logo

Hot News show next Hot News


Monsanto Sees Record Sales in Fiscal Year 2008; Growth Serves as Strong Base for 2009
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 8:01 AM
Symbols: MON
enter symbol
enter search string

Bookmark This Article

Monsanto increases gross profit target for 2012 to $9.5 billion to $9.75 billion

    ST. LOUIS, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

                                           Fourth   Fourth   Fiscal   Fiscal
    ($ in millions)                       Quarter  Quarter     Year     Year
                                             2008     2007     2008     2007
    Net Sales by Segment
      Corn seed and traits                   $353     $364   $3,542   $2,807
      Soybean seed and traits                 110       33    1,174      901
      Cotton seed and traits                   89       59      450      319
      Vegetable seeds                         223      168      744      612
      All other crops seeds and traits        166      118      459      325
    TOTAL Seeds and Genomics                 $941     $742   $6,369   $4,964
      Roundup and other glyphosate-based
       herbicides                            $936     $632   $4,094   $2,568
      All other agricultural productivity
       products                               174      144      902      817
    TOTAL Agricultural Productivity        $1,110     $776   $4,996   $3,385
    TOTAL Net Sales                        $2,051   $1,518  $11,365   $8,349
    Gross Profit                             $960     $643   $6,177   $4,230
    Operating Expenses                     $1,186     $995   $3,456   $2,821
    Interest (Income) Expense - Net          $(14)     $10     $(22)     $16
    Other Expense (Income) - Net               $7      $33    $(183)     $64
    Net (Loss) Income                       $(172)   $(210)  $2,024     $993
    Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Share
     (See note 1.)                         $(0.31)  $(0.39)   $3.62    $1.79
    Items Affecting Comparability - EPS
     Impact
      Income on Discontinued Operations    $(0.01)  $(0.13)  $(0.04)  $(0.15)
      Acquired In-Process R&D (De Ruiter
       and Delta and Pine Land)             $0.29    $0.34    $0.29    $0.34
      Solutia Claim Settlement                               $(0.23)
    Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Share
     from Ongoing Business (For the
     definition of ongoing EPS,
     see note 1.)                          $(0.03)  $(0.18)   $3.64    $1.98
    Effective Tax Rate (Continuing
     Operations)                               21%      29%      31%      30%

                                            Fourth   Fourth   Fiscal   Fiscal
    Comparison as a Percent of Net Sales:  Quarter  Quarter    Year     Year
                                             2008     2007     2008     2007
    Gross profit                              47%      42%      54%      51%
    Selling, general and administrative
     expenses (SG&A)                          35%      39%      20%      22%
    Research and development expenses
     (excluding acquired in-process R&D)      15%      15%       9%       9%
    Income (Loss) before income taxes and
     minority interest                       (11)%    (26)%     26%      16%
    Net Income (Loss)                         (8)%    (14)%     18%      12%

Comment from Monsanto Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant:

'Across the industry, every company is dealing with historic volatility caused by uncertainty in the commodities and credit markets, but our fundamental belief is that if we focus on the things in our business that we control, and we do those things well, there's significant growth ahead for our business. As the markets sort themselves out, our basic premise will be the same - greater grain demand drives the need for more yield, more yield requires more innovation, and the companies that innovate will grow. That's exactly who we are.'

Operations Update

Monsanto reported record net sales of $2 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, which were 35 percent higher than sales in the same period in fiscal year 2007. Key drivers for the quarter were higher sales of branded Roundup herbicides and soybean seeds and traits. Sales of vegetable seeds also improved primarily from the inclusion of the De Ruiter vegetable seeds business, which was not part of the company's business in the prior fourth quarter.

Monsanto saw record net sales of $11.4 billion in the company's fiscal year 2008, which were 36 percent higher than sales in fiscal year 2007. Key contributors to the company's growth included increased sales of Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides globally, higher worldwide corn seed and traits revenue, increased revenue from the company's U.S. soybean and cotton seeds and traits businesses. Increased revenue from the company's vegetable seed portfolio also contributed to results in the year.

Monsanto reported a net loss of $172 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, compared with a reported net loss of $210 million in the same period last year. The company previously disclosed an expected loss for the fourth quarter as a result of seasonality in certain product sales and in- process research and development (IPR&D) expenses related to the acquisition of the De Ruiter vegetable seeds business. For fiscal year 2008, Monsanto reported net income of $2 billion, which was significantly higher than net income of $993 million in fiscal year 2007.

Loss per share for the fourth quarter was $(0.31) on an as-reported basis, and was $(0.03) on an ongoing basis. Earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal year 2008 was $3.62 on an as-reported basis, and $3.64 on an ongoing basis. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see page 1.) As-reported EPS results for both periods reflect the effect of discontinued operations for the Posilac(R) brand and related dairy business, as well as IPR&D charges. EPS results for the full year were also affected favorably by $0.23 per share after tax from the settlement of Monsanto's claims in conjunction with Solutia's emergence from bankruptcy.

Cash Flow

For fiscal year 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.8 billion, compared with $1.9 billion in the same period in 2007. Net cash required by investing activities was $2 billion in fiscal year 2008, compared with net cash required of $1.9 billion for the same period last year. As a result, free cash flow was a source of $772 million for fiscal year 2008, compared with a use of $57 million in fiscal year 2007. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.) Free cash flow in fiscal year 2008 supported the investment of $1 billion in acquisitions and technology investments, a reinvestment of an additional $918 million in capital expenditures as well as the return of $419 million of cash to shareowners through dividends, and a $361 million share repurchase investment. Net cash required by financing activities was $102 million for fiscal year 2008, compared with net cash required of $583 million last year.

Outlook

Monsanto said that its full-year 2009 EPS guidance, on an as-reported and ongoing basis, is in the range of $4.20 to $4.40. The company's 2009 EPS guidance reflects a projected growth rate of approximately 15 percent to 20 percent from the fiscal year 2008 EPS ongoing base of $3.64 per share.

The company also provided guidance for free cash flow for fiscal year 2009 in the range of $1.8 billion. The company expects net cash provided by operating activities to be $3 billion, and net cash required by investing activities to be approximately $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2009. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.)

Monsanto also noted that it expects that SG&A expense as a percent of sales for fiscal year 2009 will be in the range of 19 percent and that its R&D expenses as a percent of sales for fiscal year 2009 are expected to be in the range of 9.5 percent to 10 percent.

Monsanto announced that it now expects that gross profit for the entire company will grow to $9.5 billion to $9.75 billion for 2012, or roughly two- and-a-quarter times the company's 2007 base. This estimate exceeds the company's prior gross profit estimate of $8.6 billion to $9.1 billion. The company also noted that it expects to realize a compound annual growth rate for gross profit of 18 percent to 20 percent through 2012.

Trait Acreage Report

As part of today's announcement, Monsanto published its year-end report on the company's biotech trait acreage for fiscal year 2008. This report is available on Monsanto's web site at: http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/investor/company/crop.asp.

Performance Against Key Growth Drivers Between 2007 and 2012

Between 2007 and the end of 2012, Monsanto's business is poised to effectively double the gross profit potential of its business. This growth will be led by the company's performance against six key areas within its global seeds and traits business (see below). These drivers were outlined at the company's November 2007 investor event. The chart below outlines Monsanto's progress against its six growth drivers during its 2008 fiscal year.


    U.S. Corn Business
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Grow U.S. seed footprint by 1 to 2 share points annually in DEKALB
       brand
    o  Expand triple trait penetration to 45 million to 55 million acres by
       2010 and bridge to SmartStax launch
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  2.5 percentage point gain in DEKALB
    o  1.5 percentage point gain in American Seeds Inc.
    o  29 million acres planted with triple-trait technology

    International Corn Business
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Grow international seed footprint by 1 to 2 share points annually
    o  Stem losses in Brazil and hold share in 2008; grow business in 2009 and
       beyond
    o  Set the table for biotech trait ramp-up outside the United States
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  6 percentage point gain in Argentina corn seed region
    o  Held corn seed share at 40 percent in Brazil
    o  India corn seed share decreased approximately 3 percentage points
    o  EU 27 corn seed share decreased approximately 1 percentage point
    o  Launched first double-stack corn trait in Argentina
    o  Launched YieldGard Corn Borer technology in Brazil
    o  Acquisition of Semillas Cristiani Burkard, a leading seed company in
       Central America

    Global Soybean Business
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Release Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans on 1 million to 2 million acres
       in 2009
    o  Grow penetration of Roundup Ready soybeans in Brazil to create
       footprint for Roundup Ready 2 Yield with insect-protected soybeans
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  Regulatory approvals received for Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean product
       in China, Japan, Philippines and Taiwan
    o  Penetration of Roundup Ready soybeans grew to 54 percent of the planted
       acres in Brazil in fiscal year 2008, up from 51 percent in fiscal year
       2007

    Global Cotton Business
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Apply breeding technology to diverse Delta and Pine Land germplasm
    o  Convert cotton portfolio to second-generation traits in the United
       States and India
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  Mix of second-generation, double-stacked traits increased to more than
       65 percent in the United States
    o  Approximately 4 million farmers cultivated Bollgard and Bollgard II
       cotton on approximately 76 percent of India's total cotton acres in
       2008.
    o  India sees strong adoption of Bollgard II as acres increase 275 percent
       year on year to 4.5 million

    Vegetable Seeds Business
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Improve working capital and margins through operational excellence,
       pricing to value and shift to richer mix
    o  Launch new products with increased value and accelerate launches via
       use of molecular markers
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  Gross profit as a percent of sales grew to 53 percent for the full year
    o  Acquisition of De Ruiter Seeds, one of the world's leading
       protected-culture vegetable seed breeding companies
    o  On track for completion of 2,500 markers for tomatoes and peppers and
       1,500 markers for an additional 11 crops by the 2009 target; a 50
       percent increase in the number of markers for the latter group

    Research and Development (R&D) Pipeline
    GROWTH DRIVERS AND 2012 COMMITMENTS
    o  Continue to drive breeding gains across crop platforms
    o  Deliver value in established trait pipeline and unlock opportunity in
       yield and stress BASF collaboration
    FISCAL YEAR 2008 PERFORMANCE  AGAINST MILESTONES
    o  Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans completed key regulatory approvals in
       global areas, a key step towards the product's commercial introduction
       in 2009?
    o  10 biotech projects advanced in phases, including both first- and
       second-generation drought-tolerant corn projects
    o  Nearly 175 locations of yield and stress field trials in progress in
       2008

                      Seeds and Genomics Segment Detail
    ($ in millions)          Net Sales                 Gross Profit
    Seeds and     Fourth  Fourth  Fiscal Fiscal Fourth  Fourth  Fiscal  Fiscal
     Genomics     Quarter Quarter  Year   Year  Quarter Quarter  Year    Year
                    2008    2007   2008   2007   2008    2007    2008    2007
    Corn seed
     and traits     $353    $364  $3,542 $2,807   $151    $178  $2,174  $1,721
    Soybean seed
     and traits      110      33   1,174    901     76       7     725     588
    Cotton seed
     and traits       89      59     450    319     61      45     313     267
    Vegetable seeds  223     168     744    612    124      57     394     267
    All other crops
     seeds and
     traits          166     118     459    325     97      72     251     171
    TOTAL Seeds
     and Genomics   $941    $742  $6,369 $4,964   $509    $359  $3,857  $3,014

    ($ in millions)                  Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)
                                      Fourth     Fourth      Fiscal   Fiscal
    Seeds and Genomics                Quarter    Quarter      Year     Year
                                       2008       2007        2008     2007
    EBIT (For a reconciliation of     $(443)     $(397)     $1,200     $905
    EBIT, see note 1.)
    Unusual Items Affecting EBIT
      Acquired In-Process R&D
       (De Ruiter and Delta and Pine
       Land)                          $(161)     $(186)      $(161)   $(186)
      Income on Discontinued
      Operations                       None        $50        None      $45

The Seeds and Genomics segment consists of the company's global seeds and related traits business, and genetic technology platforms.

Sales for Monsanto's Seeds and Genomics segment were $941 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, or 27 percent higher than sales in the same period last year.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the company realized improved sales from its soybean seed and traits business. Results in the quarter also benefited from improved sales of vegetable seeds with the inclusion of sales from the De Ruiter vegetable seeds business, which were not part of the company's business in the prior fourth quarter. Fourth-quarter sales from Monsanto's corn seed and traits business were down 3 percent because of timing of branded sales and licensee royalties.

Monsanto realized record segment sales of $6.4 billion for fiscal year 2008, which were 28 percent higher compared with sales last fiscal year. The key driver for growth in the fiscal year was higher global corn seed and traits revenue, which increased 26 percent compared with the same period last year. Strong customer demand for the company's branded corn seed products contributed to a seventh consecutive year of share gains in the U.S. corn seed region for our DEKALB brand. This year the brand gained 2.5 percentage points.

The company's performance in the year also benefited from improved soybean seed and traits revenue, as farmer demand increased and as more acres were planted to soybeans in the United States.

Results in the year also benefited from improved sales of cotton seeds and traits, as well as improved sales of vegetable seeds. These results included the company's acquisitions of Delta and Pine Land Company, which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2007, and the De Ruiter vegetable seeds business, which the company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2008.


                   Agricultural Productivity Segment Detail
    ($ in millions)           Net Sales                Gross Profit
    Agricultural  Fourth  Fourth  Fiscal Fiscal Fourth  Fourth  Fiscal  Fiscal
     Productivity Quarter Quarter  Year   Year  Quarter Quarter  Year    Year
                    2008    2007   2008   2007   2008    2007    2008    2007
    Roundup and
     other
     glyphosate-
     based
     herbicides     $936    $632  $4,094 $2,568   $417    $219  $1,976    $854
    All other
     agricultural
     productivity
     products        174     144     902    817     34      65     344     362
    TOTAL
     Agricultural
     Productivity $1,110    $776  $4,996 $3,385   $451    $284  $2,320  $1,216

    ($ in millions)                   Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)
                                     Fourth      Fourth       Fiscal   Fiscal
    Agricultural Productivity        Quarter     Quarter       Year     Year
                                       2008       2007         2008     2007
    EBIT (For a reconciliation of      $205        $48        1,691     $470
     EBIT, see note 1.)
    Unusual Items Affecting EBIT
      Income (Loss) on                   $8        $(4)         $22       $8
      Discontinued Operations
      Solutia Claim Settlement         None       None         $210     None

The Agricultural Productivity segment consists primarily of crop protection products and the lawn-and-garden herbicide business.

Sales for Monsanto's Agricultural Productivity segment were $1.1 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, or 43 percent higher compared with sales in the same period last year. Results in the quarter reflect improved pricing of branded Roundup herbicides.

Sales for the segment were $5 billion for fiscal year 2008, or 48 percent higher compared with sales in the same period last year. Segment sales benefited from higher sales of Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides globally. Improved pricing in all regions contributed to the results.

Webcast Information

In conjunction with this announcement, Monsanto will hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. central time (9:30 a.m. eastern time) today. The call will focus on these results and future expectations. The call may also include a discussion of Monsanto's strategic initiatives, product performance and other matters related to the company's business.

Presentation slides and a simultaneous audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed by visiting the company's web site at http://www.monsanto.com/investor/. Visitors may need to download Windows Media Player(TM) prior to listening to the webcast. Following the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Monsanto web site for three weeks.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology- based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and our commitments, please visit: http://www.monsanto.com/.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this release are 'forward-looking statements,' such as statements concerning the company's anticipated financial results, current and future product performance, regulatory approvals, business and financial plans and other non-historical facts. These statements are based on current expectations and currently available information. However, since these statements are based on factors that involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual performance and results may differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others: continued competition in seeds, traits and agricultural chemicals; the company's exposure to various contingencies, including those related to intellectual property protection, regulatory compliance and the speed with which approvals are received, and public acceptance of biotechnology products; the success of the company's research and development activities; the outcomes of major lawsuits; developments related to foreign currencies and economies; successful operation of recent acquisitions; fluctuations in commodity prices; compliance with regulations affecting our manufacturing; the accuracy of the company's estimates related to distribution inventory levels; the company's ability to fund its short-term financing needs and to obtain payment for the products that it sells; the effect of weather conditions, natural disasters and accidents on the agriculture business or the company's facilities; and other risks and factors detailed in the company's most recent reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release. The company disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements or any of the factors that may affect actual results.

Notes to editors: DEKALB, Roundup Ready 2 Yield, YieldGard, Deltapine, SmartStax, Bollgard, Bollgard II, DeRuiter Seeds, Roundup Ready and Roundup are registered trademarks owned by Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

References to 'Roundup herbicides' in this release mean Roundup branded herbicides, excluding lawn-and-garden herbicide products, and references to 'Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides' exclude all lawn-and-garden herbicides.


                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
               (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                  Unaudited
    Statements of Consolidated        Three     Three   12 Months  12 Months
     Operations                       Months    Months    Ended      Ended
                                      Ended     Ended    Aug. 31,   Aug. 31,
                                     Aug. 31,  Aug. 31,    2008       2007
                                       2008      2007
    Net Sales                          $2,051    $1,518   $11,365     $8,349
    Cost of Goods Sold                  1,091       875     5,188      4,119
    Gross Profit                          960       643     6,177      4,230
    Operating Expenses:
      Selling, General and
       Administrative Expenses            711       586     2,312      1,858
      Research and Development
       Expenses                           314       223       980        770
      Acquired In-Process Research
       and Development                    161       186       164        193
    Total Operating Expenses            1,186       995     3,456      2,821
    Income (Loss) From Operations        (226)     (352)    2,721      1,409
    Interest Expense                       13        42       110        136
    Interest Income                       (27)      (32)     (132)      (120)
    Solutia-Related Expenses                -
     (Income)                                        18      (187)        40
    Other Expense - Net                     7        15         4         25
    Income (Loss) From Continuing
     Operations Before Income Taxes
     and Minority Interest               (219)     (395)    2,926      1,328
    Income Tax Provision (Benefit)        (47)     (115)      899        403
    Minority Interest Expense               7         5        20         12
    Income (Loss) From Continuing
     Operations                          (179)     (285)    2,007        913
    Discontinued Operations:
      Income From Operations of
       Discontinued Businesses              8        46        20         52
      Income Tax Provision
       (Benefit)                           (1)       29         3        (28)
    Income on Discontinued
     Operations                             7        75        17         80
    Net Income (Loss)                   $(172)    $(210)   $2,024       $993
    EBIT (See note 1)                   $(238)    $(349)   $2,891     $1,375
    Basic Earnings (Loss) per
     Share:(1)
    Income (Loss) From Continuing
     Operations                        $(0.32)   $(0.52)    $3.66      $1.68
    Income on Discontinued
     Operations                          0.01      0.13      0.03       0.15
    Net Income (Loss)                  $(0.31)   $(0.39)    $3.69      $1.83
    Diluted Earnings (Loss) per
     Share:(1)
    Income (Loss) From Continuing
     Operations                        $(0.32)   $(0.52)    $3.59      $1.65
    Income on Discontinued
     Operations                          0.01      0.13      0.03       0.14
    Net Income (Loss)                  $(0.31)   $(0.39)    $3.62      $1.79
    Weighted Average Shares
     Outstanding:(1)
       Basic                            549.5     545.1     548.1      544.1
       Diluted                          549.5     545.1     559.3      555.0

                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
                            (Dollars in millions)
                                  Unaudited
    Condensed Statements of                           As of           As of
     Consolidated Financial Position             Aug. 31, 2008   Aug. 31, 2007
    Assets
    Current Assets:
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $1,613           $866
      Trade Receivables - Net of Allowances of
       $218 and $217, respectively                    2,067          1,499
      Miscellaneous Receivables                         758            407
      Deferred Tax Assets                               338            449
      Inventories                                     2,453          1,719
      Assets of Discontinued Operations                 153              -
      Other Current Assets                              243            144
    Total Current Assets                              7,625          5,084
    Property, Plant and Equipment - Net               3,323          2,656
    Goodwill                                          3,108          2,625
    Other Intangible Assets - Net                     1,563          1,415
    Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets                      979            730
    Long-Term Receivables - Net of Allowances of
     $168 and $131, respectively                        636             79
    Noncurrent Assets of Discontinued Operations        236              -
    Other Assets                                        523            394
    Total Assets                                    $17,993        $12,983
    Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity
    Current Liabilities:
      Short-Term Debt, Including Current Portion
       of Long-Term Debt                                $24           $270
      Accounts Payable                                1,090            649
      Income Taxes Payable                              161            150
      Accrued Compensation and Benefits                 441            349
      Accrued Marketing Programs                        754            517
      Deferred Revenues                                 867            260
      Grower Production Accruals                        172             86
      Dividends Payable                                 132             96
      Liabilities of Discontinued Operations             26              -
      Miscellaneous Short-Term Accruals                 772            698
    Total Current Liabilities                         4,439          3,075
    Long-Term Debt                                    1,792          1,150
    Postretirement Liabilities                          590            542
    Noncurrent Deferred Tax Liabilities                 212             83
    Long-Term Portion of Environmental and Related
     Litigation Reserve                                 168            135
    Long-Term Deferred Revenue                          566              -
    Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued
     Operations                                          52              -
    Other Liabilities                                   800            495
    Shareowners' Equity                               9,374          7,503
    Total Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity       $17,993        $12,983
    Debt to Capital Ratio:                               16%            16%

                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
                            (Dollars in millions)
                                  Unaudited
    Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows            12 Months     12 Months
                                                       Ended         Ended
                                                  Aug. 31, 2008  Aug. 31, 2007
    Operating Activities:
      Net Income                                      $2,024          $993
      Adjustments to Reconcile Cash Provided by
       Operating Activities:
      Items That Did Not Require (Provide) Cash:
        Depreciation and Amortization Expense            573           527
        Bad-Debt Expense                                  57            70
        Receipt of Securities from Solutia               (38)            -
         Settlement
        Stock-Based Compensation Expense                  90            73
        Excess Tax Benefits from Stock-Based
         Compensation                                   (198)          (83)
        Deferred Income Taxes                             47           (89)
        Equity Affiliate Expense - Net                    (2)           34
        Acquired In-Process Research and                 164           193
         Development                                       -           (73)
        Net Gain on Sale of Stoneville and NexGen
         Businesses
        Other Items                                        7            15
      Changes in Assets and Liabilities, Net of the
       Effects of Acquisitions:
        Trade Receivables                               (318)           (2)
        Inventories                                     (691)           60
        Deferred Revenues                                492           129
        Accounts Payable and Other Accrued
         Liabilities                                     889           147
        Pension Contributions                           (120)          (60)
        Net Investment Hedge Settlements                (124)          (23)
        Other Items                                      (53)          (57)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities          2,799         1,854
    Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Investing
     Activities:
      Purchases of Short-Term Investments               (132)          (59)
      Maturities of Short-Term Investments                59            22
      Capital Expenditures                              (918)         (509)
      Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of
       Cash Acquired                                  (1,007)       (1,679)
      Purchases of Long-Term Equity Securities           (78)            -
      Technology and Other Investments                    41)          (54)
      Proceeds from Sale of Stoneville and NexGen
       Businesses                                          -           317
      Other Investments and Property Disposal Proceeds    90            51
    Net Cash Required by Investing Activities         (2,027)       (1,911)
    Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Financing
     Activities:
      Net Change in Financing With Less Than 90-Day
       Maturities                                         92            (5)
      Short-Term Debt Proceeds                             -             8
      Short-Term Debt Reductions                         (10)           (8)
      Long-Term Debt Proceeds                            546             8
      Long-Term Debt Reductions                         (254)         (281)
      Payments on Other Financing                         (3)          (16)
      Debt Issuance Costs                                 (5)            -
      Treasury Stock Purchases                          (361)         (197)
      Stock Option Exercises                             114            83
      Excess Tax Benefits From Stock-Based
       Compensation                                      198            83
      Dividend Payments                                 (419)         (258)
    Net Cash Required by Financing Activities           (102)         (583)
    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                          77            46
    Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                         747          (594)
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period     866         1,460
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period        $1,613          $866

                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
                            (Dollars in millions)
                                  Unaudited
    1. EBIT, Ongoing EPS and Free Cash Flow:  The presentations of EBIT,
       ongoing EPS and free cash flow are not intended to replace net income
       (loss), cash flows, financial position or comprehensive income (loss),
       and they are not measures of financial performance as determined in
       accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the
       United States. The following tables reconcile EBIT, ongoing EPS and
       free cash flow to the respective most directly comparable financial
       measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.
       Reconciliation of EBIT to Net Income (Loss):  EBIT is defined as
       earnings (loss) before interest and taxes. Earnings (loss) is intended
       to mean net income (loss) as presented in the Statements of
       Consolidated Operations under GAAP. The following table reconciles EBIT
       to the most directly comparable financial measure, which is net income
       (loss).

                                         Three Months            12 Months
                                             Ended                 Ended
                                            Aug. 31,              Aug. 31,
                                        2008       2007       2008      2007
    EBIT - Seeds and Genomics
     Segment                           $(443)     $(397)    $1,200      $905
    EBIT - Agricultural Productivity
     Segment                             205         48      1,691       470
    EBIT- Total                         (238)      (349)     2,891     1,375
    Interest Expense (Income) - Net      (14)        10        (22)       16
    Income Tax Provision
     (Benefit)(A)                        (52)      (149)       889       366
    Net Income (Loss)                  $(172)     $(210)    $2,024      $993

       (A)   Includes the income tax provision (benefit) from continuing
             operations, the income tax benefit on minority interest, the
             income tax provision (benefit) on discontinued operations.
       Reconciliation of EPS to Ongoing EPS:  Ongoing EPS is calculated
       excluding certain after-tax items which Monsanto does not consider part
       of ongoing operations. The reconciliation of EPS to ongoing EPS for the
       fourth quarter and year ended Aug. 31, 2008 and 2007 is included on
       page 1 of this release.
       Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow: Free cash flow represents the total
       of cash flows from operating activities and investing activities, as
       reflected in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows presented in
       this release. With respect to the fiscal year 2009 free cash flow
       guidance, Monsanto does not include any estimates or projections of Net
       Cash Provided (Required) by Financing Activities because in order to
       prepare any such estimate or projection, Monsanto would need to rely on
       market factors and conditions that are outside of its control.

                                              Fiscal Year     12 Months Ended
                                                  2009            Aug. 31,
                                                Guidance       2008     2007
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   $3,000       $2,799   $1,854
    Net Cash Required by Investing Activities   (1,200)      (2,027)  (1,911)
    Free Cash Flow                              $1,800         $772     $(57)
    Net Cash Required by Financing Activities      N/A         (102)    (583)
    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
     and Cash                                      N/A           77       46
        Equivalents
    Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash
        Equivalents                                N/A         $747    $(594)
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
     Period                                        N/A         $866   $1,460
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of
     Period                                        N/A       $1,613     $866

SOURCE Monsanto Company

(Source: PR Newswire )



Subscribe to Email Alerts rss feed or RSS feeds rss feed for articles from more than 300 contributors and press releases, SEC filings and full text news from thousands of sources.
(0)
No Comments

Fundamental data is provided by Zacks Investment Research, market data is provided by AlphaTrade. , and Commentary and Press Releases provided by Quotemedia