Weekly Analysts’ Ratings Updates for Ashland (ASH)

Ashland (NYSE: ASH) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

• 2/6/2025 – Ashland was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating.
• 1/30/2025 – Ashland had its price target lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $80.00. They now have an “overweight” rating on the stock.
• 1/30/2025 – Ashland had its price target lowered by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $81.00 to $68.00. They now have a “neutral” rating on the stock.
• 1/29/2025 – Ashland was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating.
• 1/29/2025 – Ashland had its price target lowered by analysts at UBS Group AG from $95.00 to $93.00. They now have a “buy” rating on the stock.

Ashland Stock Down 0.1 %

ASH opened at $64.92 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $69.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $79.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 2.52. The company has a market cap of $3.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -98.36, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.86. Ashland Inc. has a one year low of $60.60 and a one year high of $102.50.

Ashland (NYSE:ASH) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.51). Ashland had a positive return on equity of 7.41% and a negative net margin of 1.12%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.45 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Ashland Inc. will post 4.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ashland Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, March 1st will be given a $0.405 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.50%. Ashland’s dividend payout ratio is currently -245.45%.

Insider Activity

In other Ashland news, CEO Guillermo Novo bought 31,294 shares of Ashland stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $64.24 per share, for a total transaction of $2,010,326.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 31,294 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,010,326.56. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Eric N. Boni sold 451 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.07, for a total value of $35,209.57. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 14,182 shares in the company, valued at $1,107,188.74. This trade represents a 3.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ashland

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Ashland during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Ashland during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in Ashland during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in Ashland by 610.5% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 540 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atala Financial Inc acquired a new stake in Ashland during the fourth quarter worth about $56,000. 93.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.