Shares of DuPont de Nemours (DD) rose 2.4% in premarket trading Tuesday after the industrial materials company reported fourth-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations and issued upbeat guidance for 2026.
DuPont (DD) posted fourth-quarter net sales of $1.7 billion, ahead of the consensus estimate of $1.69 billion. Revenue was essentially flat from a year earlier, reflecting a modest decline in volume that was offset by currency benefits and stable pricing.
Adjusted earnings came in at $0.46 a share, topping analyst estimates of $0.43 a share. The company reported a GAAP loss from continuing operations as separation-related costs weighed on results.
Net income narrowed to a loss of $108 million, or $0.27 a share, from a year-earlier loss of $291 million, or $0.70 a share.
Operating performance and margins improve
Operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization totaled $409 million in the quarter, up 4% from the prior year. Operating margins expanded to 24.2% from 23.4%, driven by favorable product mix and cost productivity initiatives.
Adjusted earnings growth reflected higher segment earnings and lower interest expense, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate, DuPont (DD) said.
“Our full year results capped a year of strong, disciplined execution,” Chief Executive Lori Koch said in the earnings release. “Our teams delivered against our commitments in a dynamic macro environment.”
Segment results show mixed demand
Healthcare and Water Technologies delivered organic sales growth of 3% in the quarter, led by strength in medical packaging, medical devices and industrial water markets. Segment ebitda rose 4%, while margins held steady at 31.1%.
Diversified Industrials posted a 4% organic sales decline as weakness in construction markets weighed on Building Technologies. Aerospace demand helped partially offset softness in printing and packaging. Segment ebitda increased 2%, with margins expanding 110 basis points.
Full-year results and cash flow
For full-year 2025, DuPont (DD) reported net sales of $6.8 billion, up 2% from the prior year, with organic growth of 2%. GAAP income from continuing operations totaled $98 million, or $0.21 a share, compared with a loss of $96 million, or $0.23 a share, in 2024.
Operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 6% to $1.63 billion, while adjusted earnings increased 16% to $1.68 a share. Transaction-adjusted free cash flow climbed to $689 million.
2026 outlook
Looking ahead, DuPont (DD) initiated first-quarter 2026 guidance calling for net sales of about $1.67 billion and adjusted earnings of roughly $0.48 a share, matching the consensus estimate. For the full year, the company forecast net sales of $7.08 billion to $7.14 billion, ahead of the consensus estimate of $7.06 billion, and adjusted earnings of $2.25 to $2.30 a share, greater than the analyst forecast of $2.13 a share.
“Our 2026 guidance is in line with the medium-term targets communicated at our recent investor day,” Chief Financial Officer Antonella Franzen said.