Carlyle Group LP (CG), Monsanto Company (MON): E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co (DD)’s Really Being Strengthened by Going to Seed

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Add in Pennar’s contribution — which, as of now, remains somewhat hazy — and the percentage on an ex post facto basis would obviously have been ratcheted upward. DuPont is promising to invest in a technology hub in South Africa, so the acquisition should become steadily more meaningful. That research effort will benefit work in corn, sunflower, grain sorghum, forage sorghum, wheat, dry beans, and soybeans. The benefits will clearly be felt throughout Africa and beyond.

What’s this about?

With all this promising activity occurring at DuPont, I’m eager to learn what activist investor Nelson Peltz desires to effect at the company. It appears that Peltz’s Trian Fund Management has socked away about 21 million shares of the company’s stock, or approximately 2.2% of the total. If he’s doing so through disaffection, it’s difficult to suggest what Kullman and her minions might have done differently to benefit DuPont of late.

Foolish bottom line

In any event, in my rarely tentative opinion, I’m convinced that few U.S. corporations are undergoing a positive metamorphosis to the extent of the one being implemented at DuPont. It’s bringing about a set of alterations that I believe will stand the company in relatively solid stead, should some of the economic perils I’m seeing on the horizon reach fruition. I’d therefore suggest that Foolish investors join me in monitoring this venerable — albeit fast-changing company.

The article DuPont’s Really Being Strengthened by Going to Seed originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by David Smith.

Fool contributor David Smith and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 

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