Chemicals maker DuPont's quarterly profit more than doubled as the worst dry spell in decades encouraged US farmers to buy its drought-hardy seeds and crop-protection products to boost yields.
Net income for the quarter, which included the beginning of the North American spring planting season, jumped to $3.35 billion, or $3.58 a share, in the first quarter, from $1.49 billion, or $1.58 a share, a year earlier.
Fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations dipped to $1.47 from $1.48, a year earlier.
Net sales rose marginally to $10.4 billion on higher prices for seeds and crop protection products and demand in North America and Latin America.
