ASH

Ashland Inc.

Fundamental data last updated:June 3, 2026

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company profile

SECTOR

Basic Materials

industry

Chemicals - Specialty

Exchange

NYSE

County of HQ

US

Next Earnings Date

07/28/2026

Business Summary

Ashland Inc. provides additives and specialty ingredients worldwide. It operates through Life Sciences; Personal Care & Household; Specialty Additives; and Intermediates and Solvents segments. The Life Sciences segment offers pharmaceutical solutions, including controlled release polymers, disintegrants, tablet coatings, thickeners, solubilizers, and tablet binders; nutrition solutions, such as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and additives; and nutraceutical solutions comprising products for weight management, joint comfort, stomach and intestinal health, sports nutrition, and general wellness, as well as custom formulation, toll processing, and particle engineering solutions. The Personal Care & Household segment provides a range of nature-based, biodegradable, and performance ingredients; solutions for toothpastes, mouth washes and rinses, denture cleaning, and care for teeth; and household supplies nature-derived rheology ingredients, biodegradable surface wetting agents, performance encapsulates, and specialty polymers. The Specialty Additives segment offers rheology modifiers, foam control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, pH neutralizers, advanced ceramics used in catalytic converters, environmental filters, ingredients for the manufacturing of ceramic capacitors, plasma display panels and solar cells, ingredients for textile printing, thermoplastic metals, and alloys for welding. The Intermediates and Solvents segment produces 1,4 butanediol and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. It offers its products to customers in a range of consumer and industrial markets, such as architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care, and pharmaceutical. The company was formerly known as Ashland Global Holdings Inc. Ashland Inc. was founded in 1924 and is based in Wilmington, Delaware.

 


VALUATION

P/E

-3.72

Market Cap ($M USD)

$2.62B

Forward P/E

11.53

PEG

0.09

PRICE TO SALES

1.45

PRICE TO BOOK

1.41

EV / EBITDA

10.22

5-Year Average P/E

Free Cash Flow Yield

12.73%

DCF Value

$54.16

Graham Number

N/A

Price to FCF

7.86

EV to FCF

11.26

Earnings Yield

-26.90%

FCF Yield

12.73%

DIVIDEND

Yield

2.90%

Annual Payout

$1.66

Payout Ratio

-10.76%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

-$15.42

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$4.97

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

$199.75B

Return on Equity (ROE)

-37.54%

FREE CASH FLOW

Operating Margin

4.31%

Debt-to-Equity

0.83

Piotroski F-Score

4

Altman Z-Score

2.00

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

1.90%

Current Ratio

3.06

Quick Ratio

1.78

Net Debt to EBITDA

3.08

Interest Coverage

1.18

Gross Profit margin

25.21%

FCF PER SHARE

$7.29

REVENUE PER SHARE

$39.51

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

The market seems to be mispricing Ashland Inc., as recent pricing indicated it traded below its DCF value. The Forward P/E of 11.06 suggests a more optimistic future, contrasting sharply with the negative Earnings Yield, highlighting current profitability challenges. The Altman Z-score of 1.97 raises red flags about financial distress, yet the PEG ratio under 0.1 signals potential undervaluation relative to growth. This juxtaposition of metrics paints a complex picture of a company with both promise and peril.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

Operating in the Chemicals - Specialty industry, Ashland Inc. is positioned to leverage AI and tech advancements for process optimization and product innovation. The sector's reliance on specialized knowledge and proprietary formulations provides a buffer against rapid tech disruptions. However, the company must remain vigilant to integrate AI-driven efficiencies to maintain competitiveness.

The Bull Case

For the value-driven investor, Ashland Inc. offers compelling reasons to buy. The ROIC of 1.90% and a solid FCF Yield of 13.26% underscore efficient capital use and cash generation. Despite a middling Piotroski F-Score of 4, the company's operating margin of 4.31% suggests some pricing power in its niche market. These metrics collectively hint at a company capable of delivering shareholder value through strategic capital deployment.

The Bear Case

Ashland Inc. faces significant structural risks, notably its negative P/E ratio and a troubling Return on Equity of -37.54%, indicating severe profitability issues. The Price/Book ratio of 1.35 and Price/Sales of 1.39 suggest the market is not overly optimistic about its asset efficiency. Furthermore, the Altman Z-score close to distress levels and a high Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.08 amplify concerns about financial stability. These factors collectively paint a picture of a company struggling to justify its current valuation.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

Analyst Consensus

Buy

Average Analyst Price Target

$67.38

Institutional Ownership %

1-Year Beta

0.40

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

Distance to 52-Week High

14.53%

Distance to 52-Week Low

19.23%

EARNINGS SURPRISE %

-6.19%

50-DAY SMA

$54.89

200-DAY SMA

$55.35

⚠️ Financial Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Information may be delayed or inaccurate. We may earn a commission from partner links.