SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 12, 1998
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 1-815 51-0014090
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
1007 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19898
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 774-1000
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DUPONT COMPANY
FORM 8-K
ITEM OR INFORMATION
Item 5. Other Events
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In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, DuPont (or the
"Company") is hereby filing cautionary statements which identify
important factors that could cause the Company's actual results
to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking
statements made by the Company or on its behalf.
The Company may from time to time make written and oral
public forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
may be identified by their use of words like "plans," "expects,"
"will," "anticipates," "projects," "estimates" and other words
of similar meaning. Such statements may address, among other
things, the Company's strategy for growth, product development,
market position, expenditures, and financial results.
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assump-
tions and expectations of future events. The Company cannot
guarantee that these assumptions and expectations are or will be
realized. The following are 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:
o The Company operates in approximately 70 countries
worldwide and derives about half of its revenues from
sales outside the United States. Changes in the laws or
policies of or other governmental and quasi-governmental
activities in the countries which the Company operates
could affect its business in the country and the
Company's net of earnings in that country. In addition,
economic factors (including inflation and fluctuations
in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates) and
competitive factors (such as greater price competition
or a decline in U.S. or European industry sales from
slowing economic growth) in those countries could affect
the Company's revenues, expenses and earnings.
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o The Company's growth objectives are largely dependent on
its ability to renew its pipeline of new products and to
bring those products to market. This ability may be
adversely impacted by difficulties or delays in product
development including, but not limited to, the inability
to identify viable new products; successfully complete
clinical trials of new pharmaceuticals; obtain relevant
regulatory approval, which may include approval from the
Food and Drug Administration; the ability to obtain
adequate intellectual property protection; gain market
acceptance of the new products.
o As part of its strategy for growth, the Company has made
and may continue to make acquisitions, divestitures,
alliances and changes to its organizational structure.
There can be no assurance that the Company will
integrate such changes successfully.
o The Company has articulated and updated in its periodic
reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion on Form 10-Q and 10-K from time to time its time-
table and assessment of costs to become Year 2000
capable. The failure of the Company or third-parties
with which it conducts business to become Year 2000
capable could have a material adverse affect on the
Company's financial condition or operations.
o The Company's facilities are subject to a broad array of
environmental laws and regulations. The costs of com-
plying with complex environmental laws and regulations
as well as internal voluntary programs, are significant
and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
The Company's accruals for such costs and liabilities
may not be adequate since the estimates on which the
accruals are based depend on a number of complex
factors, including the nature of the allegation, the
complexity of the site, the nature of the remedy, the
outcome of the discussions with regulatory agencies and
other potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at multi-
party sites, and the number and financial viability of
other PRPs.
o The Company's results of operations could be affected by
significant litigation adverse to the Company including
product liability claims, patent infringement claims and
antitrust claims.
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o The profitability of the Company's energy subsidiary
(Conoco Inc.) will be affected by the prices for crude
oil, natural gas and refined products. These prices are
subject to wide fluctuations in response to changes in
global and regional supply over which the Company has no
control, including political developments and the
ability of the organization of petroleum exporting
countries and other producing nations to set and main-
tain production levels and prices. The Company has
announced its intention to completely divest itself of
Conoco Inc. by the end of the third quarter 1999.
The foregoing list of important factors is not inclu-
sive, or necessarily in order of importance.
11/12/98
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
(Registrant)
/s/ D. B. Smith
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D. B. Smith
Assistant Controller
November 12, 1998
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