Ashland (NYSE: ASH) investors back pay plan, board and 2026 auditor

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ashland Inc. reported results of its annual stockholder meeting held on January 20, 2026. A quorum was achieved with 45,762,099 common shares represented, equal to 90.94% of shares outstanding and eligible to vote.

All nominated directors were elected, each receiving over 36 million votes in favor. Stockholders also ratified Ernst & Young LLP as Ashland’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026 with 41,483,293 votes for, 109,138 against and 24,628 abstentions. In addition, a non-binding advisory resolution approving compensation for the company’s named executive officers passed with 36,593,493 votes for, 1,247,959 against and 64,001 abstentions.

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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): January 20, 2026

ASHLAND INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware			333-211719	81-2587835
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
8145 Blazer Drive
Wilmington, Delaware				19808
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 302 995-3000

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share		ASH		The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

At the annual meeting (“Annual Meeting”) of stockholders of Ashland held on January 20, 2026, a total of 45,762,099 shares of Common Stock, representing 90.94% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote and constituting a quorum, were represented in person or by valid proxies. The final results for each of the matters submitted to a vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting are described below.

Proposal 1: All of the nominees for director were elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified, by the votes set forth in the table below:

Nominee	For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
Steven D. Bishop	37,690,628	182,935	31,896	3,711,606
Sanat Chattopadhyay	37,059,909	644,129	201,420	3,711,606
Suzan F. Harrison	37,309,662	395,837	199,962	3,711,606
Ashish K. Kulkarni	37,124,484	581,327	199,647	3,711,606
Susan L. Main	37,703,746	170,359	31,356	3,711,606
Guillermo Novo	37,087,627	786,294	31,536	3,711,606
Jerome A. Peribere	36,206,666	1,351,413	347,378	3,711,606
Scott A. Tozier	37,397,146	478,012	30,301	3,711,606

Proposal 2: The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Ashland’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026 was ratified by the stockholders by the votes set forth in the table below:

For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
41,483,293	109,138	24,628	3,711,606

Proposal 3: The non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation paid to Ashland’s named executive officers, was approved by the stockholders by the votes set forth in the table below:

For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
36,593,493	1,247,959	64,001	3,711,606

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.
Date:	January 22, 2026	By:	/s/ Robin E. Lampkin
			Robin E. Lampkin Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What did Ashland (ASH) shareholders vote on at the January 2026 annual meeting?

At the January 20, 2026 annual meeting, Ashland shareholders voted on the election of directors, ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026, and a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation.

Was there a quorum at Ashland (ASH)'s 2026 annual stockholder meeting?

Yes. A total of 45,762,099 shares of Ashland common stock were represented in person or by proxy, representing 90.94% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote, constituting a quorum.

Were Ashland (ASH) director nominees elected at the 2026 annual meeting?

Yes. All director nominees, including Steven D. Bishop, Sanat Chattopadhyay, Suzan F. Harrison, Ashish K. Kulkarni, Susan L. Main, Guillermo Novo, Jerome A. Peribere and Scott A. Tozier, were elected to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Did Ashland (ASH) shareholders ratify Ernst & Young LLP as the 2026 auditor?

Yes. Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as Ashland’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026 with 41,483,293 votes for, 109,138 against, and 24,628 abstentions.

How did Ashland (ASH) shareholders vote on executive compensation?

Shareholders approved the non-binding advisory resolution on compensation for Ashland’s named executive officers, with 36,593,493 votes for, 1,247,959 against, and 64,001 abstentions, plus 3,711,606 broker non-votes.

What percentage of eligible Ashland (ASH) shares participated in the 2026 annual meeting?

At the annual meeting held January 20, 2026, 90.94% of Ashland’s outstanding and eligible common shares were represented in person or by valid proxies.