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Ashland Inc. Reports Preliminary Q1 Results: 78 Cents EPS From Continuing Operations; Adjusted EPS of 79 Cents Excluding Key Items

January 25, 2011
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COVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced preliminary(1) results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2010, the first quarter of its 2011 fiscal year.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )


    Quarterly Highlights
    --------------------
                                               Quarter           Quarter
    (in millions except per-share amounts)      Ended             Ended
                                               Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
    --------------------------------------       2010              2009
                                              ---------         ---------
    Operating income                                 $99              $127
    Key items*                                        10                 -
                                                     ---               ---
      Adjusted operating income*                    $109              $127

    Adjusted EBITDA*                                $175              $201

    Diluted earnings per share (EPS)
      From net income                              $1.09             $1.10

      From continuing operations                   $0.78             $0.82
      Key items*                                    0.01             (0.08)
                                                    ----             -----
          Adjusted EPS from continuing
           operations*                             $0.79             $0.74

    Cash flows provided by operating
     activities                                     $(38)              $55
       from continuing operations
    Free cash flow*                                  (72)               28

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

Fiscal First-Quarter GAAP(2) Results

For its 2011 first quarter, Ashland reported sales of $1,433 million, operating income of $99 million, income from continuing operations of $62 million (78 cents per share) and net income of $87 million ($1.09 per share). Net income included income from discontinued operations of $25 million aftertax (31 cents per share), primarily related to the direct results of Ashland Distribution, the pending sale of which was announced in the December quarter. Cash flows used by operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $38 million.

Adjusted Results

Ashland Distribution’s direct results have been excluded from continuing operations; however, certain costs previously allocated to Distribution remain in continuing operating income for all periods and are classified within Ashland’s selling, general and administrative expenses. On this basis and adjusting for the impact of key items in both the current and prior-year quarters, Ashland’s results for the December 2010 quarter as compared with the December 2009 quarter were as follows:

  • sales increased 8 percent to $1,433 million;
  • adjusted operating income was $109 million versus $127 million in the prior year;
  • adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $175 million versus $201 million a year ago; and
  • adjusted EPS from continuing operations grew 7 percent to 79 cents.

Key Items

In total, four key items had a net unfavorable EPS impact on continuing operations of 1 cent in the December 2010 quarter:

  • a $5 million (7 cents negative EPS impact) aftertax expense for accelerated depreciation related to capacity reductions at Ashland Performance Materials;
  • a $2 million (3 cents negative EPS impact) aftertax charge for transaction and startup costs related to the global joint venture with Sud-Chemie AG;
  • a $3 million (4 cents positive EPS impact) aftertax gain related to the market valuation of assets contributed to the Sud-Chemie joint venture; and
  • a $4 million (5 cents positive EPS impact) tax benefit from research-and-development tax credits signed into law on a retroactive basis.

In the year-ago quarter, one key item, related to foreign tax contingencies, had a net favorable impact on earnings of 8 cents per share. Refer to Table 5 of the accompanying financial statements for details of key items in both periods.

Results also included noncash intangible amortization expense of $17 million pretax in the December 2010 quarter and $18 million pretax in the 2009 December quarter. Amounts in both periods primarily reflect the addition of intangible assets from the Hercules acquisition.

Performance Summary

Commenting on Ashland’s first-quarter results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James J. O’Brien said, “Ashland generated solid results for the December quarter in the face of continued escalation in our raw material costs. Both volumes and sales increased over the year-ago quarter, providing further evidence that the overall economy is improving and that our commercial units’ efforts are producing results. I’m particularly pleased that despite this being our seasonally weakest quarter, Ashland achieved higher margins sequentially, a direct result of our ongoing pricing actions.

“Each of our commercial units continues to implement price increases, with the largest sequential gains achieved by Ashland Consumer Markets and Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients. Our success in the short term is directly related to our ability to pass through necessary pricing to offset these escalating costs.”

Business Performance

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

Functional Ingredients recorded sales of $216 million in the December 2010 quarter. Excluding amounts associated with the Pinova business divested in January 2010, sales improved 13 percent and volumes grew 16 percent over the prior December quarter. Sequentially, sales and volumes were both down 10 percent, reflecting typical seasonality in several end markets. Gross profit as a percent of sales was 31.2 percent in the December 2010 quarter versus 33.7 percent in the December 2009 quarter. The decline in gross profit margin versus the prior year largely reflects raw material inflation. Ongoing pricing actions generated a $6 million increase in selling prices sequentially, leading to a 250-basis-point increase in gross profit as a percent of sales over the September 2010 quarter. Pricing actions will continue to be implemented in order to fully restore historical margins. Selling, general and administrative and research-and-development (SG&A) expenses were up 7 percent versus the prior-year quarter, but down 6 percent sequentially. In total, Functional Ingredients’ EBITDA in the December 2010 quarter declined 20 percent versus the prior-year quarter, to $43 million, and was flat sequentially, despite seasonally weaker volumes. EBITDA for the December 2010 quarter equaled 19.9 percent of sales as compared with 25.7 percent in the prior December quarter and 18.0 percent in the September 2010 quarter.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies’ sales were $451 million in the December 2010 quarter, up 2 percent over the year-ago quarter, but down 2 percent sequentially. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 31.6 percent was 500 basis points below the year-ago quarter, but roughly even sequentially. Raw material costs continued to rise, and since the prior December quarter, Water Technologies has recovered only about 15 percent of these cost increases. Since the end of the December quarter, Water Technologies has announced a number of significant price increases across a broad range of product lines and continues to work toward restoring margins. SG&A expenses declined 2 percent versus the prior-year quarter and were down 6 percent sequentially. In total, Water Technologies’ EBITDA of $45 million was 29 percent below the prior-year quarter, but increased 13 percent sequentially. EBITDA amounted to 10.0 percent of sales in the December 2010 quarter, as compared with 14.2 percent in the prior-year quarter and 8.7 percent in the September 2010 quarter.

Ashland Performance Materials achieved sales growth of 20 percent over the year-ago December quarter, to $326 million. Two recent transactions affect comparisons between periods: the April 2010 purchase of Ashland’s partner’s 50-percent interest in Ara Quimica and the December 2010 formation of the global joint venture with Sud-Chemie. Excluding the effects of these transactions, sales of composites and adhesives were still up 17 percent over the prior year. On this same basis, volume per day increased 9 percent over the year-ago quarter, but was down 4 percent sequentially, in line with normal seasonality. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 16.6 percent, which excludes key items, declined versus both the December 2009 and September 2010 quarters. The gross margin decrease largely reflects the effects of the Sud-Chemie joint venture, as well as higher manufacturing costs in the December 2010 quarter. For the near term, the effects of the Sud-Chemie joint venture are expected to result in an approximately 150-basis-point reduction in gross margins; however, the effect on EBITDA margins should be minor. Overall, Performance Materials’ EBITDA of $26 million grew 24 percent over the prior-year quarter and was flat sequentially. EBITDA as a percent of sales was 8.0 percent, a 30-basis-point improvement over the year-ago quarter and 60 points above the September 2010 quarter.

Consumer Markets’ sales of $440 million increased 10 percent over the year-ago December quarter on roughly flat lubricant volume. All market channels showed strong sales growth over the prior year. Sequentially, sales were down 5 percent, while lubricant volume declined 9 percent, as price increases offset the seasonal decline in volume. Gross profit as a percent of sales fell 300 basis points versus the December 2009 quarter, but increased 200 basis points sequentially to 30.9 percent. SG&A expenses rose slightly over the year-ago quarter, but declined 9 percent sequentially, largely due to lower advertising and promotional expenses. In total, Consumer Markets’ December 2010 quarter EBITDA was $74 million, 3 percent below the year-ago quarter, but 21 percent above the September 2010 quarter. The EBITDA margin was 16.8 percent for the December 2010 quarter, 220 basis points below the prior year, but a 360-basis-point improvement sequentially.

Ashland announced the pending sale of Ashland Distribution during the December quarter. Accordingly, Distribution’s results are now reported within the Discontinued Operations caption. The results described in this paragraph reflect the business as it has been historically reported and are provided for comparative purposes only. Ashland Distribution’s sales for the December 2010 quarter increased 17 percent over the year-ago quarter, to $856 million, but were down 6 percent sequentially. Volume per day increased 3 percent over the December 2009 quarter and was down 4 percent sequentially, due to typical seasonality in a number of end markets. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 8.8 percent in the December 2010 quarter reflected a 40-basis-point decline versus the prior-year quarter and 60 basis points sequentially. In total, pro forma EBITDA for the December 2010 quarter rose nearly 70 percent over the prior-year quarter, to $22 million, but declined 27 percent sequentially. The EBITDA margin of 2.6 percent reflected an 80-basis-point increase over the year-ago quarter, but was a 70-point decline sequentially.

After excluding key items, Ashland’s effective tax rate for the December 2010 quarter was 26 percent. Ashland is updating its tax rate forecast for fiscal 2011 to the low 30-percent range.

Outlook

Commenting on Ashland’s outlook, O’Brien said, “Each of our commercial units must continue to push through pricing to recover increases in raw material costs. Consumer Markets and Performance Materials have done quite well in this regard and were able to essentially offset all of the raw-material cost increases through the December quarter. Functional Ingredients also made significant headway, recovering roughly 70 percent of its cost increases since the December 2009 quarter, and we fully expect to recover the remainder. Water Technologies has lagged in its cost recovery, and we are taking more aggressive actions to restore margins.”

Turning to Ashland’s strategy, O’Brien continued, “The expected completion of the Ashland Distribution sale at the end of March will enhance our ability to implement our plans, and we are assessing all options at our disposal to maximize value creation. Each step we have taken during the last few years has moved us toward our vision of becoming a world-class, high-performing specialty chemical company. As we move forward in 2011, we are well-positioned to invest in and grow our businesses.”

Conference Call Webcast

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

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

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

About Ashland

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our five commercial units – Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

(1) Preliminary Results

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

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


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                        Table 1
    STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
    (In millions except per share data -
     preliminary and unaudited)
                                                    Three months ended
                                                        December 31
                                                        -----------
                                                       2010              2009
                                                       ----              ----

    SALES                                            $1,433            $1,324

    COSTS AND EXPENSES
      Cost of sales                                   1,040               906
      Selling, general and administrative expense       286               284
      Research and development expense                   20                20
                                                        ---               ---
                                                      1,346             1,210
    EQUITY AND OTHER INCOME                              12                13
                                                        ---               ---

    OPERATING INCOME                                     99               127
      Net interest and other financing expense          (27)              (41)
      Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures (a)      21                 -
                                                        ---               ---
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                93                86
      Income tax expense                                 31                22
                                                        ---               ---
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                    62                64
      Income from discontinued operations (net of
       income taxes) (b)                                 25                22
                                                        ---               ---
    NET INCOME                                          $87               $86
                                                        ===               ===

    DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
      Income from continuing operations                $.78              $.82
      Income from discontinued operations               .31               .28
      Net income                                      $1.09             $1.10
                                                      =====             =====

    AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED CONVERSIONS        80                78

    SALES
      Functional Ingredients                           $216              $210
      Water Technologies                                451               443
      Performance Materials                             326               271
      Consumer Markets                                  440               400
                                                     $1,433            $1,324
                                                     ======            ======
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
      Functional Ingredients                            $19               $27
      Water Technologies                                 24                39
      Performance Materials                               6                 8
      Consumer Markets                                   65                67
      Unallocated and other (c)                         (15)              (14)
                                                        $99              $127
                                                        ===              ====


    (a)  Includes a gain of $19 million for the three months ended
     December 31, 2010 related to the formation of an expanded
     global joint venture with Sud-Chemie AG.  The gain is
     primarily attributable to the fair value remeasurement of the
     net assets contributed to the joint venture exceeding the
     recorded values.
    (b)  Includes income of $23 million and $12 million for the
     three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively,
     related to direct results of the Distribution business.  Due to
     its expected sale, the direct results of this business have
     been presented as discontinued operations for each period
     presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
    (c)  Includes $11 million and $13 million of costs for the three
     months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively,
     previously charged to the Distribution business.  These costs
     include former Distribution liabilities that have been retained
     by Ashland such as pension, postretirement and environmental
     costs, as well as indirect corporate cost allocations
     previously charged to this business.


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

                                                December           September
                                                      31                  30
                                                    2010                2010
                                                    ----                ----
    ASSETS
      Current assets
        Cash and cash equivalents                   $374                $417
        Accounts receivable                        1,005               1,115
        Inventories                                  497                 447
        Deferred income taxes                        112                 112
        Held for sale (a)                            656                 693
        Other assets                                  61                  49
                                                     ---                 ---
                                                   2,705               2,833

      Noncurrent assets
        Auction rate securities                       22                  22
        Goodwill                                   2,083               2,148
        Intangibles                                1,089               1,111
        Asbestos insurance receivable                452                 459
        Deferred income taxes                        336                 336
        Held for sale (a)                            271                 270
        Other assets                                 623                 514
                                                     ---                 ---
                                                   4,876               4,860

      Property, plant and equipment
        Cost                                       3,003               3,096
        Accumulated depreciation and
         amortization                             (1,235)             (1,258)
                                                  ------              ------
                                                   1,768               1,838
                                                   -----               -----

      Total assets                                $9,349              $9,531
                                                  ======              ======

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY
      Current liabilities
        Short-term debt                              $77                 $71
        Current portion of long-term debt             39                  45
        Trade and other payables                     640                 727
        Accrued expenses and other
         liabilities                                 404                 523
        Held for sale (a)                            274                 321
                                                     ---                 ---
                                                   1,434               1,687

      Noncurrent liabilities
        Long-term debt (noncurrent
         portion)                                  1,114               1,108
        Employee benefit obligations               1,368               1,372
        Asbestos litigation reserve
         (noncurrent portion)                        826                 841
        Deferred income taxes                        149                 145
        Other liabilities                            581                 575
                                                     ---                 ---
                                                   4,038               4,041

      Stockholders' equity                         3,877               3,803
                                                   -----               -----

      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity                       $9,349              $9,531
                                                  ======              ======


    (a)  Primarily relates to assets and liabilities of the
     Distribution business that have qualified for held for
     sale classification in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to
     its expected sale.

    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries Table 3
    STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
                                                       Three months ended
                                                           December 31
                                                           -----------
                                                        2010           2009
                                                        ----           ----
    CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY OPERATING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Net income                                         $87            $86
      Income from discontinued operations (net of
       income taxes)                                     (25)           (22)
      Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
       operations to
        cash flows from operating activities
        Depreciation and amortization                     73             74
        Debt issuance cost amortization                    4              6
        Deferred income taxes                              4             26
        Equity income from affiliates                     (3)            (6)
        Distributions from equity affiliates               2              6
        Gain from sale of property and equipment          (3)            (2)
        Stock based compensation expense                   4              3
        Stock contributions to qualified savings plans    12              9
        Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures        (21)             -
        Change in operating assets and liabilities (a) (172)          (125)
                                                        ----           ----
                                                         (38)            55
    CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY INVESTING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Additions to property, plant and equipment         (22)           (21)
      Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and
       equipment                                           4              3
      Purchase of operations - net of cash acquired       (5)             -
      Proceeds from sale of operations or equity
       investments                                        21              -
      Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-
       for-sale securities                                 -             44
                                                         ---            ---
                                                          (2)            26
    CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING
     ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt            11              -
      Repayment of long-term debt                        (10)           (25)
      Proceeds from short-term debt                        6              6
      Cash dividends paid                                (12)            (6)
      Proceeds from exercise of stock options              1              1
      Excess tax benefits related to share-based
       payments                                            1              -
                                                         ---            ---
                                                          (3)           (24)
                                                         ---            ---
    CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS        (43)            57
      Cash (used) provided by discontinued operations
        Operating cash flows                               -             (7)
        Investing cash flows                              (1)             -
      Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash
       and cash equivalents                                1              4
                                                         ---            ---
    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     (43)            54
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year        417            352
                                                         ---            ---
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD           $374           $406
                                                        ====           ====

    DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
      Functional Ingredients                             $24            $27
      Water Technologies                                  21             24
      Performance Materials                               18             13
      Consumer Markets                                     9              9
      Unallocated and other                                1              1
                                                         ---            ---
                                                         $73            $74
                                                         ===            ===
    ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
      Functional Ingredients                              $9            $10
      Water Technologies                                   6              3
      Performance Materials                                3              2
      Consumer Markets                                     3              3
      Unallocated and other                                1              3
                                                         ---            ---
                                                         $22            $21
                                                         ===            ===
    (a)  Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold.


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated
     Subsidiaries                                             Table 4
    INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT
    (In millions -preliminary and
     unaudited)
                                                Three months ended
                                                   December 31
                                                   -----------
                                               2010              2009
                                               ----              ----
    FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS (a)
      Sales per shipping day                   $3.5              $3.4
      Metric tons sold (thousands)             38.5              37.4
      Gross profit as a percent of sales       31.2%             33.7%
    WATER TECHNOLOGIES (a)
      Sales per shipping day                   $7.3              $7.2
      Gross profit as a percent of sales       31.6%             36.6%
    PERFORMANCE MATERIALS (a)
      Sales per shipping day                   $5.3              $4.4
      Pounds sold per shipping day              4.5               4.0
      Gross profit as a percent of sales       14.6%             18.4%
    CONSUMER MARKETS (a)
      Lubricant sales (gallons)                40.4              40.3
      Premium lubricants (percent of
       U.S. branded volumes)                   30.2%             28.3%
      Gross profit as a percent of sales       30.9%             33.9%
    DISTRIBUTION (a), (b)
      Sales per shipping day                  $13.8             $11.8
      Pounds sold per shipping day             14.7              14.3
      Gross profit as a percent of sales        8.8%              9.2%


    (a)  Sales are defined as net sales.  Gross profit as a
     percent of sales is defined as sales, less cost of
     sales divided by sales.
    (b)  For the three months ended December 31, 2010 and
     2009, results for Distribution have been reported as
     discontinued operations.


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

                           Three Months Ended December 31, 2010

                      Functional               Water             Performance
                    Ingredients          Technologies           Materials
                    -----------          ------------           ---------
    OPERATING
     INCOME
     (LOSS)
      Castings
       Solutions
       transaction
       and start
       up costs          $-            $-           $(2)
      Accelerated
       depreciation           -                   -                 (7)
      All other
       operating
       income                19                  24                 15
                            ---                 ---                ---
      Operating
       income                19                  24                  6

    NET INTEREST
     AND OTHER
     FINANCING
     EXPENSE

    NET GAIN ON
     ACQUISITIONS
     AND
     DIVESTITURES
      Castings
       Solutions
       market
       valuation
       of
       contribution
      MAP
       Transaction

    INCOME TAX
     (EXPENSE)
     BENEFIT
      Research and
       development
       income tax
       credits
      Castings
       Solutions
       market
       valuation
       of
       contribution
      Other key
       items
      All other
       income tax
       expense

    INCOME
     (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS             $19                 $24                 $6
                            ===                 ===                ===

                                Three Months Ended December 31, 2010

                                  Consumer             Unallocated
                                 Markets               & Other       Total
                                 -------               -------       -----
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
      Castings Solutions
       transaction and start up
       costs                            $-                 $(1)      $(3)
      Accelerated depreciation           -                   -        (7)
      All other operating
       income                           65                 (14)      109
                                       ---                 ---       ---
      Operating income                  65                 (15)       99

    NET INTEREST AND OTHER
     FINANCING EXPENSE                                     (27)      (27)

    NET GAIN ON ACQUISITIONS
     AND DIVESTITURES
      Castings Solutions market
       valuation of
       contribution                                         19        19
      MAP Transaction                                        2         2
                                                           ---       ---
                                                            21        21

    INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)
     BENEFIT
      Research and development
       income tax credits                                    4         4
      Castings Solutions market
       valuation of
       contribution                                        (16)      (16)
      Other key items                                        3         3
      All other income tax
       expense                                             (22)      (22)
                                                           ---       ---
                                                           (31)      (31)

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS             $65                $(52)      $62
                                       ===                ====       ===

                          Three Months Ended December 31, 2009

                     Functional               Water             Performance
                   Ingredients          Technologies           Materials
                   -----------          ------------           ---------

    OPERATING
     INCOME
     (LOSS)
      All other
       operating
       income              $27                 $39                 $8

    NET INTEREST
     AND OTHER
     FINANCING
     EXPENSE

    INCOME TAX
     (EXPENSE)
     BENEFIT
      Discrete tax
       matters
      All other
       income tax
       expense

    INCOME (LOSS)
     FROM
     CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS            $27                 $39                 $8
                           ===                 ===                ===

                                 Three Months Ended December 31, 2009

                                   Consumer             Unallocated
                                  Markets               & Other        Total
                                  -------               -------        -----

    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
      All other operating income        $67                $(14)      $127

    NET INTEREST AND OTHER
     FINANCING EXPENSE                                      (41)       (41)

    INCOME TAX (EXPENSE)
     BENEFIT
      Discrete tax matters                                    6          6
      All other income tax
       expense                                              (28)       (28)
                                                            ---        ---
                                                            (22)       (22)

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS              $67                $(77)       $64
                                        ===                ====        ===


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated
     Subsidiaries                                           Table 6
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - FREE
     CASH FLOW
    (In millions -preliminary and
     unaudited)
                                           Three months ended
                                               December 31
                                               -----------
    Free cash flow                           2010              2009
    --------------                                            ----
    Total cash flows provided by
     operating activities
      from continuing operations             $(38)              $55
    Less:
      Additions to property, plant and
       equipment                              (22)              (21)
      Cash dividends paid                     (12)               (6)
                                              ---               ---
    Free cash flows                          $(72)              $28
                                             ====               ===


    Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries                 Table 7
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA -
     ADJUSTED EBITDA
    (In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
                                               Three months ended
                                                  December 31
                                                  -----------
    Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Inc.              2010              2009
    ------------------------------                               ----
    Operating income                             $99              $127
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization (a)           66                74
      Key items (see Table 5)                     10                 -
                                                 ---               ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                             $175              $201
                                                ====              ====

    Adjusted EBITDA -Ashland Aqualon
     Functional Ingredients
    --------------------------------
    Operating income                             $19               $27
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization               24                27
      Key items (see Table 5)                      -                 -
                                                 ---               ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                              $43               $54
                                                 ===               ===

    Adjusted EBITDA - Water Technologies
    ------------------------------------
    Operating income                             $24               $39
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization               21                24
      Key items (see Table 5)                      -                 -
                                                 ---               ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                              $45               $63
                                                 ===               ===

    Adjusted EBITDA - Performance Materials
    ---------------------------------------
    Operating income                              $6                $8
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization (a)           11                13
      Key items (see Table 5)                      9                 -
                                                 ---               ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                              $26               $21
                                                 ===               ===

    Adjusted EBITDA - Consumer Markets
    ----------------------------------
    Operating income                             $65               $67
    Add:
      Depreciation and amortization                9                 9
      Key items (see Table 5)                      -                 -
                                                 ---               ---
    Adjusted EBITDA                              $74               $76
                                                 ===               ===


    (a)  Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended December
     31, 2010 excludes $7 million of accelerated depreciation, which is
     displayed as a key item within this table.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.


Source: newswire