Excellent business risk profile, with leadership positions in an extensive range of products and technologies; Well-diversified product lines and end markets, with good positions in emerging markets; and Declining proportion of commodity products, effective cost reduction and efficiency programs, and pricing discipline support above-average profitability. Susceptible to economic cycles and raw material cost swings; Very large postretirement liabilities; and Above-average litigation risk. The ratings on Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont (E.I.) De Nemours&Co. (DuPont) reflect Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' assessment of the company's business risk profile as "excellent" and financial risk profile as "intermediate." DuPont is a leading global chemical, specialty materials, and seed producer, with trailing-12-month sales of about $40 billion. Key strengths include strong product development capability,
