EX-99.1 2 ex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 - NEWS RELEASE DATED OCTOBER 26, 2010 ex991.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release    




  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
  Media Relations:
Investor Relations:
  Jim Vitak
David Neuberger
  (614) 790-3715
(859) 815-4454
  jevitak@ashland.com
daneuberger@ashland.com
       
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
 
Oct. 26, 2010
  
 
Ashland Inc. reports preliminary Q4 results:
91 cents EPS from continuing operations;
adjusted EPS of $1.05 excluding key items

COVINGTON, Ky. – Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced preliminary(1) results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2010, the fourth quarter of its 2010 fiscal year.
 
Quarterly Highlights
 
(in millions except per-share amounts)
  
Quarter Ended
Sept. 30, 2010
    
Quarter Ended
Sept. 30, 2009
  
Operating income
   $ 106     $ 133  
Key items*     23       9  
    Adjusted operating income*   $ 129     $ 142  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA*
   $ 201     $  224  
                 
Diluted earnings per share (EPS)
                
    From net income   $ 0.96     $ 1.22  
                 
From continuing operations
   $ 0.91     $ 1.30  
Key items*
     0.14       (0.34 )
       Adjusted EPS from continuing operations*
   $ 1.05     $ 0.96  
                 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
   from continuing operations
   $ 220     $ 378  
Free cash flow*
     102       305  
                 
* See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for definitions and U.S. GAAP reconciliations.
  
 
 
 
Fiscal Fourth-Quarter GAAP(2) Results
 
For its 2010 fourth quarter, Ashland reported sales of $2,382 million, operating income of $106 million, income from continuing operations of $72 million (91 cents per share) and net income of $76 million (96 cents per share). Net income included income from discontinued operations of $4 million aftertax (5 cents per share). Cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $220 million.
 
Adjusted Results
Adjusting for the impact of key items in both the current and prior-year quarters, Ashland's results for the September 2010 quarter as compared with the September 2009 quarter were as follows:
·  
sales increased 13 percent to $2,382 million;
·  
adjusted operating income was $129 million versus $142 million in the prior-year;
·  
adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $201 million versus $224 million a year ago; and
·  
adjusted EPS from continuing operations grew 9 percent to $1.05.
 
Key Items
In total, three key items had a net unfavorable EPS impact on continuing operations of 14 cents in the September 2010 quarter:
·  
a $15 million (19 cents negative EPS impact) aftertax expense for severance and accelerated depreciation related to capacity reductions at Ashland Performance Materials;
·  
a $4 million (5 cents negative EPS impact) aftertax charge for environmental remediation assessments related to Ashland Distribution; and
·  
an $8 million (10 cents positive EPS impact) aftertax benefit from favorable tax adjustments related to previous acquisitions and divestitures. 
In the year-ago quarter, four key items combined for a net favorable impact on earnings of 34 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 September 2010 quarter and $22 million pretax in the 2009 September quarter. Amounts in both periods primarily reflect the addition of intangible assets from the Hercules acquisition.
 
Performance Summary
Commenting on Ashland's annual results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James J. O'Brien said, "Ashland delivered strong results for our fiscal 2010, with Ashland Consumer Markets, which is our Valvoline business, achieving another record year and all of our commercial units contributing to our earnings growth. Free cash flow of $276 million for the fiscal year was particularly strong in light of the buildup of working capital to support our business growth."
Continuing, O'Brien commented on Ashland's adjusted results for the September 2010 quarter, "It was a very challenging quarter. Despite double-digit sales growth, raw-material cost pressures continued to temper margins. All of our commercial units did achieve year-over-year volume and sales increases, on a comparable basis, and despite the challenges, Ashland generated just over $200 million of EBITDA in the quarter.
"Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies and Ashland Consumer Markets continued to experience raw-material cost pressures, resulting in significant margin compression in the September quarter. Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Distribution delivered solid quarters, benefiting from a relatively stable cost environment that enabled previous pricing actions to recover margins.
"While we have been successful in both maintaining SG&A and increasing volumes and sales, this was not enough to offset temporary gross margin compression during the quarter. Our businesses continue to implement price increases, where appropriate, to offset raw material inflation, but as we've said before, it can take, on average, three to four months to fully recover costs. Once raw materials stabilize, our pricing actions should enable margin recovery, as demonstrated by Performance Materials and Distribution in the September quarter."
 
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 $239 million in the September 2010 quarter. Excluding amounts associated with the Pinova business divested in January 2010, sales improved 11 percent over the September 2009 quarter and increased 5 percent sequentially, with various key products remaining in a sold-out position. Excluding Pinova, volumes increased 15 percent over the prior-year quarter and 3 percent sequentially. Gross profit as a percent of sales was 28.7 percent in the September 2010 quarter versus 35.6 percent in the September 2009 quarter. The decline in gross profit margin largely reflects a combination of raw material inflation and higher freight costs as a result of more expedited shipments due to capacity constraints. This margin compression is expected to be temporary as pricing actions continue to be implemented and new capacity comes online. Improvements in selling, general and administrative and research and development (SG&A) expenses were not enough to offset margin compression. In total, Functional Ingredients' EBITDA in the September 2010 quarter decreased 23 percent versus the prior September quarter, to $43 million, and was 26 percent below the immediately prior quarter. EBITDA for the September 2010 quarter equaled 18.0 percent of sales as compared with 23.6 percent in the prior September quarter and 25.6 percent in the June 2010 quarter.
Water Technologies' sales were $462 million in the September 2010 quarter. Excluding the Drew Marine business sold in August 2009, sales grew 4 percent over the year-ago quarter and 7 percent sequentially. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 31.7 percent was 500 basis points below the year-ago quarter and 200 points below the June quarter. These declines reflect persistent inflation in raw material costs and higher freight costs in the September 2010 quarter. In total, Water Technologies' EBITDA of $40 million was 39 percent below the prior-year quarter and down 17 percent sequentially. EBITDA amounted to 8.7 percent of sales in the September 2010 quarter, as compared with 14.2 percent in the prior-year quarter and 11.1 percent in the June 2010 quarter.
Performance Materials achieved sales growth of 32 percent over the year-ago September quarter, to $353 million. Excluding the results of Ara Quimica, the former Brazilian composites joint venture, of which Ashland acquired its partner's 50-percent interest in April, sales still increased 26 percent over the prior-year quarter. On this same basis, volume per day increased 20 percent over the September 2009 quarter. Volume growth was broad-based across all regions and markets, with the Casting Solutions business posting the largest gains. Sequentially, sales declined just 1 percent and volume declined 4 percent, reflecting the seasonality of some of Performance Materials' end markets. Sales declined less than volume, benefiting from previous pricing actions. At 17.6 percent, which excludes key items, gross profit as a percent of sales was 10 basis points above the year-ago quarter and 90 points above the June 2010 quarter, as raw material costs largely stabilized. Through the end of the September quarter, Performance Materials recovered approximately 80 percent to 85 percent of cost increases through its pricing actions. In total, EBITDA of $26 million more than doubled over the September 2009 quarter and was an 8-percent increase sequentially. EBITDA as a percent of sales was 7.4 percent, 290 basis points above the year-ago quarter and a 70-point increase sequentially.
Consumer Markets' sales of $462 million increased 12 percent over the year-ago September quarter, and total lubricant volume increased by 4 percent. Sales growth was strongest in the Do-It-Yourself and international market channels at 16 percent and 14 percent, respectively, over the September 2009 quarter. Valvoline Instant Oil Change also contributed to sales growth, with same-store sales increasing 10 percent. Sequentially, sales were flat, while lubricant volume declined 4 percent, as price increases offset the seasonal decline in volume. Gross profit as a percent of sales declined to 28.9 percent in the September 2010 quarter versus 35.5 percent in the year-ago quarter and 32.4 percent in the June 2010 quarter. While Consumer Markets has raised prices to recover increased raw material costs, the lag in implementation led to the temporary margin compression. Consumer Markets' previously announced price increases began to offset higher base-oil costs as the September quarter came to an end, and gross margins in the month of October are running at approximately 31 percent to 32 percent. SG&A expenses rose 2 percent over the year-ago quarter and 4 percent sequentially. In total, Consumer Markets' September 2010 quarter EBITDA was $61 million, a decline of 23 percent from the year-ago quarter and 26 percent sequentially, and the EBITDA margin was 13.2 percent.
Ashland Distribution's sales for the September 2010 quarter increased 18 percent over the year-ago quarter, to $911 million, but were down 1 percent sequentially. Volume per day increased 3 percent over the September 2009 quarter and was roughly flat with the June 2010 quarter, due to typical seasonality in a number of end markets. Gross profit as a percent of sales of 9.4 percent in the September 2010 quarter increased 60 basis points over the prior-year quarter and 40 basis points sequentially, reflecting continued pricing management. SG&A expenses rose 2 percent versus the prior-year quarter, but declined 4 percent sequentially. In total, EBITDA for the September 2010 quarter more than doubled over the prior-year quarter, to $30 million, and grew 25 percent sequentially. The EBITDA margin of 3.3 percent reflected a 170-basis-point increase over the year-ago quarter and was up 70 points sequentially.
After excluding key items, Ashland's effective tax rate for the September 2010 quarter was 22 percent, reflecting the net favorable effect of a number of small, discrete tax items. It is important to note that events in any given quarter can cause significant fluctuation in the effective tax rate for that quarter.
 
Outlook
Commenting on Ashland's outlook, O'Brien said, "Each of our commercial units continues to take steps to improve their positions both strategically and financially. The completion of our Nanjing, China, expansion should help relieve Functional Ingredients' capacity constraints and enable us to capture strong growth and customer demand in China and the surrounding Asia Pacific region. Functional Ingredients' previously announced price increases of 5 percent to 8 percent should lead to margin levels more consistent with historical norms. Water Technologies is taking aggressive pricing actions to recover margins, with its most recent price increase of 5 percent to 15 percent announced last week, covering its North American product lines. Performance Materials remains highly leveraged to a returning economy and is focused on maintaining cost reductions achieved, while seeking growth in higher margin markets. Consumer Markets has completed two consecutive outstanding years and should continue to drive this new level of performance. Distribution remains focused on quality volume improvement, and the 3.3 percent EBITDA margin achieved in the September quarter represents good progress toward our midcycle target of 4 percent for this business.
"Over the past two years, we have reconstructed Ashland on a cost-effective and strong cash-generating base that is highly leverageable to an economic recovery. As we go into 2011, we are well-positioned as a world-class specialty chemicals company, with a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity to implement our growth strategies. We expect to build upon our successes from 2010 and achieve further progress in fiscal 2011."
 
Conference Call Webcast
Today at 9 a.m. EDT, Ashland will provide a live webcast of its fourth-quarter conference call with securities analysts. The webcast will be accessible through Ashland's website, www.ashland.com. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast will be available for 12 months at http://investor.ashland.com.
 
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
This news release includes certain non-GAAP measures. Such measurements are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be construed as an alternative to reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the use of such non-GAAP measures assists investors in understanding the ongoing operating performance of the company and its segments. The non-GAAP information provided may not be consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. All non-GAAP information is reconciled with reported GAAP results in Tables 5, 6 and 7 of the financial statements provided below.
 
About Ashland
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 used every day in applications from automotive, food and beverages, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and paper and tissue to durable goods and infrastructure, including building and construction, energy 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.
- 0 -

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; operating efficiencies and economic conditions; and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Other risks and uncertainties include those that are described in filings made by Ashland with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on Ashland's website at http://investor.ashland.com or at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations are reasonable, but cannot assure they will be achieved. Forward-looking information may prove to be inaccurate, and actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated.  Ashland is not obligated to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this news release.

(1) Preliminary Results
Financial results are preliminary until Ashland's annual report on Form 10-K 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
    
Year ended
  
   
September 30
    
September 30
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2010
    
2009
  
                         
SALES
   $ 2,382     $ 2,113     $ 9,012     $ 8,106  
                                 
COSTS AND EXPENSES
                                
Cost of sales (a)
     1,903       1,601       7,012       6,317  
Selling, general and administrative expenses (a)
     360       365       1,399       1,341  
Research and development expenses (b)
     23       23       86       96  
      2,286       1,989       8,497       7,754  
EQUITY AND OTHER INCOME
     10       9       51       38  
                                 
OPERATING INCOME
     106       133       566       390  
Net interest and other financing expense (c)
     (27 )     (60 )     (197 )     (205 )
Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures (d)
     4       57       21       59  
Other income and expenses (e)
     1       -       2       (86 )
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                                
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
     84       130       392       158  
Income tax expense
     12       32       91       80  
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     72       98       301       78  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)
     4       (5 )     31       (7 )
NET INCOME
   $ 76     $ 93     $ 332     $ 71  
                                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                
Income from continuing operations
   $ .91     $ 1.30     $ 3.79     $ 1.07  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
     .05       (.08 )     .39       (.11 )
Net income
   $ .96     $ 1.22     $ 4.18     $ .96  
                                 
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED CONVERSIONS
     80       76       79       73  
                                 
SALES
                                
Functional Ingredients
   $ 239     $ 237     $ 915     $ 812  
Water Technologies
     462       465       1,785       1,652  
Performance Materials
     353       268       1,286       1,106  
Consumer Markets
     462       414       1,755       1,650  
Distribution
     911       771       3,419       3,020  
Intersegment sales
     (45 )     (42 )     (148 )     (134 )
    $ 2,382     $ 2,113     $ 9,012     $ 8,106  
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                
Functional Ingredients
   $ 19     $ 22     $ 115     $ 36  
Water Technologies
     19       40       114       78  
Performance Materials
     (2 )     (5 )     23       1  
Consumer Markets
     52       72       262       252  
Distribution
     17       8       55       52  
Unallocated and other
     1       (4 )     (3 )     (29 )
    $ 106     $ 133     $ 566     $ 390  
 
(a)
The three months and year ended September 30, 2010 include $17 million within the cost of sales caption for a restructuring charge related to a reorganization within the Performance Materials segment.  The three months and year ended September 30, 2009 include $4 million and $17 million, respectively, within the cost of sales caption and $19 million and $58 million, respectively, within the selling, general and administrative expenses caption for restructuring charges related to the integration and reorganization from the Hercules Incorporated (Hercules) acquisition and other cost reduction programs.  In addition, a charge of $37 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 was recorded for a one-time fair value assessment of Hercules inventory as of the date of the transaction.
(b)
The year ended September 30, 2009 includes a $10 million charge related to the original valuation of the ongoing research and development projects at Hercules as of the merger date.  In accordance with applicable GAAP and SEC accounting regulations, these purchased in-process research and development costs were expensed as recognized.
(c)
The year ended September 30, 2010 includes a $66 million charge related to the refinancing of the Senior Credit Facility and related extinguishment of debt.
(d)
The year ended September 30, 2010 includes a $23 million gain related to Ashland's acquisition of the additional 50% interest in Ara Quimica S.A. (Ara Quimica).  The three months and year ended September 30, 2009 include a $56 million gain related to the sale of Ashland's interest in Drew Marine, a division within Ashland Hercules Water Technologies.
(e)
The year ended September 30, 2009 includes a $54 million loss on currency swaps related to the Hercules acquisition and a $32 million realized loss on auction rate securities.

 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
        
Table 2
  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
            
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
            
             
   
September 30
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
ASSETS
            
Current assets
            
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 417     $ 352  
Accounts receivable
     1,608       1,392  
Inventories
     644       527  
Deferred income taxes
     112       118  
Other assets
     52       48  
Current assets held for sale
     -       41  
      2,833       2,478  
                 
Noncurrent assets
                
Auction rate securities
     22       170  
Goodwill
     2,228       2,220  
Intangibles
     1,113       1,181  
Asbestos insurance receivable
     459       510  
Deferred income taxes
     336       310  
Other assets
     513       619  
Noncurrent assets held for sale
     9       52  
      4,680       5,062  
                 
Property, plant and equipment
                
Cost
     3,537       3,459  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
     (1,519 )     (1,392 )
      2,018       2,067  
                 
Total assets
   $ 9,531     $ 9,607  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                
Current liabilities
                
Short-term debt
   $ 71     $ 23  
Current portion of long-term debt
     45       53  
Trade and other payables
     1,043       973  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
     528       523  
Current liabilities held for sale
     -       5  
      1,687       1,577  
                 
Noncurrent liabilities
                
Long-term debt
     1,108       1,537  
Employee benefit obligations
     1,372       1,214  
Asbestos litigation reserve
     841       956  
Deferred income taxes
     145       149  
Other liabilities
     575       590  
      4,041       4,446  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
     3,803       3,584  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
   $ 9,531     $ 9,607  

 
 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
        
Table 3
  
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
            
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
            
     
Year ended
  
     
September 30
  
     
2010
    
2009
  
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
            
Net income
   $ 332     $ 71  
(Income) loss from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)
     (31 )     7  
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to
                
   cash flows from operating activities
                
 
Depreciation and amortization
     304       329  
 
Debt issuance cost amortization
     81       52  
 
Purchased in-process research and development amortization
     -       10  
 
Deferred income taxes
     9       12  
 
Equity income from affiliates
     (19 )     (14 )
 
Distributions from equity affiliates
     17       15  
 
Gain from sale of property and equipment
     (6 )     (2 )
 
Stock based compensation expense
     14       9  
 
Stock contributions to qualified savings plans
     22       13  
 
Net gain on acquisitions and divestitures
     (21 )     (59 )
 
Loss on early retirement of debt
     5       -  
 
Inventory fair value adjustment related to Hercules acquisition
     -       37  
 
Loss on currency swaps related to Hercules acquisition
     -       54  
 
(Gain) loss on auction rate securities
     (2 )     32  
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities (a)
     (188 )     461  
        517       1,027  
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                
Additions to property, plant and equipment
     (206 )     (174 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
     18       47  
Purchase of operations - net of cash acquired
     (23 )     (2,080 )
Proceeds from sale of operations
     64       114  
Settlement of currency swaps related to Hercules acquisition
     -       (95 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
     150       73  
        3       (2,115 )
CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
     334       2,628  
Repayment of long-term debt
     (780 )     (1,862 )
Proceeds from/repayments of issuance of short-term debt
     48       (19 )
Debt issuance costs
     (13 )     (162 )
Cash dividends paid
     (35 )     (22 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
     6       9  
Excess tax benefits related to share-based payments
     5       1  
        (435 )     573  
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
     85       (515 )
Cash used by discontinued operations
                
 
Operating cash flows
     (10 )     (2 )
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
     (10 )     (17 )
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
     65       (534 )
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
     352       886  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD
   $ 417     $ 352  
                   
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
                
Functional Ingredients
   $ 99     $ 101  
Water Technologies
     88       94  
Performance Materials
     53       63  
Consumer Markets
     36       36  
Distribution
     28       28  
Unallocated and other
     -       7  
      $ 304     $ 329  
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
                
Functional Ingredients
   $ 75     $ 58  
Water Technologies
     32       26  
Performance Materials
     29       27  
Consumer Markets
     39       33  
Distribution
     14       8  
Unallocated and other
     17       22  
      $ 206     $ 174  
 
(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
  
Year ended
  
   
September 30
  
September 30
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2010
    
2009
  
FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS (a) (b)
                        
 
Sales per shipping day
   $ 3.7     $ 3.7     $ 3.6     $ 3.7  
 
Metric tons sold (thousands)
     42.8       42.0       163.6       154.1  
  Gross profit as a percent of sales (c)     28.7 %      35.6 %      33.7 %      26.7 % 
WATER TECHNOLOGIES (a) (b)
                                
 
Sales per shipping day
   $ 7.2     $ 7.3     $ 7.1     $ 6.6  
  Gross profit as a percent of sales (c)     31.7 %      36.7 %      34.1 %      33.9 % 
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS (a)
                                
 
Sales per shipping day
   $ 5.5     $ 4.2     $ 5.1     $ 4.4  
 
Pounds sold per shipping day
     4.8       3.9       4.5       3.9  
  Gross profit as a percent of sales     12.8 %      16.0 %      16.0 %     17.0 % 
CONSUMER MARKETS (a)
                                
 
Lubricant sales (gallons)
     44.2       42.4       174.3       158.8  
  Premium lubricants (percent of U.S. branded volumes)     30.2 %      27.2 %      29.6 %     28.2 % 
  Gross profit as a percent of sales     28.9 %      35.5 %      32.0 %      32.0 % 
DISTRIBUTION (a)
                                
 
Sales per shipping day
   $ 14.2     $ 12.1     $ 13.6     $ 12.0  
 
Pounds sold per shipping day
     15.3       14.9       15.1       14.7  
  Gross profit as a percent of sales (d)     9.4 %      8.8 %      9.3 %      10.0 % 
 
(a)
 Sales are defined as net sales. Gross profit as a percent of sales is defined as sales, less cost of sales divided by sales.
  
(b)
 Industry segment results from November 14, 2008 forward include operations acquired from Hercules Incorporated.
  
(c)
 During 2009, year-to-date results were affected in Functional Ingredients and Water Technologies by $30 million and $7 million, respectively, due to a one-time fair value assessment of Hercules inventory.
  
(d)
 Distribution's gross profit as a percentage of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include a LIFO quantity charge of $2 million and credit of $1 million, respectively, and charge of $2 million and credit of $15 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
  

 
 
 
 

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 September 30, 2010
  
                                           
   
Functional
    
Water
    
Performance
    
Consumer
          
Unallocated
        
   
Ingredients
    
Technologies
    
Materials
    
Markets
    
Distribution
    
& Other
    
Total
  
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                          
Severance
   $ -     $ -     $ (11 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (11 )
Accelerated depreciation/impairment
     -       -       (6 )     -       -       -       (6 )
Environmental reserve adjustment
     -       -       -       -       (6 )     -       (6 )
All other operating income
     19       19       15       52       23       1       129  
Operating income
     19       19       (2 )     52       17       1       106  
                                                         
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                                             (27 )     (27 )
                                                         
NET GAIN ON ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
                                             4       4  
                                                         
OTHER INCOME
                                             1       1  
                                                         
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT
                                                        
Previous acquisition and divestiture adjustments
                                             8       8  
All other income tax expense
                                             (20 )     (20 )
                                              (12 )     (12 )
                                                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
   $ 19     $ 19     $ (2 )   $ 52     $ 17     $ (33 )   $ 72  

   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
  
                                           
   
Functional
    
Water
    
Performance
    
Consumer
          
Unallocated
        
   
Ingredients
    
Technologies
    
Materials
    
Markets
    
Distribution
    
& Other
    
Total
  
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                          
Severance
   $ (9 )   $ (2 )   $ (5 )   $ -     $ (1 )   $ (3 )   $ (20 )
Self-insurance reserve adjustment
     -       3       4       3       4       -       14  
Accelerated depreciation
     -       -       (3 )     -       -       -       (3 )
All other operating income
     31       39       (1 )     69       5       (1 )     142  
Operating income
     22       40       (5 )     72       8       (4 )     133  
                                                         
NET GAIN ON DIVESTITURES
                                                        
Drew Marine divestiture
                                             56       56  
All other divestitures
                                             1       1  
                                              57       57  
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                                                        
Fees and amortization related to debt retirements
                                             (9 )     (9 )
All other net interest and other financing expense
                                             (51 )     (51 )
                                              (60 )     (60 )
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
                                                        
Income tax on key items
                                             (12 )     (12 )
All other income tax expense
                                             (20 )     (20 )
                                              (32 )     (32 )
                                                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
   $ 22     $ 40     $ (5 )   $ 72     $ 8     $ (39 )   $ 98  

 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
                      
Table 6
  
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - FREE CASH FLOW
                          
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
                          
   
Three months ended
       Year ended  
   
September 30
       September 30  
Free cash flow
  
2010
    
2009
    
2010
    
2009
  
Total cash flows provided by operating activities
                          
from continuing operations
     $ 220     $ 378     $ 517     $ 1,027  
Less:
                                  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
       106       67       206       174  
Cash dividends paid
       12       6       35       22  
Free cash flows
     $ 102     $ 305     $ 276     $ 831  


 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
        
Table 7
  
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - ADJUSTED EBITDA
            
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
            
     
Three months ended
  
     
September 30
  
Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Inc.
  
2010
    
2009
  
Operating income
   $ 106     $ 133  
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
     72       82  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     23       9  
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 201     $ 224  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients
                
Operating income
   $ 19     $ 22  
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization
     24       25  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     -       9  
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 43     $ 56  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Water Technologies
                
Operating income
   $ 19     $ 40  
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization
     21       27  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     -       (1 )
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 40     $ 66  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Performance Materials
                
Operating income
   $ (2 )   $ (5 )
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
     11       13  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     17       4  
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 26     $ 12  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Consumer Markets
                
Operating income
   $ 52     $ 72  
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization
     9       10  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     -       (3 )
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 61     $ 79  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Distribution
                
Operating income
   $ 17     $ 8  
Add:
                
 
Depreciation and amortization
     7       7  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
     6       (3 )
Adjusted EBITDA
   $ 30     $ 12  
 
(a)
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 excludes $6 million and $3 million of accelerated depreciation, respectively, which is displayed as a key item within this table.