Cuts FY15 EPS to $2.75 v 3.22e (prior $3.10); accelerates cost saving actions; Ellen Kullman to retire as chair and CEO - Cuts H2 EPS $0.40 v $0.96 y/y (prior $0.75)
- The revised outlook primarily reflects continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus currencies in emerging markets, particularly the Brazilian Real; and a further weakening of agricultural markets, primarily in Brazil. The new guidance assumes full-year currency impacts of $0.72 per share, versus the prior expectation of approximately $0.60 per share. Excluding the impact of currency, the revised guidance for full-year operating earnings per share, including expected benefits from share repurchases and cost savings, represents an approximately 3 percent increase in operating earnings per share year over year.
- In response to these macro conditions, the company announced that it is accelerating, by one year, its operational redesign cost saving actions and as result, expects to achieve $1.3 billion of savings on a run rate basis by the end of 2016. In addition, the company announced its commitment to achieving additional cost savings as a part of its operational redesign and is targeting approximately $1.6 billion on a run rate basis by the end of 2017. Plans related to the additional cost savings are expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter.
- Ellen Kullman to retire as chair and CEO of DuPont; effective Oct 16th
- Edward Breen, a current member of the DuPont Board of Directors, will assume the role of Interim Chair and CEO of DuPont. The Board has engaged an executive recruitment firm to identify a full-time replacement.
CFO: "As macro conditions have deteriorated further, we are intensifying our effort to offset these pressures with further productivity improvements and cost savings, while making disciplined and targeted investments in innovation to increase value for shareholders over the long term. While we are experiencing challenging market conditions this season in Brazil, we continue to see long-term strategic growth opportunities for our products. Over the long term, we believe our pipeline of new products and our portfolio of capabilities position us well in global agriculture markets."