Dow Chemical Profit Tops Estimates on Plastics Margins

Dow Chemical Co. reported third-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates as wider margins in European plastics more than made up for weak agriculture markets.

Net income rose to $1.09 a share from 71 cents a year earlier, Midland, Michigan-based Dow, the top U.S. chemical maker, said Thursday in a statement. Profit excluding some items was 82 cents, exceeding the 68-cent average of 19 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sales decreased 16 percent to $12 billion, trailing the $12.4 billion average estimate.