Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Revenue, Earnings to Dip from Previous Quarter

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company DD releases its next round of earnings this Thursday, July 28, 2011. Here is Benzinga's everything-that-matters guide for this Thursday's second quarter earnings announcement.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are predicting an EPS reading of $1.33 per share and revenues of $9.86 billion. Du Pont's latest numbers will no doubt be compared with the company's year-ago quarter, when it reported a positive EPS of $1.17 per share on revenues of $8.62 billion. We'll have to wait for Thursday to see if du Pont falls in line with analyst expectations and reports an estimated increase in both EPS and revenue from the year-ago quarter.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Stock Performance:

Shares of du Pont were trading at $54.85 as of July 22, 2011. Shares are up 11.6% year to date. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 21.3%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for du Pont is a Moderate Buy. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.

Competitors:

Want to check out the performance of du Pont closest competitors? Take a look at some of the company's peers in the materials sector.

• Ashland ASH: Moderate Buy with a $0.86 recent quarter EPS
• Dow Chemical Company DOW: Hold with a $0.82 recent quarter EPS
• FMC FMC: Moderate Buy with a $1.49 recent quarter EPS
• Honeywell International HON: Moderate Buy with a $1.00 recent quarter EPS

Du Pont is in the chemicals-diversified industry, which has experienced price/earnings growth of 1.2%.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: du Pont offers products and services for markets including agriculture and food, building and construction, electronics and communications, general industrial, and transportation.

Take Action:

Now that you're fully prepared, get ready to take quick action if the company reports any numbers significantly different from those listed above. Also, check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap and what-to-do-next guide.

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