Ashland provides probe information

Covington's Ashland Inc. said this week that it is providing unspecified information in connection with a federal price-fixing probe of the foundry resins industry. Ashland's Dublin, Ohio-based specialty chemical unit is one of the leading suppliers of resins that are combined with sand to make molds for various metal castings. In its quarterly filing with the government, Ashland said it was providing "responsive records" in connection with the federal grand jury subpoena issued in November. The company said it was also named in a civil lawsuit filed last month in Iowa by several resin customers claiming Ashland and others conspired to raise prices. Ashland's shares closed Wednesday at $45.44, down 91 cents.

Midland directors file stock intention

Midland Co. has filed papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission that would allow two of its directors to sell a combined 1.6 million shares of company stock. The company said it filed a shelf registration of the stock for retired executives Robert Hayden and Michael Conaton as part of their estate planning and investment diversification.

Staff reports