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.
BASF sells a majority stake in its coatings business to the investor Carlyle.
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.
Carbon black manufacturer Orion Engineered Carbons plans to rationalize production lines in North and South America and EMEA.
Ineos CEO Ineos calls on European politicians to save the chemical industry.
