EXHIBIT 99.1
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
News Release
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ken Gordon
(859) 815-4195
(614) 886-4424 (cell)
kdgordon@ashland.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2005
ASHLAND INC. CLOSES MAP TRANSACTION
WITH MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
COVINGTON, Ky. - Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced the completion of
its previously announced agreement with Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:
MRO) to transfer Ashland's 38-percent interest in Marathon Ashland
Petroleum LLC (MAP) and two other businesses to Marathon Oil Corporation in
a transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion. The two other
businesses are Ashland's maleic anhydride business and 60 Valvoline Instant
Oil Change (VIOC) centers in Michigan and northwest Ohio.
As a result of this transaction:
- Ashland shareholders of record as of the close of business on
June 30, 2005, will receive .2364 Marathon shares per Ashland
share. In total, Ashland's shareholders will receive
17,538,815 shares of Marathon common stock with an aggregate
value of $938 million based upon the June 29 closing price of
Marathon stock.
- Ashland received cash of $2,406 million and MAP accounts
receivable valued at $911 million. These amounts include
approximately $2.8 billion of cash and accounts receivable
included in the $3.7 billion transaction value, and
$518 million of cash and accounts receivable representing 38
percent of MAP's distributable cash as of June 30, 2005.
From March 18, 2004, through May 31, 2005, MAP had suspended
quarterly cash distributions to Ashland and Marathon. As previously
announced, on May 31 Ashland received a cash distribution from MAP of $268
million.
"Today, we have completed one of our key strategic objectives,"
said James J. O'Brien, Ashland's chairman and chief executive officer.
"This transaction demonstrates Ashland's commitment to deliver long-term
value to our shareholders and brings to a close a long and notable chapter
of our history in petroleum refining and marketing."
As previously announced, Ashland intends to use a substantial
portion of the transaction proceeds to retire all or most of the company's
outstanding debt and certain other financial obligations. Today, the
company has repaid $2.1 billion of debt or debt-like obligations;
approximately $400 million of obligations are expected to be repaid in the
September quarter or early in the December quarter.
The above transactions are expected to result in a net increase in
Ashland's cash and investment securities of approximately $1.1 billion.
This reflects the $2,406 million in cash and $911 million of accounts
receivable received in the transaction, the $268 million cash distribution
received on May 31 and the repayment of approximately $2.5 billion of debt
and other financial obligations.
Ashland currently does not anticipate that it will be obligated to
pay any tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 355(e) in connection with
this transaction. Whether Ashland is required to pay any such taxes will
depend upon, among other things, the trading price of new Ashland stock on
July 1, and the final adjusted tax basis of new Ashland stock, which will
be determined after July 1.
Ashland shareholders of record on June 30, 2005, will
automatically receive new Ashland shares within the next few weeks. In
addition, a letter of transmittal and instructions for exchanging old
Ashland shares for shares of Marathon stock will be mailed in July to the
Ashland shareholders of record on June 30, 2005. Ashland shareholders who
have shares deposited into a brokerage account will not need to do anything
to receive their new Ashland or Marathon stock. The Depository Trust
Corporation (DTC) will exchange the shares they hold directly with National
City Bank, the Exchange Agent, who in turn will send DTC the new Ashland
and Marathon shares.
"We are entering an exciting new era for Ashland," said O'Brien.
"Our wholly-owned businesses are well positioned in markets having
significant opportunities for continued growth. As such, we will focus
first and foremost on organic growth. When acquisitions provide the
opportunity to strengthen our core businesses and to deliver economic value
to our shareholders, we will carefully consider them. As always, we will
look to the creativity and knowledge of Ashland people to realize our
potential. I am privileged to lead this great team."
With the completion of this transaction, Ashland will operate as
two Sectors - Chemical and Transportation Construction. The Chemical Sector
provides innovative product and service solutions in adhesives; composite
polymers; metal casting solutions; water treatment; Valvoline(R) premium
motor oil and car care products; and chemicals and plastics distribution.
The Transportation Construction Sector, commercially known as Ashland
Paving And Construction, Inc. (APAC), is a major supplier of construction
materials including crushed aggregates and asphaltic concrete; and is one
of the nation's largest transportation construction contractors, doing
business in 14 southern and mid-western states.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 chemical and
transportation construction company providing products, services and
customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit
www.ashland.com.
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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, with respect to Ashland's operating
performance. These estimates are based upon a number of assumptions,
including those mentioned within this news release. Such estimates are also
based upon internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market
conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, weather, operating
efficiencies and economic conditions, such as prices, supply and demand,
cost of raw materials, and legal proceedings and claims (including
environmental and asbestos matters). Although Ashland believes its
expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure the
expectations reflected herein will be achieved. This forward-looking
information may prove to be inaccurate and actual results may differ
significantly from those anticipated if one or more of the underlying
assumptions or expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized or if
other unexpected conditions or events occur. Other factors and risks
affecting Ashland are contained in Ashland's Form 10-K, as amended, for the
fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2004. Ashland undertakes no obligation to
subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this
news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this
release.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAP TRANSACTION
The registration statement containing the proxy statement/prospectus
relating to the transaction was declared effective by the SEC on May 20,
2005. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the transaction
was filed with the SEC on May 25, 2005 and was mailed on May 27, 2005 to
shareholders of record as of May 12, 2005. Investors and security holders
are urged to read those documents and any other relevant documents filed or
that will be filed with the SEC as they become available, because they
contain, or will contain, important information. Security holders may
obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other
documents filed with the SEC by Ashland, ATB Holdings and New EXM at the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus and
other documents filed with the SEC by Ashland, ATB Holdings and New EXM may
also be obtained for free in the SEC filings section on Ashland's Investor
Relations website at www.ashland.com/investors, or by directing a request
to Ashland at 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Covington, KY 41012. The respective
directors and executive officers of Ashland and other persons may be deemed
to be participants in solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed
transaction. Information regarding Ashland's directors and executive
officers is available in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Ashland
on December 14, 2004. Investors may obtain information regarding the
interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with
the transaction referenced in the foregoing information by reading the
definitive proxy statement/prospectus.