DuPont Updates 2007, 2008 Earnings Outlooks

The company expects full year 2007 earnings to be at the upper end of its previously announced range of USD 3.15 to USD 3.20 a share.  This excludes USD 0.09 per share of charges for significant items recorded in the first nine months of 2007 and a net benefit of USD .02 per share the company expects to record for the fourth quarter 2007, as further described below.

“Our science-driven innovations and market differentiation enabled us to deliver fourth quarter revenues somewhat above our earlier expectations,” said DuPont Chairman & CEO Chad Holiday .  “For the full year 2007, we will deliver 11 percent or more earnings growth despite a slowing U.S. economy and higher raw material prices.  Looking ahead, we are confident that our improved business mix and ongoing initiatives to lower cost and boost returns on innovation will enable us to deliver attractive growth in earnings in 2008.”

The company also increased its 2008 earnings outlook to a range of USD 3.35 to USD 3.55 per share compared to its previous estimate of USD 3.31 to USD 3.52 reported on Oct. 23, 2007.

“We expect that continued growth worldwide from our Agriculture & Nutrition business segment and growth from all of our segments in emerging markets will more than compensate for a slower U.S. economy,” Chad said.  “We will continue to deliver productivity improvements and fund targeted growth investments, while advancing our rich pipeline and delivering new, high-value products into the marketplace.”