Moreover, a number of companies including Ashland Global Holdings Inc. ASH and W. R. Grace & Co. GRA are taking aggressive price increase actions in the wake of raw material cost inflation. Positive October Readings The Washington, DC-based chemical industry trade group said yesterday that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose 0.3% in October on a monthly comparison basis. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. Kentucky-based Ashland sports a Zacks Rank #1.