Ashland Inc. enters into $750 million accelerated share repurchase agreements

August 5, 2014

COVINGTON, Ky. - Ashland Inc. ASH today announced that it has entered into uncollared accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreements with each of Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch ("Deutsche Bank"), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., ("JPMorgan") to repurchase an aggregate of $750 million of Ashland's common stock. These agreements are part of Ashland's previously announced $1.35 billion share repurchase program.

Under the ASR agreements, Ashland has agreed to repurchase an aggregate of $750 million of its common stock from Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, with immediate delivery of an aggregate of approximately 5.9 million shares expected.

The term of the agreements is through June 30, 2015, although they may be completed earlier based on market conditions and other factors.

About Ashland
Ashland Inc. ASH is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline - we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "may," "will," "should" and "intends" and the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology.  In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases and other written and oral communications.  These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland's expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland's future operating performance and financial condition, the economy and other future events or circumstances.  Ashland's expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: Ashland's substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland's future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt); the sale transactions involving Ashland Water Technologies and the ASK joint venture and the potential sale transaction involving the Elastomers division (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions or potential transaction); the global restructuring program (including the possibility that Ashland may not achieve the anticipated revenue and earnings growth, cost reductions, and other expected benefits from the program); Ashland's ability to generate sufficient cash to finance its stock repurchase plans, severe weather, natural disasters, and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters).  Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in its most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland's website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein, including the aggregate number and dollar amount of shares to be repurchased under, and the timing of completion of, the ASR programs, will be achieved.  Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Investor Relations:
Jason Thompson         
+1 (859) 815-4454
jlthompson@ashland.com

Media Relations:
Gary Rhodes                                                              
+1 (859) 815-3047                                                     
glrhodes@ashland.com