DuPont Earnings Higher Than Expected

Wilmington, DE, July 22, 2008--DuPont posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings due to strong demand for its corn and soybean seeds.

DuPont, one of the largest U.S. chemical companies, has been helped by a global agricultural boom that has boosted sales of its genetically modified seeds and other products.

However, the company has suffered because of the housing slump, since a range of its products, including Tyvek and Corian, are used in residential construction.

Second-quarter net income increased to $1.08 billion, or $1.18 a share, from $972 million, or $1.04 a share, a year earlier.

Revenue in the quarter rose 12.2 percent to $8.84 billion, driven by strong sales growth from the agriculture business and 18 percent sales growth in overseas markets.