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, 2005 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 41012-0391 (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 2230.425) [ ] 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)) Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure On December 21, 2005, Ashland Inc. will include the information contained in exhibits 99.1 - 99.16, and graphic images thereof, on the "Investor Relations" section of its website located at www.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 - 99.16 is summary information concerning key metrics for Ashland's divisional operations and 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 - --------- --------------------------------- (c) Exhibits 99.1 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's sales per shipping day 99.2 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's revenue 99.3 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's gross profit 99.4 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's average sales per shipping day 99.5 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's revenue 99.6 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's gross profit 99.7 Website data concerning Valvoline's premium oil sales 99.8 Website data concerning Valvoline's revenue 99.9 Website data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change's twelve month rolling average sales 99.10 Website data concerning APAC's rolling twelve month contract awards 99.11 Website data concerning APAC's lost time incident rates and OSHA recordable incident rates 99.12 Website data concerning APAC's monthly revenue and twelve month rolling average revenue 99.13 Website data concerning APAC's backlog 99.14 Website data concerning APAC's asphalt mix production 99.15 Website data concerning U.S. Gulf Coast asphalt barge prices 99.16 Website data concerning APAC's 14-state weighted diesel price index -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) Date: December 21, 2005 /s/ J. Marvin Quin -------------------------------------------- Name: J. Marvin Quin Title: Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer -4- Exhibit Index 99.1 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's sales per shipping day 99.2 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's revenue 99.3 Website data concerning Ashland Distribution's gross profit 99.4 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's average sales per shipping day 99.5 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's revenue 99.6 Website data concerning Ashland Specialty Chemical's gross profit 99.7 Website data concerning Valvoline's premium oil sales 99.8 Website data concerning Valvoline's revenue 99.9 Website data concerning Valvoline Instant Oil Change's twelve month rolling average sales 99.10 Website data concerning APAC's rolling twelve month contract awards 99.11 Website data concerning APAC's lost time incident rates and OSHA recordable incident rates 99.12 Website data concerning APAC's monthly revenue and twelve month rolling average revenue 99.13 Website data concerning APAC's backlog 99.14 Website data concerning APAC's asphalt mix production 99.15 Website data concerning U.S. Gulf Coast asphalt barge prices 99.16 Website data concerning APAC's 14-state weighted diesel price index -5-