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

Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH) – Equities research analysts at Seaport Res Ptn reduced their Q2 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Ashland in a research note issued to investors on Monday, April 21st. Seaport Res Ptn analyst M. Harrison now forecasts that the basic materials company will earn $1.17 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.20. Seaport Res Ptn has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Ashland’s current full-year earnings is $4.27 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Ashland’s Q3 2025 earnings at $1.42 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $4.33 EPS.

Ashland (NYSE:ASH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.79 by ($0.51). Ashland had a negative net margin of 1.12% and a positive return on equity of 7.41%. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.45 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Ashland from $69.00 to $58.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Ashland from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Mizuho set a $60.00 price target on Ashland in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Ashland from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $71.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price objective on Ashland from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $73.20.

Ashland Stock Performance

Shares of ASH opened at $51.80 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.52, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $56.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.96. The company has a market cap of $2.44 billion, a PE ratio of -78.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.70. Ashland has a 12-month low of $45.21 and a 12-month high of $102.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Guillermo Novo acquired 31,294 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 31st. The stock was purchased at an average price 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 trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ASH. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in Ashland in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Ashland during the third quarter worth about $38,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Ashland by 2,736.0% in the first quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 709 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 684 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in Ashland by 212.4% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 706 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares during the period. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in Ashland by 285.7% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 914 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 677 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.