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STATES</font></div>
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AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>
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D. C. 20549</font></div>
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8-K</font></div>
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REPORT</font></div>
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to Section 13 or 15(d) of</font></div>
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
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of report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;December 21,
2009</font></div>
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INC.</font></div>
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name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>
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other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div>
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E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky&#160;&#160;41011</font></div>
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of principal executive offices)&#160;&#160;&#160;(Zip Code)</font></div>
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Box 391, Covington, Kentucky&#160;&#160;41012-0391</font></div>
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Address)&#160;&#160;&#160;(Zip Code)</font></div>
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telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333</font></div>
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appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:</font></div>
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        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">-1-</font></div>
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7.01.&#160;&#160;Regulation FD Disclosure</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">
</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><br></font></font></div>
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      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
            <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
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                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 0pt"><br></div>
                  <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
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                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On
December 21, 2009, Ashland Inc. will include the information contained in
exhibits 99.1-99.18, and graphic images thereof, on the &#8220;Investor Center&#8221;
section of its website located at http://investor.ashland.com<font style="DISPLAY: inline; COLOR: #0000ff">,</font> or in employee
communications.</font></div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">Ashland is furnishing the information pursuant to the
Securities and Exchange Commission&#8217;s (&#8220;SEC&#8221;) Regulation FD. The information
contained in exhibits 99.1-99.17 is summary information concerning key metrics
for Ashland&#8217;s operating segments.&#160;&#160;</font>The information contained in
exhibit 99.18 is summary information concerning certain working capital
components, expressed as a percentage of annualized sales for Ashland on a
monthly basis for November 2009, as used for certain internal measurement
purposes.&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline">The information is intended
to be considered in the context of Ashland&#8217;s SEC filings and other public
announcements that Ashland may make from time to time.</font></font></div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By filing
this report on Form 8-K, Ashland makes no admission as to the materiality of any
information in this report. Ashland reserves the right to discontinue the
availability of the data in the attached exhibits.</font></div><br></div>
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
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                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">-2-</font>

                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
                        <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
                          <div id="FTR">
                            <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
                          </div>
                          <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
                            <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
                            <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
                          </div>
                          <div id="HDR">
                            <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
                          </div>
                        </div>
                      </div>
                      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Item
9.01</font>.&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Financial
Statements and Exhibits</font></font></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt;">
            <td style="WIDTH: 11px">
              <div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
      </font></div>
            </td>
            <td style="WIDTH: 56px">
              <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(d)</font></div>
            </td>
            <td width="1162">
              <div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Exhibits</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr></table>
    </div>
    <div align="left">
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.1</font></font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217; average sales per
      shipping day</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.2</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217;
      revenue</font></font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.3&#160;</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217; volume in metric
      tons&#160;</font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.4</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217; average sales per
      shipping day</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.5</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217;
    revenue</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.6</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217; gross
      profit</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.7</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; average sales per shipping
      day</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.8</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; revenue</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.9</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; gross
  profit</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.10</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) premium lubricants
      % of branded volume</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.11</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s)
      revenue</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.12</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) gross
      profit</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.13</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) lubricant sales
      gallons</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.14</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change&#8217;s twelve month rolling
      average sales</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.15</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland&#160;Distribution&#8217;s average sales per shipping
      day</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.16</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution&#8217;s revenue&#160;</font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font size="3" style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.</font>17</font></font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution&#8217;s gross profit&#160;</font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.18</font></td>
            <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Inc.&#8217;s operating segment trade working
      capital</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr></table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">-3-</font></div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">SIGNATURES</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt">&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">ASHLAND
      INC.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;
      </font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">(Registrant)</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">December
      21, 2009</font></font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">/s/
      Lamar M. Chambers</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Lamar
      M. Chambers</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr><tr>
            <td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">&#160;</font></td>
            <td valign="top" width="37%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Senior
      Vice President and</font></div>
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
                <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Chief
      Financial Officer</font></div>
              </div>
            </td>
          </tr></table>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">-4-</font></div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;
</font></div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">EXHIBIT
INDEX</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
          <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
          <div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt" align="center">
          </div>
          <div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt" align="left">
            <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt;">
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.1</font></font></td>
                  <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217; average sales per
      shipping day</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="middle" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.2</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217;
      revenue</font></font></td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.3&#160;</font></td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients&#8217; volume in metric
      tons</font></td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.4</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217; average sales per
      shipping day</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.5</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217;
    revenue</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.6</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies&#8217; gross
      profit</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.7</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; average sales per shipping
      day</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.8</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; revenue</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.9</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials&#8217; gross
  profit</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.10</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) premium lubricants
      % of branded volume</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.11</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s)
      revenue</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.12</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) gross
      profit</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.13</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets&#8217; (Valvoline&#8217;s) lubricant sales
      gallons</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.14</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change&#8217;s twelve month rolling
      average sales</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.15</font></div>
                  </td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland&#160;Distribution&#8217;s average sales per shipping
      day</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.16</font></td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution&#8217;s revenue&#160;</font></td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.17</font></td>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution&#8217;s gross profit&#160;</font></td>
                </tr><tr>
                  <td align="left" valign="top" width="5%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">99.18</font></td>
                  <td align="left" valign="middle" width="70%" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt">
                    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">Website
      data concerning Ashland Inc.&#8217;s operating segment trade working
      capital</font></div>
                  </td>
                </tr></table>
          </div>
          <div align="left">&#160;</div>
          <div align="left">&#160;</div>
        </div><font style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">-5-<br></font></div>
    </div>
  </body>
</html>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ASHLAND INC.", "cik": "0001305014", "assigned-sic": "5160", "irs-number": "200865835", "state-of-incorporation": "KY", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-32532", "film-number": "091251451"}, "business-address": {"street1": "50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "COVINGTON", "state": "KY", "zip": "41012", "phone": "859-815-3483"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "COVINGTON", "state": "KY", "zip": "41012"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "New EXM Inc.", "date-changed": "20041004"}}
form8k.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D. C. 20549
______________
FORM
8-K
______________
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of report (Date of earliest event reported):  December 21,
2009
ASHLAND
INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kentucky
(State or
other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-32532
20-0865835
(Commission
      File Number)
(I.R.S.
      Employer Identification No.)
50
E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky  41011
(Address
of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
P.O.
Box 391, Covington, Kentucky  41012-0391
(Mailing
Address)   (Zip Code)
Registrant's
telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
[  ]
Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)
[ 
      ]
Soliciting material
      pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)
[ 
      ]
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))
[ 
      ]
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))
-1-
Item
7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure
On
December 21, 2009, Ashland Inc. will include the information contained in
exhibits 99.1-99.18, and graphic images thereof, on the "Investor Center"
section of its website located at http://investor.ashland.com
,
or in employee
communications.
Ashland is furnishing the information pursuant to the
Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Regulation FD. The information
contained in exhibits 99.1-99.17 is summary information concerning key metrics
for Ashland's operating segments.
The information contained in
exhibit 99.18 is summary information concerning certain working capital
components, expressed as a percentage of annualized sales for Ashland on a
monthly basis for November 2009, as used for certain internal measurement
purposes.
The information is intended
to be considered in the context of Ashland's SEC filings and other public
announcements that Ashland may make from time to time.
By filing
this report on Form 8-K, Ashland makes no admission as to the materiality of any
information in this report. Ashland reserves the right to discontinue the
availability of the data in the attached exhibits.
-2-
Item
9.01
.
Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
99.1
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients' average sales per
      shipping day
99.2
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients'
      revenue
99.3
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients' volume in metric
      tons
99.4
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies' average sales per
      shipping day
99.5
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies'
    revenue
99.6
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies' gross
      profit
99.7
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' average sales per shipping
      day
99.8
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' revenue
99.9
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' gross
  profit
99.10
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) premium lubricants
      % of branded volume
99.11
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's)
      revenue
99.12
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) gross
      profit
99.13
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) lubricant sales
      gallons
99.14
Website
      data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change's twelve month rolling
      average sales
99.15
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's average sales per shipping
      day
99.16
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's revenue
99.
17
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's gross profit
99.18
Website
      data concerning Ashland Inc.'s operating segment trade working
      capital
-3-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
ASHLAND
      INC.
(Registrant)
December
      21, 2009
/s/
      Lamar M. Chambers
Lamar
      M. Chambers
Senior
      Vice President and
Chief
      Financial Officer
-4-
EXHIBIT
INDEX
99.1
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients' average sales per
      shipping day
99.2
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients'
      revenue
99.3
Website
      data concerning Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients' volume in metric
      tons
99.4
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies' average sales per
      shipping day
99.5
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies'
    revenue
99.6
Website
      data concerning Ashland Hercules Water Technologies' gross
      profit
99.7
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' average sales per shipping
      day
99.8
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' revenue
99.9
Website
      data concerning Ashland Performance Materials' gross
  profit
99.10
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) premium lubricants
      % of branded volume
99.11
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's)
      revenue
99.12
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) gross
      profit
99.13
Website
      data concerning Ashland Consumer Markets' (Valvoline's) lubricant sales
      gallons
99.14
Website
      data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change's twelve month rolling
      average sales
99.15
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's average sales per shipping
      day
99.16
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's revenue
99.17
Website
      data concerning Ashland Distribution's gross profit
99.18
Website
      data concerning Ashland Inc.'s operating segment trade working
      capital
-5-