DuPont said Tuesday it has tightened its 2026 net sales forecast as the company contends with softness in its Middle East water business and a smaller-than-expected currency benefit. The industrial materials maker now sees 2026 net sales of $7.16 billion to $7.19 billion, narrowed from a prior range of $7.16 billion to $7.22 billion, a move that pressured the stock even though DuPont posted an earnings beat and raised its full-year profit guidance.
Management attributed improved profitability to a combination of pricing actions, productivity improvements and capital allocation moves. Those capital actions include the planned spin-off of the electronics business, steps to reduce debt and ongoing share buybacks. Collectively, the company has leaned on these levers to counter weak underlying demand across portions of the chemicals market.
Quarterly results and upgraded profit outlook
For the three months ended June 30, DuPont reported adjusted earnings of $1.88 per share, above the LSEG analysts' consensus of $1.76 per share. Reflecting stronger profitability, the company raised its 2026 adjusted core profit target to a range of $1.75 billion to $1.77 billion, up from the previous $1.73 billion to $1.76 billion range.
DuPont also increased its outlook for adjusted earnings per share, now expecting $7.17 to $7.32, versus a prior forecast of $7.02 to $7.16. The company said it restated the previous EPS range to reflect a 1-for-3 reverse stock split that took effect in June.
Market reaction and analyst commentary
Despite the profit beat and the higher full-year profit outlook, shares of the company fell 4.8% on the day the revised sales range was announced. Market participants and analysts pointed to lingering uncertainty in the water business and the revenue narrowing as drivers of the negative share response.
Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein noted that DuPont's decision to pass along cost inflation through price increases and productivity savings could weigh on end-market demand growth, particularly in more cyclical end-markets such as building technologies. J.P. Morgan analysts said the water business was likely to remain uncertain in the second half even as the company models a ramp-up in organic growth, and they expected the stock to trade in a mixed fashion.
Outlook for the second half
On a post-earnings call, DuPont said it expects improved results from the Middle East in the second half of the year. Management said most water-project revenues are expected to fall into the fourth quarter, as several large, already-booked projects move from prior logistics delays into execution. CFO Antonella Franzen said continued strength in healthcare, industrial water and aerospace end-markets should support mid-single-digit organic sales growth in the second half.
Contextual note
The company emphasized that pricing, productivity and capital allocation remain central to offsetting pockets of weak demand across parts of the chemicals portfolio. While profit metrics were raised, the narrowed net sales range highlights persistent top-line pressures in specific regions and businesses.