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DuPont delivered 4% organic sales growth in Q2 2026 driven by high-growth markets including healthcare, water, aerospace, and EVs. The company raised its full-year 2026 EBITDA and earnings guidance following acquisitions of Spectrum Plastics and Donatelle Plastics, and is targeting 3% productivity gains. Peer chemical companies Dow, Air Products, and Eastman Chemical also raised their 2026 guidance.

The article highlights two basic materials stocks with positive Earnings Surprise Prediction (ESP) metrics expected to beat earnings expectations. Reliance Steel & Aluminum (RS) holds a Strong Buy rating with a +3.37% ESP ahead of its October 21, 2026 earnings report, while DuPont de Nemours (DD) has a Buy rating with a +0.72% ESP before reporting on November 3, 2026. Both stocks show potential for positive earnings surprises based on Zacks' analysis.

DuPont de Nemours has launched AmberChrom SIL silica gel, a reverse-phase chromatography media designed to enhance purification of peptide therapeutics, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. Available in C8 and C18 chemistries, the product offers high resolution and scalability, and can be integrated with DuPont's existing chromatography technologies to optimize purity and yield.

Nucor Corporation is set to report Q3 2026 results on October 26, with consensus estimates projecting $10.53B in sales (up 23.6% YoY) and EPS of $5.71. The steel producer is expected to benefit from higher average selling prices and stable volumes in its Steel Mills and Steel Products segments, supported by rising U.S. steel prices and tight supply conditions. However, the company's earnings surprise model shows a 0.00% Earnings ESP, suggesting limited upside surprise potential.

The global semiconductor ultrapure water systems market is estimated at USD 2.2 billion in 2026 and projected to reach USD 4.7 billion by 2036, expanding at 8.0% CAGR. Growth is driven by semiconductor fab expansion, advanced-node manufacturing, AI chip production, and increased water recycling investments. Asia-Pacific leads the market while North America is expected to register fastest growth through 2036.

DuPont launched the Sugar Separation Advisor, a digital tool helping sugar and sweetener manufacturers evaluate chromatographic separation options using AmberLite resins. The company raised its 2026 full-year guidance for operating EBITDA and adjusted earnings following strong Q2 performance. Competitors Dow, Eastman Chemical, and Celanese also provided positive 2026 outlooks.

The global advanced functional materials market is projected to grow from USD 159.8 billion in 2025 to USD 255.1 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 5.18%. Growth is driven by nanotechnology advances, ICT expansion, and increasing demand for lightweight, corrosion-resistant components in aerospace and automotive sectors. Asia-Pacific leads the market, with aerospace and advanced composites as dominant segments.