Free Research Report as Ashland’s Revenue Grew 17% and Adjusted EPS Surged 63%

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 15, 2017 / Active-Investors free earnings report on Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) ("Ashland") has freshly been issued to its members, and you can also sign up to view this report at www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=ASH. The Company posted its financial results on November 06, 2017, for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2017. The Company's revenue and adjusted EPS surpassed analysts' expectations. Register today and get free access to our complimentary member's area where many more reports are available:

www.active-investors.com/registration-sg

Active-Investors.com is focused on giving you timely information and the inside line on companies that matter to you. This morning, Ashland Global Holdings most recent news is on our radar and we have decided to include it on our blog post. Today's free coverage is available at:

www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=ASH

Earnings Highlights and Summary

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, Ashland's revenues increased 17% to $880 million from $754 million in Q4 FY16. The Company's revenue numbers surpassed analysts' expectations of $869.96 million.

During Q4 FY17, Ashland's gross profit increased 28.6% to $234 million from $182 million in the same period of last year. For the reported quarter, the Company's gross margin increased 250 basis points to 26.6% of revenue from 24.1% of revenue in the third quarter of last year.

During Q4 FY17, Ashland's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was positive $106 million versus negative $141 million in the comparable period of last year. During Q4 FY17, Ashland's adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to $161 million from $143 million in Q4 FY16. For the reported quarter, the Company's adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 70 basis points to 18.3% of revenue from 19.0% of revenue in the third quarter of last year.

During Q4 FY17, Ashland's operating income was positive $34 million compared to negative $272 million in the corresponding period of last year. For the reported quarter, the Company's adjusted operating income increased 22% to $84 million from $69 million in Q4 FY16.

During Q4 FY17, Ashland's earnings before tax (EBT) was positive $3 million compared to negative $330 million in the same period of last year.

For the reported quarter, Ashland's net loss was $53 million compared to a net loss of $344 million in Q4 FY16. During Q4 FY17, the Company's diluted earnings per share (EPS) was negative $0.84 versus negative $5.56 in the comparable period of last year. For the reported quarter, Ashland's adjusted net income increased 67% to $50 million on a y-o-y basis from $30 million in Q4 FY16. During Q4 FY17, the Company's adjusted diluted EPS increased 63% to $0.78 on a y-o-y basis from $0.48 in Q4 FY16, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.68.

Segment Details

Specialty Ingredients - During Q4 FY17, the Company's Specialty Ingredients segment's revenue increased 12% to $598 million from $532 million in the corresponding period of last year. For the reported quarter, the segment's operating income decreased 9.0% to $61 million from $67 million in Q4 FY16. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales per shipping day increased 14.5% to $9.5 million from $8.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales were 80,500 metric tons compared to 79,600 metric tons in Q4 FY16.

Composites - During Q4 FY17, the Company's Composites segment's revenue increased 35% to $219 million from $162 million in the same period of last year. For the reported quarter, the segment's operating income increased 89% to $17 million from $9 million in Q4 FY16. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales per shipping day increased 140% to $3.5 million from $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales were 94,800 metric tons compared to 75,200 metric tons in Q4 FY16.

Intermediates and Solvents - During Q4 FY17, the Company's Intermediates and Solvents segment's revenue increased 5% to $63 million from $60 million in the comparable period of last year. For the reported quarter, the segment's operating loss was $4 million compared to an operating loss of $186 million in Q4 FY16. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales per shipping day increased 11.1% to $1.0 million from $0.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the reported quarter, the segment's sales were 27,200 metric tons compared to 33,500 metric tons in Q4 FY16.

Balance Sheet

As on September 30, 2017, Ashland's cash and cash equivalents decreased 44.3% to $566 million from $1.02 billion as on December 31, 2016. For the reported quarter, the Company's long-term debt increased 11.1% to $2.58 billion from $2.33 billion in Q4 FY16.

For the reported quarter, the Company's accounts receivable increased 15.7% to $612 million from $529 million in Q4 FY16. For the reported quarter, the Company's trade and other payable increased 8.8% to $409 million from $376 million in Q4 FY16.

During Q4 FY17, the Company's cash provided by operating activities increased 2.9% to $140 million from $136 million in the corresponding period of last year. During Q4 FY17, the Company's cash provided by operating activities increased 24.1% to $67 million from $54 million in Q4 FY16.

Outlook

For FY18, the Company expects adjusted diluted EPS to be in the range of $3.20 - $3.40, and free cash flow to be $220 million.

Stock Performance Snapshot

December 14, 2017 - At Thursday's closing bell, Ashland Global Holdings' stock dropped 1.32%, ending the trading session at $70.06.

Volume traded for the day: 419.14 thousand shares.

Stock performance in the last month – up 5.08%; previous three-month period – up 9.43%; past twelve-month period – up 27.76%; and year-to-date – up 31.02%

After yesterday's close, Ashland Global Holdings' market cap was at $4.34 billion.

The stock has a dividend yield of 1.28%.

The stock is part of the Basic Materials sector, categorized under the Chemicals - Major Diversified industry.

Active-Investors:

Active-Investors (A-I) produces regular sponsored and non-sponsored reports, articles, stock market blogs, and popular investment newsletters covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and Canadian stocks. A-I has two distinct and independent departments. One department produces non-sponsored analyst certified content generally in the form of press releases, articles and reports covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and the other produces sponsored content (in most cases not reviewed by a registered analyst), which typically consists of compensated investment newsletters, articles, and reports covering listed stocks and micro-caps. Such sponsored content is outside the scope of procedures detailed below.

A-I has not been compensated; directly or indirectly; for producing or publishing this document.

PRESS RELEASE PROCEDURES:

The non-sponsored content contained herein has been prepared by a writer (the "Author") and is fact checked and reviewed by a third-party research service company (the "Reviewer") represented by a credentialed financial analyst [for further information on analyst credentials, please email info@active-investors.com. Rohit Tuli, a CFA® charter-holder (the "Sponsor"), provides necessary guidance in preparing the document templates. The Reviewer has reviewed and revised the content, as necessary, based on publicly available information which is believed to be reliable. Content is researched, written and reviewed on a reasonable effort basis. The Reviewer has not performed any independent investigations or forensic audits to validate the information herein. The Reviewer has only independently reviewed the information provided by the Author according to the procedures outlined by A-I. A-I is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the third-party research service company to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be. Unless otherwise noted, any content outside of this document has no association with the Author or the Reviewer in any way.

NO WARRANTY

A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer are not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer expressly disclaim any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Additionally, A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer do not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.

NOT AN OFFERING

This document is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned or discussed, and is to be used for informational purposes only. Please read all associated disclosures and disclaimers in full before investing. Neither A-I nor any party affiliated with us is a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer with any agency or in any jurisdiction whatsoever. To download our report(s), read our disclosures, or for more information, visit http://active-investors.com/legal-disclaimer/.

CONTACT

For any questions, inquiries, or comments reach out to us directly. If you're a company we are covering and wish to no longer feature on our coverage list contact us via email and/or phone between 09:30 EDT to 16:00 EDT from Monday to Friday at:

Email: info@active-investors.com

Phone number: 73 29 92 6381

Office Address: 6, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

SOURCE: Active-Investors

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.