Monsanto Expects to Double Gross Profit Over Next Five Years

Monsantos management team also will note that, by the end of 2012, the free cash flow generation of its business, exclusive of potential acquisitions, will be in the range of $2 billion to $2.2 billion. This growth is expected to provide its business with greater flexibility for additional acquisitions, technology investments, dividends and share repurchases.

Monsanto executives will provide an overview of its five-year growth plan as part of the companys biennial U.S. Investor Day meeting held in St. Louis. The event will include presentations by Hugh Grant, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Robb Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer; Brett Begemann, executive vice president; Carl Casale, executive vice president; and Terry Crews, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

"Backed by the growing demand for our seed and trait products, our business is poised for significant organic growth between now and the end of 2012," said Grant. "We believe we can effectively double the gross profit potential of our business just with the businesses we have in hand today while continuing to return value to our shareowners."

"While weve historically talked a lot about the products were delivering, were now focused on the platforms that our business is poised to deliver between now and the end of 2012," said Grant. "We believe these platforms, like SmartStax in corn and Roundup RReady2Yield in soybeans, have the potential to effectively change the competitive dynamics within the agriculture industry and pave the way for farmers to get more benefit out of every seed."