Comments on Saving to Inve$t: Playing the Agriculture & Solar boom in one safe s...

Dupont came out with some great earnings today whi...

2008-07-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

Dupont came out with some great earnings today which beat market expectations. Here is a summary from AP

" Chemicals maker DuPont Co. said Tuesday that strong sales in agriculture and emerging international markets boosted second-quarter profits and offset weak domestic housing and auto sectors. DuPont earned $1.08 billion, or $1.18 per share, during the quarter ending June 30, compared with profit of $972 million, or $1.04 per share, during the previous year's quarter.
Revenue rose to $8.83 billion from $7.88 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.07 per share on revenue of $8.47billion

DuPont Chief Executive Charles O. Holliday Jr., speaking to investors during a conference call Tuesday morning, said the company was able to overcome accelerating costs of raw material and energy with strong growth in agriculture and emerging markets."Five years ago, we could not have delivered these results in this environment," Holliday said. "We are a very different company today, and I hope you see that in our results."

Local selling prices increased 7 percent, but energy, raw material and freight costs increased 15 percent. So input costs are still their biggest risk.

I still rate the stock a buy, given their excellent yield (3.5%) and future growth prospects.

For more see the following articles:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080722/earns_dupont.html?.v=5

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/dupont-posts-higher-profit-agricultural/story.aspx?guid=%7BD4208466%2D57E9%2D4BC7%2D968D%2D2C96FB3E3FB0%7D&siteid=yhoof

moneyenergy. Congrats on the new site (I'll add yo...

2008-06-03T16:30:00.000-04:00

moneyenergy. Congrats on the new site (I'll add you to my blogroll and stop by soon to have a more detailed look). I have not done much research into POT, but I think if the current ag prices go up as they have been and POT share price goes past $250 it will be time for a split. Normally $200 is the time stocks split but as it happened so fast I think the company is still looking at splitting options.

Very informative post. I'll check out DuPont to s...

2008-05-30T15:24:00.000-04:00

Very informative post. I'll check out DuPont to see whether it would meet my SRI standards. Some of these companies also produced the gas and chemical weapons used in the Vietnam war, which is totally ridiculous.

So far I've been looking at COW. And thinking about whether I should just try to duplicate it myself by owning select members of that stock.

Do you think POT will split?:)

Here's some more information from bloggingstocks.c...

2008-05-30T14:19:00.000-04:00

Here's some more information from bloggingstocks.com:

DuPont is the number three chemical maker in the United States. Analysts say DD's restructured business operations, which reduced its business units to five from eight, including an exit from the pharmaceutical and fibers business, should begin to produce results in 2008.

Analysts see 2008 revenue advancing about 4-6%, after a 6.5% gain in 2007. DD agriculture segment will continue to shine, with revenues increasing about 10-12%, aided by strong seed sales. Global chemical demand should offset softness in the U.S. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for DD are $3.44/$3.62.

The risks? DD faces headwinds from the slowing U.S. economy, and higher raw material costs. Market share declines also are expected to continue in DD's corn seed market.

The First Call mean rating for DD is Hold (17 firms) and the mean 2008 target is $52.00 (high: $58, low: $45).

Stock Analysis: DuPont is a moderate-risk stock not suitable for low-risk investors. Investors with an investment horizon longer than two years should be rewarded from DD's shares. Consider a stop loss of $33 if you were to purchase shares in this company.