COVINGTON, Ky., July 24 XX-Ashland-Inc-earns
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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )
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, www.ashland.com. Following the live
event, an archived version of the webcast will be available for 12 months at
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 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 2008Q3 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 www.ashland.com/investors or the SEC's website at 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 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 www.ashland.com/investors or
Hercules' website at www.herc.com or the SEC's website at 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 1,8441,6435,1584,707
Selling, general and administrative
expenses (a)283 259 856 834
------ ------ ------ ------
2,1271,9026,0145,541
EQUITY AND OTHER INCOME 13 10 33 31
------ ------ ------ ------
OPERATING INCOME87 91 185 190
Gain (loss) on the MAP Transaction (b) 11 23 (3)
Net interest and other financing
income59 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) 6 141 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
CONVERSIONS64 63 63 64
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
Performance Materials $ 425 $ 400 $1,194 $1,142
Distribution 1,1511,0263,2232,982
Valvoline428 4071,2091,141
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 Technologies126 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
Inventories538 587
Deferred income taxes 7578
Other current assets8672
------------
3,100 3,192
Investments and other assets
Auction rate securities267 -
Goodwill and other intangibles 422 373
Asbestos insurance receivable
(noncurrent portion) 438 460
Deferred income taxes 132 181
Other noncurrent assets403 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) 4565
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 securities314566
Other items8 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 Technologies19 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 Technologies11 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 day4.9 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 43.4125.7123.8
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.
