DuPont Pushes Up Forecast

DuPont (DD Quote) raised its full-year forecast and said it was upbeat on 2008, but it offered somewhat cautious commentary on the health of the U.S.

This year, DuPont now expects to earn $3.15 to $3.20 a share, excluding a charge, up from its prior projection of around $3.15. For the fourth quarter, the chemicals company expects that strong sales growth outside the U.S. will continue to exceed the effect of lower demand from the domestic housing and auto markets.

However, net income growth in the last quarter of the year will probably be tempered by a much higher base tax rate compared with the prior year. ...