Strength Across Monsanto Company Business Portfolio Drives First Quarter Results And Momentum As Company Increases Full Year Guidance

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) delivered strong results for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2013, reflecting contributions from the continued expansion of its Latin American corn business, early momentum in its U.S. seeds and traits business and performance of its agricultural productivity segment. Executives said the cumulative strength of the company's broad business portfolio translated to an increase in full-year earnings per share and free cash flow guidance, even at this early point in the company's fiscal year. Monsanto also highlighted 18 phase advancements across its integrated yield pipeline, a record for its annual research and development update.

"We've achieved a successful start to the year, with contributions from multiple areas that speaks to the strength of our global business and provides confidence in our ability to realize a third consecutive year of significant growth," said Hugh Grant, chairman and chief executive officer for Monsanto.  "The momentum in our business is also seen in our record research and development progress.  Through continued innovation in our integrated yield pipeline, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that will bring additional value to our customers."

Results of Operations

The company achieved strong first quarter results that reflect the strength and growth of its business. Net sales for the quarter increased 21 percent over the prior year's first quarter to $2.9 billion, with significant contribution from the corn seed and traits business, led by the corn opportunity acceleration in Latin America and strong shipments in the United States reflective of a positive order book. Gross profit for the 2013 first quarter increased 27 percent over the prior year period to $1.4 billion.  

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs were $542 million in the first quarter. Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased year-over-year to $346 million for the quarter.

The company's first quarter earnings per share (EPS) was $0.62 on an ongoing and $0.63 on an as-reported basis. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see note 1.)

Cash Flow

The higher first quarter business results are also reflected in the company's free cash flow, which was a source of $1.5 billion compared with a source of $856 million for the prior year first quarter. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.) The raise reflects an increase in customer prepayments in advance of the U.S. season combined with the translation of increased earnings into cash.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the 2013 fiscal year first quarter was a source of $1.6 billion, compared to a source of $1.1 billion in the first quarter last year. Net cash required by investing activities for the first quarter of 2013 was $96 million, compared with $254 million for the same period of fiscal year 2012.  Net cash required by financing activities for the first quarter of 2013 was $116 million, compared with $340 million for the prior year's first quarter.

Outlook

The company raised its full year ongoing EPS guidance to $4.30 to $4.40 per share, positioning the company for a third straight year of strong ongoing earnings growth. Full-year 2013 EPS guidance on an as-reported basis is expected in the range of $4.31 to $4.41 per share. (For a reconciliation of EPS, see note 1.)

The company also raised full year free cash flow guidance to $1.8 billion to $2 billion. The company expects net cash provided by operating activities to be $2.9 billion to $3.3 billion, and net cash required by investing activities to be $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2013. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.)

The updated EPS and free cash flow guidance does not include an estimated historical range of $0.20 to $0.25 of EPS contribution related to the Roundup Ready soybean business in Brazil given uncertainty in timing of resolution of ongoing business and legal developments.

Seeds and Genomics Segment Detail

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

Sales for Monsanto's Seeds and Genomics segment increased 14 percent in the first quarter to $1.8 billion, with corn seed and traits performance driving the first quarter strength.

Corn seed and traits net sales increased 27 percent over last year's first quarter to $1.1 billion, driven in part by the business strength in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The trait upgrade and expansion is on track in both Brazil and Argentina where the company is achieving strong demand for its corn products. In Brazil, farmers continue to upgrade from single trait corn products to the first double stack, VT PRO^™ 2. In its second year of commercial sales, VT PRO^™ 2 is the second-highest volume trait in the company's Brazil corn portfolio this year. Likewise, in Argentina, the company has also seen strong adoption of its Genuity^® VT Triple PRO^® product. The triple-stack corn product is on track to be 40 percent of the company's Argentine corn portfolio in just its second year on the market.

Complementing the corn performance in Latin America is the early momentum in the U.S. seeds and traits business. Backed by strong cash flow and customer prepayments, the company noted a positive U.S. order book, with the order pace ahead of the same point in time last year. With two years of strong performance, company executives said the U.S. business is in position to grow again in 2013. This includes another increase in acres for both its Genuity^® Roundup Ready 2 Yield^® platform in soybeans and the Genuity^® reduced refuge family in corn.

Agricultural Productivity Segment Detail

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

Net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 for Monsanto's Agricultural Productivity segment increased $279 million, reflecting the benefit of a favorable marketplace environment lifting the business in the near-term. The company indicated it remains focused on its established strategy for Roundup^® following the reset of that business in 2010.

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, future expectations and an update of projects within the company's R&D pipeline. The call also 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 web site at www.monsanto.com/investors or by visiting http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/5866v2f7/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 Web site for three weeks.

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, VT Triple PRO, VT PRO 2, Genuity, Roundup and Roundup Ready 2 Yield are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

SOURCE Monsanto Company