Seaport Res Ptn Has Negative Outlook of Ashland Q4 Earnings

Key Points

• Seaport Res Ptn has reduced their Q4 2025 earnings per share estimate for Ashland Inc. from $1.35 to $1.24, indicating a negative outlook for the company.
• Institutional investors have shown significant activity, with notable increases in holdings by multiple firms, reflecting ongoing interest in Ashland's stock.
• Ashland recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.415, equating to an annualized dividend of $1.66, providing a yield of 3.5% to shareholders.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH - Free Report) - Seaport Res Ptn decreased their Q4 2025 earnings per share estimates for Ashland in a report released on Monday, September 29th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Harrison now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $1.24 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.35. The consensus estimate for Ashland's current full-year earnings is $4.27 per share.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on ASH. Wall Street Zen raised Ashland from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Zacks Research upgraded Ashland from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Argus cut their target price on Ashland from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Ashland from $50.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Ashland from $73.00 to $64.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $61.43.

Ashland Stock Performance

Shares of ASH stock opened at $47.91 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The company's fifty day moving average price is $52.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.56, a P/E/G ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 0.52. Ashland has a 12 month low of $45.21 and a 12 month high of $88.89.

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

Ashland Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 1st were issued a $0.415 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 29th. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Ashland's dividend payout ratio is currently -8.86%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ashland

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Ashland by 276.4% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,392 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $735,000 after buying an additional 9,100 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Ashland in the 1st quarter valued at $273,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in Ashland by 33.5% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,468 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Ashland by 13.3% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 4,012 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $238,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi raised its position in shares of Ashland by 417,809.1% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 45,970 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $2,726,000 after buying an additional 45,959 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.95% of the company's stock.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.