DuPont Income Falls on Hurricane Impact

Wilmington, DE, Oct. 21, 2008--Chemical manufacturer DuPont Co. says hefty hurricane-related charges helped drive third-quarter earnings down 30 percent, and it has cut its 2008 forecast on weakening North American and Western European demand.

DuPont Co. says net income fell to $367 million, or 40 cents per share, from $526 million, or 56 cents per share, a year ago.

Excluding a $227 million hurricane-related charge, profit would have totaled $513 million, or 56 cents per share.

Higher selling prices and the positive effects of a weaker dollar drove sales up 9 percent to $7.3 billion.