COVINGTON, Ky., July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE:
ASH) today announced preliminary(1) net income for the quarter ended June
30, 2008, the third quarter of its fiscal year, of $72 million, or $1.13
per share. In the prior-year June quarter, net income was $100 million, or
$1.58 per share.
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Income from continuing operations totaled $66 million, or $1.03 per
share, in the June 2008 quarter as compared with $86 million, or $1.35 per
share, in the same prior-year quarter. Income from discontinued operations
for both the 2008 and 2007 periods included net favorable adjustments to
asbestos reserves and related insurance receivables of $6 million and $16
million, respectively, resulting from Ashland's ongoing assessment of these
matters. Total income from discontinued operations amounted to 10 cents per
share in the June 2008 quarter and 23 cents per share in the prior June
quarter.
Operating income for the June 2008 quarter totaled $87 million.
Operating income for the June 2007 quarter totaled $91 million, which
included unusually large favorable adjustments to pension and other benefit
costs of $11 million and environmental reserves of $7 million.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization(2)
(EBITDA) totaled $121 million in the June 2008 quarter as compared with
$117 million in the same prior-year quarter, an increase of 3 percent.
Business Summary
Commenting on Ashland's third-quarter results, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer James J. O'Brien said, "We are encouraged by our overall
performance in the third quarter, given the difficult economic environment,
both from a demand and raw material cost perspective. Ashland Distribution
increased its operating income by 70 percent over the June 2007 quarter and
achieved its third straight quarter of improving results. Ashland Water
Technologies more than doubled its operating income as compared with the
same prior-year quarter, although earnings were enhanced by several items,
which we do not expect will repeat. Ashland Performance Materials
experienced a significant decline in its operating income, particularly
hampered by weak margins in the Composite Polymers business unit.
Valvoline's earnings declined 6 percent versus the year-ago quarter, but
improved over the March 2008 quarter, as the traditionally strong summer
driving season got under way."
Business Performance
Performance Materials' operating income of $18.8 million compares with
$33.3 million for the June 2007 quarter, a 44-percent decline. Sales and
operating revenues of $425 million increased 6 percent, but volume per day
declined 4 percent, both as compared with the June 2007 quarter. Excluding
the effect of the transfer of certain sales from Performance Materials to
Water Technologies and the impact of currency translation, revenue would
have increased 1 percent. Gross profit as a percentage of sales declined
from 21.9 percent in the June 2007 quarter to 17.5 percent in the 2008
quarter. The margin decline is largely due to increased raw material costs
in all of Performance Materials' business units.
Distribution's operating income increased 70 percent to $19.7 million
for the June 2008 quarter as compared with $11.6 million in the same
prior-year quarter. Volume per day declined 5 percent, while sales and
operating revenues increased 12 percent versus the prior-year quarter to
$1,151 million. Average unit selling price increased by 14 percent. Gross
profit as a percent of sales increased by 0.7 percentage point to 7.8
percent from 7.1 percent in the prior-year quarter, and gross profit per
pound increased from 5.8 cents to 7.2 cents and improved by 0.2 cent from
the March 2008 quarter.
Valvoline's third-quarter operating income of $26.1 million compares
with $27.9 million in the year-ago quarter, a 6-percent decline. Sales and
operating revenues of $428 million increased 5 percent over the June 2007
quarter, largely due to price increases. Valvoline's total lubricant volume
increased 1 percent, primarily from the Do-It-For-Me installer channel and
international sales, partially offset by reduced volumes in the
Do-It-Yourself channel. Gross profit as a percent of sales declined 1.2
percentage points versus the 2007 June quarter, primarily a result of the
lag in timing of price increases to customers relative to base oil and
additive cost increases received by Valvoline.
Water Technologies reported operating income of $12.5 million for the
June 2008 quarter as compared with $6.0 million in the prior-year quarter.
Operating income in the quarter benefited by $5 million from the completion
of certain large sales contracts and from favorable adjustments to
estimated liabilities. Sales and operating revenues of $244 million
increased 21 percent over the 2007 June quarter. Excluding the effect of
currency translation and the impact of the transfer of certain sales from
Performance Materials, revenues increased by 9 percent. Gross profit as a
percent of sales decreased by 1.0 percentage point versus the year-ago
quarter and is essentially even with the March 2008 quarter. The margin
decrease primarily reflects continued increases in hydrocarbon and
derivative materials costs.
Other Items
For the 2008 third quarter, Unallocated and Other amounted to $9.7
million of income as compared with $11.9 million in the same prior-year
quarter. For 2008, the amount includes lower incentive compensation and
support costs, while in 2007, Unallocated and Other included $14 million of
income related to net adjustments to environmental and benefit accruals.
Net interest and other financing income was $5 million in the June 2008
quarter as compared with $9 million in the same prior-year quarter,
primarily as a result of lower interest rates on Ashland's cash and
securities. The effective tax rate for the third quarter was 29 percent in
2008 and 15 percent in 2007, both of which included the net favorable
effect of adjustments to the estimated annual tax expense. The 15-percent
effective tax rate in the year- ago third quarter also reflected favorable
developments with respect to settlements of certain tax matters.
Outlook
Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of fiscal 2008, O'Brien
said, "Performance Materials' results will continue to be affected by the
soft North American construction and transportation markets. In addition,
raw material costs continue to increase, and we have only been able to
recover approximately 80 percent of these increases thus far. We have
announced price increases for July and August, but do not expect to fully
recover the raw materials increases until the end of the September quarter.
As a result of these factors and the normal seasonality of the business, we
expect Performance Materials' operating income to be down significantly
versus the June 2008 quarter.
"Valvoline expects to feel the full impact of recent, significant
base-oil and additive cost increases in the fourth quarter. We have
announced price increases for this business that should fully offset these
cost increases and expect to recover the entire amount by the end of the
quarter, similar to Performance Materials. However, the implementation time
lag will likely lead to significantly reduced, but positive, earnings for
Valvoline in the September quarter as compared with the prior year.
"Our Water Technologies business continues to work on pricing and
reducing its selling, general and administrative expenses. Our price
increases announced in June should fully offset previously announced raw
material increases. While operating income in the current quarter included
the favorable effects of certain items not expected to repeat going
forward, we do expect to continue to build on our positive pricing momentum
and cost reductions.
"Distribution's fourth-quarter performance will continue to be affected
by weakness in North American industrial output. That said, we expect to
significantly improve our results versus the weak fourth quarter last year,
although it is unlikely that we will achieve another sequential quarterly
increase, due primarily to seasonality. We are encouraged by Distribution's
results for the June quarter, considering the difficult market conditions,
and it has demonstrated its ability to quickly recover product cost
increases. We recognize that there is more to do and continue to focus on
improving this business' margins and reducing working capital requirements.
"We are significantly ahead of plan in achieving our run-rate
annualized cost savings of $40 million by year-end fiscal 2009. Through the
June quarter, we have achieved run-rate savings of $22 million, primarily
in our Water Technologies and Performance Materials businesses. We expect
to have run-rate savings well in excess of $40 million by the beginning of
the December quarter.
"Our internal benchmark of operating-segment trade working capital to
sales decreased by nearly 0.5 percent of annualized sales in the June
quarter, excluding the impact of working capital added through
acquisitions. We are pleased with our progress and expect to achieve
further reductions in the working capital requirements of our businesses."
Concluding his comments, O'Brien said, "While the economic environment
continues to present a challenge, we have announced a number of strategic
moves that enable us to strengthen our profile as a specialty chemicals
company. In June, we completed the acquisition of the pressure-sensitive
adhesives and atmospheric emulsions businesses from Air Products and
announced the proposed 50-50 joint venture between Ashland and Sud-Chemie
to combine our foundry-related businesses to take advantage of strong
growth opportunities and scale in the global metal casting industry. We
anticipate completing the joint venture agreement by early calendar 2009.
Finally and most important, on July 11, we announced the pending
acquisition of Hercules Inc., which will dramatically enhance our focus and
scale in three specialty chemical businesses: specialty additives and
ingredients, paper and water technologies, and specialty resins."
Conference Call Webcast
Today at 9 a.m. (EDT), Ashland will provide a live webcast of its
third- 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 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.
(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) Regulation G
The information presented in this earnings release regarding earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) does not
conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not
be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in
accordance with GAAP. Management has included this non-GAAP information
to assist in understanding the operating performance of the company and
its operating 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 the table
provided below.
(in millions) Q3 2008 Q3 2007
------- -------
Operating income $87 $91
Add:
Depreciation and amortization 34 26
------- -------
EBITDA $121 $117
======= =======
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 statements include those made with
respect to Ashland's operating performance and Ashland's acquisition of
Hercules Inc. These expectations 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, 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). These risks and uncertainties may
cause actual operating results to differ materially from those stated,
projected or implied. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to
Ashland's acquisition of Hercules include the possibility that the benefits
anticipated from the Hercules transaction will not be fully realized; the
possibility the transaction may not close, including as a result of failure
to obtain the approval of Hercules stockholders; the possibility that
financing may not be available on the terms committed; and other risks that
are described in filings made by Ashland with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) in connection with the proposed transaction. 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, uncertainties and risks affecting Ashland are contained in
Ashland's periodic filings made with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2007, and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended
Dec. 31, 2007, and March 31, 2008, which are available on Ashland's
Investor Relations website at http://www.ashland.com/investors or the SEC's
website at http://www.sec.gov. 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 news release.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In connection with the proposed Hercules transaction, Ashland and
Hercules will be filing documents with the SEC, including the filing by
Ashland of a registration statement on Form S-4, and the filing by Hercules
of a related preliminary and definitive proxy statement/prospectus.
Investors and security holders are urged to read the registration statement
on Form S-4 and the related preliminary and definitive proxy/prospectus
when they become available because they will contain important information
about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain
free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other
documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov and by
contacting Ashland Investor Relations at (859) 815-4454 or Hercules
Investor Relations at (302) 594-7151. Investors and security holders may
obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC on Ashland's
Investor Relations website at http://www.ashland.com/investors or Hercules'
website at http://www.herc.com or the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(In millions except per share data - preliminary and unaudited)
Three months ended Nine months ended
June 30 June 30
------------------ -----------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
------ ------ ------ ------
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES $2,201 $1,983 $6,166 $5,700
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales and operating expenses 1,844 1,643 5,158 4,707
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (a) 283 259 856 834
------ ------ ------ ------
2,127 1,902 6,014 5,541
EQUITY AND OTHER INCOME 13 10 33 31
------ ------ ------ ------
OPERATING INCOME 87 91 185 190
Gain (loss) on the MAP Transaction (b) 1 1 23 (3)
Net interest and other financing
income 5 9 26 34
------ ------ ------ ------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
BEFORE INCOME TAXES 93 101 234 221
Income taxes 27 15 58 52
------ ------ ------ ------
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 66 86 176 169
Income from discontinued operations
(net of income taxes) (c) 6 14 1 29
------ ------ ------ ------
NET INCOME $ 72 $ 100 $ 177 $ 198
====== ====== ====== ======
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
Income from continuing operations $ 1.03 $ 1.35 $ 2.77 $ 2.64
Income from discontinued operations .10 .23 .01 .45
------ ------ ------ ------
Net income $ 1.13 $ 1.58 $ 2.78 $ 3.09
====== ====== ====== ======
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED
CONVERSIONS 64 63 63 64
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
Performance Materials $ 425 $ 400 $1,194 $1,142
Distribution 1,151 1,026 3,223 2,982
Valvoline 428 407 1,209 1,141
Water Technologies 244 201 667 569
Intersegment sales (47) (51) (127) (134)
------ ------ ------ ------
$2,201 $1,983 $6,166 $5,700
====== ====== ====== ======
OPERATING INCOME
Performance Materials $ 19 $ 33 $ 50 $ 81
Distribution 20 12 39 46
Valvoline 26 28 70 68
Water Technologies 12 6 16 18
Unallocated and other (a) 10 12 10 (23)
------ ------ ------ ------
$ 87 $ 91 $ 185 $ 190
====== ====== ====== ======
(a) The nine months ended June 30, 2007 includes a $25 million charge for
costs associated with Ashland's voluntary severance offer.
(b) "MAP Transaction" refers to the June 30, 2005 transfer of Ashland's
38% interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) and two other
businesses to Marathon Oil Corporation. The income for the current
nine months ended June 30 is primarily due to a $23 million gain
associated with a tax settlement agreement entered into with Marathon
Oil Corporation, relating to four specific tax areas, that supplement
the original Tax Matters Agreement from the initial MAP Transaction.
The gain (loss) in the current quarter and prior periods presented
reflects adjustments in the recorded receivable for future estimated
tax deductions related primarily to environmental and other
postretirement reserves.
(c) The three and nine months ended June 30, 2008 and the three
and nine months ended June 30, 2007 include after-tax income of $6
million, $6 million, $16 million and $34 million, respectively, from
an increase in Ashland's asbestos insurance receivable.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
June 30
------------------------
2008 2007
------ ------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 853 $ 848
Available-for-sale securities - 141
Accounts receivable 1,548 1,466
Inventories 538 587
Deferred income taxes 75 78
Other current assets 86 72
------ ------
3,100 3,192
Investments and other assets
Auction rate securities 267 -
Goodwill and other intangibles 422 373
Asbestos insurance receivable
(noncurrent portion) 438 460
Deferred income taxes 132 181
Other noncurrent assets 403 437
------ ------
1,662 1,451
Property, plant and equipment
Cost 2,270 2,074
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization (1,188) (1,105)
------ ------
1,082 969
------ ------
$5,844 $5,612
====== ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ 20 $ 5
Trade and other payables 1,184 1,138
Income taxes - 4
------ ------
1,204 1,147
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt (less current portion) 45 65
Employee benefit obligations 262 294
Asbestos litigation reserve
(noncurrent portion) 530 567
Other noncurrent liabilities and
deferred credits 445 501
------ ------
1,282 1,427
Stockholders' equity 3,358 3,038
------ ------
$5,844 $5,612
====== ======
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
Nine months ended
June 30
-------------------------
2008 2007
------ ------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net income $ 177 $ 198
Income from discontinued operations
(net of income taxes) (1) (29)
Adjustments to reconcile income from
continuing operations to
cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 105 83
Deferred income taxes 20 15
Equity income from affiliates (17) (12)
Distributions from equity
affiliates 7 8
(Gain) loss on the MAP Transaction (23) 3
Change in operating assets and
liabilities (a) 66 (258)
------ ------
334 8
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 3 17
Excess tax benefits related to
share-based payments 1 8
Repayment of long-term debt (4) (12)
Repurchase of common stock - (288)
Cash dividends paid (52) (726)
------ ------
(52) (1,001)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Additions to property, plant and equipment (118) (102)
Purchase of operations - net of cash
acquired (128) (73)
Proceeds from sale of operations 35 1
Purchases of available-for-sale
securities (435) (357)
Proceeds from sales and maturities
of available-for-sale securities 314 566
Other items 8 20
------ ------
(324) 55
------ ------
CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS (42) (938)
Cash used by discontinued operations
Operating cash flows (2) (5)
Investing cash flows - (29)
------ ------
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ (44) $ (972)
====== ======
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Performance Materials $ 29 $ 25
Distribution 18 15
Valvoline 24 23
Water Technologies 19 8
Unallocated and other 15 12
------ ------
$ 105 $ 83
====== ======
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Performance Materials $ 33 $ 36
Distribution 20 19
Valvoline 20 16
Water Technologies 11 16
Unallocated and other 34 15
------ ------
$ 118 $ 102
====== ======
(a) Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired or sold.
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
Three months ended Nine months ended
June 30 June 30
------------------ -----------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
------ ------ ------ ------
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS (a)
Sales per shipping day $ 6.6 $ 6.3 $ 6.3 $ 6.1
Pounds sold per shipping day 4.9 5.1 4.7 4.9
Gross profit as a percent of sales 17.5% 21.9% 17.9% 21.2%
DISTRIBUTION (a)
Sales per shipping day $ 18.0 $ 16.3 $ 17.1 $ 15.9
Pounds sold per shipping day 19.0 20.1 18.9 19.6
Gross profit as a percent of sales 7.8% 7.1% 7.6% 8.2%
VALVOLINE (a)
Lubricant sales (gallons) 43.8 43.4 125.7 123.8
Premium lubricants (percent of U.S.
branded volumes) 24.9% 24.4% 24.6% 23.2%
Gross profit as a percent of sales 23.9% 25.1% 24.4% 24.8%
WATER TECHNOLOGIES (a)
Sales per shipping day $ 3.8 $ 3.2 $ 3.5 $ 3.0
Gross profit as a percent of sales 37.2% 38.2% 37.9% 39.1%
(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.
SOURCE Ashland Inc.
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CONTACT:
Media Relations: Jim Vitak, +1-614-790-3715,
jevitak@ashland.com, Investor Relations: Eric Boni,
+1-859-815-4454, enboni@ashland.com, both of Ashland Inc.
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