Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) increased its expected earnings per share guidance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and reaffirmed its full-year guidance, confirming its mid-teens earnings growth outlook for the year.  The company now expects first-quarter ongoing and as-reported earnings per share in the range of $0.15 to $0.20, an increase from the previous guidance of the high end of the $0.10 to $0.15 range.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) generated fiscal fourth quarter and full-year results above guidance, executives said, noting the company is well-positioned to realize its mid-teens earnings growth opportunity off its higher base next year.  Executives said the company gained improvement in its core U.S. business on the strength of new corn and soybean products and captured global growth opportunities, most notably in Latin America, that have reignited momentum for future growth.  

Looking at the scorecard of milestones to achieve this year, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) executives today said the strength of its seeds and traits business in the United States and Latin America combined with the well-received implementation of its agricultural productivity strategy drove a successful fiscal third quarter for the company.  The key third quarter – one of the company's most significant historically – is a highlight in a year that has created real momentum with the establishment of key products in the United States, accelerated adoption in Latin America and the growth of other key markets.  The company is well-positioned to conclude fiscal 2011 at a high-teens ongoing earnings growth target and translate that growth into greater free cash flow.

With half its fiscal year complete, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) said a solid sales season for its U.S. seeds and traits business and disciplined approach to spending have positioned the company to realize its mid-teens earnings growth opportunity this year and set a strong foundation for coming seasons.  In reporting its earnings results for the quarter ending Feb. 28, 2011, the company highlighted performance tracking with projections in both the seeds and genomics and agricultural productivity segments that affirms its full-year ongoing earnings per share guidance.  The company also increased its free cash flow guidance for the full-year, driven by better than expected working-capital management and a strong economic climate in agriculture.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 28 cents per share.  The dividend relates to the company's second quarter of its 2011 fiscal year and is payable on April 29, 2011, to shareowners of record on April 8, 2011.*

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) reported earnings per share growth and significant free cash generation for the first quarter of 2011, which ended Nov. 30, 2010, and announced nine phase advances as part of its annual research and development pipeline update.  The company also reaffirmed its mid-teens earnings growth and free cash flow guidance for fiscal year 2011.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of 28 cents per share. The dividend relates to the company's first quarter of its 2011 fiscal year. The dividend is payable on Jan. 28, 2011 to shareowners of record on Jan. 7, 2011.*

Comment from Monsanto Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Grant:

"Our job is to help farmers be more profitable and more productive.  When we do that, future business opportunity follows.  What we do best is discover, develop and deliver products that matter to farmers.    We're backing new innovation with actions ranging from expanding launches of product offerings to our revamped pricing approach. On the heels of fiscal year 2010 and with this year's harvest ongoing, there's no doubt that we're looking forward to seeing the result of expanding product choices and the changes that we've made take hold in a new fiscal year.  We believe in the opportunity of fiscal year 2011 as the launch point for mid-teens earnings growth."