X0202 SCHEDULE 13G 0000898382 XXXXXXXX LIVE Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share 07/29/2026 0001674862 ASHLAND INC. 044186104 8145 Blazer Drive Wilmington DE 19808 Rule 13d-1(c) COOPERMAN LEON G b DE 2915000 0 2915000 0 2915000 6.4 IN ASHLAND INC. 8145 Blazer Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808 This statement is filed on behalf of Leon G. Cooperman ("Mr. Cooperman"). Mr. Cooperman is engaged in, among other activities, investing for his own account. Mr. Cooperman is the Managing Member of Omega Associates, L.L.C. ("Associates"), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Associates is a private investment firm formed to invest in and act as general partner of investment partnerships or similar investment vehicles. Associates is the general partner of a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware known as Omega Capital Partners, L.P. ("Capital LP"), a private investment firm comprised of Cooperman family funds engaged in the purchase and sale of securities for investment for its own account. Mr. Cooperman's principal business office address is St. Andrews Country Club, 7118 Melrose Castle Lane, Boca Raton, FL 33496. Mr. Cooperman is a United States citizen. Y The information required by this item with respect to the Reporting Person is set forth in Rows 5 through 9 and 11 of the cover page to this Schedule 13G. Mr. Cooperman may be deemed the beneficial owner of 2,915,000 shares of Common Stock held directly by Capital L.P., which constitute approximately 6.4% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, calculated based on 45,793,370 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2026, as reported in the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2026. 6.4% 2,915,000 0 2,915,000 0 Y Y Y Y Y N By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11. COOPERMAN LEON G /s/ Edward Levy 08/05/2026 Duly authorized under POA effective as of August 10, 2016 and filed on August 12, 2016.