Chemical maker Ashland raised its quarterly dividend to 17.5 cents a share - up 17% from its prior payout rate. Last month, the company had posted higher-than-expected second quarter profit as it raised prices to counter rising raw material costs. Ashland had last raised its dividend in May last year.
Merck to acquire the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences, a leading provider of CDMO services, preclinical and translational clinical research, and bioprocessing solutions.
Carbon black manufacturer Orion Engineered Carbons plans to rationalize production lines in North and South America and EMEA.
Novo Nordisk announced a global workforce reduction of approximately 9,000 positions to streamline operations and reinvest DKK 8 billion (€1 billion) in growth opportunities for diabetes and obesity treatments.
BASF sells a majority stake in its coatings business to the investor Carlyle.
