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Monsanto sees record sales in fiscal year 2008 - Growth serves as strong base for 2009

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St. Louis, Missouri
October 8, 2008
 
Monsanto increases gross profit target for 2012 to $9.5 billion to $9.75 billion
                                         Fourth   Fourth   Fiscal   Fiscal
  ($ 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® 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™ 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/.

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

 

 

 

 

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