What is Seaport Res Ptn’s Estimate for Ashland Q2 Earnings?

Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH) – Investment analysts at Seaport Res Ptn decreased their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Ashland in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, January 29th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Harrison now forecasts that the basic materials company will post earnings of $1.22 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.27. The consensus estimate for Ashland’s current full-year earnings is $4.31 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Ashland’s Q3 2025 earnings at $1.51 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.51 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.52 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.89 EPS.

Ashland (NYSE:ASH) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.51). Ashland had a positive return on equity of 7.17% and a negative net margin of 1.12%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.45 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Ashland from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Ashland from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Ashland from $81.00 to $68.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Ashland from $83.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Ashland from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.57.

Ashland Price Performance

Shares of ASH opened at $63.61 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.00 billion, a PE ratio of -96.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.44 and a quick ratio of 1.33. Ashland has a 1-year low of $62.84 and a 1-year high of $102.50. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $72.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $81.53.

Institutional Trading of Ashland

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ashland during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in shares of Ashland by 193.1% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 381 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Ashland during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Ashland during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ashland by 610.5% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 540 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.95% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Eric N. Boni sold 451 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.07, for a total transaction of $35,209.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 14,182 shares in the company, valued at $1,107,188.74. This represents a 3.08 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Robin E. Lampkin sold 868 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.90, for a total transaction of $67,617.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 2,883 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $224,585.70. The trade was a 23.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.02% of the company’s stock.

Ashland Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 15th. Investors of record on Saturday, March 1st will be given a dividend of $0.405 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 28th. This represents a $1.62 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. Ashland’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -245.45%.

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.