2.20.2007 - 09:53am ET

(CSRwire) New York--Innovest Strategic Value Advisors has upgraded its Intangible Value Assessment of DuPont based on improvements in its social environmental and strategic governance (ESG) performance.

“Innovest is upgrading DuPont to a single A rating from BBB (out of 15 large cap diversified chemicals stocks) for the winter 2007 cycle. DuPont has for the past several years begun positioning itself as a science and industrial technology company ready to expand revenues on the basis of new development with a focus on renewable energy and eco-efficient value added products. DuPont is the only firm in Innovest’s analytical set to establish growth targets associated with these R&D concepts. Moreover the company is working to establish confidence in its stable of baseline capabilities for new technology that will differentiate the firm from other top performers in the set over the long term. For example, while a long range bet, the prospects for the Bio-PDO platform have been delineated for Innovest’s chemical sector team, and we are increasingly satisfied that this will become a major top line and bottom line growth driver for long-term investors starting in 2007 when sales are projected to double their current level.

Senior Analyst, Heather Langsner says, “DuPont has been buffeted by product liability and contamination issues in recent years. However, we feel that this has been exhausted for the interim. Innovest continues to monitor various legal, legacy and operational challenges but none of them seem to detract from the upgrade at this time.”

A research and ratings report for DuPont is available for purchase for USD $195. Additional company research and ratings reports from this and other industries are also available at http:www.csrwire.com/reports/independent.

By assessing differentials typically not identified by traditional securities analysis, Innovest’s IVA ratings uncover hidden risks and value potential for investors. Ratings range from AAA (best) to CCC (worst). Scores on sub factors range from 10 (best) to 0 (worst).

Some of the areas of analysis for companies include:

Supply Chain
Human Rights
Regulatory/Stakeholder relations
Health and Safety
Environmental Strategy and management
Carbon Risk Mitigation
Labor Relations
Product Safety
Workplace issues

About Innovest
Innovest Strategic Value Advisors is an international investment research and advisory firm with offices in New York City, Toronto, San Francisco, London, Paris, Sydney, and Tokyo. www.innovestgroup.com

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