Dow Chemical Swings to Profit in Fourth Quarter

Midland, MI, Feb. 2, 2010--Dow Chemical Co. said it recorded a fourth-quarter profit, driven by business in emerging markets and gains from acquisitions.

Because the company's chemicals are in a vast array of products, Dow's results and outlook can serve as a barometer for consumer sentiment.

Dow posted a quarterly profit of $87 million, or 8 cents per share. A year ago Dow posted a fourth-quarter loss of $1.55 billion, or $1.68 per share.

Revenue rose 15 percent to $12.47 billion from $10.85 billion. Dow acquired specialty chemicals maker Rohm & Haas in April. If Rohm had been part of Dow in the year-ago quarter, the revenue increase would have been 4 percent.

For the full year, the company's profit declined to $336 million, or 32 cents per share, compared with $579 million, or 62 cents per share in 2008. Excluding special items, earnings totaled 63 cents per share.