DuPont (DD - Free Report), a Dow 30 component, is a global science company with a diverse array of product offerings. Its products have applications across a bevy of industries including transportation, construction, oil and gas, automobile, apparel, agriculture, nutrition and health, packaging and electronics.

DuPont is exposed to unfavorable currency impact stemming from a strong dollar. Moreover, its agriculture business is faced with industry-wide challenges. However, the company is gaining from its aggressive cost-saving and productivity measures.

Let’s have a quick look at the company’s fourth-quarter 2016 release.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Price and EPS Surprise

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Price and EPS Surprise | E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Quote

Estimate Trend & Surprise History

Investors should note that the earnings estimate for DuPont for the fourth quarter have been static over the past month. DuPont has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the trailing four quarters.

Earnings

DuPont raked in adjusted earnings of 51 cents per share that topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 42 cents.
 
Revenues

DuPont logged net sales of $5,211 million, down roughly 2% year over year. That trailed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,246 million.

Key Stats/Developments to Note

DuPont expects earnings (on a reported basis) for first-quarter 2017 to decline roughly 18% year over year.The guidance includes an expected charge of about 15 cents per share for transaction costs related to the planned merger with Dow Chemical.

The company expects adjusted earnings for the first quarter to increase around 8% year over year factoring in the benefits of cost saving actions and the impact of the change in timing for seed deliveries, mostly related to the southern U.S. route-to-market change in Agriculture, partly masked by an expected reduction in planted corn acres in the U.S.

Zacks Rank

DuPont currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could change following the company’s earnings report which was just released.

Market Reaction

DuPont’s shares were up around 1.7% in pre-market trading. It would be interesting to see how the market reacts to the results during the trading session today.