DuPont Posts Quarterly Loss as Demand Slumps

US chemical maker DuPont posted a fourth-quarter loss on Tuesday on a slump in demand, coupled with severance and restructuring-related charges.

DuPont also trimmed its full-year 2009 forecast, citing lower demand for nonagriculture products and the negative impact from a strong U.S. dollar.

The Wilmington, Delaware-based company posted a net loss  of $629 million, or 70 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of of $545 million, or 60 cents a share.

Excluding special items, the loss was 28 cents a share.

The slump in the U.S. automotive markets has hurt DuPont badly, as it is one of the largest suppliers of paints to car makers. The company has also been stymied by the collapse in the U.S. housing market, since it supplies coatings, countertops and insulation products used in homebuilding.

The freeze in the global credit markets and a recession in many developed economies have further crimped growth for DuPont and its peers. U.S. chemical makers have also suffered from a sharp slowdown in many emerging regions, which had been driving growth for them in recent quarters.

DuPont forecast full-year 2009 earnings of $2 to $2.50 per share, down from a prior range of $2.25 to $2.75.

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