DuPont plans new $5B repurchase

DOV ER, DEL. — The DuPont Co. on Tuesday reported a sharp increase in its fourth-quarter profit and announced a new $5-billion-US share repurchase program.

The company pointed to volume growth and increased margins in reporting earnings of $185 million, or 20 cents per share, for the three months ending Dec. 31, up from $92 million, or nine cents per share, for the fourth quarter of 2012. Its adjusted earnings of 59 cents per share beat the 55 cents per share consensus of Wall Street analysts.