Here's Why You Should Hold DuPont Stock in Your Portfolio for Now

DuPont de Nemours, Inc. DD gains on its innovation-driven investment, productivity actions and the acquisitions of the Spectrum Plastics Group and Donatelle Plastics amid headwinds from lower prices and hefty separation costs. DD’s shares are down 18.7% in a year compared to the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry’s 34.3% decline.Let’s find out why DD stock is worth retaining at the moment.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchProductivity, Innovation & Acquisition Aid DD StockDuPont remains focused on driving growth through innovation and new product development. Its innovation-driven investment is focused on several high-growth areas. DD remains committed to driving returns from its R&D investment.The acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group, a leading manufacturer of specialty medical devices and components, strengthened DuPont’s position in stable and fast-growing healthcare end markets. It is also in sync with its focus on high-growth, customer-driven innovation for the healthcare market. The buyout of Donatelle Plastics also enhances DD’s exposure in healthcare, expanding its expertise in the medical device market segments. The acquisition introduces complementary advanced technologies and capabilities, such as medical device injection molding, liquid silicone rubber processing, precision machining, device assembly and tool building.DuPont is also benefiting from cost synergy savings and productivity improvement actions. The benefits of its structural cost actions are expected to be realized in 2025. DD also continues to implement strategic price increases in the wake of cost inflation. These actions are likely to support its results. DuPont is also executing additional restructuring actions and expects annualized cost savings of $150 million from these measures.The company remains focused on driving cash flow and returning value to shareholders. It looks to boost cash flow through working capital productivity and earnings growth. Prudent working capital management allowed it to achieve transaction-adjusted free cash flow conversion of 105% in 2024. DuPont also remains committed to effective capital allocation. DD, in February 2025, raised its quarterly dividend by 8% to 41 cents per share. It paid $635 million in dividends in 2024 and expects to pay around $640 million in 2025.Pricing and Cost Headwinds Weigh On DuPontSizable costs associated with the separation of the electronics business, slated to be completed on Nov. 1, 2025, are expected to impact DuPont’s performance in 2025. The company expects costs associated with business separation to be around $700 million, with the bulk of it expected in 2025. This sizable separation costs are expected to impact its margins and free cash flow conversion this year. DuPont expects a decline in free cash flow conversion in 2025 (to above 90%) compared with 2024. DD is exposed to challenges from pricing pressure as witnessed in the last reported quarter. Volume growth in the quarter was partly offset by lower prices. The company witnessed lower prices across its segments in the quarter. It expects pricing headwinds to continue in 2025, which may impact its sales and margins.DuPont de Nemours, Inc. Price and Consensus DuPont de Nemours, Inc. price-consensus-chart | DuPont de Nemours, Inc. QuoteDD’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksDD currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are DRDGOLD Limited DRD, Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. IDR and Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DRD’s current-year earnings is pegged at $1.06 per share, indicating a 29.3% year-over-year rise. DRD’s shares have soared roughly 62% in the past year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Idaho Strategic Resources’ current-year earnings is pegged at 78 cents, suggesting a 16.4% year-over-year rise. IDR surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, while missing once, with an average earnings surprise of 77.5%. The company's shares have rallied 72% in the past year.The consensus estimate for Carpenter Technology for the current fiscal year stands at $6.95, reflecting a 46.6% year-over-year increase. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 15.7%. 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DD): Free Stock Analysis Report Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS): Free Stock Analysis Report DRDGOLD Limited (DRD): Free Stock Analysis Report Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (IDR): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks