Insider filing report for Changes in Beneficial Ownership
- Schedule 13G & 13D forms are used to report a party's ownership of stock which exceeds 5% of a company's total stock issue.
- Schedule 13G is a shorter version of Schedule 13D with fewer reporting requirements.
"Insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise"
- Peter Lynch
What is insider trading>>
- Peter Lynch
What is insider trading>>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 4)
Ashland Inc.*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
044209104
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
December 31, 2008
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:
[_] Rule 13d-1(b)
[x] Rule 13d-1(c)
[_] Rule 13d-1(d)
- ----------
* IMPORTANT NOTE: THE SECURITIES SET FORTH IN THIS REPORT ARE DIRECTLY
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND I, LTD. AND/OR
HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS SPECIAL SITUATIONS FUND, L.P. (COLLECTIVELY, THE
"FUNDS"). ALL OTHER ENTITIES AND PERSONS ARE INCLUDED WITHIN THIS REPORT DUE TO
THEIR AFFILIATION WITH ONE OR BOTH OF THE FUNDS.
** The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Cayman Islands
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
329,650
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
329,650
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
329,650
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
0.5%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
________________________________________________________________________________
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
329,650
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
329,650
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
329,650
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
0.5%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
HMC Investors, L.L.C.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
329,650
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
329,650
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
329,650
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
0.5%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,332,692
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,332,692
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,332,692
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.2%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
PN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,332,692
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,332,692
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,332,692
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.2%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
HMC - New York, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
New York
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,332,692
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,332,692
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,332,692
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.2%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Harbert Management Corporation
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Alabama
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,332,692
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,332,692
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,332,692
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.2%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Philip Falcone
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S.A.
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,662,342
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,662,342
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,662,342
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Raymond J. Harbert
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S.A.
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,662,342
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,662,342
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,662,342
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Michael D. Luce
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
(a) [_]
(b) [X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S.A.
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
2,662,342
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,662,342
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,662,342
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
[_]
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
3.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
________________________________________________________________________________
CUSIP No. 044209104
---------------------
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
Ashland Inc.
____________________________________________________________________
(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
P.O. Box 391
Covington, Kentucky 41012
____________________________________________________________________
Item 2(a). Name, Principal Business Address, and Citizenship of Persons Filing:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - Cayman Islands
c/o International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited
Third Floor, Bishop's Square
Redmond's Hill
Dublin 2, Ireland
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - Delaware
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - Delaware
HMC - New York, Inc. - New York
Philip Falcone - U.S.A.
555 Madison Avenue
16th Floor
New York, New York 10022
United States of America
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - Delaware
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - Delaware
Harbert Management Corporation - Alabama
Raymond J. Harbert - U.S.A.
Michael D. Luce - U.S.A.
2100 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
United States of America
____________________________________________________________________
(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock
____________________________________________________________________
(e). CUSIP Number:
044209104
____________________________________________________________________
Item 3. If This Statement is filed pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b) or
240.13d-2(b), or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a) [_] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act
(15 U.S.C. 78c).
(b) [_] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act (15
U.S.C. 78c).
(c) [_] Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19)
of the Exchange
Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).
(d) [_] Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).
(e) [_] An investment adviser in accordance with
s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f) [_] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g) [_] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h) [_] A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.1813);
(i) [_] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j) [_] Group, in accordance with s.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
Item 4. Ownership.
Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and
percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.
(a) Amount beneficially owned:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 329,650
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 2,332,692
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 2,332,692
HMC - New York, Inc. - 2,332,692
Harbert Management Corporation - 2,332,692
Philip Falcone - 2,662,342
Raymond J. Harbert - 2,662,342
Michael D. Luce - 2,662,342
______________________________________________________________________
(b) Percent of class:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0.5%
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0.5%
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0.5%%
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 3.2%
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 3.2%
HMC - New York, Inc. - 3.2%
Harbert Management Corporation - 3.2%
Philip Falcone - 3.6%
Raymond J. Harbert - 3.6%
Michael D. Luce - 3.6%
______________________________________________________________________
(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 0
HMC - New York, Inc. - 0
Harbert Management Corporation - 0
Philip Falcone - 0
Raymond J. Harbert - 0
Michael D. Luce - 0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 329,650
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 2,332,692
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 2,332,692
HMC - New York, Inc. - 2,332,692
Harbert Management Corporation - 2,332,692
Philip Falcone - 2,662,342
Raymond J. Harbert - 2,662,342
Michael D. Luce - 2,662,342
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 0
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 0
HMC - New York, Inc. - 0
Harbert Management Corporation - 0
Philip Falcone - 0
Raymond J. Harbert - 0
Michael D. Luce - 0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 329,650
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 329,650
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. - 2,332,692
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC - 2,332,692
HMC - New York, Inc. - 2,332,692
Harbert Management Corporation - 2,332,692
Philip Falcone - 2,662,342
Raymond J. Harbert - 2,662,342
Michael D. Luce - 2,662,342
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following [X].
_______________________________________________________________________
Item 6. Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such
securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this
item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such
person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries
of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
N/A
_______________________________________________________________________
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control
Person.
If a parent holding company or Control person has filed this schedule,
pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an
exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant
subsidiary. If a parent holding company or control person has filed this
schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating
the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
N/A
_______________________________________________________________________
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to Sec.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
so indicate under Item 3(j) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item
3 classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule
pursuant to Sec.240.13d-1(c) or Sec.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the
identity of each member of the group.
N/A
_______________________________________________________________________
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Notice of dissolution of a group may be furnished as an exhibit stating the
date of the dissolution and that all further filings with respect to
transactions in the security reported on will be filed, if required, by members
of the group, in their individual capacity. See Item 5.
N/A
______________________________________________________________________
Item 10. Certification.
(b) The following certification shall be included if the statement is
filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c):
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not
held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing
the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and
are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
having such purpose or effect.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
HMC Investors, L.L.C.
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC
By: HMC - New York, Inc., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC
By: HMC - New York, Inc., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
HMC - New York, Inc.
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbert Management Corporation
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
/s/ Philip Falcone
_____________________
Philip Falcone
/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
_____________________
Raymond J. Harbert
/s/ Michael D. Luce
_____________________
Michael D. Luce
February 17, 2009
Exhibit A
AGREEMENT
The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G, Amendment No. 4, dated February
17, 2009 relating to the Common Stock of Ashland Inc. shall be filed on behalf
of the undersigned.
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
_________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
_________________________
HMC Investors, L.L.C.
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
_________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC
By: HMC - New York, Inc., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations GP, LLC
By: HMC - New York, Inc., Managing Member
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
HMC - New York, Inc.
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
Harbert Management Corporation
By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
________________________
/s/ Philip Falcone
_____________________
Philip Falcone
/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
_____________________
Raymond J. Harbert
/s/ Michael D. Luce
_____________________
Michael D. Luce
February 17, 2009
SK 03773 0003 958273