8-KOther Events

EIDP, Inc. 8-K Report (Apr 14, 2004)

Filed April 14, 2004For Securities:CTA-PBCTA-PA

Summary

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) announced an update to its first quarter 2004 earnings outlook, significantly raising it to approximately $0.95 per share from the previously guided range of $0.65 to $0.75 per share. This positive revision is attributed to a robust performance in the Agriculture & Nutrition segment and broad-based volume improvements across most of its business units. Despite the improved operational outlook, the company also disclosed several special items impacting reported first quarter results. These include charges for litigation reserves in DuPont Dow Elastomers ($0.14 per share) and an anticipated settlement in Coatings & Color Technologies ($0.02 per share). Additionally, charges and credits related to the INVISTA separation are expected but not yet finalized. The company has also raised its full-year 2004 earnings outlook before special items to $2.10-$2.30 per share. Investors should note that the company provided a separate outlook for second quarter charges related to a cost improvement program and the INVISTA transaction closing.

Key Highlights

  • 1DuPont raised its Q1 2004 earnings per share (EPS) outlook to approximately $0.95, a significant increase from the prior guidance of $0.65-$0.75.
  • 2The improved Q1 outlook is driven by strong performance in the Agriculture & Nutrition segment and higher-than-expected volumes across most businesses.
  • 3Reported Q1 results will include charges of $0.14 per share for DuPont Dow Elastomers litigation reserves and $0.02 per share for a Coatings & Color Technologies settlement.
  • 4Final impacts from the INVISTA separation, including a price adjustment, are still being determined and will affect Q1 results.
  • 5The full-year 2004 earnings outlook (excluding special items) has been raised to $2.10-$2.30 per share, an increase of $0.10 from previous guidance.
  • 6A charge of approximately $0.17-$0.19 per share is expected in Q2 2004 related to a cost improvement program.
  • 7DuPont will also recognize Q2 gains and losses associated with closing the INVISTA transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary drivers for the improved outlook are a strong performance in DuPont's Agriculture & Nutrition segment and higher-than-expected sales volumes across a majority of its business operations.

DuPont expects to record charges totaling $0.16 per share ($0.14 for DuPont Dow Elastomers litigation and $0.02 for a Coatings & Color Technologies settlement). Additionally, there will be further, as-yet-unfinalized, charges and credits related to the INVISTA separation.

Yes, DuPont has raised its full-year 2004 earnings outlook before special items by $0.10 per share, to a new range of $2.10 to $2.30 per share. The outlook for earnings including special items was not updated.

DuPont expects to incur charges of approximately $0.17 to $0.19 per share in the second quarter of 2004 related to a cost improvement program. The company also anticipates second quarter gains and losses associated with the closure of the INVISTA transaction.