November 9, 2007

Monsanto expects gross profit to double in five years

Monsanto Company is geared to double the gross profit from 2007 to 2012 due to an ongoing earnings per share (EPS) growth rate in the mid-to-high teens.

Monsanto officials will give an overview of its five-year plan as part of the company's biennial US Investor Day in St. Louis. The management team will note that by the end of 2012, the free cash flow of its business, excluding potential acquisitions, will be up to US$2 billion to US$2.2 billion.

The projected growth will allow Monsanto greater flexibility in its acquisitions and technological investments.

Monsanto executives will also discuss on how the company's seeds and traits business will be shaped by six key factors, namely: the US and international cord seeds and traits business, its soy business; its cotton business; its Seminis fruit and vegetable seed business; and its R&D pipeline.

As part of the event, Monsanto executives will discuss how Monsanto's seeds and traits business is expected to be shaped by six key factors over the next five years. These factors include: its US and international corn seeds and traits business; its soy business; its cotton business; its Seminis fruit and vegetable seed business; and its R&D pipeline.