E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD), commonly known as DuPont, reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results before markets opened Tuesday. For the quarter, the diversified chemicals company posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.59 on revenues of $7.84 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.11 on revenues of $7.32 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.55 and $7.78 billion in revenues. Operating margins improved across most segments.
For the full year, DuPont posted EPS of $3.88 on revenues of $35.70 billion, compared with consensus estimates calling for EPS of $3.84 on revenues of $35.85 billion. Revenues rose more than 5% year-over-year and EPS were up by 3%.
The company’s CEO said:
For the year, we delivered double-digit operating earnings growth and higher margins, aside from the substantial decline in Performance Chemicals. The improvement was driven by higher volumes, new innovative products and productivity gains. … Our 2013 results and strategic actions demonstrate we are advancing our plan to build a higher growth, higher value DuPont and reinforce our decision to separate Performance Chemicals into a strong, independent company.
The company said that it expects full-year 2014 operating earnings of $4.20 to $4.45 per share, up 8% to 15% versus 2013, and revenues increasing 4% to about $37 billion. Consensus forecasts so far call for EPS of $4.31 and revenue of $38.06 billion for the full year, as well as $1.76 per share and of $11.00 billion in the current quarter.
DuPont separately announced that its board of directors has authorized a new $5 billion share repurchase program. Just $2 billion of that is expect to be spent in 2014.
DuPont shares were inactive in premarket trading Tuesday, after closing Monday at $60.24 in a 52-week range of $46.02 to $65.00. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $65.12 before the report.
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