Dow Chemical’s Liveris Says Order Books Improving on Electronics
February 02, 2012, 9:30 AM ESTBy Jack Kaskey
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Dow Chemical Co., the biggest U.S. chemical maker, said demand is improving in the current quarter in the U.S. and Asia, particularly for materials used in electronics and autos.
“Order books are looking good for January,” Andrew Liveris, chief executive officer of the Midland, Michigan-based company, said today in a telephone interview. “Asia is coming back.”
Liveris said demand fell in October and November as customers used up inventories before rebounding in December. The improved demand has continued into 2012, led by emerging markets and the U.S., he said.
“The U.S. is looking decent because of things like auto,” Liveris said. “We sees signs of electronics coming back because of all the things we use -- smartphones, tablets -- in February and March.”
Europe will continue to be a drag on earnings through 2012, he said.
“We will see a decent global economy this year,” Liveris said. “Europe will be the one that is continually in our face.”
--Editors: Steven Frank, Jasmina Kelemen
To contact the reporter on this story: Jack Kaskey in Houston at jkaskey@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Simon Casey at scasey4@bloomberg.net
