DuPont 2014 Annual Report Download - page 19

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Part II
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
18
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements which may be identified by their use of words like “plans,” “expects,” “will,”
“anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that address
expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development,
regulatory approval, market position, anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions, timing of anticipated benefits from restructuring
actions, outcome of contingencies, such as litigation and environmental matters, expenditures and financial results, are forward-
looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events which may not be accurate or
realized. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control. Some
of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any such forward-
looking statements are:
• Fluctuations in energy and raw material prices;
• Failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles;
• Outcome of significant litigation and environmental matters, including those related to divested businesses;
• Failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues;
• Effect of changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations or political conditions in the United States of
America (U.S.) and other countries in which the company operates;
• Conditions in the global economy and global capital markets, including economic factors such as inflation, deflation,
fluctuation in currency rates, interest rates and commodity prices;
• Failure to appropriately respond to market acceptance, government rules, regulations and policies affecting products
based on biotechnology;
• Impact of business disruptions, including supply disruptions, and security threats, regardless of cause, including acts of
sabotage, cyber-attacks, terrorism or war, weather events and natural disasters;
• Ability to discover, develop and protect new technologies and enforce the company's intellectual property rights; and
• Successful integration of acquired businesses and separation of underperforming or non-strategic assets or businesses,
including the proposed spin-off of the Performance Chemicals segment.
For some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any
such forward-looking statements, see the Risk Factors discussion set forth under Part I, Item 1A beginning on page 9.
Overview
Purpose DuPont’s businesses serve markets where the increasing demand for more and healthier food, renewably sourced
materials and fuels, and advanced industrial materials is creating substantial growth opportunities. The company’s unique
combination of sciences, proven research and development (R&D) engine, broad global reach, and deep market penetration are
distinctive competitive advantages that position the company to continue capitalizing on this enormous potential.
Strategy Position DuPont as a higher growth, higher value company, well equipped to drive revenue and profit growth through
science-based innovation and the company’s significant competitive advantages with three priorities:
• Agriculture & Nutrition - extend DuPont’s leadership across the high-value, science-driven segments of the Agriculture
and Food value chain;
• Advanced Materials - strengthen and grow DuPont's leading position in differentiated, high-value materials and leverage
new sciences;
• Bio-Based Industrials - develop world-leading industrial biotechnology capabilities to create transformational new bio-
based businesses.
The company is committed to maintain a strong balance sheet and to return excess cash to shareholders unless there is a compelling
opportunity to invest for growth.