DuPont posts earnings increase

DuPont Co., the third-biggest U.S. chemical maker, said fourth-quarter profit excluding one-time items rose as increased sales of seeds and chemicals in emerging markets more than made up for weak demand from domestic home builders and automakers.

Net income fell to $545 million, or 60 cents a share, from $871 million, or 94 cents, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, profit rose to 57 cents a share from 45 cents a year earlier. The results topped the 50-cent average analyst estimate.

Revenue rose 11% to $6.98 billion. Higher prices and volume gains each added 3% to revenue, and a weaker dollar increased revenue by 4%, DuPont said. Profit margins widened as DuPont trimmed costs and increased prices.