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8-K - FORM 8K - ASHLAND'S Q1 EARNINGS RELEASE JANUARY 29, 2013 - ASHLAND LLCform8k.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release        




   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2013
 
Ashland Inc. reports preliminary financial results for first quarter of fiscal 2013
Earnings from continuing operations equal $1.27 per diluted share; adjusted EPS, excluding key items, is $1.12 per diluted share
 
 
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 quarter ended December 31, 2012, the first quarter of its 2013 fiscal year.
 
Quarterly Highlights

(in millions except per-share amounts)
 
Quarter Ended Dec. 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Operating income
  $ 176     $ 144  
Key items*
    (13 )     53  
Adjusted operating income*
  $ 163     $ 197  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA*
  $ 268     $ 301  
                 
Diluted earnings per share (EPS)
               
From net income
  $ 1.26     $ 0.77  
                 
From continuing operations
  $ 1.27     $ 0.76  
Key items*
    (0.15 )     0.44  
      Adjusted EPS from continuing operations*
  $ 1.12     $ 1.20  
                 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
   from continuing operations
  $ 81     $ (181 )
 
Free cash flow*
    30       (133 )
                 
*See Tables 5, 6 and 7 for definitions and U.S. GAAP reconciliations.
 
         

Ashland reported income from continuing operations of $102 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, on sales of $1.9 billion. These results included three key items that together had a net favorable impact on continuing operations of $12 million, net of tax, or 15 cents per diluted share. The largest key item was a $13 million after-tax benefit related to a business interruption insurance settlement. Excluding the three key items, Ashland’s adjusted income from continuing operations was $90 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, a decrease of 7 percent from the year-ago quarter.
 
For the year-ago quarter, Ashland reported income from continuing operations of $60 million, or 76 cents per diluted share, on sales of $1.9 billion. The year-ago results included two key items that had a combined negative effect of $35 million, net of tax, or 44 cents per diluted share. Excluding these items, adjusted income from continuing operations was $1.20 per diluted share. (Please refer to Table 5 of the accompanying financial statements for details of key items in both periods.)
 
For the remainder of this news release, financial results 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 were $1.9 billion; normalizing for currency, divestitures and joint ventures, sales were flat;
·  
Operating income decreased 17 percent to $163 million;
·  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased 11 percent to $268 million; and
·  
EBITDA as a percent of sales declined 130 basis points to 14.3 percent.
 
“Our financial performance in the first quarter – which is Ashland’s seasonally weakest period of the year – reflects soft demand in some key markets and regions. It also includes $31 million in losses on straight guar, primarily reflecting a discrete write-down of inventory to current market value,” said James J. O’Brien, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer. “Without this loss, adjusted earnings per share would have increased 14 percent when compared to a year ago. Ashland Consumer Markets turned in a strong quarter, as higher margins led to a 34-percent increase in EBITDA compared to a year ago. In addition, we generated $30 million of free cash flow in the first quarter, a significant improvement compared to the year-ago quarter.”
 
Business Segment Performance
In order 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 Tables 7 and 8 of this news release.
 
Ashland Specialty Ingredients’ sales totaled $622 million, a decline of 1 percent when compared to a year ago. EBITDA declined 28 percent, to $116 million, while EBITDA as a percent of sales was 18.6 percent, down 690 basis points versus the year-ago quarter. This year-over-year decline is primarily due to the aforementioned $31 million loss on straight guar, as well as weak demand, particularly in the month of December, in our coatings and construction product lines in emerging markets. Specialty Ingredients’ pharmaceutical, hair and oral care, non-guar energy and specialties businesses all generated sales and gross profit increases versus the prior-year quarter.
 
Ashland Water Technologies’ sales totaled $421 million in the December 2012 quarter, a decline of 6 percent from the year-ago quarter. Normalizing for currency effects and adjusting for divestitures, sales would have been flat. EBITDA was $34 million, a 15-percent decline from the year-ago quarter. EBITDA as a percent of sales was 8.1 percent, down 80 basis points. During the quarter, Water Technologies continued to face soft demand in several markets, most notably industrial water treatment. Under a new leader, Luis Fernandez-Moreno, the team is focused on revenue growth and cost structure efficiencies.
 
Ashland Performance Materials reported sales of $345 million, a 9-percent decrease from the December 2011 quarter. Normalizing for currency and adjusting for divestitures, sales would have been down 4 percent over the prior year. EBITDA declined 38 percent to $28 million, while EBITDA as a percent of sales declined 380 basis points to 8.1 percent, primarily due to lower margins on elastomers, which benefited in the year-ago quarter from declining raw material costs.
 
Ashland Consumer Markets reported strong results versus the year ago period, with higher earnings driven by lower raw-material costs and a 13 percent volume increase within the international business. While overall sales increased 1 percent, to $481 million, EBITDA rose 34 percent, to $75 million.  EBITDA as a percent of sales was 15.6 percent, an increase of 380 basis points versus the year ago quarter.
 
After excluding the effects from key items, Ashland’s effective tax rate for the December 2012 quarter was 24 percent. Ashland continues to expect the effective tax rate for the full 2013 fiscal year to be in the range of 26-28 percent.
 
Summary and Outlook
"While our first-quarter financial results did not meet our expectations, we believe the biggest issues affecting our performance have been addressed," O'Brien said. "The inventory issue with straight guar is now behind us, and we have taken action to significantly reduce the risks going forward. In addition, the weak volumes we saw within certain parts of our Specialty Ingredients business in December appear to have been short-term, as order patterns through the first four weeks of January have improved to more normalized levels.”
 
“Looking ahead, our strategic focus has not changed. We remain committed to achieving our fiscal 2013 objectives, which should put us in a good position to attain our 2014 overall financial targets and generate significant value for our shareholders," he said.
 
Conference Call Webcast
Ashland will host a live webcast of its first-quarter conference call with securities analysts at 9 a.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. 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
In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.
 
- 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. In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its 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), 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. Ashland undertakes no obligation to subsequently update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or otherwise except as required by securities or other applicable law.
 
(1) Preliminary Results
Financial results are preliminary until Ashland’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2012, is filed with the SEC.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:
Jason Thompson
+1 (859) 815-4454
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
 
   
December 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
             
             
Sales
  $ 1,869     $ 1,930  
Cost of sales
    1,332       1,408  
GROSS PROFIT
    537       522  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    343       362  
Research and development expense
    32       30  
Equity and other income
    14       14  
OPERATING INCOME
    176       144  
Net interest and other financing expense
    44       57  
Net loss on acquisitions and divestitures
    -       4  
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    132       83  
Income tax expense
    30       23  
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    102       60  
(Loss) income from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)
    (1 )     1  
                 
NET INCOME
  $ 101     $ 61  
                 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 1.27     $ .76  
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
    (.01 )     .01  
Net income
  $ 1.26     $ .77  
                 
                 
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND ASSUMED CONVERSIONS
    80       79  
                 
SALES
               
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 622     $ 628  
Water Technologies
    421       449  
Performance Materials
    345       378  
Consumer Markets
    481       475  
    $ 1,869     $ 1,930  
                 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
               
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 72     $ 71  
Water Technologies
    17       21  
Performance Materials
    13       33  
Consumer Markets
    66       47  
Unallocated and other
    8       (28 )
    $ 176     $ 144  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
       
Table 2
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
           
             
   
December 31
   
September 30
 
   
2012
   
2012
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 488     $ 523  
Accounts receivable
    1,380       1,481  
Inventories
    1,008       1,008  
Deferred income taxes
    116       116  
Other assets
    85       81  
Total current assets
    3,077       3,209  
                 
Noncurrent assets
               
Property, plant and equipment
               
Cost
    4,541       4,478  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,724 )     (1,646 )
Net property, plant and equipment
    2,817       2,832  
Goodwill
    3,358       3,342  
Intangibles
    1,910       1,936  
Asbestos insurance receivable (noncurrent portion)
    444       449  
Equity and other unconsolidated investments
    220       217  
Other assets
    550       539  
Total noncurrent assets
    9,299       9,315  
                 
Total assets
  $ 12,376     $ 12,524  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Short-term debt
  $ 349     $ 344  
Current portion of long-term debt
    114       115  
Trade and other payables
    738       877  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    569       577  
Total current liabilities
    1,770       1,913  
                 
Noncurrent liabilities
               
Long-term debt (noncurrent portion)
    3,090       3,131  
Employee benefit obligations
    1,795       1,839  
Asbestos litigation reserve (noncurrent portion)
    753       771  
Deferred income taxes
    208       208  
Other liabilities
    608       633  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    6,454       6,582  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
    4,152       4,029  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 12,376     $ 12,524  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
       
Table 3
 
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
           
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
           
     
Three months ended
 
     
December 31
 
     
2012
   
2011
 
CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
           
 
Net income
  $ 101     $ 61  
 
Loss (income) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)
    1       (1 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to
               
 
cash flows from operating activities
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    107       104  
 
Debt issuance cost amortization
    5       6  
 
Deferred income taxes
    (3 )     2  
 
Equity income from affiliates
    (5 )     (7 )
 
Distributions from equity affiliates
    5       1  
 
Gain from sale of property and equipment
    (2 )     -  
 
Stock based compensation expense
    9       6  
 
Net loss on acquisitions and divestitures
    -       2  
 
Inventory fair value adjustment related to ISP acquisition
    -       25  
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities (a)
    (137 )     (380 )
        81       (181 )
CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
               
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (51 )     (44 )
 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
    2       1  
        (49 )     (43 )
CASH FLOWS (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
  FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
               
 
Repayment of long-term debt
    (43 )     (23 )
 
Proceeds from/(repayment of) short-term debt
    5       (7 )
 
Cash dividends paid
    (18 )     (14 )
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    1       1  
 
Excess tax benefits related to share-based payments
    2       -  
        (53 )     (43 )
CASH USED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    (21 )     (267 )
 
Cash used by discontinued operations
               
 
Operating cash flows
    (16 )     (3 )
 
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and
               
 
cash equivalents
    2       (1 )
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (35 )     (271 )
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
    523       737  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD
  $ 488     $ 466  
                 
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
               
 
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 66     $ 64  
 
Water Technologies
    17       19  
 
Performance Materials
    15       12  
 
Consumer Markets
    9       9  
      $ 107     $ 104  
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
               
 
Specialty Ingredients
  $ 27     $ 24  
 
Water Technologies
    10       9  
 
Performance Materials
    5       7  
 
Consumer Markets
    5       2  
 
Unallocated and other
    4       2  
      $ 51     $ 44  
                   
(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
 
   
December 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
SPECIALTY INGREDIENTS
         
 
Sales per shipping day
$
10.0
 
$
10.3
 
Metric tons sold (thousands)
 
88.9
 
90.0
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a) (b)
 
31.0%
 
29.6%
WATER TECHNOLOGIES
             
 
Sales per shipping day
$
6.8
 
$
7.4
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
 
33.3%
   
30.8%
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS 
             
 
Sales per shipping day
$
5.6
 
$
6.2
 
Metric tons sold (thousands)
 
124.6
   
137.4
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
 
15.6%
   
19.2%
CONSUMER MARKETS
             
 
Lubricant sales (gallons)
 
37.1
   
36.7
 
Premium lubricants (percent of U.S. branded volumes)
 
32.6%
   
29.3%
 
Gross profit as a percent of sales (a)
 
30.1%
   
25.3%
                 
(a)
Gross profit as a percent of sales is defined as sales, less cost of sales divided by sales.
(b)
Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2012 includes a loss of $31 million related to certain commoditized guar inventories, as well as income of $22 million related to the settlement of a business interruption insurance claim.  Excluding these two items, the gross profit percentage would have been 32.5%.  Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2011 includes expense of $25 million related to the fair value of inventory acquired from ISP.  Excluding this expense, the gross profit percentage would have been 33.4%.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 December 31, 2012  
 
 Specialty
Ingredients
 
Water
Technologies
 
Performance
Materials
 
Consumer
Markets
 
Unallocated
& Other
 
Total
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                 
Restructuring and other integration costs
$ -     $ -     $ (2 )   $ -     $ (7 )   $ (9 )
Insurance settlement
  22       -       -       -       -       22  
All other operating income
  50       17       15       66       15       163  
Operating income
  72       17       13       66       8       176  
                                               
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                                  44       44  
                                               
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT
                                             
Key items
                                  (5 )     (5 )
Deferred tax adjustment for foreign country rate change
                              4       4  
All other income tax expense
                                  (29 )     (29 )
                                    (30 )     (30 )
                                               
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING                                              
   OPERATIONS
$ 72     $ 17     $ 13     $ 66     $ (66 )   $ 102  
                                               
                                               
                                               
                                               
    Three Months Ended December 31, 2011  
 
Specialty
 
Water
 
Performance
 
Consumer
 
Unallocated
       
 
Ingredients
 
Technologies
 
Materials
 
Markets
 
& Other
 
Total
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
                                             
Severance
$ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ (28 )   $ (28 )
Inventory fair value adjustment
  (25 )     -       -       -       -       (25 )
All other operating income
  96       21       33       47       -       197  
Operating income
  71       21       33       47       (28 )     144  
                                               
NET INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCING EXPENSE
                                  57       57  
                                               
NET LOSS ON ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
                                  4       4  
                                               
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT
                                             
Key items
                                  18       18  
All other income tax expense
                                  (41 )     (41 )
                                    (23 )     (23 )
                                               
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING                                              
   OPERATIONS
$ 71     $ 21     $ 33     $ 47     $ (112 )   $ 60  
                                               
                                               

 
 
 
 
 
 

Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Table 6
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - FREE CASH FLOW
   
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
   
               
   
Three months ended
 
        December 31
Free cash flow (a)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Total cash flows provided by operating activities
           
 
from continuing operations
  $ 81     $ (181 )
Adjustments:
               
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (51 )     (44 )
 
ISP acquisition - change in control payment (b)
    -       92  
Free cash flows
  $ 30     $ (133 )
                   
                   
(a)
Free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less additions to property, plant and equipment (no longer includes an adjustment for dividends).
 
(b)
Since payment was generated from investment activity, this amount has been included within this calculation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ashland Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
       
Table 7
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP DATA - ADJUSTED EBITDA
           
(In millions - preliminary and unaudited)
           
               
     
Three months ended
 
     
December 31
 
Adjusted EBITDA - Ashland Inc.
 
2012
   
2011
 
Net income
  $ 101     $ 61  
 
Income tax expense
    30       23  
 
Net interest and other financing expense
    44       57  
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
    105       104  
EBITDA
    280       245  
 
Loss (income) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)
    1       (1 )
 
Net loss on acquisition and divestiture key items
    -       4  
 
Operating key items (see Table 5)
    (13 )     53  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 268     $ 301  
                 
                 
Adjusted EBITDA - Specialty Ingredients
               
Operating income
  $ 72     $ 71  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    66       64  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    (22 )     25  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 116     $ 160  
                 
                 
Adjusted EBITDA - Water Technologies
               
Operating income
  $ 17     $ 21  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    17       19  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    -       -  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 34     $ 40  
                 
                 
Adjusted EBITDA - Performance Materials
               
Operating income
  $ 13     $ 33  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization (a)
    13       12  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    2       -  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 28     $ 45  
                 
                 
Adjusted EBITDA - Consumer Markets
               
Operating income
  $ 66     $ 47  
Add:
               
 
Depreciation and amortization
    9       9  
 
Key items (see Table 5)
    -       -  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 75     $ 56  
                   
                   
                   
(a)
Depreciation and amortization excludes accelerated depreciation of $2 million for Performance Materials for the three months ended December 31, 2012, which is displayed as a key item within this table.