DuPont Stock Rises 7% on Strong Earnings and Outlook
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 11:10 am ET
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD) shares are trading higher after the company's fourth-quarter results exceeded street estimates. The company reported sales growth of 7% year over year to $3.092 billion, beating the consensus of $3.068 billion. Organic sales increased +7% YoY, with an 8% increase in volume offset by a 1% decrease in price. Organic sales by region were EMEA +1%, U.S./Canada +5%, and Asia Pacific +11%. DuPont's operating EBITDA rose 13% YoY to $807 million, and its margin expanded by 140 bps to 26.1%. Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $1.13 (+30% YoY), beating the consensus of $0.98.
DuPont's Electronics & Industrial segment reported a 10% organic sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a 250 bps expansion in the operating EBITDA margin to 30.3%. This segment's performance was driven by continued strong demand in electronics end-markets, particularly in Asia Pacific, where organic sales grew by 11%. The Water & Protection segment reported a 6% organic sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a 170 bps expansion in the operating EBITDA margin to 26.3%. This segment's performance was driven by a return to year-over-year top-line growth in water and medical packaging end-markets.
DuPont's strong earnings and outlook can be attributed to several specific factors, including the continued growth in electronics end-markets, particularly in AI and semiconductor applications, and the recovery in the Water & Protection segment, driven by further improvement in water and medical packaging end-markets. The company's focus on operational execution and cost discipline throughout 2024 delivered 100 basis points of margin expansion and 17% adjusted EPS growth for the full year. DuPont generated strong cash and achieved a high cash conversion rate of 105% in 2024.
DuPont's performance in the Electronics & Industrial and Water & Protection segments has shown significant growth and improvement in recent quarters. The company's focus on stable profits and cash flows aligns with a user's preference for consistent, inflation-protected income. DuPont's investment strategy, characterized by consistent earnings growth, strong cash generation, and a focus on high-growth businesses, aligns well with a user's preference for consistent, inflation-protected income. The company's historical dividend payments and stable financial performance further support this alignment.

In conclusion, DuPont's strong earnings and outlook, driven by the continued growth in electronics end-markets and the recovery in the Water & Protection segment, align with a user's preference for consistent, inflation-protected income. The company's focus on stable profits and cash flows, along with its investment strategy, further supports this alignment.