Franklin Templeton, Inc. and affiliated reporting persons filed an amended Schedule 13G with the SEC on October 26, 2026, disclosing beneficial ownership of 2,547,004 shares of Ashland Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2026.

Key Highlights

  • Aggregate beneficial ownership: Franklin Templeton, Inc. reported beneficial ownership of 2,547,004 shares of Ashland Inc. common stock, representing 5.6% of the class.
  • Primary subsidiary holder: Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC reported sole voting power over 2,401,769 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,545,755 shares.
  • Name change noted: The filing states that effective August 17, 2026, Franklin Resources, Inc. was renamed Franklin Templeton, Inc.
  • Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: Each reported 0 shares beneficially owned and 0% of the class.
  • Client accounts: The filing states that clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including registered investment companies and other managed accounts, "have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein."
  • Triggering event date: The date of the event requiring the filing was September 30, 2026.

Franklin Templeton's Amended Ownership Disclosure for Ashland Inc. Common Stock

According to the filing, Franklin Templeton, Inc. (formerly Franklin Resources, Inc., renamed effective August 17, 2026) submitted Amendment No. 1 to a Schedule 13G covering Ashland Inc. common stock (CUSIP 044186104, par value $0.01 per share). The aggregate amount beneficially owned by Franklin Templeton, Inc. is reported as 2,547,004 shares, equal to 5.6% of the class. The filing lists Franklin Templeton, Inc. as a holding company incorporated in Delaware, with its principal offices at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906.

Among the reporting persons, Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, a Delaware-organized investment adviser located at 101 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789, accounts for the substantial majority of the reported position. The filing attributes 2,401,769 shares of sole voting power and 2,545,755 shares of sole dispositive power to Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC. Additional sole voting and dispositive power over smaller portions of the position is attributed to Franklin Advisers, Inc., Fiduciary Trust Company International, Fiduciary Trust International of the South, and Fiduciary Trust International, LLC, as detailed in Item 4 of the filing. No shared voting or dispositive power is reported by any of the listed entities.

Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., each identified as a United States citizen and a holding company or control person, reported zero shares beneficially owned and 0% of the class. The filing certifies, as required, that the securities "were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer."

What Was Disclosed

Franklin Templeton, Inc. and affiliated entities filed an amended Schedule 13G disclosing a combined 5.6% beneficial ownership position, totaling 2,547,004 shares of Ashland Inc. common stock, as of the September 30, 2026 triggering date. Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC held the largest reported share of voting and dispositive power.