Reading Time: 3 minutes Chicago | Reuters — Monsanto is in talks with Bayer and other companies regarding “alternative strategic options,” a month after it rejected the German company’s US$62 billion takeover offer, the U.S. seed producer said on Wednesday. Monsanto’s options include combinations with other companies and businesses in the sector beyond Bayer. Potential deals could involve BASF […] Read more
Monsanto in talks with Bayer, others about ‘strategic options’
BASF says not backed into corner by Bayer’s Monsanto swoop
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ludwigshafen, Germany | Reuters — BASF, which has so far kept out of a consolidation push among global seeds and pesticides groups, said its business model was not affected by rival Bayer’s plans to buy Monsanto. “We are not backed into a corner by what is happening in the market,” the group’s deputy chief executive […] Read more
Rush for ag chem megadeals clogs regulatory path, worries farmers
Reading Time: 3 minutes Reuters — As Bayer joins the agricultural sector’s scramble to consolidate, its bid for Monsanto may be a tipping point for U.S. farmers, federal lawmakers and regulators concerned the tie-ups may harm the farm economy. If Monsanto accepts Bayer’s unsolicited offer, experts say, the deal would inevitably trigger a review by federal antitrust regulators. But […] Read more
DuPont expects U.S. review of Dow deal to end by June 30
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — DuPont said Tuesday it expected the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s review of its proposed merger with Dow Chemical to be completed by the end of June. The two chemical companies agreed to combine in an all-stock merger in December, valued at US$130 billion at the time, in a first step towards breaking […] Read more
Bayer sizing up deals to strengthen seeds operation
Reading Time: 2 minutes Leverkusen, Germany | Reuters — Bayer’s Crop Science business is casting its eye over potential targets to enhance its seeds operation, the division’s head said on Thursday, as competitive threats increase with big mergers among its rivals. The Bayer CropScience operation comprises the world’s second-largest pesticides supplier but remains a much smaller player in seeds, […] Read more
DuPont, Dow set home towns for merged spinoff units
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — DuPont and Dow Chemical said two of the three units to be created and spun off following the companies’ mega-merger will be based in DuPont’s home town, and one in Dow’s home town. The two chemical companies agreed to combine in an all-stock merger in December, valued at US$130 billion at the time, […] Read more
DuPont CEO sees little to concern regulators in Dow merger
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — DuPont CEO Edward Breen said on Tuesday that antitrust regulators were likely to show “very little” concern about the company’s pending merger with Dow Chemical and were not expected to seek significant asset sales. Dupont and Dow plan to form a giant chemical and seed producer that would have a market value of […] Read more
Monsanto increases job cuts as corn, chemical sales slump
Reading Time: 3 minutes Reuters — Monsanto said a souring farm economy and currency woes will push its 2016 earnings to the lower end of expectations, while a cost-cutting drive will lead the world’s largest seed company to slash more jobs. Low commodity prices also should lead to more consolidation in the agricultural sector, CEO Hugh Grant said, about […] Read more
DuPont cuts jobs in Delaware ahead of Dow merger
Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters — Chemical maker DuPont said it would cut 1,700 jobs in Delaware, as part of a previously announced plan to reduce its workforce before combining with Dow Chemical in a US$130 billion megamerger. The job cuts in the state, which has been its home for more than 213 years, will take place in the […] Read more
Syngenta said talking to Monsanto, ChemChina, others
Reading Time: 2 minutes Zurich | Reuters — Swiss agrichemicals group Syngenta is in talks with Monsanto, ChemChina and other rivals but has not received a concrete takeover offer and is keeping all options open, chairman Michel Demare told a Swiss newspaper. “Given what shareholders expect for the next 12 months, going it alone is hardly possible,” he told […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
