UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
Ashland Inc.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
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(Title of Class of Securities)
044209104
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(CUSIP Number)
December 31, 2007
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(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)
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* 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
4,166,667
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,166,667
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,166,667
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
6.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
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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
4,166,667
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,166,667
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,166,667
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
6.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
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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
4,166,667
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,166,667
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,166,667
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
6.6%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
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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
6,250,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
6,250,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
6,250,000
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
9.9%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
CO
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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
6,250,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
6,250,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
6,250,000
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
9.9%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
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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
6,250,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
6,250,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
6,250,000
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
9.9%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
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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
6,250,000
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
6,250,000
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
6,250,000
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
9.9%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
IN
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CUSIP No. 044209104
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Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
Ashland Inc.
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(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
16th Floor
Covington, Kentucky 41012
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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
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.
One Riverchase Parkway South
Birmingham, Alabama 35244
United States of America
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(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock
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(e). CUSIP Number:
044209104
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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. - 4,166,667
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
Harbert Management Corporation - 6,250,000
Philip Falcone - 6,250,000
Raymond J. Harbert - 6,250,000
Michael D. Luce - 6,250,000
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(b) Percent of class:
Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 6.6%
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 6.6%
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 6.6%
Harbert Management Corporation - 9.9%
Philip Falcone - 9.9%
Raymond J. Harbert - 9.9%
Michael D. Luce - 9.9%
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(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
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. - 4,166,667
Harbinger Capital Partners
Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
Harbert Management Corporation - 6,250,000
Philip Falcone - 6,250,000
Raymond J. Harbert - 6,250,000
Michael D. Luce - 6,250,000
(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
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. - 4,166,667
Harbinger Capital Partners
Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 4,166,667
Harbert Management Corporation - 6,250,000
Philip Falcone - 6,250,000
Raymond J. Harbert - 6,250,000
Michael D. Luce - 6,250,000
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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 [ ].
N/A
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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
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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
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Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to
ss.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
ss.240.13d-1(c) or ss.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the
identity of each member of the group.
N/A
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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
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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/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
HMC Investors, L.L.C.*
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
Harbert Management Corporation*
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
/s/ Philip Falcone
----------------------
Philip Falcone*
/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
----------------------
Raymond J. Harbert*
/s/ Michael D. Luce
----------------------
Michael D. Luce*
February 14, 2008
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* The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.
Exhibit A
AGREEMENT
The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G, Amendment No. 1 dated February 14,
2008, 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/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-------------------------
Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.*
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
HMC Investors, L.L.C.*
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
Harbert Management Corporation*
By: /s/ William R. Lucas, Jr.
-----------------------------
/s/ Philip Falcone
----------------------
Philip Falcone*
/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
----------------------
Raymond J. Harbert*
/s/ Michael D. Luce
----------------------
Michael D. Luce*
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* The Reporting Persons disclaim beneficial ownership in the shares reported
herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.
SK 03773 0003 848676