DuPont Raises Forecast as Paint-Pigment Prices Boost Profit

DuPont Co., the most valuable U.S. chemical maker, raised its 2011 earnings forecast and posted second-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as prices rose on demand for products such as paint pigment.

Profit in 2011 will be $3.90 to $4.05 a share, excluding costs for the acquisition of Danisco A/S and a licensing payment, Wilmington, Delaware-based DuPont said today in a statement. That tops the $3.86 average estimate of 13 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg. DuPont’s previous forecast was $3.65 to $3.85, excluding acquisition costs. Second-quarter earnings without the costs were $1.37 a share, exceeding the $1.34 average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed.