The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

MON—The early onset of spring in the US did not increase sales and earnings per se, but it did shift some sales and earnings from FY3Q12 (Mar-May) to FY2Q12 (Dec-Feb), boosting the results for FY2Q12 to an all-time record. Due to the shift of earnings from FY3Q12 to FY2Q12, earnings in the second half of the fiscal year are now expected to be flat vs FY2011.

Due to the overall strength of the business, MON raised EPS guidance for the full fiscal year FY2012 (ending 8/31/12) to $3.49-3.54 (an increase of $0.10 relative to the old guidance of $3.39-3.44).