DuPont has increased its earnings outlook for first quarter 2008 to a range of USD 1.14 to USD 1.19 per share, despite rising energy and ingredient costs and continuing weakness in U.S. automotive and housing markets.  The company’s previous outlook for the first quarter was a range of USD 1.12 to USD 1.17, which was provided on January 22.  The company also reaffirmed its full-year 2008 earnings outlook of USD 3.35 to USD 3.55 per share.

The increase in the first quarter outlook primarily reflects strong global demand for the company’s science-based production agricultural products, continued robust growth in emerging markets and productivity gains.  These increases more than offset higher ingredient costs, which are expected to rise at nearly twice the rate of 2007, and lower product demand from the U.S. housing and automotive markets.