
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Sales |
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$ |
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$ |
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Cost of sales |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Selling, general and administrative expense |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Research and development expense |
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( |
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( |
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Pretax income of discontinued operations |
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Income tax expense |
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( |
) |
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( |
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Income from discontinued operations |
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$ |
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$ |
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NOTE D – RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES
Company-wide restructuring activities
Ashland periodically implements company-wide restructuring programs related to acquisitions, divestitures and other cost reduction programs in order to enhance profitability through streamlined operations and an improved overall cost structure.
Fiscal 2020 and 2021 restructuring program
Ashland recorded severance income of $
The following table details at December 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount of restructuring severance reserves related to this program. The severance reserves were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(In millions) |
Severance costs |
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Balance at of September 30, 2021 |
$ |
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Restructuring reserve |
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( |
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Utilization (cash paid) |
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( |
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Balance at December 31, 2021 |
$ |
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(In millions) |
Severance costs |
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Balance at of September 30, 2020 |
$ |
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Restructuring reserve |
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Utilization (cash paid) |
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( |
) |
Balance at December 31, 2020 |
$ |
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7
NOTE E – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
As required by U.S. GAAP, Ashland uses applicable guidance for defining fair value, the initial recording and periodic remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value and related disclosures for instruments measured at fair value. Fair value accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the instrument’s fair value measurement. The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are described as follows.
Level 1 – Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for which there is little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs reflect Ashland’s own assumptions about what market participants would use to price the asset or liability. The inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include Ashland’s own financial data such as internally developed pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair value determination requires significant management judgment.
For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), the total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. For all other assets and liabilities for which unobservable inputs are used (Level 3), fair value is derived using fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models that Ashland deems reasonable.
The following table summarizes financial instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of December 31, 2021.
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Carrying |
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Total |
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Quoted prices |
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Significant |
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Significant |
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(In millions) |
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value |
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value |
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Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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Restricted investments (a) (b) |
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Investment of captive insurance company (c) |
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Foreign currency derivatives (d) |
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|
|||||
Commodity derivatives (d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Foreign currency derivatives (e) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Commodity derivatives (e) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
8
The following table summarizes financial asset instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of September 30, 2021.
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Quoted prices |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
value |
|
|
value |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|||||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Restricted investments (a) (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Investment of captive insurance company (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Foreign currency derivatives (d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Commodity derivatives (d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Foreign currency derivatives (e) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Restricted investments
Investment income and realized gains and losses on these company-restricted investments are reported within the net interest and other expense caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(In millions) |
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
Original cost |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accumulated adjustments, net |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Adjusted cost, beginning of year (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Investment income (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net unrealized gain (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Realized gains (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Funds restricted for specific transactions (d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Disbursements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
9
The following table presents gross unrealized gains and losses for the restricted investment securities as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
||||
(In millions) |
|
Adjusted Cost |
|
|
Unrealized Gain |
|
|
Unrealized Loss |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
||||
As of December 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Demand deposit |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Equity mutual fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Fixed income mutual fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
As of September 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Demand deposit |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Equity mutual fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Fixed income mutual fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
The following table presents the investment income, net gains and losses realized and disbursements related to the investments within the portfolio for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Investment income |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Net gains (losses) (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Disbursements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Foreign currency derivatives
Ashland conducts business in a variety of foreign currencies. Accordingly, Ashland regularly uses foreign currency derivative instruments to manage exposure on certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies to curtail potential earnings volatility effects on certain assets and liabilities, including short-term inter-company loans, denominated in currencies other than Ashland’s functional currency of an entity. These derivative contracts generally require exchange of one foreign currency for another at a fixed rate at a future date and generally have maturities of less than twelve months. The impacts of these contracts were largely offset by gains and losses resulting from the impact of changes in exchange rates on transactions denominated in non-functional currencies.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Foreign currency derivative gains |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The following table summarizes the fair values of the outstanding foreign currency derivatives as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 included in accounts receivable and accrued expenses and other liabilities of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Foreign currency derivative assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Notional contract values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Foreign currency derivative liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Notional contract values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
10
Commodity derivatives
To manage its exposure to the market price volatility of natural gas consumed by its US plants during the manufacturing process, Ashland regularly enters into forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges. Ashland recognized gains of $
The following table summarizes the fair values of the outstanding commodity derivatives as of December 31, 2021, and September 30, 2021 included in accounts receivable and accrued expenses and other liabilities of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Commodity derivative assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Notional contract values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commodity derivative liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Notional contract values |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other financial instruments
At December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, Ashland's long-term debt (including the current portion and excluding debt issuance cost discounts) had a carrying value of $
NOTE F – INVENTORIES
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are primarily stated at cost using the weighted-average cost method. In addition, certain inventories are valued at cost using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.
The following table summarizes Ashland’s inventories as of the reported Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet dates.
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Finished products |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Raw materials, supplies and work in process |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
11
NOTE G – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
Goodwill
Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of July 1 and when events and circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units (for goodwill) and other indefinite-lived intangible assets to the related carrying value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, Ashland records an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed to the associated carrying amount of goodwill.
No indicators of impairment were identified in the three months ended December 31, 2021.
Ashland’s assessment of an impairment on any of these assets classified currently as having indefinite lives, including goodwill, could change in future periods if significant events happen and/or circumstances change that effect the previously mentioned assumptions such as: a significant change in projected business results, a divestiture decision, increase in Ashland’s weighted-average cost of capital rates, decrease in growth rates or assumptions, economic deterioration that is more severe or of a longer duration than anticipated, or another significant economic event.
The following is a progression of goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
|
Life |
|
|
Personal |
|
|
Specialty |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
(In millions) |
Sciences |
|
|
Care (a) |
|
|
Additives (a) |
|
|
Intermediates (a) |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||
Balance at September 30, 2021 |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Currency translation |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Balance at December 31, 2021 |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other intangible assets
Ashland annually reviews, as of July 1, indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
No indicators of impairment were identified in the three months ended December 31, 2021.
Intangible assets were comprised of the following as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|||||||||
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|||
|
carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
carrying |
|
|||
(In millions) |
amount |
|
|
amortization |
|
|
amount |
|
|||
Definite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Trademarks and trade names |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||
Intellectual property |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Customer and supplier relationships |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Total definite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Indefinite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Trademarks and trade names |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Total intangible assets |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||
12
|
September 30, 2021 |
|
|||||||||
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|||
|
carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
carrying |
|
|||
(In millions) |
amount |
|
|
amortization |
|
|
amount |
|
|||
Definite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Trademarks and trade names |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||
Intellectual property |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Customer and supplier relationships |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Total definite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Indefinite-lived intangibles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Trademarks and trade names |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||
Total intangible assets |
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||
Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $
NOTE H – DEBT AND OTHER FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The following table summarizes Ashland’s current and long-term debt as of the dates reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(In millions) |
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
September 30, 2021 |
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Term loan A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts receivable securitizations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Revolving credit facility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Short-term debt (includes current portion of long-term debt) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Long-term debt (less current portion) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The scheduled aggregate maturities of long-term debt by year (including the current portion and excluding debt issuance costs) are as follows as of December 31, 2021: $
Accounts Receivable Facilities and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
U.S. Accounts Receivable Sales Program
Ashland continues to maintain its U.S. Accounts Receivable Sales Program entered into during fiscal 2021. Ashland accounts for the receivables transferred to buyers as sales. Ashland recognizes any gains or losses based on the excess of proceeds received net of buyer’s discounts and fees compared to the carrying value of the assets. Proceeds received, net of buyer’s discounts and fees, are recorded within the operating activities of the Statement of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows. Losses on sale of assets, including related transaction expenses are recorded within the Net interest and other expense (income) caption of the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ashland regularly assesses its servicing obligations and records them as assets or liabilities when appropriate. Ashland also monitors its obligation with regards to the limited guarantee and records the resulting
13
guarantee liability when warranted. When applicable, Ashland discloses the amount of the receivable that serves as over-collateralization as a restricted asset.
Ashland recognized a loss of less then $
Foreign Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
Ashland continues to maintain its Foreign 2018 Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility. Ashland accounts for the Foreign 2018 Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility as secured borrowings, and the receivables sold pursuant to the facility are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as accounts receivable. At December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, the outstanding amount of accounts receivable transferred by Ashland was $
Available borrowing capacity and liquidity
The borrowing capacity remaining under the 2020 Credit Agreement which included the $
Additionally, Ashland had
Covenants related to current Ashland debt agreements
Ashland's debt contains usual and customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants for leverage and interest coverage ratios, limitations on liens, additional subsidiary indebtedness, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, mergers, sale of assets and restricted payments and other customary limitations. As of December 31, 2021, Ashland is in compliance with all debt agreement covenant restrictions.
The maximum consolidated net leverage ratio permitted under Ashland's current credit agreement (the 2020 Credit Agreement) is
The minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio under the 2020 Credit Agreement during its entire duration is
NOTE I – LEASING ARRANGEMENTS
Ashland leases certain office buildings, transportation equipment, warehouses and storage facilities, and equipment. Substantially all of Ashland’s leases are operating leases or short-term leases. Real estate leases represented over
14
The components of lease cost recognized within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
Location |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Lease cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease cost |
|
Selling, General & Administrative |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Operating lease cost |
|
Cost of Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Variable lease cost |
|
Selling, General & Administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Variable lease cost |
|
Cost of Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Short-term leases |
|
Cost of Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total lease cost |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The following table summarizes Ashland’s lease assets and liabilities as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:
(In millions) |
|
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Operating lease assets, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Total lease assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Current operating lease obligations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Non-current operating lease obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Ashland often has options to renew lease terms for buildings and other assets. The exercise of lease renewal options are generally at Ashland’s sole discretion. In addition, certain lease arrangements may be terminated prior to their original expiration date at Ashland’s discretion. Ashland evaluates renewal and termination options at the lease commencement date to determine if it is reasonably certain to exercise the option on the basis of economic factors. The weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases as of both December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 was approximately
Residual value guarantees are not common within Ashland’s lease agreements nor are restrictions or covenants imposed by leases. Ashland has elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components. The discount rate implicit within the leases is generally not determinable. Therefore, Ashland determines the discount rate based on its incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is determined using a buildup method resulting in an estimated range of secured borrowing rates matching the lease term and the currency of the jurisdiction in which lease payments are made, adjusted for impacts of collateral. Consideration was given to Ashland’s own relevant debt issuances as well as debt instruments of comparable companies with similar credit characteristics. The weighted average discount rate used to measure operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021 was
Right-of-use assets exchanged for new operating lease obligations was $
The following table provides cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Operating cash flows from operating leases |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
15
The following table summarizes Ashland's maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021:
(In millions) |
|
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
Remainder of 2022 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total lease payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Less amount of lease payment representing interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
||
Total present value of lease payments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
NOTE J – INCOME TAXES
Current fiscal year
Ashland’s effective tax rate in any interim period is subject to adjustments related to discrete items and the mix of domestic and foreign operating results. The overall effective tax rate was
The current quarter tax rate was impacted by jurisdictional income mix, as well as $
Prior fiscal year
The overall effective tax rate was a benefit of
Unrecognized tax benefits
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits are summarized as follows for the three months ended December 31, 2021.
(In millions) |
|
|
|
Balance at October 1, 2021 |
$ |
|
|
Increases related to positions taken in the current year |
|
|
|
Lapse of statute of limitations |
|
( |
) |
Balance at December 31, 2021 |
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
From a combination of statute expirations and audit settlements in the next twelve months, Ashland expects a decrease in the amount accrued for uncertain tax positions of between $
NOTE K - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Plan contributions
For the three months ended December 31, 2021, Ashland contributed $
16
Components of net periodic benefit costs (income)
The following table details the components of pension and other postretirement benefit costs for continuing operations.
|
|
Pension benefits |
|
|
Other postretirement |
|
||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||||
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Service cost |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Interest cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total net periodic benefit costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
For segment reporting purposes, service cost is proportionately allocated to each segment, excluding the Unallocated and other segment, and is recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense and cost of sales captions on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Loss (Income). All other components are recorded within the other net periodic benefit income caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Loss (Income), which netted to zero for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
NOTE L – LITIGATION, CLAIMS AND CONTINGENCIES
Asbestos litigation
Ashland is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims result from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley Stoker Corporation (Riley) and the acquisition of Hercules in November 2008. Although Riley, a former subsidiary, was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos, its industrial boilers contained some asbestos-containing components provided by other companies. Hercules, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashland, has liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market.
To assist in developing and annually updating independent reserve estimates for future asbestos claims and related costs given various assumptions for Ashland and Hercules asbestos claims, Ashland retained third party actuarial experts Gnarus. The methodology used by Gnarus to project future asbestos costs is based largely on recent experience, including claim-filing and settlement rates, disease mix, enacted legislation, open claims and litigation defense. The claim experience of Ashland and Hercules are separately compared to the results of previously conducted third party epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population expected to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, Gnarus estimates a range of the number of future claims that may be filed, as well as the related costs that may be incurred in resolving those claims. Changes in asbestos-related liabilities and receivables are recorded on an after-tax basis within the discontinued operations caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Ashland asbestos-related litigation
The claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos asserted against Ashland result primarily from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley. The amount and timing of settlements and number of open claims can fluctuate from period to period.
17
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Open claims - beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
New claims filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Claims settled |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
||
Claims dismissed |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Open claims - end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Ashland asbestos-related liability
From the range of estimates, Ashland records the amount it believes to be the best estimate of future payments for litigation defense and claim settlement costs, which generally approximates the mid-point of the estimated range of exposure from model results. Ashland reviews this estimate and related assumptions quarterly and annually updates the results of a non-inflated, non-discounted approximate 50-year model developed with the assistance of Gnarus.
During the most recent annual update of this estimate completed during fiscal year 2021, it was determined that the liability for Ashland asbestos-related claims should be increased by $
A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Asbestos reserve - beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Reserve adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Amounts paid |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Ashland asbestos-related receivables
Ashland has insurance coverage for certain litigation defense and claim settlement costs incurred in connection with its asbestos claims, and coverage-in-place agreements exist with the insurance companies that provide substantially all of the coverage that will be accessed.
For the Ashland asbestos-related obligations, Ashland has estimated the value of probable insurance recoveries associated with its asbestos reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage, including an assumption that all solvent insurance carriers remain solvent. A substantial portion of the estimated receivables from insurance companies are expected to be due from domestic insurers.
At December 31, 2021, Ashland’s receivable for recoveries of litigation defense and claim settlement costs from insurers amounted to $
18
A progression of activity in the Ashland insurance receivable is presented in the following table.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Insurance receivable - beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Receivable adjustment (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|||
Insurance settlement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||||
Amounts collected |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Insurance receivable - end of period (b) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Hercules asbestos-related litigation
Hercules has liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products which were sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market. The amount and timing of settlements and number of open claims can fluctuate from period to period.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In thousands) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Open claims - beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
New claims filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Claims dismissed |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Open claims - end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Hercules asbestos-related liability
From the range of estimates, Ashland records the amount it believes to be the best estimate of future payments for litigation defense and claim settlement costs, which generally approximates the mid-point of the estimated range of exposure from model results. Ashland reviews this estimate, and related assumptions quarterly and annually updates the results of a non-inflated, non-discounted approximate 50-year model developed with the assistance of Gnarus. As a result of the most recent annual update of this estimate, completed during fiscal year 2021, it was determined that the liability for Hercules asbestos-related claims should be increased by $
A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Asbestos reserve - beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Reserve adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|||
Amounts paid |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
19
Hercules asbestos-related receivables
For the Hercules asbestos-related obligations, certain reimbursement obligations pursuant to coverage-in-place agreements with insurance carriers exist. Ashland has estimated the value of probable insurance recoveries associated with its asbestos reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage, including an assumption that all solvent insurance carriers remain solvent. The estimated receivable consists exclusively of solvent domestic insurers.
As of December 31, 2021, Ashland’s receivable for recoveries of litigation defense and claims costs from insurers with respect to Hercules amounted to $
A progression of activity in the Hercules insurance receivable is presented in the following table.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
Years ended September 30 |
|
||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|||||
Insurance receivable - beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Receivable adjustment (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
||
Amounts collected |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Insurance receivable - end of period (b) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Asbestos litigation cost projection
Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict. In addition to the significant uncertainties surrounding the number of claims that might be received, other variables include the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, mortality rates, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the impact of bankruptcies of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. Considering these inherent uncertainties, Ashland believes that the asbestos reserves for Ashland and Hercules represent the best estimate within a range of possible outcomes. As a part of the process to develop these estimates of future asbestos costs, a range of long-term cost models was developed. These models are based on national studies that predict the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases and are heavily influenced by assumptions regarding long-term inflation rates for indemnity payments and legal defense costs, as well as other variables mentioned previously. Ashland has currently estimated in various models ranging from approximately
Environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations
Ashland is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that require environmental assessment or remediation efforts (collectively, environmental remediation) at multiple locations. At December 31, 2021, such locations included
20
conveyed as part of previous divestitures) and about
Ashland’s reserves for environmental remediation and related environmental litigation amounted to $
The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the environmental remediation reserves during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Reserve - beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Disbursements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Revised obligation estimates and accretion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Reserve - end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The total reserves for environmental remediation reflect Ashland’s estimates of the most likely costs that will be incurred over an extended period to remediate identified conditions for which the costs are reasonably estimable, without regard to any third-party recoveries. Engineering studies, probability techniques, historical experience and other factors are used to identify and evaluate remediation alternatives and their related costs in determining the estimated reserves for environmental remediation. Ashland continues to discount certain environmental sites and regularly adjusts its reserves as environmental remediation continues. Ashland has estimated the value of its probable insurance recoveries associated with its environmental reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage. At December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, Ashland’s recorded receivable for these probable insurance recoveries was $
Components of environmental remediation expense included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented in the following table for the three ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Environmental expense |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Legal expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Insurance receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Total expense, net of receivable activity (a) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Environmental remediation reserves are subject to numerous inherent uncertainties that affect Ashland’s ability to estimate its share of the costs. 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. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate costs of environmental remediation, Ashland currently estimates that the upper end of the reasonably possible range of future costs for identified sites could be as high as approximately $
21
Other legal proceedings and claims
In addition to the matters described above, there are other various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings pending or threatened against Ashland and its current and former subsidiaries. Such actions are with respect to commercial matters, product liability, toxic tort liability, and other environmental matters, which seek remedies or damages, some of which are for substantial amounts. While Ashland cannot predict with certainty the outcome of such actions, it believes that adequate reserves have been recorded and losses already recognized with respect to such actions were immaterial as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021. There is a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized may be incurred related to these actions; however, Ashland believes that such potential losses were immaterial as of December 31, 2021.
NOTE M – EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations attributable to Ashland. Stock appreciation rights (SARs), stock options and warrants available to purchase shares outstanding for each reporting period whose grant price was greater than the average market price of Ashland Common Stock for each applicable period were not included in the computation of income from continuing operations per diluted share because the effect of these instruments would be antidilutive. The total number of these shares outstanding was approximately
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions, except per share data) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Numerator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Denominator |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Share based awards convertible to common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
EPS from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
NOTE N – EQUITY ITEMS
Stockholder dividends
Dividends of cents per share were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and cents per share were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) recorded in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented below, before tax and net of tax effects.
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
(In millions) |
|
Before |
|
|
Tax |
|
|
Net of |
|
|
Before |
|
|
Tax |
|
|
Net of |
|
||||||
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Unrealized translation gain (loss) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity hedges |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
22
Summary of stockholders’ equity
A reconciliation of changes in stockholders’ equity are as follows:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Common stock and paid in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance, beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans (a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance, end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance, beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Regular dividends |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance, end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance, beginning of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Unrealized translation gain (loss) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized loss on commodity hedges |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Cash dividends declared per common share |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
NOTE O – STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
The components of Ashland’s pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in continuing operations are as follows:
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
2021 (a) |
|
|
2020 (b) |
|
||
SARs |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Nonvested stock awards |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Performance share awards |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
23
NOTE P – REVENUE
Disaggregation of revenue
Ashland disaggregates its revenue by segment and geographical region as Ashland believes these categories best depict how management reviews the financial performance of its operations. See the following tables for details. See Note Q for additional information.
Sales by geography |
|
|||||||
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Life Sciences |
|
|||||||
North America |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Latin America & other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|||||||
North America |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Latin America & other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|||||||
North America |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Latin America & other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|||||||
North America |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Latin America & other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Trade receivables
Trade receivables are defined as receivables arising from contracts with customers and are recorded within the accounts receivable caption within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Ashland’s trade receivables were $
24
NOTE Q – REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION
Ashland determines its reportable segments based on how operations are managed internally for the products and services sold to customers, including how the results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, which includes determining resource allocation methodologies used for reportable segments. Operating income and EBITDA are the primary measures of performance that are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in assessing each reportable segment's financial performance. Ashland does not aggregate operating segments to arrive at these reportable segments.
Change in reportable segments
As previously described in Note B, Ashland announced that it had signed a definitive agreement on August 30, 2021 to sell its Performance Adhesives segment. The operating results and cash flows for the Performance Adhesives segment have been classified as discontinued operations within the Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented. As a result, Ashland's reportable segments included Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives and Intermediates.
Unallocated and Other includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. The historical segment information has been recast to conform to the current segment structure.
Reportable segment business descriptions
Life Sciences is comprised of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, nutraceuticals, agricultural chemicals, advanced materials and fine chemicals. Pharmaceutical solutions include controlled release polymers, disintegrants, film coatings, solubilizers, and tablet binders. Nutrition solutions include for thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and additives for enhancing mouthfeel, controlling moisture migration, reducing oil uptake and controlling color. Nutraceutical solutions include products for weight management, joint comfort, stomach and intestinal health, sports nutrition and general wellness, and provide custom formulation, toll processing and particle engineering solutions. Customers include pharmaceutical, food, beverage, nutraceuticals and supplements manufacturers, hospitals and radiologists and industrial manufacturers.
Personal Care (formerly Personal Care & Household) is comprised of biofunctionals, preservatives, skin care, sun care, oral care, hair care and household. These businesses have a broad range of nature-based, biodegradable, and performance ingredients for customer-driven solutions to help protect, renew, moisturize and revitalize skin and hair, and provide solutions for toothpastes, mouth washes and rinses, denture cleaning and care for teeth. Household supplies nature-derived rheology ingredients, biodegradable surface wetting agents, performance encapsulates, and specialty polymers for household, industrial and institutional cleaning products. Customers include formulators at large multinational branded consumer products companies and smaller, independent boutique companies.
Specialty Additives is comprised of rheology- and performance-enhancing additives serving the coatings, construction, energy, automotive and various industrial markets. Solutions include coatings additives for architectural paints, finishes and lacquers, cement- and gypsum- based dry mortars, ready-mixed joint compounds, synthetic plasters for commercial and residential construction, and specialty materials for industrial applications. Products include rheology modifiers (cellulosic and associative thickeners), foam control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, pH neutralizers, advanced ceramics used in catalytic converters, and environmental filters, ingredients that aid the manufacturing process of ceramic capacitors, plasma display panels and solar cells, ingredients for textile printing, thermoplastic metals and alloys for welding. Products help improve desired functional outcomes through rheology modification and control, water retention, workability, adhesive strength, binding power, film formation, deposition and suspension and emulsification. Customers include global paint manufacturers, electronics and automotive manufacturers, textile mills, the construction industry, and welders.
Intermediates (formerly Intermediates and Solvents) is comprised of the production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. These products are used as chemical intermediates in the production of engineering polymers and polyurethanes, and as specialty process solvents in a wide array of applications including electronics, pharmaceuticals, water filtration membranes and more. Butanediol is also provided as a feedstock to Life Sciences, Personal Care, and Specialty Additives for use as a raw material.
25
Unallocated and Other generally includes items such as certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, corporate governance costs and legacy costs or activities that relate to divested businesses that are no longer operated by Ashland.
Reportable segment results
Results of Ashland’s reportable segments are presented based on its management and internal accounting structure. The structure is specific to Ashland; therefore, the financial results of Ashland’s reportable segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information for other comparable companies. Ashland allocates all significant costs to its reportable segments except for certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, certain corporate governance costs and other costs or activities that relate to former businesses that Ashland no longer operates. The service cost component of pension and other postretirement benefits costs is allocated to each reportable segment on a ratable basis; while the remaining components of pension and other postretirement benefits costs are recorded within the other net periodic benefit income caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ashland refines its expense allocation methodologies to the reportable segments from time to time as internal accounting practices are improved, more refined information becomes available and the industry or market changes. Significant revisions to Ashland’s methodologies are adjusted for all segments on a retrospective basis.
The following table presents various financial information for each reportable segment for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions - unaudited) |
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
SALES |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intersegment sales (a) |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unallocated and other |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
EBITDA (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unallocated and other |
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
26
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions - unaudited) |
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Personal Care |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Specialty Additives |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intermediates |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unallocated and other |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
27
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements made under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” (MD&A), within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “objectives,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans” and “intends” and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its Annual Report to Shareholders, quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland’s future operating performance and financial condition and expected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ashland’s business, as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances. Ashland’s expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, those mentioned within the MD&A, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies, cost savings and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures Ashland has made or may make, including the acquisition of Schülke & Mayr’s personal care business and the sale of the Performance Adhesive business (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions); Ashland’s substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland’s future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt); execution risks associated with Ashland’s growth strategies; the competitive nature of Ashland’s business; severe weather, natural disasters, public health crises (including the COVID-19 pandemic), cyber events and legal proceedings and claims (including product recalls, environmental and asbestos matters); the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geographies in which Ashland operates, the end markets Ashland serves and on Ashland’s supply chain and customers; and without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are contained in “Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties” in Note A of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 1A in its most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements. The extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations is uncertain. Factors that influence the impact on our business and operations include the duration and extent of the pandemic, the extent of imposed or recommended containment and mitigation measures, and the general economic consequences of the pandemic. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information on Ashland’s website is not incorporated into or a part of this Form 10-Q.
28
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Ashland profile
Ashland is a premier specialty additives and materials company with a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability. The Company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. With approximately 4,100 (3,800 excluding Performance Adhesives) employees worldwide, Ashland serves customers in more than 100 countries.
Ashland’s sales generated outside of North America were 68% for both the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Sales by region expressed as a percentage of total consolidated sales for the three months ended December 31 were as follows:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
Sales by Geography |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
North America (a) |
|
|
32 |
% |
|
|
32 |
% |
Europe |
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
34 |
% |
Asia Pacific |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
25 |
% |
Latin America & other |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Reportable segments
On August 31, 2021, Ashland announced its agreement with Arkema, a French société anonyme, to sell the Performance Adhesive business for the sum of $1.65 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the March 2022 quarter end, subject to closing conditions. Ashland expects net proceeds from the sale to be approximately $1.2 to $1.3 billion, with the aim of using the proceeds to invest in the growth of its other reportable core businesses as well as to optimize its balance sheet through debt reductions or utilization of unused authorized share repurchase program amounts. The expected divestiture represents a strategic shift in Ashland's business and qualifies as a discontinued operation. As a result, the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows related to Performance Adhesives have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented within the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As a result, Ashland’s reportable segments include Life Sciences, Personal Care (formerly Personal Care & Household), Specialty Additives and Intermediates (formerly Intermediates and Solvents). Unallocated and Other includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. The contribution to sales by each reportable segment expressed as a percentage of total consolidated sales for the three months ended December 31 was as follows:
29
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
Sales by Reportable Segment |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Life Sciences |
|
|
33 |
% |
|
|
36 |
% |
Personal Care |
|
|
29 |
% |
|
|
27 |
% |
Specialty Additives |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
32 |
% |
Intermediates |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Business results current quarter
Ashland recorded net income of $48 million (income of $32 million in continuing operations and $16 million in discontinued operations) and net income of $56 million (income of $43 million in continuing operations and $13 million in discontinued operations) in the current and prior year quarters, respectively. Ashland’s EBITDA of $118 million increased by $15 million for the current quarter, while Ashland’s Adjusted EBITDA of $106 million increased by $5 million for the current quarter, each compared to the prior year quarter (see U.S. GAAP reconciliation below under consolidated review). These increases were primarily driven by the operations of the acquired Schülke business along with improved pricing and mix, partially offset by increased plant, manufacturing, and shipping costs and unfavorable foreign currency.
Uncertainty relating to the COVID-19 pandemic
Ashland continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how it will impact customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. Ashland is unable to predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its future financial position and operating results due to numerous uncertainties. These uncertainties include the severity of the virus, the duration of the outbreak, governmental, business or other actions, impacts on Ashland’s supply chain, the effect on customer demand, or changes to Ashland’s operations. The health of Ashland’s workforce and its ability to meet staffing needs throughout the critical functions cannot be predicted and is vital to operations. Further, the impacts of a potential worsening of global economic conditions and the continued disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets, consumer spending as well as other unanticipated consequences remain unknown. In addition, Ashland cannot predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its customers, vendors, suppliers and other business partners; however, any material effect on these parties could adversely impact Ashland.
Ashland continues to successfully navigate the uncertain environment associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the first quarter of fiscal 2022, Ashland has not experienced any additional major operating surprises related to the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to maintain supply chains in a challenging environment, had strong safety performance in the face of unprecedented pressures and improved operating discipline across each of its businesses. Ashland's businesses continued to show resiliency in the face of difficult economic circumstances. While sales were up in the quarter period-over-period, continued supply-chain and labor-shortage challenges inhibited Ashland's ability to meet strong overall customer demand. As a result, approximately $20 million of confirmed orders were delayed in late December with the large majority being shipped in early January. Additionally, Ashland continues to carry a large backlog of unconfirmed orders it cannot commit to supply at this time. Ashland’s overall liquidity remains strong and Ashland is able to meet its operating cash needs and other investing and financing cash requirements at this time, including those necessary to grow the business.
The situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic remains fluid, and Ashland is actively managing its response in collaboration with customers, government officials, team members and business partners. For further information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company, please see Item 1A, Risk Factors in Ashland’s most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Other items
Performance Adhesives
30
In May 2021, Ashland announced a strategic review of its Performance Adhesives business unit. On August 31, 2021, Ashland announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Performance Adhesives segment in a transaction valued at $1.65 billion. The transaction is expected to close prior to the end of the March 2022 quarter, contingent on certain customary regulatory approvals, standard conditions and completion of required employee information and consultation processes. Since this transaction represents a strategic shift in Ashland’s business and had a major effect on Ashland’s operations and financial results, the operating results and cash flows related to Performance Adhesives have been reflected as discontinued operations in the statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows. See Notes B and C of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Certain indirect corporate costs included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) that were previously allocated to the Performance Adhesives segment do not qualify for classification within discontinued operations and are now reported as selling, general and administrative expense within continuing operations on a consolidated basis and within the Unallocated and other segment. These costs were $4 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Ashland is currently implementing plans to eliminate certain of these costs.
Operational business model changes and restructurings
As previously disclosed, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, Ashland changed the manner in which it manages the business moving from a functionally led to a business led organization. This new business-centric operational redesign of core operating systems and processes lead to a realignment in both the selling, general and administrative and research and development costs (SARD) associated with each business. In addition to the realignment of SARD, a productivity review with a focus on cost of goods sold (COGS) was also initiated. Based on these initiatives, Ashland targeted the following savings:
As of December 31, 2021, Ashland has substantially achieved all of its target run-rate cost savings under these initiatives.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CONSOLIDATED REVIEW
Consolidated review
Net income
Ashland’s net income is primarily affected by results within operating income, net interest and other expense (income), income taxes, discontinued operations and other significant events or transactions that are unusual or nonrecurring.
Key financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included the following:
31
For further information on the items reported above, see the discussion in the comparative Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) caption review analysis.
Operating income
Operating income/loss amounted to income of $42 million and $17 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The current and prior year quarters’ operating income included certain key items that were excluded to arrive at Adjusted EBITDA and are quantified in the table below in the “EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA” section. These operating key items for the applicable periods are summarized as follows:
Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included depreciation and amortization of $60 million and $59 million, respectively.
Non-operating key items affecting EBITDA
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) – caption review
A comparative analysis of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) by caption is provided as follows for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Sales |
|
$ |
512 |
|
|
$ |
468 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of the change in sales for the three ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
(In millions) |
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
Volume |
|
$ |
5 |
|
Pricing |
|
|
26 |
|
Currency exchange |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Acquisition |
|
|
19 |
|
Change in sales |
|
$ |
44 |
|
32
Sales for the current quarter increased $44 million compared to the prior year quarter. Favorable volume, including the acquisition of Schülke within the Personal Care reportable segment, and product pricing associated with cost inflation pricing actions increased sales by $24 million and $26 million, respectively, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange of $6 million.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Cost of sales |
|
$ |
351 |
|
|
$ |
321 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
Gross profit as a percent of sales |
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
The following table provides a reconciliation of the change in cost of sales between the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
(In millions) |
|
December 31, 2021 |
|
|
Changes in: |
|
|
|
|
Volume |
|
$ |
4 |
|
Price/mix |
|
|
19 |
|
Currency exchange |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Acquisition |
|
|
10 |
|
Change in cost of sales |
|
$ |
30 |
|
Cost of sales for the current quarter increased $30 million compared to the prior year quarter. Price/mix, which includes cost inflation associated with plant manufacturing and shipping costs, and higher volume, including Schülke, increased cost of sales by $19 million and $14 million, respectively. These increases were partially offset by foreign currency exchange, which decreased cost of sales by $3 million.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Selling, general and administrative expense |
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
101 |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
As a percent of sales |
|
|
16.0 |
% |
|
|
21.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expense for the current quarter decreased $19 million compared to the prior year quarter with expenses as a percent of sales decreasing 5.6 percentage points. Key drivers of the fluctuation in selling, general and administrative expense compared to the prior year quarter were:
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Research and development expense |
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Research and development expense is consistent with the prior year quarter.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Intangibles amortization expense |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
The increase in amortization expense in the current quarter is due to the amortization of intangible assets associated with the Schülke acquisition.
33
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Equity and other income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other income |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
Other income of $5 million in the prior year quarter is primarily due to a gain on sale of excess corporate property of roughly $4 million.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Net interest and other expense (income) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Loss (income) from restricted investments |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
Other financing costs |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net interest and other expense increased by $12 million during the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter. Interest expense increased $1 million primarily due to higher debt levels during the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter. Restricted investments income of $12 million and $23 million included gains of $4 million compared to $18 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note E for more information on the restricted investments.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
||
Net income on acquisitions and divestitures |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
(14 |
) |
The activity in the prior year quarter relates to a a $14 million gain related to the sale of a Specialty Additives facility.
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
10 |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
|
(13 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
Ashland’s effective tax rate in any interim period is subject to adjustments related to discrete items and the mix of domestic and foreign operating results. The overall effective tax rate was 13% for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and was primarily impacted by jurisdictional income mix, as well as favorable discrete items of $3 million.
The overall effective tax rate was a benefit of 13% for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and was primarily impacted by jurisdictional income mix, as well as favorable discrete items of $13 million primarily related to the sale of a Specialty Additives facility.
Adjusted income tax expense (benefit)
Key items are defined as the financial effects from significant transactions that may have caused short-term fluctuations in net income and/or operating income which Ashland believes do not accurately reflect Ashland’s underlying business performance and trends. Tax specific key items are defined as the financial effects from tax specific financial transactions, tax law changes or other matters that fall within the definition of key items as previously described. The effective tax rate, excluding key items, which is a non-GAAP measure, has been prepared to illustrate the ongoing tax effects of Ashland’s operations. Management believes investors and analysts use this financial measure in assessing Ashland's business performance and that presenting this non-GAAP measure on a consolidated basis assists investors in better understanding Ashland’s ongoing business performance and enhancing their ability to compare period-to-period financial results.
34
The effective tax rate during the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was significantly impacted by the following tax specific key items:
The following table is a calculation of the effective tax rate, excluding these key items.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
Key items (pre-tax) (a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
Adjusted income from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
before income taxes |
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
Income tax rate adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Tax effect of key items |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Tax specific key items: (b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restructuring and separation activity |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Total income tax rate adjustments |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Adjusted income tax expense |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effective tax rate, excluding key items (Non-GAAP) (c) |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Income (loss) from discontinued operation (net of taxes) |
|
|||||||||||
Performance Adhesives |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
Distribution |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (net of taxes) |
|
|||||||||||
Composites/Marl facility |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
The activity for Distribution and Composites/Marl facility during the current and prior year quarters was related to post-closing adjustments. The Composites/Marl Facility activity for the prior year quarter included post-closing purchase price dispute adjustments. The Performance Adhesives segment sales and pre-tax operating income included in discontinued operations were $96 million and $22 million, and $84 million and $24 million respectively, for the current and prior year quarter.
Other comprehensive income (loss)
A comparative analysis of the components of other comprehensive income is provided below for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||||||
(In millions) |
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of taxes) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized translation gain (loss) |
$ |
(17 |
) |
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
(65 |
) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity hedges |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
(68 |
) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the current quarter decreased $68 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily as a result of the following:
35
Use of non-GAAP measures
Ashland has included within this document the following non-GAAP measures, on both a consolidated and reportable segment basis, which are not defined within U.S. GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to net income or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of operating performance or cash flows:
Management believes the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA measures on a consolidated and reportable segment basis assists investors in understanding the ongoing operating performance by presenting comparable financial results between periods. Ashland believes that by removing the impact of depreciation and amortization and excluding certain non-cash charges, amounts spent on interest and taxes and certain other charges that are highly variable from year to year, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide Ashland’s investors with performance measures that reflect the impact to operations from trends in changes in sales, margin and operating expenses, providing a perspective not immediately apparent from net income and operating income. The adjustments Ashland makes to derive the non-GAAP measures of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude items which may cause short-term fluctuations in net income and operating income and which Ashland does not consider to be the fundamental attributes or primary drivers of its business. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide disclosure on the same basis as that used by Ashland’s management to evaluate financial performance on a consolidated and reportable segment basis and provide consistency in our financial reporting, facilitate internal and external comparisons of Ashland’s historical operating performance and its business units and provide continuity to investors for comparability purposes.
The Adjusted diluted EPS metric enables Ashland to demonstrate what effect key items have on an earnings per diluted share basis by taking income (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted for key items after tax that have been identified in the Adjusted EBITDA table, and dividing by the average outstanding diluted shares for the applicable period. Ashland’s management believes this presentation is helpful to illustrate how the key items have impacted this metric during the applicable period.
The Adjusted diluted EPS, excluding intangibles amortization expense metric enables Ashland to demonstrate the impact of non-cash intangibles amortization expense on EPS, in addition to the key items previously mentioned. Ashland’s management believes this presentation is helpful to illustrate how previous acquisitions impact applicable period results.
36
The free cash flow metrics enable Ashland to provide a better indication of the ongoing cash being generated that is ultimately available for both debt and equity holders as well as other investment opportunities. Unlike cash flow provided by operating activities, free cash flow and ongoing free cash flow includes the impact of capital expenditures from continuing operations and other significant items impacting cash flow, providing a more complete picture of current and future cash generation. Free cash flow has certain limitations, including that it does not reflect adjustment for certain non-discretionary cash flows such as mandatory debt repayments. The amount of mandatory versus discretionary expenditures can vary significantly between periods.
Although Ashland may provide forward-looking guidance for Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS and ongoing free cash flow, Ashland is not reaffirming or providing forward-looking guidance for U.S. GAAP-reported financial measures or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items that affect these metrics such as domestic and international economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. In addition, certain economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of certain key raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations and are difficult to predict with certainty.
These non-GAAP measures should be considered supplemental in nature and should not be construed as more significant than comparable measures defined by U.S. GAAP. Limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP measures include that these measures do not present all of the amounts associated with our results as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP measures provided are used by Ashland management and may not be determined in a manner consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide a supplemental presentation of Ashland’s operating performance on a consolidated and reportable segment basis. Adjusted EBITDA generally includes adjustments for items that impact comparability between periods. In addition, certain financial covenants related to Ashland’s 2020 Credit Agreement are based on similar non-GAAP measures and are defined further in the sections that refer to this metric.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA totaled income of $118 million and $103 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA results in the table below have been prepared to illustrate the ongoing effects of Ashland’s operations, which exclude certain key items previously described. Management believes the use of such non-GAAP measures on a consolidated and reportable segment basis assists investors in understanding the ongoing operating performance by presenting the financial results between periods on a more comparable basis.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
Net interest and other expense (income) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
EBITDA |
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Key items included in EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restructuring, separation and other costs |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Capital project impairment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Environmental reserve adjustments |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
Total key items included in EBITDA |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total key items included in EBITDA |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
Unrealized gain on securities |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
Total key items, before tax |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
37
Diluted EPS and Adjusted Diluted EPS
The following table reflects the U.S. GAAP calculation for the income from continuing operations adjusted for the cumulative diluted EPS effect for key items after tax that have been identified in the Adjusted EBITDA table in the previous section. Key items are defined as the financial effects from significant transactions that may have caused short-term fluctuations in net income and/or operating income which Ashland believes do not accurately reflect Ashland’s underlying business performance and trends. The Adjusted diluted EPS for the income from continuing operations in the following table has been prepared to illustrate the ongoing effects of Ashland’s operations. Management believes investors and analysts use this financial measure in assessing Ashland's business performance and that presenting this non-GAAP measure on a consolidated basis assists investors in better understanding Ashland’s ongoing business performance and enhances their ability to compare period-to-period financial results.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (as reported) |
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
Key items, before tax: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restructuring, separation and other costs |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
Environmental reserve adjustments |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Capital project impairment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Unrealized gain on securities |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
Key items, before tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
Tax effect of key items (a) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
Key items, after tax |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
Tax specific key items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Restructuring and separation activity |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
Tax specific key items (b) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
Total key items |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations (non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
Amortization expense adjustment (net of tax) (c) |
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations (non-GAAP) excluding intangibles amortization expense |
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – REPORTABLE SEGMENT REVIEW
Ashland’s reportable segments include Life Sciences, Personal Care (formerly Personal Care and Household), Specialty Additives, and Intermediates (formerly Intermediates and Solvents). Unallocated and Other includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters.
Results of Ashland’s reportable segments are presented based on its management and internal accounting structure. The structure is specific to Ashland; therefore, the financial results of Ashland’s reportable segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information for other companies. Ashland allocates all significant costs to its reportable segments except for certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, certain corporate governance costs and other costs or activities that relate to former businesses that Ashland no longer operates. The service cost component of pension and other postretirement benefits costs is allocated to each reportable segment on a ratable basis; while the remaining components of pension and other postretirement benefits costs are recorded within the other net periodic benefit income caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ashland refines its expense allocation methodologies to the reportable segments from time to time as
38
internal accounting practices are improved, more refined information becomes available and the industry or market changes. Significant revisions to Ashland’s methodologies are adjusted for all segments on a retrospective basis.
The following table discloses sales, operating income, depreciation and amortization and EBITDA by reportable segment for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions - unaudited) |
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
SALES |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
170 |
|
|
$ |
170 |
|
Personal Care |
|
147 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
Specialty Additives |
|
156 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
Intermediates |
|
53 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
Intersegment sales (a) |
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
512 |
|
|
$ |
468 |
|
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
Personal Care |
|
15 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Specialty Additives (b) |
|
17 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Intermediates |
|
16 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Unallocated and other |
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
Personal Care |
|
9 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Specialty Additives |
|
16 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Intermediates |
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
$ |
36 |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Personal Care |
|
12 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Specialty Additives |
|
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Intermediates |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
EBITDA (c) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Life Sciences |
$ |
36 |
|
|
$ |
45 |
|
Personal Care |
|
36 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
Specialty Additives |
|
38 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
Intermediates |
|
19 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Unallocated and other |
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
$ |
76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
39
Life Sciences
Life Sciences is comprised of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, nutraceuticals, agricultural chemicals, advanced materials and fine chemicals. Pharmaceutical solutions include controlled release polymers, disintegrants, film coatings, solubilizers, and tablet binders. Nutrition solutions include thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and additives for enhancing mouthfeel, controlling moisture migration, reducing oil uptake and controlling color. Nutraceutical solutions include products for weight management, joint comfort, stomach and intestinal health, sports nutrition and general wellness, and providing custom formulation, toll processing and particle engineering solutions. Customers include pharmaceutical, food, beverage, nutraceuticals and supplements manufacturers, hospitals and radiologists and industrial manufacturers.
December 2021 quarter compared to December 2020 quarter
Life Sciences’ sales remained consistent at $170 million in the current quarter. Favorable pricing increased sales by $3 million, while lower volume and unfavorable foreign currency decreased sales by $1 million and $2 million, respectively.
Operating income decreased $8 million to income of $21 million for the current quarter. Unfavorable price/mix, lower volume, unfavorable foreign currency and higher costs decreased operating income by $5 million, $1 million, $1 million and $1 million, respectively. Current quarter EBITDA decreased $9 million to $36 million. EBITDA margin decreased 5.3 percentage points in the current quarter to 21.2%.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA amounts presented within this business section are provided as a means to enhance the understanding of financial measurements that Ashland has internally determined to be relevant measures of comparison for each segment. Each of these non-GAAP measures is defined as follows: EBITDA (operating income plus depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA adjusted for key items, which may include pro forma effects for significant acquisitions or divestitures, as applicable), and Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA, which may include pro forma adjustments, divided by sales or sales adjusted for pro forma results). Ashland does not allocate items to each reportable segment below operating income, such as interest expense and income taxes. As a result, reportable segment EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are reconciled directly to operating income since it is the most directly comparable Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) caption.
The following EBITDA presentation for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided as a means to enhance the understanding of financial measurements that Ashland has internally determined to be relevant measures of comparison for the results of Life Sciences. Life Sciences had no key items for the three months ended December 31, 2021 or 2020.
|
|
Life Sciences |
|
|||||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
36 |
|
|
$ |
45 |
|
40
Personal Care
Personal Care is comprised of biofunctionals, preservatives, skin care, sun care, oral care, hair care and household. These businesses have a broad range of nature-based, biodegradable, and performance-enhancing ingredients for customer-driven solutions to help protect, renew, moisturize and revitalize skin and hair, and provide solutions for toothpastes, mouth washes and rinses, denture cleaning and care for teeth. Household supplies nature-derived rheology ingredients, biodegradable surface wetting agents, performance encapsulates, and specialty polymers for household, industrial and institutional cleaning products. Customers include formulators at large multinational branded consumer products companies and smaller, independent boutique companies. As previously disclosed, on April 30, 2021 Ashland completed the $312 million acquisition of the personal care business from Schülke.
December 2021 quarter compared to December 2020 quarter
Personal Care’ sales increased $21 million to $147 million in the current quarter. Favorable product pricing and volume/mix, including the impact of the Schülke acquisition, increased sales by $2 million and $21 million, respectively. Unfavorable currency exchange decreased sales by $2 million.
Operating income of $15 million remained consistent for the current quarter. Lower costs, favorable impact of the Schülke acquisition and higher volume increased operating income by $3 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively. Unfavorable price/mix decreased operating income by $7 million. Current quarter EBITDA increased $2 million to $36 million. EBITDA margin decreased 2.5 percentage points in the current quarter to 24.5%.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
The following EBITDA presentation for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided as a means to enhance the understanding of financial measurements that Ashland has internally determined to be relevant measures of comparison for the results of Personal Care. Personal Care had no key items for the three months ended December 31, 2021 or 2020.
|
|
Personal Care |
|
|||||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
36 |
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
Specialty Additives
Specialty Additives is comprised of rheology- and performance-enhancing additives serving the coatings, construction, energy, automotive and various industrial markets. Solutions include coatings additives for architectural paints, finishes and lacquers, cement- and gypsum- based dry mortars, ready-mixed joint compounds, synthetic plasters for commercial and residential construction, and specialty materials for industrial applications. Products include rheology modifiers (cellulosic and associative thickeners), foam-control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, pH neutralizers, advanced ceramics used in catalytic converters, and environmental filters, ingredients that aid the manufacturing process of ceramic capacitors, plasma display panels and solar cells, ingredients for textile printing, thermoplastic metals and alloys for welding. Products help improve desired functional outcomes through rheology modification and control, water retention, workability, adhesive strength, binding power, film formation, deposition and suspension and emulsification. Customers include global paint manufacturers, electronics and automotive manufacturers, textile mills, the construction industry, and welders.
December 2021 quarter compared to December 2020 quarter
Specialty Additives’ sales increased $9 million to $156 million in the current quarter. Favorable product pricing and volume/mix increased sales by $8 million and $2 million, respectively. Unfavorable currency exchange decreased sales by $1 million.
Operating income increased $15 million to income of $17 million for the current quarter. Lower costs, favorable volume, favorable pricing/mix, and a capital project impairment in the prior year quarter increased operating income by $4 million, $1 million, $1 million and $9 million, respectively. Current quarter EBITDA increased $15 million
41
to $38 million while Adjusted EBITDA increased $6 million to $38 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 2.6 percentage points in the current quarter to 24.4%.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
The following EBITDA presentation for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided as a means to enhance the understanding of financial measurements that Ashland has internally determined to be relevant measures of comparison for the results of Specialty Additives. The key items during the three months ended December 31, 2020 related to a capital project impairment within Specialty Additives.
|
|
Specialty Additives |
|
|||||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
EBITDA |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
Capital project impairment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
38 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
Intermediates
Intermediates is comprised of the production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. These products are used as chemical intermediates in the production of engineering polymers and polyurethanes, and as specialty process solvents in a wide array of applications including electronics, pharmaceuticals, water filtration membranes and more. Butanediol is also provided to Life Sciences, Personal Care, and Specialty Additives for use as a raw material.
December 2021 quarter compared to December 2020 quarter
Intermediates’ sales increased $20 million to $53 million in the current period primarily due to higher product pricing.
Operating income increased $14 million to $16 million for the current quarter. Price/mix increased operating income by $17 million and was partially offset by higher production costs which decreased operating income by $3 million. Current quarter EBITDA increased $14 million to $19 million. EBITDA margin increased 20.6 percentage points in the current quarter to 35.8%.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation
The following EBITDA presentation (as defined and described in the section above) for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided as a means to enhance the understanding of financial measurements that Ashland has internally determined to be relevant measures of comparison for the results of Intermediates. Intermediates had no key items for the three months ended December 31, 2021 or 2020.
|
|
Intermediates |
|
|||||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Operating income |
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
42
Unallocated and other
The following table summarizes the key components of the Unallocated and other segment’s operating income (loss) for the three ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Unallocated and Other |
|
|||||
|
|
Three months ended December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Restructuring activities |
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
Environmental expenses |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Other expenses (primarily governance and legacy expenses) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
Total expense |
|
$ |
(27 |
) |
|
$ |
(31 |
) |
December 2021 quarter compared to December 2020 quarter
Unallocated and other recorded expense of $27 million and $31 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The current and prior year quarters included expense of $5 million and $16 million, respectively, for restructuring activities mainly comprised of severance, lease abandonment and other restructuring costs related to company-wide cost reduction programs during the current and prior year quarters, respectively, as well as stranded costs of $4 million for each period associated with the Performance Adhesives divestiture.
The current quarter and prior year quarter included $3 million and $4 million for environmental expenses, respectively.
Other expenses increase of $8 million is primarily a result of a gain of $4 million in the prior year quarter associated with excess corporate property sales as well as decreased transition services income associated with the Composites sale from INEOS in the current quarter.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Liquidity
Ashland believes that cash flow from operations, availability under existing credit facilities and arrangements, current cash and investment balances and the ability to obtain other financing, if necessary, will provide adequate cash funds for Ashland’s foreseeable working capital needs, capital expenditures at existing facilities, dividend payments and debt service obligations. Ashland’s cash requirements are subject to change as business conditions warrant and opportunities arise. The timing and size of any new business ventures or acquisitions that the Company may complete may also impact its cash requirements. For information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the Company, including on its liquidity and capital resources, please see item 1A, in Ashland’s most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Cash flows
Ashland’s cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows, are summarized as follows for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|||||
|
|
December 31 |
|
|||||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
||
Cash provided (used) by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating activities from continuing operations |
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
Investing activities from continuing operations |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Financing activities from continuing operations |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(207 |
) |
Discontinued operations |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
8 |
|
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
(119 |
) |
43
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $16 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to a $119 million decrease for the three months ended December 31, 2020.
The $16 million decrease for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was primarily driven by payment of cash dividends of $17 million and additions to property, plant and equipment of $15 million offset by net proceeds from short-term debt of $11 million. Operating cash flows from continuing operations were inflows of $14 million, while discontinued operations cash flows were outflows of $9 million.
The $119 million decrease for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was primarily driven by repayment of short-term debt of $187 million offset by $81 million of operating cash flows from continuing operations.
Free cash flow and other liquidity resources
The following represents Ashland’s calculation of free cash flow and ongoing free cash flows for the disclosed periods. Free cash flow does not reflect adjustments for certain non-discretionary cash flows such as mandatory debt repayments.
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
Total cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations |
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
Free cash flows |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
51 |
|
Cash (inflows) outflows from U.S. Accounts Receivable Sales Program (a) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Restructuring-related payments (b) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Environmental and related litigation payments (c) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
Ongoing free cash flow |
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Adjusted EBITDA (d) |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Ongoing free cash flow conversion (e) |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
73 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Working capital (current assets minus current liabilities, excluding long-term debt due within one year) amounted to $839 million and $792 million as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively. The $47 million increase in working capital was the primary reason of the $48 million decline in ongoing free cash flows between periods primarily as a result of increased inventories to navigate supply-chain issues as well as cost inflation and reduced accrued expenses as a result of annual incentive program payouts. Liquid assets (cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable) amounted to 62% and 65% of current liabilities (excluding current liabilities held for sale) as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021, respectively.
The following summary reflects Ashland’s cash, unused borrowing capacity and liquidity as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Cash and investment securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
194 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
Restricted investments (a) |
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
421 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Unused borrowing capacity and liquidity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Revolving credit facility |
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
356 |
|
2018 accounts receivable securitization (foreign) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accounts receivable sales program (U.S.) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
44
The borrowing capacity remaining under the $600 million revolving credit facility was $341 million due to an outstanding balance of $240 million, as well as a reduction of $19 million for letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2021. In total, Ashland’s available liquidity position, which includes cash, the revolving credit facility and foreign accounts receivable securitization facility, was $535 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $566 million at September 30, 2021. Ashland had no available liquidity under the U.S. Accounts Receivable Sales Program as of December 31, 2021. Ashland also maintained $426 million of restricted investments to pay for future asbestos claims and environmental remediation and related litigation.
Capital resources
Debt
The following summary reflects Ashland’s debt as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021.
|
|
December 31 |
|
|
September 30 |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
||
Short-term debt (includes current portion of long-term debt) |
|
$ |
389 |
|
|
$ |
374 |
|
Long-term debt (less current portion and debt issuance cost discounts) (a) |
|
|
1,580 |
|
|
|
1,596 |
|
Total debt |
|
$ |
1,969 |
|
|
$ |
1,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Debt as a percent of capital employed was 42% at December 31, 2021 and at September 30, 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2021, Ashland’s total debt had an outstanding principal balance of $2,025 million, discounts of $39 million, and debt issuance costs of $17 million. The scheduled aggregate maturities of long-term debt by year (including the current portion and excluding debt issuance costs) are as follows: $9 million in 2022, $22 million in 2023, $44 million in 2024, $175 million in 2025 and zero in 2026.
Ashland credit ratings
Ashland’s corporate credit ratings remained unchanged at BB+ by Standard & Poor’s and Ba1 by Moody’s Investor Services. As of December 31, 2021, both Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor's outlook remained at stable. Subsequent changes to these ratings or outlook may have an effect on Ashland’s borrowing rate or ability to access capital markets in the future.
Ashland debt covenant restrictions
Ashland's current credit agreement (the 2020 Credit Agreement) contains usual and customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants for leverage and interest coverage ratios, limitations on liens, additional subsidiary indebtedness, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, mergers, sale of assets and restricted payments and other customary limitations. As of December 31, 2021, Ashland is in compliance with all debt agreement covenant restrictions under the 2020 Credit Agreement.
The maximum consolidated net leverage ratio permitted under the 2020 Credit Agreement is 4.0. The 2020 Credit Agreement defines the consolidated net leverage ratio as the ratio of consolidated indebtedness minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to consolidated EBITDA (Covenant Adjusted EBITDA) for any measurement period. In general, the 2020 Credit Agreement defines Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus consolidated interest charges, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, fees and expenses related to capital market transactions and proposed or actual acquisitions and divestitures, restructuring and integration charges, noncash stock and equity compensation expense, and any other nonrecurring expenses or losses that do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period; less any noncash gains or other items increasing net income. The computation of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA differs from the calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which have been reconciled above in the “consolidated review” section. In general, consolidated indebtedness includes debt plus all purchase money indebtedness, banker’s acceptances and bank guaranties, deferred purchase price of property or services, attributable indebtedness and guarantees. At December 31, 2021, Ashland’s calculation of the consolidated net leverage ratio was 3.1.
The minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio under the 2020 Credit Agreement is 3.0. The 2020 Credit Agreement defines the consolidated interest coverage ratio as the ratio of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated interest charges for any measurement period. At December 31, 2021, Ashland’s calculation of the consolidated interest coverage ratio was 9.4.
45
Any change in Covenant Adjusted EBITDA of $100 million would have an approximate 0.5x effect on the consolidated net leverage ratio and a 1.6x effect on the consolidated interest coverage ratio. The change in consolidated indebtedness of $100 million would affect the consolidated leverage ratio by approximately 0.2x.
Additional capital resources
Total equity
Total equity increased by $11 million since September 30, 2021 to $2,763 million at December 31, 2021. The increase of $11 million was due to net income of $48 million, offset by dividends of $17 million, deferred translation loss of $17 million, and $3 million of deferred loss on commodity hedges.
Stockholder dividends
Ashland paid a dividend of 30 cents per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 and 27.5 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures were $15 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021 compared to $30 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of Ashland’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangible assets), income taxes, other liabilities and receivables associated with asbestos litigation and environmental remediation. These accounting policies are discussed in detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Critical Accounting Policies” in Ashland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management has reviewed the estimates affecting these items with the Audit Committee of Ashland’s Board of Directors. No material changes have been made to the valuation techniques during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
OUTLOOK
Ashland issued its outlook for fiscal 2022 in November 2021. This outlook has not changed and remains the same as shown in the table below. Ashland's most recent forecast projects full-year Adjusted EBITDA below the midpoint of the range.
|
|
|
FY 2022 Outlook |
Key Operating Metrics |
|
|
|
Sales |
|
|
$2.25 - $2.35 billion |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
|
$550 - $570 million |
|
|
|
|
Ashland is unable to reconcile forward-looking adjusted EBITDA to forward-looking net income, the most closely comparable GAAP financial measure, because the information needed to provide such reconciliation would require unreasonable efforts.
46
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Ashland’s market risk exposure at December 31, 2021 is generally consistent with the types of market risk exposures presented in Ashland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures - As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, Ashland, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including Ashland’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of Ashland’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2021.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting - During the three months ended December 31, 2021, there were no significant changes in Ashland's internal control over financial reporting, or in other factors, that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Ashland's internal control over financial reporting.
Ashland completed its purchase of Schülke in the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Although management believes appropriate internal controls and procedures have been maintained, Schülke's controls and procedures for the recording, processing, and summarizing of financial information have not been fully evaluated by Ashland's management as of December 31, 2021. Ashland anticipates to have this assessment complete during Fiscal 2022. As such, there is a risk that deficiencies may exist and not yet be identified that could constitute significant deficiencies or in the aggregate, a material weakness related to Schülke's business.
47
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The following is a description of Ashland’s material legal proceedings. Ashland’s threshold for disclosing material environmental legal proceedings involving a governmental authority where potential monetary sanctions are involved is $1 million.
Asbestos-Related Litigation
Ashland is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims result primarily from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley Stoker Corporation (Riley), a former subsidiary. Although Riley was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos, its industrial boilers contained some asbestos-containing components provided by other companies.
Hercules LLC (formerly Hercules Incorporated), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashland, is also subject to liabilities from asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits involving claims which typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products which were sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market.
Ashland and Hercules are also defendants in lawsuits alleging exposure to asbestos at facilities formerly or presently owned or operated by Ashland or Hercules.
For additional detailed information regarding liabilities arising from asbestos-related litigation, see Note L of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Environmental Proceedings
(a) CERCLA and Similar State Law Sites - Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and similar state laws, Ashland and its subsidiaries may be subject to joint and several liability for cleanup costs in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at sites where it has been identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP). As of December 31, 2021, Ashland and its subsidiaries have been identified as a PRP by U.S. federal and state authorities, or by private parties seeking contribution, for the cost of environmental investigation and/or cleanup at 80 sites. These sites are currently subject to ongoing investigation and remedial activities, overseen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) or a state agency, in which Ashland or its subsidiaries are typically participating as a member of a PRP group. Generally, the types of relief sought include remediation of contaminated soil and/or groundwater, reimbursement for past costs of site cleanup and administrative oversight and/or long-term monitoring of environmental conditions at the sites. The ultimate costs are not predictable with assurance.
(b) Lower Passaic River, New Jersey Matters - Ashland, through two formerly owned facilities, and ISP, through a now-closed facility, have been identified as PRPs, along with approximately 70 other companies (the Cooperating Parties Group or the CPG), in a May 2007 Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) with the USEPA. The parties are required to perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) of the entire 17 miles of the Passaic River. In June 2007, the USEPA separately commenced a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) as an interim measure. In accordance with the 2007 AOC, in June 2012 the CPG voluntarily entered into another AOC for an interim removal action focused solely at mile 10.9 of the Passaic River. The allocations for the 2007 AOC and the 2012 removal action are based on interim allocations, are immaterial and have been accrued. In April 2014, the USEPA released the FFS. The CPG submitted the Draft RI/FS Report on April 30, 2015. The USEPA has released the FFS Record of Decision for the lower 8 miles and recently reached an agreement with another chemical company to conduct and pay for the remedial design. This chemical company has sued Ashland, ISP and numerous other defendants to recover past and future costs pursuant to the CERCLA. Ashland, ISP and numerous other defendants have filed a Motion to Dismiss all of the claims. Ashland and ISP are participating in an USEPA allocation process. The release of the FFS Record of Decision, the current allocations proceedings and the lawsuit are not expected to be material to Ashland.
For additional information regarding environmental matters and reserves, see Note L of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
48
Other Pending Legal Proceedings
In addition to the matters described above, there are other various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings pending or threatened against Ashland and its current and former subsidiaries. Such actions are with respect to commercial matters, product liability, toxic tort liability and other environmental matters which seek remedies or damages, some of which are for substantial amounts. While Ashland cannot predict with certainty the outcome of such actions, it believes that adequate reserves have been recorded and losses already recognized with respect to such actions were immaterial as of December 31, 2021. There is a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized may be incurred related to these actions; however, Ashland believes that such potential losses were immaterial as of December 31, 2021.
49
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
During the period covered by this report, there were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Ashland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There was no share repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2021.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
|
|||||||||||||||
Q1 Fiscal Periods |
|
Total Number of |
|
|
Average Price |
|
|
Total Number of |
|
|
Dollar Value of |
|
||||
October 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
November 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
350 |
|
December 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
350 |
|
Total |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
50
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
10.1* |
|
|
|
31.1* |
|
|
|
31.2* |
|
|
|
32* |
|
|
|
101.INS** |
Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
|
|
101.SCH** |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
|
|
101.CAL** |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
|
|
101.DEF** |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
|
|
101.LAB** |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
|
|
101.PRE** |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
|
|
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
|
* |
Filed herewith. |
|
** |
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021; (iii) Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
|
SM |
Service mark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. |
|
™ |
Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. |
51
SIGNATURE
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 Global Holdings Inc. |
|
|
(Registrant) |
February 3, 2022 |
|
/s/ J. Kevin Willis |
|
|
J. Kevin Willis |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (on behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial officer) |
52
Exhibit 10.1
Amendment to Supplemental Confirmation
THIS AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) is made as of November 22, 2021, between JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch (“JPMorgan”) and Ashland Global Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Counterparty”).
WHEREAS, JPMorgan and Counterparty entered into a Master Confirmation dated as of September 2, 2021 (the “Master Confirmation”), as supplemented by the Supplemental Confirmation entered into between the parties as of the same date (the “Supplemental Confirmation” and, together with the Master Confirmation, the “Confirmation”), governing the accelerated share repurchase transaction entered into between the parties (the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, Counterparty has requested to amend the terms of the Transaction as described herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree to amend the Supplemental Confirmation as follows:
Section 1. Terms Used but Not Defined Herein. Terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Confirmation.
Section 2. Amendments to the Supplemental Confirmation. The Supplemental Confirmation is hereby amended as follows:
“Scheduled Termination Date: April 1, 2022
November 23, 2021
November 24, 2021
145 |
April 1, 2022 |
Section 3. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Each party hereto re-makes, as of the date hereof, the representations and warranties contained in Section 3(a) of the Agreement as if such representations and warranties applied to this Amendment.
Exhibit 10.1
(b) Counterparty re-makes, as of the date hereof, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 6(b)(vi) and 8(a) of the Master Confirmation as if such representations and warranties applied to this Amendment.
Section 4. Effectiveness of this Amendment. This Amendment shall become effective upon execution by the parties hereto.
Section 5. Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if all of the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
Section 6. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its choice of law provisions.
Section 7. Effectiveness of the Confirmations. Except as amended hereby, all of the terms of the Confirmation shall remain and continue in full force and effect and are hereby confirmed in all respects.
Exhibit 10.1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Amendment as of the date and year first above written.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION |
|
By: |
/s/ Brett Chalmers |
Authorized Signatory |
|
Name: Brett Chalmers |
|
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC. |
|
By: |
/s William Whitaker |
Authorized Signatory |
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Name: William Whitaker |
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EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Guillermo Novo, certify that:
Date: February 3, 2022
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/s/ Guillermo Novo |
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Guillermo Novo |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS
I, J. Kevin Willis, certify that:
Date: February 3, 2022
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/s/ J. Kevin Willis |
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J. Kevin Willis |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
EXHIBIT 32
ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned, Guillermo Novo, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and J. Kevin Willis, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
/s/ Guillermo Novo |
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Guillermo Novo |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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February 3, 2022 |
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|
|
|
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/s/ J. Kevin Willis |
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J. Kevin Willis |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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February 3, 2022 |
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