SEC Form 4
FORM 4 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number: 3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response: 0.5
  
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
OBRIEN JAMES J /KY

(Last) (First) (Middle)
50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD

(Street)
COVINGTON KY 41012-0391

(City) (State) (Zip)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
ASHLAND INC. [ ASH ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
Director 10% Owner
X Officer (give title below) Other (specify below)
Chief Executive Officer
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/03/2012
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
X Form filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock 02/03/2012 S(1) 37,500 D $65 134,179 D
Common Stock 02/06/2012 M(1) 213,765 A $38.47 347,944 D
Common Stock 02/06/2012 F(2) 162,987 D $65.4 184,957 D
Common Stock 3,112(3) I 401(k)
Common Stock 2,655(4) I Lesop
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) 7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Appreciation Right $38.47 02/06/2012 M(1)(5) 213,765 09/16/2005 10/16/2014 Common Stock 213,765 $0 0 D
Explanation of Responses:
1. The transaction was effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on November 11, 2011.
2. Payment of exercise price and tax liability by withholding securities incident to the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights referenced in footnote 5.
3. Based on Employee Savings Plan information as of 2-6-12, the latest date for which such information is reasonably available.
4. Shares accrued under Ashland's Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan as of 2-6-12.
5. Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Ashland's Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan which vests in three annual installments: 50% after the 1st year, the next 25% the 2nd year and the remaining 25% the 3rd year.
/s/ David A. Rines, Attorney-in-Fact 02/07/2012
** Signature of Reporting Person Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.