DuPont Beats Q3 Estimates with 62% Adjusted EPS Jump and Raises Full Year Guidance

DuPont de Nemours posted third-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.09, a 62% increase from $1.29 a year earlier and well above the $1.87 consensus estimate. Net sales rose 4% year over year to $1.87 billion, topping the $1.84 billion estimate, while operating EBITDA climbed 8% to $469 million against an estimate of $449 million. GAAP EPS from continuing operations reached $1.24, up 77% from $0.70 in Q3 2025. CEO Lori Koch attributed the performance to mid-single-digit organic growth, strong operating leverage, and disciplined capital allocation.

Both of DuPont's business segments grew 4% year over year. Healthcare and Water Technologies generated $865 million in net sales, while Diversified Industrials contributed $1.00 billion. Operating EBITDA margin expanded 80 basis points to 25.1%, and transaction-adjusted free cash flow was $341 million, down 1% from the prior year period.

The company raised its full-year 2026 guidance for the second consecutive quarter, now projecting net sales of approximately $7.19 billion, operating EBITDA of approximately $1.79 billion, and adjusted EPS of $7.47 to $7.52, all ahead of consensus estimates of $7.17 billion, $1.76 billion, and $7.25, respectively. For Q4, DuPont guided net sales of approximately $1.83 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.90 to $1.95, both slightly above Street expectations.

On capital returns, DuPont executed $250 million in accelerated share repurchases and $100 million in open market buybacks during the quarter, and stated its intent to repurchase an additional $250 million in Q4. The company also completed the divestiture of its Aramids business for approximately $1.2 billion in pre-tax cash proceeds. Shares rose roughly 2.2% in premarket trading following the results.