Wilmington, Delaware
January 28, 2009
The following are business segment
highlights comparing sales and pre-tax operating income (PTOI)
(loss) excluding significant items for fourth quarter 2008
versus fourth quarter 2007.
Agriculture & Nutrition
Fourth quarter sales were USD 1.2 billion, down USD 26 million
or 2 percent, with increased USD pricing in all regions and seed
market share gains in Latin America, offset by volume declines
in crop protection and food ingredient products.
The seasonal underlying pre-tax loss of USD 164 million reflects
growth investments, variable cost increases driven by higher
commodity and other raw material costs and less favorable crop
protection products volume and mix. Fourth quarter 2007 included
a gain from an asset sale.
Coatings & Color Technologies
Sales of USD 1.3 billion were down 21 percent. Higher USD prices
were more than offset by a substantial decline in volume in all
businesses and regions.
The underlying pre-tax loss of USD 65 million reflects lower
volume including charges for low capacity utilization and rising
raw material costs that were not fully offset by higher USD
selling prices.
Electronic & Communication Technologies
Sales of USD 834 million were down 13 percent with weakness in
consumer electronics, motor vehicles and industrial markets
offsetting strength in photovoltaics and pricing gains in
fluoroproducts.
Underlying PTOI of USD 9 million reflects weak demand across all
businesses, charges for low capacity utilization, and higher raw
material costs in fluoroproducts. Fourth quarter 2007 included a
gain on sale of land.
Performance Materials
Sales of USD 1.2 billion were down 30 percent as weak global
demand drove volume down 32 percent, partially offset by higher
USD prices.
The underlying pre-tax loss of USD 129 million reflects lower
volume across all businesses, charges for low capacity
utilization, weaker sales mix and the impact of higher raw
material costs that were not fully covered by higher USD selling
prices.
Safety & Protection
Sales of USD 1.3 billion were down 10 percent. Pricing gains,
particularly in aramids and chemical products, were more than
offset by lower demand as all businesses experienced the impact
of the global economic slowdown and destocking in the supply
chain.
Underlying PTOI of USD 105 million reflects lower volume,
charges for low capacity utilization and increased raw material
prices partially offset by higher USD selling prices.
Additional information on segment performance is available on
the DuPont Investor Center website at
www.dupont.com. |
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