UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Acquires 18,100 Shares of Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH - Free Report) by 15.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 138,841 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 18,100 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.29% of Ashland worth $9,922,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its holdings in Ashland by 6.2% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 3,590 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $257,000 after acquiring an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ashland by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC now owns 5,225 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ashland by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 5,613 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its holdings in shares of Ashland by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 5,042 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Ashland by 11.4% during the 4th quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 3,541 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $253,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. 93.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ashland Trading Down 2.8%

Shares of NYSE:ASH traded down $1.41 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $49.51. 592,526 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 544,330. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -75.01, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.58. The business's fifty day moving average price is $51.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 2.52. Ashland Inc. has a twelve month low of $45.21 and a twelve month high of $102.50.

Ashland (NYSE:ASH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.11). Ashland had a negative net margin of 1.12% and a positive return on equity of 7.41%. The firm had revenue of $479.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $514.79 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.27 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Ashland Inc. will post 4.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ashland Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, June 15th. Investors of record on Sunday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $0.415 per share. This is a positive change from Ashland's previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. This represents a $1.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. Ashland's dividend payout ratio is presently -69.17%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently weighed in on ASH shares. Wall Street Zen lowered Ashland from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Ashland from $71.00 to $67.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Ashland from $85.00 to $74.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Ashland from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Ashland from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $68.60.

About Ashland

Ashland Inc provides additives and specialty ingredients in the North and Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives, and Intermediates 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.