EX-99.1 2 ex991.htm NEWS RELEASE AND FINANCIAL TABLES ex991.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release        




   
April 29, 2015

 
Ashland Inc. reports preliminary financial results for second quarter of fiscal 2015
·
Earnings from continuing operations total $1.39 per diluted share
·
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations grow 33 percent, to $2.03 per diluted share
·
Adjusted EBITDA rises nearly 11 percent, to $301 million; adjusted EBITDA margin climbs 470 basis points to 22.3 percent
·
Substantially all of the $200 million in annual run-rate savings from global restructuring now captured
·
Board approves new $1 billion share repurchase authorization

COVINGTON, Ky. – Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a global leader in specialty chemical solutions for consumer and industrial markets, today announced preliminary(1) financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Quarterly Highlights

(in millions except per-share amounts)
 
Quarter Ended Mar. 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 193     $ (64)  
Key items*
    25       247  
Adjusted operating income*
  $ 218     $ 183  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA*
  $ 301     $ 272  
                 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
               
                 
From net income
  $ 3.26     $ (0.57 )
                 
From continuing operations
  $ 1.39     $ (0.78 )
Key items*
    0.64       2.31  
      Adjusted EPS from continuing operations*
  $ 2.03     $ 1.53  
                 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
   from continuing operations
  $ 47     $ 175  
                 
Free cash flow*
    4       124  
                 
*See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for Ashland definitions and U.S. GAAP reconciliations.
         


 
 
 
 

Ashland reported earnings from continuing operations of $95 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, on sales of $1.35 billion. These results included five key items that together reduced income from continuing operations by approximately $43 million, net of tax, or $0.64 per diluted share. Excluding the five key items, Ashland’s adjusted income from continuing operations was $138 million, or $2.03 per diluted share. (Please refer to Table 5 of the accompanying financial statements for details of key items.)

For the year-ago quarter, Ashland reported a loss from continuing operations of $61 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, on sales of $1.5 billion. There were five key items in the year-ago quarter that, on a combined basis, reduced income from continuing operations by $181 million after tax, or $2.31 per share. Excluding those five items, Ashland’s adjusted income from continuing operations was $120 million, or $1.53 per share.

For the remainder of this news release, financial results have been adjusted to exclude the effect of key items in both the current and prior-year quarters. On this basis, Ashland’s results as compared to the year-ago quarter were as follows:
·
Sales revenue fell 13 percent, largely as a result of divestitures and foreign exchange rates; excluding these headwinds, sales declined 3 percent;
·
Despite this revenue decline, mix improvements resulted in profit growth;
·
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs declined 9 percent, to $239 million, as a result of the global restructuring and foreign exchange;
·
Operating income grew 19 percent to $218 million;
·
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased nearly 11 percent to $301 million; and
·
EBITDA as a percent of sales increased 470 basis points to 22.3 percent.

“Since I joined the Ashland team in January, we have focused on three core priorities,” said William A. Wulfsohn, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer. “Our first priority has been to deliver our near- and mid-term financial targets. In the quarter, the Ashland team continued to execute at a high level as is evidenced by our solid earnings and margin growth. Ashland’s strong EBITDA growth was driven by aggressive cost control, by taking focused actions to improve sales mix and by maintaining a disciplined approach to pricing in the context of considerable input cost volatility. After much difficult work over the past year, the team has now captured substantially all of the expected $200 million in annualized run-rate cost savings from the global restructuring program.”

He added: “Our second core priority has been to continue the journey to reposition our portfolio to focus on the core segments where Ashland delivers highly differentiated, value-added products to customers.”

As examples, he pointed to Ashland Specialty Ingredients, where higher-margin pharmaceutical and hair-care lines grew volume by 7 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Ashland Performance Materials reported another quarter of good volume growth in composites, including unique products such as DerakaneTM epoxy vinyl ester resin. At Valvoline, continued growth in premium-brand lubricant sales, store expansion at Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM and lower raw-material costs helped drive record profits.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wulfsohn said Ashland’s third core priority, given its strong balance sheet, has been to effectively allocate capital through targeted investments in organic growth opportunities and through share repurchases. For example, the company recently announced an important capacity expansion at its manufacturing facility in Hopewell, Virginia, to support increased demand from customers in the high-growth personal care and coatings end markets, where Specialty Ingredients’ products add considerable value. In addition, Ashland continued to return cash to shareholders in the second quarter through its previously announced $270 million accelerated stock repurchase (ASR) program. The company received 1.9 million shares up front and expects to receive the remaining shares prior to the program’s expiration on July 31, 2015. Upon completion of the ASR, Ashland will have finished its previously announced $1.35 billion share repurchase authorization. As a result, Ashland today announced that its board has approved a new $1 billion authorization that expires December 31, 2017.

“This new stock repurchase authorization reflects the board's continued confidence in Ashland's strategic direction and the cash-generating capabilities of the assets,” Wulfsohn said. “At this time, we believe Ashland stock remains undervalued and represents an attractive investment opportunity.”

Business Segment Performance
To aid understanding of Ashland’s ongoing business performance, the results of Ashland’s business segments are described below on an adjusted basis and EBITDA, or adjusted EBITDA, is reconciled to operating income in Table 7 of this news release.

Within Specialty Ingredients, improved business and product mix, as well as continued strong cost discipline, led to a 9 percent increase in EBITDA, to $142 million. EBITDA margin increased 370 basis points, to 24.4 percent. Savings from the global restructuring program contributed to a 10 percent decline in SG&A expenses. Overall sales declined 7 percent, to $583 million, primarily due to currency headwinds, weak energy markets and exited product lines. Within consumer, Ashland’s sales grew a currency-adjusted 2 percent as good demand for Ashland’s patented oral- and hair-care applications was partially offset by weakness in skin care. Pharmaceutical volumes grew 7 percent. On the industrial side, excluding energy, overall volumes were flat and currency-adjusted sales fell 1 percent. However, adhesives posted another good quarter, with volumes increasing 2 percent from prior year. In addition, we continue to see increased demand within the coatings market, where volume grew 2 percent, primarily due to the completion in late February of the first phase of expansion at our hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) facility in Nanjing, China.

Looking ahead to the fiscal third quarter, Specialty Ingredients expects continued growth in the high-value-add, higher-margin areas of the business. However, the commercial unit expects to face headwinds from currency, continued weakness in energy markets and exited product lines. Specialty Ingredients expects third-quarter sales to be in the range of $600-$620 million. Continued mix improvement, higher margins and cost discipline should lead to estimated EBITDA margin of 24-24.5 percent.

At Performance Materials, good growth in composites volume, combined with lower input and manufacturing costs, helped drive a 350-basis-point increase in EBITDA margin, to 15.4 percent. It is important to note that the prior-year quarter included a combined $13 million in EBITDA from the elastomers division and the ASK Chemicals joint venture that were divested later in the year. Sales declined 31 percent, to $286 million, as a result of divestitures, currency headwinds and lower butanediol (BDO) volume and pricing within intermediates and solvents (I&S). Adjusting for these factors, sales declined 5 percent. Composites volume grew in most major regions of the world, including Europe, where the company is beginning to see signs of improvement. I&S sales declined from prior year due to lower volumes, softer butanediol pricing and currency headwinds.
 
 
 
 
 

Looking to the fiscal third quarter, Performance Materials expects to see continued growth in composites volume, although some margin compression is likely due to rising raw-material costs in some regions. In addition, the combination of declining BDO prices, a planned turnaround at one of Ashland’s I&S plants, and an unplanned shutdown at another I&S plant, is expected to reduce EBITDA margin in the third quarter.

Valvoline turned in a strong performance as improved mix and lower raw-material costs led to higher profitability and margins in the second quarter. EBITDA rose 18 percent, to $106 million, and EBITDA as a percent of sales was 22.0 percent, an increase of 410 basis points versus the prior year. Although three of Valvoline’s four channels to market reported year-over-year volume gains, total sales declined 4 percent, to $481 million, primarily as a result of currency headwinds. Successful promotions drove volume growth in Do-it-Yourself (DIY). Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) reported same-store sales growth of nearly 7 percent at company-owned sites. Across the broader VIOC network, the total number of oil changes rose 7 percent, with 9 percent growth in premium oil changes. Within Valvoline’s international channel, growth appeared to return as distributor destocking issues abated. Both volume and currency-adjusted sales in the international channel rose 2 percent. On a global basis, Valvoline’s overall mix continued to improve, with premium-branded lubricant sales volume increasing to 40.7 percent from 37.1 percent a year ago.

Earlier this month, Ashland agreed to sell Valvoline’s car-care products assets to Highlander Capital LLP. These assets include brands such as Car BriteTM, Eagle OneTM and PyroilTM. Also included in the sale are Valvoline-branded and private-label maintenance chemicals sold into the DIY channel. Proceeds from the sale of this non-strategic asset will be reinvested in generating more rapid, profitable growth within Valvoline’s core lubricants business, such as through the continued expansion of the VIOC store base.

For the third quarter, Valvoline expects to continue benefitting from strong promotions across its U.S. channels as the summer driving season approaches. Good product and business mix should drive strong margins, although continued price adjustments will likely offset some of that strength.

Ashland’s adjusted effective tax rate for the March 2015 quarter was 21 percent, or 300 basis points below the low end of our previous guidance due to discrete tax adjustments in the quarter. Ashland continues to expect its effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 to be in the range of 24-26 percent.

Asbestos Insurance Settlement
In January 2015, Ashland entered into a settlement agreement concerning certain insurance coverage for asbestos bodily injury claims. The company received $398 million in cash. As a result of the settlement agreement, Ashland recorded an after-tax gain of $120 million within discontinued operations. In addition, Ashland placed $335 million of the settlement funds received into a renewable annual trust restricted for the purpose of paying for ongoing and future litigation defense and claim settlement costs incurred in conjunction with asbestos claims.
 
 
 
 
 

Looking Ahead
As Ashland enters the second half of fiscal 2015, Wulfsohn said he is pleased with the company’s progress.

“Ashland’s performance through the first half of the fiscal year is the result of sound execution. Looking forward, we will continue to focus on cost control and prioritizing highly profitable, differentiated growth segments while sustaining effective capital allocation. We are playing to our strengths by focusing on the products and markets where we provide the most value to our customers. We continue to make incremental capital investments to expand product manufacturing capacity for some high-growth end markets.  We also have divested less strategic segments such as Valvoline’s car-care products assets. We are pleased to have board authorization to continue our stock repurchase program as we believe this is currently the best use of our strong balance sheet and cash flow,” Wulfsohn said.

Conference Call Webcast
Ashland will host a live webcast of its second-quarter conference call with securities analysts at 9 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 30, 2015. The webcast and supporting materials will be accessible through Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast and supporting materials will be available for 12 months.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
This news release includes certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) 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 amounts have been reconciled with reported GAAP results in Tables 5, 6 and 7 of the financial statements provided with this news release.

About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three commercial units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline – we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.

- 0 -

C-ASH

 
 
 
 
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. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,”  “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “intends” and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its annual report, quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland’s future operating performance and financial condition, the economy and other future events or circumstances. Ashland’s expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: Ashland’s substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland’s future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt); the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures Ashland has made or may make (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions); the global restructuring program (including the possibility that Ashland may not achieve the anticipated revenue and earnings growth, cost reductions, and other expected benefits from the program), Ashland’s ability to generate sufficient cash to finance its stock repurchase plans, severe weather, natural disasters, and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in its most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

(1) Preliminary Results
Financial results are preliminary until Ashland’s Form 10-Q is filed with the SEC.

SM Service mark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.
™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:
Jason Thompson
+1 (859) 815-3527
jlthompson@ashland.com
 
Media Relations:
Gary Rhodes
+1 (859) 815-3047
glrhodes@ashland.com
 

 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
                   
Table 1
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
                       
(In millions except per share data - preliminary and unaudited)
                       
                         
   
Three months ended
   
Six months ended
 
   
March 31
   
March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
                         
Sales
  $ 1,350     $ 1,545     $ 2,741     $ 2,977  
Cost of sales
    925       1,168       1,906       2,216  
GROSS PROFIT
    425       377       835       761  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    203       370       429       605  
Research and development expense
    25       36       50       63  
Equity and other income (loss)
    (4 )     (35 )     6       (14 )
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    193       (64 )     362       79  
Net interest and other financing expense
    40       41       81       83  
Net gain (loss) on divestitures
    (33 )     1       (118 )     6  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                               
BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    120       (104 )     163       2  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    25       (43 )     27       (25 )
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    95       (61 )     136       27  
Income from discontinued operations (net of taxes)
    129       17       121       39  
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 224     $ (44 )   $ 257     $ 66  
                                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 1.39     $ (0.78 )   $ 1.95     $ 0.35  
Income from discontinued operations
    1.87       0.21       1.73       0.49  
Net income (loss)
  $ 3.26     $ (0.57 )   $ 3.68     $ 0.84  
                                 
                                 
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED CONVERSIONS
    69       78       70       79  
                                 
SALES
                               
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 583     $ 629     $ 1,144     $ 1,209  
Performance Materials
    286       413       623       779  
Valvoline
    481       503       974       989  
    $ 1,350     $ 1,545     $ 2,741     $ 2,977  
                                 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                               
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 65     $ 61     $ 125     $ 113  
Performance Materials
    30       (35 )     55       (22 )
Valvoline
    82       81       165       156  
Unallocated and other
    16       (171 )     17       (168 )
    $ 193     $ (64 )   $ 362     $ 79  

 
 

 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
       
Table 2
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
           
             
   
March 31
   
September 30
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 911     $ 1,393  
Accounts receivable
    1,046       1,202  
Inventories
    714       765  
Deferred income taxes
    121       118  
Other assets
    110       83  
Total current assets
    2,902       3,561  
                 
Noncurrent assets
               
Property, plant and equipment
               
Cost
    4,061       4,275  
Accumulated depreciation
    1,898       1,861  
Net property, plant and equipment
    2,163       2,414  
                 
Goodwill
    2,480       2,643  
Intangibles
    1,188       1,309  
Restricted investments
    300       -  
Asbestos insurance receivable
    193       433  
Equity and other unconsolidated investments
    69       81  
Other assets
    501       510  
Total noncurrent assets
    6,894       7,390  
                 
Total assets
  $ 9,796     $ 10,951  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Short-term debt
  $ 233     $ 329  
Current portion of long-term debt
    9       9  
Trade and other payables
    500       674  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    508       675  
Total current liabilities
    1,250       1,687  
                 
Noncurrent liabilities
               
Long-term debt
    2,943       2,942  
Employee benefit obligations
    1,415       1,468  
Asbestos litigation reserve
    677       701  
Deferred income taxes
    51       110  
Other liabilities
    441       460  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    5,527       5,681  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
    3,019       3,583  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 9,796     $ 10,951  


 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
                   
Table 3
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
                       
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
                       
     
Three months ended
   
Six months ended
 
     
March 31
   
March 31
 
     
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                       
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 224     $ (44 )   $ 257     $ 66  
 
Income from discontinued operations (net of taxes)
    (129 )     (17 )     (121 )     (39 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to
                               
 
  cash flows from operating activities
                               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    85       95       170       183  
 
Debt issuance cost amortization
    4       3       7       7  
 
Purchased in-process research and development impairment
    -       9       -       9  
 
Deferred income taxes
    (3 )     (1 )     (13 )     (4 )
 
Equity income from affiliates
    (4 )     (7 )     (7 )     (14 )
 
Distributions from equity affiliates
    7       -       10       6  
 
Stock based compensation expense
    8       9       15       17  
 
Net loss (gain) on divestitures
    33       (1 )     118       (6 )
 
Impairment of equity investments
    14       46       14       46  
 
Losses on pension plan remeasurements
    9       105       9       105  
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities (a)
    (201 )     (22 )     (363 )     (182 )
Total cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
    47       175       96       194  
                                   
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                               
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                               
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (43 )     (51 )     (86 )     (96 )
 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
    -       4       1       4  
 
Purchase of operatons - net of cash acquired
    -       (2 )     -       (2 )
 
Proceeds from sale of operations or equity investments
    -       1       106       6  
 
Funds restricted for specific transactions
    (320 )     -       (320 )     -  
Total cash used by investing activities from continuing operations
    (363 )     (48 )     (299 )     (88 )
                                   
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                               
 
Repayment of long-term debt
    -       -       -       (12 )
 
Proceeds (repayment) from short-term debt
    (90 )     87       (96 )     93  
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (270 )     -       (397 )     -  
 
Cash dividends paid
    (23 )     (26 )     (46 )     (53 )
 
Excess tax benefits related to share-based payments
    5       3       7       7  
Total cash provided (used) by financing activities from continuing operations
    (378 )     64       (532 )     35  
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    (694 )     191       (735 )     141  
 
Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations
                               
 
Operating cash flows
    361       13       277       20  
 
Investing cash flows
    12       (9 )     10       (15 )
 
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and
                               
 
cash equivalents
    (24 )     1       (34 )     (1 )
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (345 )     196       (482 )     145  
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
    1,256       295       1,393       346  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD
  $ 911     $ 491     $ 911     $ 491  
                                   
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
                               
 
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 61     $ 60     $ 121     $ 120  
 
Performance Materials
    14       25       30       44  
 
Valvoline
    10       9       19       17  
 
Unallocated and other
    -       1       -       2  
      $ 85     $ 95     $ 170     $ 183  
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
                               
 
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 28     $ 33     $ 51     $ 62  
 
Performance Materials
    4       6       10       13  
 
Valvoline
    8       7       18       13  
 
Unallocated and other
    3       5       7       8  
      $ 43     $ 51     $ 86     $ 96  
                                   
(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
  Six months ended
   
March 31
  March 31
   
2015
       2014      2015      2014
SPECIALTY INGREDIENTS
                             
 
Sales per shipping day
  $ 9.3     $ 10.0     $ 9.2     9.7  
 
Metric tons sold (thousands)
    82.7       87.4       162.6       169.1  
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
    31.7 %    
32.6
     32.2 %     31.8 %
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
                               
 
Sales per shipping day
  $ 4.5     6.6     $ 5.0      6.2  
 
Metric tons sold (thousands)
    118.3       153.4       247.8       291.3  
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
    22.7 %     10.7     19.8 %      12.0 %
VALVOLINE
                               
 
Lubricant sales (gallons)
    40.5       39.6        79.5        78.2  
 
Premium lubricants (percent of U.S. branded volumes)
    40.7 %     37.1     39.6 %     36.4 %
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
    36.1 %      32.1 %      34.7 %     31.6 %
                                   
(a)
Gross profit as a percent of sales is defined as sales, less cost of sales divided by sales.
                         
 

 
 
 
 

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 March 31, 2015
 
 
Specialty
   
Performance
         
Unallocated
     
 
Ingredients
   
Materials
   
Valvoline
   
& Other
   
Total
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                             
Restructuring
  $ (18 )   $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (18 )
Tax indemnity income
    -       -       -       16       16  
Losses on pension plan remeasurement
    -       -       -       (9 )     (9 )
Impairment of equity investment
    -       -       (14 )     -       (14 )
All other operating income
    83       30       96       9       218  
Operating income
    65       30       82       16       193  
                                         
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                            40       40  
                                         
NET LOSS ON DIVESTITURES
                            (33 )     (33 )
                                         
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
                                       
Key items
                            (15 )     (15 )
All other income tax expense
                            40       40  
                              25       25  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
  $ 65     $ 30     $ 82     $ (82 )   $ 95  
                                         
                                         
   Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Specialty
   
Performance
           
Unallocated
         
 
Ingredients
   
Materials
   
Valvoline
   
& Other
   
Total
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                       
Restructuring
  $ -     $ (20 )   $ -     $ (67 )   $ (87 )
Impairment of ASK joint venture
    -       (46 )     -       -       (46 )
Impairment of IPR&D assets
    (9 )     -       -       -       (9 )
Losses on pension plan remeasurements
    -       -       -       (105 )     (105 )
All other operating income
    70       31       81       1       183  
Operating income (loss)
    61       (35 )     81       (171 )     (64 )
                                         
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                            41       41  
                                         
NET GAIN ON DIVESTITURES
                            1       1  
                                         
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
                                       
Key items
                            (80 )     (80 )
Discrete items
                            15       15  
All other income tax expense
                            22       22  
                              (43 )     (43 )
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
  $ 61     $ (35 )   $ 81     $ (168 )   $ (61 )


 
 
 
 
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
                   
Table 6
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - FREE CASH FLOW
                 
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
                       
                           
   
Three months ended
    Six months ended  
        March 31        March 31  
Free cash flow (a)
 
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
Total cash flows provided by operating activities
                       
 
from continuing operations
  $ 47     $ 175     $ 96     $ 194  
Adjustments:
                               
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (43 )     (51 )     (86 )     (96 )
Free cash flows
  $ 4     $ 124     $ 10     $ 98  
                                   
                                   
(a)
Free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment and other items Ashland has deemed non operational (if applicable).
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
       
Table 7
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - ADJUSTED EBITDA
           
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
           
               
     
Three months ended
 
     
March 31
 
Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Inc.
 
2015
   
2014
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 224     $ (44 )
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    25       (43 )
 
Net interest and other financing expense
    40       41  
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
    83       88  
EBITDA
    372       42  
 
Income from discontinued operations (net of taxes)
    (129 )     (17 )
 
Net loss on divestitures
    33       -  
 
Operating key items (see Table 5)
    25       247  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 301     $ 272  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Specialty Ingredients
               
Operating income
  $ 65     $ 61  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
    59       60  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    18       9  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 142     $ 130  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Performance Materials
               
Operating income (loss)
  $ 30     $ (35 )
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
    14       18  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    -       66  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 44     $ 49  
                   
                   
Adjusted EBITDA - Valvoline
               
Operating income
  $ 82     $ 81  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    10       9  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    14       -  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 106     $ 90  
                   
                   
(a)
Depreciation and amortization excludes accelerated depreciation of $2 million for Specialty Ingredients and $7 million for Performance Materials for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which are displayed as key items within this table.