Monsanto Company

Monsanto Company (MON - Snapshot Report) is an agricultural company that produces seed brands in large-acre crops like corn, cotton, and oilseeds (soybeans and canola), in addition to small-acre crops like vegetables. The company also creates technologies to aid farmers at protecting their yield and reducing costs.

On June 4, the company announced a three-point commitment to help increase global food production. The three-point plan includes developing better seeds, conserving resources and helping improve farmers' lives.

The company intends to double the yield in corn, soybeans and cotton by 2030 compared to production yields in the year 2000. It also expects to consume one-third less water in doing so.

Brokerage analysts were bullish on the news. Two out of twelve covering analysts raised estimates for both the third quarter and the year in the last week. Third quarter estimates rose one cent to $1.34 from $1.33 per share. For the year, estimates are up three cents to $3.38 form $3.35 per share.

Analysts estimate year-over-year earnings growth at 69% in 2008. For 2009, estimates call for year-over-year earnings growth of 23.45%. The company reports third-quarter earnings on June 25. Read our May 23, 2008 analysis.

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