With Third-Quarter Results, Monsanto Reaffirms Ongoing Earnings Outlook Of Greater Than 20 Percent Growth In Fiscal Year 2013 And Mid-Teens Growth For Fiscal Year 2014

ST. LOUIS, June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today announced third-quarter financial results and reaffirmed its fiscal year 2013 guidance for a third consecutive year of greater than 20 percent growth in ongoing earnings.  Company executives also noted that the continued strength and global scope of its core business, coupled with new products and upgrades, are expected to propel the company to mid-teens ongoing earnings growth in fiscal year 2014.

"This is a year where the strength of our global portfolio has really been highlighted, and with the continued strength of our larger, more global business, we're on track to deliver more than 20 percent ongoing earnings growth in fiscal year 2013 and in a very strong position to build on that success with continued growth next year," said Hugh Grant, chairman and chief executive officer.  "Our optimism reflects the expanding opportunity we see to unlock successive layers of growth next year and beyond as our focus on farmers, new product platforms and operating efficiency combine to build continued momentum."

Results of Operations

For the first nine months, net sales increased $1.3 billion over the prior year period to approximately $12.7 billion. Monsanto's year-to-date performance has been driven by the strength across its global portfolio, including overall growth in the company's global corn business and continued strength in the Agricultural Productivity segment.

Net sales for the quarter were $4.2 billion. As expected, the third quarter results reflect the decreased year-over-year contribution from the Brazil soybean business, a decrease in overall planted cotton acres and continued effect of higher production costs from the 2012 drought.

Operating expenses were up $11 million in the third quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. In the three-month comparison, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased slightly to $632 million.  Quarterly research and development (R&D) expenses were up 5 percent to $392 million compared to the prior year period.

The company's third quarter earnings per share (EPS) was $1.66 on an ongoing and $1.68 on an as-reported basis. EPS for the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 was $5.01 on an ongoing basis and $5.05 on an as-reported basis. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see note 1.)

Cash Flow

The company's strong cash position continued in the third quarter. For the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, cash flow from operations was a source of $786 million compared with a source of $853 million in the first nine months last year. Net cash required by investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 was $387 million, compared to $542 million for the same period of fiscal year 2012. Net cash required by financing activities for the first nine months of 2013 was $739 million, compared to net cash required of $1 billion for the same period of fiscal year 2012. Free cash flow was a source of $399 million for the first nine months, compared to a source of $311 million for the same period last year. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.)

Earlier this month, the company announced that its board of directors had authorized a new share repurchase program, effective July 1, 2013, for up to $2 billion of the company's common stock over a three-year period.

Outlook

The company reaffirmed 2013 earnings per share guidance in the range of $4.50 to $4.55 on an ongoing basis, with mid-teens ongoing earnings growth anticipated for fiscal year 2014. The company expects 2013 earnings per share on an as-reported basis to be in the range of $4.54 to $4.59. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see note 1.) The company also confirmed its full-year free cash flow guidance for fiscal year 2013 of $1.8 billion to $2 billion. The company expects net cash provided by operating activities to be $2.8 billion to $3.1 billion, and net cash required by investing activities to be $1 billion to $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2013. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.)

Seeds and Genomics Segment Detail

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

Sales in the Seeds and Genomics segment for the third quarter were approximately $3.1 billion. For the first nine months, sales for the segment are up $569 million over the same period last year. 

Monsanto's global corn business continues to lead the segment performance this fiscal year. The company anticipates achieving record total corn volumes for the third consecutive year with the trend continuing into fiscal year 2014. Performance to date within corn has been driven by upgrade improvement across its corn portfolio in key seed geographies, including strong growth and contribution from its international businesses.

In Latin America, corn trait adoption and product upgrades continue to accelerate, with VT PRO^™ 2 reaching nearly one-third of the company's branded portfolio in Brazil in its second year of commercial sales and Genuity^® VT Triple PRO^® comprising about 40 percent of the company's Argentine corn portfolio this season. In the United States, the company confirmed it is on track to come in at or above the high end of its 36 million to 38 million acre target range for its Genuity^® reduced refuge family. 

Within soybeans, Monsanto noted it is positioned well to be at or above the high end of its 39 million to 41 million acre target range for its Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield^® platform in the United States. The company also confirmed that final results from its second year of Intacta RR2 PRO^™ Ground Breakers^® on-farm field trials at more than 1,000 locations in Brazil demonstrated a greater than four bushel per acre yield advantage against first-generation Roundup Ready^® soybeans. With the final key regulatory approval secured, Monsanto's commercial preparation for the full-scale launch of Intacta RR2 PRO^™ soybeans in Brazil for the upcoming season is underway. Intacta RR2 PRO^™ soybeans are expected to become one of the cornerstone products in Monsanto's next-generation soybean platform, representing one of the most significant growth drivers in its global portfolio. The company said it is targeting around three million acres for the launch of Intacta RR2 PRO^™ soybeans this upcoming growing season in Brazil.

Agricultural Productivity Segment Detail

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

Year-to-date performance of the Seeds and Traits segment is complemented by the continued strength of the company's Agricultural Productivity segment due to the positive market environment and focused business strategy. Sales in the third quarter for the segment increased $103 million over the same period last year.

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 and may 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 website at www.monsanto.com/investors or http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/ptnchaj4/lan/en. 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 website for three weeks. Monsanto publishes details on upcoming webcasts on this website in both the Presentation and Financial Reports section and the Calendar of Events section. Investors should look to this site as the source of information on future investor conference webcasts. The site includes a calendar of upcoming investor events, details on accessing scheduled webcasts and information from previous investor events.

About Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company 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: www.monsanto.com.  Follow our business on Twitter^® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

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 and the previously-announced SEC investigation; 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 Form 10-K Report to the SEC. 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: Monsanto and the Vine Design, Genuity, Roundup Ready, Roundup Ready 2 Yield, Intacta RR2 PRO,  VT PRO 2,  VT Triple PRO and Ground Breakers are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

(A) Includes the income tax provision from continuing operations, the income tax benefit (provision) on noncontrolling interest, and the income tax 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.

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 2013 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.

SOURCE Monsanto Company