J.P. Morgan Reiterates Neutral Rating, $74 PT on Ashland

In a report published Wednesday, J.P. Morgan & Co. reiterated its Neutral rating and $74.00 price target on Ashland

. J.P. Morgan noted, “We rate ASH shares Neutral. Ashland currently trades at 8.4x EV/EBITDA for 2013 including net pension liability (or 7.0x EBITDA without pension). Our December 2013 price target of $74 reflects a 6.6x multiple of 2013E EV/EBITDA excluding net pension liability. We note that the great majority of analysts writing research on Ashland recommend its shares, which may indicate that its good business prospects are well-reflected in the current stock price and that room remains for negative price volatility were Ashland's earnings to disappoint expectations.” Ashland closed on Monday at $79.78.