Seaport Res Ptn Brokers Lower Earnings Estimates for Ashland

Key Points

• Seaport Res Ptn has lowered its Q4 2027 earnings estimate for Ashland, predicting earnings of $1.67 per share, down from the previous estimate of $1.79.
• Ashland reported a loss in quarterly earnings for Q3, with $1.04 per share, missing expectations of $1.15, and a notable decline in revenue year-over-year.
• Several analysts have recently rating revisions for Ashland, with Zacks upgrading it to a "hold" and BMO Capital Markets increasing its price target from $60 to $61.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH - Free Report) - Research analysts at Seaport Res Ptn lowered their Q4 2027 earnings estimates for Ashland in a report released on Monday, September 29th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Harrison now forecasts that the basic materials company will earn $1.67 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.79. The consensus estimate for Ashland's current full-year earnings is $4.27 per share.

Ashland (NYSE:ASH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The basic materials company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.15 by ($0.11). Ashland had a negative net margin of 46.01% and a positive return on equity of 6.82%. The firm had revenue of $463.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $479.34 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.49 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 14.9% on a year-over-year basis. Ashland has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Zacks Research upgraded Ashland from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Ashland from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Ashland in a research report on Monday, September 8th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Ashland from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Argus reduced their price target on shares of Ashland from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Ashland currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $61.43.

Ashland Price Performance

Shares of Ashland stock opened at $48.13 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a PE ratio of -2.57, a P/E/G ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.49. Ashland has a twelve month low of $45.21 and a twelve month high of $88.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 2.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $52.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.09.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ASH. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Ashland by 284.3% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,454,646 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $172,318,000 after purchasing an additional 2,555,585 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Ashland by 33.1% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,291,157 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $132,383,000 after buying an additional 569,740 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Ashland by 48.7% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,228,525 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $72,839,000 after buying an additional 402,286 shares during the last quarter. Cooperman Leon G raised its position in shares of Ashland by 16.6% during the 1st quarter. Cooperman Leon G now owns 1,694,151 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $100,446,000 after buying an additional 240,686 shares during the period. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Ashland by 353.0% in the second quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 250,085 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $12,574,000 after acquiring an additional 194,880 shares during the last quarter. 93.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ashland Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 1st were paid a dividend of $0.415 per share. This represents a $1.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 29th. Ashland's dividend payout ratio is currently -8.86%.

Ashland Company Profile

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.

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