The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

MON was one of the few stock that rose today (+2.2%); it boosted non-GAAP EPS guidance for FY2012 (ending 8/31/12) to a range of $3.65-3.70, up $0.16 from the prior range of $3.49-3.54:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/monsanto-boosts-fiscal-2012-profit-131417252.html

Hugh Grant, Monsanto's chairman, president and chief executive, told investors at a conference in New York that he expects year-over-year ongoing earnings to grow up to 25 percent this year, with earnings growth in the "mid-teens" following in fiscal 2013.

…Monsanto said it saw strong seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres that began early [due to the unusually mild weather] in the year and continued through the third quarter. The company also saw strong demand at its seed and traits business and better-than-expected sales of chemical products including its Roundup herbicides, along with strong demand at its lawn-and-garden businesses.

Today’s webcast slides are at: http://www.monsanto.com/investors/Documents/2012/2012.05.20_FINAL_Hugh%20Grant_SB_nn.pdf

and MON’s own PR is at: http://monsanto.mediaroom.com/2012-05-30-Monsanto-Increases-Fiscal-Year-2012-Earnings-Guidance-Projecting-Up-To-25-Percent-Ongoing-Earnings-Growth-Free-Cash-Flow-Guidance-At-High-End-Of-Previous-Outlook .

MON reports FY3Q12 results on 6/27/12.