Ashland (ASH) Reports Q2 Earnings: What Key Metrics Have to Say

Core Insights - Ashland reported revenue of $575 million for the quarter ended March 2024, a decrease of 4.6% year-over-year, with EPS at $1.27 compared to $1.43 in the same quarter last year [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $574.25 million by 0.13%, while the EPS surpassed the consensus estimate of $1.19 by 6.72% [1] Revenue Performance by Segment - Revenue from Intermediates was $40 million, exceeding the average estimate of $38.99 million, but reflecting a year-over-year decline of 21.6% [2] - Life Sciences revenue was reported at $222 million, below the average estimate of $238.11 million, with a year-over-year decrease of 7.5% [2] - Personal Care revenue reached $169 million, surpassing the average estimate of $159.30 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 1.2% [2] - Specialty Additives revenue was $157 million, exceeding the average estimate of $149.50 million, but showing a decline of 2.5% year-over-year [2] - Intersegment sales were reported at -$13 million, better than the estimated -$14.50 million, with an 18.8% decline compared to the previous year [2] Adjusted EBITDA Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for Intermediates was $12 million, exceeding the average estimate of $9.59 million [2] - Personal Care adjusted EBITDA was $45 million, surpassing the average estimate of $35.85 million [2] - Life Sciences adjusted EBITDA was reported at $66 million, slightly above the average estimate of $65.27 million [2] - Unallocated and other adjusted EBITDA was -$45 million, worse than the average estimate of -$23 million [2] - Specialty Additives adjusted EBITDA was $27 million, below the average estimate of $30.50 million [2] Stock Performance - Ashland's shares returned -0.2% over the past month, compared to a -2.5% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]