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DuPont increases core profit forecast for 2025 on strong electronics and healthcare demand

DuPont announced that it would raise its core earnings forecast for the full year and announce a share repurchase program of $2 billion after reporting earnings in the third quarter which exceeded Wall Street expectations, due to strong demand from electronics, healthcare, and water markets.

The industrial materials manufacturer's forecast increase and share repurchase program, announced on Thursday, demonstrate confidence in the company's strategy to refocus its efforts on high-growth markets such as technology and water following the planned separation and divestiture of the Qnity electronics division and Aramids.

The company will rely on the strong demand for semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals and water treatment in order to offset the persistent weakness of industrial and construction markets.

Investors weighed a stronger quarter against a weaker near-term outlook as they swung its shares sharply during volatile premarket trading. Its shares rose more than 2.5%, before falling.

LSEG data shows that DuPont's adjusted profit for the fourth quarter is 43 cents, which is slightly less than 45 cents.

The company forecasted net sales of approximately $1.69 billion in the fourth quarter. This is also lower than analysts' average estimates of $1.72.

Arclin, a rival company, announced in August that it would sell Aramids (which includes brands like body armor maker Kevlar) for $1.8 billion.

DuPont’s board approved the separation of its electronics division, Qnity Electronics (which includes semiconductor technologies and solutions for interconnects), in October.

The industrials segment's net sales increased by 4.8%, to $1.8 billion, in the quarter reported, and the electronics segment saw a 11.2% rise to $1.28billion, both in comparison to the previous year.

"Ongoing strength across the electronics, healthcare, and water end markets, as well as our team's focus in operational execution, drove strong top-line and cash conversion growth," CEO Lori Koch stated.

The company anticipates launching a $500,000,000 accelerated share purchase "immediately".

The company now expects to earn about $1.60bn in operating earnings for the full year, as opposed to its previous forecast of $1.58bn.

DuPont's adjusted profit per share was $1.09, compared to analysts' estimates of $1.06 each. (Reporting and editing by Pooja Deai in Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)