Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jun. 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | NOTE G – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Goodwill Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of July 1 or whenever events and circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. During the third quarter fiscal 2025, Ashland experienced a continued decline in the market price of its Common Stock. Ashland also experienced slowing growth due to weakening macroeconomic environment that is dampening consumer sentiment and demand globally which resulted in lower growth and lower margins specifically for the Life Sciences and Specialty Additives reportable segments (and reporting units) than what was previously forcasted. These factors led Ashland to determine that triggering events occurred, and a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment was performed during the three months ended June 30, 2025. Following the aforementioned quantative analysis, the carrying value of the Life Sciences and the Specialty Additives reporting units exceeded their fair value, resulting in non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $375 million and $331 million, respectively, for a total goodwill impairment charge of $706 million, which was recorded within the goodwill impairment caption of the Statements of Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025. No subsequent indicators of impairment have been identified. The pre-impairment goodwill balance for the Life Sciences and Specialty Additives reporting units were $841 million and $443 million, respectively. The goodwill impairment charges are nondeductible for tax purposes. The valuation used to test goodwill for impairment is dependent upon a number of significant estimates and assumptions, including macroeconomic conditions, growth rates, competitive activities, cost containment, margin expansion, and Ashland's business plans. Ashland believes these estimates and assumptions are reasonable. However, future changes in the judgments, assumptions, and estimates that are used in the impairment testing for goodwill, including discount and tax rates or future cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values. As a result of these factors and other factors discussed above and the limited or no cushion (or headroom as commonly referred) for the Life Sciences and Specialty Additives reporting units, goodwill assets are more susceptible to impairment risk. Ashland is required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (including impairment assessments). Goodwill was valued using Level 3 inputs, which are unobservable by nature, and included internal estimates of future cash flows (income approach). Significant increases (decreases) in any of those unobservable inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. The most significant assumptions used in the determination of the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets and reporting units are sales and EBITDA growth rates (including terminal growth rates) and the discount rate. The terminal growth rate represents the rate at which the reporting unit is expected to grow beyond the shorter-term business planning period. The terminal growth rate utilized in Ashland’s fair value estimate is consistent with the reporting unit operating plans and approximates expected long-term category market growth rates and inflation. The discount rate, which is consistent with a weighted-average cost of capital that is likely to be expected by a market participant, is based upon industry required rates of return, including consideration of both debt and equity components of the capital structure. The discount rates may be impacted by adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment, volatility in the equity and debt markets, or other factors. While Ashland can implement and has implemented certain strategies to address the events that triggered the interim impairment assessment, future changes in operating plans or other adverse changes could result in a further decline in fair value that would trigger a future material impairment charge of the reporting unit’s goodwill balance. The following is a progression of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2025:
(a) As of September 30, 2024, there were accumulated impairments of zero, $356 million, $174 million and $90 million related to the Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives and Intermediates reportable segments, respectively. (b) Ashland allocated $1 million to the Avoca business during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. See Note B of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. (c) As of June 30, 2025, there were accumulated impairments of $375 million, $356 million, $505 million and $90 million related to the Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives and Intermediates reportable segments, respectively. Other intangible assets Other intangible assets principally consist of trademarks and trade names, intellectual property and customer and supplier relationships. Intangible assets classified as finite are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The cost of trademarks and trade names is amortized principally over 3 to 20 years, intellectual property over 3 to 20 years, and customer and supplier relationships over 10 to 24 years. Ashland annually reviews, as of July 1, indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In conjunction with the triggering events described above, Ashland tested its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment as of June 30, 2025. Trademarks and trade names are valued using a “relief-from-royalty” valuation method compared to the carrying value. No impairment was indicated for trademarks and trade names for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2025, other than the other intangible assets disposed of within the Avoca business. See Note B of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information with respect to the Avoca business. However, similar to the factors discussed with respect to goodwill above and limited cushion, certain indefinite-lived intangible assets are more susceptible to impairment risk. Other intangible assets were comprised of the following as of:
(a) Ashland allocated $7 million to the Avoca business during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. See Note B of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. (b) Ashland allocated $29 million to the Avoca business during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. See Note B of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. (c) Ashland allocated $98 million to the Avoca business during the nine months ended June 30, 2025. See Note B of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was $15 million and $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $47 million and $59 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and is included within the intangibles amortization expense caption of the Statements of Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Estimated amortization expense for future periods is $62 million in 2025 (includes nine months actual and three months estimated), $58 million in 2026, $37 million in 2027, $33 million in 2028 and $27 million in 2029. Actual amounts may change from such estimated amounts due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, additional intangible asset acquisitions and divestitures, potential impairment, accelerated amortization, or other events. |