COVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE:
ASH) today announced preliminary* income from continuing operations of $53
million, or 81 cents per share, for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, the
first quarter of its fiscal year. This compares with income from continuing
operations of $35 million, or 48 cents per share, in the same prior-year
quarter. Net income for the December 2006 quarter was $49 million, or 75
cents per share, as compared with $66 million, or 91 cents per share, in
the year-ago quarter. Net income in the December 2005 quarter included $31
million, or 43 cents per share, of income from discontinued operations,
primarily from the operations of Ashland Paving And Construction, Inc.
(APAC), which was sold in August 2006. For the December 2006 quarter, net
income included a loss from discontinued operations of $4 million, or 6
cents per share, primarily resulting from post-closing adjustments on the
APAC sale.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )
"The December quarter marks our first full quarter as a singularly
focused, diversified chemical company," said James J. O'Brien, chairman and
chief executive officer. "I am quite pleased with the progress at Valvoline
and Ashland Water Technologies. However, softness in U.S. industrial
production adversely affected Ashland Distribution's results. Ashland
Performance Materials was also impacted by soft automotive, marine and
housing markets, but to a much lesser extent.
"During the quarter, Valvoline achieved a significant rebound in
earnings, benefiting from stabilizing base oil costs and the effects of
previously announced price increases, along with reductions in selling,
general and administrative costs. Ashland Water Technologies posted an 85
percent increase in revenues, and operating income grew substantially, both
bolstered by the Environmental and Process Solutions (E&PS) business
acquired last May," O'Brien said. "In addition, we are encouraged by a
significant improvement in the results of our marine water treatment
business."
Ashland Performance Materials' operating income of $25.6 million for
the December 2006 quarter was essentially equal to its income for the
December 2005 quarter. While unit volume declined 4 percent, sales and
operating revenues increased 4 percent versus the year-ago quarter to $366
million.
Ashland Distribution's results compare unfavorably with the quarter a
year ago, when hurricane-related product shortages and robust demand
resulted in strong margins and record operating income. The December 2006
quarter was also impacted by the softening North American automotive and
construction markets. As a result, operating income declined to $14.0
million for the December 2006 quarter as compared with record earnings of
$34.1 million in the same prior- year quarter. Sales and operating revenues
decreased to $948 million, 2 percent below the December 2005 quarter, while
volume declined 7 percent. Gross profit as a percent of sales declined to
8.6 percent from 10.2 percent in the prior-year quarter. The primary
factors reducing profitability were lower margins and volume.
Valvoline achieved first-quarter operating income of $18.2 million as
compared with income of $1.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Sales and
operating revenues increased 13 percent over the December 2005 quarter to
$351 million, while lubricant volume was flat. Significant improvement in
lubricant margins, as base oil costs stabilized and price increases took
effect, drove results for the quarter. Lower expenses also contributed to
Valvoline's improved performance.
Water Technologies reported operating income of $5.4 million for the
December 2006 quarter as compared with $0.8 million for the prior-year
quarter. Sales and operating revenues increased from $97 million in the
December 2005 quarter to $179 million for the 2006 quarter. While
benefiting from the E&PS business acquired in May, Water Technologies'
results also reflect higher revenues and operating income from Ashland's
marine water treatment business.
Unallocated and other expenses of $4.7 million for the December 2006
quarter compare with $16.4 million of expenses in the prior-year quarter,
which included $10.1 million of expenses previously allocated to APAC.
Net interest income was $16 million in the December 2006 quarter as
compared with $10 million in the same 2005 quarter. Income taxes for the
December 2006 quarter amounted to $21 million as compared with $23 million
in the prior-year quarter. The effective tax rate, including all
adjustments recorded in the respective periods, was 28.6 percent for the
2006 quarter versus 39.4 percent for the December 2005 quarter. The decline
in the effective tax rate includes the effect of tax deductions for the
special dividend paid in October on shares held in Ashland's employee stock
ownership plan.
Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2007, O'Brien
said, "Valvoline should continue to benefit from improved pricing relative
to base oil costs and stabilized sales volume. Water Technologies' business
model redesign is moving forward and should produce benefits as the year
develops. Performance Materials' results in 2007 will, in large part, be
determined by the pace of the recovery in the North American automotive,
marine and residential housing markets. Distribution's performance should
be largely driven by North American industrial output, as well as by the
impact of the previously announced March 1 termination of our North
American plastics supply contract with Dow Chemical."
Further commenting on Distribution's North American plastics supply
arrangements, O'Brien continued, "Ashland represents numerous plastics
manufacturers, and we are working hard to transition our customers to
products provided by these other quality suppliers. Based on our current
estimate of conversion success, lost business may impact Distribution's
earnings by approximately $4 million to $5 million per quarter during this
transition. We will continue to work to replace this volume and expect the
long-term impact to be less."
Commenting on the company's cost reduction efforts, O'Brien said, "In
December, Ashland offered a number of corporate employees a voluntary
severance opportunity in order to address corporate costs following the
APAC sale and to improve the company's overall cost-competitiveness. At
this time, we are evaluating these requests. In the unlikely event that all
employees who applied for the severance program were to be accepted,
Ashland would incur an after-tax charge of roughly $20 million. The company
expects to finalize the program in the March quarter and establish an
appropriate reserve at that time."
Concluding his comments, O'Brien said, "Looking at Ashland as a whole,
we are off to a good start in fiscal 2007. We remain cautious about the
economy, but optimistic about our competitive position and our future."
Today at 8:30 a.m. (EST), Ashland will provide a live webcast of its
first-quarter conference call with securities analysts. The webcast will be
accessible through Ashland's website, http://www.ashland.com. Following the live
event, an archived version of the webcast will be available for 12 months
at http://www.ashland.com/investors.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company,
provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than
100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four wholly owned
divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline
and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit
http://www.ashland.com.
FORTUNE 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
* 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.
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, with respect to Ashland's operating
performance. These estimates are based upon a number of assumptions,
including those mentioned within this news release. Such estimates are also
based upon internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market
conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, weather, operating
efficiencies and economic conditions, such as prices, supply and demand,
cost of raw materials, and legal proceedings and claims (including
environmental and asbestos matters). Although Ashland believes its
expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure the
expectations reflected herein will be achieved. This forward-looking
information may prove to be inaccurate and actual results may differ
significantly from those anticipated if one or more of the underlying
assumptions or expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized or if
other unexpected conditions or events occur. Other factors and risks
affecting Ashland are contained in Ashland's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended Sept. 30, 2006. Ashland undertakes no obligation to subsequently
update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this news release
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In millions except per share data - preliminary and unaudited)
Three months ended
December 31
2006 2005
REVENUES
Sales and operating revenues $1,803 $1,686
Equity income 4 2
Other income 6 8
1,813 1,696
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales and operating expenses 1,489 1,397
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 266 253
1,755 1,650
OPERATING INCOME 58 46
Gain on the MAP Transaction (a) - 2
Net interest and other financing income 16 10
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES 74 58
Income taxes (21) (23)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 53 35
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations (net of income taxes) (b) (4) 31
NET INCOME $49 $66
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income from continuing operations $.81 $.48
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations (.06) .43
Net income $.75 $.91
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED
CONVERSIONS 65 73
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
Performance Materials (c) $366 $352
Distribution 948 967
Valvoline 351 310
Water Technologies (c) 179 97
Intersegment sales (41) (40)
$1,803 $1,686
OPERATING INCOME
Performance Materials (c) $26 $26
Distribution 14 34
Valvoline 18 1
Water Technologies (c) 5 1
Unallocated and other (d) (5) (16)
$58 $46
(a) "MAP Transaction" refers to the June 30, 2005 transfer of Ashland's
38% interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP), Ashland's
maleic anhydride business and 60 Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers
in Michigan and northwest Ohio to Marathon Oil Corporation in a
transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion.
(b) Ashland sold APAC to Oldcastle Materials, Inc. in August 2006 for
approximately $1.3 billion. After-tax operating results of APAC
(excluding previously allocated corporate costs - see note (d) below)
are reflected in discontinued operations, with prior periods
restated.
(c) In June 2006, Ashland redefined its reporting segments as it
continues to evolve into a diversified chemical company. Performance
Materials and Water Technologies, formerly combined under Ashland
Specialty Chemical, have now been separately disclosed. Prior
periods have been conformed to the current period presentation.
(d) Includes corporate costs previously allocated to APAC of $10 million
for the three months ended December 31, 2005.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
December 31
2006 2005
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $516 $601
Available-for-sale securities 436 479
Accounts receivable 1,341 1,191
Inventories 580 499
Deferred income taxes 76 66
Other current assets 65 80
Current assets of discontinued
operations - 472
3,014 3,388
Investments and other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles 377 231
Asbestos insurance receivable
(noncurrent portion) 440 363
Deferred income taxes 189 222
Other noncurrent assets 443 478
Noncurrent assets of discontinued
operations - 967
1,449 2,261
Property, plant and equipment
Cost 2,042 1,848
Accumulated depreciation
and amortization (1,079) (1,015)
963 833
$5,426 $6,482
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $7 $12
Trade and other payables 1,059 1,025
Income taxes 10 2
Current liabilities of
discontinued operations - 203
1,076 1,242
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt (less current portion) 70 77
Employee benefit obligations 303 394
Asbestos litigation reserve
(noncurrent portion) 577 512
Other long-term liabilities and
deferred credits 522 483
Noncurrent liabilities of
discontinued operations - 88
1,472 1,554
Stockholders' equity 2,878 3,686
$5,426 $6,482
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
Three months ended
December 31
2006 2005
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net income $49 $66
Loss (income) from discontinued
operations (net of income taxes) 4 (31)
Adjustments to reconcile income from
continuing operations to cash flows
from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 28 25
Deferred income taxes 11 39
Equity income from affiliates (4) (2)
Distributions from equity affiliates 2 1
(Gain) on the MAP Transaction - (2)
Change in operating assets and
liabilities (a) (212) (306)
Other items - (1)
(122) (211)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 13 4
Excess tax benefits related to
share-based payments 6 1
Repayment of long-term debt (5) (5)
Repurchase of common stock (288) (96)
Cash dividends paid (692) (20)
(966) (116)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Additions to property, plant and
equipment (35) (25)
Purchase of operations - net of
cash acquired (73) -
Purchases of available-for-sale
securities (286) (227)
Proceeds from sales and maturities
of available-for-sale securities 207 152
Other - net 2 3
(185) (97)
CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS (1,273) (424)
Cash provided (used) by
discontinued operations
Operating cash flows (4) 64
Investing cash flows (27) (24)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $(1,304) $(384)
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Performance Materials (b) $8 $7
Distribution 5 5
Valvoline 7 6
Water Technologies (b) 4 3
Unallocated and other 4 4
$28 $25
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND
EQUIPMENT
Performance Materials (b) $10 $7
Distribution 7 3
Valvoline 8 5
Water Technologies (b) 7 5
Unallocated and other 3 5
$35 $25
(a) Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold.
(b) In June 2006, Ashland redefined its reporting segments as it
continues to evolve into a diversified chemical company. Performance
Materials and Water Technologies, formerly combined under Ashland
Specialty Chemical, have now been separately disclosed. Prior
periods have been conformed to the current period presentation.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
OPERATING INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
Three months ended
December 31
2006 2005
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS (a) (b)
Sales per shipping day $6.0 $5.8
Pounds sold per shipping day 5.0 5.2
Gross profit as a percent of sales 21.1% 21.6%
DISTRIBUTION (a)
Sales per shipping day $15.5 $15.9
Pounds sold per shipping day 19.1 20.5
Gross profit as a percent of sales 8.6% 10.2%
VALVOLINE (a)
Lubricant sales (gallons) 38.5 38.5
Premium lubricants (percent of
U.S. branded volumes) 21.9% 22.9%
Gross profit as a percent of sales 23.8% 22.1%
WATER TECHNOLOGIES (a) (b)
Sales per shipping day $2.9 $1.6
Gross profit as a percent of sales 40.4% 48.5%
(a) Sales are defined as sales and operating revenues. Gross profit is
defined as sales and operating revenues, less cost of sales and
operating expenses.
(b) In June 2006, Ashland redefined its reporting segments as it
continues to evolve into a diversified chemical company. Performance
Materials and Water Technologies, formerly combined under Ashland
Specialty Chemical, have now been separately disclosed. Prior
periods have been conformed to the current period presentation.
SOURCE Ashland Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ashland.com
http://www.ashland.com/investors
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/065263.html /
CONTACT:
Media Relations: Jim Vitak, +1-614-790-3715,
jevitak@ashland.com , or Investor Relations: Dean Doza,
+1-859-815-4454, lddoza@ashland.com , both of Ashland Inc.
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