8-KOther Events

EIDP, Inc. 8-K Report (Jan 23, 2002)

Filed January 23, 2002For Securities:CTA-PBCTA-PA

Summary

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) filed this 8-K on January 23, 2002, reporting its fourth quarter and full-year 2001 earnings. The report highlights a significant year of restructuring and divestitures, including the sale of its Pharmaceuticals business. While fourth quarter and full-year earnings per share (excluding one-time items) were substantially lower than in 2000, reflecting global economic weakness, lower volumes, and selling prices, the company emphasized its strong financial position and strategic moves to focus on core growth areas. The company reported fourth quarter 2001 earnings per share of $0.12, down from $0.47 in the prior year's fourth quarter. Full-year earnings per share were $1.19, a decrease from $2.73 in 2000. A major factor influencing the reported earnings was a significant one-time gain of $3.70 per share from the sale of DuPont Pharmaceuticals. Despite the challenging economic environment and the impact of lower sales volumes and prices across most segments, DuPont's management expressed confidence in its strategic repositioning and outlook for earnings growth in 2002.

Key Highlights

  • 1Fourth quarter 2001 earnings per share (EPS) excluding one-time items were $0.12, a significant decrease from $0.47 in Q4 2000. Full-year 2001 EPS was $1.19, down from $2.73 in 2000.
  • 2The company reported a substantial net gain of $3.70 per share in Q4 2001 from the sale of its DuPont Pharmaceuticals business.
  • 3Total segment sales decreased by 17% in the fourth quarter and 13% for the full year 2001 compared to the prior year, primarily driven by lower worldwide volumes and selling prices, with a significant impact from portfolio changes due to divestitures.
  • 4Most business segments experienced declines in sales and After-Tax Operating Income (ATOI), particularly Performance Coatings & Polymers, Specialty Fibers, Specialty Polymers, Pigments & Chemicals, and Polyester, reflecting weak industrial and consumer demand.
  • 5DuPont anticipates 2002 underlying EPS to exceed 2001 levels, forecasting continued recessionary pressures through at least Q1 2002 but expecting the second half of 2002 to be stronger than the first.
  • 6The company completed significant restructuring and portfolio actions in 2001, including the sale of Pharmaceuticals and selected Polyester businesses, which it believes position it for future earnings growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the fourth quarter of 2001, DuPont reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.12, excluding one-time items, down from $0.47 in the prior year. For the full year 2001, EPS excluding one-time items was $1.19, a decrease from $2.73 in 2000. The reported net income for Q4 2001 was significantly boosted by a $3.70 per share gain from the sale of the DuPont Pharmaceuticals business.

The decline in sales and earnings was primarily attributed to lower worldwide volumes and selling prices across most business segments, reflecting a challenging global economic environment. The company also experienced a 5% reduction in Q4 sales due to portfolio changes, largely from divestitures.

The sale of DuPont Pharmaceuticals resulted in a substantial one-time after-tax gain of $3,817 million, or $3.70 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2001. This significantly boosted the reported net income for the quarter and the year, though underlying operating performance was impacted by broader market conditions.

DuPont expects its underlying earnings per share in 2002 to exceed those of 2001, despite ongoing recessionary pressures expected through at least the first quarter of 2002. The company anticipates that the second half of 2002 will be stronger than the first, driven by strategic restructuring, productivity improvements, and a focus on core growth areas.