2 growth drivers for DuPont
In the food sector, the company is focusing on developing better soy supplements and creating improved products to boost agricultural production.
Chemical major DuPont (DD) has been looking for new avenues for growth. Its bet on solar and other renewable energy seems to have stalled for the time being, with cutbacks in orders from companies making solar panels, electronics and other equipment. So DuPont has zeroed in on two products it thinks will drive most of its bottom line in coming years.
Both products are related to food industry -- one of the most important divisions of DuPont, accounting for nearly 32% of our $59 price estimate. It also nicely fits in with estimates that the world will have to feed an additional 10 billion people in the next 40 years.
DuPont competes with other chemical manufacturing majors like Dow Chemicals Company (DOW) and Bayer AG.
Increasing demand for soy
DuPont is looking to exploit the increasing demand for soy supplements by consumers who want to incorporate more protein in their diet. Soy supplements are extracted from soybeans after the plant is milled into a flour, and are popular among vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant.
Soy protein has many health benefits and an increasing number of food companies are looking to incorporate them in their products. DuPont sells these soy supplements as a part of its Solae joint venture with Binge Ltd. It is among the few companies that make specialized ingredients used by large packaged food producers. Hence, DuPont feels that it will be able to capitalize well on this increasing demand for soy proteins.
Improved weed tolerance to pesticides
The farming community has shifted to genetically modified seeds, which offer resistance to herbicides and pesticides while producing a better yield. DuPont, like other companies, has also been bringing modified seeds to the market, which offer resistance to certain herbicides and pesticides as well as use less water in some regions.
With the growing population, agricultural production will have to double. This means an increased yield resulting in higher use of pesticides and herbicides. In such a scenario, demand for seeds and products enhancing crop protection to these chemicals is bound to increase, providing a great opportunity for DuPont to capture this market.
MORE ON MSN MONEY
DATA PROVIDERS
Copyright © 2013 Microsoft. All rights reserved.
Quotes are real-time for NASDAQ, NYSE and AMEX. See delay times for other exchanges.
Fundamental company data and historical chart data provided by Thomson Reuters (click for restrictions). Real-time quotes provided by BATS Exchange. Real-time index quotes and delayed quotes supplied by Interactive Data Real-Time Services. Fund summary, fund performance and dividend data provided by Morningstar Inc. Analyst recommendations provided by Zacks Investment Research. StockScouter data provided by Verus Analytics. IPO data provided by Hoover's Inc. Index membership data provided by SIX Financial Information.
Japanese stock price data provided by Nomura Research Institute Ltd.; quotes delayed 20 minutes. Canadian fund data provided by CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd.
LATEST POSTS
When it comes to efficiency gains, a watt saved is a watt earned.
FIDELITY VIEWPOINTS
- How to sell covered calls - Fidelity Investments
- Savvy year-end tax moves to consider now - Fidelity Investments
- Seven ways to prepare for tax changes
- Five reasons an annual review is crucial - Fidelity Investments
- Take a look at mid caps now - Fidelity Investments
- State of the sector: Health care - Fidelity Investments
VIDEO ON MSN MONEY
ABOUT
Top Stocks provides analysis about the most noteworthy stocks in the market each day, combining some of the best content from around the MSN Money site and the rest of the Web.
Contributors include professional investors and journalists affiliated with MSN Money.
Follow us on Twitter @topstocksmsn.


