-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LoicoKZBW8l7MzLmlVMUpiOO6RTmFxLrzmLSTAOqB+YhHlMPAgOtf37hj5FwnIDY 3Mzo1NUCz/w3Kzrg1Ym15w== 0000007694-00-000018.txt : 20000203 0000007694-00-000018.hdr.sgml : 20000203 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000007694-00-000018 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20000124 ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 20000124 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASHLAND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000007694 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PETROLEUM REFINING [2911] IRS NUMBER: 610122250 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KY FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-02918 FILM NUMBER: 511537 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD CITY: COVINGTON STATE: KY ZIP: 41012 BUSINESS PHONE: 6068153333 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 50 E. RIVERCENTER BOULEVARD CITY: COVINGTON STATE: KY ZIP: 41012 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ASHLAND OIL INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ASHLAND OIL & REFINING CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19700806 8-K 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 24, 2000 ASHLAND INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Kentucky (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-2918 61-0122250 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covin 41012-0391 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391 (Mailing Address) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (606) 815-3333 Item 5. Other Events ------- ------------ On June 22, 1999, Ashland, as a shareholder of Arch Coal, announced that it had retained the investment banking firm of Goldman Sachs to help Ashland explore strategic alternatives for its investment in Arch Coal. On October 5, 1999, Ashland announced that it was making progress on its study to explore strategic alternatives for its investment in Arch Coal and that, at that point, a tax-free spin-off to its shareholders would seem to be its preferred alternative. Ashland also announced that it had submitted a proposal to Arch Coal and had begun discussions with a special committee of the Arch Coal Board of Directors regarding such a spin-off transaction. Such a spin-off would be subject, among other things, to a negotiated agreement with the special committee of the Arch Coal Board of Directors, approval by the Arch Coal shareholders, a favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, and approval by Ashland's Board of Directors. There can be no assurance that an agreement with the special committee of the Arch Coal Board of Directors will be reached or that the necessary approvals of the Arch Coal shareholders and the Ashland Board of Directors will be obtained or that a favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service will be obtained. Even if an agreement is reached and such conditions are met, Ashland anticipates that it will be several months before a tax-free spin-off could be consummated. On January 24, 2000, Ashland announced that it continues to pursue spin-off alternatives for its investment in Arch Coal, including both tax-free and taxable distributions. -2- SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. ASHLAND INC. ------------ (Registrant) Date: January 24, 2000 /s/ David L. Hausrath ----------------------------- Name: David L. Hausrath Title: Vice President and General Counsel -3- -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----