Monsanto Company Announces $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program, Declares Dividend

ST. LOUIS, June 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reaffirming its continuing effort to deliver value to shareowners, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a new three-year share repurchase program and declared a quarterly dividend.

Monsanto's board authorized a new three-year share repurchase program, effective July 1, 2010, for up to $1 billion of the company's common stock.

The Board of Directors also declared a quarterly dividend of 26.5 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend relates to the company's third quarter of its 2010 fiscal year and is payable on July 30, 2010 to shareowners of record on July 9, 2010.

Monsanto executives have said the company is positioned for earnings growth in the mid-teen percentages beyond the current fiscal year.  The company also has said it is working on a revitalized product strategy to bring more choices to farmer customers, offering them the premium opportunity the company's products create.

Monsanto recently announced it expected to complete its existing $800 million share repurchase program by the end of its fiscal year, more than a full year ahead of plan.  That program began in December 2008, following the completion of a previous $800 million share repurchase program.

Monsanto will release its third-quarter earnings on June 30.

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; 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.

SOURCE Monsanto Company

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