For the past year's fourth-quarter, DuPont Co. managed to swing back to profits, mainly on the back of a strong growth in sales and volumes, which surged by double digits, while margins also grew.

On the successful quarterly figures, the chemical firm also hiked its complete year earnings forecast for 2010, now expecting it to fall within the range of $2.15 to $2.45 a share.

"We remain confident in our performance outlook for 2010, based on improving economic conditions coupled with well-positioned and streamlined businesses", said Chairman and Chief Executive Ellen Kullman.

For 2009's fourth quarter, DuPont posted earnings of $441 Million, or 48 cents per share, a substantial rise from the loss of $629 Million, or 70 cents a share, that was posted for the previous year's same period.

Revenue surged by 12% to $6.81 Billion. Volume, on the other hand, surged by 10%.

The figures have managed to beat the expectations pegged by analysts who had predicted earnings of 41 cents s share, on a revenue of $6.16 Billion.