Monsanto Delivers Record Second-Quarter Results on Strong Growth of U.S. and International Corn Businesses, Growing Demand for Roundup

Monsanto Delivers Record Second-Quarter Results on Strong Growth of U.S. and International Corn Businesses, Growing Demand for Roundup

    ST. LOUIS, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    ($ in millions)                 Second       Second Six Months Six Months
                              Quarter 2008 Quarter 2007       2008      2007
    Net Sales by Segment
      Corn seed and traits          $1,747      $1,192     $2,214    $1,552
      Soybean seed and traits          455         373        617       543
      Cotton seed and traits            40          23         82        48
      Vegetable and fruit seed         206         174        336       274
      All other crops seeds and
       traits                           97          68        132        93
    TOTAL Seeds and Genomics        $2,545      $1,830     $3,381    $2,510

      Roundup and other glyphosate-based
       herbicides                     $982        $530     $1,990    $1,179
      All other agricultural productivity
       products                        252         249        507       459
    TOTAL Agricultural Productivity $1,234        $779     $2,497    $1,638

    TOTAL Net Sales                 $3,779      $2,609     $5,878    $4,148

    Gross Profit                    $2,229      $1,448     $3,284    $2,130

    Operating Expenses                $755        $616     $1,417    $1,176

    Interest (Income) Expense - Net   $(7)          $3       $(3)        $6
    Other (Income) Expense - Net   $ (203)          $6     $(184)       $20

    Net Income                      $1,129       $ 543     $1,385      $633

    Diluted (Loss) Earnings
     per Share                       $2.02       $0.98      $2.48     $1.14
    Items Affecting Comparability -
     EPS Impact
       Loss on Discontinued
        Operations                      --       $0.01         --     $0.02
       Solutia Claim Settlement     $(0.23)                $(0.23)
    Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Share
     from Ongoing Business
     (For the definition of ongoing
     EPS, see note 1.)               $1.79       $0.99      $2.25     $1.16

    Effective Tax Rate
    (Continuing Operations)             33%         34%        32%       31%



    Comparison as a Percent of     Second       Second Six Months Six Months
     Net Sales:              Quarter 2008 Quarter 2007       2008      2007

    Gross profit                      59%          56%        56%       51%
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses (SG&A)   14%          16%        17%       20%
    Research and development
     expenses (excluding acquired
     in-process R&D)                   6%           7%         7%        9%
    Income before income taxes and
     minority interest                45%          32%        35%       22%
    Net Income                        30%          21%        24%       15%


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

"The performance of our seeds and traits business has us on track for another exceptional year and well positioned to support our five-year strategic growth plan. Between now and 2012, we are the only agriculture company that can point to consistent growth irrespective of commodity price swings, fluctuations in planted acres or the popularity of ethanol. Over the next five years we're poised to set the bar higher as we deliver a game changing platform every other year, real products that create real value for the farmer and for our shareowners."

Operations Update

Monsanto reported record net sales of $3.8 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, which were 45 percent higher than sales in the same period in fiscal year 2007. Key drivers for the quarter were increased revenues from the company's U.S. corn seed and traits business as well as increased revenues from its Brazilian corn seed business. Results in the quarter also reflected increased revenues from the company's Roundup agricultural herbicides globally.

Monsanto saw record sales of $5.9 billion in the first six months of the company's fiscal year 2008. The year-to-date sales were 42 percent higher than sales compared with the same period in fiscal year 2007. Key contributors to the company's growth included increased sales of Roundup and other glyphosate- based herbicides globally as well as higher worldwide corn seed and traits revenues.

Monsanto reported net income of $1.1 billion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, compared with reported net income of $543 million in the same period last year. For the first six months of fiscal year 2008, Monsanto reported net income of $1.4 billion, which was significantly higher than net income of $633 million the company realized in the first six months of fiscal year 2007.

Earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter was $2.02 on an as- reported basis, and was $1.79 on an ongoing basis. Earnings per share (EPS) for the first six months of fiscal year 2008 were $2.48 on an as-reported basis, and $2.25 on an ongoing basis. Both periods were affected favorably by $0.23 per share from the settlement of Monsanto's claims in conjunction with Solutia's emergence from bankruptcy. In recognition of its claims and contributions, Monsanto received $163 million in cash and approximately 2.5 million shares of new Solutia common stock during the second quarter. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see page 1).

Cash Flow

For second quarter fiscal year 2008, net cash provided by operating activities was $1.9 billion, compared with $520 million in the same period of fiscal year 2007. Net cash required by investing activities was $404 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, compared with $230 million for the same quarter of fiscal year 2007. As a result, free cash flow was $1.5 billion for the second quarter fiscal year 2008, compared with $290 million for the same quarter in fiscal year 2007. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.) Improved earnings, higher accruals for marketing programs because of higher sales, and higher customer prepayments contributed to the increase in free cash flow in the first half of 2008. Cash received for the settlement of the Solutia-related claim also contributed to the increase in the period. Net cash required by financing activities was $142 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, compared with $200 million for the same period in fiscal year 2007.

Outlook

The second and third quarters of fiscal year 2008 are expected to be the primary drivers for the company's fiscal year 2008 EPS results. These quarters reflect both the relative size of the company's U.S. business and the importance of its seeds and traits business to Monsanto's earnings. The company historically records a loss in the fourth quarter.

Monsanto's full-year 2008 EPS is expected to be in the range of $3.38 to $3.48 on a reported basis and in the range of $3.15 and $3.25 on an ongoing basis. (For a reconciliation of ongoing EPS, see page 1).

The company now expects that its free cash flow for fiscal year 2008 will be $1.3 billion. The company expects net cash provided by operating activities to be in the range of $2.45 billion, and net cash required by investing activities to be approximately $1.15 billion for fiscal year 2008. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow, see note 1.) This revised free cash flow guidance reflects planned capital expenditures to de-bottleneck Monsanto's glyphosate production facility in Luling, Louisiana, which were announced separately today.

Monsanto's full-year 2008 EPS and free cash flow guidance does not reflect the effect of the recently-announced agreement to acquire De Ruiter Seeds.

Performance Against Key Growth Drivers Between 2007 and 2012

Between 2007 and the end of 2012, Monsanto's business is poised to effectively double the gross profit potential of its business. This growth will be led by the company's performance against six key areas within its global seeds and traits business (see below). These drivers were recently outlined at a November 2007 investor event. The chart below outlines Monsanto's progress against its six growth drivers. It will be published as part of the company's second- and fourth-quarter earnings announcements of its 2008 fiscal year.

    Growth Drivers and 2012 Commitments
    U.S. Corn Business
    --  Grow U.S. seed footprint by 1 to 2 share points annually in DEKALB
        brand
    --  Expand triple trait penetration to 45 to 55 million acres by 2010 and
        bridge to SmartStax launch

    International Corn Business
    --  Grow international seed footprint by 1 to 2 share points annually
    --  Stem losses in Brazil and hold share in 2008; grow business in 2009
        and beyond
    --  Set the table for biotech trait ramp up outside the United States

    International Soybean Business
    --  Release Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans on 1 to 2 million acres in 2009
    --  Grow penetration of Roundup Ready soybeans in Brazil to create
        footprint for Roundup Ready 2 Yield by insect-protected soybeans

    International Cotton Business
    --  Apply breeding technology to diverse Delta and Pine Land germplasm
    --  Convert cotton portfolio to second-generation traits in the United
        States and India

    Vegetable Seeds Business
    --  Improve working capital and margins through operational excellence,
        pricing to value and shift to richer mix
    --  Launch new products with increased value and accelerate launches via
        use of molecular markers

    Research and Development (R&D) Pipeline
    --  Continue to drive breeding gains across crop platforms
    --  Deliver value in established trait pipeline and unlock opportunity in
        yield and stress BASF collaboration

    Fiscal Year 2008 Performance  Against Milestones
    U.S. Corn Business
    --  2 to 3 percentage point gain in DEKALB
    --  1 to 2 percentage point gain in American Seeds Inc.
    --  Expect 26 to 28 million acres of triple-trait technology in fiscal
        year 2008

    International Corn Business
    --  Expect 5 percentage point gain in Argentina
    --  Plan to hold share at 40 percent in Brazil
    --  Monsanto's first double-stack corn trait approval in Argentina
    --  YieldGard Corn Borer approval in Brazil, including hybrid approvals

    International Soybean Business
    --  Regulatory approvals received for Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybean
        product in Japan, Philippines and Taiwan
    --  Penetration of Roundup Ready soybeans is expected to be 55 percent of
        the planted acres in Brazil in fiscal year 2008, or up from 50 percent
        in fiscal year 2007

    International Cotton Business
    --  U.S. production plans implemented to accelerate conversion of
        second-generation traits in 2009
    --  India planting season not yet under way, plans in place to support
        conversion of Bollgard II in India

    Vegetable Seeds Business
    --  Gross profit as a percent of sales expected to be in mid-fifties for
        the full year
    --  Single-digit price increases through first half
    --  On track for completion of 2,500 markers for tomatoes and peppers and
        1,500 markers for an 11 additional crops by the 2009 target; a fifty
        percent increase in the number of markers for the latter group

    Research and Development (R&D) Pipeline
    --  Averaged an 8.4 bu/acre yield advantage of DEKALB in U.S. corn in
        2007
    --  Averaged a 14 bu/acre yield advantage of DEKALB triple U.S. corn
        market in 2007
    --  Five biotech projects advanced phases, including both first- and
        second-generation drought-tolerant corn projects



                      Seeds and Genomics Segment Detail

    ($ in millions)                               Net Sales
    Seeds and Genomics           Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                           Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    Corn seed and traits         $1,747        $1,192      $2,214      $1,552
    Soybean seed and traits         455           373         617         543
    Cotton seed and traits           40            23          82          48
    Vegetable and fruit seed        206           174         336         274
    All other crops seeds and traits 97            68         132          93
    TOTAL Seeds and Genomics     $2,545        $1,830      $3,381      $2,510


     ($ in millions)                           Gross Profit
    Seeds and Genomics           Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                           Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    Corn seed and traits         $1,173          $790      $1,458      $1,013
    Soybean seed and traits         269           256         380         378
    Cotton seed and traits           33            28          57          43
    Vegetable and fruit seed        113            87         177         138
    All other crops seeds and traits 46            32          57          37
    TOTAL Seeds and Genomics     $1,634        $1,193      $2,129      $1,609


    ($ in millions)                Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)
    Seeds and Genomics           Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                           Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    EBIT (For a reconciliation
     of EBIT, see note 1.)       $1,077          $744      $1,057        $745
    Unusual Items Affecting EBIT
      Loss on Discontinued
       Operations                  None           $(5)       None        $(13)


Seeds and Genomics segment consists of the company's global seeds and related traits business, and genetic technology platforms.

Sales for Monsanto's Seeds and Genomics segment were $2.5 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, or 39 percent higher than sales in the same period last year.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the company realized increased revenue from its branded corn seed and traits business in the United States, Brazil and Europe based on strong customer demand. Results in the quarter also reflected increased revenue from its U.S. soybean seed and traits business as well as increased sales of the company's Seminis vegetable seed business.

This year, the company's national and regional corn seed brands are poised to gain market share in the United States. Monsanto currently estimates that its DEKALB corn seed brand could grow by 2 to 3 percentage points, a substantial gain for a seventh consecutive season. Monsanto also estimates that its American Seeds Inc. corn seed brands could grow by 1 to 2 percentage points.

Growth in the quarter was also driven by strong adoption of its higher- margin triple-trait corn technology in its national and regional corn seed brands. Monsanto technology trait acres were up across the board, with triple- trait corn technology expected to be grown on an estimated 26-to-28 million acres in the United States, or an increase of more than 39 percent compared with the prior year. Monsanto now estimates that its portfolio mix of the higher-margin triple-trait technology in its DEKALB brand will be at the upper end of its previously announced range of 55 to 60 percent, and that the mix in its American Seeds Inc brands will be approximately 55 percent.

Sales for the segment were also higher for the first six months of the 2008 fiscal year compared with sales in the same period last year. First-half segment sales were $3.4 billion, or 35 percent higher than first-half segment sales in fiscal year 2007. The key drivers for growth in the second quarter were also the primary contributors to growth in the first-half of the fiscal year.



                   Agricultural Productivity Segment Detail

    ($ in millions)                               Net Sales
    Agricultural Productivity     Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                            Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    Roundup and other
     glyphosate-based
     herbicides                     $982          $530      $1,990      $1,179
    All other agricultural productivity
     products                        252           249         507         459
    TOTAL Agricultural
     Productivity                 $1,234          $779      $2,497      $1,638


    ($ in millions)                            Gross Profit
    Agricultural Productivity     Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                            Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    Roundup and other
     glyphosate-based
     herbicides                     $478          $155        $965        $349
    All other agricultural
     productivity products           117           100         190         172
    TOTAL Agricultural
     Productivity                   $595          $255      $1,155        $521



    ($ in millions)               Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)
    Agricultural Productivity     Second        Second  Six Months  Six Months
                            Quarter 2008  Quarter 2007        2008        2007
    EBIT (For a reconciliation of
    EBIT, see note 1.)              $601           $78        $986        $181
    Unusual Items Affecting EBIT
    Solutia Claim Settlement        $210          None        $210        None


The Agricultural Productivity segment consists primarily of crop protection products, residential lawn-and-garden herbicide products, and the company's animal agriculture business.

Sales for Monsanto's Agricultural Productivity segment were $1.2 billion for the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, or 58 percent higher compared with sales in the same period last year. Higher sales of Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides globally contributed to the results in the quarter.

Sales for the segment were higher for the first six months of the 2008 fiscal year compared with sales in the same period last year. First-half segment sales were $2.5 billion or 52 percent higher than first-half segment sales in fiscal year 2007. Improved sales of Roundup and other glyphosate- based herbicides globally were a key driver for growth in the first half of the fiscal year. Improved pricing, volume and mix of branded Roundup herbicides also contributed to the increase in both periods.

Gross profit for the segment in the first six months was $1.2 billion or more than double the gross profit realized in the same period last year. The increase in the period related primarily to higher pricing of branded Roundup herbicides as well as higher volumes.

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. The call may also 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 http://www.monsanto.com and clicking on "Investor Information." Visitors may need to download Windows Media Player(TM) 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. For more information on Monsanto, see http://www.monsanto.com.

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 reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. 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: Bollgard, DEKALB, Roundup Ready 2 Yield, Seminis, YieldGard and Roundup are trademarks of Monsanto Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

References to Roundup herbicides in this release mean Roundup branded herbicides, excluding lawn-and-garden herbicide products.


                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
               (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                  Unaudited

    Statements of Consolidated
    Operations            Three Months  Three Months  Six Months  Six Months
                                 Ended         Ended       Ended       Ended
                               Feb. 29,      Feb. 28,    Feb. 29,    Feb. 28,
                                  2008          2007        2008        2007
    Net Sales                   $3,779        $2,609     $ 5,878     $ 4,148
    Cost of Goods Sold           1,550         1,161       2,594       2,018
    Gross Profit                 2,229         1,448       3,284       2,130
    Operating Expenses:
      Selling, General and
      Administrative Expenses      534           430         995         812
      Research and Development
      Expenses                     221           186         421         364
      Acquired In-Process
    Research and Development         -             -           1           -
    Total Operating Expenses       755           616       1,417       1,176
    Income From Operations       1,474           832       1,867         954
    Interest Expense                32            34          68          67
    Interest Income                (39)          (31)        (71)        (61)
    Solutia-Related (Income)
    Expenses                      (204)            9        (187)         19
    Other Expense (Income)
     - Net                           1            (3)          3           1
    Income Before Income Taxes
    and Minority Interest        1,684           823       2,054         928
    Income Tax Provision           555           277         662         290
    Minority Interest (Income)
    Expense                          -             -           7          (3)
    Income From Continuing
    Operations                  $1,129          $546     $ 1,385        $641
    Discontinued Operations:
    Loss from Operations of
    Discontinued Businesses          -            (5)          -        (13)
    Income Tax Benefit               -            (2)          -         (5)
    Loss on Discontinued
    Operations                       -            (3)          -         (8)
    Net Income                  $1,129          $543      $1,385        $633
    EBIT (see note 1)           $1,678          $822      $2,043        $926


    Basic Earnings (Loss)
    per Share
    Income from Continuing
    Operations                   $2.06         $1.00       $2.53       $1.18
    Loss on Discontinued
    Operations                       -             -           -     $ (0.02)
    Net Income                   $2.06         $1.00       $2.53       $1.16

    Diluted Earnings (Loss)
    per Share
    Income from Continuing
    Operations                   $2.02         $0.99       $2.48       $1.16
    Loss on Discontinued
    Operations                       -       $(0.01)           -    $ (0.02)
    Net Income                   $2.02         $0.98       $2.48       $1.14

    Weighted Average Shares
    Outstanding:
      Basic                      547.8         543.6       547.0       543.4
      Diluted                    559.2         554.3       558.5       554.0



                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
                            (Dollars in millions)
                                  Unaudited

    Condensed Statements of Consolidated              As of            As of
    Financial Position                        Feb. 29, 2008    Aug. 31, 2007
    Assets

    Current Assets:
      Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $2,285             $866
      Trade Receivables - Net of Allowances
       of $235 and $217, Respectively                 2,238            1,499
      Miscellaneous Receivables                         466              407
      Deferred Tax Assets                               328              449
      Inventories                                     2,248            1,719
      Other Current Assets                              111              144
    Total Current Assets                              7,676            5,084

    Property, Plant and Equipment - Net of
     Accumulated Depreciation of $3,518 and $3,260,
     Respectively                                     2,813            2,656
    Goodwill                                          2,773            2,625
    Other Intangible Assets - Net                     1,377            1,415
    Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets                      802              730
    Long-Term Receivables - Net of Allowances of
     $166 and $131, Respectively                        587               79
    Other Assets                                        565              394
    Total Assets                                    $16,593          $12,983

    Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity

    Current Liabilities:
      Short-Term Debt, Including Current Portion
      of Long-Term Debt                                $260             $270
      Accounts Payable                                  709              649
      Income Taxes Payable                              234              150
      Accrued Compensation and Benefits                 265              349
      Accrued Marketing Programs                        646              517
      Deferred Revenues                                 924              260
      Grower Production Accruals                        143               86
      Dividends Payable                                  96               96
      Miscellaneous Short-Term Accruals                 810              698
    Total Current Liabilities                         4,087            3,075

    Long-Term Debt                                    1,155            1,150
    Postretirement Liabilities                          497              542
    Long-Term Portion of Solutia-Related Reserve        136              119
    Long-Term Deferred Revenue                          550                -
    Other Liabilities                                   869              594
    Shareowners' Equity                               9,299            7,503
    Total Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity       $16,593          $12,983

    Debt to Capital Ratio:                              13%              16%



                               Monsanto Company
                        Selected Financial Information
                            (Dollars in millions)
                                  Unaudited

    Statements of Consolidated            Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    Cash Flows                               Feb. 29, 2008      Feb. 28, 2007
    Operating Activities:
    Net Income                                      $1,385               $633
    Adjustments to Reconcile Cash Provided
     by Operations:
    Items That Did Not Require
     (Provide) Cash:
      Depreciation and Amortization
       Expense                                         281                257
      Bad-Debt Expense                                  38                 23
      Receipt of Securities from Solutia
       Settlement                                      (38)                 -
      Stock-Based Compensation Expense                  41                 35
      Excess Tax Benefits from Stock-Based
       Compensation                                   (118)               (34)
      Deferred Income Taxes                            156                  7
      Equity Affiliate Expense - Net                     3                 21
      Acquired In-Process Research and
      Development                                        1                  -
      Other Items                                      (52)                 5

    Changes in Assets and Liabilities
     That Provided (Required) Cash, Net of Acquisitions:
      Trade Receivables                               (505)              (585)
      Inventories                                     (439)              (170)
      Deferred Revenues                                603                291
      Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities   673                110
      PCB Litigation Settlement Receivable              16                 16
      Solutia-Related Liabilities                      (11)               (17)
      Net Investment Hedge Settlement                  (64)                (4)
      Other Items                                      (93)               (68)
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities        1,877                520

    Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Investing
     Activities:
       Maturities of Short-Term Investments             59                 22
       Capital Expenditures                           (314)              (182)
       Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of
        Cash Acquired                                 (103)               (62)
       Purchases of Long-Term Equity Securities        (78)                 -
       Technology and Other Investments                (16)               (24)
       Other Investments and Property Disposal Proceeds 48                 16
    Net Cash Required by Investing Activities         (404)              (230)

    Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Financing
     Activities:
       Net Change in Financing With Less Than
       90-Day Maturities                               (19)                (5)
       Short-Term Debt Reductions                       (9)                (8)
       Long-Term Debt Proceeds                           -                  4
       Long-Term Debt Reductions                         -                (71)
       Payments on Other Financing                      (1)                (3)
       Treasury Stock Purchases                       (121)               (71)

       Stock Option Exercises                           82                 42
       Excess Tax Benefits From Stock-Based
        Compensation                                   118                 34
       Dividend Payments                              (192)              (122)
    Net Cash Required by Financing Activities         (142)              (200)
    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and
    Cash Equivalents                                    88                 15
    Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents        1,419                105
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period   866              1,460
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period      $2,285           $  1,565



                                       Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                       Feb. 29,  Feb. 28, Feb. 29. Feb. 28,
                                           2008      2007     2008     2007
    EBIT - Seeds and Genomics Segment    $1,077      $744  $ 1,057     $745
    EBIT - Agricultural Productivity
     Segment                                601        78      986      181
    EBIT- Total                           1,678       822    2,043      926
    Interest (Income) Expense - Net          (7)        3       (3)       6
    Income Tax Provision(A)                 556       276      661      287
    Net Income                           $1,129      $543   $1,385     $633

    (A)  Includes the income tax provision on minority interest income.

Reconciliation of EPS to Ongoing EPS: Ongoing EPS is calculated excluding certain after-tax items which Monsanto does not consider part of ongoing operations. The reconciliation of EPS to Ongoing EPS for the second quarter and six months ended Feb. 29, 2008, and Feb. 28, 2007, is included on page 1 of this release.

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 2008 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.

                                               Fiscal Year  Six Months Ended
                                                  2008     Feb. 29,  Feb. 28,
                                                Guidance     2008      2007
    Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities    $2,450    $1,877      $520
    Net Cash Required by Investing Activities    (1,150)     (404)     (230)
    Free Cash Flow                               $1,300     1,473       290
    Net Cash Required by Financing Activities       N/A      (142)     (200)
    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and
     Cash Equivalents                               N/A        88        15
    Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents       N/A     1,419       105
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of
     Period                                         N/A       866     1,460
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period      N/A    $2,285    $1,565

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