• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America

2

The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament

3

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium

1

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America

2

The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament

3

Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
FinanceDuPont

DuPont fires back at activist investor, outlines Trian ‘myths’ in shareholder letter

By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 17, 2015, 5:15 PM ET
Shareholders walk toward the DuPont theater for the Ford Motor Company annual meeting of shareholders in Wilmington Delaware
Shareholders walk toward the DuPont theater for the Ford Motor Company annual meeting of shareholders in Wilmington, Delaware, May 10, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS) - RTR31V2GPhotograph by Tim Shaffer — Reuters
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

DuPont has some things to clear up when it comes to the chemicals giant’s standoff with activist investor Nelson Peltz.

The company, which has been squared off in a proxy battle with Peltz’s Trian Fund Management for months, sent a letter to its shareholders Tuesday in an attempt to dispel what DuPont sees as “misleading assertions” made by the activist investment firm. “In an attempt to advance their agenda, Trian has launched a proxy fight based on misrepresentations, inaccurate data, and flawed analyses to distract from DuPont’s track record of strong performance,” DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman said in the letter.

The letter accuses Trian — which has a nearly 2.7% stake in DuPont (DD) — of using misleading statements in its attempt to secure seats on DuPont’s board of directors for Peltz and three other candidates picked by Trian. Peltz’s firm has attacked DuPont for falling short of earnings and revenue targets and has urged the chemicals company to split itself into two separate companies even after it completes a planned spin-off of its performance chemicals business.

In Tuesday’s letter, Kullman notes that DuPont’s shareholder returns have exceeded those of its rivals over the past year, as well as over the past 3-year and 5-year periods. DuPont’s stock is up more than 18% over the past year, which also outpaces the benchmark S&P 500’s 14% gain during that period.

DuPont also took aim at claims Peltz made recently in which the activist investor took credit for DuPont’s improved stock performance in recent years, attributing the increased returns. A separate document also sent to shareholders by DuPont attacks what the company calls “Trian’s Myths,” including Peltz’s recent assertions that DuPont’s improved returns are attributable to Trian’s ongoing push for changes at the company. DuPont charts the company’s stock performance going back more than seven years to show improved performance that predates Trian’s 2013 investment in the company.

DuPont has repeatedly rejected Trian’s push for four seats on the company’s board and for DuPont to separate its businesses, though the company said Tuesday it has met with Peltz “more than 20 times” in an effort to come to a resolution with Trian. Earlier this month, DuPont named two of its own candidates to its board of directors. Last week, Trian said it was “open-minded” when it comes to avoiding breaking up DuPont, adding that the ongoing proxy battle is more “a referendum on DuPont’s financial performance.”

Trian did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment on the shareholder letter.

New board members will be voted on at DuPont’s annual shareholders meeting, a date for which has not yet been set.

About the Author
By Tom Huddleston Jr.
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

Hormuz route open despite Iran declaration, maritime group says
EnergyIran
Hormuz route open despite Iran declaration, maritime group says
By Sara Gharaibeh and The Associated PressJuly 12, 2026
1 hour ago
Trinidad and Tobago signs deals with U.S. companies for data centers, despite history of chronic water shortages and intermittent supply
AIData centers
Trinidad and Tobago signs deals with U.S. companies for data centers, despite history of chronic water shortages and intermittent supply
By Anselm Gibbs and The Associated PressJuly 12, 2026
1 hour ago
U.S. military hits 140 Iranian targets in latest round of strikes while Tehran attacks Persian Gulf neighbors
EnergyIran
U.S. military hits 140 Iranian targets in latest round of strikes while Tehran attacks Persian Gulf neighbors
By Jon Gambrell, Will Weissert and The Associated PressJuly 12, 2026
2 hours ago
Want to earn nearly $100,000 within 5 years of graduating? Study engineering, Fed research says
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Want to earn nearly $100,000 within 5 years of graduating? Study engineering, Fed research says
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 12, 2026
4 hours ago
A girl looking at her laptop screen
InnovationEducation
The U.S. spent $30 billion to ditch textbooks for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 12, 2026
4 hours ago
A Trump Account could make your kid a millionaire by 45—but financial experts say the app’s projections come with a catch
Personal FinanceDonald Trump
A Trump Account could make your kid a millionaire by 45—but financial experts say the app’s projections come with a catch
By Sydney LakeJuly 12, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
Banking
'The first time ever in my career': Senior Citi executive on why the ultrawealthy want to diversify away from America
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament
Middle East
The U.S. and Iran can't agree on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The solution could be straight out of the Old Testament
By Jason MaJuly 11, 2026
16 hours ago
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
Success
Americans are quietly abandoning the daily habit that billionaires say set them up for success—and it could have lasting consequences
By Preston ForeJuly 11, 2026
1 day ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
3 days ago
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
Economy
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
By Eleanor PringleJuly 10, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.