Strategic Initiatives to Deliver Strong Cash Flows, Volume and Sales Growth Amid Challenging Market - Research Report on Dow, Ashland, Airgas, FMC, and Celanese

LONDON, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG), FMC Corp. (NYSE: FMC), and Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

The Dow Chemical Company Research Report

On July 25, 2013, The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) reported its Q2 2013 financial results with earnings of $1.87 per share, up compared to earnings of $0.55 per share in Q2 2012. The Company's sales were $14.6 billion, a 0.4% YoY increase. Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our results in the second quarter are indicative of Dow's focus and drive to aggressively manage our portfolio and generate momentum across our enterprise - expanding margins, growing cash flow and increasing earnings, even in the midst of a slow-growth macroeconomic environment. We also are fully implementing aggressive improvement plans in those segments that do not currently meet our return on capital expectations. Our strong cash generation, our deployment of K-Dow proceeds to pay down debt and our ongoing $1.5 billion share buyback program are all focused on rewarding our shareholders - and we will continue to do so as our earnings grow." The Full Research Report on The Dow Chemical Company - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/6908_DOW]

Ashland Inc. Research Report

On July 25, 2013, Ashland Inc. (Ashland) announced its preliminary Q3 FY 2013 (period ended June 30, 2013) financial results with earnings from continuing operations of $1.47 per diluted share. The Company reported operating income of $210 million versus $263 million in Q3 FY 2012. Adjusted EBITDA was $325 million compared to $381 million in Q3 FY 2012. Diluted EPS from net income came in at $1.55 compared to $1.90 in Q3 FY 2012. The Full Research Report on Ashland Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/dfdb_ASH]

Airgas Inc. Research Report

On July 25, 2013, Airgas Inc. (Airgas) reported its Q2 2013 financial results with earnings per diluted share declining 1% YoY to $1.14. The Company reported sales growth of 2% YoY to $1.3 billion, primarily led by recent acquisitions. The Company's operating margin was 12.2%, up 10 basis points over Q2 2012. "The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) unexpected ruling in late March to allow for an increase in the production of R-22 this year challenged our refrigerants business to a greater extent than we had estimated, with the unusually cool spring weather across much of the country exacerbating its impact on our results," said Airgas President and Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Molinini. "Absent the incremental refrigerants impact, our results for the quarter were in-line with the mid-point of our earnings per share guidance range, with Distribution segment organic sales up 1% in what continues to be a very challenging economic environment." The Company is updating its full-year 2014 diluted EPS guidance of $5.00 to $5.15, representing 15% to 18% YoY growth. The Full Research Report on Airgas Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/b17f_ARG]

FMC Corp. Research Report

On July 24, 2013, FMC Corp. (FMC) announced its acquisition of all of the shares of Epax Nutra Holding III AS (Norway) and Epax UK Holding III AS (United Kingdom). "Earlier this year, we committed to invest in our FMC Health and Nutrition platform by expanding participation in nutraceuticals and similar high growth markets," said Pierre Brondeau, FMC President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "Today's announcement underscores our commitment to this strategy and builds on our strengths in functional ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical markets. It also illustrates our resolve to meet or exceed FMC's Vision 2015 growth goals through targeted acquisitions that complement our technology, business and financial priorities." According to the Company, the $345 million transaction reflects a 2013 EBITDA multiple in line with FMC's current trading multiple and is anticipated to be immediately accretive to the Company's EPS. The Full Research Report on FMC Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/a00b_FMC]

Celanese Corporation Research Report

On July 18, 2013, Celanese Corp. (Celanese) reported its Q2 2013 financial results with adjusted EPS of $1.12, down compared to $1.14 in Q2 2012. The Company's segment income margin increased 22.3% YoY. Celanese's cash on hand increased to $1.1 billion while net debt decreased to less than $2 billion. "Celanese's second quarter results reflect the continued success we are having by delivering value-added solutions to our customers in diverse end-use markets and geographic regions as we increased segment income margins to 22.3% sequentially in Advanced Engineered Materials, Consumer Specialties and Industrial Specialties. This success was tempered by lower segment income in Acetyl Intermediates as the economies of Asia and Europe demonstrated softer conditions than the first quarter and as we executed a number of plant turnarounds," said Mark Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are well positioned to pursue our balanced cash deployment strategy." The Company expects adjusted earnings growth of 12% YoY for 2013. The Full Research Report on Celanese Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/3763_CE]

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SOURCE AAA Research Reports