DuPont de Nemours Inc. saw its shares jump 8.5% to $49.27 in late trading Tuesday after the materials science company raised its 2026 sales and profit outlook and unveiled a $275 million accelerated share repurchase program. The moves helped ease investor fears about the company's ability to manage rising input costs amid geopolitical tensions.
The Wilmington, Delaware-based firm reported first-quarter net sales of $1.681 billion, a 4% increase from $1.612 billion in the same period last year, beating analyst expectations. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 55 cents, well above the 48 cents analysts had forecast according to LSEG data. Income from continuing operations reached $150 million.
DuPont now expects full-year organic sales growth of about 4%, which includes roughly 1% from price increases designed to offset higher input and logistics costs stemming from the Middle East conflict. Chief Financial Officer Antonella Franzen stated that pricing actions are intended to “fully offset” these cost increases. The company projects 2026 net sales between $7.155 billion and $7.215 billion, with operating EBITDA in the range of $1.73 billion to $1.76 billion. Adjusted earnings per share are forecast at $2.35 to $2.40.
The updated guidance comes as DuPont completes its strategic transformation. Following the spin-off of its Qnity electronics business in November 2025 and the $1.2 billion sale of its Aramids business to Arclin on April 1, 2026, the company is now a leaner entity focused on healthcare, water, construction, and industrial markets. Proceeds from the Aramids sale are earmarked for capital returns to shareholders.
Segment performance showed mixed results. The healthcare and water technologies division posted $806 million in sales, up 6%, driven by medical packaging and increased biopharma orders, though water performance lagged due to logistics disruptions in the Middle East. The diversified industrials segment reported $875 million in sales, a 3% increase, with gains in aerospace and automotive offset by weakness in printing and packaging and sluggish construction markets.
Looking ahead, DuPont expects second-quarter sales of approximately $1.8 billion, operating EBITDA around $430 million, and adjusted earnings per share of roughly 59 cents. However, the company cautioned that results could be affected by its ability to pass through rising costs for raw materials, energy, and logistics, as well as exposure to trade restrictions, geopolitical tensions, and PFAS liabilities. Executives noted stranded costs of about $30 million related to the divestitures.
The stock's surge outpaced modest gains in peers such as Dow Inc., Linde, and 3M, underscoring investor confidence in DuPont's post-breakup strategy and its pricing power in a challenging environment.
