DuPont is a global leader in specialty materials, operating in the plastics and synthetic resins industry.
It is known for its strong R&D capabilities and innovative product portfolio addressing diverse sectors like electronics, transportation, and healthcare.
Updated: January 14, 2026, 16:00 EST
Based on a comprehensive analysis of DD stock, here is an assessment of its investment potential.
Technical Analysis DD exhibits exceptionally strong momentum, significantly outperforming the market with impressive short-term gains. However, trading near its 52-week high after such a substantial run-up suggests the stock may be overbought in the near term. Any shift in market sentiment could lead to a pullback, making timing a new entry point a critical consideration.
Fundamentals & Valuation Fundamentally, the picture is mixed; while the company maintains solid liquidity, recent quarterly performance showed a net loss and negative return on equity, indicating operational challenges. On valuation, the stock presents a compelling case with a price-to-book ratio below 1 and a very low PEG ratio, pointing to potential undervaluation relative to its growth prospects, despite a high EV/EBITDA ratio.
Risk Assessment The primary risk is above-average volatility, as evidenced by a beta greater than 1 and a significant historical drawdown. This means the stock is likely to experience larger price swings than the overall market. While the absence of high short interest is a positive sign, investors should be prepared for potential turbulence.
Investment Recommendation Based on the analysis, a cautious buy recommendation is warranted for investors with a higher risk tolerance. The strong technical momentum and compelling valuation metrics suggest underlying strength and potential for appreciation. However, investors should acknowledge the recent weak fundamentals and inherent volatility, potentially considering a dollar-cost averaging strategy to mitigate near-term overbought risks. This is not investment advice, for reference only.
Based on the provided analysis, here is a 12-month outlook for DuPont (DD):
12-Month Outlook for DD:
DuPont's outlook is characterized by a tug-of-war between its attractive valuation and its current operational challenges. Key catalysts for potential upside include the market recognizing its apparent undervaluation (low P/B and PEG ratios) and a continuation of its strong positive momentum. The primary risks are its recent net losses and negative return on equity, which, if they persist, could undermine investor confidence and amplify the stock's inherent above-average volatility, leading to significant pullbacks. While a specific analyst target is unavailable, the stock's current proximity to 52-week highs and mixed fundamentals suggest a cautious outlook with a wide potential price range; a breakout could occur if operational performance improves, but failure to do so may lead to a re-test of lower support levels. Investors should monitor upcoming earnings reports closely for signs of a fundamental turnaround.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about DD's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $42.89, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, DD has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
DD has delivered exceptional performance, demonstrating strong momentum across multiple timeframes while significantly outpacing the broader market.
The stock shows robust short-term strength with a 5.54% monthly gain accelerating to a substantial 34.45% three-month return, substantially outperforming the market by 31.08% over this period. This significant alpha generation, combined with a beta above 1, indicates the stock has leveraged market conditions to deliver superior returns.
Currently trading at $43.79, DD sits near its 52-week high of $44.15, representing approximately 95% of its annual range. Given the proximity to recent highs after such substantial gains and considering the stock's above-average volatility, the current positioning suggests potential overbought conditions that warrant monitoring for any momentum shifts.
| Period | DD Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +4.8% | +1.3% |
| 3m | +39.1% | +5.7% |
| 6m | +35.7% | +10.6% |
| 1y | +34.5% | +16.5% |
| ytd | +4.9% | +1.1% |
Revenue & Profitability DD's Q3 revenue declined sequentially to $3.07 billion from $3.26 billion in Q2, while gross margins improved slightly to 34.96%. However, substantial other expenses led to a net loss of $123 million, contrasting with a $59 million profit in the prior quarter, reflecting significant volatility in bottom-line results.
Financial Health The company maintains a moderate debt-equity ratio of 0.40 and a strong current ratio of 2.0, indicating solid liquidity. Operating cash flow coverage remains adequate, though interest coverage dipped to 5.5 in Q3, suggesting increased pressure from financing costs.
Operational Efficiency DD's return on equity turned negative at -0.54% in Q3, driven by the quarterly net loss, while asset turnover remained low at 0.08. Working capital management shows room for improvement, with an operating cycle of 152 days reflecting slower inventory and receivables turnover.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardDD appears fundamentally undervalued based on its price-to-book (PB) ratio of 0.78, indicating the stock is trading below its net asset value. While the trailing P/E of 25.31 is moderately high, a negative forward P/E is analytically meaningless and typically signals expected losses, making other metrics more relevant. The low price-to-sales (PS) ratio of 1.45 and an exceptionally low PEG ratio of approximately 0.09 suggest strong undervaluation relative to its earnings growth potential, though the elevated EV/EBITDA of 28.0 points to high leverage or operating inefficiencies.
A direct peer comparison is not possible due to the unavailability of industry average data. However, the PB ratio below 1.0 is generally considered attractive and value-oriented across most sectors. The combination of a sub-1.0 PB ratio and a PEG ratio far below 1.0 would typically position DD as potentially undervalued against broad market benchmarks, but this assessment lacks sector-specific context to confirm its competitive standing.
Based on the provided metrics, DD exhibits moderately elevated volatility risk compared to the broader market. With a beta of 1.113, the stock is expected to be about 11% more volatile than the market, meaning it will likely experience larger swings both upward and downward. This heightened sensitivity is corroborated by a significant 1-year maximum drawdown of -34.62%, indicating that the stock has already proven capable of sustaining substantial peak-to-trough losses during recent market stress, presenting a meaningful risk for investors with a low tolerance for volatility.
Regarding other risks, the notable absence of reported short interest is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it suggests that professional investors do not currently see a compelling thesis for a significant price decline, which is reassuring. However, the lack of short interest also removes a potential source of buying pressure from short covering that can soften downturns. An analysis of liquidity risk or other fundamental factors would be needed to complete the risk picture, as short interest data alone provides a limited view on potential headwinds.
Neutral - While DD shows valuation appeal and bullish analyst sentiment, I'd wait for clearer signs of stabilization.
The stock appears fundamentally undervalued (PB 0.78, PEG 0.09) and benefits from a $2B buyback program, but recent volatility from the spinoff and Q3 net losses create uncertainty. Technicals suggest potential overbought conditions after strong momentum.
Suitable for risk-tolerant investors comfortable with restructuring stories, but cautious investors should monitor Q4 results for improved profitability.
Based on the comprehensive data, DD stock appears undervalued.
Key valuation metrics supporting this view include a very attractive Price-to-Book ratio of 0.78 (trading below asset value) and an exceptionally low PEG ratio of 0.09 (indicating strong growth potential relative to price). The primary reason for undervaluation stems from market pessimism about recent profitability challenges, including the Q3 net loss and negative ROE, which has overshadowed the company's solid balance sheet with moderate debt and strong liquidity. While the negative forward P/E signals expected short-term losses, the fundamental asset value and growth-adjusted valuation suggest the stock is priced below its intrinsic worth.
Based on the provided information, here are the key risks of holding DD stock, ordered by importance:
1. Market Volatility Risk: The stock's high beta of 1.113 and significant maximum drawdown of -34.62% indicate it is susceptible to larger price swings than the market, posing a substantial risk during broad market downturns. 2. Profitability and Execution Risk: The company's transition to a net loss of $123 million in Q3, driven by substantial expenses despite slightly improved gross margins, reveals significant volatility and potential challenges in profitability and cost management. 3. Operational Efficiency Risk: A negative Return on Equity (-0.54%) and a slow operating cycle of 152 days point to underlying inefficiencies in utilizing assets and managing working capital, which could pressure future earnings. 4. Momentum Exhaustion Risk: After significant outperformance, the stock trades near its 52-week high, suggesting it may be overbought and vulnerable to a correction if the strong positive momentum falters.
Based on the mixed fundamentals and lack of current analyst consensus, DuPont's (DD) 2026 forecast is highly uncertain but suggests moderate upside potential contingent on a successful operational turnaround. We project a base case target range of $48-$55 and a bull case of $60-$68, driven by improved profitability from cost-cutting, stabilization in its key electronics and water filtration markets, and a re-rating if it returns to consistent profitability. Key assumptions include management executing its restructuring plans and a mild economic backdrop avoiding a deep recession; however, the forecast carries significant volatility risk given the company's recent net losses and negative return on equity.