New York, New York
May 3, 1999In a meeting with financial
analysts and investors here today, Monsanto Company
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert B. Shapiro said the company expects to achieve
performance targets from 1999 through 2002 that include delivering growth in earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) at an 18 percent to 25
percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and growth in earnings per share (EPS) at a 25
percent to 30 percent CAGR. Plans also are in place to lower the total debt to total
capitalization ratio to the mid-30s range by the end of 2002.
Shapiro also noted he expects second-quarter earnings to exceed earlier projections and
full-year
1999 earnings to be closer to those reported in 1998 than originally anticipated. He
attributed outstanding early sales results from the launch of Celebrex arthritis
treatment, now the most successful new pharmaceutical product ever launched in the United
States, to the revised projections. Celebrex also has been approved in eight markets
outside the United States. Additionally, Shapiro credited continued growth in
Monsanto's agricultural business - both Roundup herbicide and crops developed through
biotechnology - to the company's strong start this year.
"We're dedicated to creating growth from our strengths in the life sciences while
focusing on key
operational measures,'' Shapiro added. Specifically, he said, Monsanto plans to deliver on
short-
and long-term goals by rapidly commercializing new products; aggressively integrating its
recent seed company acquisitions; eliminating expenses that are not essential to the core
strategy; and improving the management of working capital.
Monsanto previously had announced its plan to divest certain businesses that are no longer
critical to its life sciences strategy. Since November 1998, the company has indicated it
intends to sell Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Co. and its algins business; has signed a
definitive agreement to sell its NSC Technologies business; and has completed divestitures
of the Ortho lawn-and- garden business and the Wellbridge health and fitness business.
Monsanto Chief Financial Officer Gary L. Crittenden said that the company now is
projecting gross proceeds from the sale of non-strategic assets in the $1.5 billion to $2
billion range, including those assets sales that were recently completed or announced.
This projection is up from the company's earlier estimate of asset sales of roughly $1
billion.
Monsanto is a life sciences company, committed to finding solutions to the growing global
needs for food and health by sharing common forms of science and technology among
agriculture, nutrition and health. The company's 31,800 employees worldwide make and
market high-value agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients.
Celebrex and Roundup are trademarks owned or licensed by Monsanto Company and its
subsidiaries.
Company news release
N1775 |